Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Spell Maker
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While playing DAT, there's one figure you often spot on Middle Street.
The man right there in front of the fountain.
You frequently run into the NPC commonly known as the Wanderer.
'An NPC with no name. No dialogue.'
The hilarious part was that, among all these countless NPCs, the Wanderer was the only one with zero interactions.
DAT was a game where hordes of NPCs appeared and vanished in cycles.
Yet only this one Wanderer had no interactions whatsoever.
'There are NPCs with hidden interactions or ones that only activate under specific conditions.'
No player had ever gotten a single word out of that Wanderer.
"Hey, what are you doing? Why are you heading over there?"
"Just wait a sec."
Manannan shot Regin a baffled look at his sudden move.
Brushing him off, Regin approached the Wanderer.
"Excuse me."
"Hmm? Heh heh, what business does a fine young lad have with a worthless beggar like me? Come to toss in some coin?"
The Wanderer tapped the small metal tin in front of him with a finger as he spoke.
"How much would it take?"
"Oho, you're a fellow who gets straight to the point. I won't ask for much. Just enough to buy a loaf of bread from the shop."
Enough for a single loaf of bread.
Among the food available in DAT, the cheapest was a hard loaf for 2 silver.
For 3 silver, you could get a soft chocolate bun.
"Manannan."
"Hey, I'm not an ATM. And why give money to some shady old creep like—"
"I'll pay you back for sure. There's something I need to ask."
"The sixth tower? ...You're paying just to hear one scrap of nonsense?"
"Please."
Manannan pondered for a moment before pulling coins from his pouch.
"...You little punk, count yourself lucky I got that care package from my parents yesterday. Came with pocket money along with some books."
"Yeah?"
"That's why I'm lending it. No issues there. But you better pay me back. I remember that newspaper money from earlier too."
"Thanks."
Luckily, today was one of those days when Manannan had some financial breathing room.
By his backstory, his parents were merchants, and he lived off their regular allowance.
Perfect timing—his pouch had just been refilled yesterday.
Regin took the 3 silver from Manannan and dropped the coins into the Wanderer's tin.
Clink!
"Heh heh, much obliged. You just saved a dying old man's life."
The Wanderer chuckled mischievously as he fished the 3 silver from the tin and pocketed them in his pants.
"Anyway, what caught your interest... must be tales of the sixth tower."
"Yes."
The mere fact that this guy even had dialogue was a mystery in itself.
Regin kept that thought to himself and listened closely.
"Five towers. Folks think that's all there is. Heh heh."
"You mean there are more?"
"Of course. Were towers always part of this world? Nah. They're structures barely a century old. Popped up out of nowhere."
"......"
"So a sixth tower showing up? Wouldn't be strange at all."
Regin paused, then asked,
"No other proof?"
"What?"
"Just a hunch, that's it?"
"Curious. You didn't need to ask me, did you? Your friend maybe, but..."
The Wanderer stroked his beard and flashed a knowing smile.
"Isn't your soul already aware of the answer?"
...What?
A chill raced across Regin's skin.
'My soul...?'
Did he know I'd entered Regin's body somehow?
...How?
* * *
Regin grabbed the Wanderer's shoulder and demanded,
"You... what exactly are you?"
"Eh, just a beggar scraping by... Ow, you're gonna yank my arm off, kid."
"......"
Regin kept his grip firm, eyes locked on the man.
'Something's up. The sudden dialogue... he definitely knows something.'
Shaking off Regin's hand, the Wanderer kicked the tin at his feet and continued.
"I've already answered for today's payment."
"......"
"Don't fret too much, young man. You only take as much as you prepare for. Heh heh."
"Manannan."
More money?
Just as Regin moved to hit the Manannan ATM again,
"Regin! Manannan!"
"...Master?!"
"What are you doing over there! I told you to come straight back!!"
A gravelly elderly voice rang out from behind. Regin and Manannan whipped around.
"Master Nuada!"
A white-haired old man in a white robe.
He clutched a massive staff.
...And his eyes glared at Regin and Manannan.
"I told you to head straight back..."
"......"
This was a problem.
His appearance meant they had to leave now.
For Regin, with questions still burning, it wasn't welcome.
Regin spoke with a serious expression.
"Regin Petrachio. Remember that name. I'll come back."
"Fine. No worries. I've got your names locked in tight."
"Good enough. Let's go, then..."
"Uh? Okay."
Regin left the Wanderer behind and walked toward Nuada.
Regrettable, but there'd be another chance.
When it came, he'd get straight answers to everything left hanging.
"...Names I haven't heard in ages."
Watching Regin's back, the Wanderer murmured cryptically.
* * *
"Master."
"......"
"Master?"
"......"
Books. And magic circles.
Nuada's study overflowed with them.
Even in the game, it screamed renowned mage in this world.
'Sage Nuada.'
Mentor to Regin and Manannan.
One of the world's key mages.
That Nuada sat quietly at his desk, reading a book.
...No clue why he'd summon someone just to read.
Thud.
He closed the book and looked at Regin.
"It's tough."
"Pardon?"
"No book I've checked covers forgiving a disciple who stole from his master's belly and ran."
"......"
"Go fetch Manannan. He's my only disciple now."
Regin swallowed a wry internal smile.
'Too late for that.'
Chilly atmosphere. A declaration of disownment.
Even someone who'd never met him in-game would sense Nuada's fury.
"Master, if I may say something?"
"...Still haven't left?"
"I'm sorry. I know you're angry. Especially with the succession rite looming... a disciple vanishing without a word deserves to be torn apart."
