Dual Cultivation

Also, regarding the translations, there are three terms that are introduced in this story that are closely related in meaning, but are not the same. I just want to clarify that I’m not just using synonyms to describe the same thing.

The three terms are: Magic Gem, Magic Stone, and Magic Jewel. In Japanese they are 魔宝石(mahouseki), 魔法石(mahouseki), and, 魔石(maseki), respectively. These terms do not refer to the same thing. It’ll be made clear in the story, but I just wanted to point it out to make it clear that they are not the same thing.

Also, take note of the fact that the first two terms are homophones. I’ve put the kanjis in parentheses to show when the characters are misunderstanding.

Volume 2 END

The next day.

As I visited Elia’s room first thing in the morning, what greeted me there was a number of groaning adults.

“Ugh… sorry, Ryouma-kun… but could you… get me some medicine… again?” [Rheinhart]

“Me too. I ended up drinking too much despite my age.” [Rheinbach]

“Me too please…” [Madam]

They were in high spirits yesterday, so they ended up drinking too much. And taking a closer look, I could see that even Araune-san’s and Lilian-san’s countenance were slightly unpleasant. They drank a little since everyone was in a festive mood, but despite having drank so little, they’re already like this. They’re probably not good with liquor.

But Sebasu-san is different. He drank so much, and yet he isn’t any different from usual. As for Elia, she wasn’t allowed to drink more than one glass, so she’s not suffering from any hangover.

I use ‘Warp’ and go to the pharmacy and the green grocer to buy some ingredients. Then afterwards, I went back to the lodging, made the medicine, and prescribed it to the groaning adults.

After they had drunk the medicine, they said this.

“Ryouma-kun, sorry about this, but could you take care of Elia today?” [Rheinhart]

“No matter how you look at it. With us being like this, there’s no way we can look after her today.” [Rheinbach]

“So won’t you please take care of her, Ryouma-kun?” [Madam]

… So in other words, they’re telling me to go make some memories since we won’t be able to meet for a while, right? Yeah, that’s probably it, so there’s no way I can refuse.

“No problem, please leave it to me.” [Ryouma]

After that, the three members of the Jamil Household went back to bed. From the looks of things, the part about them suffering from hangover seems to be true.

I sent them off, and then I asked Elia.

“Then, what should we do today?” [Ryouma]

“Don’t you have work to do today? Aren’t you busy?” [Elia]

“The shop’s already being taken care of by others, so all I need to do is show my face in the morning and in the evening.” [Ryouma]

“…Then in that case, could I see what Ryouma normally does?” [Elia]

“I don’t mind, but…” [Ryouma]

Is it fine with just something like that?

“Then, let’s go!” [Elia]

Like this, it was decided that Elia will be accompanying me. And Sebasu-san, too, who will be coming as Elia’s bodyguard. We went to the store first, then after that, we went to the abandoned mine.

Upon arriving at the mine, I let the rimel bird from my ‘Dimension Home’ out, and then began the treatment of the cloths. During that time, I had Elia help me out with setting the cloth on the workbenches.

And then after finishing that, we were left with nothing to do as per the usual pattern of my work. I think it would be a good time to start building my house here, but there’s no way I could leave Elia alone. As I thought that, Elia asked me a question.

“What should we do next?” [Elia]

“Nothing in particular, actually. After I give the order to the sticky slimes to treat the cloths, all that’s left is to wait for the cloths to dry. This period is quite long, so it can be considered as free time from here on out. Usually, I’d just train and make dolls to pass the time.” [Ryouma]

“Really? I thought for sure Ryouma would normally keep working.” [Elia]

“Actually, I’ve been quite free ever since the store became autonomous.” [Ryouma]

Did I really look like I overworked that much?

“Did I really look that busy?” [Ryouma]

“It’s because you’re always working from morning till dusk.” [Elia]

“I see, however, I don’t actually work that much. There’re also times when I’m just dazing off, or looking for ways to kill time. And then, there are also times when I’m making building stones to use for the construction of my house later.” [Ryouma]

“So Ryouma-san really does plan to live here.” [Elia]

“Yes. After all, I have to do rounds around the mine here, and I want a place where I can train magic without being a nuisance to others. So with that in mind, I believe this is the best place.”

