2-15 Questions
A day with a bit of time on our hands at the inn. I decided to ask Sarsa some basic questions.
"By the way, I just had a thought about the church."
"Yes?"
"If you make a donation at the church or something, can you get a job like acolyte?"
"No, not really. The conditions for acquiring priestly jobs are somewhat well-known."
"Oh?"
"Simply put, you need to pray sincerely."
"Pray sincerely. And you don't necessarily need to do it at a church?"
"That's right."
What the hell is that? Sounds way too easy.
"Of course, it has to be extremely sincere, and you need to do it consistently. Using the church as a place for that training is effective, though."
"That explains why there are evil priest jobs too. You don't even need to be an official priest—just make someone else get the job."
"Hmm, I'm not sure. It's illegal for anyone who isn't an official priest to take jobs like acolyte. Besides, if you're praying with the intent to abuse it from the start, you probably won't acquire the job easily."
"Huh? It's illegal? Well, yeah, that makes sense. If anyone could just switch to evil jobs freely, the country would have a hell of a time managing it."
The point about not acquiring it if you're praying with bad intentions makes sense too. Though I can think of plenty of loopholes for that one.
Worst case, torment someone until they cling to God in desperation—that'd probably count as sincere prayer...
Ah, but you'd need to change jobs after acquiring it, so unless you're church-affiliated, it's illegal. The bottleneck is getting that first priest job. Once you have one, you could just have them cooperate on changes after.
Either way, I've got Interferer for free job changes. The limitation to just me and my slaves isn't an issue—I have no reason to change anyone else's anyway.
No need to make Sarsa pray for a job. End of discussion.
Oh, just to be thorough.
"Any other benefits to going to the church?"
"...I can't think of any. Normally, people go to check their status anyway."
Yeah, no need for that.
Guess we can skip the church. Good.
"Hmm, one more thing... basics."
Was there something I forgot to ask? Probably a bunch, but nothing comes to mind right away.
"Oh yeah. Magic stones—even small ones sell, right?"
"Yes."
"But for something like the magitech for your magic shield, it needs small spheres. What about distorted or tiny ones that won't work for that? Any uses?"
"Fuel for magitech. Or crushed for use, or as catalysts—various things, but... honestly, it's not my field, so I'm not too familiar. Sorry."
"Even goblin-sized, distorted ones work as fuel?"
"They do. Well, I don't know the details, but apparently. For large magitech, shape doesn't matter—they just need total volume. Oh, and lords' skills for managing land use small stones too."
"Lords' skills?"
"Yes. Lords often pick jobs like Lord or Land Manager—not sure the ratio. Their skills consume stones for various effects."
"Huh, that's some pretty important info..."
But I can't think of a way to use it.
"Goblin stones are usable in a lot of magitech too, I think? There's a term for junk stones only good for big magitech fuel, but goblin ones aren't included."
"So they're decent-sized after all."
"Magic stones vary wildly. You can find even smaller, more distorted ones if you look."
"Gotcha."
In the first town, stones were 10 copper each, I think.
Cheaper than that means stuff worth pennies or less.
Having magitech skills lets you use stones beyond selling, and cuts maintenance costs.
Never looked it up, but there have to be magitech-related jobs.
"Sarsa, know any magitech jobs?"
"Magitech? Like Magitech Crafter or Magitech User?"
"Oh, they exist. What's the difference between crafter and user?"
"...Not sure? Probably crafter focuses on making, user on using pre-mades. That's a big difference."
"Yeah, makes sense. Any idea how to acquire them?"
"Nope. Honestly, probably by crafting or using magitech."
Huh, so my magic gun should qualify—maybe I have it?
Checked—nope. Is the magic gun not magitech?
Checked Sarsa's jobs too—no. Maybe not enough magic shield use yet.
That covers questions for Sarsa. We can do more when there's time.
After lunch, I left Sarsa at the inn to sort luggage and headed to the guild for magic practice. Could've done it in the room, but that limits training. Wanted to rent a proper training ground.
"We might have dissection space available."
"No training ground? Tarstira had one."
"Staff has one, but it's in use."
"Got it... Dissection space okay to move around in?"
"As long as you don't break equipment. And clear out quick if staff needs it for work."
"Understood."
The staffer led me outside to a guild-owned dissection area in a warehouse alley. Can't use high-power attacks here. But free rental—mixed bag.
"Out by evening bell at latest. We'll lock up, but close any open windows."
"Got it."
Now, what to try? My current practical magic memo:
• Magic (practical level)
Fire Magic: Fireball, Fire Arrow, Flame Thrower, Fire Wall
Water Magic: Water Ball, Water Wall
Wind Magic: Air Pressure, Wind Wall
Earth Magic: Slow Stone, Sand Needle, Wake Wall, Sand Wall
Compound Magic: Bashabasha (Water + Earth)
Body Enhancement Magic
Magic Bullet is skilled but not practical yet.
Wide dirt space. A little mess won't matter—fix with earth magic before leaving. Stood at edge, fired light attacks at distant ground.
Fireball, water ball, sand needles sank in with splashes, hisses, and scrapes. Can proudly say I've mastered basic attacks.
