CH 74

(…… A special way?)

Souya was curious about Mia’s words, but decided not to ask the question at the moment. Anyway, the fact that the two of them have become close friends is a welcome development.

The friendly demeanor that Merylou showed when she was drunk suggested that she was not a shy person, and Souya thought that she might be lonely since Connie, the ghost boy she had spent several months with in the Thrail Forest, had passed away. If she could get along with Mia at this rate, it would be easier for him to borrow Merylou’s help in the future.

(…… Am I thinking too much by guessing and calculating? …… I’m a disgusting adult. It’s a bad habit of mine.)

“Um …… I’m also going to the east gate first …… It’s nice to meet you.”

As I was pondering in front of the adventurer’s guild, Aisha, a cleric of Luster, the god of knowledge, who was one of the adventurers who accepted the escort request, came to greet Souya and Mia.

Her round glasses, brown braids tied up on both sides, and grayish priestly robe and cap emphasized her intellectual atmosphere, but her melancholy expression, pale skin, and slender figure also gave her an unhealthy impression.

“It’s nice to meet you, too. So Aisha-kun is a cleric of Luster, the God of Knowledge. I see that you’re acquainted with Mia-kun.”

“Yes. I did two requests with Mia before …… Um, we may both belong to a different sect, but you don’t have to worry about that …… The God of Knowledge, Luster, affirms the existence of all miracle-working gods.”

Souya was relieved to see that Aisha was tolerant of the teachings of other sects.

A certain percentage of clerics and priests will always have a supremacist who refuses to acknowledge other teachings. She seems to have a good relationship with Mia, the Cleric of the Earth Mother Goddess Mikaela, and there seems to be no discord due to sectarian reasons.

The God of Knowledge, Luster, was a neutral sect, and as Aisha had said, she affirmed the existence and teachings of pagan gods, both good and bad. The percentage of the believers of the God of Knowledge Luster that doesn’t accept other teachings must be smaller than the other sects. The grayish priest’s robe with a slight white tinge seemed to be a sign of this neutrality.

However, since there are temples in many cities, a minimum level of order is required in the operation of temples. Therefore, the white vestments are extremely grayish. The position of Luster, the God of Knowledge, was that of a neutral and slightly orderly person.

(It is impure to separate knowledge into good and bad, huh ……. Well, that’s true.)

Souya suddenly remembered the words of the boy who had been his travel companion twenty years ago, the bishop of the God of Knowledge Luster.

“That’s a relief. Can I have a quick look at your magical abilities? …… Are you a double speller?”

Souya asked Aisha. The Double Speller is a special feature of the Order of the God of Knowledge, and the Order strongly recommends learning magic in addition to the underlying sacred arts. Magic is the symbol of knowledge, and 20% of the clerics of Luster, God of Knowledge, have mastered magic.

However, magic is not something that can be learned overnight; it requires a great deal of money, time, and a certain level of intelligence to master. Therefore, most of the people who had faith in the god of knowledge, Luster, were wealthy intellectuals such as merchants, scholars, and magicians. There is a high possibility that she is one of them.

“…… Yes. As a cleric of the god of knowledge Luster, I learned and practiced magic. In case you are wondering, I am a double speller …… In the sacred arts, I can do Cure Wounds, but I can’t do Cure Poison yet. As for magic, if it’s the basic technique …… the magic that I can use is lighting and magic missile.”

As far as Aisha was concerned, her abilities in both sacred and magical arts were at a basic level.

This was also to be expected. A double speller has to learn two completely different forms of magic. The more one tries to master both, the more difficult it becomes to rise to a higher level. The more you try to master both, the more difficult it will be to ascend to the higher levels. If she’s a bronze-class on top of that, she has not reached a high level yet, Souya guessed.

“…… I see. Thank you, Aisha-kun. Let’s both do our best to finish the escort request safely.”

“Yes …… Souya-san seems to have the magic skills of a Master. I have a lot of respect for knowledgeable people …… Well then, I’ll see you later …… With the wisdom of Luster, God of Knowledge.”

Aisha, holding the Cleric Staff, said a short prayer, greeted him with a reverent salute, and walked slowly toward the direction of the East Gate.

“Aisha-kun, huh …… For her to be a double speller. I’m sure she’s put in a lot of effort.”

Souya acknowledged Aisha’s efforts. Even among the followers of the god of knowledge, Luster, only 20% are double spellers. The other eighty percent have either given up on learning magic, have not yet learned magic due to lack of knowledge, or have never set out to learn magic in the first place. It was extremely difficult for a human being to master more than one technique.

“Yes. She’s amazing. Both magic and sacred arts …… It’s like me and Souya-san together, isn’t it?”

“…… Kuku, Mia, that’s an interesting analogy.”

When Souya pointed it out with a laugh, Mia realized the meaning of her words and started to rephrase them in a hurry.

“Eh …… Ah, it’s just that I couldn’t think of a good analogy right away …… for me and Souya-san …… Uhm, I can’t come up with a good analogy ……”

“There’s no need to make an analogy, is there? Oops, let’s leave the jokes at that …… I’m sure it’s amazing, but it’s also a thorny road. There is no common denominator between the two technique’s systems, after all. It is as difficult as climbing a mountain and diving at the same time …… She will need to continue to learn and pray.”

After lightly letting it aside, Mia, who was struggling to come up with a good analogy, Souya explained the difficulty of the path Aisha was about to take as a double speller.

“……Whenever I see Aisha-san at the Adventurer’s Guild or in the tavern, she’s usually reading a book …… I’m not very educated, so I sometimes envy her.”

“Mia-kun are slowly gaining knowledge too …… I guess your hands have stopped while you were in the forest bathing. Let’s resume your studies when this request is over.”

Souya disagreed with the idea that the knowledge of the God of Knowledge, Luster, was supreme, but he did agree that learning was important. Mia still needs to be given more education. She just didn’t have the opportunity to be educated, and her intelligence is not bad to begin with. That’s why she is worth teaching.

(…… Teaching is not painful …… Was my calling not a businessman, but teaching?)

The idea came to Souya’s mind, but he immediately denied it.

It is the honest and exemplary students like Mia who are not bothered by teaching. If it became my job, I would have to deal with bad students who would not accept my guidance. At the same time, I remembered the bad students he had to deal with when I was a tutor in school. And I’m starting to get depressed about Charlotte, to who I have promised to give some troublesome magic lessons. It’s definitely not for me.

“Pray to Luster, the God of Knowledge, in the morning. Practice magic in the afternoon. At night, study and education. The teachings of Luster, the God of Knowledge …… Well then.”

Souya was about to speak to himself, but stopped himself. That would be like estimating Aisha when we’ve just met her. However, I couldn’t help but feel a vague sense of unease at the unsteady steps she showed me.

The Double Speller is positioned like a wise man in a certain RPG.

It’s not that priests of sects other than the God of Knowledge, Luster, can’t become a double speller, but

I don’t think there are many priests who want to learn magic first.