Chapter 124

I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman

Binarl, who had been ordered to supply flower bulbs for Lucifer’s garden, contacted us to say they were ready.

Without delay, I summoned Peor, also known as Belphegor, while Sebirino summoned a small demon to carry the luggage. Since their job was only to pick up the order, the two demons headed alone to Binarl’s trading company headquarters.

Sebirino returned to his room, so I thought about checking our stock of materials and items. Just then, Equvar and Annika, who had gone out gathering, returned with an unfamiliar man in an expensive-looking robe.

“This guy is a messenger from the person who bought your antidote in the Free State of Spinon. He said the price was too cheap and wanted to find you to properly express his gratitude. He’s a rather scrupulous man.”

“Pardon my intrusion.”

At the entrance, Equvar introduced the man. Annika immediately went out to buy groceries, likely stepping away to give us space.

Still, how did he even find this place? I never mentioned being in Renant, let alone living in the Chenkaslar Kingdom. I had listed Egdoarm as my birthplace when I registered, but I wasn’t required to specify my current residence. The form only asked whether I lived in Spinon or not. Yet he still managed to track me down.

“My master wished to thank you personally. However, though the poison is gone, his strength hasn’t fully returned yet, so I told him to stay put instead of acting recklessly. Of course, I didn’t phrase it quite that way. Instead, I came in his place.”

There was something… unsettling about the way he talked about his master.

“He ate without waiting for the food taster, and of all times, that was when the dish had been laced with deadly poison. I’ve warned him endlessly to be wary of assassination attempts…! If he had died, it would have been on our heads. He really needs to consider our position, that idiot. That’s why we publicly announced it as an illness and are keeping him inside the Spinon inn. He’d just get in the way if he wandered around.”

“I-Is that so…?”

Wow, his real thoughts are spilling out unchecked. How should I even respond to this?

“Anyway, that amount was far too little, so please accept this.”

He handed me a cloth pouch that clinked with the sound of coins.

Apparently, it contained the difference he thought was lacking. But… it felt quite heavy.

“This much…?”

“Yes. It’s from my master, so don’t worry. It’s not my money!”

Was it really okay to accept so much for just three antidotes? I glanced between the pouch and the man. He had a relieved smile, probably just glad to hand over the entrusted money.

“Um, isn’t this a bit too much…?”

“Master, you need not worry about that. It’s a rare antidote containing both a Sea Serpent’s magic core and Alraune.”

Hearing voices, Sebirino appeared. The man straightened his posture at the sight of Sebirino’s dignified presence.

“A-Are you… Sebirino Orsa Arens?”

“I am.”

“Wahhh! It’s really you! Nice to meet you! I’m Haylt Byens. Please call me Haylt. I’m a mage from the Rufontos Empire, currently engaged in an all-out war!”

Wait, what!? Should you even be here!?

“The Rufontos Empire… That’s the country bordering the Forest State of Sampanil, which produces Gaokerena, isn’t it? We were just there recently, looking for additional import sources.”

“Yes! Sampanil is generously supplying us with Gaokerena!”

This guy has a really strange way of phrasing things.

The Rufontos Empire is a powerful military nation led by an emperor, wielding considerable influence over neighboring countries. It lies to the south of the Free State of Spinon.

Further southwest is the Forest State of Sampanil. With 70% of its land covered in forests, Sampanil is located southeast of the Chenkaslar Kingdom from our perspective. You have to cross a vertically stretching mountain range that divides the continent to reach it.

Sampanil’s specialties include medicinal herbs and lumber, with Gaokerena being one of its prized exports. It’s far away, making trade difficult. It’s also rich in Alraune, the root of the Alraune monster.

“In the Rufontos Empire, the First Prince’s faction and the Second Prince’s faction are at war. The Second Prince is the real contender—he’s the legitimate son of the emperor’s main wife. The First Prince is just a concubine’s son. Unfortunately, I’m on the losing First Prince’s side. Oh, and the Second Prince is engaged to the marquis’s daughter from Sampanil. Maybe they plan to trick her into annexation.”

I don’t fully get it, but apparently, the war is being driven by the Second Prince’s faction to solidify his claim to the throne through military dominance.

Also, is it okay for him to be this blunt?

