WETRIED TRANSLATIONS

Wizard of the Abyss

[Translator – Aren]

Chapter 12 - Adoption (3)

Nothing had been solved yet, but just as I was starting to get used to my routine, an unexpected obstacle appeared.

"Everyone, you all brought your Spellpaper today, right?”

"..."

I let out a long sigh while sweeping the floor with my broom.

It had been about a month since I first started eavesdropping on the classes.

In that time, I’d been able to steadily follow along and get down the basics. Now I could even sculpt a dog figurine, with whispers and all, from a good distance away.

Not that I would stoop so low as to brag in front of the kids, but, at least when it came to wind magic, I was already far ahead of the students of this class.

...Though this just meant I was slightly better than a normal wizard my own age, but this was where the problem started.

I couldn’t progress any further.

"Yes, but why did we have to bring this again?”

"I’ll explain. There are many kinds of people in the world. Strong people, tall people, people who can eat a lot… right?”

"Yes!"

"Just like that, everyone has something they’re especially good at. Wizards are the same. You might not understand yet, but each of you has already created a world of your own. Today, we’ll use the Spellpaper to take a small peek at that world.”

Overcoming the fatal pitfall that was supplies was more difficult than one might think.

I didn’t know where to buy this stuff, or how much it would cost.

Which meant this entire lesson was basically useless to me.

"Now, place your Spellpaper on the desk, put your hand over it, and don’t do anything else.”

"Why?"

"Because Spellpaper is extremely sensitive. If you use fire magic on it, it’ll burn up instantly. If you use wind magic, it’ll shoot into the air. Even the slightest contact will leave behind traces of your mana.”

"Ah, Teacher. Mine tore.”

"Oh dear, that must have been really expensive…Do you need me to give you a spare one?”

"It’s fine. My father said I might need it so he actually gave me a hundred sheets.”

"I-Is that so?”

"Hmm… Nothing’s happening to mine.”

"It probably recorded something. Could you hand it to me… Oh! It’s slightly singed! Hughins, it looks like you have a talent for fire magic!”

So that was how it worked.

Today’s class was really a bust for me, but at least it didn't really matter much. If I put my hand on one of those sheets, I bet it would just get drenched instantly. Already knowing my own inner world, this exercise would be completely pointless.

The real problem came in the next lesson.

"Today we’re finally starting the actual beginner’s course! You all brought your textbooks, right?”

"Yeees~"

"Open them to page three. Today’s lesson will be…”

"I’m doomed.”

I muttered under my breath with a sigh.

This– This was a total dead end.

It wasn’t that surprising though. Even if it was a children's class, an official academy course was bound to have textbooks.

Sure, if I listened closely, I could probably pick up the gist of what was being taught.

However, I could grasp the finer details. It felt like I was only catching half of the lesson.

This truly was the worst.

"..."

After a moment’s thought, I decided to gamble.

Normally, I’d run away a few minutes before class ended.

But not today. I kept sweeping and wiping the floor as naturally as possible. Not too diligently, just enough to not catch anyone’s attention.

And waited for the class to end.

-Clatter!

"Hey, let’s go together!”

"A white horse was born in our stables today! Let’s go see it!”

To avoid any suspicion, I kept my eyes on the ground, only glancing at them.

The kids really weren’t all that different from the ones at the orphanage.

Sure, their clothes were expensive and they were loaded with all kinds of jewelry, but—kids were kids.

Honestly, they just looked cute.

"Hold on, everyone. Stay in line… Aah, don’t run!”

Fortunately, the teacher hurried after them quickly.

Round glasses, chestnut brown hair, a robe that didn’t particularly make her seem noble… Unlike the last instructor, this one even spoke politely to the children. She also didn’t seem that experienced.

Well, not that it mattered.

I crept toward the closed door, gripped the handle, and tried turning it.

-Click.

It was unlocked.

"Phew..."

After double-checking to make sure no one was around, I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart and slipped into the classroom.

It was exactly how I had imagined the children’s classroom would look. The teachers must have been in charge of cleaning, because this place was a complete mess. Toppled chairs, scraps of torn paper, tissues scattered everywhere.

Looking around, I spotted an open book lying on a desk.

"Is this it?”

I closed it to check the cover.

[Francine’s Thaumatology: Foundations, 1]

Guess it was.

Naturally, this couldn’t be found in the library. So, without the slightest hesitation, I began to read.

And, to my surprise, its contents were incredibly easy to understand.

The books in the library used terminology so advanced I could barely even read them, let alone comprehend them, but this book was completely different.

It actually explained those terms. Before I knew it, I had read the book front to back as if possessed, completely forgetting to copy anything down.

Everything I had wanted to know but couldn’t learn from the class was written in here. How to increase precision, how to fix a spell’s focal point. What to explore, what to avoid… And tons of other fascinating information.

I couldn’t grasp everything right away, of course, but that was fine. It was written as a teaching aid after all. If I had this textbook, I would be able to really understand the lessons.

—Everything I needed to learn right now was inside this book.

Feeling my mouth water at that thought, I swallowed hard.

"...No.”

My hand was reaching out towards it, but I gritted my teeth and stopped.

Stealing a textbook?

Did I have a death wish?

The chances of getting caught were too high, and the risk was astronomical.

Theft wasn’t something you could get away with by crying or begging for mercy. I would definitely be punished for it.

The best solution was to copy it.

Having no time to waste, I pulled out the notebook and pencil I had prepared in advance.

Then, I felt a subtle current brush past me.

"...!"

It was the same sensation I had felt last time. Slight currents created when someone was approaching.

