The Obsessive Regressor of The Academy

40. Primary Task (4)

There were certainties made clear by a string of events.

Magical implements that outwardly pulsed with mana tended to be more flawed than one might think. Not because of issues with the internal spell formulae or combinations, but simply due to the competence of the enchanter who created them.

No matter how grand the spell formulae used to craft a magical implement, it was only natural that imperfections would exist if the manufacturing process itself was flawed.

Of course, to the average person, these flaws would be imperceptible. But for those as keenly sensitive to mana as Asel, using such implements was understandably unappealing.

Especially now, having realized that it was possible to overload magical implements through external interference.

There was no need to pay a hefty sum for a magical implement in a precarious state.

So, Asel wandered through the shops without much interest in the various magical items.

The prospect of a mage tower-produced magical implement had sparked some intrigue, but it faded just as quickly.

After all, not every mage affiliated with a mage tower was capable of crafting excellent magical implements.

They, too, would need to undergo trials and tribulations before creating anything worthwhile. Perhaps it was only natural that the results of those trials would end up here.

From a more ordinary perspective, even these byproducts formed during the process of creating flawless magical implements were quite remarkable. They weren’t being sold at high prices for no reason.

Still, there were a few objects that occasionally caught the eye. The item Asel was currently examining was one such thing.

A small, pocket watch-shaped magical implement. But the face only displayed eight potential hours, and it lacked both a minute and an hour hand, making it quite peculiar.

There was no residual mana, so its functionality remained a mystery. Yet, by simply focusing his gaze upon the implement, Asel could discern the dormant spell formulae within.

‘High-level elemental magic. A different high-level spell is etched into each hour, and the magic that activates depends on the amount of mana poured in.’

An implement of this nature could only be created with a profound understanding of elemental magic. Asel raised his gaze slightly, seeking the origin of the magical device.

[Rüendel Mage Tower Production]

[Harmony of Elements]

Rüendel Mage Tower, was it? Asel pondered their reputation, letting out a soft hmm.

Rüendel Mage Tower belonged to a rather peculiar category amongst the mage towers. Though they dealt with elemental magic, they didn’t separate the elements. Instead, they recognized them as a single, unified magic, drawing elementalists of all kinds to its ranks, resulting in a tower of diversity.

Because of this, the mages belonging to Rüendel Mage Tower, be they pyromancers or hydromancers, tended to coexist harmoniously rather than dividing themselves.

This magical implement was likely another product of their collaborative efforts.

‘The different elements aren’t infringing upon each other’s domains. The mages who assembled the spell formulae must have gentle natures.’

It went without saying, but Asel didn’t believe that a single person had created this magical implement. The nature of the mana contained within each spell formula was distinct.

For a single person to have created this, they would need to be suffering from multiple personality disorder, with each personality being a mage capable of using high-level magic.

What utter nonsense.

Asel chuckled softly, straightening from his stooped posture.

Within his grasp, a vortex of varied elemental spell formulae swirled, then dissipated. He didn’t just look at an interesting implement; he dissected the spell formulae within and mastered them.

With this, he could now use high-level spell formulae in his elemental magic, which was relatively weak compared to his fire magic. Since he could harness its power without purchasing the magical implement, this place was nothing less than a warehouse of knowledge for Asel.

He turned his head to look at Saya, who was carefully examining a magical implement. As he approached her, Saya spoke without looking at Asel.

“It’s a magical tool imbued with tracking magic.”

“……”

“If you inject someone’s bodily fluid, it automatically indicates the owner’s location, like a compass. It’s not terribly expensive, but it’s also quite prone to breaking.”

“Hmm.”

Acel subtly checked the price of the tool based on Saya’s words.

A compass smaller than his palm. Its price was fifteen gold coins. The absolute amount was rather pricey, but as she said, it was relatively cheap for a magical tool. Acel shelved his thoughts on the price for the moment and carefully observed the compass.

Then, he spoke out the truth that had intuitively struck him.

“While it’s tracking magic, strictly speaking, it’s a type of blood magic. However, using blood magic alone reduces its effectiveness, so it’s closer to a tool with other pure magic added. It’s a rather complex formula, isn’t it? The creator must be a fairly high-level mage.”

“……You can tell just by looking at it?”

Saya blinked her eyes and asked.

The first people to realize Acel’s talent always showed that kind of dumbfounded reaction. As it was a familiar occurrence, Acel, without much emotion, pointed at the compass and asked.

“It’s true that it would be helpful in hunting monsters, but the cost-effectiveness doesn’t add up. You’re not seriously thinking of spending that much money just for the assignment, are you?”

“I am thinking of spending it.”

Saya answered with a grin. Acel was speechless. Regardless, she called over a clerk to express her intention to buy the compass and continued.

“As you said, it’s a waste to spend gold coins only to complete the assignment. But if I think of it as an investment, it’s not that regrettable.”

