Chapter 4

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"Yuk, can you use <Continuous Mana Recovery>?"

"I'm a Red Mage, after all."

<Continuous Mana Recovery> is one of the enhancement spells that only Red Mages can use. Or, it might be better to call it a support spell.

This spell has the effect of gradually restoring mana by absorbing environmental mana from the surroundings.

It doesn't have immediate effects, but it's a convenient spell that significantly improves the sustained combat ability of those who use magic.

"What? Is it a powerful spell?"

Rain nodded slightly at Marina's excited voice.

"It's a very rare spell. Just being able to use it is enough to get you into an A-rank party."

"That's an exaggeration, right?"

Rain laughed lightly.

Just because you can use it doesn't mean A-rank parties are that easy to join.

"Red Mages are a disadvantaged class. We have to learn all sorts of tricks."

Learning <Continuous Mana Recovery> was quite difficult, but apparently I had a talent for it. Acquiring the magic book was also quite challenging, and I had to work hard to get it.

Well, the members of 'Thunderpike' were rather insensitive or indifferent to whatever enhancements I used.

"Alright. Let's put that aside and move on."

"Okay!"

We proceed through the second floor with more caution than the first.

Encountering those large groups of enemies multiple times would put too much strain on Rain.

"What are you doing?"

Silk gives me an interested look as I occasionally stop to sprinkle holy water at my feet.

"I'm sprinkling holy water to slow down the undead. This way, we can easily prevent flanking and ambush attacks."

"Such a method..."

"Well, it can be expensive if you do it regularly, so I don't really recommend it. This is my own creation, so don't worry about it."

"Your own creation!? Without being a cleric...?"

"It's not something to be praised, but..."

Silk is surprised, but holy water is a legitimate magical potion created through alchemy.

The church uses 'Light Crystals' to make it, but it can also be made from the 'Purification Ash' left after purifying undead with <Purification of the Dead>.

It's a secret recipe.

I've collected the ashes from the dead miners earlier, so sprinkling holy water as we go won't put us in the red.

"Still, high-rank adventurers really do have different experiences, don't they?"

"Well, after five years, you learn a lot. If there's anything you can learn from me, feel free to do so."

"Yuk, that sounds a bit off."

Marina, walking behind us, pouts.

"Huh?"

"Your way of saying it makes it sound like you're going to disappear. That's not good!"

"Hmm? Is that how it sounded? I'm sorry if it came across that way..."

It seems I still haven't shaken off the 'teacher' vibe.

"Got it!"

"But, teach us a lot, Mr. Teacher."

I chuckle at Silk's playful follow-up as we steadily progress through the dungeon.

We encountered some monsters on the third floor but handled them easily, and we moved on to the fourth floor.

"Let's take a break and have a meal."

According to the plan, we will search for mithril mining points next.

We need to have a meal here before we proceed.

"Having a meal in the dungeon is kind of depressing, isn't it?"

"There's no choice."

Marina and Rain, who took out dried meat and hard bread from their bags, sigh softly.

Well, the typical adventurer's meal is usually like this, but eating cold food in a dim place can be quite depressing.

But, have they forgotten that I'm here?

"Wait a moment. I'll prepare the meal this time."

I take out a frying pan and a small stove from my magic bag and set them up on a portable table I also pulled out from the bag.

"Wh-What? A magic bag...!"

"Huh? Is it your first time seeing one?"

Rain, who is looking at me and the bag with shining eyes, nods repeatedly.

"Well, they're not cheap."

"I want one someday."

"You might get the chance if you keep adventuring."

Magic bags are relatively popular among magical items.

They are expensive for beginners, but you can find them in magic item shops, and they can also be found in dungeons.

For someone like me who relies on tools for support, it's an essential item.

"Alright. Let's prepare the meal."

I light the stove, which runs on magic stones, and heat the frying pan. I then take out a bucket, eggs, sausages, cheese, and another pot.

This pot is a bit special.

I place the small pot on the floor and tap it twice with a ladle, and soon it's filled with steaming soup.

Hmm, it's a seafood soup this time.

"What is this? What is this!? Amazing, amazing!"

Rain, who was watching, claps her hands in delight.

She's still a magic item enthusiast.

Even though she can use magic herself, her fascination with magic items is so strong that she might have some dwarf blood in her.

"This is a <Standing Pot> I picked up in the 'Orias Castle Ruins' dungeon. It cost quite a bit to repair, but it's quite interesting, isn't it?"

"It's very intriguing..."

While Rain is captivated by the <Standing Pot>, I put sausages and eggs into the heated frying pan.

The sizzling sound of the fat and the aroma of the food fill the air.

"..."

"What's wrong, Marina?"

"I can't believe we can have a proper meal in the dungeon... Is this a dream?"

"It's not that big a deal. Here, eat up."

I hand her a plate, and Marina starts eating it with a truly happy look.

It's not a great meal, but it feels rewarding to see her enjoy it.

"..."

Silk is looking at the plate with interest.

"Hey, Yuk. The food... it feels like it's wrapped in mana."

"Indeed."

Ah, Silk has Dark Elf blood, so she's sensitive to mana.

"Why does the omelet and sausage have mana?"

"Isn't cooking, in a broad sense, similar to alchemy?"

"That's not the same..."

"I tried it once, and with a bit of training, I could infuse the food with mana."

"But why infuse the food with mana?"

"Well, we have mining ahead. I infused it with mana to boost our physical abilities and prevent fatigue."

"Food is infused with love...? Love is mana...?"

Silk is holding her head.

I didn't think it was that complicated.

Rain pats Silk's back.

"Silk, don't think too much. Just go with the feeling."

While thinking, "Is it really appropriate for a mage to say that...?" I take a bite of the freshly cooked sausage.

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