Chapter 6 RAC Vol. 1 Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – The Magic Tool Workshop

The next morning, I woke to the sound of the morning bell.

“Ugh… Yawn. I slept well.”

I sat up in bed and froze, completely stunned. For a second, I had no idea where I was. Right… I’d somehow become Leon in another world. This really wasn’t a dream. As I was mulling that over, still in a daze, a voice called out from nearby.

“Leon, what are you spacing out for? If you’re up, go wash your face.”

“Mom. Morning. I’m getting up.”

Mom and Dad were already out of bed. Marie, however, was still fast asleep, deep in her dreams. The two of them headed downstairs right away, so I followed after them. I washed my face and took a seat in the living room.

Yesterday, none of this felt real, but I guess I really am going to live in this world from now on. I was getting lost in sentimental thoughts when Mom came back, having woken Marie up. Then Dad brought in breakfast.

“Alright, let’s eat. Thank you for the food.”

“Thank you for the food.”

“Thank… you…”

Marie still looked sleepy, rubbing her eyes and trying desperately to wake up. Breakfast was bread, fried eggs, and a stir-fry of meat and vegetables. It was all just salt-flavored, but the taste of the ingredients themselves made it delicious.

“Do you have any plans today?”

When Mom asked Marie that, Marie suddenly snapped awake, as if just remembering her plans.

“I’m going to the food stalls with Luke today!”

“Oh, are you? That sounds like fun.”

Mom watched Marie with a gentle smile. Marie’s going out with Luke, huh? That’s perfect. I’d been wanting to explore the town by myself.

“Big brother, want to come too?”

“No, I’ve got other plans, so I’m good.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Yeah. Let’s go together next time.”

After breakfast, I helped with the laundry and cleaned the house. At noon, I helped out with the diner’s service, and then I finally had free time. Being a kid in another world is hard work.

“Alright, I’m heading out!”

“Be careful.”

“Okay!”

I grabbed the money I’d saved up from my allowance and headed outside. I wanted to buy something if I found anything interesting. I only had five iron coins, though, so I probably couldn’t afford much more than a small snack.

I need to earn some money, too. Even if I try to sell my knowledge, I’d need someone who can properly appraise it. And I don’t have the capital to start making things… It seems impossible for now.

I left the house and hesitated for a moment, deciding which way to go. I decided to head in the opposite direction of the forest. Leon has never been far from home, so I don’t know this town well, but apparently there’s a small plaza this way with food stalls. I figured I’d go to the plaza first, and from there, explore a little further into areas I’ve never been.

It took about twenty minutes to reach the plaza at a kid’s pace. A main street led all the way from my house to the plaza, and the same main street continued on the other side of it.

I thought about following the street on the far side of the plaza, but then I noticed there were also slightly narrower streets branching off to the left and right. Hmm. I had a feeling the narrower streets might have more interesting shops. With that in mind, I decided to try the path on the left.

As I walked down the left street for a while, I saw that it was mostly just houses, but every so often, there was a workshop. There were workshops with signs depicting a hammer and saw, others with pictures of clothes, thread, or wood. Were they furniture workshops, tailor shops, weaving workshops, and woodworking shops? I could hear voices and loud noises coming from inside the buildings.

I passed by more workshops and houses, and after walking a bit further, I spotted a sign with writing on it. Most commoners can’t really read, so almost all the signs just use pictures…

Curious, I casually read the sign. It said “Magic Tool Workshop.” A magic tool workshop?! They have things like magic tools here? Wait, are magic tools like the machines I had back in Japan? If so, they might have all sorts of things I want!

I was suddenly desperate to know what was in that workshop. I had to see these magic tools. Feeling a little rude, I decided to peek inside.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

I called out, but no one appeared. I couldn’t hear any noise either.

“Hello! Is anyone home!”

This time, I shouted a little louder. A door in the back opened, and someone appeared.

“You don’t have to shout so loud. I heard you.”

The person who came out was a very old man. His face was wrinkled, his hair was thin, and his back was slightly bent. Is this old man the one making magic tools? As I was wondering, the old man spoke to me.

“So, what does a kid like you want? Didn’t think anyone had business here.”

“I’m interested in magic tools…”

“What’s that? You can read?”

Ah… I forgot, being able to read is bad, isn’t it? I can read normally, so I just did it without thinking. What should I do? But I want him to teach me things, so it’s probably better to admit I can read.

“Um, there’s someone nearby who can read, and they taught me.”

That was a total lie, but I said it anyway.

