Chapter 99: Library
Translator: Soafp
The treatment for Rosa’s leg had begun, and about two months had passed since then. Today marks the fifth treatment session, which might seem insufficient, but it was done to ensure safety.
In reality, some abnormalities might manifest immediately after the repair, while others might take time to appear. Symptoms like minor pain, itching, or numbness may seem trivial, but the thought of enduring them for a lifetime sends shivers down one’s spine.
Considering these factors, a two-week interval was established between treatments.
The decision to implement intervals was proven beneficial. In fact, during the second and fourth sessions, the repairs failed, necessitating the removal of the affected areas.
During the second session, there was no sensation at all. Upon using sonar, it was revealed that the nerves were completely absent, likely due to my lack of visualization. Removing the affected area was painless since there was no sensation.
The fourth session was a bit traumatic. It involved numbness, which manifested about ten days later and spontaneously disappeared the next day.
Despite being disappointing, it was decided to redo the treatments. However, this time, there was pain during the removal process.
Rosa, having endured the pain of having her leg cut off, was completely exhausted.
Currently, Rosa’s leg has undergone two rounds of repairs since the initial treatment, covering approximately half the distance from the knee to the ankle.
Almost every day, I learn magic circles from Rosa, so I asked her about it. She mentioned that even with the same deficiency, the ease of movement differs significantly between above and below the knee.
Rosa can manage most tasks when kneeling, which brings her joy.
“Shall we begin?”
“Yes, please.”
Using sonar, I examine both my leg and what remains of Rosa’s leg, visualizing bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves in my mind.
After a considerable amount of time, when I felt the visualization was complete, I chanted,
“Heal!”
Using a moderate amount of magic power to avoid depletion.
Approximately 10 cm of Rosa’s leg was repaired. Visually, it seemed perfect, just like when it failed. I inquire about Rosa’s condition.
“How do you feel?”
“No pain or numbness.”
“…”
“I can feel when touched.”
“…”
“I don’t think there will be any noticeable discomfort right away.”
“I see. But remember, discomfort may arise later. Let’s monitor for two weeks. If everything seems fine, we’ll proceed.”
“Understood.”
One more successful treatment, and then it’s on to the ankle. Honestly, I’m not confident. Repairing inch by inch would be ideal, but the human body doesn’t always cooperate.
For instance, repairing joints in the middle isn’t feasible. While it may take time to reach the toes, if I can repair up to the heel, walking should be possible.
Currently, the goal is to repair up to the heel. Although I won’t collapse from magical exhaustion, I only have about 20% of my magic power left. I plan to take a bath today and then rest early.
“Well then, Rosa. If you feel any discomfort, let me know immediately. Goodnight.”
“Understood. Goodnight.”
Come to think of it, ever since I told Rosa that I would renounce my noble status at 15, she hasn’t made any overt advances.
Perhaps she no longer intends to become my mistress now that she knows I plan to renounce my noble status at 15.
Now, let’s get into the bath. The maid has prepared my change of clothes and milk, so I head to the bath.
While washing myself and soaking in the tub, I hear noises from the dressing room. I initially thought it was grandpa or El, but it turns out to be Marl’s voice.
Realizing this, I shout loudly, “Not good.”
“Oi! It’s me, Aldo, and I am in the bath!!”
I heard some rustling, but Marl’s response came through.
“Aldo, I’m sorry. I thought no one was in. I’ll leave right away… Eh? Yuri, just a minute…”
I had a bad feeling about this… After waiting for a while, someone entered the shower area… I could only see a silhouette through the steam, but it was clearly a woman…
“Oi, I said I’m in here. Get out and wait in the dressing room while I put on some clothes.”
Even though she should have heard my voice, the woman didn’t leave and instead approached me…
The blurry silhouette gradually became clearer. It was Yuri. What was she thinking, coming in here like this, naked except for a large towel wrapped around her body?
“Oi! This is not funny at all. Do you understand?”
“F-Fufufu… With this, you must be completely captivated by my charm…”
“Are you an idiot?”