“When will you begin the construction? At this rate you won’t be able to live in the mine, right?” [Elia]

Right…

“For the meantime, I could just create a small shed, or dig a cave, and live there while I gradually build the house.” [Ryouma]

“Then in that case, do you mind if we talk for a bit?” [Elia]

“Of course, what is it?” [Ryouma]

We left the workshop and went somewhere where the sunlight reached. There, I made some chairs, and we talked while sitting.

“Elia, you’ll be going to school this year, right?” [Ryouma]

“Yes. All young noble ladies must attend the school at the royal capital upon reaching 12. Not attending will hurt one’s reputation amongst nobles.” [Elia]

“I see.” [Ryouma]

“… The truth is that I don’t want to go either, but unfortunately, I have to.” [Elia]

“Eh? Really?” [Ryouma]

“Yes. In fact, my parents and even my grandfather told me that if it wasn’t for the fact that it was tradition to go, then they wouldn’t even let me go.” [Elia]

“Why?” [Ryouma]

“The school of the royal capital is also open to commoners, and every year a lot of them are accepted. And although there isn’t any difference in the treatment of students based on their social standing, there are quite a bit of people that cause issues.” [Elia]

Ahh… it’s that cliché thing you’d expect from this kind of setting.

“Moreover, the things taught at school can be learned at home as long as we call for a tutor. In fact, I was told that it’s even more beneficial for me to learn from a tutor than from the school. After all, the school is…” [Elia]

For some reason, Elia was a bit hesitant to say something.

“The school is what?” [Ryouma]

“… The chance of finding things that one should be studying there is low.” [Elia]

“But it’s a school, right? What’s going on?” [Ryouma]

“I also don’t know. It’s just that father and the others told me to take care not to be influenced by the school’s atmosphere. They also told me that it’s fine to have bad grades in school, so I should practice the things that they’d taught me back at home.” [Elia]

Eh? They’re going that far?

“That’s why father didn’t invite you.” [Elia]

“Oh, come to think of it…” [Ryouma]

He definitely didn’t tell me anything about the school.

“There’s no way he would ask you. After all, if you were enrolled, then you would definitely become an excellent student, and the other nobles will have their eyes on you.” [Elia]

“I see, that does make sense.” [Ryouma]

“That’s why I’m really not that excited in going. If it wasn’t a tradition, then I’d rather train with you.” [Elia]

… Well since I didn’t think school was fun either, I don’t really have the right to say anything here… But in any case, Elia is the daughter of a duke, so she shouldn’t be subject to bullying there.

“What I’m trying to say is, please don’t’ forget your promise to meet with me after 3 years. Because of my social standing and my power, there are very few people who would talk to me normally, and become my friends.” [Elia]

As she said that, her countenance became somewhat gloomy.

“I won’t forget.” [Ryouma]

When I said that, Elia let out a chuckle, and then said this.

“I’ll have you prove that after 3 years. If you fall into a daze with your job again, then I’ll have you remember by hammering you with the magic I’d trained for three years.” [Elia]

Scary!

“Please spare me that… Really though, where did you learn to talk like that?” [Ryouma]

It feels kind of different from Elia’s usual image.

“In the past, my mother had apparently used a similar method to make my father remember a promise he had forgotten.” [Elia]

“I–I see…” [Ryouma]

Rheinhart-san, it’s good that you’re safe… While I was thinking that, Elia seemed to have suddenly thought of something.

“I have a good idea, Sebasu!” [Elia]

“Yes, Ojousama. How may I be of service?” [Sebasu]

Elia suddenly called Sebasu-san over, and whispered something. After Elia finished, Sebasu-san nodded, and opened his ‘Item Box’. From it he took out a small box. Elia took that box and presented it to me.

“Ryouma-san, please accept this.” [Elia]

“It’s a necklace I received from my mother on my 10th birthday.” [Elia]

As Elia opened the box, what lay inside was a golden necklace with chains of gold, and a ruby the size of a small pinky embedded on its golden pedestal. It’s simple, but luxurious. Moreover, this ruby is–…

“Magic power?” [Ryouma]

For some reason, I can feel magic power emanating from this ruby.