“Is that so? Well, you were lucky.”

“Is it really that rare to be able to read?”

“It’s rare among commoners. The only ones who can read are usually well-off merchants.”

“I see. So I really was lucky.”

I laughed “ahaha” as I answered, but the old man just gave me another suspicious look.

“Did you learn how to speak like that, too?”

“How I speak?”

“That’s right. You’ve been using polite language this whole time.”

Ah… I just unconsciously use polite language with older people. I was trying to be careful!

“That… right! The person who taught me to read taught me that, too.”

“Even so, it comes naturally to you. The polite language commoners use is much cruder, isn’t it? Some merchants use refined speech, but… you, are you really a commoner?”

He’s really suspicious of me now. Is this bad? What do I do? As my mind raced, trying to come up with a response, I started to sweat. Just then, the old man’s expression softened slightly.

“Well, you must have had a good teacher.”

It seemed like the old man had decided to stop doubting me. Thank goodness… I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Come to think of it, he’s been talking about “commoners” and “not commoners,” and he seems to understand polite language perfectly well. Is he not a commoner?

“Um, this might be out of place, but who are you, sir? Are you… not a commoner?”

“Me? I’m an associate noble. But since I’m not a full noble, I’m no different from a commoner.”

So he really isn’t a commoner! I had a bad feeling about this. But what’s an “associate noble”?

“What’s an associate noble?”

“An associate noble is what you call the child of a noble. If they become the head of the family, they become a full noble, but the second son and any children after that often remain associate nobles. I’m one of them.”

“I see, so that’s how it works.”

So that’s the system. The eldest son inherits the house and becomes a noble, but the other children remain associate nobles. What happens to the children of an associate noble, then?

“What happens to an associate noble’s children?”

“They become commoners. If not, the number of nobles would just keep growing.”

“That makes sense, but being a noble sounds tough in its own way. So if you’re born as a second son or later, is there no way to become a noble?”

“No, you can become a noble if you receive a single-generation title. It’s called a Knightage. It’s a title you can’t pass on to your children. You can receive one if you achieve something significant.”

“I see.”

They have a pretty solid system in place. Still, nobles have it surprisingly rough. I just assumed if you were born a noble, you were set for life.

As I was thinking about that, I noticed the old man staring at me with an exasperated look.

“Is something wrong?”

“Hah… do you not realize how strange you are?”

“Strange…? Did I say something weird?”

“No. It’s that you’re not saying weird things. You look to be about seven or eight, right? Yet you’re perfectly grasping difficult topics like the system of nobility and even asking intelligent questions. You are clearly not a commoner’s child.”

Thaaat’s bad! I was having so much fun gathering information that I asked too many questions. Can I still talk my way out of this? Saying someone “taught me” is probably stretching it too thin, right? I was panicking internally, trying my best not to let it show on my face, when the old man continued.

“Well, you must have your reasons. If you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to. I’m an old man. I’ll just be happy I got to meet an interesting kid at the end of my life.”

“Um… thank you?”

“But listen, I may be fine with it, but you’d best not show how different you are to other people. There are plenty of bad folk out there.”

“Yes! I’ll be careful!”

He’s a really good person. Thank goodness… I’ll have to be much more careful from now on.

“So, you were interested in magic tools, were you?”

“Yes!”

Whoops, with all that happening, I almost forgot the main reason I came.

“First of all, what are magic tools? I’ve never seen one before.”

“That’s only natural. Magic tools only circulate among the nobility.”

“Why is that?”

“Because they’re expensive. They’re not priced at a level commoners could ever afford.”

“They’re that expensive…?”

“Aye. The raw materials are precious, too. They won’t be getting cheaper. It’ll be a long time before magic tools are common among the people.”

No… I thought I’d finally found something convenient. My hopes were so high, and now I just feel crushed. What are these precious materials? If I could get my hands on them, could I make magic tools somehow?

“What are the raw materials?”

“The materials are magic stones and magic iron.”

“Magic stones and magic iron? What are those?”

“A magic stone is like a transparent gem. When you pour magic power into it, it can manifest the magic of that power. Magic iron is iron that can be freely reshaped when you channel magic into it. A magic tool is what you call something made by shaping magic iron and setting a magic stone into it.”

So, it’s like a battery and iron. They really do have things like machines! I want one!

“Where can I get those magic stones and magic iron!?”

I asked excitedly, but his answer made my enthusiasm plummet.

