Published: August 2, 2025
Today, four chapters are updated simultaneously.
This is the first chapter.
We were given free time until our assigned duties.
A temporary shelter was already prepared, so the next priority was securing food and water.
In addition to my usual gear, I also brought a leather pouch and leather gloves for gathering.
“Well then, I’m heading out.”
“Alright, take care.”
I gave Roche a quick word just in case, then headed toward the forest a short walk away.
It seemed this camping training was designed to teach students the importance of prior research. The difficulty of camping varied greatly depending on how much knowledge one had... The booklet I bought detailed everything from camping precautions to the presence of rivers and the types of edible wild plants.
If I thoroughly memorized the contents of that booklet, even someone inexperienced could manage somehow.
“?”
As I walked along the carriage path, I suddenly felt someone watching me.
Looking over, it was one of the students.
They probably just noticed me in their field of vision and were looking. When I met their gaze, they bowed once and then started moving toward the grasslands. Whether on a mission or also out to secure food, I wasn’t sure. I caught glimpses of other students heading toward the grasslands too.
While hoping they wouldn’t get hurt, I arrived at the target forest.
“Alright, first, let’s see what we can find... Oh! Red umbrella mushroom.”
As soon as I entered the forest, I found an edible mushroom. True to its name, it had a red cap—looks poisonous at first glance, but it wasn’t. It smelled nice and was rich in umami, a delicious mushroom. This was a good start. Oh!
In the shade of a nearby tree grew an Enokidake mushroom, and at its base protruded a prickly, dangerous-looking Yarijuppon. Both were edible mushrooms. If I cooked them all together as a stew, it would definitely be delicious.
“Come to think of it, it’s that season already.”
After summer comes autumn, and autumn is mushroom season in this country too. In Gana Forest, mushrooms become abundant this time of year, allowing me to enjoy various kinds every year.
Maybe I’ll gather a bit more today to make a lavish dinner. I’ll prioritize using items that don’t keep long, and if there’s any leftover, I can dry them for storage. I could even ask Ms. Shelma to use them in the shop’s meals.
In this country, mushroom cultivation technology isn’t yet established, so if you want to eat them, you must either gather wild ones or buy what’s been gathered. Therefore, the harvest depends on luck, influenced by weather and wild animals searching for food ahead of winter.
Just like how dried shiitake mushrooms were luxury items in Japan during the Edo period, mushrooms fetch a decent price here too. Being able to gather various kinds fresh like this is a privilege for hunters and adventurers.
They taste good and can be used to make stock. I wish they were easier to buy year-round...
“Maybe I should try growing them myself?”
There are two cultivation methods: “log cultivation” and “culture bed cultivation.”
Log cultivation involves inserting mushroom spores into wooden blocks and growing mushrooms on logs.
Culture bed cultivation involves mixing sawdust with mycelium and nutrients as a growth medium... or so I believe.
I don’t know the exact temperature and humidity requirements, but I understand the general method. Maybe I’ll try it. Even if I don’t know the details, just grasping the overall flow might increase my chances.
But I’ve heard stories of people sinking all their money into artificial cultivation and going bankrupt, so I’ll take it easy. If it succeeds, great! I’ll treat it as a fun experiment. Not now though. Right now, securing food is the priority...?
“Found it?”
“That side?”
“No good. That side.”
“Can’t find it.”
Children’s voices came from between the trees. They seemed to be looking for something.
Curious, I quietly approached and found the group of four kids I had argued with on the first day.