The sensation of pouring chilled citrus water over my overheated body after a long soak is indescribably gratifying.
“Phew… Delicious.”
I thought, as I returned my cup to the water vendor making rounds in the bathhouse. It’s a rare luxury to have ice in our drinks without refrigerators or ice makers, but floating ice would’ve been perfect.
“Yeah, this is great,” said my friend, Mika, also in their neutral form after drinking the same citrus water, as they returned their cup to the vendor.
Now, this place is a public bathhouse in the Imperial Capital. The entrance fee is a little higher than average, but the cleanliness is impeccable and the facilities are well-maintained, making it a somewhat upscale choice. There are more bath tubs than the cheapest options, and the steam bath is spacious and heated to my preference. The courtyard resting area and exercise grounds are also sizable, offering a satisfaction level that surpasses its price.
We are currently on a small break after going back and forth between the steam bath and the cold water tub about three times. Recently, Mika has started accompanying me to the baths—naturally, only when they’re in their female form—and despite both of us growing up in the north, we share a similar taste for baths.
Still, Mika, who finds my ideal temperature a bit on the warm side, must have been used to some seriously hot steam baths in their hometown. It was hot enough that even someone raised in the Imperial Capital, accustomed to warm baths, might hesitate to enter.
Mika, in a tantalizing pose with a towel covering them from the chest to the waist, brushed their wavy black hair off their face and exhaled while watching other patrons wrestling on the exercise grounds. They seemed to revel in the sensation of the water seeping into their throat, enjoying the feeling of their thirst being quenched.
The wooden sunbeams streaming through the skylight of the courtyard’s rest area illuminated a refreshingly pleasant summer moment. This blissful time was a luxury only available to those not bound by midday work.
“So, how’s it going?” Mika asked me.
I replied that things were not bad. Ever since Lady Agrippina got caught up in family troubles, she’s stayed awake day and night, subsisting solely on copious amounts of black tea and sugary treats, pouring all her hatred and feelings into ink splashed onto parchment. She continues interacting with Eliza and me without looking away from what appears to be notes or books serving as references, which indicates she must be dealing with a formidable opponent requiring her utmost focus.
While I can set such issues aside for now, through consultations with Lady Agrippina—whose ability to hold conversations while doing something else is impressive—my apprenticeship duties would be lifted once Eliza obtained the status of a part-time student at the Magic Academy.
Thanks to securing a sponsor, we no longer needed to worry about Eliza’s tuition, so I wouldn’t need to cover the costs through labor. Still, the reason why her expression turned even sharper when I handed over the sponsorship papers remains a mystery but, regardless, it marked the resolution of one challenge.
That said, I’m not going to leave here just yet. Eliza is still young and hasn’t officially become a part-time student yet.
More importantly, I worry deeply about what happened that day when she underwent such a drastic transformation. Until it is clear what occurred with Eliza, who is half-fairy, I don’t intend to leave her side.
I’ve heard that the mind is more dangerous when it seems stable. Emotional fluctuations beyond the tipping point can sometimes manifest physically in reaction.
So, I will continue to do what is necessary as her sibling until Lady Agrippina recognizes her foundational education and judges her fit to pursue becoming a mage.
“And how about you?”
“Me? Well…” After a brief groan, they rested their head on my shoulder.
“You seem pretty tired?”
“Yeah… I guess so. Juggling earning a daily wage while being a part-time student at the academy is pretty tough, but thanks to the gratuity from the former Lord Faige, it’s gotten somewhat easier.”
Mika also studies at the Magic Academy as a part-time student, supported by their local deputy. They live in lodgings provided by the deputy, so they don’t need to worry about their living conditions or tuition, but living expenses still need to be covered personally.
With expensive clothing and food, along with the catalysts needed for various tasks, it’s quite demanding. Although I help where I can, purchasing items always involves more effort than creating them on your own, and even with occasional work from the job board, it can be a tiresome grind.
When one focuses too much on earning daily wages, studies suffer, and the path to becoming recognized as a mage through promotion to researcher stretches out even longer. It’s a difficult situation for a struggling student. Once you become a researcher, you are given a workshop, and a stipend, but the road ahead is treacherous.
