Volume 2 Chapter 3 Last Night Was Fun
The "Red-Faced Sheep" inn seems to cater to long-term adventurers, as the rooms are mostly single or double occupancy. They also offer a service like a storage room in the attic for adventurers to keep their belongings when they are away for a long time on guard duty. The room prepared for Al was a single room. For a magician like him, who studies spellbooks late into the night, this was a great arrangement.
After finishing his dinner and giving a quick thanks, he hurried back to his room. He immediately took out the newly acquired Conceal spellbook with great care. Just because he got the spellbook doesn't mean he could use the spells right away. It takes a long time to learn them. This spell is a 3rd Tier spell, and it's said that it usually takes about a year of studying for an hour every day to master it. Learning spells requires a lot of concentration, so most magicians, after getting tired from their daily lives, are satisfied with just learning a few spells.
However, Al was different. He loved magic, so he could study for 5 or 6 hours every day without getting tired. Moreover, he really enjoyed reading spellbooks, so he had almost memorized their contents. As a result, he could compare multiple spellbooks and think about their meanings, allowing him to learn more efficiently.
Because of this, for the same 3rd Tier Illusion spell he recently learned, he was able to use it in about 20 days, and he could use it almost perfectly in just a month.
He couldn't stop grinning as he held the new Spellbook in his hands.
"Now, I wonder what kind of spells are in here..."
Al hummed to himself as he spread out the scroll of the spellbook. The parchment, about 30 cm (' 11.8 in) tall and 2 meters (' 6.6 ft) wide, was covered in complex circles, symbols, and writing. Each symbol and circle represented different elements. He leaned in closer, starting to examine it slowly. After a while, he pulled out a bundle of parchment he had brought and began comparing it, mumbling to himself about this and that.
...
......
He didn't know how many times he had repeated this, but he finally looked up and started to massage his shoulders while glancing around as the faint morning sun began to rise. Noticing the sunlight coming through the window, he stretched widely and frowned.
"Ah, it's morning already. I did it again. When I get something new, I just can't help it..."
The hardworking people outside were probably getting ready to leave their homes. He hurriedly started to clean up the scattered Spellbook and parchment. After turning off the light he had lit with a Light spell, only the soft morning light remained in the room. He collapsed onto his bed.
"I'll just sleep a little... I feel like this spellbook is similar to the Illusion spell, but the part about choosing the target feels a bit different. Unlike Illusion, I don't have to control the image that appears..."
Even as he lay down, he kept mumbling, but he must have been really tired because he soon started to snore.
* * *
The day after Al stayed at the (Red-Faced Sheep) Inn, in the backyard of the inn, Russ's wife, Louren, and their daughter, Iris, were skillfully doing laundry. The sun was high in the sky, so it was probably around noon.
"Hey, Mama. That person still hasn't woken up."
Iris asked her mother, Louren. The "that person" she was talking about was Al, the benefactor who had brought her father and brother home yesterday. He looked about the same age as her, but he seemed experienced as an adventurer. From what she heard, he was a magician, yet he didn't act all high and mighty. He didn't speak roughly like other adventurers and was kind to her, which made her a little happy.
"Well, yes. He might be tired from traveling a long distance, but it is a bit late. Can you knock on the door and call out to him? You're not a child anymore, so you can't just go into his room."
"Okay, got it."
She stopped washing and stood up, lightly adjusting the hem of her faded apron dress that her mother had passed down to her. She entered the building from the courtyard and started to go up the stairs. There, she noticed the sound of running and doors opening and closing on the second floor.
"! Maybe he woke up?"
Just as she whispered that, Al appeared on the second floor landing, looking flustered.
"Good morning! Wow, I really overslept."
He said this while quickly coming down the stairs. His shirt buttons were done up, but his long blonde hair, which reached his back, was wildly tousled. Al looked at Iris's face and fiddled with his hair, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Um, I'll clean my room myself, so if possible, could you please not come in? Also, is it okay to use the well in the courtyard?"
Seeing Al like that, Iris smiled brightly.
"Yes, I won't go into your room. But please don't leave any valuables behind. You can use the well, and feel free to use the bucket next to it. Just be careful, as drinking it straight can upset your stomach. If you have any dirty laundry, I can wash it for 30 copper coins per piece, so just let me know. However, depending on the dirtiness and material, there might be extra charges, so please be aware. And, um... your hair is quite a mess."
"Huh?"
In a fluster, Al instinctively touched his hair. Seeing this, Iris couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ah, when I was a kid, my big sister used to cut my hair. But since I entered the dorm, it's been a hassle... I should probably get it cut soon."
"Mr. Al has a big sister, huh? What's this dorm you mentioned?"
"Yeah, I have 2 big sisters. And just to add, I have 2 big brothers and one little sister. The one who used to cut my hair is my oldest sister. The dorm is a middle school dorm in the capital. I just graduated this year."
As he said this, he kept running his fingers through his hair. His messy hair gradually started to come together, and after a while, he finally managed to tie it up. He wrapped a string around it a few times to secure it.
"If you'd like, I can cut your hair. I'm not that great at it, but I do cut all my family's hair."
"Oh, that would be helpful. But I have a lot to do today, so can I ask you to do it another time?"
Al smiled happily as he said that.
"Yes, of course. Feel free to ask me anytime."
"Okay, then I'm going out... By the way, can you tell me where the Levy Merchant Guild and the Adventurer's Guild are?"
"Sure! This city is built on hills, and the lord's mansion is at the top. From there, big roads called main streets go in all directions: east, west, south, and north. There are also circular roads around the city called ring roads. They're named 1st ring road, 2nd ring road, and so on, starting from the closest one to the lord's mansion.
This shop is near the east main street and the 3rd ring road, so we are on East 3rd street. The north side of East 3rd street, where our shop is, is pretty safe. But the south side isn't very safe, so please be careful.
The main store of the Levy Merchant Guild is on North 1st street, and the Adventurer's Guild is on West 2nd street. They're both large buildings near the intersections of the main streets and ring roads, so you'll find them easily."
Al nodded at Iris's explanation. Since the city was planned out, the wide streets seemed pretty easy to understand. As they were talking, her mother, Lourein, approached and offered a piece of black bread.
"I'm sorry, but we've already cleaned up the stew, so this is all for breakfast. At our inn, breakfast is served between the second and third bells in the morning, and dinner is served an hour after the sunset bell rings. If you don't come during those times, we can't serve you."
"It was the same at the school dormitory. Of course, that's fine."
Al honestly accepted the bread and took a bite. While chewing, he checked his knife and belt pouch.
"Okay, I'm heading out for a bit. I'll be back by sunset. Like I said yesterday, there might be some suspicious guys around. Please be careful."
"Got it. Thanks for the warning."
"Mr. Al, you be careful too."
He waved lightly to Louren and Iris and cheerfully set off.
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