“……”

“Doppelganger blood sells for ten gold coins for just one cup’s worth. It’s possible because there’s a lot of demand but little supply. But if you catch one doppelganger, you get enough blood for easily dozens of cups. It’ll be difficult to take it all because of its unique toxicity, but you should still be able to collect at least half. That’s a whopping fifty gold coins.”

“This investment is for that?”

“Something like that. It helps with the assignment and is also useful later on. You won’t lose much buying it here.”

She seemed to genuinely think so. Acel didn’t bother to contradict her. She was buying it with her personal money, and lecturing her would only be meddling.

‘If it helps with the assignment, then anything is fine.’

He thought that way and changed his mind.

The first assignment starts tomorrow. Acel planned to finish the jewel crafting before then. He also needed to carefully dissect the elemental formulas he had obtained from the magical tool shop, and he had to slowly wrap up the other tasks as well.

As always, time flew by without any room for boredom after becoming a formal mage. But he didn’t completely hate it.

Acel chuckled to himself and followed Saya as she left the store. After that, the two went around to several shops, buying the necessary items, and after having dinner, they returned to their respective dormitories.

As soon as Acel entered his dorm, he went straight to his lab and took out the jewel he had left on the desk.

Time was running out if he wanted to finish the crafting before dawn, when he would depart for the request.

Without looking back, he drew out mana like a thread and began the crafting process.

*

“Hoo……”

Acel exhaled a long breath, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. A glance at the clock on his desk revealed the hour hand had long since passed midnight.

The jewelcrafting had taken far longer than anticipated. Trying to perfect a task, attempted for the first time, without assistance, well, it was unavoidable.

Thankfully, the result was pleasing. Acel rolled the smoothly-cut gem between his fingers, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.

With this, all tasks due before the first assignment were complete. The rest could be tackled after the Doppelganger hunt. No point in rushing; a bit of leisure here seemed wise.

Thinking thus, Acel carefully wrapped the gem in cloth and stowed it in a drawer. It could rest undisturbed, retrieved just before departure.

He emerged into the living room and went straight to his messenger bird. Injecting magical power into the metal construct, he placed a strand of Ena’s enchanted hair into its beak. The bird, previously still as a corpse, flickered to life, its eyes glowing, its wings twitching.

[Coo-rook.]

“Take care of it.”

Acel placed the folded letter into the bird’s opened torso with a clunk, stroking its cold metal head.

*Flap!*

The messenger bird looked at him once, then flew through the open window.

Powered by Acel’s magic, the bird felt lighter than usual and spiraled upwards into the night, emitting a series of echoing cries.

[Coo-rook! Coo-rook! Coo-rook!]

Only when the cries faded into silence did Acel close the window and stretch.

*Knock, knock.*

Simultaneously, someone knocked on Acel’s door. Acel’s face tilted slightly. Instinctively, he activated a detection spell, identifying the knocker.

“Grace?”

A sticky, almost cloying presence, yet sharp with a distinct aura. Confirming it was her, Acel approached the dormitory door.

He didn’t know why she was here, but this late hour suggested the matter wasn’t trivial.

He’d been meaning to have a sincere conversation with Grace anyway. They hadn’t known each other long, but honest dialogue wasn’t necessarily hindered by that. Sometimes, not knowing each other well allowed for greater openness.

Though, the fact that it was this ungodly hour was a bit concerning. Still, he could overlook it, assuming it meant she was truly desperate.

Thinking this, Acel flung open the door. He plastered on the most amiable expression he could muster.

“What is it, Grace? Is there something you want to say?”

The answer didn’t come immediately.

Acel didn’t press. He stared at Grace, who gazed back with vacant eyes, and his brow furrowed.

The heavy scent of alcohol wafted from her. Her disheveled bangs stuck to her lips, and her cheeks and face were flushed crimson. Her breath reeked of intoxication.

She was undeniably drunk. If he left her on the street now, someone might just carry her away. Talking about being sincere? That was a far cry from where she was in the moment.

Still, Acel wasn’t disappointed.

A swordswoman of Grace’s caliber could dispel intoxication at will. If she’d intentionally left the drunkenness intact…

*’Either she needs the alcohol to say something, or she’s been driven to the brink.’*

Either way, it wasn’t a good sign. Asel moved toward her, asking with a concerned voice.

“Grace, you alright?”

“Glen.”

“…What?”

“Call me Glen. Like you used to.”

“…I never did.”

Asel frowned, as if she were spouting nonsense. But Grace was adamant.

She slipped into Asel’s wide-open embrace. The faint scent of alcohol, heavy perfume, and her natural odor filled Asel’s nostrils. It momentarily stiffened her body.

While Asel was flustered, Grace lightly kissed the nape of her neck.

*Smack.*

Sticky saliva connected Asel’s skin to Grace’s lips.

“Hoo, haah…”

It happened in an instant. Grace exhaled a panting breath. Asel, suppressing the rising desire with utmost patience, furrowed her brow and spat out,

“You crazy b*tch.”

She couldn’t hold back.