“I see. In that case, Sampanil must have received a summons for military support. When we visited, I did sense a rather ominous atmosphere…”

“Yes! Troops from Sampanil have already arrived. The war started a while ago, but it should end soon. It’s basically a demonstration of power against a small country.”

Yikes. What a terrible show of force.

Sebirino had been in Sampanil during the Archmage incident. Now I understood why he hadn’t planned to return—because war was brewing.

The Duchy of Fenn is dangerous due to Tranchinel, too, making it difficult to secure new Gaokerena imports.

Or maybe it’s the other way around—because Gaokerena is so valuable, these places are constantly targeted.

Once the war is over, preparations will begin for the Second Prince’s wedding.

“The key figures of the First Prince’s faction caught wind of a plan to have them ‘disappear’ amidst the chaos of war. So they decided, ‘Forget this, let’s just go into hiding.’ And then, while we were traveling abroad, they struck. I suspected something was up, which is why I didn’t reveal our precise whereabouts, but I never expected this. Oh well, can’t be helped. The other side is going full steam ahead.”

He shrugged in resignation, making a helpless gesture as he spoke.

Is this guy also being targeted? He sure doesn’t seem too worried about it.

“This information is useful. I’ll consider paying your country a visit later.”

“I’m glad I could help! Now, about something I wanted to ask…”

Up until now, this man had been chatting so freely that it was almost concerning. But suddenly, his tone dropped, and he looked up at Sebirino with a cautious expression.

“What is it?”

“Could you show me your magic, Lord Arens?”

Sebirino glanced at Equvar, as if asking for his opinion.

“He might get mad if we refuse. But the issue is the location. Normal training grounds for adventurers would be too fragile for you guys.”

The Adventurers’ Guild does have training facilities, but they’re mainly for beginners. Equvar mentioned training in a special high-level arena with S-rank adventurer Celestan, but since he’s only D-rank, he wouldn’t be allowed to use it.

Also, most of us aren’t adventurers.

“Well, let’s go check it out. Just a basic spell should be fine, right?”

“Even a basic spell from you… is that really safe?”

At the Adventurers’ Guild, Equvar handled the reception and reported the sighting of a monster called a Kapal.

Since it was our first time using the training grounds, the receptionist explained the rules:

“If at least one participant is a registered adventurer, others with different professions may also enter. Many seek training from military personnel or professional mages. However, summoning magic is prohibited within our facilities. You may, however, bring contracted beings inside.”

They also offered instructors for a fee, with a registry of guild-approved trainers available.

The training grounds had both indoor and outdoor areas—archery ranges, sparring grounds for melee combat, and an indoor magic practice space shielded by barriers.

Currently, only the outdoor training field was available. One group was using it, but the area was divided into two sections, so we were granted permission to use the other half.

However, projectiles had to be aimed at designated targets within enclosed walls to prevent stray shots.

That didn’t concern us, though, since we weren’t using physical ranged attacks.

When I went to that place behind the guild, I saw a woman with a bow. Several arrows were stuck in the target, but there were many more on the ground and against the back wall. It seemed she missed quite a bit.

Not far from her, a man holding a staff was practicing with another person, sparring with each other.

“So, which magic will you show us…?”

Hailt looked at Sebirino with eyes full of expectation. Sebirino, while thinking, checked the condition of the ground and nodded to himself.

“Hmm, it’s just a spot where the earth has been compacted. If we restore it to the same condition, earth magic should be fine.”

“Then, how about the ‘Statting Pick’ from before? This time, let’s make it exactly ten.”

“Master! Look at this!”

“Did you say it was beginner-level? This doesn’t look like beginner-level to me.”

Sebirino was fired up. Ekvar’s protest was ignored!

“Raise the steep mountain from the earth, and build a piercing spire! Pierce like a needle, grow like a forest, be as sharp as a beak! Become the pillar of the temple and strike down the enemy, become a cage and separate them! Statting Pick!”

Sebirino raised two fingers in front of him and took a stance. The ground rose sharply like the tip of a spear, and about ten towers of earth shot up toward the sky in an instant. The towers, the same size and height, stood as tall earth pillars. Sebirino was meticulous, so he was good at these fine adjustments.

“The earth, turn to dust and weather away, return to the soil. Restore to a solid foundation.”

He then cast an additional incantation to cancel the effect, and the earth returned to its original state.

