#029 The Three Colors of Magic (3)
I decided to combine “Blue Light” and ‘Alchemy.’
If we were purely considering support for allies, “White Light” wouldn’t be a bad choice, but using ‘Alchemy’ effectively leaned towards “Blue Light” for better efficiency.
“And alchemy is where I can best utilize my traits.”
Alchemy was a discipline with incredibly diverse facets.
It allowed for healing allies through potions and the creation of various consumable magic tools using Mystic Stones.
Yet, the number of alchemists who actually engaged on the front lines was remarkably few. Generally, they were scholars at heart, making it rare for them to step into battles. Another reason was financial.
Well-crafted potions could replace a priest’s healing magic.
Scrolls that conjured fireballs could substitute for a mage’s attack spells.
But whether it was healing magic or attack spells, they consumed the user’s own mana, which regenerated over time for magic users. In contrast, the tools created by alchemists were one-time uses; once deployed, they were finished.
Unless the purpose was to compensate for the lack of magic users, it’s rare to use consumables as a primary strategy.
Doing so was akin to throwing money into the air.
“However, a ‘Greedy Debauchee’ can afford to do this.”
The funds I had saved over two years by fulfilling tasks assigned by the Head of the Family, combined with the dividends I periodically received from Theo, were just a fraction of my capabilities.
Opportunities to earn would come aplenty in the future, and they would be generously used to strengthen myself and my companions.
“…While I have thought about making various equipment in the Workshop, the limit on how much gear can be used at once is a factor. Most importantly, with Ligret already breaking things left and right, if I crafted something myself, it might end up being used as a disposable weapon.”
In her leisure time, Ligret took great care in maintaining her weapons. Yet, she had almost no attachment to the very items she polished.
It was simply preparation to ensure they performed at their peak, and she would use them up without hesitation if it meant winning.
Fortunately, after receiving the “Ancient Guardian’s Longsword,” which had remarkable durability, and the “Pheldows’ Summoning Gloves” that allowed me to conjure throwing spears like consumables, the need to replace weapons had lessened.
“Of course, that just means she’s using them even more roughly, so it’s not like I feel bad about the money spent; it’s just… I don’t want to handcraft something that gets wrecked.”
It wasn’t that I had no qualms about money; it was that time and effort were just as precious.
<><><>
On Saturday evening, after all the elective classes ended, I asked Ligret and Fiore.
“Well, since Ligret is obviously going with ‘Red Light’ and Fiore with ‘White Light’ for combat, what will you choose for your support class?”
Without hesitation, Ligret replied simply, “Hunting.”
Fiore, already having made her decision, responded without any reluctance, “I plan to study tactics, big brother.”
I pondered for a moment.
‘It seems there’s nothing to worry about with Ligret.’
Having hunting skills could only be beneficial, and knowledge about concealing her presence, approaching the enemy, and the ecology of monsters would indeed be very useful.
However, Fiore choosing tactics was unexpected.
“I thought you would choose healing.”
“I considered that too, but since you said you were going to study Alchemy, I decided to switch.”
“Why’s that?”
I had figured out what she meant, but pretended not to understand as I asked again.
Fiore replied with a bright smile, “It’s more efficient to delve into an area where there aren’t already people to support it.”
After all, I would be supporting with potions for recovery, so there was no need for her to focus solely on that.
And that meant just by me announcing that I was studying Alchemy, she had deduced what strategies I might employ in the future.
‘She’s smart, but perhaps she’s smarter than I expected.’
At first, I had thought to suggest that Fiore take a medical course, but I quickly changed my mind.
As Fiore said, even if the efficiency of recovery magic dipped a bit, it could be supplemented with potions. The difference between having a wise commander among our ranks and not having one was significant.
Moreover, a healer and a commander role complementing each other was crucial for assessing all allies’ conditions and providing support as needed.
Once we finished discussing subjects, the conversation shifted to daily life.
Fiore spoke up, “By the way, have you both decided what to do on Sunday?”
Ligret shrugged her shoulders in response. “Better to ask this guy.”
“Why?”
“Since I’ll naturally be sticking around you.”
“No, you don’t have to be my bodyguard even at school. Surely, no one would openly stab a classmate—”
“Well, even if it’s not stabbing, I wouldn’t be surprised if some troublemaker tried something.”
“…”
Ligret motioned subtly toward the surroundings.
I noticed a group of five students glance our way and whisper as they passed.
I realized, ‘This is no time to just be crafting strengthening plans.’
The reputation of the House of Midas was poor.
But to be precise, only students from the same Spero Kingdom viewed the Midas family as a thorn in their side. Moreover, students from families close to the current Royal Family wouldn’t necessarily be hostile, even if they weren’t friendly.
Students from other countries were even less affected; regardless of how cruelly Vern Midas gathered his wealth, that influence hadn’t yet stretched beyond the borders of the Spero Kingdom, making it so that foreign students had never suffered from it.
Most importantly, the number of students from the Spero Kingdom was less than one-sixth of the total.
Excluding those mentioned earlier from the Royal Family supporters, the number of people harboring ill feelings toward the Midas House was barely fewer than 20.
So, for now, I thought it would be fine to focus on building strength while gradually enhancing closeness with students who didn’t have bad impressions of us… But…
‘If they’re already gossiping so openly not even a week in, things are definitely going to get worse from here.’
It felt like someone was intentionally spreading our bad reputation at an alarming speed.
Still, it wasn’t like I could march up to the suspicious characters demanding answers or actively defend myself, considering the fact that the misdeeds of the House of Midas were very much real.
No matter how natural it might be for a merchant to lust for wealth, the Midas way of ruthlessly squeezing every last cent from the vulnerable was the perfect target for blame and mockery.
‘Honestly, there are surely worse noble families that have lasted for centuries, but when I do it, it’s romance, and when others do it, it’s infidelity.’
So, what should I do?
The answer was obvious.
‘I’ll abandon the plan of selectively optimizing our resources and focus on just bulk-growing our numbers for now.’
“Then let’s go shopping as a group on Sunday. Let’s invite Roto and the others we teamed up with during the entrance exam. Ligret, Fiore, if you know anyone, feel free to invite them too.”
“Wow, that sounds fun! I’ll see if I can get a few kids from the temple to join.”
“…What are you plotting again?”
While Fiore clapped her hands in glee, Ligret squinted suspiciously at me, prompting me to grin.
“Isn’t it only natural to build camaraderie with friends we’ll be spending time with in the future?”
<><><>
Thus, the next day, the lineup of people gathering at the shopping district was as follows:
“Okay, I’m counting on you all!”
First up was Roto, the boy from the rural village I met during the forest exploration test.
“I came when you called, but what exactly is this gathering?”
“……..”
Next, there was Pino, the spirited girl with green hair from the three-colored ring exam, and Rabaul, the young man always clutching a book with his gray, curly hair.
“Hey, Ligret. Didn’t you invite me over for a rematch? Why is this about shopping all of a sudden…?”
Crow Bain, the dual blade master with a rather frivolous demeanor, grumbled with a dissatisfied look on his face.
“Haha, Fiore said it would be fun, and looking at everyone here, I think she might be right.”
Akasha, a woman from the temple wielding a gigantic great sword that was even bigger than her, stepped forward among the eight students gathered, including me, Ligret, and Fiore.
“We’ve got some familiar faces and some new ones, but let’s skip the stiff introductions for now.”
Pointing towards the vibrant storefronts brightened by the start of the academy, I continued, “For now, let’s just have fun. I’ll cover the cost.”
I absolutely loved being a vulgar nouveau riche.
Others might shy away from such splurging due to pride, but I could do whatever I wanted without a care.
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