Chapter 8 - Magic Tool
For some reason, we arrived at the back of Via General Store. While I was wondering what she was going to do in a place like this, Elizabeth knocked the door several times and Via came out shortly after.
"You brought a lot of stones! Thank you Eli-chan and.... Fell-chan? What are you doing here?" (Via)
That's my line. What are you doing here? Also, by Eli-chan, do you mean Elizabeth? No, never mind.
"I followed Elizabeth all the way here because I was curious about what she was going to do with the stones." (Fell)
"Oh, about that, I asked her to collect palm-sized stones and I would buy them for one small bronze coin a piece." (Via)
"Are you perhaps going to use the stones as medium for magic tools?" (Fell)
"Yeah, that's right. I will use them to make disposable magic tools. There are quite a lot of people who buy it. This also serves as magic bestowal practice." (Via)
I guess she will bestow them with everyday magic to make something like magic tool for producing water or magic tool for starting fire. I also want it because I am not good at adjusting my magical power. However, I don't want something disposable. I want magic tool that can be used permanently.
Elisabeth put the stones into something like a big bucket as she counted them one by one. There were forty stones in total.
Elizabeth received four big bronze coins from Via and thanked her. She tried to give one big bronze coin each to the cockatrices, but they couldn't seem to hold it with their wings. Both sides were in trouble.
"Hmm, wait here!" (Via)
Having said that, Via entered the store again. Then, after a while, she returned with two cloth bag with string attached.
"These are bags bestowed with spatial magic. The capacity is small, but it should be enough to store dozens of coins." (Via)
Via tied the string of bags around the cockatrices' necks. The cockatrices were flustered.
"Via, they say: 'We don't have money to buy such an expensive magic tool'." (Fell)
"Eh? This is just a prototype so it's free. I'd be happy if you could use it for a while and tell me your impressions later." (Via)
I understand their confusion. Even I'm not sure I'd ever get my hands on something like this in the demon world. Though I'm not sure about using the cockatrices as reference.
"In addition, you will make more stone for me, right? Just think of this as my investment." (Via)
After having a brief discussion between the four heads (two snake heads and two chicken heads), both cockatrices put their heads on the ground --- a pose of submission.
"That's right, why don't you try them to see if they work?" (Via)
The cockatrices stepped on the large bronze coins that Elizabeth had placed in front of them. When they channeled their magical power into the bags, the coins disappeared in an instant.
The coins seem to have been successfully store inside the subspace.
Then, when they channeled their magical power once more, the coins appeared on the ground again.
"Everything seems to be working well. However, just as what I've explained before, their capacity is not big. If you store too much, they will break, so please be careful. I will replace them when I can make magic bag with a bigger capacity. Until then, please bear with it." (Via)
The cockatrices lowered their heads again.
Somehow, the cockatrices' loyalty towards Via is skyrocketing. They seem to be ready to risk their live for her anytime.
After that, the cockatrices went to collect garbage with Elizabeth.
I guess they've found a job. Do your best! Well, anyway, there’s something I need to confirm with Via.
"You can bestow spatial magic now?" (Fell)
"Yes. The success rate is still low and I can only bestow spatial magic of low capacity. However, I'm getting the hang of it." (Via)
Seriously? You need at least level 2 skill to bestow advanced magic such as spatial magic. Has she raised her skill from level 0 to level 2 in this short amount of time? Let's check it.
Her Magic Bestowal Skill is already level 2. There's no doubt about it. Usually, it takes at least a year to raise skill from level 0 to level 1. From level 1 to level 2, it takes several years. After that, there's no guarantee you can raise your skill to level 3 or higher. At this growth rate, she might attain the legendary level 5 skill. I've never seen anyone with level 5 skill, so I'm really curious now.
"You are amazing, Via!" (Fell)
"Wh-Where did this come from? You will get nothing from praising me! Do you want to eat one of my best fruits?" (Via)
Didn't you say I will get nothing? Oh well, I have no reason to refuse it.
I ate the peach I received from Via in the corner of her store.
Not as good as apple, but it's also delicious. I've eaten peach in the Elven Village before. I guess this is what the elves exchanged for her magic tools.
Some villagers come to shop while I was enjoying the peach.
The magic tool for starting fire seems to be in high demand. If I remember it correctly, it costs one big bronze coin each. She bought the material (stone) for one small bronze coin each, and sell the finished product for one big bronze coin each. That's a big profit. The magic tool for starting fire can only be used for dozens of times, so they will need to buy it again and again. Via's livehood is secured with this.
"I usually bought it for six small bronze coins each from the traveling merchant. However, now that I can make it myself, my profit has increased significantly. It's all thanks to Fell-chan." (Via)
"I've said it many times already. I only told you that you have the skill and I'm not involved in its acquisition itself. You don't need to thank me." (Fell)
"I've also said it many times that I still want to thank you nevertheless." (Via)
When it comes to this topic, we are always in parallel. Oh well, whatever.
"Setting that aside, there's something I want you to make for me. I believe I've mentioned this before, but I want a magic tool to produce a cup of water. If possible, I want something that isn't disposable." (Fell)
If I have such a magic tool, I won't cause any damage to the surrounding area when I camp outside.
"This is just a prototype, but what do you think?" (Via)
Via handed me a wooden cup.
"I don't want a cup. I want a magic tool for creating a cup of water. Are you even listening?" (Fell)
"Of course. That cup is a magic tool. If you channel your magical power into it, water will come out from the bottom of cup." (Fell)
I want a magic tool for creating a cup of water. I've never thought she would use the cup itself the magic tool.
When I channeled my magical power as a test, water flowed out from the bottom of the cup. I tried to drink it. The water was cold and delicious.
"This is good enough. How much?" (Fell)
"Just like the magic bags, it's just a prototype, so I won't accept your money. Use it for a while and give me your impressions later. I will make adjustments if you find any inconvenience." (Via)
"Okay, I will use it then. You are really a good person, Via." (Fell)
"Geez, I said you will get nothing from flattering me. Do you want some banana?" (Via)
"I’ll have one." (Fell)
The more I praise, the more food I receive. I hope she won't get caught by a bad guy.
Via showed me various magic tools of her invention afterwards. When I mentioned that I wanted a magic tool with this kind of function, she immediately put it into reality.
I've heard that bestowing multiple magic spells has a fairly low success rate, so how could she do it so easily?
From our conversation, Via had created a mat that could remove mud from feet automatically, bento box and water bottle that could keep the contents warm, and so on. Apparently, she was going to see if they could be used at Nia's place.
It's almost lunch time, so let's go back.
I thought I would bring the bento box and water bottle together with me, but Via said she forgot in which magic tool she stored them.
Speaking of which, I feel magical power usage from all over her body.
When I took a closer look, it turned out that her whole body was fully equipped with various magic tools.
"Are all the things you wear magic tools?" (Fell)
"Yeah, I'm investigating the usability of magic tools I created. The problem is that I sometimes forgot what magic I've bestowed." (Via)
I think the problem lies with the number of magic tools you equipped, though. It's a level where she could fight a war all by herself --- a one-man army.
Yeah, I will pretend I didn't see anything. Let's go back and have lunch, instead.