Chapter 50 - Chapter 49: Rare Metals
The first month of the earth, the second week, a Tuesday.
It has been about a week since the new year began.
That being said, there is no vacation or anything like that, so nothing has changed from usual.
After school, Mika locked himself in the library within the school building, leaning against a bookshelf and reading a book.
Recently, various knowledge has been taught in class.
Knight Academy.
Just like the Magic Academy, there is a Knight Academy, and it seems children there strive day and night to become future knights.
Mika had heard about it occasionally until now, but had not paid much attention to it.
While the Magic Academy is mandatory starting at age eight under the Dominion Law, the Knight Academy apparently has no such mandatory age requirement.
However, it seems one must graduate from either the Magic Academy or the Knight Academy to inherit the family headship, so for noble children, attending the Knight Academy at age ten is almost like an obligation.
Can those who cannot fight themselves defend their lands?
Those who cannot defend their lands have no qualification to rule.
Under this ideology, it seems only those with brute strength become lords.
(...I can't say I don't understand what they're trying to say, but aren't 'governance and defense' and 'wielding a sword oneself' different things?)
It might be a problem for someone with absolutely no experience to become a lord, but isn't it a bit too much to just throw that aside?
(Wouldn't it be fine if there were someone excellent in martial arts under a lord specialized in politics?)
Mika thinks such things, but also thinks, "Well, that is indeed the ideology of a kingdom that has pushed itself up to become the western power by constantly starting wars."
Also, since becoming a knight guarantees one will never go hungry, many children of commoners gather there.
The Knight Academy accepts students from age ten, and it seems most lands where local Magic Academies are located also have this Knight Academy.
Since they are not filtered by talent like mana, unlike the Magic Academy, it seems a considerable number of students enroll every year.
And among them, the excellent ones are gathered in the capital city, and those who attend the Knight Academy in the capital are considered future executive candidates.
(Mages are gathered from all over the kingdom, but knights are elites selected to attend the academy in the capital?)
Although he has not directly interacted with them yet, it seems joint exercises are sometimes held at the capital's academy.
Well, that is still a long way off.
However, surprisingly, there are knights among them whose mana talent has bloomed just like Mika and the others, and who can use [God's Miracle] while being knights.
(What is that, a Magic Knight!? That's super cool!)
I'd like to go that way too, but since Mika has already decided on the Magic Academy course, unfortunately, he cannot become a knight.
However, even though they can use [God's Miracle], they do not have abundant mana like mages, so it seems they specialize their [God's Miracle] in [Physical Enhancement].
Those who have trained their bodies to the limit as knights use [Physical Enhancement] to proportionally boost their abilities.
Even if Mika enhances himself threefold, there might be situations where he cannot match the strength of a knight who has enhanced himself by 1.3 times.
(...I should work out more too.)
To make the most effective use of [Physical Enhancement], Mika needs to train his own body [Physical].
It feels like the chicken or the egg dilemma.
(...But in molecular biology, it seems the egg comes first and the matter is settled.)
Well, whatever.
The point is that recently, various information like this has started to be released in class.
For eight months since enrollment, they had not disclosed any information at all, but suddenly various information is being given.
Why is this change happening?
There is a phrase called NEED TO KNOW.
A literal translation would be 'need to know'.
Releasing necessary information to those who should know that information.
One of the principles of information management.
Crisis management [Risk Control] to prevent information leaks.
The mana of the children in the classroom has gradually increased, and they have started training to actually use [God's Miracle].
They have started practicing handling "power beyond human".
Isn't it that they are giving the necessary information for that, and trying to instill determination [Resolve] in the children?
(I understand telling them to 'use this power for the defense of the country'. ...But not for themselves.)
It feels like the outer moats are being filled in steadily.
As Mika predicted, they are being incorporated into the country's structure as a "device of violence".
As for Mika, he understands the idea of 'prepare for war for the sake of peace'.
He also understands the opinion that if we prepare for war, the other side will also prepare for war, so ultimately we move further away from peace, which is contradictory.
But in the end, humans are creatures that fight.
Everyone has their own circumstances, and everyone has their own thoughts.
If there is no food, and there are no other means to obtain it, there will always be those who choose to 'steal'.
