Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: 2. Orphan Gacha Probability-Up Event
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It had been two weeks since I started the after-service on this product.
Repairs showed no sign of even progressing.
"Karen? Do you remember what I talked about yesterday by any chance?"
"......Yes."
"In our orphanage, we absolutely have to have Talent Training time. And your talent is magic, so you need to learn and train in magic too. Got it?"
"Yes."
"But you don't want to learn magic?"
"Yes."
"......Even though it's for your future?"
"Yes."
This kind of conversation just looped around like a merry-go-round.
That said, I wasn't getting tired of it. Every now and then, if Karen's hand accidentally touched the magic book, a truly brilliant light would burst out.
Thinking of that light as my retirement fund or bank account only made my motivation surge.
That aside, it was true that this after-service method wasn't getting anywhere.
'There must have been some incident that made her close off her heart.'
I had straight-up asked her about it out of sheer frustration. There was something.
"Would you tell me if something happened?"
"............."
As expected, Karen just stayed silent. What to do about this?
Forget like or dislike—apart from her occasional short replies, she showed no reaction at all, so I couldn't even grasp what to try. The other products who came with Karen said she had always been like this from the start.
To fix something, you need to know where it's broken, but with a product like this, I couldn't disassemble and inspect it, so there was nothing I could do.
So what to do?
"Karen, let's do cleaning together today. It'll be done quicker that way."
"......Yes."
She did what she was told, so I just kept at it until it worked.
I prepared meals with Karen, did cleaning with her, stuck by her side during Talent Training time under the excuse that she hadn't shown her talent yet, and poured all kinds of attention on her.
I tried all sorts of means she might like as a girl—dolls, snacks, clothes, and so on—and never snapped or got irritated at Karen for her lack of response.
Like that, ten days passed.
Tricksy finally managed to shape a bowl, and the other 2-Star Orphans started showing results in their talents bit by bit.
But Karen was the same as ever. She showed no interest in magic whatsoever, beyond a lack of motivation.
So this time, I came up with the fairy tale strategy.
"Look at this, Karen. This is a story about a good wizard."
"......... "
"Once upon a time, there lived a good wizard. The good wizard started helping people with his magic...... "
A fairy tale about a good wizard. It was a clichéd story of a good wizard wandering around helping people, but to kids at that age, it was no different from a bestseller.
In fact, even Laila, the most mature one in our orphanage, loved it when I read this fairy tale to her before bed. She kept staring at my face instead of the story, and when I asked about the content, she panicked saying she'd already forgotten, but anyway.
Honestly, I didn't have high expectations. All my strategies had failed over the ten days, and this was just something I tried lightly.
Karen still showed no reaction even as I reached the end of the fairy tale.
"......And so the good wizard said, 'All of you learn magic! Magic gives great power to good children!'"
"............."
"'Magic is a mysterious power that can do anything!'...... With those words, the good wizard vanished. Off to do more good deeds somewhere, the end."
"............."
"How was the fairy tale, Karen?"
Well, she'd probably just say she listened well and that'd be it.
Alright. Then today, the ribbon decoration I specially brought from the neighboring city......
"......Really."
"Hm?"
"Really, if I learn magic, can I do anything?"
Oh!?
It was the first time in the past ten days of all my efforts that Karen, who had only responded with silence or one-word answers, spoke at length. Naturally, I couldn't let this chance slip.
But if I got too excited, she might get scared, so I answered as calmly and gently as possible.
"Of course. Just like the good wizard in the fairy tale."
Did she surprisingly like fairy tales? As expected of a kids' bestseller. True to a book that wraps up with just a moral lesson without conflicts, relationships, or foreshadowing—and doesn't need proper structure—fairy tale authors were truly an occupation I admired.
Anyway, since Karen was interested, I should stock up on other wizard fairy tales......
"Noble too."
"Hm?"
"Noble...... Can I become one?"
Uh, um?
A noble? If you become a wizard, you can...... become a noble, sure, um.
Someone as rare as a wizard would be adopted as an in-law or marriage pawn by most noble families.
But no need to explain that in detail. For now, fanning Karen's motivation was enough.
"Of course. It'd be great if you became a noble, Karen. Then you could have all the delicious food or anything you want to wear...... "
"Duke too."
"Eh?"
"Duke...... Can I become one?"
Wh-why a duke of all things?
Realistically speaking, obviously impossible. The marriage alliances or adoptions I mentioned are for lower nobles at best; high nobles like counts don't lack wizard manpower. Let alone surpassing counts or marquises to reach duke level.
You'd have to reach the pinnacle of wizards, like the Magic Tower Master, to even be seen as equal to a duke. And even that Magic Tower Master guy—I'd seen him once by chance, and he radiated that 'this is 5-Star' glow.
Compared to that, Karen was a 4-Star Orphan...... High potential, but not quite enough for Magic Tower Master level.
But no need to tell her that reality. She wasn't seriously aiming to become a duke anyway; it was just a child's dream for the future.
I should be grateful she didn't ask if she could become king or emperor. Kids often dream big like that. Similar to how elementary kids' top career choice is president.
So I answered with the same smile.
"Of course."
"Really?"
"I, um, guarantee it. If you study magic hard, you can definitely become a noble."
"............."
I didn't say duke. Just noble.
And becoming a noble was totally doable. Places to sell a 4-Star Orphan were the Magic Tower or noble houses anyway. No matter where, the goal would be achieved.
Karen gets to become a noble and happy; I get a fat adoption fee and happy. Good for everyone, right?
"Then shall we open the magic book?"
"......Yes."
"Let's start with the basics. First, there's this thing called mana in the world...... "
Though I wasn't a wizard myself, I had enough adventurer know-how to teach a basic magic book.
