I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman
Someone knocked on the front door and called my name.
It was a girl’s voice. I recognized it, soft and high-pitched.
“Iriya -san, it’s Annika. I went with you to the Norsanus Empire…”
I hurried to open the door, and there stood Annika, all packed for a journey with a backpack.
She was wearing a brown robe and pants, with calm pink hair that leaned toward beige, a magic item artisan who ran her own shop in the royal capital.
“It’s been a while. Are you going somewhere?”
“No, I just returned from the defense city. Actually…”
“Since you’re here, please come in. I’ll make some tea.”
I invited her inside and had her sit on the sofa in the living room. She slowly drank the warm tea, cooling it down a little, and after taking a breath, she started talking.
“I’m sorry for visiting so suddenly… Iriya -san, do you know of Sebirino Osa Arens?”
“Yes, I know him.”
He’s still at home, after all.
“He’s famous, isn’t he? Actually… I wanted to get his book, so I entered the lottery. The nearest shop that handles it is in the defense city. I went to check the lottery results, but… I didn’t win.”
Do I have to check it myself? That’s troublesome. So that’s why she looks downhearted; it was because she lost the lottery.
“It’s a book on the basic creation of advanced potions. Did you apply, Iriya -san? If you have it, I’d be willing to pay money to see it…”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t apply. Please wait a moment.”
If she’s going, does she need to hire an escort? It must have been disappointing to miss out on such a wanted book.
Still, it seems Sebirino’s books are quite popular.
“Sebirino! Excuse me for a moment.”
“Ah, Master.”
When I called out, Sebirino immediately came out of the room and descended the stairs. He stays on the second floor.
He had said he was in contact regarding work today. It seemed like someone had asked him for something.
“You wrote the book on the basic creation of advanced potions, right? If you have a copy, I’d like to get one. My friend entered the lottery but didn’t win.”
“Ah, the master’s friend? That is indeed a serious matter. I happen to have one copy for confirmation purposes, so I’ll give it to you.”
“That’s great, thank you!”
“You’re too kind! If I could be of service to the master, it’s the greatest joy!”
He’s really putting on a show…
“I have it, Annika-san!”
When I turned around to look at her, her eyes were wide open, staring at me and Sebirino. She placed her hand on her mouth, cautiously pointing at him.
“Did… did he just say he wrote it!?!?”
“I should have introduced myself earlier. I am the master’s first disciple, Sebirino Osa Arens. Please remember me.”
Sebirino lightly bowed.
Why emphasize that he’s the first?
“Th-the Sebirino Arens, is Iriya -san’s disciple…??”
“Yeah… he says that, but don’t mind it.”
“Master! I am the first disciple! I will not yield that position!”
Why does he keep emphasizing that?
“U-um…? N-nice to meet you…”
Annika seemed a bit flustered… Sebirino should read the situation more.
He nodded contentedly and went back upstairs to get the book.
“U-um… Iriya -san… is Sebirino Arens your master!?”
“Well… I think of him as a colleague, but for some reason, he thinks otherwise.”
This is hard to explain. Sebirino is famous enough, so I’m not sure how to put it.
“…If that’s the case… if that’s the case…”
Annika muttered to herself before firmly clenching both hands, as if having made a decision. I guess it must have been a shock. She must know that Sebirino is the court wizard of Egdualum.
“What’s wrong…?”
“Please make me your disciple too!”
Her face turned red as she desperately pleaded.
A disciple? We just became friends!?
“Well then, you’ll be my second disciple. Perhaps a little sister disciple, would that be appropriate?”
Sebirino came down with the book in hand. This situation was getting complicated.
For now, we decided to all sit on the sofa and listen to her story.
“I used to be an adventurer, but then I became an item artisan. I learned by reading books and working at a shop, helping out the artisans. But I didn’t officially learn from anyone… I can make advanced potions, but I want to improve my success rate.”
It seems she only learned the basics, and the rest was mostly self-taught.
Even though her skills had improved, she realized that to go further, she would need to either find a master or study at a proper institution.
“The exchange program with the Norsanus Empire was actually supposed to be handled by the shop manager where I worked. But because there were so many orders piling up, the responsibility fell on me. I couldn’t refuse, but I didn’t have the knowledge or experience for such a task, so I was really nervous.”
“Thanks to that, we became friends, though.”
When I smiled, her previously tense expression relaxed a bit.
“Please, even just a little, teach me about making items!”
Well, this is hard to turn down.
But, it’s not something I can start right away. She’ll have to stay here for a few days, at least.
“Well, if that’s all… I do have another room available on the second floor, so you can stay here.”
Ekvar and Sebirino are using the second floor. The first floor is for us and for guests like Lucifer. If I take down the canopy bed, it’ll probably be bad.
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to stay for a while…!!!”
When someone pleads like that, I’m weak.
Annika is eager to stay at my house for a while and learn how to make recovery items. With Sebirino around, it’s probably a good fit. A lot of people seem to admire him.
But teaching… How should I approach it?
“I remember when Sebirino started, we researched elixirs together. Should we start with elixirs?”
“…I can’t do it…!”
Annika immediately said it, then suddenly looked at me, startled.
“By the way… colleague… Could it be that Iriya-san is also a court wizard of Egdualum…!?”
“No, I was just an apprentice, but I’ve already quit. Now, I’m more like an external consultant.”
Since she wants to be a disciple, I figured I should tell her the truth. It didn’t seem like it was something I needed to keep secret.
Belial and Ekvar were together for the exchange program, so I wonder if she remembers them? Ekvar’s familiar, Lini, wouldn’t know, so when she comes back, I’ll introduce them.
Annika was shaking. It’s not scary!
“I’m from a commoner’s background too, so don’t worry about it. You can continue as usual.”
“Wow… I can become the disciple of someone so amazing! This is the greatest opportunity and luck of my life!”
“…Do you understand the honor of becoming my disciple!??”
“Yes!”
The two of them joyfully clasped hands.
Wait, Sebirino and she get along too well? I’m starting to feel a little uneasy.
