Chapter 20: Magic Inventor
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20: Magic Inventor
Sophia, an assistant instructor at the Magic University, saw the same pattern every year at the admissions office.
It was always the smart-alecks, the ones rumored to have a knack for magic back in their hometowns, who would strut in, declaring they were going to develop a new spell.
‘By binding Tier 1 spells, I'll create a spellbook the world has never seen before.’
It wasn't impossible, but the chances were incredibly slim.
This was because the number of Tier 1 spells was substantial, while the number of spells a wizard could learn was limited.
Furthermore, while it wasn't impossible to replace a spell once learned, it required an immense amount of time and effort.
So why didn't the Magic University stop students from attempting to bind new spellbooks?
Because you had to let them try for new spellbooks to ever be created.
The freshmen, hailed as geniuses and brimming with passion and dreams, believed they would one day become professors like Isilof or Meldini. But cruelly, the university saw them as nothing more than expendable parts.
So you want to try binding a new spellbook? Go right ahead! We're rooting for you!
Fail, and you're out.
Succeed, and you become a top talent the university will nurture from then on.
Most freshmen who dreamed big and took on this challenge ended up struggling with a broken build, becoming third-rate wizards or quietly returning to their hometowns.
But…
“Are you really sure you want to go with these three spells?”
Sophia, the assistant instructor, was at a loss for words.
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s not that there’s a problem, but this… I just can't fathom the logic behind this combination…”
Caleb.
The rookie who had become quite famous around the university for one reason or another had just submitted a proposal that seemed utterly insane.
[Three Tier 1 Spells]
▶Combat Magic: Dust Devil
▶Combat Magic: Hot Wind
▶Utility Magic: Humidify
“Caleb. As a combat spell, Dust Devil isn't bad. It can control an area and induce coughing fits to suppress enemies.”
Sophia desperately tried to talk him out of it.
“But it’s not a powerful spell. The same goes for Hot Wind. You might be able to burn a monster or knock it down with the wind, but a Fireball could just kill it outright, right? It would be great if they bound into a powerful Tier 2 spell, but the odds are against it.”
That's why it was normal to include a versatile spell like Fireball, just to have something to fall back on if the binding failed.
Not an extremely niche combination like Dust Devil and Hot Wind.
“Besides…”
There was a more serious problem.
“Why is the third one a utility spell!”
Magic was broadly classified into two categories.
Combat magic and utility magic.
The former included spells like Fireball, while the latter included things like ‘Lie Detection Magic.’
‘Humidify’ was also a utility spell.
“Caleb, to begin with, almost no one learns utility spells. They’re no help in combat.”
Experienced mages who had practiced for a long time had far more spells in their arsenal than they had spell slots, so they could afford to pick up a few utility spells.
But it was a different story for a freshman.
“And among them, ‘Humidify’ is one that absolutely no one learns. It literally just increases the humidity of the surrounding air. If you just wet a towel and hang it up, that's a humidifier, isn't it?”
Honestly, her first thought was that this genius freshman had gotten too cocky from everyone coddling him and had now crossed a line.
This was madness.
There was nothing to be gained from this combination…
“What's all the noise?”
Professor Dalstream happened to walk up beside them.
Sophia quickly showed him Caleb’s spell proposal.
“Hmm…”
Professor Dalstream stared intently at the proposal before handing it back to Caleb.
“Go ahead and try it.”
“Professor!?”
Sophia stared at Professor Dalstream in disbelief.
“New methods of spellbook binding are always welcome. And the Magic University has no legal grounds to stop you.”
“…”
“You can purchase the spellbooks at the magic bookstore.”
*
It would have been a pain if they kept prying, but Dalstream was a cool guy, which made things easy.
I left the admissions office and headed straight for the university's magic bookstore.
Two from the combat magic section.
[Spellbook: Dust Devil]
[Spellbook: Hot Wind]
And one from the utility magic section.
[Spellbook: Humidify]
Now, back to the dorm.
In the game, learning a spell was a simple 'double-click,' but now that this was reality, it was a bit more tedious.
You have to open your Memory Book and read the spellbook aloud.
The Memory Book then absorbs the text from the spellbook, recording it like a smartphone with a voice memo app running.
The result looks like this.
[Memory Book]
▶Acquired Spells
-Dust Devil, Hot Wind, Humidify.
The spells were now in the Memory Book.
“Done.”