After that, I'd need a proper magic teacher, of course, but that was after finishing the basic magic book, so plenty of time.
'Still, for a 4-Star Orphan...... maybe half a year?'
Recalling stories from wizards I'd met as an adventurer, even talented apprentices took a full year from basic magic book entry to comprehension. So for 4-Star Orphan talent level, maybe half that......
Anyway, the biggest gain right now was that Karen had taken an interest in magic.
"From now on, during Talent Training time, I'll teach you directly, Karen."
"......Yes."
Half a year.
Maybe start looking for a magic teacher around three months in?
*
And a week passed.
Exactly 7 days, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes.
Normally, she'd still be struggling just to sense mana.
It should have been that way.
"......You already succeeded?"
"Yes."
"Th-then, um. The spell...... "
Fwoosh!
"Here."
This kid Karen had not only sensed and utilized mana but had already devoured the entire basic magic book.
The basic magic book's content is simple: sense mana, accept it, accumulate it in your body, get used to it. Only at the end do you finally learn one spell, .
According to other wizards, even the most talented took a generous year for that process.
Karen did it in just one week.
In other words.
"What's next......?"
"......... "
I had nothing left to teach her.
Manifesting magic in just one week? How long did it take me after falling into this world to sense mana?
'I remember suffering for two months straight.'
The process of sensing mana is ridiculous too. Just sit quietly and meditate, and you feel it. That's it.
The time to sense it varies purely by individual talent. After finishing daily adventurer work, I skipped sleep to meditate desperately just to sense mana.
Even that took two months, and I was told it was pretty fast.
'Karen started sensing mana in less than an hour...... '
Is this the difference talent makes? I'd thought I'd seen enough talent differences during my adventurer days, but apparently, a 4-Star Orphan's power exceeded my imagination.
Of course, that meant I could sell her for big money, so I was happy. Happy, but.
'I only have the basic magic book.'
What I thought would take at least half a year ended way too fast. Naturally, I hadn't gotten other magic items, let alone a magic teacher.
I could find one if I took time, sure. But could a mediocre magic teacher properly teach Karen? With talent like this. Even the best rough gem needs a master jeweler to become an expensive jewel.
As a merchant wanting to sell the product Karen for the highest price, a quick but mediocre teacher wouldn't satisfy.
"......For now, keep practicing Fireball today, Karen."
"Yes."
No choice.
With things like this, I had to steel myself. I left Karen to practice alone and went up to the director's office, locking the door.
Then I went into the bedroom and pulled out the hidden crystal ball.
It was that expensive long-distance communication magic tool, but with a fixed recipient, it was awkward to sell. And I didn't want to talk to the person on the other end anyway, so dust had piled up.
Who would've thought I'd be the one contacting that woman first.
I infused mana into the crystal ball, and the dusty orb lit up.
[......What, Yujin? Is that really you?]
"Yeah."
[You're contacting me first? Is this for real?]
"Honestly, I don't believe it myself."
The voice coming from the crystal ball belonged to a woman.
A quite pleasant voice, but I knew its true nature well. I'd joined her party fooled by that voice and nearly died for it.
Thanks to that, I learned a lot of adventurer common sense and survival tips, but honestly, I didn't want to go through it again.
I'd thought the communication crystal ball she gave me when I retired would never see use.
"I have a favor to ask."
[A favor? Figures. Finally ran out of money, huh? I told you, think about retirement more......]
"I want you to teach one kid."
[......Huh?]
Clear doubt mixed into the voice from the crystal ball.
But soon the doubt turned into a snickering laugh.
[Well, since it's our scout speaking, I won't pry too much. But you know? My rates are pretty high.]
"I know...... well."
[Since you're an acquaintance, I'll give you a discount. How long do you need?]
"Until you're satisfied."
[For real? If I'm not, I might turn right around when I see it.]
"Come see first. Then you'll understand."
A whole 4-Star Orphan. I knew this woman had high standards, but Karen was different.
Sensing the confidence in my words, laughter crept into the voice from the crystal ball.
[Alright, then I'll head to you. We'll settle the details then.]
"Then thanks."
[See you tomorrow.]
Click.
Was this really the right call? Should I contact her now and cancel?
Such doubts swirled, but I didn't back out. This was a necessary investment in the end.
A merchant can't hesitate over investments or sunk costs. With that resolve, I stood up.
Clack.
[Oh, right. I should at least give you a rough quote. Prepare about three crates.]
"......Fairy tale books, right?"
[You joke well. As if you don't know me. Just get it ready.]
Ah.
Should I say no now......?
*
And the next day.
Karen got up from bed as usual, ate breakfast, cleaned her assigned area, received Laila's glare, and entered the room where she studied the magic book.
"Hmm, so it's you?"
"......Who are you?"
"Who do you think?"
A beauty sitting with her long legs crossed, wearing a witch's hat with red flames flickering at the brim.
And beside her, the Orphanage Director letting out a sigh.
Karen flinched at the solid mana emanating from the beauty's whole body and unwittingly stepped back.
"You can sense it? Excellent, very excellent. And this is just after a week of learning?"
"Yeah, Hella."
"Alright, I've decided."
Click-clack. Click-clack.
The beauty approached Karen with confident, assertive steps.
She said with a seductive expression.
"From now on, call me Master."
"......Yes?"
"You've sparked my interest in teaching. Specially, for free."
"Hella! I believed in you! Praise Hella!"
"......Even our scout says that."
Karen quietly turned her gaze to the beauty as she saw the Orphanage Director expressing joy while grabbing the beauty's hand, who shrugged as if there was no helping it.
She understood she was going to be her master. Honestly, even in Karen's eyes, the Orphanage Director's magic skills weren't impressive.
But.
"............."
The faint hostility she felt from the beauty called Hella.
Why on earth......?