Chapter 20

Magic Inventor

There’s one pattern that Magic University instructor Sophia sees every year at the admissions office.

It’s the smart kids who have some reputation for magical talent in their neighborhoods, acting up, saying they want to develop new magic.

‘Combining 1st-grade magic to create a spellbook that has never been known to the world before.’

It’s not impossible, but the probability is incredibly low.

There are quite a lot of 1st-grade magic spells, and the number of magic spells that wizards can acquire is limited.

Moreover, once you acquire a magic spell, it’s not impossible to replace it with another one, but it requires enormous time and labor.

Despite this, why doesn’t the Magic University stop students from attempting to combine new spellbooks?

Because you have to let them try for new spellbooks to emerge.

The freshmen who study hard, full of passion and dreams while being called geniuses, believe they’ll someday become professors like Isilof or Meldini, but cruelly, the university thinks of them as expendable.

You want to try combining new spellbooks? Yes, go ahead and try! We’ll cheer you on!

If you fail, you’re out.

If you succeed, you’re now the top talent the university will nurture.

Most freshmen who dream of the latter and take on the challenge end up struggling with ruined builds and become third-rate wizards or quietly leave for their hometowns.

But…

“Are you really going to go with these three magic spells?”

Magic University instructor Sophia was at a loss for words.

“Is that not allowed?”

“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but this is… I just can’t understand what logic you used to combine these…”

Caleb.

That rookie who has become famous at the university in various ways submitted a proposal full of madness.

[3 1st-grade Magic Spells]

▶Combat Magic: Dust

▶Combat Magic: Heat Wind

▶Utility Magic: Humidify

“Caleb. Dust as combat magic isn’t bad. You can control a certain area and cause coughing fits to subdue enemies.”

Sophia desperately began trying to dissuade him.

“But it’s not powerful magic either. Heat Wind is the same. You can burn monsters or knock them down with wind, but if you use Fireball, you can kill them outright, right? It would be nice if the combination results in powerful Grade 2 magic, but it’s statistically difficult.”

That’s why normally, even if the combination test fails, people put in versatile magic like Fireball to at least save one spell.

Not extreme minor combinations like Dust and Heat Wind.

“Moreover…”

The most serious problem is separate.

“Why is the third magic a utility spell!”

Magic is broadly classified into two categories.

Combat magic and utility magic.

The former is like Fireball, and the latter is like ‘lie prevention magic.’

‘Humidify’ is also utility magic.

“Caleb. First of all, nobody learns utility magic. Because it doesn’t help in combat.”

Skilled practitioners who have been training in magic for a long time have far more spells than magic slots, so they can add a few utility spells as well.

However, freshmen are different.

“Especially among those, nobody learns ‘Humidify’ even more. It literally just increases the humidity of the surrounding air, but if you wet a towel and hang it up, that’s a humidifier, right?”

Honestly, the instructor’s first thought was that this genius freshman had crossed the line because everyone around him was being too lenient.

This is crazy.

With this combination, there’s nothing to gain…

“Why is it so noisy?”

Professor Dalstream suddenly approached from the side.

Sophia quickly showed Caleb’s magic proposal to him.

“Hmm…”

Professor Dalstream stared intently at the proposal before returning it to Caleb.

“Give it a try.”

“Professor!?”

Sophia looked at Professor Dalstream in disbelief.

“New methods of spellbook combination are always welcome. And the Magic University can’t legally stop it either.”

“…”

“You can purchase spellbooks at the magic bookstore.”

***

It would have been a bit troublesome if he had questioned me persistently, but Dalstream was a cool person, so it became easier.

I left the admissions office and immediately moved to the magic bookstore within the university.

Two from the combat magic section.

[Spellbook: Dust]

[Spellbook: Heat Wind]

One from the utility magic section.

[Spellbook: Humidify]

Now, back to the dormitory.

In the game, acquiring magic is ‘double-click’, but now that it’s become reality, it’s a bit more troublesome.

You spread out your memory book and read the spellbook aloud.

Then the memory book absorbs the letters from the spellbook and records them in the memory book, like a smartphone with a voice memo app turned on.

Then it looks like this.

[Memory Book]

▶Possessed Magic

-Dust, Heat Wind, Humidify.

The magic enters the memory book.

“Done.”

But in this state, you can’t use magic, and you have to move it to the registered magic section of the memory book again.

