kscans

Chapter 193 - The Sorcerer's Apprentice 1. In the Workshop (Part 1)

The day after his visit to Ems's workshop, Yuri was waiting for a guest at Adon's mansion.

"...Is this person an acquaintance of yours, Adon-san?"

"I have met him, of course, but to be precise, he is the disciple of my former teacher. My teacher vouches for his magical skill and character. ...You see, finding an earth magician with as much skill as you, Yuri-kun, is quite difficult..."

Yuri made a strange face at Adon's words. He was at the very bottom of the Salt-Sour Mountain hierarchy. Surely there were countless magicians superior to him all around?

"...Well, we'll set that aside for now... This matter has already reached a point where we cannot involve anyone careless. You've heard as much from Nagara, haven't you, Yuri-kun?"

"Ah, yes..."

Yuri's lack of self-awareness was already a common understanding among all involved. Adon, deciding it was a waste of time to dwell on it, bypassed the topic and mentioned Nagara, the elven man who had traveled all this way to meet Yuri. As Nagara was serving as Adon's guard, he had accompanied Adon to End Village, where Yuri had been subjected to an endless, earnest, eloquent, and exhaustive speech on just how much the elves desired Magic Stone Tools.

"For that reason, in addition to needing someone with a reliable background, we had to recruit someone who would not fail in creating the stone tools, no matter what. I was getting nowhere on my own, so I sought my teacher's help. By the way, my teacher is one of this country's foremost mages, and as I've mentioned before, he's said he would like to meet you if the opportunity arises..."

"Ah, yes. I have no objection."

Just as Yuri replied, the butler Helman appeared and announced the arrival of their guest.



Faren, a high-ranking disciple of Professor Magam and considered one of the country's most promising young magicians, was introduced to a child who looked to be no more than ten. Though surprised, Faren, thanks to his good upbringing, did not let his polite demeanor falter. After all, both Magam and Adon had sternly warned him not to be rude under any circumstances. Besides, even if he was a child, for a time, this would be the person instructing him.

"...It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Faren, a disciple of Professor Magam. I have been instructed to receive your guidance in the creation of stone tools using Earth Magic. I look forward to working with you."

One of the reasons Magam had recommended Faren was this politeness. The world of magicians was one where skill was paramount, and few placed importance on age or background. Even among them, Faren was exceptionally polite, capable of showing proper respect even to his juniors and those younger than him, a trait likely owed to his good upbringing. It was thought that he would not act rudely toward Yuri.

"Thank you for your courteous greeting. As you can see, I am but a novice. You may think it presumptuous for me to instruct a magician, but I ask for your patience for a short while. Also, as I am from the countryside, I may act in ways that offend you, but I humbly ask for your forbearance."

But Faren, upon receiving such a polite greeting, one unfitting for a child, felt as if the wind had been taken out of his sails.

"Ah, ah... The pleasure is all mine..."

It seemed this was not someone he could judge by appearances. His teacher had told him as much, but... this boy seemed to be more than a handful.

"Well then, if we may begin at once..."

"Ah, yes, please."

"You may use this room for your work."

In the room Adon had led them to, Faren used Appraisal on the prepared materials, after asking for permission. The result... was perfectly ordinary soil.

"I've tried various things, but unless it's soil exposed on the surface, it doesn't seem to absorb magic power very well."

"Ah, that would be the difference between being regularly exposed to magical essence and not."

Here in the Forea World, affinity for magic power was proportional to the length of exposure to magical essence. Minerals and clays that had been deposited deep underground had fewer opportunities to come into contact with the magical essence in the atmosphere, making them less receptive to magic power. This was one reason why many metal tools, represented by iron, were not receptive to magic power. On the other hand, ordinary topsoil was constantly exposed to air containing magical essence, giving it a high affinity for magic power. This meant a knife made from that soil would have better cutting power when magic was channeled through it.

Being told this, many things clicked into place for Yuri. He had never known such a mechanism existed. He was deeply impressed, thinking that a professional really was different. Faren, on the other hand, could not hide his bewilderment. He could create something like a Magic Stone Tool without knowing such a basic fact?

...However, that thought was soon blown away.

"Alright, let's begin. Using only magic power, please grind the soil into a fine powder."

"...Pardon?"