READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 27 - Episode 27: Becoming more like a wizard?
Episode 27: Becoming more like a wizard?
“Listen, there’s compatibility between a staff and a person. You can use one even if it doesn’t match, but it’s a whole different level when it does.”
Boss was selecting a staff from a small box, muttering “Not this one, not this one either.” As soon as they were handed to me, I tried passing magic through them, but none of them felt right. Passing magic through them felt like trying to force water through a faucet with a hose; there was resistance, and it felt clogged.
“It would be good if there’s one that seems usable with magic passing through…”
“What about this one?”
There were thin ones, gold ones that seemed to be about a meter long, shabby ones, ones with stones attached to the tips, and ones broken with bloodstains… None of them felt right. There was only one left in the box that he hadn’t taken out yet.
“Hmm? That’s… a staff of darkness attributes.”
Opening the box, there was a pitch-black staff inside. It was small overall, with a thin grip that was easy to hold.
“I feel like this one has a slightly better flow.”
“…That’s an assassin’s staff. It’s subtle, but… well, it’s better than having nothing… Being empty-handed is too disrespectful… Well, take it. It comes with a reputation, but it’s better than nothing, I suppose.”
“Um, yes, okay.”
It was a somewhat subtle staff. I was handed various items and left the room. This staff seemed to have a problematic history, said to be carried by an assassin. Moreover, it was of a special attribute, darkness. I could only produce water, but apparently, it was still acceptable for a cleaner to have a staff.
“Just say it’s a ‘staff inherited from your master.’ The treatment of a wizard with a staff and one without is completely different.”
“Understood.”
“By the way, how’s the water output? Also, try the darkness.”
“Water, come forth.”
Passing magic through the staff was difficult. If it were another staff, I probably wouldn’t have been able to produce any at all. There was that much resistance. As for this staff…
“It’s only about half as much.”
“And darkness?”
“Darkness, come forth.”
“It came out! Just a little.”
“No, it seems like it was just lingering in the staff.”
The water worsened when used with the staff compared to using it with bare hands. Darkness seemed to come out, but it felt like it was lingering in the staff rather than coming from my own power. I touched the wall where the black mist had appeared, but nothing had changed. I thought there might be something left on the wall like soot, but it was strange that there was nothing there. Unlike water, does nothing remain when darkness is used?
Anyway, what is darkness, I wonder? A shadow created by obstructing light that has been illuminated? A dark state where light is not shining?
―――――… Though it may be a facade, I had acquired a staff!
Bursa-sama left as if being kicked out at night. I need to ask where, when, and how, but… I’ll have to come up with a plan. I filled a backpack large enough for me to carry with cleaning tools. A robe that looked like that of a wizard, forgotten by noble customers at the gambling den, a pointed hat with a wide brim for cleaning even in the rain… A “slightly presentable dress” and “cleaning protective clothing” along with “pseudo-wizard-like attire” were also prepared. I couldn’t fly with the newly acquired large broom.
It’s too late for etiquette lessons now. The option to become a bug is still on the table.
That day, I immersed myself in reading both volumes of the water magic book, practiced a little, and then fell asleep.
“I’m really sorry this time.”
“I understand the situation, but make sure to bring her back safely.”
“I can’t make any promises.”
“At least have the determination to bring her back without fail. That’s the least you can do, you damn brother!”
“Ouch!?”
“Dugga Boss, let her change, so please leave―――”
Even in my dream, it felt like Boss and the others were arguing.
Thick-faced and sweaty old men… When I woke up, I was already in a carriage with all my luggage.
“Huh?! Kidnapping?! Boss!”
“Are you awake? I’m Bursa, not Dugga… I’m sorry about this time. After all, the job site is… that’s how it is.”
When the curtains of the carriage were opened, a magnificent building that could be seen from anywhere in the capital appeared very close. It was about six times larger than Osaka Castle.
“It’s an order from the higher-ups, so there’s nothing we can do.”
“I’m awake. What should I do?”
“Just wait until you’re called.”
