RAC

Chapter 7 – A Cute Little Girl

Marcel and I talked about nothing much as we walked back toward the plaza where the public carriages waited, and the moment it came into view I let my guard down. My foot caught. There was a child coming the other way and I was going straight into them, and then, half a step before the crash, a man cut into the gap. I hit him instead, full force.

“Owww.”

I’d taken it forehead-first, and the noise was out of me before I could stop it.

“You all right? I moved a beat too late, so stopping you came out rough.”

I looked up through the pain, and the second I saw his face I froze solid.

“Wait… aren’t you the boy from the restaurant? Leon, wasn’t it? What are you doing out here?”

That unstuck me. The man I’d just headbutted was the knight I’d walked into outside our restaurant on my very first day in this world.

“From that day. You’re… Frederick?”

“You remembered.”

Thank goodness the name surfaced in time. I’d half let it go, honestly. I never expected to see him again.

“Sorry for running into you a second time.”

“Don’t worry about it. This one’s on me.”

He wasn’t wrong. I’d been about to flatten some other kid and he stepped in to take the hit himself. Which reminds me, where did that kid go?

I was still wondering when a girl about my own age peeked out from behind him. …Sh-she’s. She’s unbelievably cute. Soft, beautiful blonde hair and eyes a pale pink. What is she, a doll? No, dolls don’t have faces that move like that, which puts her several rungs above a doll.

“Frederick, is something the matter? Do you know this boy?”

“Lady Martine. The boy I collided with just now happens to be a slight acquaintance of mine. Forgive me for keeping you waiting.”

“There is nothing to forgive. I am the one who nearly walked into him, so I am the one who ought to apologize. What is your name?”

“My name is Leon.”

“Leon. I am Martine. I am sorry for very nearly walking into you. That is why you collided with Frederick instead, is it not?”

“N-no, I’m the one who stumbled, so the fault is mine. I’m very sorry.”

Somewhere in the middle of that exchange I noticed something alarming. Her face had knocked everything else out of my head at first, but the girl’s clothes were seriously expensive. And Frederick had called her ‘Lady Martine.’

If Frederick’s a knight, then anyone a knight calls ‘Lady’ is nobility, no question about it. She’s a noble’s daughter! Thank goodness I didn’t actually hit her. Frederick, sir, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I was quietly going to pieces over that when Marcel doubled back for me. He’d been a few paces ahead, so it had taken him a while to notice I’d run into anyone at all.

“Leon, what’s the trouble?”

“Marcel, I ran into this gentleman.”

“Sorry for the trouble… Eh?”

He’d started apologizing along with me, then looked at Frederick, then at Lady Martine, and stopped dead. So they really are a big deal. Why did I have to trip! Marcel, I’m so sorry.

“You are Master Marcel, if I am not mistaken?”

“Y-yes. Marcel Roncoli, sir. It is an honor to meet you.”

Marcel was greeting the two of them in the most courteous voice I’d ever heard out of him. I coped by fleeing into trivia. Huh. So Marcel’s family name is Roncoli.

“Frederick.”

One word from Lady Martine, and apparently he understood the whole sentence, because he bent down and murmured something in her ear. Then she turned to Marcel with a bright smile.

“Master Marcel, we have not met before. My name is Martine. Please, address me as Martine and nothing else.”

She leaned on the name, very slightly, and smiled again. Something settled behind Marcel’s face, and he bowed his head.

“As you wish, Lady Martine.”

That exchange had a second floor to it. What was that about? Maybe Marcel knows who she actually is, and she was telling him not to say it out loud.

Come to think of it, if she’s placed that high, her walking around out here is strange in the first place. Maybe she’s out incognito.

“You as well, Leon. Martine, please.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Being handed the conversation out of nowhere startled me, but I got the words out steadily enough.

“Are you a commoner, Leon? What brings you to the central district?”

“I am. Marcel was showing me around today.”

“Is this your first time here?”

“Yes. It’s so lively, and I’ve had a wonderful time. The food we had earlier was delicious. It honestly moved me.”

“Walking through town is a pleasure, is it not? I love it too. What did you eat?”

“French toast! It was so sweet, and it was so good!”

The taste of pure happiness came back to me and my volume went up before I could stop it. Oh no. That’s a lot of energy to throw at somebody that highly placed. Was that rude? I was scrambling for an apology when she laughed first, a small delighted sound.

“It was that good, then. Do you like sweet things?”

“Y-yes. Sweet things make me happy…”

“I understand completely! So do I.”

“You like them too, Lady Martine?”

“I adore them!”

She said it beaming, and the sheer wattage of that smile ought to be regulated. Then, still beaming, she leaned in over the space between us and asked me for something.

“Leon, I have a favor to ask. Please be my friend!”

…Huh? Hold on, how did we get here? We have literally only just met. I was still floundering in the wreckage of the conversation when Frederick stepped in.

“Lady Martine, you cannot simply befriend a stranger on the spot. He could be dangerous.”

“I know that, but there is hardly a commoner alive who will talk to me like a normal person, and he loves sweet things exactly as I do besides… I want to be his friend. The merchants bring their children sometimes and not one of them will even meet my eyes. Leon looks straight at me when he speaks. It made me so happy! And he cannot possibly be dangerous. He is an acquaintance of yours, and of Master Marcel’s as well.”

“That is so, but… Leon and I have spoken exactly once.”

Go, Frederick! Look, of course I want to be friends with an unbelievably cute girl. What I do not want is a highly placed girl in my life! Every instinct I have says this ends in trouble!

And Lady Martine, for the record, I’m fairly sure every child you’ve ever met was either frozen stiff with nerves or too dazzled by your face to form a sentence. It’s one or the other. I can hold a conversation with you purely because I’m a lot older on the inside than I look!

“That may be true of you, Frederick, but he and Master Marcel are plainly close. They are out walking together, after all. Or is Master Marcel not to be trusted?”

“Master Marcel is trustworthy, but…”

Frederick’s losing! Hold the line!

“Then there is no difficulty at all. Let us find a cafe and talk a while, so that we may come to know one another!”

“…A conversation in a cafe. Very well. That much is acceptable.”

He lost! And now I’m supposed to make conversation in a cafe, with no idea on earth what to say. Haaah. My stomach hurts.

So the four of us filed into a stylish cafe a few doors along and took a table for four. Lady Martine sat across from me with Frederick beside her, and Marcel took the chair next to mine. We each ordered a drink, and over those drinks the talking began.

Lady Martine spoke first, which made sense, since she was presumably the highest-ranked person at the table. Natural enough, I suppose. That’s how a world with ranks works. It still takes some getting used to, watching a little girl address grown men by name alone and sit at the top of the table while she does it.

“How is it that you and Leon know one another, Master Marcel?”

“I keep a magic tool workshop near his home, my lady. He came knocking at my door one day, and that was that.”

“I see. And whereabouts is your home, Leon?”

“The western edge of the royal capital. My parents run a restaurant there.”

“Oh, your family keeps a restaurant! I should love to visit one day!”

She said it with a completely innocent smile. If she ever actually turned up at our place my stomach would not survive it. Please, no. Anything but that. Something up there must have heard me, because Frederick shut it down.

“Lady Martine, that is out of the question. The agreement is that your outings end at the central district.”

“I know that, but… I have only just made a friend…”

Her whole face fell at once. Watching somebody deflate like that makes you feel like the villain even when you’ve done nothing.

Only just made a friend. What does that mean? Setting aside that I’d apparently been promoted to friend without a vote, does she not have any others? I’d pictured a girl like her with a pile of noble friends and a calendar full of elegant tea parties. Maybe that isn’t how it actually works.

If it isn’t, turning her down starts to feel cruel. What do I do… She doesn’t strike me as one of the bad nobles, and honestly, her dropping by the restaurant for a day wouldn’t kill me. Oh. Or would it be better if I went to her? A moment ago I was calling this connection a liability, and now a girl looks sad and I want to fix it for her. That’s my Japanese pushover streak, activating right on schedule. Haaah. But if I do nothing I don’t think I’ll ever get that face out of my head.

I wanted the smile back, so my mouth opened on its own.

“Um. I don’t really understand the circumstances, but I don’t mind at all if you come to the restaurant. Or would it be better if I called on you instead?”

The smile came back the instant the words were out, spreading until it had taken over her whole face.

“Is that truly all right!? Then I shall come to you!”

“Lady Martine! It is not all right. Leon, I’m sorry, but Lady Martine is not in a position to go out wherever she pleases.”

You can tell that at a glance. Still, a girl of about eight who can’t even go and play with a friend is a sad thing… Surely one day of fresh air wouldn’t hurt anybody.

Except Frederick is never going to sign off on it as it stands. There has to be a better reason somewhere… Wait. That might actually work.

“Lady Martine, you’ve never visited a commoner’s home, have you?”

“No. I have studied how the common people live, but I have never seen it for myself.”

“Then would you come to my home as fieldwork? A practical study, seeing a commoner’s life firsthand.”

“That is a wonderful idea! I should very much like to! Frederick, on those terms it is acceptable, is it not?”

“No. Leaving the central district is still…”

“Frederick, Father says it constantly. It is important to know how the common people live. Only by knowing how they live can one govern them well. Is that not so?”

Frederick’s face went pained at that. Amazing, she’s really pushing! One more shove ought to do it.

“Am I not to be allowed to learn?”

“O-of course you must. It would be a problem if you did not.”

“Then I may go and study. Yes?”

He let out a long, defeated sigh and gave in.

“As you wish. I will make the arrangements so that you may visit Leon’s home on those grounds.”

“Thank you, Frederick! I am so pleased!”

One visit to my house and she was over the moon about it, and the smile she turned on me was small and unguarded and worth every bit of the trouble ahead. If that’s all it took to make her this happy, I’m glad I bothered thinking. The day itself is going to be brutal, but for a smile like that I can put in the work.

With the visit settled, she turned to Frederick in high spirits.

“How did you come to know Leon, Frederick? You called him a slight acquaintance earlier.”

“On a day off some while ago I happened to be out near his home, and I collided with a child in front of the restaurant. That child was Leon.”

“I see. Though I notice you go outside the central district as a matter of course. You tell me I may not, every single time. That is unfair.”

She pushed her lips out, just slightly, and looked up at him.

“Th-that is because your position and mine are not the same, my lady.”

“I understand that, and it is still unfair. From now on I shall forgive you provided you bring me back a souvenir.”

“As you wish.”

He answered with the look of a man swallowing a laugh, then cleared his throat and changed the subject. Anything to stop being cross-examined.

“That reminds me. Master Marcel said he’d been showing you around. What brought the two of you to the central district? Sightseeing?”

I had to think about that one. If I told him we’d gone to the bank he’d ask why, and answering that means explaining that I’m going to be designing magic tools. Something tells me that’s information I should keep to myself. Marcel did say it’s better not to show people the parts of me that don’t fit.

