No matter how much knowledge you accumulate from a book, there are still things that you won't know unless you experience it yourself. For example...

*crunch!*

I look at Griselda, the rabbit-type beastman, who is munching a raw carrot while having lunch.

The sight of her eating it like a snack... I never really pay much attention to it before, but it looks amazing in a way. She is also eating while still wearing her black witch hat. If not for her ears, I would wonder why she won't take off her hat since it gets in the way of her eating.

Currently, I am having lunch on the same table as Griselda, Antarea, Ean and Miika. My lunch is the cheapest lunch set of salad and ham but I also order coffee this time.

We talk about casual topic such as Ean, Griselda and Antarea praising about my ribbon that Miika chose before. And then we shifts to our current topic.

"So what did you do today? I don't see other goblin kids with you today."

Antarea the dark elf blacksmith says that while looking at Ean eating chicken meat.

Ean hears her question so she swallow her food first before replying.

"Today I'm doing Synthesis quests from the guild."

Synthesis quest is a request of people asking for things that can only be made by alchemy.

"Hm? You become an adventurer already?"

I ask that because I remember that the exam to become adventurer is not that easy.

"No, officially I am the one who take the quest since I still have my guild card. I accompanied her today so that the client won't be worried too much about Ean."

Griselda says that right after finish munching her raw carrot.

Well... I still believe that decision is better than letting Ean do the quest alone because the people here are still wary of the goblins.

"What kind of Synthesis quest?"

I ask that while looking at Ean. As someone who used to do lots of Synthesis quests, I can't help but to get a bit curious about it.

"They asked for potions and then they tested it themselves before getting all the potions. Thank goodness it worked..."

After saying that, Ean bites another chicken meat.

I guess the Guild Master really spread the words about the potions used during raid battle. I missed hearing it myself because of my fever.

"At this rate, I think we can soon try doing other Synthesis Quests and Gathering Quests with other goblin kids just like what the Guild Master intended."

Griselda says that after taking a sip on her cup of tea.

"Shion used to do lots of Synthesis and Gathering Quests alone but it's not really enough to cater to all requests. Most adventurers still prefer fighting monsters since it is more profitable."

Antarea says that while taking a purple lime-like fruit besides her cup of coffee.

That purple lime-like fruit is garus fruit, people use it's sweet extract for sugar substitute. The fruit is also used a lot in Brahmastra Continent.

Antarea puts the sweet extract into her coffee.

Oh yeah, I haven't drink my coffee yet.

As I think that, I take my cup of coffee and drink it while Antarea is still putting the sweet extract into her coffee.

After taking a sip, I suddenly feel that everyone is staring at me except Miika who is busy eating cucumber without really caring about our conversation.

I put my cup down and starts asking a question.

"What's wrong?"

"Doesn't that taste bitter?"

Antarea says that right after finish putting the sweet extract into her coffee.

"Yeah. I prefer it that way."

I reply and then take another sip. In my previous life, I drink coffee without sugar precisely because I want the bitterness prevents me from sleeping throughout my whole working day.

Everyone except Miika looks dumbfounded seeing me drinking the coffee. Well, kid drinking coffee is probably not a common sight for them.

I get similar reaction in the past so I get used to this kind of reaction already.

_________________________________________

*Flashback 2 years ago in Graize Mansion*

Nelsia who is wearing maid uniform looks at me softly blowing my cup of coffee.

"Are you sure you want to drink that?"

"Yes. Thank you for making it. Keep it a secret from others okay?"

I continue blowing softly to the coffee that I asked Nelsia to make for me.

Both of us are in Nelsia's room inside the maid's quarter. I decide to drink it here because I don't want others to see.

I know that the maids won't like the idea of kids like me drinking coffee... but it has been 6 years. It can't be helped if I miss the taste already.

But the maids oppose my ideas so strongly thinking that coffee is not good for my current body. That's why I have no choice but to be sneaky with Nelsia's help.

"Coffee is really bitter you know? Maybe put some garus extract first..."

"I'll decide once I know the original taste first."

After saying that, I take a sip of the coffee.

"... Haa"

I instinctively let out a small moan.

But it can't be helped. This taste... reminds me the times where I enjoy coffee back in my previous world. Thank goodness the taste is not that different.

"A- are you okay, Shion-sama?"

Nelsia says that with a worried look.

"Yes, this is good enough. No need to add anything else."

I say that with a smile.

"... sigh... understood. Just don't drink it too often okay? I don't want Shion-sama's sleeping schedule getting disturbed by this."

"Don't worry~ I'll watch out the timing myself."

"It's that kind of carefree attitude that makes me worried about you, Shion-sama."

The last sentence is not said by Nelsia. It is said by a familiar female voice behind the locked door of Nelsia's room.

Both Nelsia and me suddenly tremble upon hearing that voice.