“Well then. Show me Aldo’s Aldo…”
“You moron! Get out. Get out, I said!”
“Oh…”
“Oh…”
“Y-you’re surprisingly mature… you…”
Even I have my breaking point. I felt a surge of anger rising, threatening to explode.
“That’s it! It was just a joke… Actually, I’m wearing underwear underneath… See? Want to take a look?”
“Who would want to see thaaaat!!”
Yuri fled like a rabbit from the dressing room.
“What is she even thinking…”
Muttering complaints, I remained firmly in the bath… It seemed like I wouldn’t be able to get out for a while.
Exiting the bath, I felt the cool night breeze. It’s already November, and it feels nice.
Does time feel faster because I’m happy?
In January and February, the school goes on a long break. I’ll be returning to Blue Ring. I wonder what Lewis, Nero, Faristea, Anna-sensei, Yuri, and Olivia are planning to do. I’ll have to ask next time.
In another month and a half, I’ll get to see Ashera… Since October has passed, she must be 15 now. An adult… She can get married…
My birthday is in June, so I’ll be 15 in a year and a half. That’s what grandpa said. Once I turn 15, I’ll get to see the ring again. Maybe during the summer vacation of my third year… I have to make sure I don’t have any regrets in the next year and a half…
“Growing up” means more things to do and a broader world to explore.
The next day after school——-
“Anna-sensei, do we have any literature on teleportation magic in the school library?”
“Teleportation magic? Like something out of a fairy tale.”
“I guess there’s none, huh?”
“I wonder… Flying magic is also considered fairy tale magic, but Aldo, you can use it, right?”
“Well, something similar…”
“Teleportation, huh… I’m interested too. Let’s skip beast language study today and check out the library?”
“That sounds good.”
“…”
When I made a sly face, Anna-sensei responded with a sly face too. We immediately headed to the library together with the three of us.
I told Lewis and Nero, who were in the middle of body strengthening training, and then we headed to the library.
The library was shared among the Knight Department, the Mage Department, and the Commerce Department. It was probably shared to consider the cost of books and the amount of usage.
The library was located at the edge of the Mage Department, closer to the Commerce Department. This was because the order of use was Mage Department, Commerce Department, and then Knight Department.
Upon entering the library, there was a counter with two librarians sitting behind it.
First, let’s ask them.
“Excuse me. Do you have any literature on teleportation magic?”
“Teleportation magic? Please wait a moment.”
With that, the two librarians brought out what looked like a ledger from the back.
“Teleportation… I remember it being in the magic dictionary…”
“The magic dictionary only describes what teleportation magic is. But more importantly…”
The two librarians searched through their ledger for literature on teleportation magic.
As I watched them for a while, they eventually pointed out a few books to me.
The librarians’ job is to tell you where to find books. Actually fetching the books is your own responsibility.
They directed me to three books: “Genesis Myth,” “Wish of the Spirit King,” and “Labyrinth Trap Dictionary.”
In “Genesis Myth,” it was said that spirits’ messengers freely used teleportation within their domains.
In “Wish of the Spirit King,” teleportation was also mentioned. Comparing the two books, it seemed that apostles and spirits’ messengers were the same entity.
The last book, “Labyrinth Trap Dictionary,” was a completely different story. Apparently, there was something called a “teleportation trap” in labyrinth traps. This trap would activate when stepped on or touched, sending everything touched to somewhere else within the labyrinth.
Combining these three, it seemed that teleportation existed in this world but was not easy. As a specific hint, it might be a good idea to try getting caught in a teleportation trap. If you got caught a few times, you might eventually grasp the feeling and be able to use teleportation magic.
—-A labyrinth that even a monkey can understand—-
What is a labyrinth in the first place? It is said to have existed since the beginning of human history, but there is still no clear answer.
Some say it’s a training ground created by gods to nurture humans.
One characteristic of a labyrinth is that there is always a “heart of the labyrinth” known as a magic stone at its deepest point, and the labyrinth lord protects this stone from intruders. Even if the lord dies, it is said that there is no effect on the magic stone, but if the magic stone is destroyed, the lord will die.
