I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman
The morning on Lake Snias was covered in a light white mist, and the air was refreshing.
Yesterday, Teacher Ilya told me the location, so today I came alone to gather herbs. After all, I think the first job of an apprentice should be housework and gathering.
“Annika, stay within sight just in case.”
“Yes, please.”
Ekvar, who came with me as a bodyguard, is a D-rank adventurer, but it seems like he’s actually stronger than that. Now that I think about it, when we went to the Norsanus Empire, he was talking on equal terms with adventurers Nordin and Rendall, who were A-rank and acted as bodyguards. My senior Sebirino-sama is a court mage, and Teacher Ilya used to be an apprentice and now serves as an external advisor. So, Ekvar must be someone impressive too.
There were also other herb gatherers around, and after greeting each other, they returned the greeting.
However, it seems like not much can be gathered here anymore…
“Ekvar, can we go further in?”
“Understood. Watch your step.”
I gathered the plants growing by the water’s edge, then passed through a narrow path leading deeper into the forest. There were a few people here too, and I noticed some adventurers who seemed to be taking herb gathering requests.
“Is this the right one…?”
I approached a woman muttering to herself while looking at the herbs and a piece of paper. She seemed inexperienced, tilting her head as she stared at the herbs she had gathered.
“Ah, that white flower is Montou, but it’s the root that is used. The flower alone is useless. Zenshi uses the seeds.”
“Whoa! Are you a craftsman? Thank you, I took this request but didn’t really understand it!”
The woman turned around, surprised, but immediately smiled when she saw me. She was an E-rank adventurer, and it was her second time gathering herbs. She laughed, saying that last time she failed about halfway through, so she came back to try again. The paper she held was a note copied from a herbarium, but it didn’t mention the medicinal properties, and honestly, the drawings weren’t great and were hard to understand.
“If distinguishing herbs is difficult, you could try growing your own herbs and selling them. You can make a little money, and commercial guilds, restaurants that use herbs, and even craftspeople like us would buy them…”
“Growing them… that sounds good, it’s safer too. Thank you, I’ll think about it!”
Since we were both in the middle of gathering, we waved goodbye, though we were still close enough to see each other.
I heard that life as an E-rank adventurer can be tough, so I hope I was able to help her a little.
“…Stay still, and don’t move.”
As I tried to return to Ekvar, he stopped me with a hand gesture while looking deeper into the forest.
Looking closely, I saw the grass shaking. Following a rustling sound, a huge cat-like monster appeared. Its sharp eyes glinted as it charged toward us, as if it had spotted its prey.
As it charged, Ekvar slid sideways and took a step forward, narrowly avoiding the long sharp claws and slashing at it. With one strike, he defeated the large cat monster, which was almost as tall as a person. Cat-type monsters are known for their quiet footsteps and high wariness, making them hard to detect, so this was impressive!
“You noticed it well…!”
“Well, I’m a bodyguard. This is a Kapal. It’s a voracious, omnivorous monster that even cannibalizes. They can be dangerous, and sometimes there are others like this one.”
Since the situation was calm, we decided to take a break in an open area. While sitting and talking with Ekvar, I noticed someone flying toward us using magic. It was a man, wearing a high-quality robe, and he didn’t seem like an adventurer.
He showed something to the woman from earlier and was listening to her. When she shook her head, he looked around, spotted me, and approached.
“Sorry to interrupt your break. Do you recognize this woman? I believe she’s a magical tools craftsman…”
The man showed me a drawing of a face, and it was definitely Teacher Ilya. After hearing the description of her appearance, it was clear it was her. And Sebirino-sama as well. Ekvar nodded when he saw the drawing, and then spoke.
“Why are you looking for these women?”
“Ah, well, my lord is in the Free Nation of Spinon. He bought an antidote from them and was saved. The medicine he brought from the country was ineffective, so he was in a dangerous state. But after just one dose of their medicine, he was cured.”
Such an amazing medicine…!? I remember now, Teacher Ilya can make all four of the major recovery items. Other recovery items are nothing compared to them.
“And when we analyzed the components, we found traces of Arluna and Sea Serpent magical cores. I’m not sure if it’s truly Sea Serpent, but in any case, if the medicine works this well, the price paid for it was far too low. They must have misunderstood something. I’ve been looking for them to thank them.”
“So, why here?”
“Something happened in Chenkaslar and Egdoarm. I heard from the commercial guild that they are connected to the court of Egdoarm. The gatekeeper remembered that they came south from there, so I came here.”
He had done quite a thorough investigation. It seems like he’s someone important. If he had been suspicious, they wouldn’t have shared that information.
Ekvar seemed to think everything was fine now, and nodded, relaxing his guard.
“I see, I understand. You’re not a suspicious person. The woman you’re looking for is her mentor, over there. There’s also a man with her. Would you like to go with me?”
