The Magic Kingdom (1)
The graduation ceremony had ended, and it was the weekend. As usual, I finished my morning training. But instead of rushing off, I sat under a tree casting a shadow with Elraim to cool down our sweat.
“You seem leisurely today.”
“Well, no need to hustle like before.”
My volunteer hours had been cut in half. That alone turned my daily life leisurely overnight, thanks to all the service I'd already logged. Four hundred hours left. At five hours a day, I'd finish them all by the end of break.
At first, I'd sighed wondering when I'd ever finish. But somehow, I'd made it this far.
“You've worked hard all this time. It's because you've been so diligent, young master.”
Yeah, pretty much. Putting in eight hours of service every day isn't easy. On top of that, training, classes, and my part-time job. Sleep? Just four to six hours. Even Elraim, a knight, called my routine murderous.
But things would get better starting today. With the extra time, I could pour more into sleep or training.
“Thanks. You're the only one for me, sis.”
“I-I was just stating the facts...”
Elraim stuttered, blushing. Where was the composure she'd shown in the infirmary last time? Such a consistent reaction.
So I asked, “Sis, shouldn't you be used to it by now? How long are you gonna keep this up?”
“I-I'm not adapted yet...”
“You won't be like this even after graduation, back at the family estate, right?”
“I'll try. Just give me a little more time...”
She's a real stickler of a knight normally, but alone with me, she can't hide her feelings. Seeing her like this makes me think she really likes me.
As we chatted with Elraim, I spotted Rana riding over on her summon early in the morning. Not easy to come this early. She's so diligent.
The moment Rana arrived, we stood and headed to the bench we'd made recently. No simple rest area around the lowest dormitory, so we'd built one. Too much hassle for a central flowerbed or garden due to maintenance, but this was easy.
“I made tuna sandwiches today!”
“Tuna? Not easy to get.”
“Grandpa shared some with me to eat with friends!”
Maybe out of a sense of debt. Ratral occasionally sent food through Rana like this.
“Thanks, I'll dig in.”
“Rana, thanks, looks good.”
Starved after training, we grabbed the sandwiches and shoved them in. Fresh tuna mixed with sauce—delicious. My wallet was flush lately, no need for Rana's lunches, but her cooking was top-notch. Honed taming summons. Still mooching off her.
As we munched, Rana asked, “Kyle. Got plans today?”
“Dunno...”
I couldn't answer right away. Plenty to do: part-time, training grounds, digesting that opportunity from before, make magic tools for Rana and Elraim. But nothing appealed. Just wanted to chill like this. No motivation to push.
Honestly, the infirmary time left laziness in my bones. After all that grind, I wanted to give myself a break.
“Nothing special, so probably stick around the dorm.”
“Then can I crash here all weekend?”
“Something up?”
“My nose hurts too much. Three days around crowds—probably that.”
Yeah, two days library, one arena. Gaps in between, but tens of thousands in a week? Nose would ache. Rana endures a day fine, but longer and she suffers.
“Tough break for you.”
“It's okay with you and sis here. Lots of nice first-years too.”
Rana smiled.
“I don't mind... permission granted.”
“Thanks! Last year, dorm mom okayed weekends home for this.”
“Home's comfier than here, though.”
“Hehe, but Kyle's here.”
Rana grinned wide. What can ya do.
“Dorm's filthy, no space—sleep with Elraim.”
Couldn't let her crash in the dorm proper. Beds cramped, other rooms gross. Elraim's temp quarters way bigger than mine.
“Fine by me. Sis likes it too!”
She hugged Elraim beside her. Elraim accepted it, saying, “Rana, let's get along these two days.”
“Yes, sis!”
Leaving those sisterly two, I pondered next moves when a figure appeared far off.
“Who's that?”
“Short...”
“Seems like a woman.”
The mystery person flickered positions, soon recognizable.
“Oh? Ruina senior!”
“Indeed. Young master's employer.”
“...Why's she here.”
Sudden unease. No reason for her to come to me. Weekends, mornings or evenings only. Morning visit, in person? Urgent matter. Alchemy-related.
Her gray hair fluttering as she approached, I asked, “What brings you here?”
