16 Magic Is Expensive

"Too hot.."

"I'm dying.."

"Water.."

When morning came, I completed my training routine. My inner fire has been slowly increasing which is great. After taking a shower, I saw Leon, Kugo, and Xavier all sitting down in one table with their cheeks pressed down.

"Ahh! You guys are supposed to be helping me out today!"

"It's too hot! Plus I have a hangover!"

"That's none of my business!"

I looked around to try and find Ari but it looks like she had left for the day. Only the three idiots along with Reika yelling at them could be seen in the inn.

"Ahh it's hot"

"Oh! Haruto understands too!"

"It's like he's been here this whole time. I got it. Let's just replace Leon with Haruto"

"Oy!"

I sat down beside them as well while they said some unnecessary things.

"Not you too Haruto.."

"It can't be helped.. It's too hot after all"

"Ah mou! If you guys aren't going to help then just leave!"

Reika blew up in a short amount of time.

"Yosh! Everyone, lets mess around!"

They all stood up and left in unison.

"You're not going with them?"

"Nope. I'm planning on exploring the city later on. I haven't really done that and I have some things that I want to buy"

"Ah I see"

"Anyways, where's Ari?"

"She left already. Probably to find some magic crystals"

What a hard worker. I think i'll take it easy for today.

"She's coming back right?"

"Even if she doesn't, i'll find her hehe"

Scary.. Stay away from me.

(*)

I spent half the day lazing around inside. I got to become acquainted with many different people staying at her inn. I expected all of them to be adventurers but there were some that are simple merchants or travellers.

They were all nice people but the dining hall became busy so I ended up leaving. Well, to be exact, I was kicked out by Reika.

In the middle of the city, I'm exploring around with no particular place in mind. Across the street, I saw a small store with a board that shows a book hanging by the front door.

Hmm. I could use some books to learn more about this place now that I think about it.

I decide to cross the streets and head inside.

It's a small store inside of an old building. The painting looks fresh but there are cracks on the walls. Although it looks shabby, I'm pretty sure it's much nicer inside.

There's a small wooden sign that says Shelly's Bookshop so I'm sure of it.

"Excuse me"

I enter the bookstore and see rows of old bookshelves filled with books.

The shelf in itself looks old and unreliable but it had this antiquity and charm to it. It's a nicely made dark wood shelf that's nearly two meters tall.

To the far end corner of the room, a small counter filled with books and an empty chair could be seen.

"Coming~"

Not long after I entered the store, I can hear the sweet, gentle voice of a girl coming from the back of the room. She was behind a shelf so I didn't notice her until she responded.

"Sorry about that. May I help you?"

The person who approached me was a beautiful girl with a light orange braided hair that rests softly on her shoulders.

She was wearing a long robe that reached all the way to her ankles but her lines are visible as the silky robe stick to her body closely. Not only that, but two dangerous weapons are floating firmly. How are they placed so perfectly? Is it magic?! Is this the limitless capabilities of magic?!

"Ummm.."

Whoops not good. My mind blanked out for a second as they were captured by the amazing bookshelves.

"Forgive me for my rudeness as it was not my intention to stay silent for so long. Do you have any books about this kingdom and the world?"

"It's fine~ Actually, I'm not the owner of the shop you see. I'm only looking over it since she's resting right now so I'm not sure where the books are. I'm sorry~"

She leans in with her hands behind her back while giving me an apologetic smile.

"You're useless Fayna.. Customer! I'm the owner of the shop so I can show you to them"

Another beauty comparable to the girl in front of me appears from a door behind the counter.

"How rude Shelly! Fine! I don't care about you anymore!"

The girl storms off while pouting.

"Sorry about my friend. Anyways! What were the books you were looking for?"

She had an expression like she was fed up but quickly gave me a smile and helped me look for the books I wanted.

There's quite a lot of books that interested me but since I didn't want to buy too much, I only brought the ones that I really liked to the counter. I'll read them later when I have the time.

"Oh customer! You got great tastes there. I highly recommend these books since they're all a great read"

"I'll gladly buy it then"

She started doing the math in her head and said the cost.

"That will be 6 gold and 5 silver coins then"

I purchase the books and said my farewell.

(*)

After purchasing the books, I decide to walk around some more. Now that I think about it, I should probably try to learn how to use magic huh?

But how do I learn it exactly.. I've tried to awaken my arcana veins but nothing happened. Ugh.. I should have asked Leiya..

…

Well, for starters, I guess i'll try to find someone that can teach me magic. After walking around, I came across a unique looking store. In the front, a wooden sign similar to the book store I was just sits on top of the entrance door.

Fayna's Magic Shop?

Why does this look and sound so familiar..

I enter the shop and was amazed at how girly everything was. Shelves are lined up with cute frilly items. There are some that looks practical like wands and staves but the rest looks like it's meant for cosplay or something.

It was a small store but everything is compact and stacked together making the actual amount of items way more than it seems.

The front desk has an empty chair so I'm assuming the owner is at the back.

"Excuse me"

"Coming~"

Hmm? This voice sounds familiar.

The silky orange hair of the girl who walked out of the room fluttered gently as she arrives to greet me. If I remember correctly, it looks like she's the same beautiful girl that I saw at the bookstore.

"Ah~ I've seen you before~"

She paused and inspected my face for a second before speaking.

"Yes I believe we met at the bookstore earlier today"

"That's right! Small world huh~ Well then, is there something specific you're looking for in my shop?"

"I'm looking for books that teaches me about magic"

She has a somewhat troubled look to her face.

"That's slightly too broad you see.. If possible, could you answer my questions then I'll be able to bring out the appropriate books"

"Please do so"

I guess it was quite broad. I have absolutely no experience concerning magic so I don't know where to start.

"How much knowledge do you know about magic"

"Zero"

"Fast! Umm ok well no problem everyone starts from somewhere aha"

I instantly and proudly respond to her which made her give me a slightly dry laugh.

"Out of fire, wind, water, earth and lightning attributes, which one would you like to learn"

Oh? So it's not as if once you learn magic, you can learn everything.

"Fire"

"I see~ Ok! Time for the next questions"

Eh? There's more..?

(*)

"These are the books that would help you the most!"

The books that she brought were; core of basic magic vol.1, core of basic magic vol.2, beginner fire magic vol.1, beginner fire magic vol.2, Combinations, Basics of Enchanting.

"Basics of Enchanting?"

"I included it because I thought it would be useful you see~"

"In that case, I'll take it as well then"

"The total is 15 gold and 3 silver coins. Where would you like me to place the bill?"

Geh.. that's a lot more expensive than i expected. Looks like learning magic is quite expensive. I don't even want to know how many volumes I need to buy before I become proficient..

"Is it fine to just pay it now?"

"Eh? Well that's fine"

I pay her and say my farewell.

"Please come again~"

I look at my coin pouch and cry a little. Well then, I should probably do something about my money problem. I guess I'll go in the forest and defeat some enemies to earn quickly.

While walking towards the forest, I came across Leon and the others. It looks like it's their day off since they're just lazing around and drinking.

How carefree. I shrug my shoulders indifferently and kept a steady pace while walking to the forest.

Since goblins seem to sell for quite a lot, I decided to head back to the cave from before.

Bang!

When I got there, someone was already fighting against the goblins.

…

"Need help?"

I ask the silver haired lady in front of me.

"Stay away!"

She looked back and had a sour face.

"Geh, it's you again.."

"Haa…"

I walk towards her and slay the goblins.

"I didn't ask for your help!"

"Argh just take it!"

I throw the magic crystals at her and leave.

"..."

She only stared at me as I leave to go to a different area in the forest.