[Memory Book]

▶Possessed Magic

-Dust, Heat Wind, Humidify.

▶Registered Magic

-1st-grade Magic Slots (0/3)

①

②

③

In the game, you drag and drop into slots, and it’s the same now.

‘Drag and drop with the wand tip.’

I thought the game was quite intuitive, unexpectedly. When I placed the wand tip over ‘Dust’ in the possessed magic section, I could see the letters float up and follow the wand.

Just put it down in the registered magic tab and it’s done.

[Memory Book]

▶Possessed Magic

-Dust, Heat Wind, Humidify.

▶Registered Magic

-1st-grade Magic Slots (3/3)

① Dust

② Heat Wind

③ Humidify

Just filling the slots automatically performs spellbook combinations.

This is the same as in the game too.

[Dust and Heat Wind combination spellbook acquired]

『Book of Dust Explosion』

-Grade 2 magic ‘Dust Explosion’ has been recorded in the memory book.

Combination spellbooks are similar to spellbooks.

It’s just that we call them separately for convenience, but it’s actually no different from acquiring and reading a single spellbook.

The spellbook ‘Book of Dust Explosion’ that’s not sold in magic bookstores.

Did the instructor say something about Fireball?

This is much more powerful.

And the second combination.

[Heat Wind and Humidify combination spellbook acquired]

『Book of Heat Wave』

-Grade 2 magic ‘Heat Wave’ has been recorded in the memory book.

A debuff magic that’s poison to biological creatures, causing powerful exhaustion and heatstroke status ailments.

The final third combination.

[Heat Wind and Humidify and Dust combination spellbook acquired]

『Book of Cumulonimbus』

-Grade 2 magic ‘Cumulonimbus’ has been recorded in the memory book.

When I first tried this build in the game, it was around ‘God of Strategy’ difficulty level.

Raising humidity and creating updrafts with heat wind to send water vapor upward, while using dust as a coagulant to condense water droplets into clouds.

…Such an experimental idea that you might do in middle school science class appeared as a cumulonimbus spellbook combination in the game.

‘Actually, I didn’t make it big with this build back then.’

I eventually lost on the Master floor and started a new game.

But why did I do it again now?

Most magic builds are heavily influenced by special abilities, and Cumulonimbus has good synergy with the hourglass.

“Should I buy a lightning wand?”

Cumulonimbus is a type of summoning magic, and whenever nearby enemies are hit by lightning magic, it strikes down powerful additional lightning bolts.

I want to test something with this during hourglass turns.

[Memory Book]

▶Possessed Magic

-Dust, Heat Wind, Humidify.

▶Registered Magic

-1st-grade Magic Slots (3/3)

① Dust

② Heat Wind

③ Humidify

-Grade 2 Magic Slots (0+3)

① Dust Explosion

② Heat Wave

③ Cumulonimbus

Thud!

I checked the memory book once more and closed it.

Now it’s shopping time.

I need to buy a wand and also get Yernil.

Ah.

I should go to the temple first.

The temple closes early.

***

The notorious criminal of Plandor City.

The unprecedented drug dealer(?) Yernil, who transported a whopping 100kg of drugs!

She was now witnessing the absurd scene of her body being sold for 75 gold.

“…”

Even when she couldn’t pay the 3,000 gold fine in Plandor and was sold to the Magic University, it wasn’t this miserable.

No, seriously, 75 gold is too much!

“You know the rules, right? This 75 gold is the money left from the fine, so it can only be repaid with money earned in the labyrinth through your own abilities.”

Magic University instructor Jacob was explaining to a man who was the team leader of the Adventurer Guild’s slave service department.

The Adventurer Guild had such a department, too.

“Yernil.”

Jacob approached Yernil and gave her light encouragement.

“The Adventurer Guild doesn’t use contribution evaluation scales like we do. So when you come out of the labyrinth for settlement, you need to make aggressive statements.”

“…”

“There aren’t many people like Caleb who consider their party members when making statements. Most people make selfish statements.”

“Yes…”

“But since only 75 gold remains, you’ll probably clear it with just one trip to the labyrinth under normal circumstances.”

That one trip is the problem.

At the Magic University, they put everyone in slave teams and threw them into the labyrinth, but the Adventurer Guild doesn’t do that.

Here, skilled parties will pick Yernil and take her along.