After all, the average time to go from part-time student to researcher is five years. Factor in species aptitude, and it’s around seven, which can be disheartening.
If we compare this to mountain climbing, reaching only the third station would imply how deep the path of magic truly is. The magicians who describe magic as a means to approach the gods start to make sense.
“I’ve moved up in my studies a bit,” Mika mentioned.
“Really?”
“Yeah. My master says my theoretical understanding has improved, so it’s time to shift focus to more practical work… Although, it’s true that our domain is all about practical application.”
Born in the north, Mika’s skin is naturally so white it’s almost like porcelain, but it seemed even paler now. After the improved blood circulation from the steam bath, their body, which was previously rosier, showed signs of depleted magical energy.
“Creating and destroying things in constant repetition is really exhausting. Not just magic-wise, but also mentally… It feels like an immense sense of futility.”
Apparently, Mika’s task involves repeatedly digging and filling holes, a process reminiscent of life in some labor camps.
Naturally. The path of a land wizard involves such monotonous tasks for a lifetime. Every structure relies on a sturdy foundation, and neglecting the design of these foundations makes conceiving grand architecture impossible.
To establish Mika as a competent land mage, the master assigns them monotonous and demanding tasks, taxing them to the point that their complexion becomes sickly white, while they manage daily chores and earn a living.
“Making and then destroying things every day is exhausting. If the foundation is not solid enough, it’s immediately dismantled…”
Mika sighed, exuding their troubles. Their usually bright spirit seemed dimmed.
“I get it, though it’s not harassment. The things I’ll construct in the future will be places where people will live or pass through, so I understand that I must never create anything subpar,” they explained.
Even still, isn’t it tough? As they nestled their head against my shoulder, was Mika unconsciously leaning on me since they have few connections away from home? While it’s fine when they’re in their neutral form, I comfortingly patted their head, and they seemed to enjoy it, rubbing their forehead against my palm.
As I stroked their head, ran my palm over their forehead, and cupped their cheek, Mika sighed happily. It’s almost otherworldly how enchanting they look in their neutral form, making my heart race intensely. That’s not good; despite my understanding of such aesthetics, I shouldn’t indulge in them.
“You’re so kind…” they murmured.
Flustered by their words, I suggested something impulsively. I felt that if this conversation continued any longer along the current trajectory, it could lead to a personally catastrophic outcome.
“In that case, my hobby might be a little help. How about coming over to my place for dinner from now on?”
“Huh?”
It was a suggestion born out of various struggles, but in a way, it was also a testament to my growth.
After the campaign involving Lady Cecilia’s family issues—named arbitrarily by me—the accumulated expertise was enormous. There were so many uses, and I pondered deeply.
The priority I determined was upgrading “Dexterous” to “Favored” among my long-standing aspirations. The highest level attainable only by divine blessings is regarded as the pinnacle.
The reason for thoroughly developing “Dexterous” was to most efficiently utilize the much-abused characteristic of “Seductive Dexterity.” I debated over upgrading the battlefield swordplay to “Divine Realm,” but due to everyday life considerations, I chose the former.
After all, fixed values take precedence over everything; they’re our guardian against the random roll of dice that could ruin us. Let’s venerate fixed values!
Though I briefly created an original hand gesture overflowing with faith due to my devotion to Lady Mace, it’s natural to seek stability given my luck. As long as the world’s phenomena are determined after summing up status values and properties and throwing dice for success or failure, fixed values are just.
One cherished ambition fulfilled, and another partially achieved, but there’s still plenty of expertise remaining. So, I raised my “Magic Capacity” from “Good” to “Fine” to improve my stamina for prolonged engagements.
I tire quickly during active combat sequences with multiple magical activations in both primary actions and reactions. Given the likely increase in magical usage outside of combat when venturing as an adventurer, it’s a necessary step.
By the way, “Instantaneous Magic Capacity,” referring to the maximum amount of magic one can use at once, remains the same since I have no plans for high-consumption spells, and the current level hasn’t inconvenienced me. It is, however, an issue I’ll need to resolve if I decide to use large-scale space manipulation in the future.
