1-30 Earth Magic
In the small private room, I handed over the bag containing the magic stone.
"Well now, this is a wind-attribute stone... such a beautiful color. Nice shape too. I'd say it's worth at least fifty silver coins..."
The magic stone appraisal center lets you get an assessment without committing to a sale. If you back out, you just pay a small fee—less than one silver coin at most.
I politely declined the sale of the big one and only sold the smaller stones. The appraisal fee basically canceled out the profit.
I grabbed an early dinner and headed back leisurely to the magitech shop "Tere no Ha Store."
"We've been waiting for you."
The apron lady was stationed on the first floor. Should've hurried a bit?
"Right this way."
She led me to the back of the store, into what looked like a workshop. Interesting layout.
"That the customer you mentioned?"
A battle-scarred man who looked like a veteran mercenary—hunched over his work—noticed me and stood up. Intimidating presence.
"Yes."
"I'm the forge master here. Nice to meet ya."
"Nice to meet you."
Surprisingly polite. Forge master—probably the head craftsman. We shook hands and got down to business.
"Oh, you finally made it? You're late."
The flamboyant one showed up too. Guess I was a little tardy. It was a decent shop, so I'd been treating Sarsa to dinner at my usual pace. No way I could've made it in an hour.
"I've got an estimate for the items you left with us. What's your budget?"
She was holding what looked like an invoice—whipped up on the spot, apparently.
"Hold on. First, let's settle the magic stone."
"Already?"
"Yeah. They said no less than fifty silver, probably around sixty."
"Hmm~"
A bit of exaggeration there. All part of the negotiation.
"I figure I could get more through connections, but I need cash now. Sixty silver, and it's yours. Deal?"
"Sixty... fine, let's shake on it. Deal."
"Great."
"Cash can come after we settle up with the repair fees, right?"
"Yeah, perfect."
One magic stone for sixty silver. Huge. More than the total escort payout.
"Now, about the magitech. Technical stuff, I'll leave to the forge master."
"Right. The magic gun's tricky—special build. And that mutated magic crystal core? Too scary to touch. We'll leave it be and tweak what we can. One day's work, ten silver."
"Ten silver. Got it."
Pricey, but skipping adjustments feels risky. Better safe.
"The sword's the issue."
"Problem?"
"Yeah. Circuits are nearly burned out, mechanisms are worn. Not broken, so repairable—but it'll take time and money."
"Seriously...?"
"Especially since... well, overloading the circuits is one thing, but swinging it without channeling magic? It's a mess."
...Joysman, no doubt.
"No magic flow, and it breaks?"
"Pretty much. That's how it's built. Channel magic, and it should cut better. Simple function kept it going despite the abuse. Treat it nice from now on, or it'll pity ya."
"Noted. Just learned to channel magic recently. Won't happen again."
"Repair's about twenty silver. Sold that pricey stone, so you good?"
"Yeah. Without it, it'd be tight, but doable."
Glad I got that Zag magic stone. Thirty silver just for adjustments and repairs—three hundred thousand yen. Gear guzzles cash.
"...By the way, you bought some magitech, right?"
"Yeah."
"No magic stone for it?"
"Ah."
Forgot. ...More money down the drain.
"How much?"
"Let me see. Ah, this one... small true-sphere type. We stock 'em."
The flamboyant one instructed the apron lady, who fetched a magic stone.
"Huh, small but pretty."
"Right? Polished stones look like gems."
While chatting, she tinkered with Sarsa's magitech, slotting the stone in smoothly. It glowed faintly for a second.
"There. One for two silver... but you showed us something fun, so one silver and fifty copper."
"...Per stone?"
"Obviously. Not that cheap."
"How long per stone?"
"Depends, but for beginners, swap after a few uses."
"Hmm, got it..."
So, buy assuming one a day. Just in case.
"Twenty, then."
"Whoa, generous. Bulk discount: twenty-five copper."
"Thanks. That's... twenty-five silver."
"With the rest, fifty-five silver total. Pay five silver, we're square."
"Yeah. Barely broke even."
...Not counting the magitech itself. High-value stone sale vanished in a flash.
Why does big money disappear so fast? At the sale, assets topped one gold and a hundred silver briefly.
Down quick... but nearly fifty silver left. Save steadily. Wall-building side gig starts tomorrow.
"Magic gun by morning if possible?"
"Tomorrow mornin'? Eh, we'll manage."
Forge master took it on.
"Sword? Three, four days. Cool?"
"Yeah, sticking around for wall work. Swing by in three days."
