The Novice Alchemist’s Store

"So, Master, what's your errand? You're not just here to see how it goes, are you?

"That's the primary purpose, isn't it? All of a sudden I threw it out into the country. If you're in trouble, you have to take him home, right? I have no travel expenses to come back to, what a state, it just hurts me too"

My mouth turns to my master, who says such things with laughter.

"Mmmm...... luckily, I'm not having a hard time eating. It's a little too rural, and I'm having a little trouble selling materials and handling cash."

We were safely finished with no tough training or injuries and sweated in the bath, surrounding our meals together.

Most of the dishes on the table came out of the master's bag.

Delicious without complaint. Probably by Maria.

"I guess. From here on out, even if I wanted to go wholesale to South Strag...... would Sarasa take a day or so?

"Yes, day trips are still a bit harsh"

"Sarasa needs to build strength first. In your case, there's something you can cover with magic. If we work out a little, we'll be able to make it back and forth in a few hours, okay?

"Ugh."

"I can't! I just want to say," When my master tells me I've been here in three days from Wang Du, I can't say anything.

In fact, when you don't have enough muscle strength, there are places where you rely on strengthening your body using magic, so your master isn't wrong either.

If you're a regular alchemist, even where you can't enhance much due to lack of magic, I can rely on the amount of magic to enhance more than normal, so I've managed to do something with less vegan muscle strength.

"... I'll work out"

"Right...... let's do Potion, an alchemy that makes it easier to get stamina and muscle strength?

"Is there such a thing?

Isn't it convenient to destroy tea?

Even though it's classic to make strength, plain and painful.

"There is. It's not cheap enough for ordinary people to buy, but some rich people use it. Hot and bitter knights are like, 'Out of the way! Though some say'. They're mazos who like to abuse their bodies."

"No, a mazo..."

They're dependable people who work hard at rigorous training, the knights.

In fact, we're talking about a high level of knighthood in our country?

"By the way, what are the side effects?

"Nothing. I should have only had two or three on hand, so if I lost them, I'd have to make them myself... were they on six volumes indeed? Sarasa, how far have you been?

"I haven't been to half of the three volumes yet"

"Uh, well, I don't have a choice. It costs money, too. Besides, if you run a store, you can't even take time, can you?

"Yes, it is! I'm glad our guests are here."

"That's an independent alchemist's problem. Because if it's an alchemy store, I can't handle it with a regular store number."

"Right"

Regardless of whether it is just the sale of the smelting drug "potion" or the like, when it comes to buying alchemy materials, eye-catching is necessary.

Naturally, materials whose condition cannot be discerned unless they are alchemists, and even if they are otherwise, the variety of alchemy materials is enormous. It's also difficult for a normal person to value it.

"In the end, it's education. If you hire a clerk to educate you for a long time, you can count on a lot of things. It would be a lot easier if we were Maria, wouldn't it?

"Is that Maria? Pretty long, huh?

"Right. I hired a clerk right after independence."

"Huh..."

When this age unknown master became independent...

He looks like a young master on the outside, but the real age of a master in the master class can't be young, and naturally, so will Maria, who came with him.

You just look like a little older sister!

"It's about finding someone to say that too, Sarasa. It's convenient, isn't it?

"Maria, you're living in and even taking care of your master's personal life. Master, if it weren't for Maria, life would be pretty messed up."

"Ha ha! You can't deny it."

A master who laughs and affirms lightly.

Isn't that a no, that.

It was only the last day I saw how I normally was, the day after you celebrated, but from the atmosphere at that time, I have predictions.

The breakfast was also prepared by Maria, and something already felt like a father who would only work and his wife who would take care of him.

My master is a woman, but he used to look somewhat like my parents when he was still alive.

"Master, please be careful not to be dumped by Maria, right?

"I'm fine. I'm paying just enough to make it work."

"It's not just about the money, it's about the feelings, right?" Thank you all the time "or something like that, it's important."

"Mm... let's consider"

You took a little look at your words and actions, and your master nodded with a slightly strange face.

Well, if it's going to be a problem, I think it's been a problem a long time ago, and it's been with me, so I'm sure Maria understands the master, too.

"So what are your other errands?