“The mines where magic stones and magic iron are found are all state-run. The state buys it all up, so you can’t get any. The magic tools themselves are also made in state-run workshops.”

What… Then there’s no way to get them! Isn’t there any way at all? First sugar, and now magic tools are monopolized by the nobility! Wait… but this is a magic tool workshop, isn’t it? If they’re all state-run, why is one here?

“Sir, why is this magic tool workshop here? I thought they were all made in state-run workshops…”

“Ah, this workshop is special. I worked at a state-run workshop until recently, but I retired because of my age. Normally, you just live out your days, but I wanted to keep making magic tools, so I started this workshop.”

“Can you just start a workshop that easily?”

“Normally, it’s impossible. One of my past inventions was worthy of a title, but instead of accepting the title, I was given permission to open my own magic tool workshop. These days, I just spend my time freely thinking up new magic tools.”

“I see. So, does that mean there are no other workshops that aren’t state-run?”

“I don’t think so. It’s not something they just approve, and there aren’t many people who want to keep making magic tools after they retire. The pay at the workshops is good, so they’re not hurting for money.”

Does that mean this is the only magic tool workshop that isn’t state-run? This is incredibly lucky! If I hadn’t come here, I never would have even known magic tools existed.

I wonder if he’d sell me the magic tools he makes here, assuming I had the money?

“Sir, if I had enough money to buy a magic tool, would you sell one to me?”

“No, I can’t sell them. A condition for opening this workshop is that I must sell all my magic tools to the state-run workshop. It’s probably to check that I’m not wasting precious materials.”

I see. So they’re checking the amount he sells against the amount they buy from him to make sure no materials are being lost. Does that mean it’s impossible for me to get a magic tool? Becoming a noble is probably out of the question… I finally found something this convenient; I really don’t want to give up!

I decided to just ask him straight.

“Sir, I’m just a commoner, the son of a diner owner. Is there any way at all for me to get a magic tool?”

“Hmm. It’s difficult, but you might have a chance if you go to the Royal Academy. Also, if you graduate from the Royal Academy, you can become a public official, and the official dormitories at the royal castle use magic tools.”

The Royal Academy! They have schools in this world? If I go there, I might have a chance at a comfortable life using magic tools. In that case, I’ll aim for the Royal Academy! But can a commoner even go?

“Can commoners go there?”

“Technically, anyone can take the entrance exam. If you pass, you can enroll.”

“What about money…?”

“Tuition and textbooks are free. However, it’s mostly nobles, so you’ll need money for socializing, and you’ll stand out if you don’t wear good clothes. Plus, the academy is in the capital, so you’ll need money to live nearby.”

It’s great that tuition and textbooks are free, but it sounds like everything else will cost a lot. I really need to figure out a way to make money.

“Is the exam hard?”

“It’s an exam that noble children study for from a young age. Most commoners don’t pass. The only commoners who get in are usually the children of wealthy merchants.”

“What age do you start at the academy?”

“The academy is five years, from the year you turn 11 until you’re 15. How old are you?”

“I turned eight this year.”

“Then you have a little less than two years. The exam is at the end of winter, and school starts in spring.”

If I have two years, I should be able to pass if I study. My brain is still that of a university student, after all! The question is… how do I study?

“Could you teach me, sir?”

“I’ve forgotten too much to teach you. I don’t have any textbooks, and I’m not on good terms with my family.”

“Oh… I see.”

I’ve hit a roadblock already. I’m sure I’ll be fine with math, but I’ll need someone to teach me history and other subjects specific to this country. Hmm, I’ll worry about studying later. No point in troubling the old man.

“Alright, I’ll figure out the studying part on my own. About the money, though…”

I’d thought of one way to make money. The old man said he was “thinking up” magic tools. That means he’s not just making them to order; he’s inventing new ones.

If that’s the case, maybe I can sell my knowledge for money.

“If I come up with an idea for a magic tool and you think it’s good, would you buy the idea from me?”

“An idea from you? How could you, who’s never even seen a magic tool, think of one?”

“That’s… a secret. Is it no good?”

If he says no, I’ll have to start from scratch. I waited for his reply, hoping he’d agree.

After a short pause, the old man spoke.

“Well, fine. However, it can’t be registered as your idea; it will have to be mine. Are you alright with that? The royalties will also go to me.”

“I’m totally fine with that. But… what are royalties?”

“Ah, I didn’t explain. The person who first invents a magic tool is given priority rights to produce it. However, others can also make that magic tool if they pay a ‘royalty’ to use the idea. This is registered with the royal palace, so it’s a formal system that can’t be changed later.”