There have been cases where a labyrinth has formed in abandoned mines, and it is still unclear what causes the magic stone to form.
Usually, labyrinths extend underground, as seen from caves or abandoned mines, but the “Fool’s Tower” in the Dwarf Kingdom is a labyrinth that goes upwards.
The abandoned tower somehow turned into a labyrinth. However, the original tower was only three stories high, while the labyrinth had five floors. From this, it has become a common belief that “inside the labyrinth is another world.”
In reality, labyrinths are full of mysteries. Why are there monsters? What do monsters eat? Why aren’t there any monster children seen inside the labyrinth? Why do monsters on a level that has been completely wiped out reappear the next day?… There are rumors that magic accumulates and gives birth to monsters, that monsters gush out from the walls, and that people turn into monsters, among others.
One significant characteristic of labyrinths is that corpses do not remain. No, not just corpses, but anything that doesn’t move will be devoured by the labyrinth. There is no distinction between monsters, humans, or objects.
Some researchers left animal corpses, armor, swords, and live animals at intervals of one mead in a shallow labyrinth.
After about ten hours, everything except the “live animals” sank into the labyrinth floor.
That’s not all. Armor and swords were marked with distinctive symbols, but one day, three years later, a sword with the symbol appeared from a labyrinth treasure chest.
It’s unclear who or how it’s done, but the equipment found in the labyrinth seems to be someone’s belongings.
By the way, labyrinth treasure chests are different from regular ones. If you see a membrane-like bag on the ground or wall with colors like black, blue, or red, that’s the treasure chest.
Breaking it open will most likely yield items. Occasionally, monsters may emerge, but the author has never seen it happen.
However, treasure chests often contain traps.
These traps aren’t mechanical like poison gas or pitfalls; instead, they are purely magical. But there’s one particularly unfair trap among them: the teleportation trap.
The moment it’s triggered, anything touched by it is randomly teleported anywhere within the labyrinth.
While there are no such traps on the first floor, if triggered, you might find yourself suddenly teleported to the deepest part where the labyrinth lord resides.
Since teleportation traps are activated by magic circles, it’s common sense to always have a scout in the party and, even if it’s inconvenient, to tie each other with a rope.
I hope none of the readers foolishly stumble into a labyrinth with teleportation traps.
——Author: A-class adventurer Gonzalez——
As far as this author is concerned, I might have been a bit careless about the teleportation traps. I’ll do my best not to be “foolish” and research information about safe labyrinths with teleportation traps.
I’ll ask the librarians again about what kinds of labyrinths are in Fosterk. They pointed me to a book titled “Labyrinths of Fosterk” right away.
Upon reading it, surprisingly, the “Clawfang Labyrinth” near the capital seemed to fit my criteria.
Constantly teleporting at random, individual combat prowess is emphasized. The strongest individual discovered so far is said to be Wyvern-class, which is quite appealing.
Details about the “Clawfang Labyrinth” were gathered.
It has ten levels of depth and is of the cave type. Even though it’s a cave type, the corridors are at least five meters wide, with an average width of about ten meters. The teleportation traps I’m interested in apparently start appearing from the 7th level.
Enemies are primarily beast-type creatures with claws and fangs. The weakest enemy is the Wind Wolf, and the strongest non-labyrinth lord enemy is the Minotaur.
Other traps besides teleportation include poison, paralysis, sleep, and pitfalls.
Maps can be obtained for a fee at the Adventurer’s Guild.
Why has this labyrinth not been fully explored yet? That’s because the labyrinth lord is an Earth Dragon.
Unlike the “pseudo-dragon” Wyverns we’ve defeated, Earth Dragons are true dragon species.
According to legends, their breath could rival my Condense Ray.
I absolutely don’t want to fight an opponent with such a cheat attack, especially since I’m the one using it! Absolutely not!!
First, I need to reach the 7th level to encounter the teleportation traps. I’d like to dive in at least up to the 6th level once. I’ll ask Joe about it next time.