If you don't want to be stolen from, you must prepare so you are not stolen from.
War is, in the end, just that being done at a national level rather than an individual level.
Of course, in reality, most wars happen for even worse reasons.
Mika lets out a sigh without meaning to, "Fuu..."
He prays that the children in the classroom will never have to stand on such a battlefield.
He cannot help but pray that the children he knows will not have to stand on such blood-soaked ground.
At least, there has been no war for about fifty years with the hostile neighboring country, the Gronoir Empire.
He couldn't help but think it would be nice if they could remain peaceful without any incidents like this.
Mika lowers his gaze to the book in his hand.
Occasionally, after afternoon exercise, he comes to the library to search for something interesting.
The fact that he was able to research the forest's magic beasts is thanks to this library.
For the time being, the library can be used until the teachers leave, and for about one to two hours, one is allowed to read books.
However, taking books back to the dormitory is not allowed. One can only read them here.
"Alchemy..."
The book in Mika's hand is written about magic in general.
It is a book like an Introduction to Magic Studies. Rather than an introduction, perhaps an encyclopedia?
Looking at the index, there are entries about [God's Miracle], and chapters describing tools using mana, "Magic Tools", and so on.
Regarding [God's Miracle], not much detailed information is written.
The same goes for Magic Tools; it is content that is merely an introduction saying "there are things like these".
However, what caught Mika's eye was the word "Alchemy" lined up among them.
He opens the book and turns to the page written about Alchemy.
The book says that Alchemy was once a flourishing field, but is now declining.
Why?
Of course, because it does not succeed.
Whether making gold or achieving immortality, it seems that no matter how the world changes, the destination of human desire is the same.
But in the end, it did not work out, and it declined as it was.
Mika himself has tried Alchemy before, so he cannot laugh at others, but he can't help but smile bitterly thinking, "Everyone thinks the same thing."
Among such explanations of Alchemy, he found something interesting.
"Rare metals..."
Mika imagined the so-called "Rare Metals [Rare Metal]" or "Rare Earths [Rare Earth]", but what was written there was something completely different.
"Silver-type Rare Metal [Mithril]...?"
Mithril.
A fantasy staple item known by everyone.
Used as material for weapons and armor, possessing excellent performance.
However, in recent games, the performance of various weapons and armor has inflated, so its relative value has plummeted.
"Also Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum], and Gold-type Rare Metal [Hihiirokane]!"
He unconsciously looks up and rubs his eyes.
When he looks at the book again, there are indeed descriptions of "Silver-type Rare Metal [Mithril]", "Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]", and "Gold-type Rare Metal [Hihiirokane]".
These rare metals exist in nature, and it seems they are mined in very small amounts when silver or gold is produced.
They possess extremely excellent characteristics and are used not only for weapons and armor but also for Magic Tools and so on.
This book writes that research was conducted on whether these rare metals could be artificially created through Alchemy.
"Silver-type Rare Metal [Mithril] is whiter than silver, and its luster is blue... Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum] is blacker than copper and its luster is white, and Gold-type Rare Metal [Hihiirokane] is redder than gold and its luster is black...?"
These characteristics. I seem to have heard them somewhere before...?
Mika suddenly closes the book with a bang, then hurriedly puts the book back on the shelf.
He grabs his side bag and runs towards the dormitory.
"These characteristics, surely...!"
He runs up the stairs, breathless.
He hears Trilence scolding him from behind but ignores it.
He bursts into his room with momentum, and Mesalite, who was at the desk, turns around with a surprised face.
It seems he was writing a letter.
Suppressing his excited feelings, he involuntarily clicks his tongue at the stubborn lock on the desk.
Mesalite says something like "Ah!? I wrote it wrong!" behind him, but he ignores him, ignores him.
Mika takes a bag of money from the desk, takes out copper coins, large copper coins, silver coins, and large silver coins from inside, and arranges them on the desk.
"Of course..."
Comparing them makes it clear at a glance.
Large copper coins are blacker than copper coins and their luster is white; large silver coins are whiter than silver coins and their luster is blue.
Unfortunately, he has not yet seen gold coins or large gold coins, but the characteristics of large copper coins and large silver coins match perfectly.
"Are [Orichalcum] and [Mithril] used in large copper coins and large silver coins...?"