So I went with sightseeing.

“Sightseeing. I mentioned I’d never been to the central district and Marcel brought me along. The food at the cafe was wonderful!”

“Glad to hear it. Come to think of it, the bruschetta here is very good. Room for some?”

“I-I’ve got room, but I’m fine, really!”

I turned it down as fast as I could and he ordered it anyway, smiling the whole time. Now I look like a kid who can’t stop eating… That’s a little embarrassing. I ducked my head to keep anyone from seeing the heat climbing up my face, and that was when Lady Martine picked up the menu.

“Frederick, I should like to order as well. One chouet.”

“As you wish.”

After she gave him the order she glanced at me and smiled, small enough that nobody else at the table would have caught it. Wait. Did she pick up that I was embarrassed and order something so I wouldn’t be the only one eating?

Beautiful and kind on top of it. She’s sitting right in front of me and I still half doubt she’s a real person.

I wanted to thank her, except thanking her out loud would wreck the whole point of doing it quietly. So I asked about the food instead.

“What sort of dish is a chouet?”

The name hadn’t come through in Japanese, which means it belongs to this world and has no equivalent back home. Either that or it’s something I simply never ran into. I’d been curious about it on the menu earlier and too nervous to order it.

“You do not know what a chouet is, Leon?”

“No, my lady. It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“I see. I am very fond of chouet. Tasting it will be quicker than any explanation, so I shall give you half of mine.”

“N-no, I couldn’t possibly…”

“Think nothing of it. In exchange, may I have one of your bruschetta?”

“Of course you can!”

“Then it is a trade.”

She beamed at me. There’s nothing childlike about the way this girl runs a table… I can’t tell whether that’s noble education or simply her, but either way she’s genuinely kind. I found myself smiling back.

“Then I accept. Thank you very much.”

A short wait later the bruschetta and the chouet arrived.

He’d ordered two plates of the bruschetta, one set between Lady Martine and me, the other between him and Marcel. The chouet went in front of her. We were each handed a small plate, a knife, and a fork.

The chouet looked like a boiled egg. Sliced into rounds and arranged elegantly on the dish, but a boiled egg. Salted, maybe? Well, finding out is the fun part.

“Leon, try it, the bruschetta here really is good. You as well, Master Marcel. Lady Martine, a moment, if you would.”

Then he drew her plates across, cut a piece from the bruschetta and ate it, and did the same with the chouet. Only after that, and after a pause long enough to matter, did he set them back down in front of her.

Was that a taste test for poison? So nobles really do that… Nobles are terrifying. I’ve been saying I want to be one, but the job clearly has parts I hadn’t budgeted for. Maybe the dream is a nice low rank, nobody bothering to poison me, a quiet life somewhere…

“Let us eat, then.”

Lady Martine said it with a smile, which finally snapped me back, and I hurried a piece of bruschetta onto my plate. Knife and fork, as neatly as I could manage. Delicious! The tomato and the cheese hit exactly right together. This is superb.

“It is good, truly.”

“I’m glad it’s to your taste, my lady.”

“It really is. This is so good…”

“Told you. It’s a favorite of mine. What about you, Master Marcel? To your liking?”

“It is very good indeed. The sort of thing that brings a man back.”

“I’m glad to hear you say so.”

That bruschetta really was that good. I’d have been a regular back in Japan too. Eating something delicious just makes a person happy.

The four of us worked through it in fine spirits, and because it was that good it vanished fast. I’m coming back here every time I’m in the central district. I was sitting in that warm, full feeling when Lady Martine spoke to me.

“Leon, have you room for more?”

Right. The chouet.

“Yes, I do have room. But are you truly sure about sharing it?”

“Of course. Please.”

She held the plate out to me, and I took about a third of what was on it.

“Let us eat together, then.”

Up close it’s a boiled egg, no argument. Except there’s something drizzled over the top… What is that? Olive oil? I was still guessing when I put it in my mouth, and I froze mid-bite.

It’s a dessert! It’s sweet! The drizzle is honey, I think, and the egg itself is gently sweetened as well. My head had boiled eggs filed under savory, so this was a genuine shock.

The surprise drowned out the flavor the first time, so I took another bite.

Yes. This is good. Simple, sweet in exactly the right amount, and I could probably eat it forever. We really didn’t have anything like this in Japan. Or we did and I never met it, but it wasn’t anywhere in my range.

Learning a new food is fun.

“Well, Leon?”

“It’s wonderful. I didn’t expect a dessert, so the first bite surprised me, but it really is wonderful. It’s simple and it isn’t heavy at all. I feel as though I could keep eating it forever.”

“Precisely! I would happily eat it forever as well, but too much is bad for the body, so I am permitted only one a day.”

“Too much of anything isn’t good for you, I suppose.”

“I understand that perfectly well, and I still want more!”

That right there is a perfectly ordinary eight-year-old, and it’s adorable. I worked through my share of the chouet, thoroughly charmed.

The chouet went the way of the bruschetta, and afterward we sat over our tea in a comfortable, unhurried quiet. Frederick broke it first.

“So, Leon. Will you be taking over the restaurant one day?”

Out of nowhere. I hesitated over the answer, then decided it was safe enough. Commoners do take the Royal Academy exam, whether or not they pass. So I told him the truth.

“I’m planning to take the entrance exam for the Royal Academy. I don’t know whether I’ll pass…”

Lady Martine’s reaction was somewhat out of proportion.

“Truly!? Then you will be coming to the Royal Academy!”

“Yes. Ah, if I pass, that is.”

“You will pass! Oh, now I am looking forward to enrolling!”

She was thrilled, for reasons I couldn’t follow. I don’t get it, but if she’s happy, good.

“Why the Royal Academy, Leon? Plenty of commoners take the exam, granted. Do you have a particular reason?”

“Yes. I saw the magic tools in Marcel’s workshop and thought they were wonderful, and I heard that officials are given dormitories with magic tools in them, so…”

“Ha! They are convenient, I’ll grant you that. You really are an interesting one, Leon. Not like the usual commoner. Ask most of them and you get two answers and never a third. I want to rise, and I want money.”

He was laughing pretty hard. Was my answer strange? Anyone would want magic tools! They’re incredibly useful!

“I have certainly never met a child like Leon before. As I said earlier, every commoner child I have met simply stared into space and would not hold a conversation. Noble children will converse, but one can see straight through them, all that trying to be liked. I do not care for it.”

I’m fairly sure those commoner children were staring at you, Lady Martine. Anyone would. As for the noble children, if a boy thinks there’s a marriage at the end of this he’s going to work every angle he has, isn’t he? And the girls will do the same if being your friend means a safe position later on. So they’re all spinning their wheels. Trying so hard to be liked that they end up disliked instead.

“Am I strange, then?”

“Of course you are not! I like you far better than any of the others!”

She said it with a radiant smile. D-don’t tell somebody you like them with eyes that clear. I’m twenty on the inside and I’m still going red, so please stop! That face of hers has genuine offensive capability!

Her and that smile had me quietly falling apart, and it was Frederick who pulled the conversation back.

“Sorry for laughing, Leon. You’re not strange. You’re just a little different from other children, and not in a bad direction, so don’t let it bother you.”

Is that right? Well. If he says so, I’ll try not to worry about it.

“Back to the point. You want into the Royal Academy. Are you keeping up with your studies?”

“No, that’s the trouble. I don’t know anyone who could teach me. I’ve been hoping to at least get hold of the study materials somehow.”

“You don’t need a teacher? Wait. Can you already read and write?”

Ah! I’ve said too much again. I clapped a hand over my own mouth, far too late. Better not to make it worse with a clumsy lie.

“Yes. I can read and write, but I don’t know what the exam is even like, so I want the materials.”

“Where did you learn your letters? The same person who taught you to speak politely, the one you mentioned before?”

“That’s right. An old man who lived nearby taught me.”

“You’ve had real luck, Leon. Teaching you to handle polite speech that naturally, and your letters on top of it. He must have been quite a teacher.”

“Yes. I’m very grateful to him.”

I’ve been running that story since day one, but does anybody actually believe it? Nothing in Frederick’s face gives him away. Nobles and their poker faces. All the same, I get the feeling he isn’t finished wondering about me. Which is fair, honestly. We’re near enough strangers.

I was busy thinking rude things about him when Lady Martine spoke up.

“Frederick. Surely we may give him as many study materials as he needs?”

“My lady, I was on the point of saying the same. Leon, I’ll see that you get them.”

Huh? Really!? I had no route to those books at all, so I’m genuinely grateful, but is that all right, for somebody he’s only just met?

“Are you truly sure?”

“Of course. Study materials aren’t that expensive.”

Take the offer. If I let this one go I don’t think it comes around again.

“Then, may I ask you to?”

“Sure. Next day off I get, I’ll bring them by the restaurant.”

“Thank you so much!”

By then the tea was gone and the table had the feel of a gathering about to break up.

“We should be starting back, my lady.”

“Must we already? Surely a little longer would do no harm.”

“We are past our allotted time as it is. If we do not return promptly, permission will not be granted next time.”

“That would be a disaster. Very well, we shall go home today. Leon, I am looking forward to visiting the restaurant! Until we meet again.”

She stood, smiling. I scrambled up to see her off.

“I’ll be looking forward to seeing you again as well.”

“Leon. I’ll bring those materials by.”

“Yes. Thank you, I’d be grateful.”

And with that the two of them left. I must have been holding myself together the whole time, because the moment they were out of sight I let out an enormous breath and sank back into my chair.

I stretched hard, trying to work the stiffness out of me, and that was when I noticed something odd. Huh? The customers are gone. This place was full a minute ago!?

That frightened me enough to look up at Marcel. His jaw had not loosened at all. I picked my words carefully.

“…Um. Marcel?”

“What is it?”

Just getting an answer out of him made me sigh with relief.

“Why is there nobody else in here?”

“You didn’t notice? Within a few minutes of us walking in, every customer in the place had been swapped out for guards.”

Huh… Guards. Hers? Frederick wasn’t the only one!?

If walking through town takes that much security, who on earth is she?

“Marcel, you know Frederick and Lady Martine, don’t you? Who are they? I’d worked out they were high-ranking nobles, at least.”

“Those two are Lady Martine Lathlasia and Lord Frederick Townsend.”

Lathlasia. I’ve heard that somewhere. Where was it… It’s in Leon’s memories somewhere… That’s it! It’s the name of the country. The Kingdom of Lathlasia.

Wait. Which would make her… Is Lady Martine a princess!?

“M-Marcel! Is Lady Martine possibly…”

“Aye. Her Royal Highness the First Princess.”

Forget high-ranking nobles! She’s a princess!

