Chapter 33
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 033
Chapter Title: Monster and Junk Dealer (3)
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After the deal was struck, I stepped out of the cave with Stalling.
The stench inside was unbearable; I had no desire to linger.
Once outside, I laid out a mat on the ground and sat down to begin his private lesson.
"First things first, a mage needs to know the capacity of their own vessel. For reference, the 'vessel' refers to how much magic you can learn—your limit."
I started by explaining what a vessel was.
"As you study magic, side effects will crop up. Headaches, nausea, hallucinations. The worse they get, the fuller your vessel is. So be careful not to push beyond your capacity."
I also touched on the side effects.
Stalling's expression soured as I spoke; he was probably already experiencing them.
It was baffling to me.
Even after devouring nine grimoires, I hadn't felt a thing.
Anyway, as I methodically shared what Master had taught me, Stalling hung on every word, letting out gasps of admiration here and there.
Everything I was teaching him was basic common sense.
The fundamentals every mage should know.
But in this era, where even that was unknown to most, his reaction was perfectly natural.
'Good review for me too.'
Teaching Stalling was beneficial for me as well.
Going over old lessons helped me recall forgotten details.
Though there was one downside.
'Master keeps popping into my head.'
Everything I was saying came from Master, so his image inevitably resurfaced every time I instructed Stalling.
I wondered when he'd finally come looking for me.
But I shoved the thought aside and focused on the lesson.
"That's enough for now."
About an hour into the session, I looked at Stalling.
Regret was plain on his face.
A sign my lecture had been worthwhile.
I felt a swell of pride.
"Alright, your turn."
As I stood, Stalling— who'd been watching me warily—sprang up and replied.
"Follow me!"
Stalling strode into the cave.
He pointed to the heap of junk piled in the corner.
"All the usable stuff's over there. Take whatever you want."
Stalling's collection was eclectic.
Weapons and clothes mixed with items of unknown purpose.
Qualities varied wildly, no doubt.
To snag anything good, I'd have to comb through meticulously.
'Time-consuming work.'
But I had a bodyguard to handle the grunt work.
"Bear."
"Yes."
"Pick out anything worthwhile from over there. Might be a weapon or armor you can use."
"Understood."
Bear headed to the pile to carry out my order.
Nahcherra lurked nearby, but Bear paid him no mind.
He was confident he could handle any sudden attack.
"Eek..."
Stalling flinched as Bear brushed past.
Only after Bear moved away did he straighten up and ask me.
"Heros."
"Yeah?"
"That guy's a knight?"
"Yep. Sir Jade, ruler of Bigplain, knighted him personally."
Stalling's face stiffened at my answer.
The fear he'd momentarily forgotten during the lesson was resurfacing.
Music to my ears.
The more terrified he was of us, the better his chances of keeping his word.
"Oh, right! The grimoire!"
Stalling's eyes darted about before he shouted and rushed to his bag.
He pulled out a single book.
A plain brown cover.
"I could hear a voice, but not clearly enough to understand, so I just kept it."
He handed the grimoire to me as he approached.
I examined it right away.
Damp Earth Grimoire.
Seemed to hold earth magic, from what I could guess.
"Offer an earthen doll."
⟨ Damp Earth Grimoire ⟩
The Damp Earth Grimoire's demand was straightforward.
Welcomed with open arms, after all.
The recent grimoires had been absurdly demanding.
One wanted me to stoke a fire and shove my upper body in; another, save a hundred and kill a hundred.
After such ordeals, this simple request nearly had me cheering.
"Got any water?"
"Yeah."
"Bring some over?"
"One sec."
At my request, Stalling scurried off.
Soon he returned with a leather waterskin.
Splish...
I uncorked it and tilted, water spilling onto the dirt.
The ground grew damp.
I emptied the skin, soaking the earth, then squatted to knead mud.
'As long as it looks human-ish?'
Not much for arts and crafts, so a masterpiece was out.
But I'd give it my best.
I shaped the mud into an elongated body, adding limbs.
'Face next.'
On a round mud blob for a head, I poked eyes, nose, mouth, and ears for good measure.
A crude earthen doll complete.
Soggy and unplayable.
The shoddy quality worried me post-creation, but hey, worth a shot.
I summoned the grimoire.
"Earthen doll, as requested."
Watching for its response...
"Even a five-year-old could do better."
The grimoire's harsh critique rang out.
But the cover flipped open on its own.
Grudging approval, it seemed.
Lucky break.
"Whoa?"
Stalling, who'd been watching my antics, gawked as the book moved itself.
Flip!
Pages flew by rapidly.
Stopping only at the back cover.
Revealing the grimoire's magic.
'Mana Clay Creation?'
Mana Clay Creation.
Exactly as named: turned a set amount of soil into mana-infused clay.
I tested it at once.
Dirt was everywhere, after all.
Shhk.
Grabbed a handful of dry soil, cast the spell—mana drained, transforming it to pliable clay.
And that was it.
No further effects.
'Hmm...'
Mana-infused clay: mana clay.
Likely both a magic tool in itself and material for crafting others.
Surely useful somewhere.
Just not right now.
'Not bad regardless.'
Useful or not, absorbing a new grimoire boosted my total mana.
Marginal +10, but progress was progress.
Lightning Bolt limit upped from four to five casts—tangible growth.
'Solid deal.'
As I wrapped up that thought...
A brilliant idea struck.
Using mana clay to fulfill the Perseverance Grimoire's demand.
'Could this work?'
Mana clay was moist clay.
Water-laden.
Slather enough on my upper body, and I might endure the fire.
'Seems promising.'
No duration limit either; once made, it persisted.
Stockpile plenty beforehand?
Layer mana clay, then cast Tree Bark simultaneously.
Double protection—clear the request unscathed?
'Mana shouldn't be an issue.'
Mana clay's moisture negated need for Moisture spell alongside Tree Bark.
Focus solely on bark coverage.
Plus, my overall power had risen since before.
Spells hit harder; Tree Bark should cover more area for same mana.
Used to shield 100 units with 100 mana; now, more.
'Uns summon Gilbert briefly to free up that mana too... Yeah, full upper-body bark coverage possible.'
The more I pondered, the more feasible it seemed.
Others might call it insane—thrusting into flames.
But my situation left little room to ignore quick power-ups.
'Stay calm.'
Excitement bubbled at the prospect of new magic.
Tempted to test immediately.
But I reined it in.
Plan still incomplete.
Prep enough mana clay for full coverage—time and mana sink.
Test fire resistance vs. regular clay.
Plus, business with Stalling unfinished.
Lots to consider.
'Focus on him for now.'
Having prioritized, Stalling asked cautiously.
"Heros, you okay?"
"Of course. Just thinking."
"Ah, gotcha. Nothing serious?"
"Nah. Thanks for the grimoire, by the way. You gave me the key to solving a big headache."
"Glad I could help."
Stalling eyed me carefully before continuing.
"So, our deal's square?"
"Yep. Was about to head out anyway."
I glanced at Bear.
He'd finished selecting, piling his picks aside.
Chainmail among them, remarkably.
Many broken links—not pristine, but chainmail retained value.
'Unexpected bonus.'
Turning to Stalling, questions remained.
"Stalling, mind if I ask a few things before I go?"
"S-sure! Ask away!"
He flashed an awkward smile, clearly eager for us to leave.
No such luck.
Planned to milk him dry till the end.
"Know anything about the Church of Comfort?"
The group I might clash with.
Figured long-time eastern dweller Stalling might.
And I was right.
"Church of Comfort? Yeah. Steer clear—they're all lunatics."
Stalling shuddered as he answered.