I had been too absorbed in the textbook. It must be the teacher. As soon as that thought crossed my mind a weary voice grumbled from outside..

"Haah, teaching kids is so exhausting…”

If I left now, she’d see me coming out of the classroom.

While there were plenty of hiding spots around, that would be the worst choice. I made a snap decision and quickly grabbed the broom.

Swish, swish… I calmly swept the floor. Then, ten seconds later…

"...Eh?"

The teacher stepped in. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw me, and I returned that look with equally wide eyes.

"Ah, good day.”

"Who are you? What are you doing here?”

"Erm… cleaning?”

"Cleaning the classroom? But I didn’t ask anyone to–”

Just before suspicion could harden her gaze further, I bowed my head, cutting her off.

"A-ah! I’m sorry. I noticed that the door was open while I was sweeping the hall, so I thought I had to clean inside as well. My apologies…”

"Oh? Well, no need to apologize… so you’re the janitor for this area?”

"Yes..."

"Then it was just a simple misunderstanding. But don’t go into buildings without someone’s permission, okay? Someone might think you’re stealing.”

I exhaled a sigh of relief internally.

This gamble was a bit reckless, wasn’t it?

Even so, I knew that as long as I hadn’t actually stolen anything, I could probably get away with it.

"I’ll handle the cleaning here, so you just sweep outside.”

"Ah, I’ll help.”

"Huh? This is my job, though…”

"I’m already done outside.”

"Really? Well, in that case…”

I stayed and helped the teacher clean up the classroom. By the time I left, I noticed that I was drenched in sweat.

Not from the labor, but because of the fear I had just felt. It felt as if this had shaved years off my life.

"Thanks for helping. Thanks to you, this went much faster.”

"No, this is part of my work. Do you have anything else for me to do?”

"Oh? Then could you help me with one more thing? These are leftover Spellpapers. Can you drop them off at the magic tool shop in the central square?”

"...Ah, yes.”

I offered, but she really had something for me to do.

For a second I panicked a little, worrying that just holding the box would lead to all of the papers inside getting soaked instantly, but luckily, the box was actually quite thick.

Struggling a bit, I carried the box to the shop. Behind the counter, a balding shopkeeper was sorting through his wares.

"Excuse me, the children’s class teacher asked me to bring these to you.”

"Hm? Ah, the leftover Spellpapers, right? One moment, Uurgh…”

While the shopkeeper disappeared into the back, I let my eyes wander around the store—

"...Oh?"

I froze when I saw the books lined neatly above the counter.

[Francine’s Thaumatology: Foundations, 1]

[Francine’s Thaumatology: Foundations, 2]

[Francine’s Thaumatology: Foundations, 3]

...Was this actually a goldsmith’s shop?

I desperately wanted those books. While I was still running calculations in my head, the shop owner came back out, so I bowed my head to hide my face and lowered my voice.

"That’s it."

"Yes, thanks for running the errand.”

"Uhm, what kind of shop is this, exactly?”

"Hm? It’s where the students come to buy replacements if they lose their supplies. Why do you ask?”

"Thank you. I was just curious.”

I got the confirmation I wanted.

Trying to suppress my excitement, I left the shop quickly, making sure not to show my face and ran until I found a quiet place.

The moment I reached an alleyway, I stripped off all my clothes. Then I pulled out the noble’s outfit I always carried around just in case from my bag.

I intended to wear it only if I got caught doing something that a janitor would be executed for. Who would have known that I would end up using it like this.

"...Does my hair look off?”

I leaned over the little stream trickling nearby, scrubbing off soot and grime, and straightened my hair as best I could.

It was a bit unfortunate that it was black. Still, while it was a bit uncommon, there were some black-haired nobles. It shouldn’t be that big of a problem.

"Ahem, aheem."

I straightened my shoulders, and adjusted my voice.

Leaving my dirty bag behind, I walked back with all the pomp I could muster, as if I were a real noble. It was something I had learned while getting into the library, but attitude was everything.

And sure enough, when I stepped back into the golden magic tool shop, the owner’s reaction was completely different.

He bowed deeply and hurried around the counter as if he had laid eyes upon a true noble.

Well, I’d be in serious trouble if he didn’t act like that.

"Oh my! Welcome. How may I assist you today?”

"Hmm. I’d like to buy those three textbooks over there.”

"I’d, like to…?”

Was that the wrong way to say it?

Either way, the shopkeeper took out the books without any fuss.

"Which household are you from? I can charge it to their account.”

Of course. I expected the owner to suggest using my family to foot the bill.

But what household? I had no household to speak of, so I shook my head.

"Do you accept cash?”

"But of course.”

"Keep the change."

I slid the silver coin onto the counter, silently thanking Hughins, my benefactor.

Next time I saw Elisia, I might give them a hint to where she was hiding. Though I wouldn’t hit her. With such thoughts in mind, I reached for the books…

"Huh? Aah~ Hahaha…”

The shopkeeper chuckled, staring at the coin I offered.

"Young master, I’m afraid you’ve brought the wrong coin. This is silver, not gold!”

"...Huh, ah, is that so?”

"Yes indeed. Each textbook is 599 silvers. It would be better to let your family pay for them. If you’d just tell me the name…”

"...I’ll come back another time.”

"Ah, yes…?”

I still walked out of the shop with my head held high.

And then… as soon as I slipped into an alley I collapsed and muttered with a face filled with nothing but despair.

"Are you messing with me or something…?”

599 silvers?

A single textbook, 599 silvers?

For just one volume?

All three together were about equal to the orphanage’s annual budget?

Is inflation in this place that insane?

"..."

I had to make money.

Right now.

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