Was I all right back there? Did I do anything disrespectful? Hold on. If Lord Frederick is the one guarding her, that makes him nobility too. High-ranking nobility, even?

“Marcel, is House Townsend one of the upper ranks?”

“They’re a ducal house. Lord Frederick is the third son of the previous Duke of Townsend. He won’t inherit the dukedom, but he’s an excellent knight and they say he’ll be granted a knighthood of his own. A duke’s house behind him and a title of his own ahead of him, so he’s a well-known man among the nobility. And he’s eighteen and already serving in the Royal Guard, which is close to unheard of.”

So he’s a monumentally big deal. And I’d been calling him plain Frederick all afternoon, hadn’t I. It’s Lord Frederick, you idiot!

“Marcel, what do I do? I had no idea they were that important! Could I be accused of disrespect? Oh no, I took food off a princess’s plate. And she’s coming to our restaurant! Marcel, what do I do!”

“Settle down. The pair of them plainly took to you, so nobody’s going to call it disrespect. The restaurant visit surprised me as well, and all I can tell you there is good luck. Lady Martine told me with a look not to call her Your Highness, so I’d say the thing to do is treat her normally and not pile the deference on.”

“That’s easy to say, but it’s difficult now that I know! Wait. She told you not to say it. Was it all right to tell me?”

“Aye. Lord Frederick took me aside as the two of them were leaving and asked me to let you know who she was.”

“I see. Honestly, I’d have been much more comfortable not knowing!”

Haaah. A wave of exhaustion rolled over me. All right: they’re enormously important people. But going by the afternoon I’ve just spent with them they’re also good people, so I think I’ll stop worrying about it. Yes. No more thinking. Lady Martine really is lovely, and if that’s what the royal family is like, this kingdom is in good hands. Let’s go with that.

“I’m worn out myself. Let’s get home.”

“Same here. And I’m sorry for dragging you into that.”

“Think nothing of it. Better it happened with me there than with you on your own.”

“You’re right. I’m glad you were with me.”

Marcel and I rode the public carriage home with barely a word between us. Get home, and rest first. Rattling along in the back of the carriage, that was as far as I got.

Chapter 6 – The Capital’s Central District

The next morning, I woke up buzzing with excitement as I got ready to head out. Today was the day I was finally going to the central district.

I wanted to make sure I didn’t stick out too much, so I changed into my newest clothes and put on the leather shoes I usually wore to the forest. It had to be better than wearing ragged, patched-up clothes and shoes woven from grass. To put it nicely, the people around here really cherish their belongings; even if clothes tear, they mend them and keep wearing them. Eventually, they turn them into dust cloths and use them until they literally fall apart. That makes clothes without patches a rarity.

Wearing my precious outfit and leather shoes, I tied a small hemp sack containing my entire life savings to my waist. By ‘entire life savings,’ I mean just a few small copper coins—worth only a few hundred yen in Japanese currency—but I figured it was better than being penniless.

Alright, ready to go! Let’s get moving!

It was still early in the morning, but I was too fidgety to sit still, so I decided to head over to Marcel’s place. Even if I was too early, I could just think about magic tools while I waited.

“Okay, Mom, Dad, I’m off! Marie, I’m leaving now. Good luck with the diner!”

“Be careful out there.”

“Watch your step.”

“Big brother, tell me all about it when you get back!”

“I will! See you later!”

When Marie heard I was going to the central district, she threw a bit of a tantrum wanting to come along. But the moment Mom mentioned she was making raspberry pancakes for lunch, she suddenly stopped complaining. Marie acts mature sometimes, but moments like that remind me she’s still just a kid. It was heartwarming. If I can afford it, I should buy her a souvenir.

Thinking about that as I walked, I arrived at Marcel’s house in no time. I went to open the door as usual, but it was locked. I guess I really was too early… Still, hoping he might at least let me wait inside, I knocked and called out loudly.

“Marcel! Good morning!”

After waiting a while, the door opened, and Marcel welcomed me.

“Leon, you’re way too early.”

“I was just so excited I couldn’t sit still.”

“Hah, well, I suppose we can take our time getting there. That’s fine.”

Marcel let out a sigh with an exasperated look on his face.

“I thought we’d take the midday public carriage, but we can probably catch an earlier one. Do you want to head out right now?”

“Yes! Going right now sounds great!”

“Alright, wait here a moment.”

Marcel went back inside. He probably hadn’t finished getting ready.

A few minutes later, Marcel came out wearing clothes that were far superior to his usual attire. The fabric looked soft and high-quality, and the colors were vibrant. Seeing him like this reminded me that Marcel really is a quasi-noble. usually, he just feels like a regular old grandpa…

I obviously couldn’t say that to his face, though. While I was thinking these rather rude thoughts, Marcel peered at my face with a suspicious expression.

“Leon? Why are you zoning out? You aren’t thinking this doesn’t suit me, are you?”

“N-No, not at all! I was just thinking that you really look like a noble.”

“This outfit is actually the lowest tier of noble wear. Even wealthy commoner merchants sometimes wear things nicer than this.”

“Is that so?”

Looking up at the wealthy makes me feel empty… I thought as I looked down at my own clothes. Is my family considered poor even among commoners? We have a house and live in the royal capital, so I thought we were doing okay. I really don’t understand the standard. But if my family’s life is considered ‘good,’ then anyone below us must be living a pretty tragic life. Thinking about it that way, maybe we are on the poorer side.

While I was comparing my clothes to Marcel’s and pondering my social standing, Marcel locked his door and finished his preparations.

“Right, let’s go. The public carriage stop is near the plaza.”

“Okay! Oh… how much does the carriage cost?”

I hadn’t thought about the fare at all. Nervous that I might not have enough, I timidly asked Marcel.

“To the central district? About one copper coin.”

“One copper coin!?”

What do I do? That’s already over my budget. Is the carriage that expensive?! Actually, the problem is that my ‘life savings’ is just a few small copper coins. I have way too little pocket money… Seriously, what should I do? Maybe I can ask him to pay for everything today and deduct it from my future earnings? But asking for an advance before I’ve even earned a penny seems pretty bold, doesn’t it?

As I stood there flustered, trying to figure out what to do, Marcel noticed and spoke in an exasperated tone.

“Leon, I’m not going to make you pay. You don’t need to panic. I intended to pay for everything today anyway, except for the deposit to open the account.”

“Eh!? That’s incredibly generous of you, but are you sure? I’m just a stranger…”

“I don’t think of you as just a stranger. If I did, I wouldn’t be going out of my way to take you to the central district. I never married, so I have no children or grandchildren. Watching you, Leon, makes me think that if I did have a grandson, he’d be like this. It makes me happy.”

…Marcel, what a good person you are! I will absolutely repay this favor someday. First, I need to work hard on thinking up magic tools.

Also, I feel like I might be able to tell Marcel about my affinities… Thinking that made my heart feel a lot lighter. Keeping it a secret from everyone is tough, after all.

For now, I’ll enjoy the central district, and maybe I’ll tell him after we get back.

“Thank you so much, Marcel! I’ll accept your offer for today. Please make sure to deduct it from the money you transfer to me later.”

When I said that with a much brighter smile than before, Marcel made that exasperated face again and let out a big sigh.

“Haaah… I’m not going to go out of my way to collect money from you, Leon. I’ll take the account deposit later because that was the promise, but everything else is my treat. Don’t make me say it again. Look, we’re almost there.”

“Eh!? But that’s bad!”

“Just accept it as the selfishness of an old man who wants to spoil his grandson.”

After saying that, Marcel turned away, looking a little embarrassed. How can I refuse when he puts it like that? To be honest, I’m incredibly happy.

“I understand. Thank you very much!”

I replied with a beaming smile.

The public carriage stop we arrived at was a bit distance from the plaza near my house. There were several carriages, apparently heading in various directions. The drivers held signs indicating their destinations, but they also called them out for people who couldn’t read. Since we were going to the central district, we headed toward that carriage.

“Two of us. Can we board?”

“Yes, it’s one copper coin per person.”

“Here’s two copper coins, covering the lad as well.”

“Thank you. Go ahead.”

Once the money was paid, we were allowed to board. It was a covered wagon with a cloth-like material draped over it, pulled by two horses. We entered from the back. Inside, there were wooden benches on either side. A couple who looked to be in their forties and a young woman in her late teens were already seated.

When Marcel and I sat down, the couple spoke to us.

“Hello there. Are you sightseeing today?”

“We have a bit of business to attend to.”

“Oh, is that so? We’re going for sightseeing.”

“Well then, I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

Marcel chatted with the wife. So there are people who go to the central district just for tourism. Come to think of it, the couple’s clothes were dyed nicely and didn’t have any patches. They were slightly lower quality than Marcel’s, but still good clothes. They must be wealthy commoners.

Compared to them, the young woman sitting there looked about the same as my family, maybe even poorer. I was wearing my one patch-free outfit, but she was going to the central district in clothes full of patches. Why would she go there if she’s that poor?

I must have been staring at her blankly while thinking that, because our eyes met.

“You want something, kid?”

“Ah, um, I was just wondering what you were going to do in the central district… I’m sorry for staring!”

She seemed a bit annoyed, so I hurriedly apologized.

“You don’t have to apologize. I’m going to look for work. It’s not that unusual. There aren’t many jobs around here, so lots of people go to the central district. There’s plenty of work in servant roles for nobles or merchant houses.”

“I see. Thank you.”

When I thanked her, she abruptly looked away. Did I offend her? I probably shouldn’t talk to her anymore.

Still, I didn’t realize so many people went to the central district to find work. She mentioned working as a servant for nobles, but that sounds like a tough job. It would be a nightmare if you ended up with an unreasonable noble… I guess your whole life depends on the luck of the job you find.

While I was thinking about that, the carriage started moving. It’s my first time riding a carriage, so I’m excited!

However, I could only maintain that carefree attitude for the first few minutes. The ride quality was awful! It shook constantly, and my butt hurt. For someone like me who has experienced the comfort of modern cars, this was torture. But everyone else was riding calmly, so I couldn’t complain. Just get there already!

Huff, huff… We finally got off the public carriage and arrived at the plaza at the entrance of the central district. That was brutal. Just constant shaking. The ground was dirt, so it was uneven, and we were bouncing around the whole time.

I miss Japanese roads! And the seats—wooden planks with zero cushioning—made my butt scream in pain.

“Leon, what’s wrong? Let’s go.”

“O-Okay…”

Enduring the pain in my rear, I managed to follow Marcel.

This seemed to be one of the entrances to the central district, opening into a large plaza. Beyond the plaza, the streets were paved with stone, and the town was incredibly beautiful. Anyone can enter, but dressing like a poor commoner like me makes you stick out. There are people like that young woman from the carriage, but once they find a job, they get uniforms, so there aren’t many people walking around in dirty clothes. Looking at the pedestrians, many seem to be wearing work clothes. Is everyone out on business?

