I head for my room while talking with Yuel. Yuel had been studying various things with Astel since morning, but seems like it got called off partway. Apparently the saint is going to head outside the mansion, so Astel will be accompanying her.
Oh right, did Astel already teach you about poisons?
Yes. Today she taught me how to use paralysis poison, and antidote compounding. She shared a small bottle of paralysis poison with me, too. Shes going to teach me tomorrow as well, I think.
Eris and Ruruka are trailing behind, maintaining a bit of distance from me. When I turn around to check, both of them back off from me as if they choreographed it in advance.
As I suspected, trying to enter the bath together with me was excessively hasty for the two of them. They want to pretend it never happened and not bring it up again, I can keenly sense that kind of atmosphere.
Well, in the end, I dont intend to ask them to get back in the bath now or anything. And Yuel is here too. Theres nothing I can do, so Ive decided to make some idle chatter with Yuel to cure my sadness.
Ohh? Nice work. Whats she gonna teach you tomorrow? If today was paralysis poison, then is it gonna be hemorrhaging poison or something next?
Tomorrow is aphrodisiacs.
What was that?
Aphrodisiacs.
I-I see Aphrodisiacs, huh.
Why aphrodisiacs? How did we end up on aphrodisiacs? We were supposed to be having idle chatter. It should have been a safe topic.
I take a look into Yuels eyes.
Theyre no different from usual. Not especially impatient, no sign of embarrassment either. Shes casually looking at me just like normal. What the heck is Yuel thinking, aphrodisiacs of all things
No, I must be thinking too hard. Yuel wouldnt use aphrodisiacs with wicked intent. I mean, shes not me. Im sure she has a respectable reason.
Well supposedly be studying how to make antidotes for aphrodisiacs. In the event that the succubus uses them, Master may no longer be in any condition to use Dis-Poison.
I-I see, right, of course!
See, it was a respectable reason. In Yuels case, I dont need to be worried. Thinking too much. I was thinking too much.
Also
Yuel abruptly mutters softly. After that, her face bashfully reddens, and she wiggles her head as if to shake off her earthly desires. Then, clutching the hem of her clothes, Yuel looks down.
Nothing, never mind.
I-Is that so. I-If its nothing, then fine.
If its nothing then theres no problem. There shouldnt be any problem, right?
-As I make small talk with Yuel in that fashion, having a problem-free conversation, a figure appears at the other end of the hallway. Those characteristic blonde drills are Frans, no mistaking it. Behind her, Sera is there too.
Ahh, there you are. Ive been looking for you.
Then she calls out to me.
Looking for me?
Indeed, just earlier I overheard a knight reporting to Saint-sama. It would seem that in the basement of the church, they have discovered Darnauds secret storehouse. Would you care to accompany me?
For a moment I wonder what sort of business she has with me, but apparently shes inviting me to go somewhere. I dont really get why shes inviting me, though.
Accompany you youre asking me?
I told you previously that I would teach you magic, did I not?
I ask for confirmation, and Fran makes a somewhat cross expression as she replies.
I have no intention of leaving that which I have once promised unfulfilled. Knowing that archbishop, he had surely amassed a plethora of valuable magic tools, the sort one would not be able to obtain in the markets.
I suspect that there will be plenty of things suitable for use in practicing magic as well.
Now I get it. So the magic lesson that we left half-unfinished last time, she wants to get it over with once and for all?
Darnaud wore a boatload of mana capacity increasing rings, that much I clearly remember. For sure, if that guy had a hidden warehouse, something tells me itll produce a big pile of high-priced magic tools. Just as Fran said, we might even be able to find something suitable for magic practice.
Wait, but is it alright?
This girl isnt she mad at me? She has no reason not to be.
-Back when she was teaching me magic, I pretended I had barely any mana.
It was in the form of running with Frans misunderstanding, but Fran was earnestly trying to teach me magic, and I lied to her about my own ability. I remember her unusually kind and sympathetic voice.
Though considering how she normally acts, Im half-expecting to get hit by a Fireball every time we meet.
As Im pondering, Sera comes close and whispers into my ear.
Fran seems to want the magic capacity increasing magic tools that the archbishop possessed. However, though she may be the lords daughter, unsurprisingly it is not as if she can just freely take such expensive magic tools.
Accordingly, she thought to request them using the justification that theyre necessary in order to instruct Sage-sama in magic.
Ah, I get it.
Shes just using me as a front, huh. Anyone who uses magic would want a magic tool that increases mana capacity. That being the case, their price is extraordinarily high. Though shes the lords daughter, be that as it may, she must not be rich enough to afford one.
Since I got permission from the saints subordinate, I start stuffing every last one in my item box.
