057: Magic Tool Store

On the first day of my visit to the royal capital, I ran into a lost child called Ra-chan and spent half the day visiting food stalls with her. How far did I walk that day? I started to want to use Transfer magic halfway through.

I wonder if I could make some roller skates? Main problem being that the roads are paved, but they’re paved with cobblestones, so normal wheels would get caught. Back in Koriat Village, there’s too much grass and loose soil, so roller skates don’t make sense there. Maybe I could make jumbo wheels? It was one of the things I was thinking about while wandering around.

In the end, I started an impromptu magic show near a stall and Ra-chan’s sister was eventually lured in by the crowd. I thought I could wrap up the show then, but the crowd didn’t want to let me leave. I spent a good while doing my Spatial Magic sleight of hand tricks. I often used audience members to keep things interesting. My patter wasn’t as good as an Earth magician, but it must have been pretty good for this area as I got plenty of tips. There were even a few gold coins mixed in, were there some generous aristocrats mixed in? I managed to make back the money I spent treating Ra-chan and Mina and then some. Perhaps I can make spending money by occasionally coming to the royal capital for a magic show?

After that exhausting day, I decided to spend the next day relaxing at the inn. As it’s reserved for the aristocracy, the food is high-quality and features specialty dishes from the capital. Best of all, the bathhouse is large and luxurious, so you can relax in the bath. I’m not a fan of the rough-looking magic tool used to control the water, it was hidden in the mouth of a golden lion.

On the third day, I’m lying in my hotel bed wondering what to do. The mattress is fluffy, I wonder what kind of feathers were used? Was it the feathers from a bird monster? Or is it cotton, wool, silkworm-ish thread, or even monster hair?

This world has lots of monsters, that can threaten the lives of the populace. At the same time, those monsters can also enrich the lives of the populace. While thinking on that, I remembered my main goal during this visit.

“Yes, let’s look into magic tools today, peacefully!” Al

I wish I could make one myself, but I should start by investigating other magic tools. I went to visit my mother and father to see what the schedule looked like. Nord said I had something tomorrow, but I could do my own things today.

I leave the inn I was staying in, it is situated on the north side of the capital city. It’s right on the north-south boulevard. There’s already many people on the street and I can hear carriages going to and fro. Unlike Koriat Village, the people on the street wear different styles of clothes and belong to different races.

The royal capital seems lively with its mix of migrant workers, merchants, travelers, and adventurers. The quiet Koriat Village is a good place to live, but a busy city would be a nice place to visit. While basking in the morning sun, I move out.

My mother said that a magic tool shop is located on the main street in the northwest area, so I headed for it. I checked for carriages before crossing the road. The northern section includes the royal castle and many aristocrat residences, so there are plenty of knights patrolling. There’s high-class shops as well, but fairly few commoner houses.

If I was familiar with the royal capital, I would head through the side streets to get to the store, but I’m not that familiar with the layout here. I’ll go to the city square and head down the correct street from there. I don’t know how safe the side streets and alleys of the capital are as well. Since the main roads all radiate from the square, it’s hard to get lost if you start from the square. Well, Ra-chan was lost, but she’s pretty young so it’s understandable.

“While I saw it from the carriage earlier, this is still amazing.” Al

The square has a large fountain in the middle and boulevards spreading out in all directions. Many people are sitting on benches, from an old man sprinkling out crumbs for birds to a couple in the middle of an argument.

“Hmm? Who is the statue representing?” Al

The old man who was spreading breadcrumbs started a conversation.

“It’s the creator god Misfilt, who is the main god of this world.” Old Man

He walks over with a cane. Birds start flapping around since he stood up and walked over. Who is this guy? Is he some sort of “fellow kids” guy?

“Is this the normal representation of the god of this world?” Al

“Indeed” Old Man

What? Really? When I met the god of this world for my reincarnation, he didn’t look anything like this statue. It’s either a completely different person, or significant artistic license was taken. The real god didn’t have this courageous and dignified face, more like an ordinary old man you can find in any town.

“Is there something wrong?” Old Man

“No, what? The creator must be a magnificent person.” Al

Did I say something that could cause offense? I’m feeling some weird pressure.

“That right. He is the great existence that created this world. It’s thanks to his grace that we exist. We must be graceful and exalt him every day.” Old Man

The old man nods to his own statement.

“By the way, if you feel the same way, sign this paper” Old Man

“Sorry, I have to meet someone.” Al

As soon as I saw the paper coming out, I skedaddled away to the northwest.

That was dangerous, I was being solicited for religion. I’m sure I was only being invited so I could be taken advantage of. What a terrible secret hiding behind a gentle face. This city is scary.