I see, so it’s like a patent. Honestly, I’d love to register it under my own name, but that’s impossible, so this can’t be helped.

“I’m still fine with it. But please take those royalties into account when you set the price for my idea.”

“Hmph. Only if it’s a good idea.”

“I’ll think of a good one. …Actually, I wanted to ask you about the magic tools that already exist, but I’ve been here for a long time, and I really need to get home. If I come back another time, could you tell me about them?”

“Aye, I’m always here. Come by anytime.”

“Thank you! I’ll definitely be back. Oh, can I ask your name? I’m Leon.”

“I’m Marcel.”

“Marcel. Okay, I’ll see you again!”

I said my goodbyes, left the workshop, and ran home. I could see a path forward now, and my steps felt much lighter.

For the next few days, I couldn’t go to the magic tool workshop because I went out with Marie or went to the forest with Nicola and Luke. Today, four days later, I was finally heading back.

It was a warm, pleasant day with a gentle breeze. The good weather, combined with my excitement about learning more about magic tools, made my steps feel light, and I reached the workshop faster than before.

“Hello! It’s Leon!”

I opened the door, stepped inside, and called out cheerfully toward the back. The front room just had a desk, a chair, and a few decorations; it was pretty simple. Maybe a reception room? There was another door at the back of the room. That was probably the workshop. As I was looking around, the back door opened, and Marcel came out.

“Marcel! It’s been a while. Sorry it took me so long to come back.”

“Leon. It’s fine. You wanted to see the magic tools today, right?”

“Yes! It’s impossible to think of new magic tools if I don’t know what already exists.”

“Then follow me.”

Marcel turned and headed back, so I hurried after him. The door opened onto a hallway. There were two doors and a staircase on the left wall, and another door at the end of the hall. Marcel seemed to be heading for that one. That must be the workshop. I looked around the house curiously as I followed him into the room.

The first thing I noticed upon entering was the large desk in the middle of the room. Next to it were a single chair and a long bench. Large shelves lined the walls, filled with papers and what looked like tools. Similar things were scattered on the desk, and looking closely, I saw things that looked like iron and gems. This must be the magic iron and magic stones.

This is amazing! Just looking at it is exciting!

“Marcel, is this your workshop?”

“Aye. I figured it would be easier to explain with the actual things in front of us.”

“Thank you! This is incredible!”

My excitement was building. I wanted to know what kinds of magic tools they had!

“Leon, you can sit on that bench.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“Now, as for the types of magic tools, the most famous one is this.”

Marcel pointed at the ceiling. Huh? What does he mean? I looked up and saw… a light bulb.

“A light—!”

Crap! I almost shouted “light bulb” but clamped my mouth shut just in time. Safe. Probably…

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Uh, nothing! This is amazing! I was wondering how this room was so bright with no windows open!”

“Indeed. This is a light orb. It has the recovery attribute embedded in the magic stone. Once you fill the magic stone with magic power, it will stay lit for thirty days. If you want to turn it off, you just remove the stone.”

Huh? A light orb uses the recovery attribute? Right, this world doesn’t have a ‘light’ attribute. And you have to remove the stone to turn it off? That means there’s no such thing as a remote switch.

So it’s not as convenient as the machines in Japan. But for my life in this world, this is revolutionary! Candlelight is so dim, it doesn’t light up a large area, and it flickers every time the air moves.

“It glows with recovery-attribute magic?”

“That’s right. The recovery attribute also includes the ‘Light’ spell, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t really know much about magic. I’m actually about to go for my magic aptitude measurement.”

“Is that so? Magic has six attributes: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Body Enhancement, and Recovery. But within those, there are many different spells. How much you can use depends on your own magic capacity and talent.”

So that’s how magic works here. Well, I’ll just have to learn about it when I go to the church.

“I’ll learn about magic properly when I go to the church. So, you said you have to remove the magic stone to turn it off… is there no such thing as a switch?”

“A ‘switch’… what’s that?”

Does the concept of a ‘switch’ not exist in this world? Is that why it’s not being translated? But I guess that makes sense. If you don’t have machines, you don’t need switches. And if they aren’t in magic tools, they probably don’t exist.

“Um… it’s like a button. You press it to turn the light on, and you press it again to turn the light off. You don’t have a mechanism like that?”

“Nothing like that. But… it’s true, if we could build a mechanism like that into a magic tool, we wouldn’t have to remove the stone every time. That would be very convenient. But I have no idea how one would do that.”