“Picking you up. Let's go.”
No explanation, grabs my hand and drags. No way I'd budge.
“Why...?”
Ruina Lindel looked puzzled. Why not follow?
“At least explain.”
“Ah...”
Her mouth gaped slightly.
“Forgot.”
“So, what's the reason?”
Ruina released my hand.
“You're my hired help.”
“Yes.”
“I'm your employer.”
“Correct.”
“So help your employer. Right?”
“That's the contract.”
She nodded. Provide labor. Our deal. Labor's versatile—not just workshop cleaning. Wallet full, but steady cash from part-time's nice.
“Then let's go.”
“Where to?”
“Get materials. To Parun.”
Rana jumped in excitedly. “The Magic Kingdom? Can I come?”
Her eyes sparkled. Parun Magic Kingdom—mages' paradise. No wonder.
“No.”
Ruina cut it short.
“Work trip. No playtime.”
“I won't bother! I'll stick right by...”
“No. Annoying. Sneak and I'll ban you from the workshop.”
“Eek, senior...”
Ultimate move, sealed even sneaking. Rana begged, clinging—no dice. She glanced at me pleadingly, but if Ruina's firm, can't help. I shook my head.
“You can't either.”
“Me too?”
“Yeah. No alchemy knowledge.”
Ruina excluded Elraim too. Important materials, probably.
“Now go. Late, gone.”
“When back?”
“Lunch soonest, dinner latest.”
I told them, “Be right back. Take care of Rana.”
“Safe travels, young master.”
“Wanna go too...”
I soothed Rana. Take her on break sometime.
“Let's go.”
Urged by my employer, I hurried after.
The Parun Magic Kingdom lay southeast of the empire's center. Far—two months by carriage. But a way to other nations in under a minute: warp gates in each capital. Empire capital had one too.
Of course, warp gate fees aren't cheap. Convenience jacks base price sky-high, exponential by distance. Lifetime savings for commoners. Even minor nobles hesitate.
Anyway, en route to the capital.
“Senior.”
“Yeah.”
“Why go all the way to the Magic Kingdom? Empire has most materials.”
Tiran Empire's not continent's heart for nothing. Tens of thousands pass daily, merchants too. Resources flock. Rush order costs big, but capital has nearly everything.
“Gone. Sold out for contest.”
Oh right, forgot. Craft Department holds contests every few months. For student growth. Theory's fine, but hands-on sparks real progress.
Not just that. Crafting eats materials—scholarships and perks don't cover. Some sell works, but limited. Hence contests: show skills, attract sponsors. Students get funds worry-free, sponsors future ties. Prizes huge—craft kids swarm.
Top students splurge for win. Ruina too.
“But you could've reserved, senior?”
“...Overslept. They outbid.”
“Too bad.”
Recall: around now, she tasked Evan in novel. Minor scene, forgotten. Evan skipped Magic Kingdom. My fault this time—I'm the only one grasping her alchemy.
Maybe craft something huge beyond novel. No clue what.
“Must be big prize for this hassle.”
“Yeah, huge. Want it.”
Her flat, unchanging tone held faint excitement.
We reached the warp gate. Not swamped, but ~300 waiting. Mostly nobles, plus adventurers, merchants, mages. Priests sometimes.
“Crowded.”
“Weekend.”
Yes, weekends busier. Weekdays tenth this. Queue long, but simple—30 minutes our turn.
“Thank you for using again, Ruina Lindel.”
“Yeah.”
Staff bowed familiarly, moved on.
“Parun Kingdom again?”
“Yes. Not capital—Magic Tower.”
“Understood. Companion?”
“Yes. Here.”
She pulled heavy gold pouch from modified uniform's sub-space.
“Badge covers my fee.”
“I'm bringing you. Got money.”
Ruina cut me off.
Fee checked, staff guided inside.
“Warp may cause nausea or dizziness. Note that.”
“Yeah.”
“Got it.”
Staff eyed mage. Hand on orb, mana flowed. Whirr—runes underfoot glowed, mana wrapped body. Floated. Blinked.
“Welcome to Parun Magic Kingdom.”
New surroundings, different staff greeted us.