As I observed my surroundings and walked down the wide stone-paved street, I saw many high-class shops lining the main avenue. But I didn’t see any buildings that looked like noble mansions. I wonder where they are?

“Marcel, where are the noble mansions?”

“Noble mansions don’t face the main avenue. You have to go further in, down the side streets. This area has the barons’ mansions. Go a bit further and you get viscounts, then counts, marquises, and finally dukes as you get closer to the royal castle. The higher the rank, the closer to the castle.”

“I see.”

So the noble titles really do follow that order. To a commoner, a noble is a noble, but among themselves, there must be a huge gap depending on rank. Being a noble seems tough, too.

Anyway, if they’re tucked away down the streets, I probably won’t be able to see the mansions. I was kind of curious, so that’s a shame. Well, Mom did say it’s better not to get involved with nobles, so maybe it’s for the best. Even though Marcel is technically a noble, too.

We’ve been walking for a while since arriving in the central district, observing the surroundings, but Marcel hasn’t stopped. We are heading to the bank, right? I recall Marcel saying the bank is near the royal castle. Are we walking all the way there?

“Marcel, we’re heading to the bank, right?”

“Yes, it’s best to get business done first.”

“That makes sense, but… are we walking all the way to the bank? Are there no public carriages in the central district?”

“No, there aren’t any public carriages here. Nobles travel in their own private carriages, so no one would use them. And commoners rarely come to the central district, let alone go near the castle.”

“But don’t they come to go to the bank?”

“They do, but any commoner with business at the bank usually owns their own carriage.”

I guess that’s true… Only exceptional commoners like me have to suffer like this. I want a carriage too. I’m envious of nobles who have their own.

“We’re almost there, though.”

As Marcel said that, a massive building came into view ahead. Knights were patrolling the perimeter, giving it a somewhat imposing atmosphere. Is that the bank?

“Is that the bank?”

“It is.”

That is incredibly intimidating to enter! If I came here alone, I’d probably be turned away at the gate. They say anyone can use it, but surely that’s just a formality. I’m so glad Marcel is here.

Feeling a bit nervous, we approached the building. Contrary to my expectation that we’d definitely be stopped, no one stopped us. However, once we got inside, I understood why. There was a line of knights standing inside as well.

This basically means no one would be stupid enough to try anything funny in a situation like this. Even if they did, they’d never succeed. Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, I walked timidly behind Marcel until we reached a reception counter. The receptionist was a young man.

“Hello. How may I help you?”

“I’d like to open an account for this child today. Can we do that quickly?”

“Is it for that child?”

“Yes.”

“Excuse me, but he doesn’t appear to need an account. Accounts expire if there is no movement of funds for three years. Are you sure?”

“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll pay the opening fee properly.”

The man hesitated for a moment at those words, but deciding there was no reason to refuse, he proceeded with the standard protocol.

“Understood. Please fill out these documents. We prefer the individual to write it themselves, but will he need a proxy?”

“No, he can write. It’s fine.”

“Understood. Please go ahead.”

That was a close call, but it looks like we’re okay. Thank goodness, my heart was pounding.

So I just have to write this document. It only asked for name, gender, age, and the name of the city I live in. I blanked on the city name for a second, but I searched Leon’s memories and remembered it immediately. The Royal Capital, Lasria. I need to memorize that. I filled out the form and handed it back to the receptionist, who checked it and then brought out something that looked like a crystal ball.

“Please flow a little bit of mana into this. We will record your mana signature.”

I did as I was told and flowed some mana into it. The crystal ball glowed briefly, but the light faded quickly.

“Your mana has been registered. It will take about ten minutes to create the account, so please wait a moment.”

With that, the receptionist disappeared into the back.

Um, what was that crystal ball? It can register mana? That’s some serious over-technology. How does that work?

“Marcel, what was that crystal ball?”

“Ah, that’s a crystal ball capable of registering mana. From now on, whenever you deposit or withdraw money, it can verify your identity.”

“Um, did someone invent that?”

“No, those were found about a hundred years ago in a church deep in the forest. I believe there were about a hundred crystal balls. At first, no one knew what they were for, but after research, they discovered that they could identify individuals via mana and that all the crystal balls were connected. Since then, banks have been using them.”

“I see. I wonder who made them?”

“No one knows. They say they are Relics of God.”

“Relics of God?”

“Aye. Items of unknown origin that cannot be destroyed and do not degrade are called Relics of God. It’s good that we found a use for those crystal balls, but apparently, there are still items whose purpose remains unknown.”

“I had no idea things like that existed…”

To think such things exist. Does that mean there really is a God in this world…? Or maybe God existed on Earth, too?

While I was pondering this, the receptionist returned.

“Thank you for waiting. Here is Leon-sama’s bank card.”

He handed me a palm-sized card made of wood. My name, account number, and the name of the registering branch were written on it.

“By presenting this bank card at the reception, we can verify your identity via mana, allowing you to withdraw, deposit, or transfer funds. Please be careful, as reissue fees for a lost card cost one silver coin. Now, the fee for opening the account today is three silver coins. Please proceed with payment.”

Three silver coins!? That’s so expensive! Most commoners couldn’t possibly afford that. And wait, is it really okay for Marcel to pay that much for me?

“Here are three silver coins.”

“Received. Thank you very much.”

The receptionist bowed slightly. So bowing exists in this culture. No one around me does it, so it’s the first time I’ve seen it. Wait, never mind that—the money!

I hurriedly chased after Marcel, who was already heading toward the exit.

“Marcel, are you sure about paying that? It’s so expensive!”

“I told you I’d pay for everything today, didn’t I? Besides, the promise is to deduct the account opening fee from the amount I transfer later, so there’s no problem. Personally, I wouldn’t mind not deducting it, though.”

“Please, make sure you deduct it!”

“Alright, alright. More importantly, you should buy something to hang that card around your neck so you don’t lose it. Next up is shopping.”

Marcel said that and kept walking briskly. Will he really deduct it? He seems like the type to say “don’t worry about small change” and end up paying for it himself… But arguing further won’t make him happy. I should just honestly thank him. But wait, he’s trying to buy me more stuff. Surely anything more than this is too much!

“Marcel, thank you. But really, you don’t need to get me anything else!”

“No, you should buy one. Besides, I haven’t had anyone to spend money on until now. Let me buy it for you.”

Marcel said this with a slightly happy expression. If he puts it like that, I can’t refuse…

“Then, I accept. Thank you so much, really.”

“Good. Now then, let’s do some sightseeing in the central district. We need to grab lunch, too.”

“Yes!”

I followed Marcel with a slightly wry smile.

We left the bank and walked with Marcel, looking at the shops in the central district.

“Let’s have lunch first. What do you want to eat, Leon?”

“Let’s see… what kind of places are there?”

“Well, there are high-class restaurants, trendy cafes, and standard diners for commoners.”

“There are diners for commoners here too?”

“Of course. Most of the employees in these shops are commoners, and there are many commoners working in the noble mansions. However, the prices are higher than in your neighborhood.”

I knew prices would be higher in the center. Anyway, given those three choices, there’s only one I can pick.

“I’ll take the commoner diner.”

“Alright, a trendy cafe it is.”

“Marcel! I didn’t say that!”

“It’s fine because I want to go. I actually wanted to go to a restaurant, but they have a dress code. You can’t get in with your outfit, Leon. Though, I suppose buying you clothes first and then going is an option?”

Buying clothes first!? That would be way too imposing!

“The cafe! I want to go to the cafe!”

“Good, let’s go to the cafe then.”

I feel like I’m dancing in the palm of Marcel’s hand. Well, I do want to go to a cafe, so I’ll gratefully let him treat me.

After walking for a while, we arrived at the cafe. From the outside, it just looked like a nice, ordinary house, but it had a stylish sign hanging out front.

Inside, unlike the tables in commoner homes which are just bare wood with no decoration, there were stylish tables and chairs painted white with intricate carvings on the edges.

“Welcome. Would that table over there suit you?”

“Is that okay, Leon?”

“Y-Yes! That’s fine.”

I wasn’t expecting him to ask me suddenly, so I panicked. A young woman showed us to our seats. I assume everyone working here is a commoner, but since they interact with nobles, they must be taught proper speech and etiquette. She was using polite language normally, which is different from the people around me.

“Here is the menu. Please call me when you have decided on your order.”

The waitress bowed and left.

“Leon, what would you like?”

“W-Wait a second.”

Marcel was already looking at the menu, so I hurriedly looked down at mine. True to the name ‘cafe,’ the menu was lined with fancy names. There were many things I recognized, like French Toast and Sandwiches, but there were also some dishes I’d never heard of.

This is just a guess, but I think my translation function translates things into Japanese names if a similar item exists in Japan, and if it doesn’t, it converts the local pronunciation into Katakana.

—

TL Note: Katakana is Japanese phonetic script used for foreign words. The MC notices his translation converts unfamiliar terms phonetically rather than finding Japanese equivalents.

—

And presumably, the words I speak are being translated into this world’s language. It’s incredibly convenient, but a mysterious ability… Well, it works, so whatever. Anyway, lunch first!

What should I get… Okay, I’ll go with a sandwich and French toast.

“Marcel, I’d like a sandwich and French toast.”

“What about a drink?”

Right, drinks are on the menu too. Commoner diners only serve water, so this is the first time I’ve chosen a drink since coming to this world. Let’s see… looks like they have black tea, green tea, and fruit juice. Hmm? Green tea!? This world has green tea? I’ve had a vague feeling that this world is somewhat Japanese-ish. I wonder why. But since black tea and green tea come from the same leaves, maybe it’s normal to have both?

It’s frustrating having questions with no answers. It’s not like I can ask anyone… I’ll try not to worry about it.

“Black tea, please.”

“Understood. I’ll order then.”

Marcel called the waitress and placed the order. He ordered jam toast and black tea. I thought the food culture in this world wasn’t very developed, but looking at this menu, it might actually be quite advanced among the nobility and their circles. Maybe it only started developing recently and hasn’t trickled down to the commoners yet.

“Marcel, are noble meals much more developed than commoner ones?”

“I suppose so. It’s developed rapidly since the war ended over ten years ago. Before that, nobles just ate larger quantities and better cuts of meat, but recently, cooking methods have really evolved. Plus, we can import sugar now, so sweets are becoming more common.”

There was a war? I’m really glad it’s over… So, does that mean commoner tables will get richer soon?

“Will commoner meals get better soon too?”

“Well, eventually, I suppose. But that’s decades away. It might spread to the wealthy class relatively quickly, but the poor have little connection to the central district.”

Is that so? Only the nobles again? I want to be a noble! I’m so jealous! For that, I definitely need to get into the Royal Academy.

