Chapter 49: The Wand, the Workshop, and the Dark Elf’s Proposition

The Magic Tool Shop and the Choice of a Wand

Sion and Serene arrived at the magic tool shop together.

As expected from its name, the store was filled with fascinating magical artifacts.

“What’s this…?”

Squeak, squeak.

Inside a small iron cage, pure white mice scurried about.

Sion was puzzled.

Why was a magic tool shop selling mice?

Just as he was about to voice his confusion, Serene answered his unspoken question.

“They’re test mice.”

“T-Test mice?”

“Yeah. Not for killing, though. They’re mostly used by support-type mages who cast buffs.”

“Oh… I see.”

“Of course, some people do use them for lethal experiments.”

Sion and Serene slowly wandered through the shop.

Stacks of magic scrolls were arranged neatly, much like stationery paper in an office supply store.

There were also golem cores, sets of bones for necromantic magic, and elaborate pointed hats.

‘Everything here is amazing. Magic is so fascinating!’

Sion’s eyes sparkled like a child’s.

Lately, he hadn’t been particularly excited about his classes.

But now, he felt his passion for magic reigniting.

As he eagerly examined various items, he suddenly felt an intense gaze on him.

…What was that?

The moment he turned to look, the piercing gaze vanished.

Was someone watching him?

Or was it just Serene?

But when he glanced at her, she was simply staring at a magical parrot.

“Hm? What’s wrong, Sion?”

“Oh… It’s nothing.”

“Alright.”

“Sion, this one’s cute. Don’t you think?”

The magical parrot was an enchanted bird capable of highly intelligent speech.

Though he wasn’t too interested in parrots, watching Serene’s fascination with it was oddly endearing.

She really looks like a painting when she stays quiet like this.

Some people were like that.

Beautiful or handsome at first glance—until they opened their mouths and broke the illusion.

…Serene was exactly that type.

“Not looking around anymore?”

“Huh?”

“You seemed curious about a lot of things. You can explore more if you want.”

“O-Oh… really?”

“Yeah, I’ll explain everything to you.”

Serene, who had been focused on the parrot, was now staring straight at Sion.

Was I acting too much like a country bumpkin?

Feeling embarrassed, Sion cleared his throat and walked away.

Hearing that he looked clueless had somehow stung his pride.

Serene, however, looked as sleepy and indifferent as ever.

“You came to buy a staff, right? Let’s go check them out now.”

“Yeah.”

The staffs were displayed right in front of the shop’s large glass windows.

Most likely to attract passersby into entering the store.

And indeed, the designs were eye-catching.

“Magical staffs are mainly divided into two types: staves and wands.”

“…I think I get it. The longer ones are staves, right?”

“Correct.”

The thick, sturdy staffs were all over a meter long.

Meanwhile, the smaller, more portable ones—about 30 centimeters in length—were wands.

Thanks to playing games, Sion had at least a basic understanding of them.

“Wands are portable and relatively cheap. But in exchange, they’re weaker and harder to use in close combat.”

“…And staves are the opposite, right?”

“Exactly.”

“Hm…”

Sion’s gaze drifted toward the wands rather than the staves.

They’re easy to carry and more affordable… A wand might be the best choice for me.

There were many types of wands to choose from.

They varied in color, shape, material, and whether they had a grip.

It was hard to pick just one.

But if he had to choose—

“Thinking of buying that one?”

“This one looks the best.”

“…Really?”

Serene tilted her head as she examined the wand Sion had picked.

The grip had a price tag and a description of its effects.

[Product Name: Armut of Manifestation]
[Size: M / 30cm]
[Effect: Magic Manifestation Speed +30%]
[Price: 1 gold, 50 silver]

“Sion, this effect is too minor.”

“…But it increases manifestation speed by 30%.”

“Look at the other wands.”

Serene picked up a random wand and showed him its price tag.

[Product Name: Bertina of Divinity]
[Size: S / 25cm]
[Effect: +20% to Holy Magic Power, +10% to Holy Magic Manifestation Speed]
[Price: 1 gold, 30 silver]

“This one has more effects. The one you picked has too few.”

“…That’s one way to look at it. But I think this one is better.”

“…Why?”

Sion gripped the Armut of Manifestation.

It had a comfortable grip, but more importantly—

He liked its simple, straightforward effect.

All the other wands are specialized by element…

Just like Bertina of Divinity enhanced Holy Magic,

Other wands were tailored for elemental magic, necromancy, illusion spells, and more.

“I can use all types of magic. So a specialized wand isn’t very useful to me.”

“…I see.”

Sion possessed a unique ability known as Magic Codex.

It allowed him to learn magic simply by witnessing it.

Since he could use a vast variety of spells, a wand specialized for a single element wasn’t ideal.

“Yeah. And a 30% increase in manifestation speed can completely change a battle.”

“…Manifestation speed?”

“Exactly.”

“But it doesn’t boost power. And it doesn’t give any advantage to a specific element.”

“Manifestation speed outweighs all of that.”

“…How?”

Magic Manifestation Speed.

It referred to the time it took for mana to travel from the heart, through the veins, to the hands, and finally be cast through a wand or staff.

“If two mages of equal strength fought…”

“Okay.”

“And one had a wand that boosted spell power by 50%, while the other had a wand that increased manifestation speed by 50%… Who would win?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“I think the second mage would win.”

