Chapter 150 - A Long-Awaited Solo Session
Saturday
"How's the seating comfort?"
"Woof~."
In the [Mountain Cabin], there was only one chair for humans.
Lupi would lie down at my feet when I was sitting, but it felt a bit... distant?
So, I used leftover wood from the renovation to make a chair, or rather, a platform, for Lupi.
"She still seems to be getting bigger, so I'll probably have to rebuild it then."
It was Saturday afternoon. Mion was absent due to lessons.
Big Sis Mashiro and Miki seemed to be happily playing IRO, and Bell-buchou was apparently having a meeting with everyone from the [Silver Manor] guild for tomorrow's live stream.
I also have a live stream tonight, and I wanted to prepare for it, specifically by gathering nori, but unfortunately, it was raining.
"It's nice that I can see the dirt floor's roof from here."
Just below the western window was the roof of the dirt floor area, collecting rainwater dripping from the [Mountain Cabin]'s shed roof and letting it flow away.
The wind always blew down from the mountain, so no raindrops entered through the window; it simply played a soothing, moist sound.
"Woof..."
Lupi, curled up on the platform, was sound asleep.
As for me, I gave up on gathering and decided to read.
"Alright, today I'll start with this 'Basic Magicology.'"
I showed the cover to the camera, telling it for Mion who would watch the archive later.
The next thing to do was... yes. Acquire [Basic Magicology: Lv1]. Since it only requires 1 SP, it's a Common skill.
Apparently, it's a book commonly found at the [Mage Guild], so it's probably close to general knowledge?
…
[Basic Magicology skill level increased!]
I spent a little under an hour learning the mechanics of [Elemental Magic].
Essentially, [Elemental Magic] seems to be about using mana to construct or act upon elements. It's surprisingly well thought out.
My [Basic Magicology] skill level reached 3, and I could now use the spells categorized as 'practical magic' written in this book.
Among them,
Come to think of it, if this is 'basic,' there must be 'applied' magic, right? I'll ask Bell-buchou about it next time.
"Next, this one, I guess. The plant encyclopedia."
This one... yes. Acquire [Botany: Lv1]. It requires 4 SP, so it's Uncommon.
I hope I can find more various ingredients with this skill. It also seems like it would affect [Alchemy], [Farming], and [Gardening]...
…
[Botany skill level increased!]
"Time for a little break..."
My [Botany] skill also rose to 3.
My [Zoology] skill had gone up to 3 the day before, so I just wanted to match them somehow.
Both [Zoology] and [Botany] seem to provide awareness of rare species not generally known, or more detailed information, when encountered.
And perhaps they give positive modifiers to other skills...
"I'll try making some potions."
I still haven't made [Heal Potions] from [Coputi], and the quality of bamboo leaf potions might improve, so I need to check if there's a modifier for my [Alchemy] skill.
…
[Alchemy skill level increased!]
[Quality Heal Potion]
"A medicine that restores HP. Good quality. HP recovery +54."
"Finally made a quality item..."
It seems quality items can only be made when the skill level reaches 5 or higher.
After making tons of [Heal Potions] from [Coputi], my [Alchemy] skill reached level 5, and at the same time, I managed to make a quality item.
When I started at level 3, it was just a [Heal Potion] with HP recovery of +40 to +45.
At level 4, it finally became +45 to +50, and at level 5, it surpassed +50.
When I first created my character, this would have recovered nearly half my HP, but now it's about 1/7th...
Eventually, if something like a High Potion doesn't appear, this won't be enough when [Area Bosses] get stronger.
"Alright, next, I'll make a bamboo leaf potion."
The method is the same. I quickly made the first one and [Appraised] it.
[Quality Heal Potion]
"A potion that restores HP. Good quality. HP recovery +1 every 3 seconds. Duration 180 seconds."
Oh, so it was written like this. Why didn't I [Appraise] it before...? Well, whatever.
Hm? This bamboo leaf potion gives +60 HP, so it's better than the [Coputi] one? Or is it just a fluctuation in outcome?
"Hmm, well, whatever. Making too many would just clutter the storage, anyway."
I'm curious what would happen if I mixed [Hermit Bamboo Grass] and [Coputi] to make a potion, but I want to do that when Mion is around.
Even if something amazing or completely useless comes out, it's a bit lonely without a reaction...
"Woof."
"Oh, Lupi, you're awake. Ah, the rain has stopped."
While I was absorbed in [Alchemy] on the dirt floor, the rain apparently stopped, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the clouds, reflecting brightly off the wet trees.
The current time is... I opened the system menu, and it was almost 4 PM.
I have about an hour left, so maybe I'll go check out the sea? If it's rough, I'll give up, but near the [Sandy Beach] should be fine.
"Alright, Lupi. Let's go for a walk!"
"Woof!"
…
"Oh! Is this a short-neck clam? Or a hard clam?"
[Chromnaria]
"A bivalve shellfish that lives in sandy areas. Edible.
Cooking: The meat has umami and elasticity. Material Processing: Shells can be used as various materials."
Ah, it seems like a very good ingredient, but I don't have miso and soy sauce...
For now, I'll just grill it, I guess? Sprinkling toasted sesame seeds on it also sounds good.
I also gathered a lot of [Viridiehl], the material for nori, so I'll take this back and use
Before, it was a bit awkward, but this time I should be able to make proper ones. ...Well, in the end, I'll probably just tear and scatter them.
"Woof!"
"Hm? Lupi, what's wrong?!"
She found a giant shrimp and instinctively leaped in, but...
"Ah, I missed it!"
"Woof..."
"Sorry, sorry."
Hmm, I really need to make fishing gear.
In this case, is [Fishing Skill] enough? Does [Swimming] or [Diving Skill] also play a role?
For now, making a spear seems like the best idea.
"A three-pronged spear... that's a trident, right?"
For some reason, the image of a merman holding one comes to mind, but that wouldn't work for rock crevices. It's better to make the tip one or two prongs and add barbs.
"Alright, time to head back."
"Woof."
"Hm? Oh, right. Let's go back that way for a change."
Lupi headed towards the dense forest on the southeast side. There are more [Papu Fruit] over there, so it's perfect.
There was also something I'd wanted to make, and I need to do some [Blacksmithing] too.