Volume 2 Chapter 46 Let's Buy Souvenirs
The methods for reducing [Mana] during magic use, as written in the "[magic] Use Mana Reduction" section of "The Book of the Great Sage," were 4fold: ① Using the [Mana] within magic stones, ② Gathering [Mana] from the surroundings, ③ For 4-element magic, preparing the elements needed (for water magic, using it where there's water), ④ Increasing the [Skill] level of [Mana Control] to more efficiently convert Mana. An exception was the method of obtaining a [Mana Reduction] [Skill] or magic tool crafted by the hero. Methods ①-③ were already somewhat familiar, but following "The Book of the Great Sage" seemed like it would boost efficiency.
For method ④, it seems feasible to continue training in Mana Circulation. However, without knowing how to acquire the exception [Mana Reduction] [Skill], getting a magic tool made by the Hero seems more likely, though it's probably impossible. An item crafted by the Hero would be a super-rare item, likely stored in the kingdom's treasure vault.
"Haa~, it can't be done in a day or night. I guess I'll have to keep pondering diligently. Let's think of an alternative method for the 'bathhouse' hot water too. But still, this Sage wasn't a teleportation or a reincarnator, and they were still amazing. People like this are the ones they call geniuses, right?"
He got so engrossed in reading that he lost track of time, and it got quite late. Deciding it was about time to sleep, or he wouldn't be able to get up tomorrow, he closed the book and went to bed, feeling a bit regretful. As Cain drifted off to sleep, he thought about how he had killed some good time waiting for the return carriage.
* * *
"Clatter"
"Clink"
"Fresh vegetables today, come buy some!"
"Give me a bit more discount!"
"Sorry, sorry, no haggling!"
As always, the market street was bustling. Cain and Barvish walked through the street to buy ingredients, looking at the arrayed vegetables, fruits, and grains as they strolled along the market path.
Cain was looking around the shops for "rice" and "miso," checking if they had any. He had asked the chef of the Margrave Shield house earlier, but he didn't know. So, the chance of finding them was pretty low, but Cain kept searching, hoping it wasn't 0. He found a slightly larger grain shop and went inside. There, bags of wheat, barley, rye, and various grains──some before threshing and some ground into flour──lined the shelves. He also spotted beans and what looked like corn, but no sign of "rice." Still unwilling to give up, Cain grabbed one of the staff and asked.
"Excuse me, do you sell a white, granular grain called 'kome' or 'rice'? Do you have any?"
"'Kome'? 'Rice?' I've never heard of those. Just a moment, Manager! Hey, Manager!"
"──Yes, yes, I hear you. No need to shout so loud. Sorry for the wait──oh! Is that, 'Sir Cobblestone'? Welcome! Thanks to having your name on the shop nameplate, it's easier to deliver your things. Truly, thank you."
The manager bowed deeply to thank him.
"We're glad you're pleased. But the 'Cobblestone' design is at Margrave Shield's request. Please thank them."
"Understood. Next time, I'll visit with a gift. Today, what can I do for you?"
Cain explained the characteristics of the "rice" he was looking for, but they didn't know what it was. Still, he was happy to hear that, in the capital and other places, various grains from different regions gathered in one market.
Sadly, they had no information about "miso." Its appearance and fermentation made it difficult to identify. Cain continued searching, occasionally being thanked or spoken to kindly by the "Sir Cobblestone" staff, looking for souvenirs in the marketplace. Although he had a rough idea of what he wanted, it was hard to find. He kept walking between shops, sometimes buying small metal trinkets at one place, then moving on to the next.
"Sir Cain, what exactly are you looking for? If you tell me, I can help too."
"Huh, it's fine. If we look together, we can watch each other's backs, right?"
"Don't worry, there's no way we'll let our guard down over something like that."
(Hm?)
Explaining what they were looking for, Luke, who often writes, needed a pen with a metal tip, and Randolph was searching for a magnifying glass like a loupe.
"I don't know about the loupe, but if it's a metal pen tip, I can probably make one. If you can imagine the material and shape, I think I can manage somehow."
"Really! Then let's go buy the materials. Where do you think they sell them? I don't want it to rust, so gold maybe? But smashing gold coins might make someone angry, huh?"
"For gold, you might find it in a large store or a small amount at the Adventurers' Guild. With no connections, the Adventurers' Guild would be the easiest."
Cain and Barvish headed towards the Adventurers' Guild, leaving the market square behind.
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