"Oh, right. The second objective is to put a transfer team here."

"Transfer formation, is it?

"Uhm. You know that.

"I know that..."

A transfer formation is, as its name suggests, an smelter "artifact" by which objects can be transferred between two points.

That seems convenient to ask, but the general view is that it's actually not very practical.

First and foremost, the same alchemist needs to go to both the installation locations.

If this was the case, the master would have set up a transfer team in Wang Du's shop first before coming here.

However, this installation cannot be a glimmer in itself.

When setting up a pair of second transfer formations, you need to “connect” to the first transfer formations.

Because the difficulty of this “connection” is proportional to the distance, it is difficult for an alchemist in line to connect even just out of sight, even an alchemist with a slight arm is difficult to get out of town.

Even if you manage to clear this, the next problem is the necessary magic.

It is difficult to carry too large a quantity of luggage far away because magic is required in proportion to the distance and the quantity of goods to be transferred. Finally, we cannot transfer organisms.

Furthermore, it cannot be moved once installed.

If you do something like, "It's a little out of the way, so go to the other room," it's a start over.

It is the language of the teacher who taught us that merely such a restricted forwarding formation, existence itself would be almost unlikely to be actually used, even if learned in school.

"For once, it's been used in some parts of the world, right? I'll send you a letter."

"Even for about a minute in town, is it better than a fast horse? But from here to Wangdu - no, it's a foolish question to tell your master."

There's no way the master can say what he can't do.

I can't do it very well......

"You wouldn't have a problem with magic, would you? If it's Sarasa, we've improved it somewhat and reduced the amount we need."

"I do have more than people...... Why the transfer team in the first place?

"I told you I'd buy you materials, but it's gonna be hard to send them, isn't it? If you use the transfer team, it's an instant. And I can send you the materials you want."

"Honestly, I appreciate that..."

If the transport period is even a month, the transport costs necessary for it will not be foolish either.

Besides, if you can send me materials that are difficult to obtain here, it will help me immensely in ripening the whole alchemy.

Clearly, it is a good thing.

"I understand. Location is...... good in the corner of the workshop?

"Anywhere you want to stay out of the way? Oh, for once, the ground floor is good. 'Cause upstairs is a little rough."

"It's hard... it's usually impossible."

Best of all, it is in direct contact with the ground.

I suggested a workshop where the floors are stoned because they don't seem to have that much effect if it's about cobblestone... is it pointless to say “normal” to the master?

There is no need to dare to make it a difficult place, so I will guide you honestly to the workshop.

"What do you say in this area?

"Hmm, no problem."

Working time, just a few minutes or so.

The master finished the work without making him feel fine dust, such as what is generally said to be difficult.

"You can send it now."

The vial the master took out of the bag was placed on top of its transfer formation, and when he could magic it, in an instant the vial disappeared.

"Okay, no problem. Sarasa, send me what you bought properly. I'll buy you out at Wang Du's market. And if you have the material you need, write it down in your notes and send it too. I'll get you something you can get."

"Thank you. But is that okay? When sent appropriately, the master's store inventory or something."

"Wang Du can dispose of anything. If you send me a lot of the same stuff, I'll lower the purchase price accordingly."

Slightly down, a very favorable deal at the point of “Wang Du's Market”.

Essentially, not much material is picked around Wang Capital, so most of the material will be brought from afar, and its transportation cost will be put on top of the price.

In other words, most materials are significantly higher than the South Strag market.

It was the master who set up the transfer team, so even though you can buy the transportation cost, you can buy it at the market in Wangdu, or in other words, completely support from the master. Thankfully.

"Well, that's the end of the errand. We'll still have time for bed, won't we? Your work here, let me ask you something."

"I haven't done enough to be active... well, what shall we talk about it from"

In the end, I spent the day chatting with my master late at night.

And the next day, the master bought the material that had accumulated in our warehouse in cash, and even said, "It's prepaid," and left it all the way back to a large amount of cash.

Thanks to this, the cash shortage that was the subject of the suspension was eliminated... it was a visit that came from a distance, but it was not a busy visit.

I can't keep the store open for very long, so I don't have a choice.

On his way home, by the way, he said, "I'll show you my sword arm the next time I come. Don't skip, okay?" He left me the words.