Then wouldn’t that be safer?

Since they’re skilled parties, they’ll be good at catching monsters.

The problem is that the party itself will be dangerous.

Logically, if there are plenty of verified adventurers available, would a party that bypasses all those people to take along a criminal slave worker without equipment or skills be in their right mind?

Say there are two parties here.

The Virtanen party and the party of the bald wizard who became a free citizen.

If those two were recruiting people at the Adventurer Guild, the party that would take Yernil would be the latter.

The Virtanen party would try to take Abisson or Caleb instead.

‘Caleb.’

Yernil thought of him in her mind.

Honestly, she missed him.

She also agreed with Jacob’s words that there wouldn’t be anyone like Caleb who considers party members when making statements.

“Follow me. You’ve already been assigned to a party.”

The slave service department head took Yernil and moved.

‘Already assigned to a party.’

What kind of people would they be?

There are laws and morals in the labyrinth too, but slaves are excluded from that protection.

You can see this from the Virtanen case.

He tried to recruit Caleb in front of the exit room, but actually enticing another party’s party member was rude.

However, at that time, Virtanen didn’t even care about Yernil’s existence, so he could act as he pleased.

‘The skilled party taking me will probably be the same.’

75 gold was pocket change, but to Yernil right now, it was the price of her life.

‘Can I really come out alive?’

Click.

The manager opened the door to the Adventurer Guild’s waiting room, and beyond it…

Caleb was there.

***

“Caleb!”

Yernil screamed in shock.

“That startled me.”

I was really startled. I didn’t know her voice was this loud.

“Wh-what are you doing here?”

And I didn’t know her eyes were this big either. She had a small face and distinct features like an Elf. But now her eyes have doubled in size from surprise, right?

“Did you come to take me?”

She asked as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Yes. Of course.”

“Why… Why? Weren’t you going to join the Virtanen party?”

The Virtanen party.

Hmm.

Honestly, that’s not bad either.

But if I can use both Yernil and Backstab, it’s a hundred times better to add a tank and make a new party.

Moreover, Yernil can also give instructions during my turn.

“I’ll make you a free citizen.”

“…!”

“Let’s go.”

***

Yernil’s face filled with happiness in real time.

“It’s so… So delicious.”

We had a meal together at a restaurant near the Adventurer Guild.

“This is the first time I’ve eaten something this delicious.”

She was almost moved to tears.

It wasn’t bad for me either.

Based on modern eating habits, the pasta was a bit bland, though.

“Yernil. Listen slowly while eating.”

“Yes!”

“Actually, I can make you a free citizen right away.”

“…!?”

Yernil froze for a few seconds, thinking about something, then asked a question.

“I-I’ll try to guess! Magic stone money!”

She shouted.

“The magic stone we got from catching the Venomic Spider that Virtanen sold and gave us 20% each of the payment! Hasn’t that been settled yet?”

Yernil is getting smarter!

It’s the wrong answer, though.

“Even if that gets settled, the Magic University will confiscate all of Yernil’s shares anyway.”

“Ah… Then it won’t even be 75 gold?”

“Right. Yernil’s share when we caught the spider was barely 5 gold.”

“…Then what method?”

“Abisson’s body recovery fee.”

“Wasn’t that already settled?”

Actually, I thought so too, but it wasn’t.

I heard from Clarence. When the university asked how much compensation he would give, he wrote ‘100 gold’.

Because if the amount got bigger, the Magic University would take it away as unjust acquisition.

“So when Abisson is revived, there will be a party, and he told us to come there and receive separate compensation.”

“Then…?”

“We ask Clarence for understanding and request a new settlement of the compensation fee. It won’t be taken by the university, but it will be bigger than 100 gold.”

“…”

“Then Yernil will get at least 75 gold. That’s the first way for Yernil to become a free citizen.”

I spoke honestly.

For future trust relationships, it’s better to share such parts truthfully.

“The second way is to go into the labyrinth with me again and come out. Yernil will become a free citizen, and then we’ll go to Abisson’s revival party together.”

“Huh?”

“Abisson’s family won’t bring magic scales and be picky like the university. They’ll give Yernil a much bigger share than the university.”

“…”

“If Yernil chooses the former, I’ll keep Yernil as my party member until Abisson’s body recovery fee is resettled.”

“Why?”