As I renewed my resolve to enter the Royal Academy, the food arrived.

“Here you are.”

First the drinks came, then the food. Both the French toast and the sandwich looked incredibly delicious. My stomach involuntarily gave a loud growl. E-Embarrassing… let’s eat quickly.

“Shall we eat? Itadakimasu.”

“Itadakimasu!“

I decided to start with the sandwich. There was a knife and fork, so I assumed I should use them. My first silver cutlery in another world. Nobles probably have strict table manners. I glanced at Marcel, but his usage didn’t seem much different from how we use silverware in Japan, so I ate normally.

I held the sandwich with the fork and cut it with the knife. The first surprise: the bread isn’t hard! The bread generally eaten by commoners is rock-hard, like a baguette, but this was close to sandwich bread. Bread is evolving too.

Anyway, let’s take a bite. Chomp… Delicious! It’s insanely good! It has lettuce and chicken with something like a herb tomato sauce. Even by Japanese standards, this is a high-level sandwich. I devoured it in no time.

Next is the French toast. It looked like it was made from baguette, but it was incredibly soft. Chomp… Wow, the sweetness spreads in my mouth the moment I bite down. It’s too good! It’s the taste of happiness.

They definitely used sugar. It’s not much different from French toast in Japan. In fact, since I’ve been craving sweets so badly, it tastes even better. Oh no, I feel like I’m going to cry. Food really is important.

Finally, I drank the tea. It was fruitier than the tea I used to drink in Japan. It might even be better than the Japanese kind.

Ah~, everything was too delicious. I’m truly happy and completely satisfied. I definitely want to come back. As I let out a breath with a beaming smile, thinking about that, Marcel spoke to me.

“Was it good?”

Only then did I realize I had been eating in complete silence, utterly absorbed in the food.

“I-I’m sorry. It was so good I got lost in eating…”

“It’s fine. You looked so happy eating it, it made me feel happy too.”

Marcel said this with a bit of a teasing tone. E-Embarrassing… I’ll be careful next time.

“Um, it was incredibly delicious. Thank you for the meal.”

I was so embarrassed my voice came out small. Marcel chuckled a little at that and said,

“Glad to hear it. Well then, shall we go shopping next?”

Marcel stood up and paid the bill, and I followed him out of the shop.

“Right, next is a leather goods shop. You’ll want something that can hold a little money in addition to your bank card.”

Leather goods are definitely expensive. But rather than holding back, it’s better to accept his kindness gratefully.

“Thank you very much.”

We walked for a while after leaving the cafe and arrived in front of a fairly large shop. This seemed to be the main branch of a company dealing mainly in leather goods for nobles and the wealthy.

“Welcome. What are you looking for today?”

“I want something that hangs from the neck, capable of holding a bank card and a little money.”

“Certainly. In that case, we recommend this product here.”

The item the clerk showed us was like a pass case that hangs around the neck. No, it was bigger than a pass case, so strictly speaking, it was more like a wallet that hangs from the neck.

“Leon, which one do you like?”

Even if you ask me which one, they all look pretty much the same. If anything, the difference is just whether the color is dark or light…

“Um, I like the darker color.”

“Certainly. In that case, this product uses durable leather, so it comes highly recommended.”

The clerk recommended a specific one among the dark-colored ones. That’s very helpful.

“Okay, we’ll take that one.”

“Certainly. That will be five silver coins. Is that acceptable?”

“That’s fine.”

“Please pay here.”

Five silver coins!? That means it’s like 50,000 yen! Is it that expensive?! But Marcel is already paying… My debt of gratitude to Marcel just keeps piling up.

While I was panicking over the price, Marcel finished paying.

“Leon, put your bank card in it. It would be trouble if you lost it.”

“Yes, thank you so much.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I have leftover money since I had no one to spend it on.”

Marcel laughed as he said that. I’m truly grateful. I will absolutely repay him.

Thinking that, I put the bank card in the wallet he bought me. With this, I can wear it under my clothes at all times, even while sleeping. That’s the best security. Besides, carrying a high-quality wallet like this is basically announcing “I have money.” I’ll keep it tucked inside my clothes unless I’m in the central district.

“Is it in safely?”

“Yes! Perfect. Thank you.”

“Good. I plan on having you earn plenty for me from now on, after all.”

“Of course! I’ll work hard on thinking up magic tools.”

“Well, no need to rush. Shall we head home?”

“Yes. It takes a while, so we should probably head back.”

And so, Marcel and I started walking toward the plaza where we first got off the public carriage.

Chapter 5 – Magic

The next morning, I was buzzing with excitement right from the get-go, all because I was going to the church.

“You’ve been grinning all morning, big brother!”

“Marie, I’m going to the church today! I’m finally going to be able to use magic!”

“I know, big brother! You told me that a bunch of times yesterday!”

I was so happy I couldn’t hold it in, and I must have told Marie the same thing over and over yesterday, much to her annoyance. But I just couldn’t help myself. Even after breakfast, I was fidgeting and couldn’t focus on my usual chores like laundry and cleaning. I finally gave up, did a quick, sloppy job of cleaning, and decided to head over to Marcel’s place to let him know I was free to go to the central district tomorrow.

“Okay, I’m heading out to tell him about tomorrow!”

“Be careful out there!”

“Will do!”

I yelled back as I burst out the door and ran all the way to Marcel’s house. There wasn’t much time left before the lunch service started.

“Marcel! Hello!”

I shouted when I got to his house. After a short wait, Marcel poked his head out from the back door.

“Leon, what’s wrong? Forget somethin’?”

“No, that’s not it! I came to tell you I’m able to go to the central district tomorrow.”

“That was quick. Alright, why don’t we meet at my house tomorrow, then? The public carriage stop is right nearby.”

“Yes! That works perfectly.”

“I’ll get things ready, then.”

“Thank you! I’ll see you tomorrow!”

After finishing up with Marcel, I ran home again. Judging by the sun’s position, the midday bell was about to ring.

“I’m home!”

The midday bell rang at almost the exact same instant I opened the door and called out.

“Leon, prop the door open, please.”

Mom called that out from the kitchen, so I fixed the door open and waited in the dining hall for customers. Someone came in almost immediately, and I got busy helping with the lunch rush.

Some time passed as I helped with the busy lunch service. Now, it was finally over, and we were all eating lunch together.

“Marie, are you coming with us? You could go play with Nicola and Luke, too.”

“I’m coming with you!”

“Okay, then all four of us will go.”

It looked like we were all going to the church together. The lunch rush was so busy I’d forgotten about it for a second, but now I was getting all excited again! I mean, it’s magic. I’m going to be able to use magic!

I was so happy I couldn’t stop the goofy grin from spreading across my face.

“Mom, how do they do the mana measurement?”

“First, they measure your mana capacity. There’s a sort of metal plate that displays your mana level when you channel your magic into it. It shows a number from one to five, with five being the highest. Once they know your mana capacity, they find your magic affinity. To do that, you just try casting the basic magic for every affinity, one by one. The one that works is your affinity.”

So they use a device to measure mana capacity, but that doesn’t tell them the affinity. You just have to try them all until one works.

“You and Dad both have a fire affinity, right? Was it easy to use?”

“Yes, it was. When I tried the other affinities, nothing happened at all, but fire worked right away. I wonder what affinity you’ll have, Leon.”

So your own affinity just works immediately. I wonder what mine will be… I’m kind of hoping for healing. Being able to heal your own injuries would be a huge relief.

“I hope I get a healing affinity! Are some affinities more common than others?”

“A healing affinity is convenient, that’s for sure. You wouldn’t have to go to the clinic and pay money if you get hurt. But there is a bit of a skew in affinities. They say fire is the most common, and healing is the rarest.”

“Oh. Well, I guess I probably won’t get healing, then.”

“It’s not that rare. So you still have a chance.”

So there isn’t an extreme imbalance, but some are more common than others. I’m dying to know what mine is. I know I’ll find out when we go to the church, but I want to know now.

After lunch, we got ready to go and all walked to the church together. It was only about a twenty-minute walk, so it’s pretty close.

Whoa! So that’s the church. It’s got a certain… atmosphere. The building in the center looked like a chapel with a steeple, and it was connected by covered walkways to two slightly smaller buildings on either side. Overall, it was compact, but very neat and tidy.

“Mom, what are the buildings on the left and right?”

“An orphanage and a clinic. Churches always have them attached.”

So the church also serves as an orphanage and a hospital? Man, churches here are all-purpose. Speaking of which, I wonder what faith is like in this world.

“Mom, do people pray at the church a lot?”

“Hmm, some people do, but they’re in the minority. There are lots of churches, but I think most people see them as places for mana measurements or as clinics, rather than places for prayer.”

“Oh, really?”

If that’s the case, religion probably isn’t super powerful in this world. As a former Japanese person, dealing with strong religion is a pain, so that’s a relief.

While we were talking, we stepped inside the church. At the far end, there was what looked like a statue of a god, with long pews lined up facing it. Along the walls, there were several long tables and chairs, with a few people sitting at them. It looked like some kind of reception area.

When they saw us come in, one of the women sitting there walked over.

“Hello. How may I help you today?”

Dad answered her.

“We’re here for my son Leon’s mana measurement. Would it be possible to do that now?”

“Yes, there’s no one else waiting today, so we can do it right away.”

“That’s wonderful. I’ll leave Leon in your care, then.”

“Understood. Alright, Leon, please come this way.”

The woman pointed to one of the doors on the side of the chapel.

“I have to go by myself?”

I asked, feeling a little anxious about being alone at the church, but apparently, the mana measurement was done alone. Nothing I can do about it, I guess.

“Alright, Leon, do your best. We’ll be waiting right here,” Dad said.

“Do a good job, Leon.”

“Good luck, big brother!”

With everyone seeing me off, I passed through the indicated door.

The room I entered was extremely simple. There was just a table in the middle with two chairs facing each other. A metal plate was sitting on the table.

“Please sit in the chair closest to you.”

“Okay.”

I sat down, feeling a little nervous.

“We’ll begin the mana measurement. First, we’ll measure your mana capacity, so please place your hand on this metal plate. When you put your hand on it, it will automatically draw out your mana. Try to remember that sensation. It’s the same feeling as when you use magic.”

“Got it.”

I replied and nervously placed my hand on the metal plate. As I did, I felt something being drawn out from inside my body. So this is mana… I never noticed it at all before.

Maybe you only become aware of your mana, and thus able to use magic, after using this device. After my mana was drawn out for a short while, the woman spoke.

“You can take your hand off now.”

“Okay.”

“Your mana capacity has been measured. Your level is… five. That’s amazing! That’s the highest possible level. You’d even qualify to take the soldier’s exam.”

“The soldier’s exam?”

“To become a knight, you have to graduate from the Royal Academy, but commoners can become soldiers if their mana capacity is four or five and they pass a simple test. It’s a popular job because the pay is good.”

