Chapter 5

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It has been about 20 days since then. When I returned to the village today, I said I had gathered a lot again, and there was a covered wagon. ... Upon closer inspection, a golem resembling a centaur was seated where the horse should be. No doubt, it was the alchemist merchant. I wanted to sell my findings right away. Although the capacity of the 'Extend Space' is still ample, I'm a bit timid and would like to sell if I can.

This isn't the first time I've made money, but I've never seen more than a large silver coin. With the current amount, I'm sure I can get at least a small gold coin. My heart raced at the prospect of earning my first gold coin, and I headed to the alchemist merchant.

"Excuse me, I want to sell alchemy materials. Is it a good time now?"

"Ah, sure. You have an 'Extend Space' at your age? But you don't seem to be carrying anything."

"Yes, I can use the 'Extend Space.' Please wait a moment. I have a lot, so—"

"Hold on a sec. If you have a lot, let's do it tomorrow. It'll be dark if we spend an hour or two from now. I'll be in this village for a few days, so come back tomorrow."

"Right... I'll come back tomorrow."

...I see. It takes quite a bit of time just to inspect this amount. I was eager to see the results of my hard work, but time is also a factor. If I were to inspect all of this, it would probably be night by the time I finished. Suppressing my eagerness, I headed home. And when I got home, I had to do my usual chores. This is a task for the youngest, and it won't change until I have a younger brother or sister, but it seems I'm the last, so I'll probably have to do this job until the Star Allocation Ceremony at age six. It can't be helped; this is also a trial. If I overcome the trials, I will surely be given at least one star in alchemy talent. There's nothing I can do but pray to the gods.

The next morning, I ate my usual breakfast, finished my morning chores, and went to the alchemist merchant. I came here with unquenched excitement from yesterday, ready for my first large-scale sale.

"Good morning. Is the alchemist merchant here?"

"Ah, yes. Wait a moment."

With a "Yoisho," he peeked out from the back of the covered wagon. His hair was messy, and he looked like he had just woken up, but he seemed ready to buy. As I was about to take out the materials with relief, he hung something around my neck. ...? It must be some kind of item. What effect does it have?

"That's an item that turns red if you lie. I make you wear it just in case when there's a lot to inspect. If you lie, I could lose a lot. So, you have a lot, right? Let's get started."

"Yes. I'll take them out one by one. First, the magic mushrooms—"

I piled up the preservation bottles, which looked like mountains, one after another. I explained that each bottle contained ten while taking them out of the 'Extend Space.' I apologized that I couldn't take them out without touching them, and I continued to take out the materials, such as earth dragon claws and yellow chimes mushrooms. The merchant, who seemed to enjoy counting, and I, who seemed to enjoy taking them out, worked together. When I finished with the last bottle of netted stem mushrooms and said, "That's all," a sense of accomplishment was evident. It felt like the results of all my efforts, and it was very enjoyable. ...It took about two hours to take out and inspect the materials, but that's part of the fun.

"Well, it's been a while since I've had such a big deal. The materials from the sacred forest of York are supposed to be like this. The gathering place has been crying until now. It's good to see a smile. ...Now, let's talk about the appraisal. How about one medium gold coin and two small gold coins? Even without any special items, this is a lot of material. I've added a bit of value to it."

"Medium gold coin! Alright, I'll take it!"

While returning the item hung around my neck, I received one medium gold coin and two small gold coins. Oh, this is a gold coin. I've never seen one before. I put the money in the preservation bottle with a sense of satisfaction. This bottle has become like a wallet, but it can't be helped. It's convenient. If the contents are less likely to deteriorate and are hard to break, anyone would want to use it as a wallet. In fact, the merchant was also dividing the money into each bottle and was taking money out of a medium gold coin bottle that was almost full. ...This alchemist merchant must be making a lot of money.

Now that I've successfully completed the transaction, I want to ask something that's been on my mind. Why is an alchemist a merchant? There must be various reasons in life, but why a merchant? Wasn't there a different path?

"Why? Because it was a promise with my parents. I was born into a merchant family. Then, I got a star in alchemy talent. My father, who was elated, sent me to the royal capital's alchemy academy. And he told me to use alchemy to help the business. So, after thinking about it, I decided to become a merchant. I've always wanted to travel, and now I'm doing business while traveling. Ah, I'm serious about the business too. As you know, alchemy costs a lot to use and maintain. Unless you're a noble, you have to do some kind of business to make a living."