Immediately, there is a sound of the door being unlocked. And the door ends up opened revealing Kaina who is holding the master key.

Holy sh*t, I can totally see veins popping on her head. This time, she is literally angry. Natural disaster level of anger, no joke...

"WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

The head maid says with voice so deep that I almost mistake it as a monster's voice.

"...EEEEEEEEEEK!!!"

Both Nelsia and I scream as the head maid approach us with expression that shouldn't be visually depicted in normal person's eyes.

*End of Flashback*

_________________________________________

Ah right, I remember... My first time drinking coffee in this world is not a peaceful incident.

"What's wrong, Shion?"

Miika's voice pulls me back to the present time. He says that before continue eating his bread.

"No, it's nothing."

"Is that so..."

Miika says that after hearing my reply. He then bites his bread and drink water immediately to soak the bread inside his mouth with water.

And apparently, the other three people on the same table starts the conversation among themselves while I was reminiscing about the past.

"Well, Ean. I'm counting on you to accompany Griselda on quests from now on."

"Leave it to me. Though I will probably be the one who rely on Miss Griselda the most."

Ean says that to reply to Antarea's statement. Antarea then immediately replies.

"It's fine. That woman has been used to adventuring alone for so long as far as I can remember. You accompanying her will be a good lesson for her."

Hearing Antarea says that, Griselda injects into the conversation.

"Geez. Stop bringing up old stuff. I'm more or less already retired as an adventurer."

"Huh~? Who is that woman lately who accept the quest of spying that giant squid monster alone only to be saved by Shion and Miika before dying in the forest~?"

Antarea says that with sarcastic tone. She's referring to the time where Miika and I found Griselda passing out near the river out of coincidence.

"Ah right. That one was really careless on your part. If you don't want to rely on other adventurers, please just call me next time."

I say that before sipping my coffee again.

"I feel really bad for Thesiemi. She was really worried sick about you back then..."

Antarea also talks again right after finishing her lunch.

Thesiemi refers to the horse-type beastwoman nun who is working at the Liasr Church. She has been a friend of Griselda for a long time.

"Ugh... I get it. I get it. I'll be careful next time."

With nothing else to fight the argument with, Griselda just accepts our advices.

.....

....

...

After the lunch, Griselda and Ean goes to the Guild whereas Antarea, Miika and I go to Antarea's store as promised.

In Antarea's store, the dark elf hands a over a short stick that is similar to my Emeraldian light sabre but the gem attached to it is white-coloured.

Wait, there is another difference. In the middle of the stick, there is a switch-like thing poking out in the rectangle-shaped hole of the metal stick.

As I look at the switch-like thing, Antarea starts talking.

"Ahh. That thing is called switch."

*reference to the switch button planted on the prototype magic weapon*

"That part of device which is used to activate magic tool, right?"

Antarea is surprised a bit but then smiles before talking.

"As expected of you huh..."

Switch is not that rare in Brahmastra Continent. But I guess this is my first time seeing it in this continent.

"This weapon that you want me to test... how much is the firepower?"

I ask that while Miika is observing silently behind me.

"Pretty much non-existent. It's a prototype because this is the first time I ever create this kind of magic weapon."

Antarea points at the metal stick before continue talking.

"The magic formula inside is 'Light Stick' instead of 'Plasma Sabre'. So it won't harm anything."

Light Stick magic is similar to Light Sabre magic in a sense that it envelops the targeted object with light. Though the difference would be that there is no heat in that light.

However... judging from the magic formula, it is very similar to the 'Plasma Sabre' formula that I modified on Emeraldian using Overtake. That's why, instead of the light enveloping the gem, it will form a light sabre from empty space upon activation.

"Try pressing the switch."

I point the short metal stick at empty space in front of me and press the switch.

*woom!*

It forms a white light sabre similar to what my modified Emaraldian does.

"! That weapon..."

Miika says that as he finally realize what this magic weapon does.

"Did you take reference from Emeraldian?"

I say this while lightly swing the prototype magic weapon few times.

"It's that obvious huh... I take note of it since the magic formula is different from Emeraldian's magic formula that I knew. It's your doing, right?"

"Yeah."

I admit that I'm the one who change the magic formula but I won't tell how. It will be troublesome if people start knowing about Overtake. At least I have a reputation of being an alchemist by taking so many Synthesis Quests so people can believe me of doing something like changing magic formula without some kind of special power... hopefully.

After swinging it few more times, I press the switch again to turn it off and look at the magic formula engraved inside the metal stick.

"... how is it?"

"It's actually quite impressive for you to produce this much of a result just by mimicking the magic formula."

I say that because crafting a magic formula for magic tools requires the creator's understanding of what the magic formula does. Not to mention the compability of the magic formula with the shapes and the materials of vessel itself. In other words, it shouldn't be easy to produce the Plasma Sabre just by mimicking the magic formula.

