Published at 20th of November 2020 09:24:29 PM
Chapter 31.2: 31.2
“Can I ask how you came up with these prices?”
“The spells which a greater number of people can cast costs cheaper, while the ones with a small number of users come at a higher price .
Basically, it’s based on the number of people who can use said spells . The ratio is more or less proportionate to the price of the corresponding magic tome . In other words, spells from cheaper magic tomes have a greater number of users, while spells from the more expensive ones have lesser .
But we can also factor in a particular preference regarding a certain spell regardless of the cost, so the trend isn’t absolute .
And people who can afford the more expensive spells are generally those with lots of money to spare . They won’t trouble themselves with fulfilling your request if there isn’t an appropriate compensation . ”
“I see . So that’s the case . Which of the spells in this list can you show me immediately? Oh, and when I say ‘immediately’, I don’t really mean you’ll have to show me the spells right now . It’s fine if it’s within these next few days . ”
“Let’s see… This one, this one, this one, this one, this one, and this one . ”
Carsan took the list from me and circled some spell names on the list with her pen .
-Water Magic
Water Ball: 500 Guineas
-Light Magic
Light: 500 Guineas
Light Ball: 500 Guineas
Light Arrow: 950 Guineas
Light Wall: 950 Guineas
Heal: 1000 Guineas
“That’s unexpectedly few . ”
“Yes, unfortunately .
Alan-san can already cast Fire Ball, Flame Arrow, and Wind Cutter, I’ve been told . These spells are some of the most popular .
They are comparatively easier to learn as well .
About half of our Guild members have learned these spells as well . So, in a branch with a limited number of members registered, these are all we can offer at the moment . ”
“I see . I understand . ”
Come to think of it, the spell Water Ball is like the water-based version of the Fire Ball spell . I think I’ll be able to cast it even without the help of anyone else after a bit of practice .
So, within the spells indicated, the only thing I don’t think I’ll be able to handle is the Heal spell .
It seems pointless to pay 500 Guineas to see spells I would be able to work out on my own after all .
“I’ll be canceling the request for these particular spells then . ”
I borrowed her pen from Carsan and crossed out a number of spells on the list
“Tch . ”
Eh!? Did this person just click her tongue? I raised my face and locked eyes with Carsan .
“What is it, sir?”
“No, nothing . ”
What I saw was a composed expression that didn’t have a trace of someone who clicked her tongue in annoyance .
(She did click her tongue earlier, right?)
「Affirmative . 」
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Oh boy . It looks like I really can’t judge a book by its cover .
I also crossed out the spells on the list I felt I could puzzle out on my own apart from the ones marked with a circle . I ended up crossing out about two-thirds of all the spells on the list .
“I’m sorry about canceling for some of them, but the price is a bit steep, so I’ll have to consider my budget, you see . I hope you don’t mind . ”
“No, please don’t mind, sir . I can demonstrate Heal for you in a few days, but as for the other spells, we’ll work on them once a Guild member who can cast them becomes available . Would that be fine, sir?”
“About that, we’re actually not permanent residents of this city but are in the middle of our travels . I think we’ll be able to stay in this city for a month more, but that would depend on the situation . Please consider this point . ”
Most likely, we’ll get some sort of reply from the request we placed at the Adventurer’s Guild within a month at most .
“If that’s the case, we’ll contact you immediately once a Guild member becomes available so we can work on your request on the spot . Well, I’ll be handling ten percent of the listed spells though . ”
“Yeah, that arrangement’s good . ”
“What about the matter of registering as Guild members? Lily did mention you’ll be getting a twenty percent discount, correct? Are you going through with it?”
“I’ve thought about it, but I guess we’ll hold off on becoming members first . ”
Since we’ll only get to see Heal this time, we wouldn’t be able to make up for the cost of the sign-up fees for all three of us .
“I see . How unfortunate . ”
She wasn’t putting on a polite display . It seems Carsan really thought it was a pity .
“I also want to ask about magic tools . Would that be okay?”
“Of course . What do you want to know, specifically?”
“I’m interested in getting to know the types of magic tools currently available . Do you have some relevant documents regarding this available?”
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“We do . Lily-!”
Lily walked back to the reception counter and took out a piece of paper .
She then went back to the table and handed it to me . The contents were a list of magic tools along with simple descriptions about their functions . It was sort of like a catalog .
Flame producing magic tool, refrigerating magic tool, light-emitting magic tool… There were several kinds of magic tools listed out . It looks like there wasn’t a magic tool akin to a mixer yet .
“By the way, how much would it cost if I were to place an order for the manufacture of a certain magic tool?”
“It would depend greatly on the specific function of the tool in question . What kind of magic tool are you thinking of requesting?”
“Um, I’m a cook and find it hard to mix stuff by hand, so I was wondering it’s possible to use a magic tool to make mixing ingredients easier . It would greatly ease the burden if a magic tool was used, I think . ”
“Cooking, is it? This is the first time I’ve encountered such a proposition . So it would mainly be a tool for mixing fluid substances, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right . Like eggs, oil, and stuff for example . ”
“The development costs along with the manufacturing fee would amount to about 60,000 Guineas by my estimate . ”
“It’ll cost that much!?”
“Yes . In the case of an entirely new concept of magic tool, we’ll have to create several prototypes and test them out before we can produce a completed product after all . This is a necessary step in the process . ”
“I see . That’s unfortunate then . ”
If developing a mixer would cost me 60,000 Guineas, I think it would be better if I continued doing it by hand .
“The costs would be cheaper if you make them yourself, of course . ”
“Eh!? You can develop magic tools privately?”
“Well, I meant it as a joke, but it’s technically possible to personally develop a magic tool . ”
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“You mean you can teach me how to make magic tools here?”
“We can; if you become a Guild member that is . We’ll still be charging a fee of course . ”
“And how much would that be?”
“A basic magic tool manufacturing short course would be 50,000 Guineas . This goes without mentioning, but it’s not like you’ll be able to successfully develop the magic tool you want once you undergo the course . But it’s theoretically possible . ”
I’m not particularly fixed on getting a mixer anyway . But I’m interested in the basic workings of a magic tool though . 50,000 Guineas is expensive, but I guess I’ll take the plunge!
“Ria, I’m…”
“You don’t have to worry about the money, Alan . You want to do it, right? There’s no problem since we’re going to stay at the inn for free from now on . Do as you please Alan . ”
“I see . Thank you, Ria . ”
“Okay then . I’ll avail the short course please . ”
“Alan-san will be the only one taking part, correct? Well then, please pay the 500 Guinea registration fee at the counter and take the qualification exam, please . Would this be fine?”
“Alright . ”
I paid five silvers and received a copy of the Guild rules from Lily . It looks like they won’t explain it in detail personally, unlike the Adventurer’s Guild .
“Well then, please follow us to the exam hall . ”
Once I agreed to take the Guild member qualification exam, Carsan remained all smiles .
Carsan guided the three of us to the exam venue . The exam hall was the same one used by the Adventurer’s Guild . It looks like the two Guilds were sharing the use of the building .
We went inside the Adventurer’s Guild building first, and Carsan talked about something with the staff . She then led us back to the exam hall .
“Alright then, please demonstrate every spell you can cast to me, Alan-san . ”
It looks like this time’s exam is similar to the magic portion of the adventurer qualification exam we took a few days back .