“I see. If I figure out that mechanism, will you buy that idea, too?”

“Aye, I’d gladly buy it. But is something like that really possible?”

“Leave it to me!”

I gave Marcel a bright smile. I can probably figure something out by applying mechanical principles. Maybe I can try testing it once I can use magic.

For now, though, the other magic tools.

“Can I see the other magic tools?”

“Ah, the others are a flushing toilet, running water, and a wind-blower.”

They have flushing toilets! That alone makes me want to be a noble. I’m so sick of the latrine. And running water, too! That’s amazing. Pulling water from the well is such a pain. And a ‘wind-blower’ must be like an electric fan.

Amazing… These are all things I’d given up on having in this world. I absolutely have to get them. Life at Leon’s family home is fine, but I can’t help but yearn for a comfortable life. Once you’ve known comfort, it’s hard to let go. I’m definitely going to the Royal Academy! My resolve hardened.

As I was getting emotional over these other-worldly magic tools, Marcel stood up and started to walk off. Where’s he going?

“Marcel? Where are you going?”

“You want to see the other tools, right? I have those three here in the house, so I thought you’d want to see them…”

“What? You have all of them!? Of course I want to see them!”

I didn’t expect him to have all of them. He said magic tools were expensive… is the pay at the workshop that good? Or does it have something to do with the ‘invention’ he mentioned earlier? I’ll have to ask him about that sometime if I get the chance.

“Alright, first, this is the wind-blower.”

Marcel walked over to a shelf in the back and brought back a square-shaped tube. Huh? This is it? I was picturing an electric fan, so this is different.

“This?”

“That’s right. You fit the magic stone into this indentation here, and it activates.”

Marcel fitted the magic stone into place, and a moderately strong breeze caressed my cheek.

Wow! It’s real wind! I wonder if you can adjust the strength?

“Can you make the wind stronger or weaker?”

“That’s determined by the magic you imbue in the stone. So you can change it when you use up the magic and refill it, or if you overwrite the magic that’s already in it.”

So it’s decided by the strength or the image of the magic put into the stone. It’s a little inconvenient that you can’t just change it on the fly, but I guess that can’t be helped.

“Next is the running water and the flushing toilet. The water is this way.”

Marcel led me up the stairs to the kitchen.

“This is the running water. You fit the magic stone in here, and water comes out.”

The ‘running water’ was a short, thin pipe, smaller than the palm of my hand. One end of the pipe was sealed, except for a hole in the indentation where the magic stone went. When you put the stone in, water apparently comes out the other end.

“Can I try it?”

“Go ahead. It’s drinkable, want to try some?”

“Really? Then I will.”

I took the cup Marcel handed me and put it under the spout. It seems you have to wait a few seconds after putting the stone in for the water to come out, but otherwise, it felt pretty much like a faucet in Japan.

“Well, here goes.”

I nervously brought the water to my lips and took a sip. Gulp… It’s delicious! It tastes just like the natural spring water I used to drink in Japan. Magic water is tasty.

“It’s really good!”

“Right? Magic water is delicious and safe, so the nobility uses it for all their drinking and cooking.”

Now I’m even more jealous of the nobility!

“Alright, last is the flushing toilet.”

The toilet was behind one of the doors in the first-floor hallway. When I opened the door, the first thing that surprised me was that it was a Western-style toilet, not a squat toilet. And, where the hand-washing basin would be on a Japanese toilet, there was a spot to insert a magic stone. He said you insert the stone for about ten seconds, and once it flushes, you take it out again.

It’s definitely less convenient than in Japan, but I don’t care. My basis for comparison is a latrine. Those things stink, I’m always afraid I’ll fall in, and I truly hate them.

But… even if it flushes, it’s useless without a sewer system, right? I wondered about that and asked Marcel.

“Marcel, where does the stuff you flush go?”

“Ah, it flows into underground pipes called sewers.”

“What!? You have a sewer system!?”

“You know about those?”

“I… I think I heard about it once…”

When I said that, Marcel looked at me suspiciously, then let out a deep sigh and spoke.

“We’ll go with that. The sewer system only runs through the central district, but they made a special exception and extended the pipes here when this workshop was built.”

“I see. That’s amazing…”

The central district even has sewers. I’m so jealous. Unbelievably jealous.

After seeing all the magic tools, Marcel and I returned to the workshop. We sat down and took a breath.

“So, what did you think of the magic tools?”

“I think they’re incredibly convenient and wonderful!”