But I couldn't use the spells in this state. I had to move them to the Registered Spells section of the Memory Book.
[Memory Book]
▶Acquired Spells
-Dust Devil, Hot Wind, Humidify.
▶Registered Spells
-Tier 1 Spell Slots (0/3)
①
②
③
In the game, you'd just drag and drop them into the slots, and it was the same here.
‘Drag and drop with the tip of the wand.’
It occurred to me that the game had been surprisingly intuitive. When I placed the tip of my wand over ‘Dust Devil’ in the Acquired Spells section, the letters lifted up and followed the wand.
I just had to drop it into the Registered Spells tab.
[Memory Book]
▶Acquired Spells
-Dust Devil, Hot Wind, Humidify.
▶Registered Spells
-Tier 1 Spell Slots (3/3)
① Dust Devil
② Hot Wind
③ Humidify
Once the slots were filled, the spellbook binding happened automatically.
This part was also just like the game.
[Spellbook of Dust Devil and Hot Wind Binding acquired.]
『Book of Dust Explosion』
-The Tier 2 spell 'Dust Explosion' has been recorded in your Memory Book.
A bound spellbook was similar to a regular spellbook.
They were just called different things for convenience; in reality, it was no different from acquiring and reading a single spellbook.
The ‘Book of Dust Explosion’ was a spellbook not sold in any magic bookstore.
What was that the assistant instructor said about Fireball?
This was way more powerful.
And the second binding.
[Spellbook of Hot Wind and Humidify Binding acquired.]
『Book of Heatwave』
-The Tier 2 spell 'Heatwave' has been recorded in your Memory Book.
A crowd-control spell that induced powerful exhaustion and heatstroke status effects, making it deadly against living creatures.
Finally, the third binding.
[Spellbook of Hot Wind, Humidify, and Dust Devil Binding acquired.]
『Book of Cumulonimbus』
-The Tier 2 spell 'Cumulonimbus' has been recorded in your Memory Book.
I think the first time I tried this build in the game was on the ‘God of Strategy’ difficulty.
The idea was that if you increased the humidity, used Hot Wind to create an updraft and send the water vapor rising, then used Dust Devil as a coagulant to condense the water droplets, you would create a cloud.
…An experimental concept straight out of a middle school science class manifested in the game as the Cumulonimbus spellbook.
‘To be honest, this build wasn't a huge success back then.’
I ended up losing on the Master Floor and starting a new game.
So why was I doing it again now?
Because many magic builds are heavily influenced by special abilities, and Cumulonimbus has great synergy with the Hourglass.
“Maybe I should buy a lightning wand.”
Cumulonimbus is a type of summoning magic. Every time a nearby enemy is hit by a lightning spell, it unleashes a powerful additional lightning strike.
There was something I wanted to test with this during the Hourglass turn.
[Memory Book]
▶Acquired Spells
-Dust Devil, Hot Wind, Humidify.
▶Registered Spells
-Tier 1 Spell Slots (3/3)
① Dust Devil
② Hot Wind
③ Humidify
-Tier 2 Spell Slots (0+3)
① Dust Explosion
② Heatwave
③ Cumulonimbus
Snap!
I checked the Memory Book one last time and closed it.
Now, it was shopping time.
I need to buy a wand, and I need to buy Yernil.
Ah.
But first, I need to visit the temple.
The temple closes early.
*
The infamous criminal of Flandre City.
The legendary drug dealer(?) who transported a whopping 100kg of narcotics, Yernil!
She was now witnessing the absurd scene of her own body being sold for 75 gold.
“…”
She hadn't felt this miserable even when she was sold to the Magic University to cover the 3,000 gold fine she couldn't pay in Flandre.
Seriously, 75 gold? You've got to be kidding me!
“You know the rules, I assume. This 75 gold is the remainder of your fine, and it can only be paid off with money you earn in the labyrinth through your own abilities.”
Jacob, an assistant instructor from the Magic University, was explaining this to a man who was the team leader of the Adventurer's Guild's slave labor department.
So the Adventurer's Guild had a department like that too.
“Yernil.”
Jacob approached Yernil and offered some light encouragement.
“The Adventurer's Guild doesn't use a contribution scale like we do. So when you come out of the labyrinth and settle your accounts, you need to be aggressive with your testimony.”
“…”
“There aren't many people like Caleb who give testimony with their party members in mind. Most people are selfish.”