“Oh, that’s great!”

I fought the urge to speak formally and tried to sound like a kid. I didn’t know about the soldier thing. The good pay sounds nice, but I’m aiming for the Royal Academy, so I won’t be becoming a soldier.

“Alright, next let’s find your affinity. Do you know how many magic affinities there are?”

“Yep! Fire, water, wind, earth, body strengthening, and healing. Six of them!”

“That’s correct. We’ll have you try the simplest spell for each affinity, and the one you can use is your affinity. Which one would you like to try first?”

“I’d like to try healing.”

“Got it. The simplest healing-affinity magic is ‘Light.’ Hold out your index finger, imagine a light appearing on the tip, and chant ‘Light.’ You know how when you open a window during the day, light fills the room? Imagine that light. The most important thing for magic is visualization. If you layer your mana onto that image, the magic will activate. Once you’re used to it, you won’t need to chant, but for now, try chanting.”

“Okay. Light.”

I imagined my fingertip glowing, focused on that mana sensation from earlier, and chanted. Just as I’d pictured, my fingertip started to glow. Awesome! It worked! Magic is so cool.

“I did it!”

“So you have a healing affinity. Once you get the hang of magic, you’ll be able to use it easily with practice. Just remember that visualization is key, so keep practicing. The other famous healing-affinity spells are ‘Heal’ and ‘Purification.’ Heal mends wounds, and Purification cleans away dirt. But be careful, because both of them use a lot of mana. Purification, especially, is known for being very inefficient. Anyway, the fastest way to learn is to try them yourself. Oh, and—if you run out of mana, you’ll pass out.”

You pass out if you run out of mana!? That’s scary. I’ll have to be careful.

“I’ll be sure to practice carefully.”

“Good. You have a mana capacity of five, so you might even be able to heal broken bones.”

“Really! Can it cure sicknesses?”

“Healing magic can’t cure sickness. Only injuries.”

“Oh…”

Can it really not cure sicknesses? From what I’ve gathered, magic is determined by visualization and mana capacity, within the limits of one’s affinity. If that’s the case, it seems like a healing affinity should be able to cure sicknesses. Maybe I’ll try it out sometime. Well, after I get home.

“Well, keep practicing hard. Magic is very convenient to have. And since you have a healing affinity and a large mana capacity, you could work at the clinic. If you’re interested, please stop by.”

The woman said this with a smile that looked like a predator eyeing its prey. Sh-she’s terrifying… I should probably get out of here. If I stay, she might just force me to work at the clinic.

“Th-Thank you very much!”

I said quickly, standing up from the chair and heading for the door right behind me. After opening it, I thought I should at least say goodbye one more time before leaving, so I turned around. The woman was still staring at me with that same scary smile.

“S-So, I’ll, uh, be going now.”

“Yes, take care.”

She sent me off with normal words, but I was still spooked. Phew, I should probably avoid coming to the church too often…

After that final exchange, I returned to the chapel, where everyone was waiting for me. The moment I saw them, I felt all the tension just melt away.

“Leon, are you all done?”

“Yeah! My mana capacity is five, and I have a healing affinity!”

“You got a five?! That’s amazing, Leon. And with a healing affinity… I guess we can ask you to heal us if we get hurt.”

“That’s right. We’ll be counting on you from now on, Leon.”

“You got healing, big brother? Then it’s okay if I get hurt!”

“Marie, you should still try your best not to get hurt.”

“Okaay!”

Mom and Dad were smiling gently as they listened to me and Marie talk. I was truly, from the bottom of my heart, glad I got this affinity so I could heal my family.

“Well, shall we head home?”

“Yes. Let’s have a special, extravagant dinner tonight to celebrate.”

“Extravagant dinner! Yay!”

“Thanks, Mom!”

We left the church, chatting happily as we walked home. As I talked with everyone, I strengthened my resolve. I would practice hard and master this magic so I could protect my kind family.

After we got back from the church, Marie went to play at the neighbor’s house, and Mom and Dad started prepping for dinner. They said it would be extravagant, so I’m really looking forward to it.

I decided to start practicing magic right away and went to the living room. First, I should review ‘Light.’ Just like she taught me, I imagined a light on my fingertip…

Light.

A light, just as I’d imagined, appeared on my finger. I wonder if I can change the size? I tried, and I found I could make it very bright or very dim, and even change the color from white to yellow, all just by visualizing it.

Next, I’ll try casting without chanting. I pictured the light on my fingertip and tried moving my mana there. The light I imagined appeared. Success! Magic is incredible. Being able to do exactly what you imagine just by using mana… I have no idea what the principle behind it is, but it’s amazing.

Alright, next I’ll try ‘Heal.’ This is the one I want to master the most. But to test if ‘Heal’ is working properly, I need an injury…

I hate pain, but this is for practice! Steeling myself, I went to the storage room on the second floor. I grabbed the knife I take to the forest and gave my fingertip a small cut.

Ouch! This is going to suck if I can’t heal it. Thinking that, I pictured the wound closing and chanted, Heal.

Wow, the wound sealed up. It’s completely healed, like the cut was never even there. This is so amazing it’s almost hard to be surprised. What kind of principle is this? I can’t even begin to imagine.

But it felt like it used a lot more mana than the ‘Light’ spell. It also took a bit of time to heal. I wonder if a more detailed visualization would be better?

Wait, how do wounds heal? Platelets stop the bleeding, then the cells repair themselves, right? I don’t know the details, but visualizing something has to be better than nothing.

I cut my finger again and tried ‘Heal,’ this time visualizing everything I knew about the healing process. This time, the wound healed using about half the mana and in half the time. Incredible. Visualization really is the most important part.

Does this mean… if I can visualize it properly, I might be able to heal wounds bigger than broken bones, or maybe even sicknesses? I thought about it, but there’s no way to test that. I don’t want to get that badly injured myself, and it’s not like someone with that kind of injury is just going to show up. Besides, it’s better not to get injuries like that in the first place. It would be terrible if I couldn’t heal it. I’ll just pray I don’t get a chance to test it.

With those thoughts, I returned to the living room. Next up is ‘Purification.’ This one cleans things, right? Is there anything good to clean? I looked around the room and spotted a small wooden box covered in dust. I’ll clean this. I decided, and used ‘Purification.’

Purification.

The wooden box was enveloped in light, and when the light faded, it looked brand new. All the grime from before was completely gone. This is amazing! And super useful. I wonder… could I use this on my body?

Once the thought occurred to me, I had to try. Just wiping myself down with a cloth always left me feeling vaguely itchy, like I wasn’t really clean. And while I rinse my hair with water, I’m sure it’s still dirty.

I wanted to try it right this second. I cast the spell on myself, and it worked. Awesome! My hair feels so clean! My whole body feels like I just used soap!

I’m going to do this every day. I’ll clean my clothes and my bed, too. This is a temporary solution to all the things that have been bothering me since I came to this world! I was getting really pumped up and decided to clean the entire room. I tried to cast ‘Purification’ on the whole room at once.

But the spell didn’t activate properly. Instead, my vision went dark, and I lost consciousness.

“Ugh… hmm? Huh? Why was I sleeping here?”

For some reason, I was asleep on the living room floor. I was practicing magic, and then… what happened? Oh, right! I tried to use ‘Purification’ on the whole room, and suddenly everything went black. I must have passed out for a bit. The cause was probably using too much mana. The woman at the church did say you pass out if your mana runs out, and I can barely feel any mana in my body right now.

It’s recovering little by little, but it seems like a full recovery will take time. I really need to be careful with this; it’s dangerous. I was lucky I didn’t hit my head this time, but if I’d fallen badly, it could have been life-threatening. I need to get a proper sense of my own mana capacity.

This was my mistake. I got too excited and used ‘Purification’ without thinking. Now that I think about it, ‘Purification’ seemed to use way more mana than ‘Heal.’ It’s probably because I can’t visualize it in detail. For ‘Heal,’ I can think about body tissues and reduce the mana cost. But I can’t do that for ‘Purification.’ In Japan, there was no such phenomenon as dirt just vanishing and things becoming clean.

That means I should probably only use ‘Purification’ on myself every once in a while. And here I thought my problems were solved. I thought I could finally say goodbye to that stinky, dirty toilet and my sticky, gross hair.

Oh well, can’t be helped. I got the healing magic I wanted, and my mana capacity is five. It feels wrong to complain.

Come to think of it, I only tried healing magic first, so I never tried the other affinities. What happens if I try to use them?

Let’s give it a shot. I decided to try the fire magic Mom used before. I held up my index finger and imagined a flame lighting on the tip…

Ignite.

A flame lit on my fingertip.

“Whoa!”

I wasn’t expecting anything to happen, so it shocked me, and I jumped out of my chair.

Uh, what does this mean? I thought everyone was limited to just one affinity. Could it be… I can use other affinities, too?

I moved to the courtyard to try water magic. My mana has recovered a little, so a small spell should be fine. I don’t know the spell name, so I’ll just visualize and use mana. I stood in front of the bucket by the well and imagined it filling with water, then pushed out my mana… and the bucket was instantly full.

I really can use it. After that, I tried wind magic, earth magic, and body-strengthening magic. I could use all of them without any problem.

Um… Is this… because I’m a reincarnator? I can’t think of any other reason. Ugh, another secret I have to keep. Or… maybe I don’t have to hide it?

But if people found out, I’d definitely be noticed by someone important. I might be turned into a test subject… No way! It’s definitely better if no one knows! At least, until I have a powerful backer or become powerful myself, I’ll keep this a secret.

But when will that be? Keeping this to myself for that long is going to be tough… I wonder if it would be okay to tell Marcel? I don’t know why, but I just have a feeling I could trust him. It’s just a gut feeling. Yeah, I’ll think about it next time I see him.

Well, I have more secrets, but this is a lucky break in terms of self-preservation and convenience. I’ll have to practice the other affinities, too.

Let’s start with fire magic! I can’t do any flashy spells here, so maybe I’ll try making a fireball float in the air instead of shooting it. When you think of fire magic, you think of fireballs, right?

I visualized a fireball floating in front of me and used my mana. Just as I imagined, it appeared. This is so cool! To make it more efficient, I need a better image… Fire burns by consuming oxygen, so maybe I should visualize that?

I tried the spell again with that image, and I was able to create a fireball of the same size using only about one-fifth of the mana. The power of visualization is incredible.

After that, I practiced water magic to make a ‘Water Ball,’ wind magic I called ‘Wind,’ earth magic called ‘Rock,’ and body-strengthening magic called ‘Build Up.’ I just gave them random names. You don’t need them, but it sounds cooler this way.