“Ara, did you notice? As expected of you, Ryouma-san. Actually, the ruby of this necklace is a magic gem (魔宝石).” [Elia]

“By magic gem (魔法石), you mean the same as those used for lamps?” [Ryouma]

“No, that’s incorrect. The ones used for lamps are called magic stones. Putting it simply, those are magic tools. Ryouma-san, do you know of magic jewels?” [Elia]

“Magic jewels… From what I know, there’re plenty of those in places where the concentration of magic power in the air is strong. In other words, those are stones that have magic power in them, right?” [Ryouma]

“Precisely. Magic jewels have magic power within them, and that magic power can be pulled out when using magic to use as assistance for magic control. And amongst magic jewels, there are those that are not just any ordinary stones, but gems. These gems that contain magic power came to be called as magic gems. In the same vein, if it were an ore, it would then be called a magic ore.

Magic jewels are used to aid in the assistance of magic, while magic ores are used to increase the efficiency of magic tools.

And as for magic gems, these can be used for anything. Whether it be to aid one’s magic, or to increase the performance of a magic tool, or even as a simple gem. On top of that, its effect is also stronger than a normal magic jewel. However, these gems are precious as their production rate is low, so these things are quite special.” [Elia]

After explaining that in one breath, she rested for a bit.

“… So what you mean to say is that this is a really valuable item.” [Ryouma]

“Yes, exactly.” [Elia]

“There’s no way I could take something so precious, you know?” [Ryouma]

“I want you to take it!” [Elia]

“Like I said, this thing is too expensive…” [Ryouma]

Like I could possible take this!

As I firmly refused, Elia firmly proposed. There, Sebasu-san interjected.

“Please calm down you two. Ryouma-sama, although the Ojousama wants you to accept this, she isn’t actually giving this to you. She only wants you to keep it until you meet again.” [Sebasu]

“Keep it? Why?” [Ryouma]

“Ryouma-sama, you may not be aware of it, but there is a belief where letting your friend keep something precious before going somewhere far, will increase your chances of meeting again. It isn’t known who spread this belief, but it’s a story from long ago, and it’s being practiced even till today as a bringer of luck.” [Serge]

Ahh, so it’s something like that.

“And so, because of that, you want me to take the necklace.” [Ryouma]

“Exactly.” [Elia]

“… Isn’t this something important to you? Is it really ok?” [Ryouma]

“If it wasn’t, then I wouldn’t have told you so in the first place. I believe you, so please give it back in 3 years.” [Elia]

Mu… to actually be trusted to this degree… Moreover, for it to be because of a promise to meet again…

“I understand. I’ll take care of it until we meet again.” [Ryouma]

“Really!?” [Elia]

“In exchange, I’ll definitely give it back.” [Ryouma]

“Of course.” [Elia]

And so, I accepted the box, and put it inside my ‘Item Box’. If it’s here, then I definitely won’t lose it.

“Next is…” [Elia]

I thought that I should also give Elia something, and so, I thought of what I could give.

… What’s my most treasured item? Money? Wait, I couldn’t give something like that. It’d be too bulky to carry… Then in that case, pelt? But that’s not particularly important…. How about building stones? Ingots? Waterproof cloths? … Erm, I don’t seem to have anything satisfactory…

Then it hit me.

“ ‘Dimension Home’ “

I take out a heal slime and a scavenger slime from my ‘Dimension Home’ and present them to Elia.

“Ryouma-san, these two are?” [Elia]

“I couldn’t think of anything precious I could give you, and the only thing I could really think of as precious are my slimes, so… I think these two slimes could become useful to you, so please take them.” [Ryouma]

Elia was taken aback when she heard that, and barely keeping herself together, she covered her mouth with her hand as she tried not to laugh.

So it’s weird after all, huh? Or rather, why did I pick slimes as my mementos? Well, it’s actually because I didn’t have anything else that’s suitable, but… No, in the first place, it’s a bit questionable to use slimes as a memento, but… isn’t there anything else?

“Fufu… I’m sorry, Ryouma-san. I just thought it was just like you to think of something like that… thank you, I’ll take care of them.” [Elia]

“Really? Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

“No, the pleasure is mine. Thank you for lending me your most precious slave monsters.” [Elia]

I let down the heal slime and scavenger slime in my arms, and then cancelled the contract. And then, Elia contracted those two.