-As I do, I notice Yuel staring at me with a dazed look.
? I wonder whats wrong?
Yuel is holding a somewhat luxurious collar in her hand as she watches me putting away the other collars. Is the one shes holding the same kind? Its decorated with gems; maybe she mistook it as an accessory or something. What should I do if she asks me to put it on her or something?
Master, you can use the Appraisal skill?
Yeah I can, why?
I realize as Im saying it. That blank look of hers was most likely surprise.
Up until now, Ive used my Appraisal skill to identify Yuels skill, and to determine the abilities of magic tools in front of her. But I didnt tell Yuel that I used the Appraisal skill to do so. I sorta forgot about that.
What should I do if she cries because her masters a liar or something? No, technically speaking I didnt lie about it though. Its just that her astonished reaction was amusing, so I didnt want to mention the truth about my having the Appraisal skill.
Is that so? To even be able to use the Appraisal skill, Master is amazing!
For an instant she seems flustered, but Yuel merely nods in agreement. Then she makes a complete change and starts looking at me with sparkling eyes.
Ah, Master, this one seems a little different from the other collars!
After that, simply remembering her original objective, she presents the collar shes holding to me. Looks like she doesnt particularly want to put it on. It merely caught her interest because it seemed different from the others.
Oh wow that archbishop, he even developed something like this?
When I try using Appraisal, its certainly different. But in the end, its too late. Now that the succubus petrification is nearly certain, I shouldnt need it. Well, Im gonna take this one too, just in case.
Can I have this one too?
Yes, if Sage-sama says its necessary, by all means, please take it with you! Im indebted to Sage-sama for treating my petrification. If theres anything I can do for you, anything at all
Apparently the subordinate of the saint whose petrification I treated was none other than this priestess. Hold on, I thought the reason she permitted me to take whatever I wanted was because Im the Sage, but apparently it was entirely her personal feelings.
I wonder if its actually alright for me to take these? Also, I dont think that the words anything at all should be uttered so casually.
Im well aware that Eris and Ruruka, who viewed accessory-type magic tools as rare until just now, are carefully observing my behavior. Naturally, if I were to say something like Did you just say anything? here, that would leave a bad impression with not just Yuel, but Eris and Ruruka as well.
Even without using Appraisal, as expected, a magic tool that increases magic capacity can be identified simply by putting it on. Ive already finished. I heard you mention being able to use Appraisal; have you found any magic tools that seem suitable for practicing magic?
As Im contemplating, a satisfied Fran forces her way into the conversation. Did she already finish securing her share of the magic tools?
Uwaah thats some serious bling.
Ruruka mutters when she sees Fran.
Shes certainly decked out. Much like that archbishop, her fingers are studded with mana capacity increasing rings.
They suit me well, no?
Replying thusly to Rurukas words, Fran holds her fingers up to her own face. After that, as if unfolding a fan, she spreads her bedazzled hands. Then she gives a prideful snort. But what is it about her?
When Fran, with her blonde twin drills, does that how do I describe it
How should I put this its gaudy like new money.
New money!?
Was she shocked by Rurukas impression? Fran shakes violently. I think its gaudy too. Luxurious hair + extravagant accessories = I feel like Im gonna hurl.
Hold on, more importantly, theres something bothering me.
Oi, all totaled, how much are those worth? Theyre probably gonna sell off the magic tools here to use for taxes or to add to the church funds, right? Wont it be bad if you walk off with a slew of them?
Im just borrowing them, though, so theres no problem for me. And Ill return them once the matter of the succubus is sorted out.
I-Im only testing them for a while, I shall return them afterwards! More importantly, have you properly found a suitable magic tool for practicing magic!?
I wonder if thats true? Well, I dont particularly intend to get deeply involved either. Rather, I forgot until Fran mentioned it, but we were supposed to be looking for magic tools that I can use for magic practice.
Hurriedly, I cast Appraisal on everything from A to Z.
I have no need for magic tools that increase mana capacity.
And I received a cane from the saint, which is a legendary item used by the former Sage
Those bracelets seem to be mere decorations made of gold.
Theres not really anything usable.
Well, that archbishop didnt seem like the type to practice magic diligently, either. Rather, even without expressly fishing through the archbishops magic tools, I get the feeling that the cane I received from the saint will be more than enough for magic practice by itself.
No, now that I think about it, I received the Sages cane from Philine. There dont seem to be any magic tools better than this. Ill try practicing with it.
Is that so.
Well, sorry for making you accompany me. It will be difficult here, so shall we return to the mansion?
There was no harvest for me, but Fran seems satisfied. Well, I also want to try using attack magic for once in my lifetime. Ill accompany her for just a little while longer.