Today is the day I get to observe the creation of magical items!
I headed to a magical item workshop run by the Commercial Guild with everyone, traveling by carriage. In this city of Moltbyss, it seems the guild is the main producer of magical healing items. It looks like they’re starting to produce at a scale that could be exported.
The large-scale workshop had a reception at the entrance. The guide was waiting by the reception desk and greeted us with a bow. After a brief explanation of the facility, we followed him down the hall.
The demon Crocell and his contracted partner, Christine, were also with us. There was another man, a magician from the Norsanus Empire, who had participated yesterday as well.
It seems that only workers, government officials, and those with prior approval are allowed inside the workshop. After passing the reception area, we came to a hallway that split into two. We took the wide corridor to the left. This route is for inspectors and visitors like us who want to observe the work being done in the workshop.
At that moment, a potion was being prepared. It takes three hours to make a high-grade potion, and they were about halfway through the process.
“We’re currently making high-grade potions with ten people. Our overall success rate is close to 80%,” the guide explained with a smile.
“80%…” murmured Annika, the item crafter from the royal capital who came with us from Chenkaslar , as I nodded in agreement.
“That’s surprising. I would have thought it would be higher…” she said.
“…Eh?” said Edith Palehman, the royal magician from Chenkaslar .
“Well, of course, that’s to be expected. Iriya , you don’t have failures with high-grade potions, do you?” Crocell asked.
“No, Crocell-sensei. If I fail with a high-grade potion, I wouldn’t be worthy to call myself a magical item engineer,” I replied.
Everyone around us stared at me. Could it be that Annika fails more often?
“…Iriya -sama, an 80% success rate for high-grade potions is actually quite high, especially if it’s not in a royal palace,” said Edith.
“And how about you, Christine? Crocell-sensei is teaching you, isn’t he?”
“Ah, I don’t make items,” Christine mumbled, clearly hesitant.
It seems Crocell had told her to make some items, though.
“Iriya , what do you think is the cause of the issue here?” Crocell’s test had begun. This was a test to see if I was keeping up with my studies. I should be careful not to answer too much, or Equvar might get mad, but I can’t back down here.
I was only told to keep quiet about the four major healing items, so I’m fine to speak freely.
“Well, if this many people are working together every day, the first thing to address would be ensuring proper purification of the room. Also… I’m not sure about the herbs’ quantity or condition since I haven’t checked, but the production process itself seems fine. Could it be that the mana from others is affecting the potions?” I said.
The workers who continue to infuse mana into the potions were still in the process. With this method, the effect will barely qualify as a high-grade potion, I think.
“If you say so, could you demonstrate your purification magic? I’d like to see how much of a difference it makes,” the guide asked.
I readily agreed, and he took me to a separate workshop that wasn’t being used at the moment.
This was a room for creating mana potions, with work scheduled for the afternoon. Since this process uses more mana than potions, they space out the intervals to avoid overexertion. The room was the same size as the previous one.
Only I entered the room, while the others watched from the hallway. At home, I usually create items in my underground workshop, so this felt a bit strange. The people here work in such an environment.
“Evil, be gone. Within the universal grace. All mist is cleared, all prayers heard. Fill the serene atmosphere with pure air.”
I visualized purifying the entire room, from corner to corner, and thought strongly of a pentagram in my mind, drawing the lines mentally.
Suddenly, a light ran along the walls and floor, and the shape I had visualized appeared in the center, glowing gold.
“Grant us a restful bed, a perch for the starlight, and water that captures the full moon. Purification!”
As I completed the chant, the room filled with golden light. It flickered like powder, then gently dissolved into the air.
I was quite satisfied with my work.
“…It’s beautiful. Is this really just regular purification magic?” Annika sighed in awe.
“The range specification is so precise… And what’s that second part of the chant?”
The guide, who had prompted me to use purification magic, leaned against the window and looked around the room. He quietly opened the door to peek inside.
“How’s this?”
“Hmm, that’s perfect, Iriya !” Crocell said, nodding.
“Thank you, Crocell-sensei!” I said, clasping my hands in joy, but then I suddenly remembered that I had been told to stay quiet. I stole a glance at Equvar , and he was looking a bit dazed, an unusual expression for him.
“Equvar , this is fine, right?”
“…Ah, yeah. It was just so beautiful that I was captivated,” he smiled.
Since I specialize in light attributes, my purification magic has a stronger effect than usual.
“Don’t worry, boy. There’s no way I’d let my contractee suffer any harm,” Crocell said, clearly aware of the situation after being briefed by Belial last night. He’s sharp, so he probably understood much of it without needing to be told.
“Please, teach me that second part of the purification chant! I’ll pay for it!” the guide said, approaching me, while Annika and Edith nodded in agreement. Few people recognize the importance of purification magic, and not much research is done on it. Most people just think as long as it works, that’s enough.
Seeing the difference in effectiveness firsthand, they finally recognized its value. I’m glad.
“Of course, I’ll explain it. This is part of the exchange program, so there’s no need for payment. But in return, could I speak with the facility’s staff as well?”
They were thrilled to learn and moved to a conference room where I explained the additional chant for purification and how to clearly specify the area of effect. They probably had difficulty visualizing the magic properly.
