Published: August 31, 2025
Satou here. I want to become a magician rather than a hero.
I'm about to lose heart to this impossible challenge called chanting (tongue-twisting DTM)...
Zena-san and the others’ girls’ talk gave me a little comfort.
â—‡
“Sorry for the noise. They’re not bad kids, but I guess it was unusual for me to be with a man...”
She looks up at me with her eyes. Unlike her mischievous look at first, this time it’s timid.
“They were fun people. I didn’t find it unpleasant at all.”
“I’m glad to hear that.
By the way, I heard you were having trouble in front of the magic shop. What happened?”
“Yes, I stumbled over the magic chant. I wanted to ask if there was a book about how to practice chanting, but as you can see, it’s closed.”
“Satou-san, um, may I call you Satou-san?”
“Of course, that’s fine.”
I’m already calling Zena-san by her first name without permission.
“Satou-san, are you not only a nimble merchant but also training as a magician? By the way, you’re not wearing flashy clothes today. That suits you better.”
She’s picky even though I’m nimble.
“I’m studying because I want to use life magic, but I just can’t get the chanting right...”
“Well, for wind magic, it usually starts with ■■■■, but if you try to force the words, it becomes something like ryu~ria (abridged) ra~rurerira~o, which beginners can’t pronounce at all. Most people can memorize it, though.”
Zena tilts her head, trying to figure out how to explain.
“Rhythm. Yeah, you turn the slow chanting from before into a song by marking the rhythm. Then, keeping the rhythm, you gradually speed up the beat until it becomes ■■■■! At least, that’s how it should be.”
I see... But she said that so easily—although it’s not a secret technique or forbidden knowledge, isn’t it the kind of thing you shouldn’t teach others?
“Rhythm, huh... Thank you for teaching me. I’ll do my best practicing that way.”
“Yes, I’m glad I could help.”
Zena smiles warmly.
I owe her a favor somehow.
â—‡
Zena said she was heading to Parion Temple in the West District, so I decided to accompany her partway.
“By the way, Zena-san, how long did you train to use wind magic?”
“I trained seriously for about three years, but looking back, various daily habits felt like preparation to become a magician.”
What kind of things did she do...? Maybe I shouldn’t ask so casually.
“It started with reading children’s picture books about the history of magic, then music, chanting poetry, tongue exercises, diaphragmatic breathing... magical toys to feel the flow of magic. Everything from lessons to play was to nurture a magician.”
Zena’s expression darkens slightly...
“Not that my parents raised me with any ulterior motives, you know? Using magic is fun, and I have a goal to fly someday.”
But that must have been the only path from the start...
“Satou-san, why are you practicing life magic? Is it useful for your business?”
“No, since my inn doesn’t have a bath, I thought if I had life magic, I wouldn’t have to bathe outdoors...”
Ah, she looks exasperated.
After giving me a sideways glance, Zena bursts out laughing.
Is it really that funny?
“Ahahaha! I’ve never seen anyone aim to be a magician for that reason!”
Zena can’t stop laughing.
“Is it really that strange?”
I think it’s a pretty reasonable reason. You try to make inconvenient things convenient, right?
“It is!”
She answers immediately.
“Because if you have the effort and money to learn life magic, wouldn’t it be faster to build a bath at home? And the effort to heat the bath can be solved by hiring laborers or buying slaves.”
I see...
I used to think, “If I can do it myself!” but here, hiring labor is also in that category. Labor costs must be cheap, too.
â—‡
“Sir, please buy some flowers.”
Just after entering the West District, a little girl holding a small woven basket filled with flowers stops me.
She holds out a small flower, waiting. I’ve seen her before, but this is the first time she’s spoken to me.