“Her mentor, huh? What a coincidence, this is a good omen! I’ll follow without hesitation. And…?”
“What is it?”
“Is it true that the man is Sebirino Osa Arens…?”
“See for yourself.”
Sebirino-sama, the court magician of Egdoarm, has written magical books, and he has many fans among magicians from other countries. His books sell out quickly. Whenever I get to talk to him, I always feel nervous.
After finishing the herb collection, I went home together with him. I decided to step out to do some shopping for dinner. It might be a complicated conversation.
Though it was a little early for shopping, there were a lot of people walking around. Preparing breakfast and dinner is my job. This morning, the herb-roasted chicken was really well received, so what should I make for dinner? Cooking for others makes me nervous, but it’s also fun.
I bought some vegetables, and while I was looking around at the herb and medicinal herb shop, I heard voices shouting outside.
“Hey, you were here? Useless! Don’t tell me you’re getting beaten again. Letting humans look down on you is a disgrace to a demon’s name!!”
“…I’m doing my best…”
The one shrinking and replying was Ekvar’s familiar, Rini-chan! A small, timid little girl was being harassed by a little devil with thick, sturdy horns. I remember she said she lived quietly in the forest because she was bullied in hell.
“I can’t hear you! Is that all the voice you can make?”
I hurriedly finished my transaction and ran outside to protect Rini-chan, hugging her. Usually, I can’t do anything in situations like this, but Rini-chan is an important friend now. I want to protect her. Even a little devil like that wouldn’t easily harm me as a human. If there’s a contract, the responsibility lies with the other party.
“Stop! Bullying the weak is uncool!!”
“…Huh? You’re her contract holder?”
The little devil was a bit shorter than me, but since she was squatting, she looked down at me.
“No… but she’s my friend…!”
At my words, Rini-chan clung to me with teary eyes, gripping my sleeve tightly and biting her lip. Then, she glared at the little devil.
“I hate you!! Go away!!!”
Rini-chan yelled with a voice I had never heard from her before. Her body was trembling a little.
“You’re getting pretty cheeky, Rini…”
Just as the little devil approached, it happened.
“Stop being disgraceful. If you’re going to torment a woman or child, I’ll take you on.”
From behind us came a man’s voice. When I turned around, a man with short black hair and purple eyes, wearing a traveler’s cloak and outfit, was standing there. His dirty pants and worn boots seemed like they were once expensive. He wore a sword at his waist, so he was definitely a swordsman.
“…It’s not like I intended to do that!!”
It seemed like the little devil got scared or didn’t want to deal with it, so he left. Thank goodness.
“Ah, thank you!”
When I looked up to thank the man who helped us, he was strangely staring at my face.
“May I ask your name?”
My name…? Why suddenly, I wondered. Is this person suspicious?
As I hesitated to answer, he continued.
“Do you live nearby? Do you have parents or family? Are you happy right now?”
…What are these questions? What does it mean? I don’t understand at all. Even Rini-chan seemed a bit scared.
“I appreciate your help, but it’s a bit uncomfortable to be asked so many things… We’re strangers…”
“Ah, you’re right. Sorry. I am…”
“Shemihaza. Don’t cause trouble for the woman.”
“…Belial! You’ve certainly risen quite a lot!!”
“You still wander the human world?”
An acquaintance of Lord Belial? Does that mean… a demon!?
The two of them seemed to be reuniting after a long time, talking without caring about the surroundings.
“Wandering? How rude. I can’t return to heaven, and I don’t plan on going to hell. So this place seems the most convenient.”
“…Aren’t you searching for your partner’s soul?”
“That’s… difficult.”
The man called Shemihaza looked at me for some reason.
“…Hmm? It’s been so long, I don’t remember much, but… she looked like your wife, didn’t she?”
“Do you think so!? The hair color is a bit different, but I also see her image overlapping with hers!”
So that was why he asked those questions earlier? He was curious because I looked like his wife. It wasn’t some weird pick-up line.
“Still can’t get over her, huh?”
“You wouldn’t understand, being so careless.”
“It was youthful folly. I’m tired of it now.”
Lord Belial really had his share of relationships with women, huh… Now he seems to enjoy the attention, but he wouldn’t actually make a move if it weren’t for his boredom.
“By the way, how do you know her?”
“That’s right. She is an item crafter, and my contract holder’s disciple.”
“Contract holder! I want to meet this peculiar person!”
“That’s fine, but… what do you mean by ‘peculiar’? Anyone who can form a contract with me is surely a lucky person.”
Lord Belial and Shemihaza are apparently former fallen angels from the Watchers. What are the Watchers?
Anyway, it was decided that we would go to Iriya -sensei’s house together. I wonder if our guest has already left?
