Chapter 2

"I heard they sell water magic here."

Saying this, a woman hunter entered the store. She was a tall, strikingly beautiful woman with a sword at her waist.

"We do sell it."

"Is it the same magic as in other magic bookstores?"

"That's a tough question. I don't know what kind of magic other magic bookstores sell."

"I see... No, I bought a water magic book from a store in the downtown area, but it didn't work properly."

"How much did you pay for it?"

"100,000G."

"That's the going rate. It probably didn't work because the transference failed or you lack the aptitude."

"Aptitude?"

"Yes. Even if the transference is successful, some people can't activate the magic. Did you check that at the store?"

"They didn't explain that at the downtown store. And can you tell if the transference was done correctly?"

"We never fail here, so I don't know about other stores. Do you have the magic book you bought?"

"Yes, here it is."

The woman hunter showed the magic book. The incantation for producing water was written in it, but it might require boiling to make it safe to drink.

"This magic might produce water that isn't safe to drink as is."

"What?"

"It's a type of magic that produces water like rain. Some people can drink it as is, but others might get sick. Was the magic circle on this page?"

"Yes, I had it transcribed."

"Is the incantation correct?"

"Probably."

"Try casting it here."

At Margin's suggestion, the woman hunter cast the incantation, but nothing happened.

"As you can see, nothing happens."

"The pronunciation of the incantation was wrong. It should be pronounced like this."

Margin corrected the pronunciation of the incantation.

"Mi, miyu'shieriyo..."

"Not 'miyu,' but 'mizu'shieri.'"

"Mi...yu..."

"Mi... zu."

After practicing the pronunciation several times, she finally got it right, and the water magic activated.

*Plop*

"There, it worked."

"I'm glad. So I wasn't cheated."

"Thank you, shopkeeper, for your kindness."

"No, I should charge for this, but you're beautiful, so it's free."

"Beautiful? Me?"

"Yeah, you're tall for a woman, but I think your face is beautiful."

She blushed and looked embarrassed. Her innocent reaction was perfect.

"Sorry, my companions only ever said I was big and lacked cuteness."

"That's just because they don't have good eyes."

"Is that so? I feel embarrassed, but thank you for the compliment. And I'm glad the magic book wasn't a waste."

"That's good."

"Shopkeeper, you said it was free, but I want to give you something in return. Maybe by buying another magic book..."

"No, our magic books are too expensive to buy as a thank you."

"How expensive are they?"

"For example, our water magic book costs 1,000,000G."

"1,000,000G...?"

"Yes. I think it's worth it, though."

"Is the content different from the one I bought?"

"That's a surprise after you buy it."

"Why keep it a secret? If it's worth 1,000,000G, shouldn't you advertise it?"

"Well, I'm not from this country, so I don't want to stand out too much."

The woman hunter looked at Margin closely.

"So, you're a foreigner. That explains the unusual hair and eye color... Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

"It's fine."

Margin's response made the woman hunter look a bit uncomfortable.

"Cough, what other magic books do you have here?"

She cleared her throat to change the subject.

"We have various ones. Common ones are ignition and lighting magic. These two cost 500,000G each. More expensive ones include dissection and sharpening magic. We also have dishwashing, laundry, and body cleansing magic."

"Dissection and sharpening? What are those?"

"Dissection is for breaking down monsters or fish, and sharpening is for sharpening blades."

"Wow, those sound useful."

"Right? But all the magic in our books can be done without magic. They just make things easier."

"How much do they cost?"

"Dissection is 5,000,000G, and sharpening is 1,000,000G."

"Wow, that's quite expensive..."

"How about body cleansing?"

"That's also 5,000,000G."

"Wow, that's expensive too..."

"This magic is very useful during expeditions. Keeping your body clean is directly related to health. But this magic is selective, so if you're considering buying it, it's best to get an appraisal first."

"Appraisal?"

"Yes. It checks your magic power and which magic you're suited for. If you're not suited, it won't activate."

"How is the appraisal done?"

"With this magic tool."

"Is there such a tool?"

"It's rare, so it's understandable that you don't know about it. How about it? Want to try it? It costs 100,000G per session."

"100,000G just to look?"

"I'm not forcing you. But if you can see your abilities quantified, I think it's a bargain."

"My ability values..."

"Right. You can decide if it's worth it."

"Okay, I'll think about it and come back."

"Got it. If you come back in a more alluring outfit, I'll give you a discount."

"Wha...?"

She blushed and left the store.

---

After closing the store early again, Margin went to Rika's place for a meal and cheap drink, then used the dishwashing magic before heading to the red-light district.

---

*Brothel - Night in Shangri-La*

"Margin, thank you always."

"How is Tabasa?"

"She doesn't have much time left."

The shrewd madam of the brothel answered with a troubled look.

Margin went to Tabasa, who was lying in a room.

"Margin... You came again today..."

"Hey, Tabasa. You're still beautiful."

"Hehe, you're kind to say that even though I look like a skeleton."

Tabasa was bedridden, weakened by her illness. She couldn't turn over, and bedsores had formed, filling the room with a foul smell. Margin refreshed the air in the room and cast a cleansing spell.

"Thank you. I feel much better."

"Good. I'll clean your body too."

Margin cast the body cleansing spell, then helped Tabasa sit up and fed her some porridge.

"Can you swallow it?"

"A little. Can I have some fizzy water?"

Margin used a magic to fill a glass with carbonated water, adding honey in the hope it would help her regain some strength.

"Delicious..."

"I'm glad. When you get better, I'll make you some sweet treats."

"Wow, that's great. Can you make sweets with magic?"

"Sweets aren't made with magic, they're homemade, homemade."

"Hehe, it's strange that you're so kind and can make sweets but aren't popular."

"Shut up!"

Margin pretended to be angry at the teasing.

"Hey, Margin..."

"What is it?"

"Will you visit me when I get better?"

"Of course. I'll even borrow money to visit you regularly."

"Hehe, then save up some money. I'm quite expensive, you know."

"Right, then I'll work hard."

"Right. You don't seem to work seriously, coming to the brothel so early."

"I can't help it; I want to see Tabasa."

"Thank you. You're the only one who says such things even though I look like this."

"Cut it out. Everyone must think the same. So get better soon."

"Okay, I'll try."

After saying this, Margin laid Tabasa back in bed, patted her head, and left the room.

Damn...

Margin regretted the limits of his power.

---

Margin, the owner of the magic bookstore on the outskirts of the capital, was originally named Sanada Ginjiro.

He was summoned from another world thousands of years ago for the great war between humans and demons. As a great sage, he was part of the hero's party that defeated the demon king. With his vast magical power and the creation of various spells, he played a crucial role in the demon king's defeat. However, even the great sage couldn't use magic to cure diseases. Without the knowledge to treat illnesses, there was nothing he could do.

"Okay, I'll try."

Tabasa, who smiled at Margin, passed away a week later, her face peaceful.