“Glad to hear it.”

Marcel’s face softened, clearly pleased to hear his magic tools praised. He must really love them. They really are amazing. They were all things I’d given up on ever seeing in this world. But as I looked at them, a couple of questions popped into my head.

First, which is more efficient: magic tools or magic? For example, I wondered if it takes more magic for a wind-magic user to create wind versus using the wind-blower. Also, if you can only imbue a magic stone with attributes you possess, does that mean you can only make magic tools for your own attributes? I posed these questions to Marcel.

“First, about efficiency: the magic tool is overwhelmingly better. The greatest advantage of a magic tool is that it can be used for a long time with very little magic power. As for only being able to make your own attribute, that’s basically true. However, you can have someone with a different attribute imbue the stone for you. In fact, we did that all the time at the workshop.”

“I see. So what happens if the magic in the stone runs out?”

“You have someone with that attribute refill it. Magic tools are generally used by nobles, and nobles have servants in their homes, so someone is bound to have the right attribute. Even if they don’t, you can pay the magic tool workshop to refill the magic for you.”

I see, so they’re a little finicky. Well, that can’t be helped. At any rate, I understand what magic tools are now.

Which means… it’s time to think of machines that can be turned into magic tools!

“Marcel, are there any other magic tools besides the four you showed me?”

“There are plenty of failed creations, but these are the only ones used in daily life.”

Wait, just these four!? Isn’t that… really few?

“That’s not many at all.”

“It’s only been a few decades since magic tools were first created. There have been many attempts that haven’t succeeded.”

I see… I can think of several just off the top of my head. This could really make me some money!

“Marcel, I’ve already thought of a few. Can I organize my thoughts for a minute, and then will you hear my ideas?”

“Y-you already thought of some!? W-well, I suppose it can’t hurt to listen.”

“Please wait just a moment.”

I closed my eyes and started running through all the machines in my head that could become magic tools.

It’s probably best to start with things I want. First off, a refrigerator and a freezer. Also, a microwave, a hair dryer, an air conditioner, and a stove would be convenient.

Wait… a stove seems like something someone would have tried already. Did it not succeed?

“Marcel, can I ask one more thing?”

“What is it?”

“Hasn’t anyone developed a fire-based magic tool for cooking? It seems like an obvious idea.”

“Ah, that’s been researched for a long time, but it hasn’t succeeded.”

“Why not?”

“I told you that magic tools work by fitting a magic stone into magic iron, right? You can’t just use the stone or the iron alone. The problem is, fire magic melts the magic iron. The magic iron is probably weak to magic fire. So even if you make a magic tool with fire magic, it breaks right away.”

“I see.”

So magic iron is weak to magic fire. That certainly makes it difficult. Maybe it would work if you put some kind of insulation between the magic iron and the magic stone? No, but the stone won’t activate unless it’s touching the iron… This is beyond my current knowledge. I’ll focus on a different magic tool for now.

First, the refrigerator. How about this? This world doesn’t have ice magic, so I need to find a way to make it work with water magic. I wonder if water magic can produce water that’s below zero degrees, right at the freezing point.

“Marcel, can water magic create water that’s right on the verge of freezing?”

“Hmm, I wonder. You can change the temperature of water from magic, but you can’t create ice. That’s all we know so far. I can’t say it’s impossible.”

“Come to think of it, what’s your attribute, Marcel?”

“I’m recovery attribute. So I can’t test it for you.”

Marcel is recovery attribute. I was wondering… this workshop doesn’t have anyone else. What does he do when he needs to make a magic tool of a different attribute?

“What do you do when you need to make a magic tool with a different attribute?”

“Basically, I go to the state workshop and have them imbue it, or I ask an acquaintance.”

I see… so I can’t test it now, but at least I know you can change the temperature of water from magic. I’m sure I saw an experiment on TV once with water below zero degrees. I think they said it freezes instantly if it’s subjected to some kind of stimulus.

If I can create that water with water magic, maybe I can use wind magic to provide the stimulus and create ice… but I have no way to test it.

If I had the water attribute, I could try… It might be better to find out my own magic attribute first. Yes, finding out my attribute and learning to use magic should come first. I should go to the church soon.

“Marcel, I’ve thought of a few things, but I think it would be more efficient if I knew my own magic attribute and how to use magic first. Is it okay if I go to the church for my magic aptitude measurement and then come back?”

“Aye, I don’t mind at all. But before that, can we discuss your payment?”

“Yes. I was hoping we could.”