“Yes…”
“But since you only have 75 gold left, you should be able to clear it with just one trip to the labyrinth.”
That one trip was the problem.
At the Magic University, they just threw all the slaves into the labyrinth as a single team, but the Adventurer's Guild was different.
Here, experienced parties would pick Yernil to take with them.
Wouldn't that be safer?
An experienced party would be good at killing monsters, sure.
The problem was that the party itself would likely be dangerous.
Common sense dictated that with so many proven adventurers available, what kind of sane party would take a former convict from the slave labor pool, one with no gear or skills?
Let's say there were two parties.
Birtanen's party, and a party led by a freed bald wizard.
If both were looking for members at the Adventurer's Guild, the latter would be the one to take Yernil.
Birtanen's party would try to recruit someone like Avison or Caleb.
‘Caleb.’
Yernil pictured him in her mind.
To be honest, she missed him.
Jacob's words resonated with her—there probably wasn't anyone else like Caleb who would look out for his party members.
“Follow me. You've already been assigned to a party.”
The head of the slave labor department led Yernil away.
‘Already assigned to a party?’
What kind of people would they be?
The labyrinth had laws and morals, but slaves were exempt from their protection.
The Birtanen incident was proof enough.
He had tried to recruit Caleb right in front of the exit room, an act that was considered rude—poaching a member from another party.
But at the time, Birtanen hadn't even spared a thought for Yernil's existence, which was why he could act so freely.
‘The experienced party taking me will probably be the same.’
75 gold was pocket change, but for Yernil, it was the price of her life.
‘Can I really make it out alive?’
Click.
The manager opened the door to the Adventurer's Guild waiting room, and beyond it…
Stood Caleb.
*
“Caleb!”
A shocked Yernil cried out.
“You scared me.”
She really did startle me. I had no idea her voice was that loud.
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
And I didn't know her eyes were so big, either. She had the typical elven features—a small face with sharp features—but right now, her eyes had doubled in size from the shock.
“Did you come here to get me?” she asked, as if she couldn't believe it.
“Yes. Of course.”
“Why…? Why? Weren't you joining Birtanen's party?”
Birtanen's party.
Hmm.
To be honest, that wouldn't have been a bad option.
But if I could have both Yernil and Back Attack, it was a hundred times better to form a new party with them and a tank.
Besides, I could give Yernil orders during my turn.
“I'll make you a free woman.”
“…!”
“Let's go.”
*
Happiness instantly filled Yernil's face.
“This is so… so delicious.”
It started when we were eating at a restaurant near the Adventurer's Guild.
“I've never eaten anything this good before.”
She was so moved she was on the verge of tears.
It wasn't bad to my palate, either.
Though by a modern person's standards, the pasta was a bit bland.
“Yernil, eat slowly and listen.”
“Okay!”
“The truth is, I can make you a free woman right now.”
“…!?”
Yernil froze for a few seconds, thinking, before asking a question.
“L-let me guess! The magic stone money!” she exclaimed.
“You said Birtanen would sell the magic stone from the Venomic Spider and give us each 20% of the proceeds! Hasn't that been settled yet?”
Yernil was getting smarter!
Though she was wrong.
“Even if he did pay us, the Magic University would confiscate your entire share anyway.”
“Ah… So it wouldn't even be 75 gold?”
“No. Your share from killing the spider was only 5 gold, remember?”
“…Then how?”
“The reward for recovering Avison's body.”
“Hasn't that already been settled?”
I thought so too, but apparently not.
Clorence told me. When the university asked how much the reward would be, he wrote down ‘100 gold.’
Because if the amount was too large, the Magic University would confiscate it as an unjust gain.
“So he said he'd be throwing a party when Avison is resurrected, and that we should come and receive our proper reward there.”
“So…?”
“I can ask Clorence for a favor and request that he re-settle the reward. For an amount larger than 100 gold, but not so much that the university will take it.”
“…”
“That way, you'll get more than 75 gold. That's the first way for you to become a free woman.”
I told her honestly.
For the sake of our future trust, it was better to share these things truthfully.
“The second way is for you to enter the labyrinth with me again. You'll earn your freedom, and then we'll go to Avison's resurrection party together.”
“Ah?”
“Avison's family won't be difficult and use things like magic scales. They'll give you a much bigger share than the university would.”
“…”
“If you choose the first option, I'll keep you as my party member until the reward for Avison's body is re-settled.”