"Sounds good."
"Wall work? Thought you were some pro dropping pricey stones... turns out you're doing grunt stuff~?"
"Only temp gig available. Good training. Till the sword's back."
"Ooh, fine then. Contract time—sign here."
"Got it."
Flamboyant one's thorough: formal contract, receipt for items. Face pass with her or apron lady.
Time for a good rest. Aim for billionaire tomorrow.
Morning: warm-up stretches first. Then swings, runs, or monster hunts—whatever on-site training. Today, sword forms review.
Then magic practice. Rare safe spot—precious time.
This trip, magic saved us multiple times. Not just accuracy—need trump cards, surprise tactics.
Zag fight hammered home: expand magic repertoire.
Old water specialist aside, need diverse spells.
Zag resisted magic, but earth magic might've hurt it decently.
Magic involves magical and physical energy.
Skip details, but yeah. Slow Stone—literal name—infuses stone with magic, drains on throw.
Still, impact hurts like a regular rock toss.
Ratio varies by spell, trends by attribute.
Roughly: earth highest physical, then wind, water, fire lowest—mostly magical. High magic defense or resistance tanks fire power.
Earth hits with physical, bypassing some magic def/resist. But defense stat hurts it more.
Ideal: fire/water for physical tanks, wind/earth for magic tanks.
Fireballed plenty, wind with Air Pressure. Walls with water/wind. Earth lagged, but wall work's perfect practice.
"Wind attacks need more punch... try Wind Cutter?"
Wind Cutter: classic "slash with wind." But wind slashing? Insane. Ever sliced by wind on Earth? Nah.
Sharpening air into blades takes insane energy. Magic covers it somehow.
...Less whining, more trying.
Over an hour focused: just stronger Air Pressure. Wind Cutter far off...
Voice from behind ended it.
"Master, shouldn't we prepare for work?"
"Sarsa, yeah."
Wiped sweat, headed to mercenaries' guild.
"Yoyo here—the one who asked about work yesterday."
"Mr. Yoyo. One moment."
Window wait: yesterday's bro came with papers.
"Morning, Mr. Yoyo."
"Morning."
"About yesterday: can start now? Right outside south gate—should find it. They want you on-site if interested."
"Got it. Rewards discussed?"
"Yes, base sixty copper. Magic skill decides more. Guild-vetted, no funny business."
"Average mage day rate?"
"Uh, not that detailed."
"Monster hazard pay?"
"Nah, not escorts. Ask site boss."
"Thanks for everything. Heading out."
"Sure."
Bro bustled off with papers. Not mine—busy guy.
"Construction site... hope not black company."
"? Indeed."
"..."
Sarsa's mastered "nod along to weird stuff." Ignores me properly now—kinda sad.
Stopped at Tere no Ha for magic gun. Apron lady cleaning early—smooth. Looks same, but cleaner, trigger smooth. Satisfied, pocketed to subspace.
Asked directions, south gate.
Like east gate, wagons crowded morning—but pedestrian smooth. Sparse residents.
"Said it'd be obvious..."
Straight ahead: group lounging in open grassland.
That? Dirt piles nearby—for walls.
"Yoyo, mage from guild referral."
"Newbie? Fetching boss—wait."
Shirtless uncle fetched boss.
Others eyed us curiously.
"What's with the young lady? You building too?"
"Hauling heavy dirt? You okay, missy?"
Sweaty, dirty looks—but not sleazy like Joysman crew. Low threat.
"My attendant. Nothing for her at inn, so brought her to assist."
"Attendant? Fancy boy, huh."
"Mage—must be loaded."
"Aw, not fun."
"Missy, I'm wife-shopping."
Chatter overload. Harmless—ignore.
Clean-cut boss appeared. "Smart" for foreman.
"Kept you waiting. Caston, site supervisor."
"Yoyo. Nice to meet."
"Heard you do magic?"
"Yeah, basics in four elements. Earth decent. First time Firm Earth? Wanna try."
"Fine. Hey, grab prepped Firm Earth!"
One worker fetched.
"Contract now. Base sixty copper, silver if useful."
"...How about: sixty copper till shaping Firm Earth, then two silver."
"What?"
Boss pondered, nodded.
"Deal—if motivated. But not just shaping: till battle-ready, sixty copper."
"I'll work hard."
Not sure on profit, but don't undersell mage value.
"Earth here. Show us."
"Tips? Just channel magic?"
"Basically: flow magic, manipulate like normal earth. Saturate, then slowly reshape. No sudden force."
"Got it."