“I’ve been thinking since you were here last. For now, I’ll pay you one gold coin for any idea I think is good. Then, if an idea you thought of becomes a magic tool and is registered with the royal palace, I’ll pay you five platinum coins. How does that sound?”

Um… one gold coin and five platinum coins? How much is that worth? Leon only knew up to copper coins.

“Marcel, sorry. I don’t really understand the value of money here. Could you explain it to me?”

“Right, sorry. I keep forgetting you’re a commoner.”

Marcel then carefully explained the currency to me. First, there’s no paper money in this world; it’s all coins. And it’s a decimal system: ten of one coin equals one of the next coin up. Based on Marcel’s explanation and Leon’s memories, I converted it roughly to Japanese yen: 1 iron coin is 10 yen, 1 small copper coin is 100 yen, 1 copper coin is 1,000 yen, 1 silver coin is 10,000 yen, 1 gold coin is 100,000 yen, and 1 platinum coin is 1,000,000 yen. This is just a rough estimate, though, so I don’t know if it’s accurate.

But based on that value, one gold coin is 100,000 yen, and five platinum coins is 5,000,000 yen. 100,000 and 5,000,000!?

Wait, is it okay for me to receive that much!?

“M-Marcel! Isn’t one gold coin and five platinum coins way too much!?”

“No, if anything, it’s too little. Magic tools are bought by nobles, so they sell for high prices, and the royalties on top of that are very high. Magic tools are profitable. Especially when you develop a new one, the money just rolls in.”

Is that right? Well, I figured they were expensive since the materials are precious… Magic tools are amazing. I should probably accept what he’s offering.

“Marcel, thank you so much. I’ll do my absolute best to think of new magic tools!”

“Hmph. If you don’t think of anything, I won’t be paying you a single iron coin, so it’s fine by me.”

Marcel looked at me with a challenging glint in his eye. I’ll definitely think of an amazing magic tool and blow him away!

“Marcel, I’m going to think of something incredible, so you’d better get that money ready!”

I shot back a taunt, but as I said it, a thought occurred to me. How am I supposed to receive that money? If I’m carrying around that much, I’ll be too scared to sleep at night. Is there some kind of banking system?

“Marcel, how should I get paid? Even if you give me gold or platinum coins, I’ll be too terrified to carry them.”

“I see, you don’t have an account. We’ll have to make one.”

“An account?”

“Aye. It’s not well known among commoners, but this country has a system where you can freely deposit and withdraw money.”

I summarized what Marcel explained to me in my head. Apparently, there’s a state-run bank. Any citizen of the country can open an account and deposit money, but since commoners rarely save up money, only wealthy merchants use it. All nobles and the servants who work in their mansions have accounts. The main branch of the bank is in the capital’s central district, next to the royal castle, and there are branches in the capital cities of the noble territories. You can supposedly open an account, deposit, and withdraw from any location.

“So I need to open an account.”

“That’s right. If you have an account, I can transfer the money directly from my account to yours. It’s safe.”

An account sounds useful; I should definitely get one. That means I’ll have to go to the central district. But can a commoner kid just open an account?

“Can a kid just go and open an account?”

“Ah, you might be able to if you have money, but a commoner child who isn’t a noble showing up would look suspicious. Especially since you don’t look wealthy from your clothes. But, you’ll be fine if you go with me.”

“What? You’ll come with me!?”

“Aye. It’s on my way. I need to meet an acquaintance and have them recharge the magic in my tools.”

He says it’s “on his way,” but I’m sure he’s just being nice. Marcel is so kind. When I think about it, isn’t it kind of a miracle for him to be this nice to a strange commoner kid? I might have used up all my luck just by meeting him.

“Thank you. Um, but there’s one more problem. I don’t have the money to open an account…”

“I’ll pay for it, don’t worry.”

“I can’t let you do that!”

“Then how about this: I’ll pay when we open the account, and I’ll just deduct that amount from the money I transfer you. Sound good?”

“Yes. Um, thank you so much!”

Marcel is too nice. If I hadn’t met him, I’m sure earning money would have been difficult. I might have just been tricked and exploited. I really was lucky.

“Well then, when should we go? I’m free whenever you are.”

What should I do? My free time is only for about four hours, between the lunch service and the dinner service. Mom said it takes about two hours to get to the central district by carriage. It’s impossible to go there and back in just my break time. That means I’ll have to ask Mom if I can take a day off from helping with the lunch service.