Even if they are used, he thinks the purity is quite low.
Otherwise, it would be strange that large copper coins containing rare metals are only worth one hundred rats.
But this is the reason why large copper coins and large silver coins, which have only about three times the volume of copper coins and silver coins, have ten times the value.
It is because they contain a very small amount of rare metals.
At that point, he feels a sense of incongruity.
Is it okay to use such rare metals, which were tried to be created even relying on Alchemy, for such currency?
The amount contained in each one might be small, but if gathered, it should be a considerable amount.
"...Is there no refining technology?"
He does not know how they are produced or how they separate copper and "Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]", but perhaps there is a certain amount that cannot be separated well.
If Mika finds a refining method, he can take out "Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]" from large copper coins at will.
He might be able to create immense wealth from large copper coins that are only worth one hundred rats.
(Creating "Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]" with Alchemy, or separating "Copper-type Rare Metal [Orichalcum]" from large copper coins. Which has a higher possibility?)
At this grand dream, he can't help but grin.
Covering his mouth and shaking his shoulders, Mika sees Mesalite grimace as if looking at something truly eerie.
(...By the way, counterfeiting currency was ten years of forced labor even for planning. How many years of forced labor is for damaging currency...?)
Such thoughts float into his head, and he becomes a little calm.
■■■■■■
"Hello!"
Mika greets brightly and energetically.
(As expected, social interaction starts with a pleasant greeting. It's the basics, right!)
In stark contrast to such Mika, the appraisal shop owner's old woman clearly has an unhappy face and sighs, "Haaah..."
"...So you came after all. Really, you never get tired, do you..."
It seems Mika is an "unwelcome guest".
Indeed, without asking for an appraisal and just forcing the old woman to do things, he is probably the number one customer she does not want to see.
"...Even I get hurt by that, you know." (T/N: Mika uses 'boku' here, implying a slightly softer/more polite tone compared to his usual 'ore' when talking to the woman, or perhaps just emphasizing his hurt feelings.)
Mika looks downcast.
"Are you that Tama? You won't learn your lesson, will you? You'll come next week too, won't you?"
Well, that is indeed true.
Even if they don't welcome him, he wishes they would at least treat him a bit more normally.
Is he asking too much?
"So, how about it? Is it in?"
Mika pulls himself together and asks the old woman.
The old woman averts her eyes for a moment and makes a guilty-looking face.
"...It's not in today either."
Saying that, she suddenly turns her head to the side.
(Huh?)
The old woman's attitude is a little different from usual.
The usual old woman would say,
"It's not in. If you know, go quickly."
As if paying off a dog or cat, or,
"I did put it in, but are you really going to look?"
With a weary face.
(Really terrible treatment of me.)
He remembers and feels a little sad.
However, the old woman today is neither of those.
Mika approaches near the counter and looks up at the old woman's face intently.
The old woman wrinkles her face and seems to be consciously avoiding looking at Mika.
"Something is different from usual."
"...No, nothing like that. That's enough, go quickly."
Saying that, she waves her hand, shoo-shoo.
But the old woman still keeps her head turned to the side as usual.
"Giiii..."
Mika stares at such the old woman.
Of course, he does not say it out loud and just stares up at the old woman, giiii...
"Giiiiii..."
The old woman seems determined not to look at Mika no matter what.
"Giiiiiii..."
"Ah, it's annoying! There isn't any, I'm telling you!"
Unable to bear it, the old woman raises her voice.
The old woman crosses her arms, says "Hmph!", turns her head to the side, and sits back with her legs spread.
"................................................"
Even so, when Mika continues to look up intently, the old woman finally gives in and lets out a huge sigh.
"Really... Let me tell you, no matter how much you say it, I will absolutely not give this up. ...If I had known this would happen, I should have taken it to the church quickly."
Muttering to herself, the old woman rummages around inside the counter.
It seems she was hiding something after all.
She doesn't say anything unnecessary like "I knew it was there, didn't she?".
Mika is taking advantage of the old woman's kindness to get the "cursed object".
As the old woman said, if it were truly proper, he could have taken it to the church without keeping it until the next day.
He should be grateful that she kept it faithfully for him.
The old woman lets out another big sigh, then places it on the counter with a thud.
It was a ring with a gemstone.
