9: When you're counted on, you figure you gotta do something, right?

"Uh... I managed to take them down, so I gathered some magic stones."

"Wait... what?"

"What?"

Back in the village, Kyle and Leifan were already discussing their next moves.

"Wait... you took them down?"

"I heard there were about twenty orcs, but... were there really fewer?"

"No, there were thirty-three."

"Wha—?!"

You're overreacting, Leifan.

Yeah, I was surprised too, but still.

"I wiped them all out completely. You can relax now."

"Wait... Kyle, how'd you do that?"

"I used attack magic, that's all."

"Wait... huh? I thought you were useless as a mage—oh! Sorry!"

"No, it's true."

I couldn't help but chuckle. Didn't really mind, though.

It was just funny how painfully obvious it was.

"Since getting that alchemist's sigil, my magic's gotten stronger—and I can use spells I couldn't before."

"Really? That kind of thing exists?"

"Looks like it."

"Craft! You're amazing!"

"Guess I could handle self-defense if I’m gathering materials."

A little part of me still wanted to go back to being an adventurer, but I’d already made up my mind. I’ll work hard at the crafting guild. I’ll do it.

I’ll show that annoying older brother what I’m made of.

"Got all the ingredients, so I made a dowsing teardrop for you."

Handing the alchemically crafted teardrop to Leifan, ready to use on the way back.

"Alright, let’s give it a try."

I hung the teardrop on a string and walked through the village. The gemstone flickered, glowing faintly.

I walked a little further, just to be sure. Then I found the spot where the gem glowed brightest.

"Looks like there's a water vein straight ahead."

"Got it! Sorry—can anyone spare a moment? I'm digging a well!"

"“““Oh!!””"

Under Kyle’s command, the settlers rushed in and started digging. Right away, water gushed up in a perfect fountain.

"Whoa! Amazing! I didn’t think we’d hit it on the first try!"

"Yeah. Wells usually take digging in half a dozen spots before you find the right one!"

"Thanks, Craft!"

"Craft took out the whole oak horde!"

"Unbelievable!"

"With Craft around, this frontier village’s safe as houses!"

"Alright! Let’s do this!"

"Cut it out—don’t lean on me too hard!"

"I know, I know!"

Wasn’t it the whole village sweating over that well, not just me?

Getting praised like this? Feels kinda hot under the collar.

"Craft, you’re something else!"

"Still just a beginner when it comes to alchemy, though."

Got the mark of a magician once—back then, a senior adventurer-magician even gave me a few basics out of kindness. Still, my magic never took off.

Even those seniors never thought to reassess my aptitude. So judging someone’s potential? That’s rare as hell.

No use thinking about it now. What matters is using this alchemy for Kyle and the others.

Leifan’s already laying down stones, shaping a proper well in no time.

Damn right—he’s got that knack for shaping earth and stone, just like a true gnome.

And so, the village now has a new well. No more worrying about clean water.

◆

Next morning, I deliver the fresh stamina potion to the cook like always, then pitch in with the help.

Cooking up rations’ll be going on for a while yet.

"Ah, good morning, Craft."

"Hey, morning."

"...Good morning..."

"Huh?"

Was that just... a voice, faintly?

"Wow, Craft. Maina doesn’t usually warm up to people. Saying hello? She must really like you."

Kyle’s twin sister, Maina, didn’t answer. She just ducked behind Kyle’s back in a hurry.

"Sorry. She’s just shy."

"Ah, right."

She’s not just shy. That’s beyond shy. Maybe that’s just how noble ladies are. Don’t know, though.

"Ah, good morning, Craft."

"Hey. Morning."

Leifan, who’d been talking to the villagers, came over to us.

"Alright, Leifan. Tell me the plan for now."

"Yeah. Thing is, the schedule got moved up a lot. Everyone’s asking us to build Kyle’s house first, before anything else."

"Wait, the house we’ve been assigned is fine for now..."

"That’s just a temporary shelter to keep out rain and wind... From a safety standpoint, I think we should build something proper."

The two guards listening nodded in agreement.

"True, we could live in it fine. But when you think about emergencies... it’s still a bit worrying."

"Yeah. That’s why everyone’s saying it’s okay if we’re last. We were supposed to be in tents for a month anyway. No one’s complaining."

"Ah, yeah."

There’s a world of difference between tents and a proper shelter.

Some of them weren’t even from proper homes—some came from slums. Might even be living better than they did before.

People who take on dangerous frontier work? They’re all a little off their rockers, honestly.

Some out of necessity. Some out of greed. Some chasing dreams.

So I’m gonna focus on that for a bit. You do whatever you want, Craft.

Whatever I want, huh.

If this were the mark of a blacksmith or carpenter, I’d be helping out. If you’ve got nothing else to do, maybe brew up some stamina potions and stockpile ’em?

Yeah, I’ve got a few things I wanna try. I’ll be free to do my own thing for now.

Yeah. Let me know if you come up with anything new.

Yeah.

So, back to my room for now.

Assembling the pre-cut wood—temporary housing, sure, but honestly, it’s way more comfortable than the adventurer’s guild flat I’ve been living in lately.

Bigger room. No leaks, at least.

Alchemy’s easier if you’ve got an alchemy cauldron, but I get the feeling the mark’s still not needed yet. So for now, I’ll just do it with magic power alone.

When you say alchemist, the first thing that comes to mind is healing potions.

Especially for adventurers, it’s the healing potion that mends wounds.

Not just crafters with the mark—clergy with the mark can make them too—but alchemist-made potions still work better.

Even if they’re pricier.

So I’ll start with something familiar—Healing Potions.

……

Maina was gripping my cloak, staring at me dead in the eyes.

Persia stood silently behind her.

"Uh..."

"Uh... Maina seems to have taken a liking to you. Right now, Kyle’s swamped with paperwork. If it’s no trouble, just leave him be."

Persia scratched his head, looking troubled.

I hadn’t noticed before, but Persia… he’s been slack lately.

Can’t say where exactly.

Just that he’s missing something Leifan’s got.

"Whatever. But you sure this isn’t gonna be a pain? You really okay with this?"

Maina nodded once, firmly.

Well then, good.

First, follow the sigil’s instructions—grind a few kinds of herbs lightly with a mortar.

Then, pull an empty barrel from the spatial storage.

"Ugh. Still impressive every time I see it."

"Even I’m surprised by it sometimes."

From everything I’ve seen, even those who can use spatial storage usually need focus and time just to store or retrieve things. I’ve never seen anyone do it this casually.

Sorry. Interrupted you.

Nah, nah. Conversation with a beauty is always welcome.

Wha—?!

Persia flustered, face burning red.

So naive.

You’d think a knight’d be surrounded by men.

...

Why’d Maina suddenly tug my cloak so hard? I glance over, wondering if she has business, but she just pouts and looks away.

Confused.

Yes! Did it!

Made it to first place in the weekly rankings!

Happy!

Keep the support coming, please!

2018/08/02

Changed Cure Potion to Healing Potion.