“So that other parties at the Adventurer Guild can’t take Yernil into the labyrinth before the settlement.”

“Ah…”

“Choose what Yernil wants.”

I spoke calmly, but honestly, I’m a bit nervous inside.

But this question wasn’t only for Yernil’s sake.

If Yernil becomes a free citizen and then deserts the party, saying the labyrinth is scary, it would be better to leave now.

Then I could train a new party member too.

Of course, it’s best if you don’t leave, Yernil. Do you trust me?

“Will Caleb continue labyrinth adventures?”

Yernil asked.

“Yes.”

“Then…”

She twisted her pasta while thinking, then said.

“Then can I keep following Caleb around too?”

“That would be good for me.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“But I’m not much help.”

Haha.

Yernil.

You worry about all sorts of things.

You will undergo hellish training and become famous in this neighborhood as a genius archer.

“Let’s make money together in the labyrinth.”

Yernil’s expression noticeably brightened.

“What about our other two party members?”

She asked.

“I’ve already posted a notice at the Adventurer Guild that we’re recruiting a tank.”

“What about the other one?”

“I’ve already found them.”

“Caleb is really thorough.”

I’m worried about whether that one person and you can get along well.

***

I finished the meal and took Yernil out for shopping.

I went to the weapon shop and looked at about ten bows and crossbows. Testing each bowstring by pulling it.

“I’ll take this one!”

“I’ll buy it for now, but I’ll deduct it from Yernil’s next labyrinth income.”

“Yes!”

Even though it was credit and not a gift, Yernil was as happy as if she had received a present.

“Wear this outfit too.”

I got suitable light armor for an archer and had her wear it. Put a helmet on her and boots too.

“Please show me some arrows too. Special arrows as well.”

I bought some consumables from the weapon shop owner who hit the jackpot today.

And when I attached a full quiver to her waist, ta-da!

Genius archer Yernil appears!

“…!”

She couldn’t hide her joy as she looked at her appearance(?) in the mirror.

Wow.

It definitely looks good even to me.

Maybe it’s because she’s originally slender and pretty. When she’s properly dressed like a ranger, it’s just like Lord of the Rings.

While I was at it, I also bought a Lightning Shock wand and looked at myself in the mirror.

A genius wizard with dual wands appears!

Hmm.

Let’s stop… I’m too much like an anchovy.

No, I definitely looked decent when I looked in the mirror at the dormitory, right? Strange. Is it because I looked after Yernil?

“Oh, right. Yernil.”

I moved on to the next agenda.

“You don’t have a place to sleep right now, do you?”

An awesome party leader solves party members’ meals, equipment, and lodging.

“My Magic University dormitory has two bedrooms, but I use it alone. You can use the other bedroom.”

“Wow, really? Is that okay?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you! I don’t have a place to sleep or money for lodging!”

That’s why I suggested it. With her personality, she’d probably sleep on the streets, and she might get robbed or get into trouble, and get hurt.

“Let’s go.”

Yernil became as happy as a child receiving a Christmas present.

“I’m so, so happy!”

She grabbed my hand and led the way.

Very excitedly chattering.

“Caleb. The Magic University slave quarters have rats, the mattresses are all torn, and it’s incredibly cold.”

Really? Actually, I don’t know.

I haven’t been to the slave quarters since I was possessed.

“But they say the dormitory is really nice!”

“It’s good.”

That’s for sure.

“Does warm water come out too?”

“It comes out well.”

“Is there soap too?”

“There is.”

“Wow!”

“The bed is soft and fluffy and nice too.”

“Wowww!”

Yernil was filled with dreams and fantasies about sleeping well in a hotel-like dormitory and roaming the labyrinth with super genius wizard Caleb, laughing happily.

And the moment we returned to the dormitory together and opened the door to room 308-.

Thud.

Yernil dropped the bow she was holding.

Because Mister Backstab was standing in the living room.

“It’s necromancy.”

During the day, as Isilof’s subordinate wizard staff member, I went to the temple and purchased Backstab’s corpse by proxy, brought it back, tore open the necromancy scroll I received from Isilof, and raised Backstab.

“He’s our party member. Say hello.”

Now I was introducing him to Yernil.

Room 308 of the dormitory has warm water, soap, a bed, and undead Backstab.

“Grrrr…”

“He says hello! Say hello back, Yernil.”

“Caleb. I need to leave here.”

“No way.”