Volume 1 - CH 5

I am the travelling alchemist Mei.

Acquiring the all-purpose map without a hitch, I found myself on the streets while aiming for the next town.

[Fufufu-. As long as I have this map I will never be lost, and by changing the mode I can see the position of the demon beasts. Isn't it fun-]

Collecting material while singing my self-composed song on the way to the highway. The weather is clear too, this is the perfect day for a journey.

...By the way. Speaking of journeying, I finally have a goal.

That is to 「Broaden the renown of alchemy in this world」

The alchemy that I know and love is considered minor in this world. Due to that, when compared to magic, it's often treated as inferior.

I do think magus being powerful in a fantasy world is a common trope and I also understand the admiration for it. However, not once have I thought that alchemy is inferior to magic.

That's why, by using this cheat items that I was fortunate enough to be bestowed to their maximum potential, I will spread the wonders of alchemy wherever I go.

◯ ◯ ◯

...Oh, seems like it's getting cloudy?

Embracing that ambition of my mine while strolling, I felt the cold wind and looked at the sky. Without realizing, the sky is turning dark and it seems like it will rain anytime soon.

[That's weird. It was clear only a moment ago]

I tilted my head while opening the all-purpose map, wondering if it has the capability of weather forecasting. Yes, much like cloud radar.

While thinking that I started tinkering with the map and it did change its mode. Hmmm. This dark bluish part must be displaying where the rain will fall

[Geh]

...It seems like the rain cloud is approaching at a high speed from the north. This looks bad.

The wind felt colder and colder over time, I desperately searched for a shelter. Along the highway there are tree and plant growing at a certain interval but, they are all thin and doesn't seem dependable.

Eventually, the rain started falling and not along after it I could hear thunders and it became a heavy rain.

[This is bad--!]

While getting drenched from walking in the rain, I covered my head with my two hands in a futile attempt to protect myself.

It's a little too late to realize this, even if I can predict the rain, it's useless if I don't have the means against it.

[...That's right. This is the perfect time for the map!]

I retrieved the map I kept earlier from the bag. It is not wet at all despite the rain but I am not going to question the logic.

[Please let me find a shelter!]

Forcefully unwrapping the map, I zoomed it out with all my might to search for the shelter. There it is. Just one place.

The distance is about 500 meter. Run, me!

◯ ◯ ◯

In the midst of the downpour, I entered the hut I found by chance. Ahh, I am drenched. It got me real good.

[...Who are you, big sister?]

[Eh?]

Closing the door, I started squeezing the sleeve of my clothes to dry it which was when I heard a voice from behind. As I turned around, there stood a girl with a worried expression. Is this a residence?

[Ara, do we have a guest?]

Explaining I am not a suspicious individual, which was then from within the hut came the voice of a woman.

[S-Sorry. I thought for sure that this was an uninhabited house...]

As I was apologizing, the woman corrected her posture. The lady who just entered the scene was clearly unhealthy and pale. I wonder if she is ill.

[It's such a heavy rain. Which should help each other when we are troubled. Please stay here until the rain have passed]

[Thank you] as I said that, the lady started coughing. The girl rushed to her side, and supported her to the bed.

[...Mother is sick]

A short moment the girl returned. Her name is Mary, and she told me about the situation.

Continuing, [As we are poor, we cannot afford in live in town] was what she said.

I thought it was strange that there were small houses along the highway but to think this was the reason. The tax of that town seems high too.

[Well then, I will borrow your place for a bit]

Informing the residents, I took out the cauldron and recipe book while drying my clothes. Don't get the wrong idea for I am still clothed. I prepared spares just in case, even tho it's a little wet.

What I started working on was a raincoat and umbrella. Thinking about preparation for the future, I decided to get to work as the rain continues.

Following the recipe book, I started with the waterproof cloth. It is made by preparing powder made via crushing glass and cloth, it seems like a thin layer will be formed to repel water. Glass is procured through the potion container and as such I didn't have much difficulty getting materials.

I mixed the completed waterproof cloth with bamboowood I got from Meno's forest......which is a plant that I can only identify as nothing but a bamboo. In no minute, the umbrella is completed.

Next, I mixed the waterproof cloth with oil in the cauldron, and similarly the raincoat was swiftly crafted. All right, I shouldn't have to worry with all this protection.

[Amazing. Big sister, are you a magus?]

Mary who has been watching my alchemy from God knows when asked me that with sparkling eyes.

[Fufufu, this is alchemy] was what I exclaimed proudly. However, Mary tilted her head and answered [Alchem......?]. Yea yea, I get it. Alchemist is just some insignificant profession.

...Doing this and that, it was then I heard the chirping through the thin wall. It seems like the rain have stopped.

The anti-rain equipment that I painstakingly made doesn't have the chance to shine but that too is fine. Keeping the completed product along with the tools, I placed a few bottles of potion on the desk as compensation.

[Wah, potion. Big sister, are you a merchant?]

[Like I said, I am an alchemist]

I tried to enforce my will again, but it seems like she doesn't understand.

[This is a gift for allowing me to take shelter. You can let your mother drink or sell it at town for money. How you use it is up to you]

Money is important but, an alchemist who will return favor to the best of her ability. That is who I am.

[Well then, I shall be leaving now. Thank you for allowing me to take shelter from the rain]

Expressing my gratitude too to the mother who was lying inside, I placed my hands on the door handle. At that moment, the door was opened from outside with momentum.