... that's the arm of alchemy, isn't it, Master?

◇ ◇ ◇

"What, was Mr. Sarasa's master coming?

"That's right. So tired yesterday...... muscle aches"

The next day, I was melting 'guh-guh' over the counter at the store.

It is a complete muscle ache after just training for a day because it usually doesn't move much.

Stay in that state, tell Lorea I came to see her about yesterday.

"Ha... you torture your body even with your alchemy training"

"No, you're not. Oh, alchemy doesn't make a difference in torturing your body, but the reason for my muscle aches is, no."

It is a terrible misunderstanding.

It's only natural if you misunderstand.

"Almost a day, I was given sword training, so what?"

"... Yes? Were you here to master the sword, not the alchemy?

Lorea: What do you mean? 'and twist his neck.

You don't know what that means, you came here and you trained your sword, really.

"No, of course he's a master of alchemy, isn't he?

"... I don't know what Mr. Sarasa is talking about"

"I'm not going to figure it out either. Simply put, the Master of Alchemy said," Work out your body, too. "

"Erm... Can an alchemist handle a sword?

"I can handle it, actually. Of course, it's pinky. Because there's also a collection practice at school."

Briefly explain the school curriculum to Lorea as she floats her hatena over her head.

From the average person, I somehow have the image of a brainworker when it comes to alchemists, but that's not all, actually.

"By the way, my master says in pinkiri, pinkier. It's not a half-breed arm, that's it."

"Really?

"Probably. I was a little confident too..."

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a wonder in itself that Mr. Sarasa can handle a sword."

"I think very few alchemists actually go and get their own material."

If you need a request that you won't get unless you go get it yourself, you just have to say no.

You don't have to do that to make enough money.

If everyone is desperate to go up there, I guess there are more master class alchemists out there, too?

"That said, I got a sword from my master..."

"Wow, that's a beautiful sword"

Lorea shines her eyes on the sword I took out.

There are no extra modifications, etc., it is a practical one-sided sword as a form, but its sheen of fullness has not changed in any way after yesterday's training, blade spills, of course, not even scratched.

If I bought this, it would be definitely expensive. Never, just a sturdy (...) sword.

"I can't even put dust on it, so I have to train, I have to go on"

"Even though you're an alchemist?

"Yeah. Well, I came to this village and I was feeling a little lazy, so I guess it's just the right opportunity?

Because of the joy of graduating safely and becoming an alchemist, I had a relaxing day, but I might have been a little lazy.

In fact, while I was at school, I continued to build some strength.

If you get sick, it's fatal.

I need money for treatment, and "I was catching a cold, so I didn't get a good grade" excuse doesn't work, because it's alchemist training school quality that gets me out of school smoothly.

"Lazy, is...? I've never seen Sarasa play."

"No, no, because there's quite a bit of time I haven't done anything. - I have to go to the store, so there's a part of me that I can't help."

I'll do what I can at the counter, but I figured there's more work I can't do without a workshop, so I'll just be sitting there for a lot of time.

When I was going to school, I would have borrowed books, but naturally there is no place in this village where I could borrow books, and all the books I have of the poor, only alchemy.

There are few things you can do during the store number anyway.

Some hands are called strength training, but it's a little risky to do that without knowing when your customers are coming.

The clerk with the abs on the floor of the store - suspicious, no matter what.

I'd give you back your heels at the entrance, absolutely.

"I wish I could at least hire a store number... Lorea can't, can she?

"Huh? No, it's okay, isn't it? I don't know if it'll help."

No, I asked her originally, but the answer I got back from Lorea was unexpected.

"That, is it? How can I help my parents?

Lorea, who comes to see me quite a bit, just doesn't come every day.

For that matter, I thought I was helping my parents...

"Fathers, I've only been buying them out about a month lately. If you can get a few days off in the meantime, fine. You get paid, don't you?

"Of course that is. It can't be very expensive."

"Enough. If I help you with the house, it's zero. I don't have any brothers, and I can't help you."

Well, it's natural for a child to help you with the house.

Speaking of which, you don't have any other brothers at Lorea's, do you?

My only child is pretty rare in these countryside... it's awkward when he's dead, so these things are hard to ask.