For ‘Water Ball,’ I was able to reduce the mana cost significantly by visualizing water vapor in the air. For the other three, I reduced the mana cost dramatically by visualizing ‘Wind’ as invisible air, ‘Rock’ as zero gravity when lifting a stone and compressing earth when creating one, and ‘Build Up’ as my muscle mass increasing.

It seems I can use all affinities equally well. It’s bound to cause trouble, but being able to use all affinities is a blessing. It’s super convenient, and I can test all the magic for my magic tools by myself.

That’s right! I wanted to see if I could make ice. Let’s try it now.

I focused my mind, imagining water below zero degrees, the kind that would freeze with the slightest agitation. Uh, wait, water is moving water molecules, and ice is when they don’t move, right? I don’t really know… I should have studied more. Well, no use crying about it now. I visualized the best I could and filled the well bucket with water.

I stared at the water I’d created. It just looked like normal water. Is this really going to turn into ice? As I was watching it, I suddenly remembered. That’s right, I have to give it a shock! I remembered and quickly grabbed the bucket and shook it. The water inside instantly froze solid with a crack. Awesome, it worked! Can’t I make a refrigerator with this?!

I was getting all pumped up and ready to practice more when I heard Mom’s voice from the living room.

“Leon! Dinner’s ready!”

“O-Okay! Coming!”

I quickly replied, dropped the bucket back into the well so no one would see the ice, and hurried back to the living room.

“Sorry for the wait, Mom.”

When I got to the living room, Marie and Dad were already sitting at the table.

“What were you doing, Leon?”

“Practicing magic. I learned how to use ‘Heal’!”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Actually, I cut my finger a little bit with a knife earlier. Could you heal it for me?”

“Okay! Heal.”

I took Mom’s hand and chanted. The wound healed instantly. I couldn’t even tell where the cut had been.

“That’s amazing…”

“My, I’ve never seen it work so fast.”

Mom and Dad were staring in shock. What are they so surprised about?

“What’s wrong?”

“W-Well, it’s just… usually it takes much longer for a wound to close, and it often leaves a small scar. I was just shocked at how amazing your magic is.”

“Yeah, I was surprised too,” Dad added, smiling gently and ruffling my hair. “You might have a real talent for magic, Leon.”

Not only can I use every affinity, but my healing magic is abnormal, too. I’d better stop using magic recklessly from now on.

“Wow, big brother, you’re amazing! I want you to do it to me!”

“You’re not hurt, are you, Marie? I’d rather you try not to get hurt, but if you ever do, I’ll heal you.”

“Okay! Thanks, big brother!”

“Alright, let’s eat.”

“Yeah! Thank you for the food!”

Dinner tonight was steak, one for each of us. This was an unthinkable luxury for a normal dinner.

“Thanks, Mom, Dad! This is delicious!”

When I said that, they both smiled warmly at me. This is real happiness. I’ll use this mysterious power to protect my family, no matter what. I swore it to myself.

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.

Chapter 3 – Sweets from Another World

“I’m home!”

“Oh, you’re back? Welcome home.”

“How did it go? Did you manage to pick any fruit?”

It seemed Mom and Dad were in the kitchen, but they poked their heads out from the counter. Marie climbed up onto a stool at the dining hall’s counter, opened the hemp sack, and showed them what was inside.

“Mom, Dad, look! We picked this much!”

“Oh my, aren’t those raspberries! You really got a lot. That’s amazing, Marie.”

“You’re right. With this many, we can all eat our fill. Should we have them after dinner tonight?”

“Yeah! I can’t wait!”

Marie was transferring the raspberries into a large wooden bowl Dad had brought out. She had a huge smile on her face and looked overjoyed. She must really love raspberries. I, on the other hand, would prefer them a bit sweeter. If we had sugar, I could make jam… Maybe I should ask Mom about sugar.

“Mom, do we have any sweet seasonings?”

“Sweet seasonings? Why do you ask?”

“Um… I was just thinking that if we had something sweet, the raspberries would taste even better.”

That doesn’t sound unnatural, does it? Please let there be sugar!

“Let’s see. We have honey or sugar, I suppose.”

“What? You have sugar?!”

“Leon, you know about sugar?”

“N-No, I just… happened to hear about it. That there’s a sweet seasoning called sugar.”

“I see. But they don’t sell sugar or honey around here.”

“What?! Why not?”

“Commoners aren’t wealthy enough to spend money on sweets, so sugar and honey just don’t sell. Besides, they’re more expensive than other seasonings.”

No… Even though it exists, we can’t buy it. But still, sugar does exist. It’s not like it’s absent from this world. In that case, the only question is how to get my hands on it!

“So, where do they sell it?”

“I think they sell it in the central district of the royal capital.”

“The central district of the capital?”

“That’s right. This is the western edge of the capital. The central district is where the king and all the nobles live. It’s full of high-end shops, so I’m sure they sell it there.”

So there really is a king and nobles. Does this mean only nobles get to eat sweet things?

“So, if I go there, can I buy some?”

“Probably not. I hear many of the shops in the central district only allow nobles and their associates inside. And even if you could get in, it would be too expensive for people like us to afford.”

“Oh… I see.”

“Besides, the central district is far from here. It takes over two hours by carriage.”

“Right… Well, I’ll give up on it then.”

“That’s probably for the best. …You’re eight years old now, Leon, so I’ll tell you this: you’d be in serious trouble if you caught the eye of a noble. I don’t think they ever come around here, so it should be fine, but you must never be rude to them. There might be some good nobles out there, but there are also unreasonable ones.”

Nobles sound terrifying… I want to stay as far away from them as possible. But to think that’s where the sugar is! It looks like I’d better find somewhere else that sells it.

“Thanks, Mom. I’ll give up on the sweet seasoning. The raspberries are delicious just as they are.”

I said that with a bright smile to reassure her. Mom had been looking rather grim just a moment ago.

At that, Mom’s expression softened, and she said.

“Well then, let’s all have some raspberries after dinner.”

“Okay!”

However, just eating those raspberries as they are is going to be tough. Isn’t there some way to make them delicious without sugar…?

What would be good? Maybe pouring them over French toast, or mixing them into pancakes… Mixing them into pancakes might actually be pretty good. With that idea, I immediately ran to ask Mom if I could use the kitchen.

“Mom! I thought of a dish using the raspberries. Can I use the kitchen?”

“I don’t mind, but… did you really think of it? You’ve never cooked before…”

Was it unnatural to come up with a recipe when I’ve never cooked? But I absolutely have to try this! Those things are way too sour.

“It’s from watching you and Dad cook all the time.”

I said that while gazing up at Mom with an innocent look. She chuckled and patted my head.

“Well then, I suppose I’ll let you make it.”

“Leon’s going to cook? I’m looking forward to this.”

Dad also agreed with a smile. I’ve really got to do my best now!

“Alright, I’ll clear a space for you to cook, so first, go put your things away and wash your hands.”

“Okay!”

“Marie, you go with Leon and put your things away, too.”

“Okay! Is big brother going to cook? I’m so excited!”

Marie is looking forward to it so innocently. The pressure is on… I really hope it turns out delicious.

I went with Marie to the storage room on the second floor and put away the gear we used for the forest. As I set down the basket I’d been carrying, I realized I’d forgotten about the firewood. It should probably go to the kitchen, so I’ll have to take it back downstairs.

“Marie, we forgot the firewood. Let’s take it downstairs.”

“Yeah! We have to get our allowance!”

It seems Marie’s attention had shifted from the raspberries to her allowance. She was already wondering what to buy with it.

“Alright, let’s go down.”

Marie and I carried the basket, still full of firewood, back downstairs. Mom was just coming out of the kitchen.

“Mom, we gathered firewood, too.”

“Oh, you did? Thank you. Could you go put it in the firewood box in the kitchen?”

“Okay!”

Marie and I replied cheerfully in unison and went into the kitchen, stacking the branches in the firewood box in the corner.

“You brought back firewood, too? Thank you.”

“Uh-huh! I gathered a whole bunch!”

“What a good girl, Marie.”

Dad gently stroked a proud-looking Marie’s head.

“Well, I’m gonna go put the basket away and wash my hands.”

“Me too!”

We went back upstairs to drop off the basket and then entered the living room on our way to the courtyard. Mom was waiting for us there.

“Here’s your allowance for bringing back the firewood.”

“Yay! Thank you!”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome. Go buy yourselves something at the food stalls.”

“Okay!”

Marie and I held our allowances tightly so we wouldn’t lose them and put them inside our own wooden boxes. There were four small wooden boxes in the living room, each for us to keep our important things in.

After stowing away our money, Marie and I went to the courtyard, drew water from the well, and washed our hands.

It seemed Marie was going to rest in the living room for a bit. I, on the other hand, had pancakes to make. Time to do my best and make some delicious pancakes!

“Alright, I’m heading to the kitchen.”

“Okay! Make something yummy, big brother!”

“Got it. I’ll do my best.”

With that, I headed for the kitchen.

When I got to the kitchen, Dad was still prepping the dinner menu, but Mom was waiting with the raspberries, having cleared a space for me.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“It’s no problem. I’m curious to see what you’ll make.”

“Dad’s really looking forward to it, too.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too high, okay? I don’t know if it’ll be any good.”

It’s kind of hard to deal with all this expectation. We don’t have sugar, and my memory of the recipe is vague, so I have no idea if it’ll turn out well… Ugh, their expectant looks are intense. I’ll just have to try my best.

“Well, let’s begin. What else do you need besides the raspberries?”

Um, if I remember right, pancakes are made with flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. I think… Man, in hindsight, I really should have learned to cook more. Wait… do they even have milk? With no refrigerators, milk seems unlikely.

“Mom, do we have any milk?”

“We don’t have any milk here. It doesn’t keep, and while we sometimes have it in winter, we don’t right now.”

Yeah, that’s what I thought. If there’s no milk, I guess I have to use water. I’m pretty sure there are pancake recipes that use flour, water, and eggs. The problem is, those taste good because you make them sweet with sugar. Since there’s no sugar, it’ll be a concoction of flour, water, eggs, and raspberry flavoring… Is that even going to be tasty?

Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

“Mom, I need flour, eggs, and water. Do we have those?”

“We do.”

Mom quickly gathered the ingredients for me.

“Here’s everything. What do you do with it?”

“Um, you mix it all together in a bowl.”

“I see, it’s similar to bread. Are you making bread?”

“It’s similar to bread, but it’s different.”

I said that as I mixed the egg and water in the bowl, then started adding the flour. I seem to recall it being pretty thick and gooey, so… maybe about this much?

As I was mixing with that rough-and-ready approach, Mom stopped me, her face pale.

“Leon! Wait. You’ve added so much water, it’s all runny!”

“Huh? But this is how this dish is supposed to be.”

“But… won’t it be a waste?”

“It’ll be fine. Are there no other recipes like this?”