“I’ve successfully contracted them. I’ll take care of them well.” [Elia]

“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

After that, we talked about slimes, magic, and I even showed her some of my alchemy.

Like that, time passed, and eventually dusk was before us. We used space magic, and went back to the town.

Upon arrival, we went to check the store for a bit, and when we got there, we saw the store bustling with adventurers and doctors. The adventurers who went to the swamp, and the doctors who processed the grell frogs, were all covered in blood and mud. Because of them, the store was bustling with customers, and the business, flourishing.

After that short stop, we went back to the lodging. Rheinhart-san and the others seemed to have already recovered from their hangover.

“Welcome back, Ryouma-kun.” [Rheinhart]

“Thanks for taking care of Elia today.” [Madam]

“Please don’t mind it. It was fun for me too.” [Ryouma]

“Ryouma-san taught me a lot of magic. And while I still can’t use it well, I’ll do my best to learn them!” [Elia]

From the flow of the conversation, Elia learned the combination of the ice magic ‘Freeze’, which freezes things a little, and the wind magic ‘Breeze’, which creates air, known as, ‘Cooler’. There’s also the ice magic ‘Ice Cube’, and a bunch of other things that I taught her. Although it would appear that she still can’t use anything else aside from ‘Ice Cube’.

Incidentally, since Sebasu-san was also with us, I taught him the magic, ‘Mist Wash’, and ‘Water Gun’. And just as you’d expect from Sebasu-san, despite me having only given him a simple explanation of compressing and shooting, he quickly learned how to use the magic after only five tries. And was even able to cut the rock I made with earth magic as a target into two.

Going back to the story.

“That’s great, Elia.” [Rheinbach]

“Yes! Also, Ryouma-san lent me his heal slime and scavenger slime.” [Elia]

“Ara, really? Take care of them well, Elia.” [Madam]

“Of course.” [Elia]

And so, after that, we continued to talk about the day we met, and all sorts of other things until midnight.

The day of separation.

The duke’s household and the guards rode the carriage at the place behind the lodging where the carriages where. And one after another, they called out to me from the window of the carriage.

“Take care of your body.” [Rheinhart]

“Don’t push yourself, ok?” [Madam]

“You should rest from time to time.” [Rheinbach]

“If something comes up, be sure to contact us.” [Sebasu]

“If you have some free time, come over to our place. [Jill]

“Do your best, young master.” [Zeff]

“Be well.” [Camil]

“Keep yourself together.” [Hyuzu]

“I’ll pray for your good health and fortune.” [Araune]

The members of the duke’s household, Araune, and Jill-san and co. all called out to me.

“Everyone, as well, please take care. Thank you for everything until now.” [Ryouam]

As I said that, I bowed my head. I hate the fact that I’m not good at talking about various things for extended periods… I wish I could get my feelings across better…

“Ryouma-san, until the day we meet again, I’ll be doing my best to improve my skills!” [Elia]

Declared Elia from the top of the carriage.

“I’ll be doing the same too.” [Ryouma]

“Do your best!” [Elia & Ryouma]

As my words overlapped with Elia’s, we laughed. With the time of departure here, the escorts were the first to start moving as they led the convoy from the front.

Elia and the others waved towards me from the window as they left. And I too waved to the fleeting carriage as I sent them off, the carriage eventually turning into a silhouette, until finally I could see it no more. With the carriage gone, I too walked away, showed my face at the shop, and then headed to the mine.

From today on I won’t be living in the lodging but here, in the mine! Because of that I have to get started with the construction of my house!

“……………..Fuu…….”

Suddenly, I stop, and I look at the sky. I don’t have time to be sentimental. I know that. And yet, I can’t help but feel lonely. No, I’m not regretting my choice, but… at times like this, there’s nothing else to it except to work until I forget.

……Ahh, but then if I did that, then when I send my letter, it won’t have anything in it but work. She’ll probably get mad at me if I did that.

As I thought that, it would appear that I somehow lightened up as I could feel my face make a broad grin.

Somehow, I feel better. Well then, let’s continue like this.

“Fuu… Let me say that again, I’ll do my best!” [Ryouma]

I walk towards the mine again. But this time, with a cheerful mood, just like always. And so, like usual, my day also begins.