Chapter 101: Let's Make Magic Stones

“Now, William-san, let’s try making a Magic Stone too.” Urged by Erica-sensei, I tackled the creation of Magic Stones. First, I must remake the “Empty Stone” into a “Magic Vessel.”

I place the “Empty Stone” handed to me by Sensei in front of me and concentrate. Visualizing this stone becoming a receptacle for magic power, I activate the Production Skill. After the warm light faded, what appeared was not a faintly glowing stone, but a matte white stone. When I Appraised it, it was still an “Empty Stone.”

“Huh, it didn’t go well.” “Oh my, even William-san failed at first? This process is quite difficult. I failed many times, you know.” I try once more, but it still doesn’t go well. I think it’s probably because I can’t concretely visualize a “receptacle for magic power.” I tried several times after that, but I still couldn’t make it successfully.

Erica-sensei gave me some advice. “The method of visualization likely differs from person to person, but I visualize a pastry pie crust. It feels like likening the magic power to the filling.” “I see, a pie crust?” I’m good at visualizing sweets. After all, they are my favorite. Just as Sensei taught me, I visualized wrapping the magic power like a pie and activated the Production Skill. Then, a faintly glowing stone appeared. When I Appraised it, a “Magic Vessel” had been created!

“Erica-sensei, I made it!” “My, you have done it already? To create a ‘Magic Vessel‘ on the first day, as expected of you.” “No, no, it is thanks to your skilled teaching, Sensei.” Since it became evening, it was decided that I would be taught again the next day. Since the rule is that teaching must be done in the Royal Castle, we decided to meet at the workshop in the Royal Castle tomorrow as well.

After bidding farewell to Erica-sensei, I returned to the reception room and met up with Father, who was waiting for me. As expected, His Majesty was not there. He is a busy person, after all. “How was it, Will? Ah, I have been told about the Magic Stones by His Majesty, so it is fine to talk about it.” “Yes, I was able to make it to the intermediate stage today, but it is quite difficult. I failed many times.” “Oh, so there are things that are difficult even for you, Will.” “That is true. Everything I have made so far was built upon repeated failures.” “My bad, my bad. Since you have created various new things one after another, I unintentionally thought there was nothing difficult for you, Will.”

Guided by a maid, I walked with Father to the entrance of the Royal Castle. There, we were sent off by the maid and boarded the Fairchild family carriage that was waiting for us. While watching the scenery of the Royal Capital from the carriage window, we returned to the Fairchild family mansion. “Father, will I be able to sightsee in the Royal Capital next time I come?” “Ah, in the near future, His Majesty will order our family to develop the southern undeveloped lands and announce that it will be Will‘s territory in the future, so I think you will be able to go sightseeing.” “I’m happy! I wanted to go to the Royal Capital‘s market.” Perhaps because I rejoiced so much, Father smiled wryly, but he said, “Good for you.”

Upon returning to the mansion, I ate dinner early and went to bed early to prepare for the next day. It was an eventful day. I am grateful that His Majesty has been thinking of various ways to move the World Tree to the Leyline Crosspoint quickly. And I am happy because I never thought I would reunite with Erica-sensei and be taught crafting again. It was my first time seeing the “Empty Stone” that serves as the material for Magic Stones. According to Sensei, it seems to be a rare item found occasionally. But I feel like the “Empty Stone” resembles something. While thinking about what it resembled, I fell asleep.

The next morning, I rode the carriage to the Royal Castle again. Since Father has other business, I am alone today. When I arrived at the Royal Castle, the arrangement had been properly communicated, and an elderly butler guided me to the workshop.

Shortly after arriving at the workshop, Erica-sensei appeared as well. “Good morning, Sensei.” “Good morning, William-san.” First, we reviewed yesterday’s lesson. Since the time she taught me in Northernford, Sensei has always said that reproducibility is important.

I activated the Production Skill just as I learned yesterday and was able to make a “Magic Vessel” from an “Empty Stone.” “Now then, let’s pour magic power into it.” “Yes.” I gently pour my magic power into the “Magic Vessel.” Huh? The magic power isn’t going in well.

“There is a knack to pouring magic power into a ‘Magic Vessel‘, you know.” I was taught the knack by Sensei, and although I still failed several times, I was finally able to pour the magic power. With this, I wonder if I have somehow managed to make a Magic Stone.