Chapter 74

Good morning from my room. Today is September 6th, just a regular day. I'm Herman. There was nothing particularly outstanding in September's classes. The Eimei School's class was about making advanced potions. ...I made it myself, so I didn't really need to go, but I went to confirm that what I made was indeed an advanced potion. The conclusion was that my method was correct. There were no Endless Beginner Potions. It seems I finally got a normal teacher.

The Tetsu Muka School's class was about creating attribute magic iron. It was just a matter of turning the materials into magic stones and mixing them with iron. This was also an easy and convenient alchemy. During the class, I brought silver instead of iron and mixed it with the magic stone of the King's Land Herb to create attribute magic silver. This way, I can also prepare weapons. ...They are supposed to arrive today. I decided to have two broadswords and two rapiers made. I bought four, but since I brought the materials, it didn't cost that much.

The Zōmei School's class was about creating a four-legged golem. Creating a golem itself is a matter of talent. It's not in the realm of skills like making slime or goo. It was just a matter of attaching magic stones to the joints. This makes it more efficient. Then, I solidified it with magic mushrooms and earth magic stones. This wasn't difficult either. I thought it would be better to use more magic stones, but since the class was about which joints to use, it was part of the lesson. Well, the golem I made ended up dying.

The Reimei School's class was about creating a two-story house. I used a lot of iron ingots. My knowledge from my previous life came in handy. I reinforced the iron with earth magic stones, similar to reinforced concrete, and then solidified it with earth and magic mushrooms. The strength was fine even when I tested it on the second floor. ...However, the houses of those who skimped on materials collapsed. You can only learn by making and breaking them. The thickness of the earth changes the weight, so you can't make it with a fixed amount of materials in the Reimei School's class. ...I can understand why people want to skimp, but it ended up being a mixed result.

Finally, the Yumei School's class was about enhancing skeletons, the Gamira Club edition. The bones become harder. To mix in materials from different monsters, you need dark attribute magic mushrooms, and it seems very inefficient with Gamira Club materials. ...I received a helpful suggestion to mix Stinarania crystal scales into the skeleton, but Stinarania crystal scales cost about 3 small silver coins per vial at the alchemy guild. Even if you strengthen it, it only makes it harder, not stronger or smarter. It's really a waste. If it made it stronger, I would have considered it. I don't have the luxury to use high-grade materials to enhance a skeleton.

So, the classes ended quickly. Today, the custom-made weapons are supposed to arrive. ...I asked around at the blacksmith's, and it seems fewer people pick up their orders, so I decided to have them delivered. ...The cost is only 10% more, so it's not a big deal for the blacksmith, as the profit margin is better. Considering that I only spent up to a middle silver coin for four swords with the materials I brought, it's a good deal. ...Expensive weapons have higher skill fees, and if you need attribute magic silver, it would cost even more, and the attributes would weaken, so it's safer to prepare them myself. It's something I entrust my life to, especially with slim swords. Plus, I have plans for tomorrow.

Ed invited me to go to the magic realm again. We might be able to target Kelpies now. I learned how to make advanced potions and attribute metals. So, how about we go for a hunt? I'm sure everyone has new weapons. I don't know about Ted, but the former nobles definitely received plenty of preparation funds and probably prepared a few weapons. What about Ted? If he has wind attribute weapons from the Tornado Grass, he can make strong and easy-to-use weapons. He can probably buy silver, and if he visited sacred sites, he might have brought earth attribute materials. Either way, I think it should work. With a middle silver coin, it should be possible. If he brings more attribute metals, he can sell them. ...It depends on whether Ted realizes this.

"Room 09001, your package has arrived."

Oh, it's here. This amplification alchemy item can penetrate walls, but only horizontally. I don't know why, but it's specialized for horizontal walls. So, if you shout from the basement, it works. The same goes for letters. You get a notification like, "Room 09001, you have a letter." It usually arrives between 1:00 and 2:00 in the morning. If you don't pick it up, you'll be called again around 11:00 PM. If you're in the magic realm, you'll get multiple announcements. I thought about having a mailbox, but why did they make such a system?

Well, I received it. As ordered, two broadswords and two rapiers. I did some light practice in the room, and it seems fine. The center of gravity is as ordered. The design is a bit luxurious. The blacksmith in the capital of the Selerolls Viscount's territory is probably more skilled. Since it's a blacksmith in the magic realm, this kind of design can sustain a living, so the blacksmith I asked is probably one of the good ones. It looks better to have something than nothing. With these, I can cut down Kelpies easily. Is Ed getting a new Zweihänder? He once upgraded to a magic iron one, but since he invited me, he probably got a new one.

