Chapter 72: Where Are You Going in Such a Hurry?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: Where Are You Going in Such a Hurry?
Except for a very few, the mages of the Magic Tower avoided outsiders like the plague. Just finding someone I could actually talk to made me feel welcomed and relieved.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Sion, not a ‘test subject.’”
“Yeah, yeah. So, what brings you here? Looking to buy some scrolls?”
“Yes. I figured I should have a few on hand.”
Scrolls were the ultimate trump card.
It sucked when you didn't have one, but when you did, a situation where they were useful always seemed to crop up. I figured it would be best to have at least one to three ready.
“Hmm. Looking at your mana capacity, anything above the 4th Circle will be tough. What’s your attribute?”
“My attribute?”
“Yes. Surely you have an attribute you’re suited for?”
“Uh, I’m not really sure. I’ve never had it properly checked.”
“Really? Then have a seat for a moment. I’ll pick out some suitable ones after we test your affinity.”
“No, don't you just have some general scrolls? Like Fireball or something like that?”
“Huh? General scrolls? The word ‘general’ doesn't apply to scrolls. They vary wildly depending on who made them. The power of the embedded magic changes based on the creator, and the effect differs depending on the user’s attribute.”
Did I accidentally push a button?
The old man started spitting as he launched into an explanation, looking as if he’d lost his mind at the mention of the word ‘general.’ I couldn't understand more than half of what he was saying.
“Uh. Right. I see.”
“Exactly! Be careful with your words from now on. Besides, if you were going to buy ‘common’ scrolls, why did you come here? There must be plenty of shops selling scrolls outside.”
“Well, that’s true. I did come here to get something better.”
He was right; I wouldn't have come all this way just to buy something ordinary.
Some of the stuff sold outside could be duds, since they were made and sold by amateurs. But scrolls produced or held by the Magic Tower were guaranteed to perform.
“Right. Coming all the way in here means you’re looking for something special, or something that fits you perfectly, doesn't it?”
“Uh... I suppose so.”
“Then wait a moment. Here, I’ve brought an attribute test paper.”
Lord soon returned with a small slip of paper.
So this was an attribute test paper. I think it was my first time seeing one.
“Hold it with both hands and channel your mana into it. You can handle mana, right?”
“Yes, I can.”
I wasn't a mage, but using a Subspace Pocket as often as I did naturally gave me a decent grasp of the flow of mana.
“Come on, hurry up.”
“Yes, sir. Just a moment.”
As I gripped the test paper and concentrated, mana began to flow into the paper.
“Whoa!”
“Oho!?”
In an instant, the paper tore apart and then vanished into dust.
Some of it even reappeared in a different spot.
“You. What are you?”
“Huh? What is it?”
“Are you a noble from somewhere?”
“No?”
“...Hmm. This attribute makes no sense.”
“I mean, what is it?”
“First of all, two attributes showed up.”
“Two?”
“Technically, three. But one is so faint it’s practically non-existent.”
He scraped up the torn and powdered paper, put it into a test tube filled with liquid, and shook it.
“First, the most distinct characteristic is the Dimensional attribute. Would it be easier to understand if I called it the Space attribute? You’re a Subspace Pocket user, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“It seems that trait has manifested strongly. In fact, rather than being an innate attribute you were born with, this is closer to an acquired attribute manifested by your Ability. It’s far from your natural disposition. Your origin has been dragged along by your Ability.”
“Uh, is that a bad thing?”
“Hmm? It depends on the attribute. If it were a trash attribute, you’d have to curse your Ability. But if your origin followed a Space-type attribute, I’d say you should bow down in gratitude toward your Subspace Pocket. Space attributes are hard to obtain naturally, and even harder to be born with.”
“Oh...!”
“If this gets out, the female mages of the Magic Tower will probably have their eyes on you. If they can have a child with someone who has a Space attribute, that child would likely inherit a similar attribute through trait transfer.”
“You mean it’s hereditary?”
“Exactly.”
To think I could become popular because of an attribute.
No wonder Tower Lord Mabel was eyeing me a bit the other day.
“Anyway, the Space attribute is confirmed. The other one is even more peculiar.”
“What kind of attribute is it that makes it peculiar?”
“What did they call this... Holy attribute? No. If it were the Holy attribute, you wouldn't be working as a porter. The Church would have snatched you up. Right, this is... what was it again?”
“Are you getting senile...”
“You brat! Ah, I remember now. The Necromancy attribute. Or what they call the Spiritual attribute. You’ll show an excellent aptitude for handling souls.”
This must be because of my Spiritual Eye.
Then this, too, was likely far from my innate attribute.
My origin must have shifted according to my Ability.
“You have a Spiritual-type Ability?”
“Yes. I think that’s why the spiritual power showed up.”
“Aha. Then this faint feeling must be your innate attribute.”
“What attribute is it?”
“Earth. Yes, this is Earth.”
“Earth? Is that a good attribute...?”
“No. It’s the most common. You can assume almost everyone born as a human has it. Judging by the size, it’s not at a level where you’d achieve greatness, either.”
“Ah.”
“If not for your Ability, your talent as a mage would be close to zero.”
“I see...”
“Don't be too disappointed. Your Ability is good, isn't it?”
“True.”
Yeah, who cares about origins or innate attributes?
I had a kick-ass Subspace Pocket and a Spiritual Eye that no one else possessed.
