Chapter 3

After submitting the third copy to Massimo, it seems that Alessandro praised him. He also seems to have received some pocket money as a reward.

Upon learning this, I had hoped he would share a little with me.

I realized how foolish I was for having such expectations. Massimo is a miser at heart. He wouldn’t part with a single copper coin that has entered his pocket.

The currency in this country includes hole copper coins, copper coins, hole silver coins, silver coins, and gold coins, with each type being equivalent in value to ten of the next lower denomination. For example, a hole copper coin is worth ten copper coins, and so on. Coins with "hole" in their name, like the five-yen coin, have a hole in the center.

Roughly, one copper coin is worth 100 yen, one silver coin is worth 10,000 yen, and one gold coin is worth 100,000 yen.

Even after submitting the last copy to Massimo, I continued to study magic while working as a servant.

I really wanted to read the magic books in the study, but I doubt the magicians or their apprentices would allow it.

Magic has several systems, and the most representative ones, such as Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth, have been studied by many magicians, leading to the creation of numerous spells known to the world.

Magicians choose to learn and master the magic that suits them or the magic for which they can easily obtain catalysts.

Some magicians are researching original spells, but it seems they go to the capital, where there are large libraries and research facilities.

After successfully casting a basic spell, I started researching catalysts. Ash and charcoal are used as catalysts for Fire, but charcoal is more effective. The size of the flame produced by a fire spell differs when using ash versus charcoal.

Charcoal produces a flame about 50% larger.

The textbook "Theory of Catalysts in Magic" explains the essence and history of catalysts.

Catalysts contain elements called "Xuanzi," and the effectiveness of a catalyst is determined by the amount of Xuanzi it contains.

Xuanzi is not a single element but exists in different forms depending on the magic system. For example, Fire has "Fire Xuanzi," Water has "Water Xuanzi," and so on.

For example, seashells, which are catalysts for Water, contain Water Xuanzi. However, the ratio of Water Xuanzi in seashells varies.

Magicians, through experience, have learned that seashells from deep-sea creatures contain more Water Xuanzi, so they began to use deep-sea seashells as catalysts.

High-quality catalysts are strategic materials in battles. Nobles and royalty sought high-quality catalysts.

When the king's power was strong, he ordered the nobles to present the best catalysts to him every six months. This was both an obligation and a source of pride for the nobles, as it demonstrated the quality of catalysts they possessed.

This custom continues even now, with nobles traveling to the capital in spring and autumn to present catalysts.

Nobles with coastal territories hunted sea monsters like the unicorn fish and presented their materials. However, some nobles, unable to hunt sea monsters, presented crushed deep-sea shells instead. Hunting sea monsters is difficult.

A story illustrating this difficulty is that of a count who lost three veteran magicians and over a dozen soldiers while trying to hunt a unicorn fish. Hunting monsters at sea is riskier than on land.

On the other hand, in the territory of Viscount Fabius, surrounded by mountains, they hunted the magic tree Elbir, steamed its body to make charcoal, and presented it.

The Elbir tree, whose fruits and flowers can be used as Life system catalysts, and whose body, when steamed and turned into charcoal, can be used as a Fire system catalyst, is a rare monster that provides catalysts for two systems.

"Elbir... I wonder what kind of monster it is. I’d like to see it, but I’m also a bit scared."

Twice a year, the castle's soldiers and magicians go on an expedition to the mountains where the Elbir live to hunt them. The magicians who participate in these expeditions are mostly young. As one gets older, the physical demands of mountain climbing become more challenging.

I wonder if Massimo has ever participated in such an expedition.

After finishing the cleaning on the first floor and taking a break, I was called by Massimo. I climbed the stairs to the second floor and was asked to go shopping.

"Go to the charcoal shop and buy high-quality charcoal. It's for a catalyst, so get the best quality."

"Huh... The best quality, like Elbir charcoal?"

Massimo looked at me with a bewildered expression.

"Are you stupid? There's no way Elbir charcoal would be sold at a charcoal shop."

It seems that all Elbir charcoal is managed by the viscount.

I went to the town with three silver coins. I had been there a few times, so I knew the way. As I walked on the path trodden by people and horses, the number of passersby increased.

It was late summer, so most people were wearing short-sleeved shirts, pants, or skirts. Many women carried shopping baskets, probably buying food.

I heard the voices of vendors and people trying to attract customers. At the stalls, they were selling fruits similar to watermelons.

The charcoal shop was at the end of the commercial street. It was a large store selling charcoal and firewood. Inside, a few customers and shop assistants were taking orders.

When I entered, a boy around twelve years old approached me.

"Welcome, do you need firewood?"

I shook my head.

"I need the best quality charcoal for a catalyst."

"Ah, you must be a magician's apprentice. Please wait a moment."

Before I could correct him, the boy disappeared into the back and returned with a large box that looked important.

The best quality charcoal is made from Gashi trees and is a valuable item.

After handing over three silver coins, I received a small pot containing crushed charcoal powder. I wrapped the pot in a cloth similar to a furoshiki. Having finished my errand, I wandered around the commercial street, which was quite lively with hardware stores, vegetable stands, second-hand clothing shops, tailor shops, butcher shops, liquor stores, and accessory shops.

