Chapter 3 Becoming An Apprentice To Granny To Learn A Trade
Standing before me is a run-down mountain hut. This is Granny's house, located a short walk from the village.
Now, why did I come here? It all started a few days ago.
In order to leave this village quickly, I was looking for a trade to learn. However, my family is not wealthy enough for me to attend school after leaving the village. Therefore, I was searching for "something" I could learn in the village.
In Emme Village, there are three shops: an armor shop, a weapon shop, and a tool shop. I used to wonder why there were weapon and armor shops in this small village, but now I understand it's for when the hero sets out on his journeys. It's all for the convenience of adults.
But even if I become an apprentice at these shops, I'll only learn how to sell things. Well, maybe I can also learn how to identify products. However, in the capital city, there are surely better quality tool shops than here, and with just the limited knowledge of this village, it seems like I won't be able to compete.
So, desperately trying to recall memories from my past life, something came to ny mind. On the outskirts of the village, there should have been a granny who was an alchemist.
In this world, there exists an item called a healing potion. As the name suggests, it's a potion used by wounded warriors to heal their wounds.
Healing potions are liquid, made by boiling medicinal herbs. There are various types of medicinal herbs, and by mixing them together, healing potions can have different effects.
In "Last Brave," healing potions were usually bought at the tool shop, but later in the game, players could freely mix the collection item "medicinal herbs" to create them.
Yes, healing potions are made by mixing medicinal herbs. That means—there is a profession called an alchemist in this world.
In this rundown mountain hut lives a lady known as "Granny," who used to be a famous alchemist working in the royal castle. After retiring, she moved to this village where high-quality medicinal herbs grow abundantly and indulges in alchemy as a hobby, being a true "alchemy enthusiast" at heart.
In the middle of "Last Brave," it was explained that you could start concocting herbs on your own, but you actually needed Granny to do the mixing for you.
In the middle part of the game, Granny's presence is introduced. After that, when you visit Granny's house on the outskirts of Emme Village, you are given an item that seems like it was packed with the convenience of a magic pot in the game.
In this story, when you put ingredients into this pot, they are magically transferred to the "Granny's" house magic pot. Granny then mixes them and if she puts healing potion in the house magic pot, it's supposed to reach the protagonist. The exact principle isn't explained in detail—it's basically a convenient plot device created by the creators to save players the hassle of going back to Emme Village every time.
When I went back to Emme Village to get this pot, I still thought Laura might be the heroine. However, as I mentioned before...
After the "Granny" event, there were no events visiting the hometown, Emme Village, so gradually, Laura's presence fades from the memory of players like me who were focused on following the story without exploring every nook and cranny. She doesn't even come up in character discussions. Truly, I am a pitiful existence.
――The story has gotten long, but you probably already noticed from the flow of the conversation. Yes, I intend to become an apprentice to the alchemist 'Granny.' And become an alchemist myself.
Healing potions are essential in a world where monsters exist. Furthermore, the demand for them will increase due to the revival of the Demon King in the future. It's a valuable skill to have. Ideally, I would prefer to work as an alchemist in the royal castle of the capital city, but for now, just leaving this village would be good enough.
The issue lies in whether there are still monsters in the world after the Demon King's demise. In 'Last Brave,' after the ending, you are sent back to the last save point. Therefore, I didn't know if the monsters disappeared from the world after the Demon King was defeated.
However, healing potions are not just for treating wounds. There are also healing potions with effects similar to modern cold medicine, so they won't become completely obsolete.
With that in mind, I have come this far to become Granny's apprentice.
"Laura, be careful."
――Together with Lukas.
We walk to Granny's house which is located a little way out of the village, just a short walk into the forest. It was easy to imagine that Lukas would come along if I said I was going to such a place. So, I tried to casually deceive him and leave the house, but Lukas didn't fall for it.
The other day, when I visited Radmila's house, amidst Radmila, Petra, Julia, and me enjoying their chat, they were recognized us as a pair. Since then, we've hung out with them a few times - of course, without Lukas - and have been steadily getting closer. But recently, a certain word that was clearly said to me still pierces my heart.
'I thought Laura didn't want to be friends with us because Lukas always with you.'
'I thought the same. I can't come between Lukas and Laura.'
'Yeah, yeah. That's why I'm happy that we've become friends like this.'
I was happy to hear the words they shared with me because we've become close, but deep down, I still felt conflicted. I made a firm vow to keep getting along with everyone in this way.
On the other hand, Lukas seemed to be playing with the boys in the village while I was with the girls. The boys liked the pattern that appeared on his left eye and said it was cool, which led to them striking up a conversation. Despite some teasing in the past, they have managed to build a fairly friendly relationship now.
Both Lukas and I have been expanding our circle of friends more smoothly than we expected. Yet, Lukas and I were still considered to have a "special" close bond.
"Lukas, thanks for walking me here. I can go back alone, so you can head back first if you want."