With these two, I was already a man with the rarest skills in the Labyrinth City.
“Anyway, now that we’ve checked your attributes, I should give you the scrolls. Let’s see. How about this one?”
“What magic is in it?”
“Teleportation.”
“Whoa...!”
“You’ll probably be able to use it right away. Your attribute matches the scroll creator’s. If you move a short distance, the mana consumption won't be too high. Of course, with your current mana capacity, you’ll probably collapse from exhaustion as soon as you tear the scroll, so use it as an emergency escape.”
“Understood. Anything else to watch out for?”
“It goes without saying, but you can’t move between floors inside the Labyrinth. You can only move within the same floor. Most importantly, if you don't accurately visualize the place you want to go, you’ll get stuck in a wall or the floor and die a gruesome death, so be careful.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The price is 5 gold coins.”
“What? No, isn't that too expensive?”
“You rascal! Do you have any idea how incredible Teleportation magic is? If you wanted to learn and use this yourself, you’d have to give up your entire youth. You know? You’d have to study until your hair falls out like mine.”
“Ah...”
If it was the price for youth, I guess I had no choice but to pay.
Above all, it was the best escape skill that could definitely get me out of a situation when I was on the verge of death, so it was better to have it.
“Alright. Here, 5 gold. But it works properly, right?”
“I can’t exactly tear it to show you. It works. If it doesn't, don't come to me; go complain to the Tower Lord.”
I took 5 gold from my pocket and handed it over.
“Good. Want to buy a few more?”
“Yes. I have to go somewhere dangerous. Please give me some good ones.”
Lord brought out a few more scrolls from the warehouse.
“Now, this is a scroll containing Transmission magic.”
“Transmission magic?”
“Yes. It’s 5th Circle, but you should be able to use it if you try your hardest. You can send an object you possess to a desired location. You have to send it within 5 seconds of tearing the scroll. Otherwise, you’ll just be sending the scroll itself.”
“Can I send it anywhere?”
“As long as it’s within a 10-meter radius of the caster, you should be able to transfer an object in your hand anywhere in all directions. If you didn't have the Space attribute, the range would be smaller and the size of the object you could send would be much smaller, but you have a Space attribute.”
It was literally a scroll for an instant-kill move.
If I could get within 10 meters, I could transfer a sword into the opponent’s brain and blow their head apart.
“How much is it?”
“10 gold.”
“What! That’s even more expensive than Teleportation?”
“This is expensive because it’s the only one in stock. Prices fluctuate depending on rarity, so there’s nothing I can do. If you don't like it, draw your own scrolls.”
“....”
He didn't look like he had any intention of giving me a discount.
Lafnel had reluctantly given me a discount, but this old man looked like he wouldn't budge an inch.
What should I do? 10 gold wasn't exactly pocket change.
It’s expensive. It’s damn expensive, but...
If I bought this, I’d have one use of an instant-kill technique.
No matter who the opponent was, they’d definitely die if their brain was turned to mush.
What if something appeared that the Saintess and the Inquisitors couldn't handle? Couldn't I use it then?
The more trump cards you have, the better.
That was the perspective of someone who had survived several times thanks to a hidden ace.
Holding a bunch of Joker cards made it easier to survive in the Labyrinth.
“I’ll buy it.”
I’d be getting money from the Young Lady in three days anyway.
Even if I became penniless right now, I had to buy this.
“Good. You have more money than I thought.”
“I’m emptying out all my spare funds, so please don't think of me as rich. I’m buying this to survive.”
“I don't know how deep you’re planning to go to be buying things like this, but since you’re buying anyway, take a look at this too.”
“What’s this?”
“It has Necromancy written on it.”
“Necromancy? Isn't that dangerous?”
“Is there any magic in the Labyrinth City that isn't dangerous? If used well, it’s a tool; if used wrong, it’s a one-way ticket to prison.”
“That’s true.”
“I don't know what kind of Spiritual-type Ability you have, but this will be helpful.”
The last scroll he brought out was ‘Spirit Summon.’
“It makes nearby spirits gather.”
“Wait, you’re just calling ghosts.”
“Exactly. From wandering spirits without a will to nearby evil spirits, you can forcibly wake them all and call them. Try using it in combination with your spiritual power. I’m sure you’ll see some gruesome and spectacular results.”
“...”
There were many minor spirits in the Labyrinth.
They were obviously not friendly.
But I had the ability to make them unconditionally friendly.
If I use my Spiritual Eye...
I thought it would be better to buy this one too.
“How much is it?”
“This is rare, but the effect isn't exactly groundbreaking. I’ll give it to you cheap. Let’s say 1 gold coin.”
“1 gold... Alright.”
It was on the cheaper side for a rare type of scroll.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
“Right. See you alive.”
I left the shop.
The expenditure was so large that I didn't think I could go to the accessory shop separately. I’d come back later when I had more money.
I need to go to Lafnel’s Atelier too, but it’s getting late.
Should I go to the atelier tomorrow?
And I could see the Tower Lord next time, right?
“Wait.”
“Gah!”
“I believe I told you to come see me. Where are you going in such a hurry? You used the entry pass to its fullest, and now you’re not going to participate in my experiment? This won't do. It’s time for a special interview.”
“Ah, wait a second!”
Just before I could exit the Magic Tower, I was caught by the Tower Lord.