Who Is the World’s Strongest Appraiser? ~Living in Another World With Satisfying Meals~

The Difference Between Magic Tools And Magical Items

The one being poked at by Yuuri is quite familiar in this world, with a range of performances but known by everyone: the representative of magical items, the Magic Bag. It wasn’t his school bag but the one left at the base for shopping trips. It looks like a rugged tote bag. However, you can’t see inside it. Even when the bag’s mouth is wide open, peeking inside reveals nothing. Yuuri isn’t sure if it’s connected to another dimension or not.

To Yuuri, items he doesn’t understand the workings of are, in general, considered magical items. So far, this categorization hasn’t been wrong. Both use magic stones during their creation, but a definitive wall exists between magic tools and magical items.

Magic tools, put simply, utilize magic stones as a power source. Devices that produce hot water use water and fire attribute magic stones. Tools use lightning attribute magic stones as their power source. Essentially, the components that function like electric circuits in modern Japan are supplemented with magic stones.

However, Yuuri has never made a magic tool nor has any intention to, so he knows nothing about their finer details.

Magic tools, when explained with their materials and effects, are things that people can understand with an “Ah, I see.” When told “This part uses this magic stone and works like this,” even laypeople can somewhat get it. That’s what makes it a useful tool—a magic tool.

But magical items are different.

From the familiar Magic Bag to Yuuri’s beloved alchemy pot, they defy physics altogether. How they came to be and how they work is completely unknown. Magical items, as their name suggests, are “mysterious tools like magic” in the general understanding.

“…Really, magical items are a mystery…”

He muttered to himself. It was an afternoon of quiet leisure, a rare day off for Yuuri. If left alone, Yuuri would endlessly do housework, so Ali ordered him, “You’ve been overexerting yourself, so rest!” Every few days, the apprentices take over housework instead. Today was one such day.

In short, Yuuri was very bored. Housework was forbidden, and even mending was scolded, so he found himself lazing around the living room with Luke lying at his feet.

“Ah, Yuuri-kun, all alone?”

“Jake-san…You seem well today.”

“Ha-ha-ha. I apologize for last time.”

“Thank Urgus for carrying you, not me.”

“Right.”

Jake appeared, holding a book under his arm with a gentle smile. Though not very adventurer-like, he would immediately fit the image of a scholar or researcher. Recently, he collapsed in the hall, fatigued from heat and lack of sleep. He was found collapsed in a cool, shaded area, likely out of instinct. Yuuri, now used to life here, casually accepted, “Ah, Jake-san’s collapsed again.” Urgus, a young man with a strong arm skill, helped carry Jake to his room.

“So, why are you alone?”

“It’s a day off.”

“Ah, I see. Even clothes-mending was taken?”

“Exactly…”

Yuuri stretched out on the table, and Jake gave a wry smile. Given a break, Yuuri had nothing to do since everything he wanted was housework. Understanding Yuuri’s situation, Jake sat next to him.

“Jake-san?”

“I can be your conversation partner.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I have no pressing matters. So, why were you poking at the Magic Bag?”

“Just curious about how it works.”

“How it works?”

Jake tilted his head and nodded slightly. The Magic Bag’s mysterious structure was indeed puzzling to even scholars like him. Smiling, he began to explain to Yuuri.

“Would you prefer a scholarly, technical explanation or a general one like I give the trainees?”

“The latter, please.”

“Understood.”

Yuuri quickly responded, knowing he wouldn’t grasp detailed explanations. Jake’s “trainees” were apprentices and recruits, so if it was tailored to them, Yuuri could follow. He hadn’t delved much into fine academic studies, so this was welcome. Meanwhile, Ali was gradually teaching him the necessary knowledge to live here without difficulties.

“Well, to put it simply, magical items, including the Magic Bag, are artifacts.”

“Artifacts, as in excavated relics like the first alchemy pot?”

“That’s right. While mass-produced through alchemy pots, their origins are the same. Created by bending laws through the power of mysterious artifacts.”

“So…basically, they’re ‘objects we don’t understand how they were made’?”

“That sums it up.”