There were also stores that did not exist in Japan, such as mercenary agencies, catalyst shops, leather shops, and weapon shops.

"I was told to buy catalyst charcoal at a charcoal shop, but wouldn't a catalyst shop have it too?"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind me.

"Ordinary charcoal isn't sold at catalyst shops. They only have charcoal made from steamed magic trees like Elbir."

"Huh?"

Behind me stood an old woman with a bent back.

"Come in."

She entered the catalyst shop with a cane, and the shop assistant called out.

"Mom, where have you been?"

"I was visiting the graves."

Following the old woman, I noticed various items inside the shop. The most numerous were materials from magic beasts, such as the shell of a fire turtle, the feathers and bones of a wind cutter bird, the beak of a worm, and the feathers and bones of a fire-breathing bird, all of which I had never seen before.

The shop was not very large, similar to an old candy store. The old woman moved to the other side of the counter through a small entrance and sat down in a comfortable-looking chair.

"Are you a magician's apprentice?"

I shook my head and explained that I worked as a servant.

"Oh... I must have been wrong. You had the aura of a magician."

"Maybe a little, since I've studied magic."

"Who taught you?"

"My uncle, who teaches magic to the viscount's son."

"Ah, you're Alessandro's nephew... That must be tough."

What was tough? I tilted my head in confusion, so the old woman explained.

"The viscount's family has three magicians. One is Alessandro, who mainly teaches magic to the young master. Another is Flavio, a practical magician skilled in Fire and Wind magic. The last one is Eduardo, a magician who can read minds and is excellent at influencing people."

...There's magic to read minds? I need to be careful.

"Each of them has a few apprentices. However, during the Elbir hunt in spring, Alessandro lost two of his apprentices."

...That's why there were empty rooms on the second floor.

"Every year, in spring and autumn, the Elbir hunt is held, and magicians or their apprentices must participate. Alessandro has only sent his apprentices so far. If he's teaching you magic, he might make you an apprentice and have you participate in the hunt."

The old woman was overthinking. Alessandro has no intention of making me an apprentice or having me participate in the hunt.

After that, the old woman started talking enthusiastically about catalysts, apparently inviting me into the shop just to share her knowledge.

Thanks to her, I learned a lot about catalysts.

When I left the catalyst shop and returned to the mansion, Alessandro was unusually relaxing in the living room on the first floor.

"Hmm... Riccardo, were you out shopping?"

"Yes, I went to buy catalyst charcoal."

"Massimo's errand, I see. It seems he's finally starting magic training."

Magician's apprentices apparently dislike training. I wonder if they can participate in the Elbir hunt like that.

Massimo came down from upstairs.

"Father, do I really have to go on the Elbir hunt?"

Alessandro's face turned sour.

"We need to have a talk. Come to my room."

The two went upstairs to Alessandro's private room. I was curious about their conversation and followed them, listening at the door.

I could hear Alessandro's voice from inside.

"You're the only apprentice left. You have to go."

"But my fellow apprentices died in the hunt."

"It was just bad luck."

"Then, Father, please go with me and protect me."

Massimo's high-pitched voice was filled with fear.

"Stop being foolish. How long will you keep being a child? It's time to take your training seriously."

"Does Father not care if I die in the hunt?"

I heard the sound of Alessandro hitting a desk or something.

Massimo, his voice trembling, suggested,

"Well, if there were another apprentice, it would be fine. Find someone to be an apprentice and send them on the hunt."

Alessandro sighed deeply.

"Is it that easy? Do you know how difficult it is to find a talented apprentice?"

"...If it's a replacement, anyone will do... Even Riccardo would be fine."

When Riccardo heard Massimo's words, he thought, "What is he saying?" Massimo was desperately pleading, but the content was too low.

No matter how much it was for his son, Alessandro wouldn't allow it. That's what Riccardo thought.

Alessandro was silent, seemingly deep in thought. Riccardo had a bad feeling and couldn't believe it.

"Hmm... That could be a solution. If I can claim to have sent an apprentice on the hunt, it would be a good reputation."

Hearing his father's response, Massimo said brightly,

"Right, it's a good idea, isn't it?"

"Now that it's decided, who will be the apprentice? Should it be Riccardo?"

Massimo answered enthusiastically.

Riccardo quietly left the door and went downstairs.

That day, Riccardo was told by the magician Alessandro that he would be made an apprentice.

Normally, one would be happy to become a magician's apprentice, but Riccardo wasn't at all. The reason Alessandro wanted to make him an apprentice was too selfish.

He could have refused, but he wouldn't be going on the Elbir hunt alone. He thought the risk of dying wasn't that high.

After considering, he decided to become a magician's apprentice.

Alessandro, with a stern face, announced that Riccardo would be a formal apprentice.

"The Elbir hunt will take place in two months. By then, you should be able to cast basic spells."

"Understood. Can I read the magic books in the study?"

"Yes, you can. Learn enough magic to not embarrass me. Understand?"

Alessandro reluctantly taught Riccardo the secret technique of magic power control, which Riccardo already knew but listened to with a respectful face.

He also received small amounts of Water, Wind, and Earth catalysts, as he couldn't practice magic without them.

2017/7/6 Typo correction