After considering what to do with the remaining expertise, I invested in skills related to camp activities after some deliberation. I acquired low-level skills like “Camp Cooking,” “Cooking Knowledge,” and “Seasoning Composition” at the “Basic” level. Using these abilities to trigger multiple effects at once proved more efficient than raising one skill significantly.
This is a mechanic I’ve encountered in tabletop role-playing games, but it’s somewhat tricky to execute. Often, the system makes leveling up existing skills cheaper than acquiring new ones.
Though granted by divine providence, the system I work within is no different, making direct leveling typically more efficient if acquisition were the only consideration.
However, the point where efficiency diverges arises when leveling skills. As the experience needed to raise them increases, the difference in efficiency becomes more apparent. Those who can discern the precise moments to optimize their effectiveness will excel.
Thus, after careful deliberation and calculations, I secured the ability to create simple meals with the highest efficiency available. I can now cook decent meals even on the road with minimal supplies, surpassing combat rations.
Traveling will allow me to use my abilities more often. With skills like this, I can contribute effectively even while on the move.
Yes, though I restrained myself from indulging in youthful folly and acquiring irrelevant skills and properties and wasting my expertise, it was indeed challenging.
…I’ll consider what to do in the future once I have more room to breathe.
For now, let’s move on. The acquisition of cooking skills has sparked a minor craze for me in the culinary arts. To make these skills stick, I’ve been experimenting with various affordable ingredients bought at the market.
The Gray Maiden is somewhat peeved at me, as evident by her unruly hair every morning—today, I had to laboriously tie it into a severe chignon. Should the day come when I appear alongside Lady Agrippina, I’d be the laughingstock indefinitely—yet each discovery brings new experience points, and I find it enjoyable.
Cooking is far more efficient, even when done alone, than one might think.
Thus, I’ve decided to offer my friend meals and share their chores.
“Is that okay…?”
“Of course, it is. I might even help with laundry and cleaning since I’ve been getting into those things lately.”
Trying to appear somewhat more dependable, I puffed out my chest and made the offer, and after a few failed attempts, Mika finally voiced…
“Alright, thank you very much.”
“Indeed, it is. Once your evening duties are done, I shall prepare and serve dinner promptly.”
They accepted my proposal, seemingly after failing another mental check.
“…I almost wanted to call you ‘mother’ just then.”
“I’d appreciate being called ‘father’ at the very least.”
“Umm… But, your silhouette from behind is quite the heart-stopper.”
“Huh? What about it?”
“Nothing, nothing. Forget I said it. So, what are you planning to make?”
Despite holding reservations when my friend abruptly changed the topic, pursuing matters I’ve been asked to drop would be too unrefined, so I decided to stick with the topic of dinner. It’s not like quibbling over such a slip is part of a board game, so let it be.
Now, what should I cook tonight? It’s contingent on what’s available at the market, but given the scarcity and high cost of spices, our options are somewhat limited. The struggles of someone preparing a budget-conscious yet detailed meal resonate.
At least I have some herbs leftover from a previous job collecting medicinal plants that might yield a nice dish…
By the way, the general seasonings available in this era are mainly salt and herbs, and spices are so rare they’re worth their weight in silver.
Let’s praise Lady Mace! (An affectionate greeting from Osaka, where one forms their hands in a prayer to symbolize Lady Mace’s silhouette by intertwining their fingers.)
Thus concludes my progress report. Mika’s studies have advanced, making things even more rigorous. From this point, they might be assigned essays, sent out into the field, and other tasks…
I enjoy character creation by calculating efficiency, so I’ve no doubt spent hours muttering while tapping calculators and meticulously examining rulebooks—a relative of mine must do something similar.
※The magical stats have been corrected courtesy of private comments.
The era’s common seasonings are salt and various herbs; spices are so precious a single spice can warrant silver coins.
Celebrate the Lady Mace! (With hands clasped shallowly, interlocking the fingers to symbolize the silhouette of the Lady, a playful regional way of greeting from Osaka.)
In summary, Mika will face greater study challenges. This includes writing essays or being thrown into fieldwork as they progress. I have a knack for efficiency in building characters, so it’s no surprise I’m heard muttering over calculators and meticulously reviewing rulebooks, possibly inherited from a family member.
※Magical stats have been refined based on private feedback.