A beautiful gemstone shining with rainbow colors.
Mika knows that some gemstones reflect light in such a way.
However, the surface of that gemstone is moving just like the surface of a soap bubble.
He has never heard of such a thing.
"Doesn't this have high value as a decoration?"
"Yes. If it weren't cursed, it would have fetched a good price. ...Even if it were cursed, there might have been quite a few people who would want to take it."
"...Still, you took it?"
Why?
The purchase fee at this appraisal shop is five silver coins.
It seems the church will accept sealing for four silver coins, so why does everyone not bring it to the church themselves and pay an extra silver coin to have it taken here?
"I've been a bit curious about this for a while, but why does everyone have it taken here at the appraisal shop [here]? Even paying an extra silver coin."
"No, you aren't paying extra. Normally, you donate five silver coins to have it taken by the church. What we appraisal shops do is like an agency for bringing it to the church. If you report it to the church, they will take it for four silver coins. That's all."
I see.
So having it taken here or bringing it to the church is the same burden.
If that's the case, it makes sense to have it taken here if one wants to get rid of "cursed objects" quickly.
However...
"But, for this ring, is there a place that will buy it even if it's cursed?"
"Well, there might be if you search. Most shops with a proper signboard wouldn't buy something like that, though."
It seems there are back-alley dealers.
Really, things like this exist in every world.
He can't help but smile bitterly.
"Come on, look quickly. Actually, I don't want to display something like this."
The old woman urges Mika to finish his business quickly.
Indeed, it is understandable that one does not want to keep "cursed objects" out forever.
"...Then, excuse me."
Mika reaches out his left hand to the ring on the counter and grabs it.
Bikun!
The moment he grabs it, his whole body stiffens as if an electric current has run through him.
"Ugh!?"
Katsunka-katsunka, the ring bounces on the counter.
Due to the suddenness, he let go of the ring.
"What is this...?"
He unconsciously looks at his left hand.
His left hand, from the elbow down, is still numb.
"...So you can feel it, after all. You can feel it."
The old woman looks at Mika and says such things.
"I wondered why you wanted something like a 'cursed object'. I felt like I could vaguely tell the strength of the 'curse' until now... but..."
Speaking of which, he hadn't told the old woman either.
He remembers saying only that he was "interested in curses".
"The curse placed on this ring [this] is different from the previous ones. It is a ring that could kill people... no, it is a ring that has actually cursed and killed many people. It's bad advice, but stop being interested in 'curses [things like this]'."
Saying that, the old woman tries to pick up the rolled ring.
"W-wait a minute. Please show me one more time."
When Mika asks with a serious face, the old woman returns the ring to the counter as if giving up.
Mika gathers mana in his left hand as he did when handling the bracelet.
He cautiously approaches his hand to the ring and gently pinches it.
Even so, his hand trembles, and a sensation like a strong electric current spreads through his entire left arm.
(Is this still not enough!? How strong of a curse is this!)
Mika gathers more mana and forcibly suppresses the waves coming from the ring.
Gritting his teeth, he gathers mana as if concentrating all his nerves, and finally manages to suppress the waves.
"Phewwwwwwwww!"
Mika places the ring on the counter and exhales deeply.
This time, his hand trembled slightly due to the recoil of straining too much.
"Haa... Haa... Haa..."
"Are you satisfied now?"
The old woman says that, then quickly puts the ring away.
She probably wanted to put it away quickly, worrying that Mika would stop her again.
The old woman sighs.
"...Really, I won't stop you from being interested in 'curses'. But just this ring [this] is out of the question. With things like this, not touching them and not getting close is best."
"............Yes."
At this moment, Mika is barely able to suppress the waves, let alone enjoy puzzles.
He decided to honestly listen to the old woman's warning that this concerns his life.
"...I'm sorry. Thank you. For keeping it for me."
"Hmm. It's fine. You'll come next week too, won't you?"
"Yes."
Mika bows politely and left the appraisal shop.
He still feels like his left hand is numb, so he moves his hand open and closed, open and closed.
"There are truly terrible things in this world."
It was a good experience.
Mika stares at his left hand and clenches it tightly.
"............But, someday...!"
Muttering to himself, Mika started walking towards the dormitory along the main street.