Chapter 51

It was as if I had suddenly been caught in a storm. Until then, I had just gone along with what others told me. When I left home to become an apprentice at a pharmacy, when I left the town where I was born, and when I took over the store. It was easier that way, rather than thinking for myself.

So, when the two people who suddenly appeared showed me a new path, I was bewildered. They were harsh, but they were right. I couldn't live by saying I didn't like this or that. I had just been avoiding thinking. I thought things would somehow work out. When they told me to walk on my own, I realized how fortunate I had been.

"Um, five, please. Three初级恢复药, one魔力恢复药, and one解毒剂..."

Counting on his fingers.

"Nine silver coins and... "

"It's ten silver coins and nine large copper coins. Is that okay?"

From the side, a sigh accompanied the total. The customer who was trying to buy the items looked at me, then smiled at Leit and handed him the money.

"Here you go. Just right. Thank you."

Leit took the money, handed over the items, and bowed slightly.

"Rada"

"Because I'm bad at math..."

"I haven't said anything yet. If you keep practicing, you'll get better, so, hey, call out."

"Ugh. How about the medicine?"

For some reason, I was selling medicine in the market with Leit's help. I had heard that I would be selling the medicine I made, but I hadn't been told that I would have to do the selling myself.

I glanced to the side. Leit was sitting listlessly, resting his elbows on his knees. He wasn't wearing his usual full cloak but was dressed lightly with just a knife at his waist.

I think he's a mysterious kid. He left his hometown at the age of seven to become an adventurer. Yet, he seems much more mature than I am. Despite that, he's rough and doesn't care what others think. Even now, he yawned widely, and the people around him were smiling at him, but he didn't notice. He rubbed his eyes and said,

"Hey, your voice stopped."

He's always so strict with me.

Speaking of which, Leit's skills are mysterious. He's so fast at calculations, yet he doesn't have a skill that matches that. The same goes for compounding. He learned from an old lady and can make simple potions, but he doesn't have a skill for that either. According to Kokushin, skills are added through practice and repetition, and if you have the aptitude. He must have done countless calculations, compounding, and even cooking. What's missing?

Leit seems to not care much about those skills. Instead, he's trying to acquire things he's never heard of, like barriers and time stops. I want to follow his lead, but I don't know what I should aim for.

"Hello. How about it?"

I snapped back to reality at Leit's voice. A sister who looked like an adventurer was crouching down.

"How many初级恢复药 do you want?"

Eh, how many? I looked at Leit.

"There's no limit."

Ah, that kind of talk.

"Then, all of them."

"Huh?"

First, let's do the calculations. Leit will probably leave me soon. I should at least be able to do the calculations...

"Hey, can you give me this as a bonus?"

That costs one gold coin. A bonus? How... Ah, Leit is smiling.

"Miss, we're not playing house. If you're teasing us, go away, okay?"

Kokushin's "black smile" was in full effect. Leit isn't afraid of anything. Even with the knight the other day.

While I was watching, the sister clicked her tongue and left.

"You need to learn how to handle people like that."

"Handle..."

Business isn't just about selling things, is it? When I was a kid, I dreamed of having the same job as my father.

"Stop rolling your eyes and get used to it."

He's strict.

Leit chuckled.

"Well, if you really don't like it, you can just make medicine for the rest of your life. I won't force you."

I think I was dragged here today.

"Being able to see the faces of the people who use your medicine, isn't that fulfilling?"

"Fulfilling..."

Why do I make medicine? Because I have skills. For money. For someone else?

"Any more恢复药 left?"

The voice came from the aunt who bought from us first.

"I just drank one, and it wasn't bitter and seemed to work well. I want a few more."

"Ah, y-yes! We have them. How many do you want?"

The aunt bought 12 with a smile. I had to rely on Leit again because I couldn't keep up with the calculations.

"Isn't that nice?"

I nodded at Leit's words.

Leit had told me that the medicine here was made without putting in much effort. The magic power infused varies depending on the effect. But here, I deliberately infused just plain magic power. I was told that this was the general way. Then, why did my master teach me that method? If I infused proper magic power, what would the aunt say? Would she be happy, or would she suspect that it was diluted like before?

In a small voice, Leit was humming something happily. Leit always seems to be having fun. Even Kokushin, while exasperated, seems to enjoy it. What about me?

I wasn't dragged into this. I must have jumped in on my own.

"Here, lunch."

Kokushin arrived with the supplies. We were supposed to act separately today. According to Leit, he's a "shiny prince." Surprisingly, he's good with people and gets lonely. If I say that, I get hit with an Iron Claw.

"You haven't sold out yet?"

And he's strict.

"Hehe. You're doing pretty well."

Leit laughed while eating the sandwich. It was the one he made in the morning. He had deliberately left it with Kokushin. Leit had predicted that he would be on watch. Kokushin had once muttered that there was nothing to do even if he went out.

"How about one?"

"Okay, I'll buy it. Wait, why do I have to buy it?"

"Ten or all of them are fine! Then we can go back!"

"Idiot."

Kokushin hit him on the head. He's in a good mood at times like this. Leit is laughing heartily. It's fun. I wish this time could last longer. I don't want to be a burden, I don't want to be left behind, and I want them to think I'm useful.

I'll focus on what's in front of me for now.