―――And so, I waited inside the royal palace.
Waiting is also a job… It’s been four days already. In my previous life, it was unthinkable to force someone from a different company to wait like this… It’s a noble society, after all.
“Come to think of it, where did you learn manners?”
“I don’t know, I just picked them up along the way.”
“Maybe you’re from a good place. Your hair color and magical power are like that too.”
“Why did you think that?”
Sure, my hair is blue, but I haven’t really learned much about etiquette. My job mainly involves researching and submitting data for the Ministry of Economy, so manners aren’t really a big deal. Compared to the guys at work who stare at numbers even with stained clothes, I still think I’m relatively tidy… But did anything really stand out? …No, just the fact that a little girl is able to answer properly is probably already quite noticeable.
“You can tell just by looking, right? People from the back alleys are used to eating with their hands, but didn’t you eat fish neatly at the mansion? Not many people, even among nobles, can eat as cleanly as you do.”
There!?! No, I don’t want to leave any food behind, and even if it’s not tasty, it feels like a waste not to finish it. Eating fish cleanly is enjoyable… I couldn’t unconsciously eat messily like eating with bare hands or directly from a plate! Impossible, impossible, impossible!
“I-Is that so?”
“Well, it’s not uncommon for people to lie about their backgrounds, but if things get serious, you should speak up.”
I was stared at with suspicion… They’re probably suspecting something. Maybe they think I was kicked out of a noble family, just like Boss? If that’s the case, there might be some trouble brewing somewhere in this castle, with someone dangerous for me. Is that what they’re worried about?
“… I, well…”
There are faint memories in Frim-chan’s head of having had a decent life. But—
“I found myself sleeping in the alley, and before I knew it, I was under Boss’ care. I don’t remember much before that.”
I’m not lying. I don’t know my previous address or name. As for phone numbers… do we even have phones here? Also, isn’t it difficult to remember things like infantile amnesia for someone with a body like that of a kindergarten child?
“… I see.”
Bursa-sama had a stern expression, but from the opposite perspective, I must seem suspicious. Furthermore, I’ve been in a room with only attendants for days. Bursa-sama from the separate room comes to check on me, but I still haven’t been called.
The food is delicious and served in multiple dishes, but I want to go home. I wonder how Taraline and the others are doing? It would have been nice if we could all work together… The stress of waiting also makes me wonder if reading a magic book or practicing magic in the available space is enjoyable. Water magic loses half its effectiveness when used with a staff, but it’s good practice for control. Some nobles rise through magic. You can see that in the Druggen family. So, wizards should receive a certain level of respect… but in my case, I might be seen as a “menial cleaning person” rather than a “wizard.”
As an adult, I understand that it’s normal to encounter unfair things in society and that the important thing is how to deal with those problems. The current situation is like being forced to wait for hours to meet with an executive from another company… Maybe it’s best to just stay still and not move, or maybe reading self-help books while waiting is the right thing to do. There are many others waiting here besides me, and each seems to be passing the time with something meaningful. I practiced in my free time, but it seems like people’s attitudes toward me have started to change.
From “a little girl burdened with large cleaning tools” to “who is this wizard!?”… I think it’s getting to that level. I’m currently practicing in a dress and wizard’s robe. When I entered the waiting room, I couldn’t possibly burden Bursa-sama, a noble, with my luggage, so I walked with trembling muscles all over my body… At the same time, I increased the amount of water I could summon and unconsciously moved each one. Floating water balls are quite beautiful and interesting. I create about ten water balls around my body, extinguishing one and creating one, moving slowly or quickly… It’s fun, but it’s quite difficult to control. It’s harder than a high-pressure washer, which only needs to be activated.
“Frim-chan, can I have some water?”
“Sure!”
“Wow!”
“Thanks!”
“You’re pretty good at this.”
“Thanks as always, it’s delicious!”
It’s probably okay to provide drinking water to the waiting room and the servants who originally work in this castle. After a week, I’m used to it, so when a cup is offered, I pour water into it.