In swordplay, manifestation speed was akin to draw techniques.

No matter how sharp or powerful a sword was—

If you were too slow to draw it, you’d be dead before you could strike.

A Mysterious Encounter at the Magic Tool Shop

Like a blade drawn at the speed of light, an opponent’s head would fall before they even realized.

Sion knew that if he wanted to maximize his strengths, this was the way to go.

He was someone who could cast magic without incantations, even skipping shortened chants entirely.

Rather than compensating for his weaknesses, it was better to enhance his advantages.

That was Sion’s strategy for victory as a mage.

“You’re just a rookie, but you actually have some good insight.”

“…?!”

“I never expected anyone to recognize the true value of that wand.”

Squelch.

A heavy pressure suddenly pressed down on Sion’s shoulder.

Startled, he turned around—

And found himself face-to-face with a very tall woman.

More specifically, her chest was practically pressed against his shoulder.

“U-Uwah?!”

“Hmm? Are you this year’s new Magic Faculty student? A rookie picking out this wand? You’ve got potential.”

Sion instinctively took a step back in shock.

But the woman didn’t seem to mind at all.

Instead, she flashed him a deep, amused smile.

“Wh-Who… are you…?”

“Hm? Ah, you don’t know me? Well then…”

Swish.

With a flick of her thumb, she pointed proudly at herself.

“I am Kainstos Yggdrasil, the owner of Kainstos Magic Workshop!”

“…Yggdrasil…?”

“That’s right. Ever heard of Dark Elves?”

Yggdrasil—

That meant she was the same race as Professor Runia.

In other words, she was an Elf, just like Runia.

But her skin tone was completely different.

A… Dark Elf?

Unlike Professor Runia’s pale white complexion, Kainstos’ skin was a deep chocolate brown.

Her ears were long, like an Elf’s, and her hair was a striking white.

Her expression was confident and bold, exuding charisma.

And her physique—

Well, let’s just say it was as bold as her personality.

She wore a tank top, likely stained from working in her workshop, and it clung to her figure in a way that made it very difficult to maintain eye contact.

Even though he was trying to look at her face, his eyes kept drifting lower—

Pull!

“…Sion.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“What are you looking at?”

“……”

Serene tugged on Sion’s hand.

Her sleepy eyes looked the same as always, but her cheeks were slightly puffed out.

A single bead of sweat rolled down Sion’s forehead.

He had a very bad feeling about this.

If he answered honestly, something dangerous would definitely happen.

“Kainstos, what brings you here?”

Just as Sion feared for his life, the shop owner stepped in, blocking Kainstos’ path.

“Obviously, I’m here to deliver goods. Here, this month’s shipment.”

Thud.

Without hesitation, Kainstos tossed a sack onto the counter.

It was enormous—so much so that Sion couldn’t believe she had carried it in so effortlessly.

Had she used some kind of magic?

While Sion was staring at the sack in confusion, Kainstos suddenly turned back to him.

“Anyway, I want to check something real quick.”

“…Check what?”

“Just some things. Hmmm, you seem a little special.”

“What do you mea—Whoa?!”

Grab! Squeeze!

Before he could react, Kainstos grabbed Sion’s arms and legs, kneading and prodding them.

Her rough, intrusive touch made him squirm in discomfort.

But Kainstos simply grinned.

“Oh ho! How interesting. A 2nd Circle mage with such thin Circles?”

“…H-How did you know that?!”

“I can tell just by feeling it. You just know when you touch.”

“Wh-What?! Uwahh!!”

For about a minute—

Sion’s arms and legs were mercilessly examined by Kainstos.

Once she was finally done, he immediately hid behind Serene.

What the hell is with this woman?!

She had no concept of personal space.

She was the owner of a magic workshop.

And she was the first Dark Elf he had ever met.

“Hey, kid.”

“…Yes?”

Swoosh!

Kainstos reached between her cleavage and pulled something out.

Sion had no idea what she was doing, but he couldn’t look away.

A moment later, she tossed something at him.

Out of reflex, he caught it.

…Gold coins?

Two shimmering gold coins rested in his palm.

They were still warm, oddly enough.

Kainstos smirked.

“Kid, what’s your name?”

“…Sion. I don’t have a family name.”

“A commoner, huh? Hm, good. Keep that wand.”

“…What?”

The wand Sion had picked out cost 1 gold and 50 silver.

With 2 gold coins, he could buy the wand and still have 50 silver left over.

…Was she buying it for him?

“You’re worthy of using that wand. Treat it well.”

“…Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Just drop by my workshop sometime. If you help out with some experiments, I’ll pay you.”

She turned and strode toward the door.

“Anyway, I’m off!”

“Oh…”

Jingle jingle!

In an instant, Kainstos pushed open the door and disappeared.

Only the sound of the doorbell remained, marking her brief but very eventful presence.

She had appeared like the wind—

And vanished just as quickly.

Kainstos Magic Workshop… That’s what she said, right?

She mentioned getting paid for helping with experiments.

And if she was wealthy enough to casually throw gold coins at people…

There was a chance he could earn more there than through the Adventurer’s Guild.

As Sion absentmindedly toyed with the gold coins,

Someone lightly poked his back.

Huh?

When he turned around—

“…Serene?”

“……”

“Wh-What’s wrong?”

“……”

Serene’s cheeks were puffed out more than ever before.

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