Hmm, a merchant because you were born into a merchant family. Being a merchant seems fun. I need to think about what I want to do when I become an alchemist. I don't know what I can learn at the alchemy academy, but it will surely be fun.

Let's end the talk about business and go gathering today. Recently, thanks to the finger magic crystal necklace, I can find my way back. So, I can go east or west without worrying about the direction, and I don't have to worry about the gaps in the forest.

Also, after 20 days of gathering, I've learned the knack of it. I no longer gather mud moss at all. It's a hassle to dry and doesn't make money. I think I'll keep a few dozen bottles for my own use in case I need it as an alchemist in the future. That's why the number of sieves hasn't increased from ten. Drying takes three days, and more than ten would just be a nuisance. So, I only gather when I have a sieve.

I've also become better at identifying magic mushrooms. I can spot them from a relatively far distance, and identifying their attributes is easy, so I can harvest them quickly. Well, most of them are dark attributes. The only thing I'm still doing is checking the base of the north side of trees.

There's a type of moss called dark dark moss in this forest. It's weak to sunlight and grows in places that don't get much sun. It's easy to distinguish because it's pitch black, so I've developed the habit of observing the base of the north side of trees. This moss is worth two large silver coins per bottle at the merchant's price, which is a bargain. I didn't sell it this time, but I have one bottle of it, which I've been told could be worth a gold coin if sold to the Yin-Yang Sect.

The merchant said there were no special items, but I kept some that are expected to be quite valuable. One of them is a dark carapace mushroom, a black mushroom with white spots. It's also strong in dark attributes and is said to be highly valued by the Yin-Yang Sect. It's currently being traded at the merchant's price of four large silver coins per mushroom. I have about five of them. ...This forest might be a holy site of the Yin-Yang Sect. It's full of materials that would make the Yin-Yang Sect drool.

Anyway, I end up gathering a lot of magic mushrooms, but they don't seem to run out. I fill bottles with the money I earn and look for the north side of trees. I've turned this into a habit. If I don't neglect the inspection after gathering, I might become a millionaire in this forest.

...I'm starting to run low on preservation bottles, so I'll visit Judina tomorrow. I'll order more bottles and visit again the next day. This has been a recent routine. I also sell mica mushrooms to Judina when I order bottles, but I always deliver a considerable amount, and she buys them with a relaxed expression. It's very helpful.

I heard from the merchant that alchemists need a lot of money. It's not just alchemists; money is necessary for anything. ...If I want to live in this village, I must have earned enough already. But if I want to live as an alchemist, I decided that before the Star Allocation Ceremony. This effort must be seen by the gods. They must give me alchemy talent.

Believing this, I returned to the task of gathering magic mushrooms. Talking about dreams is a privilege of the young. However, without strength, those dreams will crumble easily. Without money, those dreams will drift far away. All for the sake of becoming an alchemist. I spend every day accumulating the power of money.

The gods in heaven must be watching such a hardworking person. Today, I found something good. A black mushroom growing on dark dark moss. It's a dark sky pattern mushroom, a rare mushroom that grows on the rare dark dark moss. Its characteristics are that it grows on dark dark moss and is pitch black. At the merchant's price, it's worth three small gold coins per mushroom. It's a very lucky day. If sold to the right place, this one mushroom could earn more than today's earnings. I gratefully collected it with the moss and continued searching for the next mushroom.

After gathering all the materials, it's time to go home. I channeled magic into the finger magic crystal necklace and walked towards the one my mother has. It's a big help that I don't have to worry about the gaps in the forest or the direction. I can always find my way back with this item. If I become an alchemist, I'll be able to make such mysterious and convenient items, so I want to become an alchemist soon.

When I got home, I did my usual chores, ... and noticed that there's meat in the barley porridge today. It must be an exchange with the hunter and some vegetables. I had a slightly more luxurious dinner than usual, practiced floating the 'Extend Space' in the air, and fell asleep.

The next morning, I ate the same barley porridge, did my chores, and ran to Judina. I need to tell her about the preservation bottles. ...I still have some leeway, but I only have enough for four more days. I want to replenish them as soon as possible. I don't think I'll use them all up today, but I want to keep some empty bottles. ...It's probably due to my personality from my previous life. The fear of running out of inventory.