"It's more dangerous in the evening than at noon. I won't be a bother to Laura, so I'll wait."
"But..."
"I'll wait."
Lukas said with a smile and a confident tone, showing no hesitation.
Mentally, I currently see Lukas as a cute little brother figure. I hope that if things continue like this, I won't end up falling in love with the future hero. But who knows what traps - I mean, events with Lukas - lie ahead. That's why I don't really want to spend too much time with him.
(It feels like I'm treating a little boy coldly, and it makes me feel guilty...)
These feelings that arise when I think of "me." They just come up on their own, and I can't control them. But worrying about Lukas is something for a few more years.
I shook my head a few times to clear my clouded emotions and knocked on the old wooden door in front of me.
"Um, excuse me!"
I sensed movement behind the door. The sound of rustling fabric echoed strangely. I was worried about nobody being there, but it seemed like my fears were unfounded.
The door creaked open with a sound. Naturally, my back straightened, and my hands gripped my skirt.
From the gap of the open door, a head wearing a robe emerged. Suppressing the urge to scream, I stretched to catch a glimpse of the "Granny" face. Since the character always wore a robe in the game graphics, I couldn't see the facial features.
"Oh, what brings the young lady from Emme Village here?"
A surprisingly gentle voice came down. My tense body relaxed with relief. Before this relief could fade, I spoke out with determination.
"Please take me as your disciple!"
Her large red eyes widened, peeking out from the robe. They were a beautiful, jewel-like shade of red.
* * *
"Feel free to sit wherever you like."
Despite the sudden visit, Granny welcomed me into her home. From the outside, it looked like a run-down mountain hut, but inside, it was surprisingly well-built. However, the room was overflowing with various medicinal herbs, pushing essential items for daily life like the kitchen and bed to the corners. It was clear that Granny was a potion-making maniac, as evidenced by her choice to live in this inconvenient village where good medicinal herbs could be found after retirement.
Of course, I already knew this while playing "Last Brave."
"So, you want to become my disciple because you want to become an alchemist, right?"
"Yes! Granny, you used to be a famous alchemist, right? Please teach me!"
I portray myself just like an innocent child yearning to become an alchemist through expressions and voice. It may be a bit embarrassing, but if you get shy, you lose. Besides, I only have memories from my past life, so even though my actual age is that of an 8-year-old girl, there's no need to feel embarrassed.
"I don't have much money, but I can help by picking herbs, cleaning the house, and things like that!"
Make sure to offer proper compensation. It may be too modest to call it compensation.
I came here today assuming I would be turned down. However, I have no intention of giving up. Even if I have to resort to dirty tactics like crying to persuade her, I am prepared to become her apprentice.
I want to become an alchemist. As far as I can think of now, that is the best path for me.
"Young lady, let me ask you one thing."
The Granny took off the robe she was wearing, revealing the face of a kind-looking old lady with white hair that was even more pleasant than imagined. To think such a face was hidden under the heavy robe.
The Granny with red eyes looked at me and smiled warmly. However, her eyes conveyed a strong determination.
"Why do you want to become an alchemist, young lady?"
It was an unexpected question. What's the point of asking such a thing? But since I was asked, I must answer.
To be frank, I want a job that ensures I won't struggle with basic needs even if I leave this village. I felt that being an alchemist would be suitable in that regard. That's why I want to become an alchemist.
But can I really say such things so candidly? I'm not the kind of person who can confidently declare that I want to help people all over the world.
After some hesitation and indecision,
"I, in the future, want to leave this village and see the world. At that time, I still think having a job is necessary. If I'm going to work, I want a job that helps others... "
While wrapping my words in a little white lie, I tried to be as honest as possible. Then, with a smile, the Granny's mouth curled up.
"You're an honest young lady. But... if you become an alchemist, you won't go hungry no matter where you go in the world."
Not going hungry. Those words made me feel like my own thoughts were being affirmed, and it made me happy.
Choosing to become an alchemist was the right decision after all. What's more, it was fortunate that this old lady lived near the village. Going back further, it was lucky that there were high-quality medicinal herbs near Emme Village. Otherwise, the Granny wouldn't have moved to this village.
Suppressing my excitement, I waited for her next words. Judging from her previous words and expression, I thought I had made a good impression.
"If you're okay with this Granny as your mentor, you can call me that. Having a cute disciple makes me happy too."
Saying that, the Granny slightly widened her eyes and smiled mischievously.
It's fine to call me mentor.
Having a cute disciple makes me happy.
I mulled over the words spoken by the Granny and finally realized.
I had been accepted as a disciple.
"T-Thank you very much!"
I stand up and deeply bowing. Then, the Granny exclaimed with a cheerful voice, "You're a polite young lady, aren't you?"
It seems like I've been able to start much more smoothly than I had imagined. I never thought that she would welcome such a young girl as her disciple without any hesitation.
I've reached the starting point. The rest depends on my efforts. Under my mentor's guidance, I will study hard and become a splendid alchemist!
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