"If that's the case, I'd like to introduce you to a child I know."

"Oh, yeah. If Lorea doesn't have a problem, is that more convenient? I know what you're thinking."

"Uh, Mr. Sarasa, you don't interact with the children of the village, do you?"

"Yes, I hardly know..."

I'm going to dinner at Mr. Dillall's, so I'm saying hello to the right guy on the road, and I'm talking to the guy I met in the dining room, because the kid's not coming.

Most people who come to my shop are collectors, and they don't need kids.

"But is there a child in this village who can introduce you?

"Ahhh, when you're a kid who's not working right now, you're getting pretty young. About me, I work normally."

Lorea will have a slightly awkward look.

If you are over ten years old in the countryside, it is normal to help with the work of the house, and if you are as old as thirteen as Lorea, you will be put to work in the same way as an adult.

Even if you don't have a job at home to help you, you can go help other houses and make money or share the crops as a reward.

Lorea also seemed to be in a situation where she used to be a store number as a house job, but her parents stopped doing what they had to do to get in charge, and it was time to think about something.

"Shall I ask you then?

"Yes! Be sure! - But are you okay with me? It's usually hard to work in an alchemist's shop..."

"Right, is it pretty tough?

To my words, Lorea gives me an anxious look, but I pound her shoulder like that and smile.

"It's okay. I'll teach you what you need. But do you want Lorea to work hard and long?

If I could, I'd be happy to have a relationship like Master and Maria.

"Yes! I'll do my best until Mr. Sarasa tells me to quit!

"Yeah, I'm not telling you to quit if you work seriously, so good luck"

That's what I said and offered, Lorea shook my hand back hard with a slightly nervous look.

◇ ◇ ◇

Lorea told me she'd "work hard," but unfortunately she's still underage.

Regardless of an orphan like me, you can't just hire him without telling his parents anything, so that day he took the store as a temporary holiday, visiting Mr. Darna.

And when I cut out Lorea's employment with a little nervousness, both Darna and Marie raised their hands and said, "Sure!" He agreed.

Again, even as both of us, I think I need to think about Lorea's work.

The grocery store number itself seems to be enough for either Mr. Darna or Marie, and Lorea's addition there, honestly, would be overmanned.

In addition, when I talked to her about the store number while I was buying it out, she also said, "It's not necessary, so make sure Lorea works well."

Unlike before, when there was no alchemist's shop and we had to frequently go back and forth with South Strag, now that we only deal with regular groceries, it's enough to go back and forth once a month.

As long as it's about that time, you can close the store, and it's often enough for Dalna alone, Marie stays and opens the store at that time.

He said that's how he did it before Lorea was born originally.

However, I think it would be inconvenient for the store to be closed for days from the collectors, and I suggested that we make a consignment sale while Dalna and the others are away when it comes to commonly sold items.

The store number is Lorea, so I don't have a problem with the product knowledge.

Mr. D'Arna also accepted me very well on this, but what made it difficult to navigate was wage negotiations.

Even so, they didn't say "give me more"; on the contrary, they rejected "too many".

In Lorea's case, she can read and write and calculate, so when she says to me, "Even if I pay a little more," the Darnas say, "It's not a good idea to have a lot of money from childhood. Plus, there's too much difference between you and the rest of you," he insists.

I suggested based on the amount I could get for a part-time job in Wang Du, but then it seemed too much in this village.

Hmm, that's a wage gap between the city and the countryside.

The amount of money you'll need to live is different, so it's obvious if you take it for granted. In the case of this village, there is also a lot of barter, so there is a place to live without cash.

But I guess the biggest problem is still the combination with the surroundings.

It is easy to be jealous to say that only one person makes money, just for a small village.

Because like an alchemist like me, it's not in a position to make money and say, naturally.

And as a result of all the stirring, Lorea's wages were slightly higher than the same age.

Mr. Darna insisted it's as good as it is, but we need to properly evaluate his ability to read and write calculations.

Plus, it's a little "harder to quit if you're paying a higher wage than you're around."

I kept working in my master's shop for a long time because of the great reason that I was paid significantly more than any other part time job.

Of course, I've been friends with my master and shop people about training in alchemy.