Kays Translations

Chapter 421: Heading to the Magic-Tool Workshop

Sunlight streamed down, and the water scattered across the grass quickly evaporated. That should have cooled the surroundings a little. Marquis and Marchioness Mulan’s expressions had relaxed as well; it must have been quite hot after all.

“That swimsuit looks good on you. I wonder if you could make one for me too?”

“Of course. You’ve been such a great help to me after all.”

“Oh my, no, it’s us who should be thanking you.”

Marchioness Mulan lowered her brows and placed a hand against her cheek, while Marquis Mulan, seated beside her, wore an equally troubled expression. I had not known what to expect at first, but staying at the House Mulan estate had begun to feel almost like a homestay. I realised I was enjoying myself more than I had expected.

Could I have been feeling cramped at the House Heine estate? Surely not.

After everyone had enjoyed themselves for a while, I dried them with wind magic. I blew away the moisture and wrapped them in a gentle breeze; before long, everyone was completely dry.

“Julius, I want you to teach me magic.”

“Of course. I’m going to the magic-tool workshop tomorrow, so shall we start now?”

“Then, after we change, let’s gather at the training ground!”

With that, Ijidol happily went to change. Fabienne and Caro were apparently going to have tea with Marchioness Mulan afterwards. They must have wanted some time for a ladies’ conversation. I left Mira in Fabienne’s care and focused on teaching Ijidol magic. Mira would be content as long as there were sweets.

Ijidol had clearly continued practising magic even after I returned to the House Heine estate. His control had improved considerably. Although he struggled at first, by the end of the day he had learned both the shower spell and the spell for drying his hair and body.

“Ijidol, your magic has really improved. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to learn those spells so quickly.”

“Thank you. But it’s because you teach so well, Julius.”

Even so, he could not have learned them in a single day without his steady effort. Axel and the others later asked for a mock bout, but I did not want to work up another sweat, so I declined.

A shower magic tool really was necessary. I wanted one not only in the bathroom but beside the training ground as well. When I mentioned it, we decided to convert a corner of a storehouse into a shower room.

I would handle the alterations myself, but they would be easy with magic. No problem.

After dinner, I returned to my room and found that the magic-tool-making set I had ordered had arrived. I immediately took it to the compounding room, carved a magic circle into the box and installed a magic stone. The box could now serve as a storage magic tool.

Several low-quality materials remained inside, but the rest were all quite valuable. I could not bring myself to throw them away, so I left them there in case Lord Leon needed them.

The next morning, I prepared to visit the magic-tool workshop. Fabienne remained at the estate to continue compounding magic potions. To be safe, I checked the herb garden first and found a small patch of medicinal herbs growing vigorously, so I harvested them.

Nero, Giles, Christopher, Ijidol and I set out for the magic-tool workshop. Mira was taking her usual walk through the garden with Caro, and Axel had joined them. That was why a sulking Ijidol had come with us instead.

“Ijidol, cheer up. I’m sure you’ll meet someone wonderful too.”

“Ugh, are you trying to comfort me?”

Ijidol regarded me through narrowed eyes. He had a point: I already had an adorable fiancée in Fabienne, so perhaps my words had sounded smug. Still, his dejection was hardly my fault.

“We commoners have to find partners for ourselves, don’t we? I suppose all we can do is leave it to the gods.”

“Then we probably won’t have a chance until we enter the academy.”

Giles and Christopher had already entered full resignation mode. It was true that attending the academy would give them more chances to meet people of the opposite sex their own age, but who knew how many would actually find partners there?

“The academy, huh… Julius, you’re not attending the Royal Academy, are you?”

“No. I’ll attend the academy in the territorial capital.”

“Ha. I guess I’ll go there too…”

What was wrong with Ijidol? He had become unusually pessimistic. Then again, he had always been rather shy. I had almost forgotten because he now behaved so naturally around us, but he had been like this in the royal capital too.

If he attended the Royal Academy, however, he would be there with Axel and Caro. Then again, they would probably enter different courses. Axel would take the knight course, Ijidol the magic course, and Caro might choose the magic course as well. I would attend the magic-pharmacy course in the territorial capital, so we would probably end up separated regardless.

“Julius-sama, we’ve arrived at the magic-tool workshop.”

Nero’s voice drew me from my thoughts. Through the carriage window, I saw a three-storey building constructed from roughly stacked stone. It appeared quite old; the buildings on either side were comparatively new, with flat façades and large windows. I could not tell what kind of shops they were, but their windows displayed goods like showcases.

Shops of that kind were still rare. It was probably the latest style; traditionally, merchants simply placed goods outside their shops.

As expected of the eastern distribution hub, the latest fashions had already reached the city. Once we returned to the territorial capital, I could discuss the idea with Brother Alex. If the Heine Trading Company adopted this style, it would certainly attract attention.

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