Visualization is the ability to vividly imagine something as if it’s right in front of you and link your thoughts to reality. Essentially, it’s the ability to clearly “see” what you’re imagining even with your eyes open. Purification magic is a great magic to practice visualization since it’s easy to see the effect. If you can visualize it properly, you can draw the pentagram on the floor with light. By clearly recognizing and specifying the area, you can use magic without it leaking.
Of course, some magic types—mainly attack magic like heat, cold, or explosions—can have effects that extend beyond the specified range.
“Even so, I was nervous doing this in front of Crocell, who had taught me so much. Occasionally, I heard Belial speaking in a low voice, but I couldn’t catch the content. It’s bothering me…
Equvar was acting just like a student. He even took notes, so I wonder if he also uses purification magic? Everyone else also wrote down not just the additional incantations but explanations too, and the magician was listening to me with interest.
It was nice that it felt like a magic conference today. At that moment, Christine, Crocell’s contractor, came over and whispered quietly.
‘Illya-san, sorry to burst your bubble, but this isn’t a magic conference, it’s a lesson. You’re teaching us one-sidedly. Don’t worry, I’ll have the lesson fee prepared later.’
…Ah.
I talked too much again. Once I start explaining magic, it just keeps flowing; it’s a bad habit of mine.
Sebirino always mixed in questions and comments while enjoying the explanation until the end, so I tend to get carried away.
Could it be that they thought that was also a lesson!?
Afterward, I had the chance to talk to the workers and moved on to a dinner gathering, which also served as a chance for socializing. The people who had been guarding us were also sitting at a nearby table, enjoying their meal as a form of appreciation.
We rented a spacious room, and a full-course meal was served. It was quite extravagant.
‘Even the plates look expensive…! This is my first time having such a wonderful meal. I’m nervous…’
Annika was looking around at the soup in front of her. Oh, she’s just an ordinary item crafter living in town, so she’s not used to this kind of setting.
‘Use this spoon,’ I whispered to her, and she nodded slightly, her cheeks reddening.
‘Thank you. I was too embarrassed to ask…’
‘Illya-san, you learned the proper manners from the Duke, right? Don’t worry, Annika-san, just follow our lead.’
Edith, the royal court magician, winked. Equvar had explained it to me like that when we were on the way here.
Sitting across from me was Christine, Crocell’s contractor.
‘How nice… it looks fun. I’d love to visit Chenkaslar too.’
‘Well, please do come! And bring Crocell-sama with you! This time, we’ll be the ones to host you.’
‘It looks like Belial-sama also enjoys when Crocell-sensei is around. If you come here, let’s all meet again.’
Edith, Christine, and Annika all nodded happily. I also want to see everyone again.
The dinner gathering turned out to be less formal than I expected, and I was able to fully enjoy the meal. As a thank-you for the lesson, I was treated to a special dessert. Even when I’m full, it’s amazing how I can still eat dessert.
Rendal, looking as refined as his appearance suggested, handled things smoothly, though awkwardly at times. I was surprised that even Nordine had good manners. He really does attend etiquette lessons at the Adventurer’s Guild.
As for Equvar , well, that’s no surprise. People around us were curious since they’re all D-ranked.
The next morning, the guild master had a consultation at a store, and that concluded this trip.
The journey back was smooth, which felt unusual for me.
Normally, something unexpected would happen.
We stopped by the royal capital on the way back, and Edith and Annika got off the carriage. It seemed that Nordine and Rendal also had business in the royal capital, so we parted ways there. They said they’d be staying in Chenkaslar for a while and promised to visit again.
We were originally supposed to hire a different escort here, but since the danger ahead isn’t that great, we decided to go with just the guild’s escorts and ourselves.
I got the address of Annika’s workshop and home in the royal capital, so I can visit her anytime. Edith seems to mainly stay at the palace, but she promised to stop by when she’s in Lenant.
After parting with everyone, I was finally back home! I usually use flight magic, so I’ve never been away from home for this long. It feels so relaxing to be back.
As I entered the entrance, Equvar ’s familiar, Rini, greeted me and transformed from a cat into a girl.
‘I’m back, Rini. Was everything okay?’
When Equvar asked while handing her a small bag of souvenirs, Rini immediately took it and peeked inside. There were several kinds of sweets.
‘Yeah… but a man knocked and asked if this was the item crafter’s house. That’s all.’
‘…A man?’
Equvar ‘s gaze became sharp.
‘He left right away, and no one came after that. There was no one nearby either…’
‘Was he a customer, I wonder? Tomorrow, I’ll ask Alesia and the others at their stall.’
It seemed like the man came to the house to place an order. Maybe he couldn’t wait because I had been away for several days?
‘Well… I’ll go with you.’
‘It’s fine. If I feel anything is off, I’ll come right back, and I’ll only take the busy routes.’
‘You’re already careless and always sticking your nose in things. I should send you with someone.’
Even Belial said that. It doesn’t seem like anyone’s watching the house, and it was just a one-time visit, so I’m sure it’s just a customer.
When we came back, no one seemed to be watching.
Maybe it was a large order?
Anyway, I’ll check tomorrow. It’s still bright out, but I’m tired, so I’ll leave it for tomorrow.”