“Why?”
“So that no other party from the Adventurer's Guild can take you into the labyrinth before the payment comes through.”
“Ah…”
“Choose whichever you prefer.”
I said it calmly, but honestly, I was a little nervous.
But this question wasn't just for Yernil's sake.
If she was just going to become free and then leave the party because the labyrinth was too scary, it was better for her to leave now.
Then I could start training a new party member.
Of course, the best outcome is you not leaving. I'm counting on you, Yernil.
“Caleb, are you going to keep adventuring in the labyrinth?” Yernil asked.
“Yes.”
“Then…”
She twirled her pasta, deep in thought, before speaking.
“Then… can't I just keep following you?”
“I'd be happy with that.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“But I'm not very helpful, am I?”
Haha.
Yernil.
You worry about the strangest things.
You're about to go through hellish training and become famous around here as a genius archer.
“Let's make some money in the labyrinth together.”
Yernil's expression brightened noticeably.
“What about our other two party members?” she asked.
“I've already posted a notice at the Adventurer's Guild recruiting a tank.”
“And the other one?”
“I've already found them.”
“You’re always so thorough, Caleb.”
I'm just worried about whether you'll get along with that other one.
*
After our meal, I took Yernil out shopping.
We went to a weaponsmith and looked at about ten different bows and crossbows, drawing each one.
“I'll take this one!”
“I'm buying it for now, but I'll deduct it from your next labyrinth earnings.”
“Okay!”
I wasn't buying it for her, just fronting the cost, but Yernil was beaming as if she'd received a gift.
“Wear these clothes, too.”
I bought her a set of light armor suitable for an archer and had her put it on. I also gave her a helmet and a pair of boots.
“Show me some arrows, please. Special arrows, too.”
I also bought some consumables from the weaponsmith, who had hit the jackpot today.
Then I fastened the full quiver to her hip, and voilà!
Introducing the genius archer, Yernil!
“…!”
She looked at her reflection in a mirror, unable to hide her joy.
Damn.
Even I had to admit, she looked the part.
Maybe it was because she was already slim and pretty, but now that she was properly dressed like a ranger, she looked like something straight out of Lord of the Rings.
While I was at it, I bought a lightning shock wand for myself and looked in the mirror.
Introducing the genius dual-wielding wand wizard!
Hm.
Let's not… I'm too scrawny.
That's strange. I'm sure I looked decent in the mirror back at the dorm. Is it because I'm looking at myself after seeing Yernil?
“Oh, right. Yernil.”
I moved on to the next item on the agenda.
“You don't have a place to sleep right now, do you?”
A kickass party leader takes care of their members' food, gear, and even their lodging.
“My dorm room at the Magic University has two bedrooms, but I only use one. You can use the other.”
“Wow, really? Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you! I don't have a place to sleep or any money for lodging!”
That's why I suggested it. Knowing her personality, she'd probably end up sleeping on the streets, and I was worried she'd get robbed or get into a fight and get hurt.
“Let's go.”
Yernil's face lit up like a child who had just received a Christmas present.
“This is so, so great!”
She grabbed my hand and led the way.
She chattered excitedly.
“Caleb, the slave dorms at the Magic University have rats, the mattresses are all torn, and it's so cold.”
Is that so? I actually wouldn't know.
I'd never been to the slave dorms since I was possessed.
“But I heard the university dorms are really nice?”
“They are.”
That much was certain.
“Is there hot water?”
“Plenty.”
“Is there soap?”
“Yes.”
“Wow!”
“The beds are soft and comfortable, too.”
“Woooow!”
Yernil smiled giddily, filled with dreams and fantasies of sleeping soundly in a hotel-like dorm and exploring the labyrinth with the super genius wizard, Caleb.
And the moment we returned to the dorm and opened the door to room 308—
Thud.
Yernil dropped the bow she was holding.
Because Mr. Back Attack was standing in the living room.
“It's necromancy.”
Earlier in the day, in my capacity as a junior staff member for Isilof, I had gone to the temple, purchased Back Attack's corpse on his behalf, and then used the necromancy scroll Isilof had given me to raise him.
“He's our party member. Say hello.”
And now, I was introducing him to Yernil.
Room 308 of the dormitory has hot water, soap, beds, and an undead Back Attack.
“Grrr…”
“He says 'Hi!' You say hello too, Yernil.”
“Caleb. I think I need to leave.”
“No.”