Last, formed fireball, intensified core energy, slammed it down. Distorted fiery mass hit ground, erupted, flipping soil and sparking. ...Might've overdone it.
That's my Fire Arrow.
Pikata's was cleaner, faster. But with charge time, it's practical.
Evened the blasted spot with earth magic, stretched for prep. Next: magic while moving.
Made small dirt targets with earth magic, activated body enhancement, punched. Repeated smoothly, feeling power transfer.
Sweat beaded.
Drew beloved sword, practiced swings checking form. Then with enhancement—tricky.
My swordsmanship bases on techniques from that inn couple—sword nerds. Mixed with mentors' advice and my tweaks into original style. Weapon's a longer tachi now, so technically iffy in spots.
Still, husband nerd's theory as base, swing with principles in mind during fights. Control body for efficient enhancement magic flow.
Bluntly: insane. But it's my own crazy demand—no complaining.
"Hoo... tired, tired..."
MP low—break time, drink water. Magic water still tastes bad, so brought inn water.
Training ramped up: weights, swordplay, magic. Tough. Daily when possible, but magic's endless—review alone eats time. MP finite.
Maybe schedule by day: wind today, etc. Body enhancement needs daily grind to master.
Hour break, MP recovered—tried something I'd wanted.
Hand to ground, flowed magic to deform—earth basic. Felt it, grabbed sword, stood, reverse-gripped, stabbed ground casually. Flowed magic, fine-tuned long... distant ground slightly bulged. Success.
What to call it...?
Wanted: stab greatsword in ground—boom! Looks badass, right?
Practicality? Who cares.
If not just bulge but hard spiked earth sword erupts—ultimate move vibes.
Playtime over.
Before leaving: practice Air Pressure boost-brake.
Hurts, hate it—but gotta for pain-free. Dilemma. Front-back boost for distance works in real fights, but needs focus—not free control.
Left-right, diagonal, rotation posture control—far from done. Grind on.
Lost track of time, stopped at zero MP. Peeked window: sun dipping red. Evening already. Head back.
Back at inn, Sarsa asleep on bed. Corner luggage neatly sorted, clothes folded on bed. Curled at edge to avoid crushing them, passed out.
Somehow heartwarming. Bathed with bottom-floor hot water.
"Gii."
Don bit hand grumpily—where was he? Sarsa slept rare, missed food? Gave muscat-like fruit bought on way. Hey, half's ours. Played with small furry beast, healed fatigue. Fluffy soft fur... soothing~.
By full dark, Sarsa woke, apologized profusely. Job done fine, no issue—but looked guilty.
Her serious nature, probably.
A few days of solo training and info gathering, lazing—then guild summons for monster hunt.
"Sorry, Yoyo, right? Warrior Squad request."
"Yeah, Yoyo. Warrior Squad... here it comes."
Private room, older staffer with gray hair explained.
"With recent monster surge, strengthening local subjugation. Limiting escorts/patrols, focusing mid-river and south wilderness sweeps."
"Wilderness—subhumans... southeast there?"
"Yes. Getta numbers up, smart ones leading packs—attacks rising. Reduce overall, ideally take leaders."
"Got it."
"Heard you joined last big raid."
"The one with 50+ subhumans?"
"Yes. Escaped the leader then too. Want it before bigger threat."
"I see..."
"Mid-river: seasonal monster spikes spotted. Routine subjugation, but want more hands."
"Both?"
"No, Squad'll detail. Attend briefing if interested."
"...Straight up: trouble if I decline? Like marked uncooperative?"
"Nah. Accept boosts rep, decline doesn't hurt. Issues? Fine to pass."
Really okay? Would've been easier if forced.
"Can I hear details then decline?"
"Possible... but prefer upfront no."
"Hmm. Other task info?"
"Yes. 2 silver/day min. Magic? Maybe double. No details on content/risk yet... but Squad's cooperative—no cannon fodder."
"Huh... Materials from kills?"
"Unclear. Usually Squad's, but standout contrib gets stones etc."
If accurate: 4 silver/day + mats possible. Good pay.
"...I'll consider positively."
"Briefing?"
"...Yeah. When/where?"
"Tomorrow, south Squad base. Guide at entrance."
"Tomorrow, got it. Show guild card?"
"Yes. Whew, relief."
"...?"
"Squad requests mean we scramble minimum numbers. You accepting helps."
"Okay."
Really fine? No lies? Anyway, decided to take Squad job.
Met Sarsa at training ground—she diligently shooting own bow at targets.
Drew arrow from quiver, nocked, poised quietly. Tense air seconds—twang, air-ripping whoosh, thunk satisfying hit.
Held form post-shot, exhaled, relaxed fully. Mesmerizing grace.
"Going at it."
"Master. Slacked a bit, but sensation's back."
"Good. Warrior Squad briefing tomorrow—leaning accept, prep today."
"Right, need portable rations."
Her focus there. She'll stock tasty long-shelf stuff—easy.
"Staff says 4 silver/day solid. Let's earn."
"Gotta hustle. Prime time."
Sarsa clenched fist, fired up. Our budget swings with earnings—food especially. Food demon Sarsa hungry for gold too.
Before I knew it, the ratings had surpassed 200.