“Can I ask my mom what day would be good for me to be away, and then we can decide?”

“That’s fine by me.”

“Thank you. You’re helping me with so much. I’ll come back once I have a date. I’ll also try to go to the church before then, if I can.”

“Aye, anytime is fine.”

“Okay! Well, I’ll head home for today.”

“Be careful.”

“Thank you so much for teaching me everything!”

I said my goodbyes, left the workshop, and ran home. I wanted to decide on a day to go to the church and a day to go to the central district before the dinner service started.

When I got home, it wasn’t the busy time yet. Mom and Dad were just relaxing and getting ready.

“Mom, Dad, I’m home!”

“Leon, you’re back early.”

Mom peeked her head out from the kitchen, so I went to the counter, sat on a stool, and spoke to her.

“Mom, there’s somewhere I want to go. Can I take a day off from helping with lunch?”

“Somewhere you want to go? It’s fine if you take the day off, but where are you going? Are you going alone?”

Of course she’d ask. What should I say? If I tell her the truth, she’ll definitely say no. She had a really scary look on her face that one time I brought up nobles.

“Um, I want to go to the central district. The old man I made friends with today has to go there for an errand, and he said I could go with him. Can I?”

“Is that okay? He’s not a suspicious person, is he?”

“Yeah! He runs a workshop! He even gave me a tour of it today.”

“I see… But going out with a stranger…”

Mom looked troubled. This is bad; it looks like she’s going to say no.

“Mom, we’re just taking the public carriage, so we won’t be alone. If I think it’s dangerous, I’ll ask someone nearby for help right away… Please?”

Mom thought about it for a while after I said that, then finally said, “Well, you are eight years old now,” and gave me permission. Thank goodness. That was close.

The age of adulthood in this country is 15, but once you turn 8, you’re considered old enough to survive on your own. It probably has to do with learning magic at age 8. I’m glad I’m already eight.

“If you think you’re in danger, you run and get help right away. Go to the soldiers’ post if it’s close, or run into a nearby shop if it’s far.”

“Okay! Thanks, Mom!”

“Have fun. But let’s go to the church before you go to the central district. It’ll be safer if you can use even a little magic.”

“The church!? Yes! When are we going?”

I can finally use magic! I was so happy, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

“Let’s see… We’ll close the diner tomorrow night. How about we all go tomorrow afternoon?”

“Okay! Then can I go to the central district the day after tomorrow?”

“That’s fine.”

“What’s this? We’re going to the church tomorrow?”

Dad joined the conversation, having finished a round of prep work.

“Yes. We decided to close tomorrow night and all go to the church in the afternoon.”

“I see. That’s something to look forward to.”

“Yeah!”

Dad smiled broadly and gently patted my head as I beamed. While he did, Mom told him about my trip to the central district.

“Leon, the central district is full of nobles. You have to make sure you don’t catch their eye. Don’t do anything to stand out. Can you promise me that?”

Dad’s expression was serious as he looked me right in the eye.

“Yeah. I promise.”

I answered with an equally serious expression, and Dad’s face relaxed back into its usual gentle smile.

“Have a good time.”

“I will!”

I was so excited for tomorrow and the day after that I started preparing for the dinner service with a spring in my step.

◇

I watched Leon’s retreating figure as he ran home from the workshop.

Leon truly is a strange child. From the first time he came here, he used the refined, polite speech of a noble’s child, and his mind works faster than any noble child I’ve known. I was having a conversation fit for an adult, but the person in front of me was a commoner child in patched-up clothes. I wondered more than once if my old eyes were playing tricks on me.

And then there was that ‘switch’ mechanism he mentioned. It’s a revolutionary idea, yet Leon spoke as if he’d seen the finished product. What’s going on? A commoner child with the speech and knowledge of a highly educated person, who seems to know about things that don’t exist in this country… Is he from another country?

No, if he were a spy from another country probing us, he wouldn’t act in such a suspicious way. Besides, I felt no malice from Leon at all. He clearly has a secret, but it’s written all over his face, as if he’s shouting, “I have a secret!” No spy could be that foolish.

I remembered Leon’s face, overcome with emotion as he listened to me talk about the magic tools. That wasn’t the face of someone scheming. It was the innocent face of a child, genuinely amazed by magic tools. Haha… he speaks like an adult, but his expressions are just like a child’s. He truly is an interesting kid.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this excited about anything. I’m shamefully thrilled for an old man. I didn’t know I still had this in me. Thanks to Leon, it looks like life is about to get a lot more fun.