Kays Translations

Chapter 27: Villainous Aristocrat Seeks Advice

"Cough. Let's conclude the discussion here."

After hearing about the shocking love life of our homeroom teacher, Vermeil cleared her throat once more.

Then, she began to speak with a serious expression.

"Next month, the first-year students will form small groups within each class and participate in a three-day outdoor education program. Please make necessary preparations individually."

An outdoor education program, huh?

I had thought it would involve activities like cooking curry and kindling fires, similar to what I did in my previous life, but it seemed a bit different.

Vermeil explained the details of the outdoor education program.

"Among the students attending this academy, there might be those who will become lords or ladies in the future. Depending on the circumstances, such individuals might need to lead armies someday."

In cases where monsters appear in a territory or when there is a war with another country, it's common for the lord or lady to personally lead the army.

It appeared that this outdoor education program was organized to provide practical knowledge for leading armies.

"Additionally, the location for this exercise is a forest near the capital. There's a possibility of encountering monsters, so make sure to maintain your weapons and armor. Also, the use of magic bags is prohibited. Senior students will accompany each group as supervisors, so if you use magic bags, they will find out immediately."

Ugh, seriously?

Not being able to use magic bags will make carrying stuff a bit of a hassle.

Well, if it's not available, there's nothing to be done about it.

...But just in case, it's scary to think about going without, so maybe I'll sneakily bring one.

After all, it's only prohibited to use it. Just having it should be fine.

I'll need a tent, a sleeping bag, a lamp, and maybe a large backpack.

"And don't neglect gathering information. Preparation is key for this outdoor education. Ask the senior students and teachers various things and be prepared."

"””Yes!!””"

Senior students, huh.

"Alright, if you need anything, just let me know, Kouhai."

"Haha, yeah, outdoor education. Those were the days."

After finishing classes, I decided to seek advice from my senpai, Leon, who lived next door in the dormitory.

Leon listened attentively to my concerns without a trace of annoyance on his face.

He truly is a great senpai, I thought.

"Right, first, can you tell me what you're planning to bring?"

"A tent, sleeping bag, and a lamp."

"Yeah, those are essential. The forest near the capital gets really cold at night, so it's good to choose a high-quality sleeping bag."

"Hmm, I see."

"For the tent, it's good to choose one with a sturdy design that doesn't let in drafts. Oh, but then it might be bulky and heavy..."

"No, it's okay. Despite my appearance, I'm quite fit."

"Is that so?"

Leon-senpai smiles like a flower.

Well, is this person really a man? His way of laughing and his gestures are so feminine.

"Is there anything else besides that?"

"Um, well... how about cooking utensils?"

"Cooking utensils?"

Like frying pans and pots?

"Last year, no one in my group brought any cooking utensils. So we couldn't cook proper meals and ended up roasting the fish we caught from the river over a campfire."

"Well, it sounds delicious."

"Yeah, well, it was decent, but you know? We didn't even have salt, so it was kind of bland."

In that case, I should bring some seasonings along with the cooking utensils. 

Salt would be the minimum requirement, considering how ridiculously expensive pepper is.

"Oh, and mushrooms!"

"Mushrooms?"

"Yeah, you must never eat mushrooms. Last year, a student from the same class ate some and collapsed."

"Ah, mushrooms can be poisonous, and it's difficult for amateurs to tell if they're safe to eat or not."

Alright, I won't eat mushrooms.

After that, I received various helpful information from Senior Leon, and I managed to gather most of the necessary items.

It was midnight.

Probably, by the time everyone in the dormitory had fallen asleep, I was immersed in my work alone.

I always preferred a civilized life.

That was something I wouldn't compromise even for an outdoor training event.

"Ouch... Needlework is something I'll never get the hang of, no matter how many years pass..."

I'm currently sewing fabric. I'm crafting a sleeping bag for the outdoor training.

Apparently, you can apply shaping magic to process fabric, but unfortunately, I haven't mastered that level of skill yet.

I poke the needle repeatedly, sewing the sleeping bag.

"Now, I just need to fill it with cotton... and it's done!"

Cotton is excellent for insulation.

When I tried getting inside, it was surprisingly comfortable, and I started feeling sleepy.

No, no, I can't sleep yet. The work isn't finished.

"Now, if I infuse the needle made of mixed magic ore and iron with a weak fire magic and insert it inside..."

With this, a warm sleeping bag is complete, ready to be used anytime, anywhere.

I think with this, even in the middle of winter, there won't be any worries about freezing to death during camping, right?

...I wonder if selling something like this in the future could be profitable.

I don't intend to sell guns, cars, or fake household appliances, but something with just a little ingenuity like this might work well.

I'll think about it.

"Now, for the tent... hmm, a regular tent would be boring, right?"

I want to enchant it with something interesting.

Let me think for a moment.

The outdoor class will take place in the forest near the capital. Naturally, there will be monsters.

I'd like a tent that can protect me from monsters, something like that would be great.ters.

"Barrier magic... it's inefficient."

There are several types of magic that are not suitable for enchantment.

Usually, magic is the phenomenon that occurs when shape is given to magical power.

By altering this "shape," the power and effects of the magic can be enhanced.

Enchantment magic involves attaching the 'shape' directly onto an object beforehand.

The advantage of enchantment magic lies in reducing magical power consumption by avoiding the need to change the 'shape' of the magic every time it's cast.

...Well, the downside is that it lacks flexibility, but let's set that aside for now.

Barrier magic, on the other hand, requires an additional factor: 'thickness.'

In other words, durability.

Adjusting this 'thickness' factor is complex; it's not impossible, but attempting it could ironically increase magical power consumption.

Mother and Reldo seem skilled in managing this aspect efficiently, but as I said, I'm not at that level.

"Hmm, camouflage with earth magic? It might not look great..."

The moonlight pouring in through the window catches my eye.

Moon... Sun... Light...

"Light...how about light magic? Refracting light to conceal the tent, maybe?"

For several days, I work through the night, steadily advancing my preparations for the outdoor class.

The following month, the outdoor class begins."

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