"Then... I have a request."

Antarea slightly bows her head right after saying that.

Miika and I are surprised a bit. Regardless, Antarea continues talking.

"May I ask you to teach me about 'Plasma Sabre'?"

...That was some absurd quest. In this world where advance spell scroll or book can only be purchased with huge sum of money unlike basic spell like Heal. She is basically asking me to teach her a very expensive spell for free-

"Of course I'm not asking it for free. I'm not that rich but if there is anything else I can do to cover the cost."

Antarea says that while still bowing.

Well, Plasma Sabre is indeed not a magic you would teach other for free. But as far as I can remember, I've been in her debt from when I was start living in this town. From customizing my armor's size, giving me information about Guild, helping me customizing the cross I got from Sylphie and even give me some short swords back when I was about to do Ean's quest.

And also...

"I'm okay with you apologizing to me. I'll forgive you if that makes you feel better. But I don't want to see you beating yourself up because of it."

I remember Antarea's words back when I was having a fever.

I think it will make me feel worse if I don't at least repay the favour to her.

After thinking that, I start talking again.

"I don't mind teaching you that. But in exchange, instead of money..."

"?"

Antarea looks at my face before hearing what I have to say next.

.....

....

...

Around 2 hours later, Miika is pointing the modified Emeraldian forward with his only right hand. Then he presses the switch and the green light sabre forms put from Emeraldian.

That switch is planted on Emeraldian by Antarea under my request.

"Good, now press the switch again."

As I say that, Miika presses the switch again and the green light sabre disappears.

"Next thing to do is to pour your own mana into it. No need to press the switch. Just remember the first step when you used your 'Heal' magic."

As I say that, Miika begins to concentrate and pour mana into Emeraldian.

However, instead of forming a gree light sabre again, green light flashes weakly from inside of Emeraldian.

"Alright, you can stop pouring your mana."

I say that before Miika spends too much of his mana. He is only Level 1 after all.

"Eh. But..."

Miika looks at me while looking unsure because he did not manage to form the blade using his own mana.

"It's an expected reaction, 'Plasma Sabre' needs more mana to be utilized to its full potential. Seeing you activate the magic weapon is good enough."

As I say that, I look at Antarea who is observing besides me and talks to her.

"How is it? Do you understand now?"

"If what you said is true, I need a better gem like the one that Emeraldian has to give out enough output to activate the magic... no wonder 'Plasma Saber' won't activate when I use my prototype even with the same magic formula, that high quality gem is very rare..."

Antarea says that while touching her own chin with her right hand.

"I don't really understand but... this 'Plasma Sabre' is that amazing, right? It can cut monsters easily..."

Miika says that while looking at Emeraldian on his right hand.

"Well, yeah. If a person wants to activate it without the help of magic weapon, that person needs to have the aptitude of Fire, Light and Wind basic attributes. And that person needs to have knowledge of Lightning magic, advance attribute magic that requires Fire and Light basic aptitudes as aptitudes."

I say that to tell Miika just how advanced 'Plasma Sabre' is.

"In other words, you need to be at least Astral Level 3 with that specific aptitudes... And then learn Lightning magic to activate 'Plasma Sabre' by yourself huh..."

Antarea who already learn the magic from me says that towards Miika.

"T- that sounds complicated..."

Miika says that with confused look.

"Well, good work."

I say that while putting my hand forward signalling him to hand over the Emeraldian.

Miika knows what to do and gives me back the Emeraldian.

Right before I put Emeraldian back to my pocket, Antarea starts talking again.

"But are you alright with this? Only asking me to put the switch on Emeraldian as compensation. You can still use your magic weapon without switch right?"

"It's fine. I am testing on new ways to use this weapon since I'll be relying on this magic weapon quite a lot for monster hunting."

I reply that as I put Emeraldian into my pocket. The switch is designed to not be pressed that easily so there is no danger of it accidentally activated itself in my pocket.

"But..."

Antarea sounds reluctant while saying that.

"... from back when I started living here until now, you have helped me lots of times already. Just think of it as me paying debt."

I say that as my attempt to convince Antarea.

Hearing that, Antarea smiles a bit before talking again.

"There is no way I can think like that... but understood. I'll leave it at that for now."

Antarea, Miika and I end up talking together until 6 pm and then have dinner together at the same place as where we had lunch today.

.....

....

...

At night inside the inn, both Miika and I are already wearing our shirts and short pants for sleeping purpose.

I am already sitting on the bed while Miika is about to sit on the bed.

"Then... let's sleep, Shion."

Miika says that the moment he sits on the bed.

"... before that I have something to talk about."

I say that as I look at Miika's eyes.

"? What's wrong?"

Miika looks at me with confused eyes while waiting for me to continue talking.

"... I am thinking of leaving this town soon."