Chapter 87.2 - The First Year at the Academy - Birthday Celebration (2)
Ted and the others have left my side and are currently gathering mainly in the shallow parts of the grasslands and forests.
They're struggling to find materials, but at least I don't have to worry about food expenses. There are still Bournis lurking around the vicinity of Selene, after all.
They hibernate in fallen trees, tree cavities, and deep thickets.
They can hunt them safely.
While the farmers might find them a nuisance, it's a good source of income for Ted and the others.
Elfimia occasionally accompanies them, helping with Lola's work and receiving suitable monsters from her. It might be too much assistance, but thanks to that, I've been able to focus on my affairs.
As for the large snake with traces that Gemma found, there hasn't been any progress.
If it weren't for Elphimia, I might have continued accompanying them for a while longer.
According to Rebecca, it's a monster called Meluga, a large snake with a higher digestive capacity than ordinary animals.
Its strength is equivalent to a lower C-rank, making it a powerful creature in the Selen vicinity.
I was asked to report if I found any new traces of it.
Ted and the others have several sources of income. From selling potions from Lola, selling surplus materials, rewards for defeating Bornis, delivering General Tea, and the fee for alchemy solution exchange.
It seems like a sufficient amount, but it's still quite challenging.
They're storing the potions instead of selling them, and they have little surplus materials.
The price for Bornis is quite low.
They're also gradually buying tools, so no matter how much they have, it never seems enough.
That's why when the idea of alchemy solution exchange was proposed, they immediately jumped on it.
It was a relief for me to be able to rely on someone trustworthy, but with spring, the income from gathering should increase significantly.
Ted and the others will likely be busy, and won't be able to ask someone else.
I gaze at the wash basin.
By the way, magic tools are like money pits.
They're expensive not only in purchasing but also in crafting.
In alchemy, if people make potions, one alchemy solution is usually enough.
However, with [Magic Tool Creation], it consumes a large amount, and it's used up every day.
A large quantity of alchemy solutions, materials, and catalysts are needed.
Right now, I'm using self-made alchemy solutions with cheap materials, so the expenses are low.
But if I were to start in earnest, how high would the costs go?
Shaking off unpleasant thoughts about the future, I pick up a suitable magic stone and ring.
"Am I prepared?"
[Appraisal] reveals that the magic stone is labeled ‘Unstable', and the ring has ‘Solution Infusion' added to it.
Alchemy solutions bring about various effects, but when creating magical tools, it's somewhat similar to the surfactants in detergents.
They blur the boundary and meld different substances.
If both ingredients mix and stabilize, a magical tool is born.
In addition, there are two uses for magic stones in [Magic Tool Creation].
First, using the magic stone as a material itself.
That's for the Azure series.
The other is to release the magic within the stone and infuse it with magical power.
That enhances the success rate of creating magical tools and supports the nature of the materials.
It's what's commonly known as a catalyst.
And people can only achieve magic stones' magic enhancement through the magic of [Magic Tool Creation] or [Permanence].
Unable to do either, I have no choice but to use magic stones as materials.
I forcefully combine the prepared materials, even if it's crude.
In extreme cases, tying them together with a string would still count as using [Magic Tool Creation].
By the way, there's also a spellbook for [Permanence].
But it's an ultra-rare item even before considering the price.
I have a total of eight magic stones soaking in an alchemy solution.
All of them are cheap ones.
Excluding the Eras Rhino and Goblin Leader magic stones.
Taking each magic stone in hand one by one, I ponder.
When learning something, repetition while keeping the sensation is the usual path.
However, obtaining magic stones is a matter of luck.
Since I have limited funds, buying them is out of the question.
In that case, how long will it take to gather a satisfactory amount?
After pondering for a while, I decided to give it a try.
I take out the ring and bend a nail to remove the worthless stone.
The magic stone—should I make it into a Nudlok?
Placing it on the pedestal, the magic stone is smaller.
I forcefully bend the nail and somehow secure it.
There's no real sense of accomplishment, but it's done.
With a bit of nervousness, I activate [Appraisal].
The name is Ring of Discarded Magic Stone.
"A failure…"
When magical tool creation fails, the magic stone loses its magic.
At this point, it's no different from a regular stone.
There are a few pieces of jewelry made from discarded magic stones lying around.
I observe it through a lantern.
But it's still just a plain ring.
Elfimia would probably have seen it with [Magic Perception].
The fading magic.
I set it aside and clap my hands together.
"Alright, let's do them all!"
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