"Excuse me."

"Wait a moment!"

I got the usual response. I moved to my usual spot and sat down. ...Does this store even make a profit? The alchemist merchant said that alchemists need a lot of money, but this store doesn't seem to be doing well. I haven't seen anyone buy potions. Or is it different depending on the sect?

"Welcome. The merchant came, didn't he? Did you sell your materials? I bet you got a good price."

"Yes, I got one medium gold coin and two small gold coins. At this rate, I can pay for the alchemy academy's tuition. ...By the way, I need 1,000 preservation bottles."

"Sure, sure. That'll be two small silver coins. ---Here you go. I'll have them ready by tomorrow."

"Um, alchemists need a lot of money, right? ...This store doesn't seem to have many customers."

"Hmm? Oh, you heard from the merchant, didn't you? Well, I can manage without much money. My job as an alchemist is to study the Marumaterolof, and I get research funds from the results and papers. The materials from this forest are enough to live on. The shed skin of the Marumaterolof is excellent as earth and wind attribute materials, and I don't have to maintain any golems. This store is half for the village, so I don't really need money."

The Marumaterolof is the mythical beast I saw before. So, she's making a living by studying its growth. ...There are various types of alchemists. Studying mythical beasts is also a job for alchemists, so the world of alchemy must be very broad. ...I wonder what other sects there are. I only know about the Yin-Yang Sect...

"Um, are there really so many alchemy sects?"

"Huh? Sects? Well, there are many. I'm from the Illusionary Sect. We mainly raise and study the ecology of mythical beasts. There are important people at the alchemy academy in the capital, but most of them are in some sacred place. I think many of them raise mythical beasts like me. ...I know of three people studying the Marumaterolof. They live in the villages around this forest. You can learn about other sects when you go to the alchemy academy. Or you can ask at a large town's alchemy guild. You'll get more detailed information there."

A sect that studies the ecology of mythical beasts. So, that's also a job for alchemists. The world of alchemy is so broad. There are merchants and researchers... What kind of alchemist will I become?

"Well, in your case, the first step is the Star Allocation Ceremony. ...The ceremony is where the gods distribute talents, so pray now. There was a study in the church that said if you pray strongly, you can get the talent you wish for. So, your job is to gather materials, make money, and have a strong desire to become an alchemist. I'll help you where I can, but the basics are up to you."

She laughed and gave me advice. ...Does the Star Allocation Ceremony really reach the gods? I'll pray at the church before and after gathering. If I don't get alchemy talent, I won't know why I've been working so hard. I'll start praying this evening.

Anyway, today is a gathering day. I'll continue gathering unless it rains. ...It hasn't rained much recently, and my parents have been complaining about watering, but I don't mind because I can gather. However, it would be nice if it rained moderately to give me a break and because there are more mushrooms after it rains. There's no rainy season in this world, so I can gather safely.

...The problem is winter. It gets cold enough to snow a bit in this area. Last winter, we all huddled together. This year, I have money, so I'll consult with Judina about winter preparations. As an alchemist, I believe that as long as I have materials, I can solve any problem. Materials and money are a strong ally in times of need.

I gathered a lot in the morning and afternoon. I didn't find any dark sky pattern mushrooms like yesterday, but it was a typical day of gathering a lot of magic mushrooms. Ah, I found two dark carapace mushrooms. They're expensive, but dark sky pattern mushrooms are in a different league. The more expensive they are, the harder they are to find. That's a universal truth.

After gathering, I went to the church to pray. The church doors are still open, so I can go in. The priest, Simon, was cleaning the decorations and statues in the chapel. ...Do the clergy here clean all day? I saw them cleaning in the morning too. I'm worried if they're managing properly.

"Oh, it's been a while. What brings you here today?"

"Yes, I came to pray. I want to become an alchemist."

"Is that so? That's a good thing. Your prayers will surely reach the gods."

"Yes. Um, is it okay if I come to pray in the morning and evening on non-rainy days?"

"Yes, of course. The grace of God is always open."

The church opens before sunrise and closes a little after sunset. So, it's fine. I'll come every morning and evening from now on. ...On non-rainy days. On rainy days, I wish they would give me a day