Mound before me. Clay-play nostalgia. Palms on, channel.
Hmm... resistant. Finer infiltration image.
...Better speed. Now patience...
How long?
"Magic flowed. Slowly ball it."
"..."
Eyes closed, visualize sphere. Sand easy; heavy earth tough.
Firm Earth hardens post-channel, resists more. One-shot shape—hard.
"Hah... hah..."
Held breath too long. Exhale broke focus—magic repelled.
"Phew..."
Oval-ish, bumpy—not sphere.
"Hmph, first-time fine. Sixty copper today. Haul dirt, help mages finish."
"Yeah."
Frustrating... skill gap.
"Morning tests optional. But pay for Firm Earth yourself next."
"Got it."
Daily raise tests—helpful.
Morning: haul, sneak earth practice on loose dirt.
Open grassland, cloudless, scorching sun. Midday 30°C+ feel. Low humidity saves.
Sweaty work. Hydrate.
Sarsa helped despite offer—uncles' idol now.
"Loyal servant hauling without complaint... heartwarming."
"Too good for lazy rich kid. Marry me?"
"Strong for a girl. Uncle shocked."
...Fine. Let Sarsa charm; I master earth.
"Kuh—called him master. Irresistible."
"Get why big shots grab maids."
"Happy with that quick kid!? Try me, attendant-chan."
...Ignore.
Lunch break: helped mage finishing. Shocked we went to town—entry fees wasteful. Trade town cheap (ten copper), but daily adds up. Bento tomorrow.
"Firm Earth coated, smooth with this planer. Bumpy? Plane till flat. Helps with earth skill, but short-staffed. Mages skip this."
Planer: magitech trowel-like, channels to shave earth. Plasterer vibe, but shaving not spreading. Perfect for failed mage me.
"Study Firm Earth too. Finish quick."
Done three blocks at dusk—exhausted home.
"Damn, practice makes perfect."
Nights: post-work yard earth practice. Mornings: practice then boss test.
Cycle set.
Bought Firm Earth from recommended shop. Backpack-size: two silver. Expenses...
Five days: caught a trick, sorta.
Sand easy: flows, reshapes simple.
Solid like Firm Earth: magic shape alone fails.
Trial-error: my trick—pre-knead.
Mash, soften, clay-like: vary pressure shaping.
Yard dirt: crude dolls now.
Firm Earth harder, same but precise/instant. Construction: coat ramparts—not super fine.
Learned later: sphere test for easy image/application—shaping basics.
Post-rest day, ten days from first test: passed.
"Started awful, but fast learner. Youth?"
Boss sarcastic praise. Fufun. Smug face. Uncles cheered.
"Magic's tough, eh? Impressive."
"Worthy of Sarsa-chan... damn... wish I was rich heir."
"Even with cash, magic needs luck."
Rare positivity. Some envy.
"From today: shaping. Five blocks solo daily."
"Five?"
"Not full day. Mana management key. Shape one, quick recover break—repeat."
"You earth mage too?"
"Yep. Breaks: oversee site. Good pay, busier."
"Why so clean?"
Mages skip labor—no dirt, sweat.
"Pushing mana to limit, recover repeat—mind-breaking. Not easy."
"Yeah. Finish work in breaks okay?"
"Eh? Like it? Fine for your shapes. Bonus pay. No overdo."
"Got it."
Channel once, shave hardened: simulates anti-magic-resist attacks.
Firm for resist/hardness—wall coating. Not immune; right magic (esp. earth) shaves easy. Underrated trump attribute.
"Prioritize quota today."
"Do it. Report here early finish. Map later. First guided, then self-adjust."
"Yeah, Sarsa's here—proper breaks."
"Her gone, guys mope."
"Can't help. Maybe meals here."
"Do it. She's mascot now."
Worry for monster holy land trip. Sarsa won't bail for job? Won't let her anyway.
...Breaks for flirting fun.
Senior mage explainer: lord's magic unit. Confident.
Thorough—no complaints. One block: 20m rampart coat—fiddly, focus-heavy.
Cool face shows skill. Promising.
"Got it? Get guided, check assignment, start."
"Yeah."
"Edges first. Mids: commit till done."
"Smart. Will do."
Five blocks: day-one exhaustion.
But two silver now—huge step.
Prior: break-even or red with expenses.
If the sudden third-person or outsider perspective felt jarring, check activity report for excuses. TL;DR: "Like a spasm, it'll pass." Lame excuse lol.
Also, typo correction feature's handy—used it a few times. Thanks to correctors!
Next chapter ends arc one.