So, on September 7th, I'm waiting in front of the 4th building of the Genken School. I was the earliest. The meeting time is 2:00, but I'm here at 1:30. I have a habit of coming when I'm ready. I leave my room around the same time as during the Fertility Festival, so I usually arrive about 20 minutes early. While waiting, Ted showed up first.

"Good morning, Herman."

"Good morning, Ted. Did you get new weapons too?"

"Yes, I got new ones. I chose earth attribute magic silver. It was a bit expensive, but I prepared what I think is the best I can get now."

"Wow, the same as me. I also got earth attribute magic silver. The materials were collected before the Alchemy Academy?"

"Yes, from an earth attribute sacred site. There's one close to the capital."

"Ted, you're from the royal territory, right?"

"Yes, so I visited the sacred sites in the royal territory. I heard from a traveling alchemist that I should prepare earth attribute materials, so I did."

"I see, I also visited sacred sites in other territories. We're on the same page."

We talked about weapons for about 15 minutes, and then the other three arrived together. Nobles have similar habits, probably due to the noble school.

"Good morning, did everyone get new weapons?"

"Yeah, I got attribute magic silver weapons. I'm thinking of going as far as Kelpies this time. What do you think?"

"Good morning, I got an attribute magic silver shield. I think it can withstand a Kelpie's charge."

"Everyone got new weapons. I changed to a two-handed attribute magic silver sword. I think we can handle Kelpies, but does the shield's attribute magic silver change the defense?"

"Interestingly, it does. I don't know if it's because Kelpies are water attribute, but it slightly repels. I don't think it will be a one-hit knockback. My arms won't break like last time."

"That was my only concern, so it's good to know. ...Just in case, I made wind attribute alchemy weapons to weaken the charge, but if they're not needed, that's fine too."

"It helps, so I made them too. If we can weaken it even a little, we can handle it easily."

"I didn't think that far. ...Well, the material cost isn't a big deal. If we defeat the Kelpies, we'll get more than enough in return?"

"Yes, that's fine. Let's go as usual. Let's join a raid quickly."

Everyone's goal this time is to hunt Kelpies. We want to do it before December's classes. I plan to go for the Full Moon Mushroom, but Kelpie's water attribute crystal is worth three stars, and the Full Moon Mushroom is worth five stars. I confirmed this at the Fertility Festival. ...Only the commoners, Albert, Deborah, Laura, and Kerry, have combat talent. ...Nobles with combat talent usually aim for the Tetsu Muka School, so it makes sense.

So, it's a new day, and we're in the magic realm. We're targeting Kelpies, so let's start a bit later. Only students, teachers, and researchers from the noble school, magic school, and alchemy academy use this gate. There were more students from the magic school today. People from the Tetsu Muka School were, of course, there. The Tetsu Muka School is hot in July, August, and September. Mizuchi and Stinarania only appear during these three months. Kelpies are said to appear from April to November. If seen outside this period, it might be a stampede.

A stampede is when the magic realm becomes too active, and a large number of monsters emerge. Usually, only the lowest-level monsters come out, but occasionally, Kelpie-class monsters do. Monsters that grant knighthood or mage titles rarely come out. If they do, the damage is severe, but since they don't, it's manageable. If Stinarania appears, it's a different story. That's why adventurers are advised to report any signs of a stampede. Even Carbuncles are a threat to those who can't fight. ...Orcs are usually hunted by farmers. Farmers are really strong. Scythes aren't for show.

So, ignoring the Kokodoriro, we search for Kelpies. We need to test them first. Oh, there they are. Kelpies are swimming leisurely in the salt lake. ...They can swim in both fresh and salt water, like Mizuchi and Stinarania. ...Such strong enemies are beyond us, and even Kelpies are a challenge. So, how do we lure them out? Then, Glen started hitting his shield with magic. ...What is that? Some kind of skill? Shield users with hate-related skills are cool.

"Here they come. Let's see how it goes without doing anything first."

"Got it. After that, we'll attack all at once. Ted and I will go for the face, Ed and Herman for the neck!"

The Kelpie came out of the water and charged, and Glen stopped it, retreating about 2 meters. Then, we'll cut the neck from the side. ...One slash didn't go through the bone, but it was a swallow return. I cut the neck bone from the lower position, reaching the point where Ed cut. Ed's hit was almost through the bone. Mine was about 2/7 and 4/7 of the way through.

"Can we cut the neck in one go? If so, Ted and I should pin the face to the ground. ...How does it feel, Glen?"

"Both receiving and my arms are fine. No potions needed. I didn't expect it to be this different."

"I thought Glen was attracting the enemy. What was that?"

"That's a talent for shield users. As you get more skilled, you can use it to call enemies. You use magic to call out to the target, and they charge in."

"Herman, you didn't know? Swordsmen have it too. I can't use it yet, but it's called a flying sword. You