“No. When we make bread, we only use a little water so it firms up, and we don’t add eggs. We really only use flour to make bread, and eggs are just boiled or fried.”

In that case, no wonder the food in this world is so undeveloped. I’ll have to gradually make the dishes I remember.

“But my recipe is supposed to be like this.”

Even after I said that, Mom still looked anxious. Well, Leon’s never cooked before, so it’s only natural she’d be worried. I was wondering what to do when Dad came to my rescue.

“Roana, Leon is motivated to do this, so why not let him try? He can just make a small amount so it doesn’t go to waste.”

“You’re right. Just a little at a time, Leon.”

“Okay. Thanks!”

Thanks, Dad! I’ll definitely repay you for this later. There’s not much I can do, but I’ll find a way!

“Alright, this looks about right.”

All that’s left is to add the raspberries. I looked up to grab them, only to meet the stunned gazes of Mom and Dad.

“Leon…? Don’t tell me… that’s the finished product? You’re going to… eat that?”

Dad asked me hesitantly.

“No! This is still in progress. I’m going to add the raspberries and cook it now.”

“Oh, I see. Well, if it’s not finished, I suppose it’s fine if it doesn’t look appetizing yet.” Mom said.

You don’t have to look at it like it’s some kind of unidentifiable sludge! Well, I admit it looks pretty unappetizing as-is. I’d better hurry up and finish this.

I rinsed the bowl I’d used to beat the egg, put the raspberries in it, and started mashing them with a wooden spatula. I could just add them whole, but I figured mashing them would infuse the flavor better. At this point, even I have no idea how this will taste. I just hope it’s good.

After mashing a decent amount of raspberries, I added them to the batter I’d mixed earlier. Then I mixed it all together again. After mixing, I threw in a few whole raspberries too. A bit of texture from the fruit should make it tastier.

“Okay, it’s ready! All that’s left is to cook it. Can I use a frying pan?”

“Yes, of course. Use this one. I’ll light the fire, so just wait a moment.”

With those words, Mom held her hand over the firewood in the hearth and whispered, “Ignite.” Just like that, the wood, which hadn’t even been smoldering, burst into flames.

I was so shocked I was speechless, but also thrilled. This is magic. Leon’s memories had it, but this was the first time I’d seen it in person. Amazing! So cool! This is another world! Inside, my excitement was at max level.

According to Leon’s memories, both Mom and Dad have a fire affinity, but their mana is low, so they can only use it a few times a day. I want to use magic soon, too. I can’t wait to go to the church to have my mana measured!

I was so lost in thought, staring at the hearth, that Mom had to call out to me.

“Leon? What’s wrong, spacing out like that? Don’t you need to cook that?”

Her words snapped me out of my magic-fueled daydreams. Right, I was in the middle of making pancakes.

“Sorry, Mom. I was just thinking how cool magic is.”

“You’re eight now, Leon, so you’ll be able to use it soon, too. We’ll have to go to the church one of these days.”

“Yeah! I’m so excited!”

As I beamed with a huge smile, Mom gave a wry laugh and said.

“Right now, you need to focus on finishing your cooking, not on magic.”

“Okay!”

I reined in my excitement about magic and decided to concentrate on the food.

This kitchen has a standing-height hearth, so they got me a stool. I stood in front of it, ready to cook the pancake. But as I was about to start, I realized something. It would be much better with butter. Since there was no milk, is there any butter?

“Mom, do we have any butter?”

“Butter? I wonder if we have any left.”

Mom started searching the shelves. Butter that’s hard to find like this… is it going to be okay? There are no refrigerators. Just as I was thinking that, she seemed to find it.

“Found it. There’s only a little left, but will this be enough?”

I looked, and there seemed to be about two spoonfuls, so it should be fine.

“That’s plenty.”

I wondered if it had gone bad, but it looked normal and didn’t smell strange, so it was probably fine. With that, I put the butter in the frying pan and set it on the fire. As the butter started to melt, I poured in the batter I’d made. It was a bit too much, so I decided to make two, pouring in only half.

If I remember right, you flip it when bubbles start to form on the surface. I waited, but after a while, no bubbles appeared. Still, it felt like it was probably cooked.

I peeked at the underside, and it was pretty well-browned. I should probably flip it now. Any longer and it’s going to burn.

I grabbed another, larger wooden spatula and tried to flip it. But it wasn’t working. This is actually pretty hard. After struggling with the pancake for a bit, Dad offered to help.

“Are you trying to flip that? Here, Dad will do it.”

“Really? Thanks, Dad.”

I handed Dad the pan and spatula, and he flipped it with a single, easy motion. Wow, he’s a pro!

“Dad, you’re amazing! That was so cool!”

“You think so? That makes me happy.”

Dad was grinning from ear to ear.

“Anyway, this is starting to smell really good.”

“Yeah! Smells delicious, doesn’t it?”

A really nice aroma had been wafting through the air for a bit now. It wasn’t exactly a pancake smell… but it smelled tasty, so that means it’s a success, right?

“It certainly does smell nice. Especially since the batter looked so incredibly unappetizing.”

Mom is a little too blunt. Well, given what it looked like, I can’t blame her. I glanced at the remaining half of the uncooked batter and had to agree.

Is it done? I checked the other side with the spatula, and it seemed to be cooked through.

“Alright! It’s done! Do we have a plate?”

“Use this one.”

“Thanks.”

I slid the pancake onto the plate Mom handed me. Then, I cooked the other one the same way and plated it. It smelled so good. It’s making me hungry.

“We still have a little time before the dinner service, so why don’t we all have this as a snack?”

“Good idea. But I’m worried about leaving the hearth fire this high, so… it’s a bit ill-mannered, but let’s just eat in the kitchen. I’ll go get Marie.”

“We’re having it as a snack?! Awesome!”

I always get hungry while helping with the dinner rush. Looks like I won’t have to suffer from hunger today.

“Leon, let’s cut this into four servings, one for each of us.”

“Okay!”

While Mom went to the living room to get Marie, Dad and I cut the pancakes and divided them onto four plates.

Just as we finished plating, the kitchen door opened, and Marie ran in.

“Is big brother’s food ready?! It smells so good!”

“It is. Want to try some?”

“Yeah! I’ve been waiting!”

I really hope she likes it. My heart was pounding as I handed out forks to everyone.

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

“Thank you for the food!”

We all said it together, and I nervously took a bite of the pancake. Chomp… Not bad! In terms of taste, it’s definitely not a pancake, but it’s good in its own way! It’s a little chewy, with a texture more like… okonomiyaki, maybe. The tartness of the raspberries is also much less noticeable than when I ate them plain.

It’s hard to say if it’s a ‘success,’ but hey, it’s not bad, so I’ll count it as a win. It might even be the kind of taste that grows on you. Since it wasn’t horribly disgusting, I was eating mine with relief when I noticed how quiet everyone else was. I looked around and saw Mom and Dad, frozen, having taken only one bite. Marie was just silently continuing to eat.

Was it bad…?

“Guys, is it… is it bad?”

I asked, worried. I thought it was pretty good, but maybe it wasn’t to their liking?

Just as I was thinking that, they all shook their heads frantically.

“No, Leon! It’s not that! We were just so surprised by how good it is. The texture is really interesting, too.”

“That’s right. I’m just stunned that… that… turned into something this delicious. I was so sure it was going to be awful.”

“Big brother, this is yummy! I like the texture! Make it again, okay?”

Oh, they were just surprised. Haaa, what a relief. The tension drained from my face.

Still, if this dish surprises them this much, they’d be constantly amazed by Japanese food. I want to make something else for them again.

“I’m just glad you guys like it.”

“It really is delicious. And the ingredients are simple, it seems like you could adapt it easily.”

“Leon, you might have a talent for cooking. If you think of any other dishes, you should try making them.”

“Really?! Thanks!”

I’m sure there’s some parental bias in there, but it still makes me happy. I’ll do my best to make even tastier things. It’s a little complicated since I’m not the one who thought of it, but I’m glad it made everyone happy.

“It’s all gone. Big brother, that was so good!”

“You liked it, Marie? That’s great. I’ll make it for you again.”

“Yeah! Let’s go pick more raspberries again!”

“Sounds good.”

Marie seemed to have genuinely enjoyed it. She was smiling with satisfaction. As Marie and I were laughing together, the evening bell rang.

“It’s that late already? Time to open for the evening.”

“You’re right. Leon, Marie, can you two handle the dining hall?”

“Okay!”

Marie and I only help out for the first hour or so of the dinner service, which is usually the busiest part. Apparently, most people eat dinner at home, so the only customers who come are here for alcohol and snacks, meaning it’s not too hectic.

The dinner menu consists of only two items: ale and the snack-of-the-day set. Everyone orders those two things, so serving customers is apparently very easy. Just as I was thinking that, our first customer came in.

“Welcome. Please, have a seat anywhere you like.”

“I’ll have an ale and the snack set.”

“Right away.”

Most of the customers are regulars, just like this one, and they already know the menu, so there’s no need to explain anything. After that, a few more customers trickled in, and after five people had arrived, the flow stopped.

“Leon, Marie, you two can be done for now.”

Mom called us over. Our work was finished. When Marie and I went to the kitchen, Mom handed us our dinner. All that’s left is to eat, wipe ourselves down, and go to bed. Mom and Dad will eat and sleep after the customers leave.

“Marie, let’s go eat dinner.”

“Okay! I’m starving!”

Chatting like that, we went to the living room, sat in our usual spots, and started eating.

“Thank you for the food!”

Tonight’s dinner is bread and a soup full of vegetables. It seems light dinners are the norm in this world. They don’t eat much at night; instead, they eat a lot for breakfast and lunch. It seems to be a habit to eat more at times other than night, to have energy for work. Munch… munch… The bread is hard, but it’s pretty good if you dip it in the soup.

“Big brother, that raspberry dish was really yummy.”

“The pancakes, yeah.”

“Pancakes? Is that what it’s called?”

“Yep. I named it.”

I’m going to end up calling them pancakes anyway, even if I give them a different name, so I decided to just ‘officially’ name them pancakes. The taste and texture are completely different from actual pancakes, but once I get my hands on sugar and milk, I can just make them the real deal and say, “THIS is a real pancake.”

“Yeah! I want to eat pancakes again.”

“I’ll make them again. We’ll have to go pick more raspberries, too.”

“Okay! I’ll pick a whole bunch!”

Marie seems incredibly motivated. I’m glad she liked it that much.

After we finished dinner, we both wiped ourselves down and headed straight for the bedroom. Marie must have been tired; she seemed to fall asleep the instant she got into bed. We only have one bedroom, so the whole family sleeps together, which is a bit cramped, but as I looked at Marie’s sleeping face, I thought it was kind of nice, too.

I must have been tired as well, because I fell asleep almost immediately.