“As expected, very skillful.”

“Wow… ten spires of the same size appeared, and everything is back to the way it was!”

Hailt stroked the ground, checking its smoothness. Restoring it so cleanly requires quite a lot of magical control.

“I’m good with water magic, but if you don’t mind, could you give me some advice…?”

“Water. Just like my master. I’m envious.”

“…Master?”

It seems Hailt didn’t quite catch the word “master” until now, probably because he was too excited by Sebirino’s presence. I was relieved I didn’t have to make an embarrassing introduction.

“She is my master, Lady Iriya.”

“Eh…?” “Th-thank you…?”

Sebirino proudly pointed at me as if saying, “Well done for asking,” while Hailt still looked skeptical.

“Well then… What should I chant? I recently learned ‘Ciel Judgment,’ but I can’t use it, right?”

It seemed he had abandoned thoughts regarding this issue. His eyes darted around, and he began thinking of another spell.

“Well, how about ‘Ciel Judgment’? Sebirino can suppress its power with magic nullification, so why don’t we try it? I’ll handle the attribute adjustments. Is that okay, Sebirino?”

“I’m also good with dark magic, so that suits me!”

“Magic… nullification?”

Magic nullification seems to be less known than magic defense, for some reason.

Anyway, the spell to use was decided. Ekvar’s gaze felt a bit sharp. He probably thought I had gone too far.

“Sacred, sacred, sacred Lord of Hosts, most honored El Shaddai! I call Your name with joy. From the break in the clouds, may light shine forth. Increase in brilliance, sharpen in power! May You not forgive any evil, but rather, condemn them! Bring down judgment from the heavens! Ciel Judgment!”

“From the depths of the earth, from the farthest east, your journey is endless! Pass through the seven gates and strip away all decoration! Gatekeeper, seal the seven magical powers! Open the door to the earth, and make the path to the land of the dead, devoid of light, accessible! Sletu Etandor!”

Hailt and Sebirino simultaneously began chanting. Hailt’s magic, a holy type from the light attribute, is effective against demons, and when cast, it floods with light while attacking. Most demons are weak against light magic.

Sebirino’s magic, a dark magic nullification, causes the dark attribute to overflow as soon as it activates. The two were attempting to cancel each other out, light and dark.

Sebirino was better at it. The dark attribute felt stronger. ‘Sletu Etandor’ reduces magical power with each of the seven gates opening, ultimately nullifying the spell. But it seemed seven stages wouldn’t be necessary here.

“Disruptor of the Abyss, halt your steps! The seventh gate shall remain closed. Gatekeeper, lower the bar!”

The seventh gate wouldn’t be opened. With this, the balance was likely restored.

Sebirino gave me a protesting look. Closing the last gate felt like unfinished business, but it was a rather satisfying feeling.

I supplied some magical power to Hailt, considering the balance of light and dark. A white light subtly shone from the heavens and vanished into the darkness.

The people training nearby had started paying attention to us without us noticing. It’s rare to see magic battles like this, so it’s probably interesting to watch.

“Master, that was against the rules…”

“Well, there was quite a difference, right? It was the safest option.”

“What was that feeling?! It felt like the dark magic was forcibly interrupted halfway!?”

If you can understand that, you must have a good sensitivity to magic.

When I explained it, Sebirino’s attitude changed completely, as if he had realized something. He was now full of respect, acknowledging my mastery of magic.

He was about to explore the town, buy some materials for tomorrow’s departure, and head out in the morning. Since he can make healing items himself, he wanted to gather the necessary materials. Honestly, it would be better to return to Spynon, but it seems he couldn’t freely walk around outside.

Ekvar, who had been silent up until now, walked toward Sebirino.

“…Is Lady Iriya’s use of magic typical?”

“An additional incantation to hinder the effect? Some magic requires that. But it requires great delicacy, like threading a needle. Few people can do it. Since dark magic is my specialty, seeing it nullified so cleanly was impressive…”

“Was it that shocking to you?”

“No, I am trembling at the excellence of my master’s techniques!!!”

Sebirino, who had appeared shocked earlier, seemed to have a different reaction now… Could it be that he meant the “against the rules” comment as a compliment?

“Yeah, no need to apologize!”

Ekvar nodded energetically and left the training ground.