"Well said! If I tore you to shreds right here, would that ease my mind?!"
Flinch.
The roar came with terrifying authority, far beyond what you'd expect from an old man.
But Regin wasn't backing down.
He'd encountered Nuada plenty in the game.
'I know Nuada's personality well. Been through his events enough times to map what he likes and prefers.'
Regin pressed on with the gravest expression he could muster.
"What mage understands the world from a armchair?"
"What?"
"Rumors of Skull Island. All of it... A mage should see and learn firsthand. That's what you taught me, Master."
"......"
Regin held his gaze steady.
The one way to face Nuada.
A mage's pride.
The attitude a mage must have.
That was the surest path to sway him.
"Of course, as you see, empty-handed. Brought back nothing."
"Who asked for gifts?"
"No achievements. And for me, who left full of hope... that's pretty despairing. Maybe all I brought back... is questions."
"......"
"But as long as those questions linger, I can't stop. Master."
"Can't stop?"
"Yes. Didn't confirm anything this time... but I'll grow stronger and dig up every truth on that island. No, everything that piques my curiosity from now on—I'll crash into it headfirst and find answers."
"...Hah."
Nuada fell silent for a while.
He scrutinized Regin but found no flaws.
Not because of eloquent speech or flawless logic.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
Regin poured out sincerity.
A few facts omitted, sure, but the feelings were real.
'The drive to revisit what I missed... when the chance comes, that's genuine.'
Nuada gazed deeply at Regin's face.
From his expression, actions, and the weight of his words, Nuada knew it was true.
"You know the succession rite's soon. You'll leave my side, become an official adventurer."
"I do."
"So I'll pass knowledge, and you make it yours. Good thing."
"I know that too."
"Regin."
"Yes."
"Neither you nor Manannan—I'll not raise you as pitiful weaklings. After the rite, keep pushing forward. Never forget your goals."
"I'll remember."
"Hah, always so good with words. Prove those aren't empty to me."
Regin nodded.
"I promise."
"Good. For that resolve, I'll let this slide once. Next time, your body burns to ash."
Nuada's eyes flicked to the staff by the table.
Probably the rarest, made from Yggdrasil wood.
'...Close call.'
Imagining magic from that aimed at him, Regin nodded fast.
"I'll remember!"
As Regin bowed deeply to Nuada and turned to leave,
"And if you head to Skull Island next time, prepare thoroughly. No idea when, but if it surfaces, I'll let you know."
"Thank you."
Regin's plea had worked.
He'd worried about failure, but Nuada wasn't that petty.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Yes."
"For the rite, any thoughts on which mage path? Manannan wants elemental mage."
Regin thought briefly, then answered.
"Spell Maker."
He fiddled with the subspace bracer on his arm and continued.
"I've never considered any other path but Spell Maker."
A Spell Maker with subspace would make all those words no bluff.
"I see."
Nuada regarded him, then slowly spoke.
"By the way, since Skull Island... felt anything odd? Body showing strange signs?"
"...No. Nothing like that."
Nuada pondered, then nodded.
"Good. That's enough."
* * *
"We're here."
Next day, Nuada led Regin somewhere.
[Erin Spell Makers' Association]
At a glance, a massive white building like a grand library.
In DAT, the place to class-change into Spell Maker.
Regin and Nuada stepped cautiously inside.
"Hmm. You'll be coming here often, so get used to the vibe. Had business here today anyway, so I brought you."
Nuada's face wasn't pleased. Regin knew why.
'Must be worrying a bit.'
Too chaotic for normals.
"Water Ball mixed with Thunder Rain formula on a scroll...! If this works, jackpot!"
"You mad Alabar! Can't write formulas straight? Water's splashing me!"
Mages casting spells indoors to test scrolls.
"No! Gotta finish this absolute salinity scroll by week's end...! Thesis nowhere near done!"
Ones driven mad by deadlines, of course.
"Scrolls that make food taste great? Monumental discovery!"
"Hah! Use seasonings for that. You became a Spell Maker for such nonsense?"
"What? You done talking? How huge is practical-life scrolls!"
Even ones in heated debates over whose scrolls were better.
A space for those who'd devoted their lives to spell-making.
"What do you think? Look like lunatics?"
"Yes."
"What? Pfft hahaha. Why, wanted to be one but changed your mind seeing this?"
Nuada asked as they walked amid scrolls scattered and rolling on the floor.
"No."
Regin smiled faintly.
"How do you pursue better magic without a touch of madness? Nice to see them all diving deep into magic."
"Is that so. Good then. Plenty bail before even starting after seeing this."
Nuada looked at Regin fondly.
"Lord Nuada!"
"You're here. Greet them, Regin. Association members."
"Hello."
Soon, association members rushed over.
"Mind showing my disciple the basement?"
"Of course!"
The woman introduced herself as Clina. Clina Kritov. A familiar NPC.
Clina led Regin and Nuada downstairs, chattering lightly.
"Perfect timing. I was gonna test a scroll combining amplification magic with tier-2 flame magic anyway."
"Hoho. Already tackling amplification?"
"Kinda happened. Hehe, showing it to you, Lord Nuada... timing's spot on."
Eh.
Regin gave an awkward smile.
'Spot on timing?'
Grrr—
Monster growl echoed the moment they reached the basement.
"Research needs live-captured monsters, you know."
"......"
Clina eyed Regin and continued.
"Don't worry too much. They're all chained up."
Clina poked a chained hobgoblin.
Screech.
Regin couldn't look away from the metallic clanks each time it moved.