After my escape from religious solicitation, I walk further up the road. I start to see various stores and cafe along the road. I see a clothing store next to a bookstore, there must be a magic tool store somewhere around here. I got pretty tired wandering around on the first day, so I’ll ask someone for directions.

“Excuse me” Al

“Yes? What’s wrong? The store isn’t open yet?” Waitress

The waitress looks over to me, she has her brown hair tied up to make it easier to work. She’s the kind of girl who looks mature with a bit of innocence, is she the hostess for this restaurant?

“Is there a magic tool shop nearby?” Al

“So, the closest magic tool shop is the one off the second corner up from here. If you have a bit more to spend, there’s one to the north that has better inventory. There’s one to the south that isn’t as good, the inventory isn’t good and the inside is like a maze.” Waitress

Oh, that was a very useful response.

“Thank you, are you working here?” Al

“Yeah, I work the lunch shift at this cafe, ‘Fairy Wings’. It turns into a bar in the evening.” Waitress

“Hmm, thanks. I’ll come if I have time” Al

“Thanks” Waitress

I smiled and waved as I walked off in the direction she pointed me too. I think she’s a wonderful person.

When I entered the magic tool store, both a young and an old woman came out from the back.

“Are you a customer?” Grandmother

“Ah, I can handle this grandmother, you can stay in the back.” Clerk

“Are you treating me as an obstacle?” Grandmother

“You won’t be able to help much even if you’re in the front.” Clerk

The young woman is pushing around her grandmother with a crisp tone. She has silver hair and looks around 20 years old. She has a slender body that might be as slender as Eleanora in that area.

“Were you saying something?” Clerk

“Ah, no. I just haven’t been to a magic tool shop before.” Al

My thoughts may have been realized, hopefully they’ll get chalked up to nerves from entering a new type of place.

“Oh, hmm. Can you flow magic power to activate magic tools?” Clerk

“Ah, yes. There’s a magic tool in bathhouse of the luxury hotel I’m staying in?” Al

“Luxury hotel?!” Clerk

“Yes?” Al

What’s with her shouting?

“No- nothing” Clerk

So now I’m getting different responses since I might be able to purchase a magic tool, since only aristocratic children would stay in a luxury hotel?

“Can I look at this one?” Al

“That one is fine. Be careful around the ones that involve fire.” Clerk

I put some magic into a mysterious tool I saw. It’s a box with a round disc on the top, when I put in some magic power, the disc on the top starts to spin. As I put more magic power in, the disc moves faster. Oh, awesome.

“What is this used for?” Al

I’m curious what uses this kind of thing is put to.

“Uh… it’s my experiment. It just spins like that.” Clerk

She answers as if she’s ashamed of such a device. But isn’t this a magic motor? If I attach a blade, it turns into blender. Mount it under a table and a lazy susan can be made from it. Could I mount it under the floor of my room to rotate the floor to discourage invaders? More sensible uses would be an electric bicycle.

“Uh, customer?” Clerk

Oops, I got lost in thought.

“How many do you have?” Al

“Huh? Well, there are two I’ve made.” Clerk

“I’ll take them. Do you have book on magic tools?” Al

“Eh? Really? Thank you! I’ll warn you that the magic tool book gets pretty technical and inscrutable in sections…” Clerk

“That’s fine. I’d like to start working on them right away.” Al

“Well, that may be harder than you think.” Clerk

“Why?” Al

“The only book that can be sold on the open market is the beginner one, if you want to read the further , you’d have to enroll in the magic academy.” Clerk

While I’m processing the information, the woman keeps going.

“It’s also very difficult to make magic tools, especially ones that will last. However, you’re still young, so if you study hard at magic academy, you could do it.”

“How old would I be when I finished?” Al

“Well, that depends on your talent and effort, but you’d have to attend a magic academy, right?” Clerk

The clerk brings out the beginner level book on magic tools. What it contains is densely drawn magic diagrams and comments on them. It’s so dense that a person would get a headache just looking at it, and they’re difficult to understand. What is this mess? Isn’t it easier to just use magic? Besides the magic academy normally for children aged 12 to 16 years old, this would be difficult even for them.

“I’ll put off my dreams of making magic tools” Al

“Eh? Wait! Don’t give up!” Clerk

“It’ll be ok. I’ll still make use of them.” Al

I decided to put off magic tool production for now, but I’ll look through the book for research. If I think of something I want, I’ll just find someone to make it for me. I continued to browse the products while listening to the clerk, who was trying to interest me in magic tool production.

Translation

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