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The Water Magician

Chapter 53: 0052: Signs of Irregularity ✨

Published: July 4, 2025

Since it's Golden Week, here's an additional post.

The next chapter, "0053: One Day in the City of Run - Part 1," is scheduled to be posted today at 9 PM as usual.

"By the way, Ryo said he was going to the library today, but what was he researching?"

In the evening, after returning from the public bath, the four were having dinner at the Guild cafeteria.

Compared to the two swordsmen and the trainee swordsman, Eto, being a priest, seemed curious about what Ryo was researching.

"Alchemy."

"Ryo can also do alchemy?"

"No, I've never done it at all. But I want to be able to use it, and there are a few things I'd like to try."

Ultimately, he wanted to create an ice golem and cultivate fields in the Forest of Rondo.

However, this was a secret desire of Ryo that he had not revealed to anyone yet.

"I’ve heard that making potions with alchemy consumes quite a bit of magical power..."

"Yes, I bought a beginner's recipe book, and it mentioned something along those lines too."

"You bought a book?"

Nils was taken aback.

Eto smiled wryly.

Amon had a look on his face that said he couldn’t quite understand how much money was involved, but he thought it was impressive.

"For the reward of guiding Abel, I suppose..."

"Just as expected from Mr. Abel! To be able to pay enough for a book as a reward!"

In Nils' view, Abel had become a true heroic figure.

"Rhea is really an angel..."

For some reason, Eto seemed to think of Rhea when Abel was mentioned, and he whispered while blushing.

"Books seem expensive."

Amon's reaction was very reasonable, and hearing that reassured Ryo.

"By the way, Ryo, tomorrow Amon and I will venture into the dungeon together, so... do you want to join us?"

"I'm sorry, but I'll pass. I have a few things I'd like to do above ground."

Ryo bowed his head in refusal.

"Ah, yeah, well, I figured you might say that, so don't worry about it."

Nils said, scratching his head.

Eto was also smiling wryly.

Their abilities were just too mismatched. It was clear that Ryo was on a different level compared to the three of them.

Of course, there was a significant difference between Nils and Eto, who had been diving into dungeons for over six months, and Amon, who had just come from the village.

However, compared to the gap between them and Ryo, it was negligible.

Both Nils and Eto understood just how significant the difference was.

They had sensed it when Ryo suddenly registered as a D-rank, but after seeing him take down Dan in one hit today, they were convinced.

Dungeon exploration certainly goes smoother with strong adventurers.

It progresses well, but it can become difficult for both parties involved.

For the one struggling to keep up and for the one bringing along a burden.

That’s why the Guild recommended forming parties of adventurers with more or less equal strength for exploration.

In such a situation, Ryo was an anomaly... typically, someone who had just registered as an adventurer would not be that strong.

Ryo was one of the rare exceptions... it might be understandable that the Guild was caught off guard by someone like him wanting to stay in the dormitory.

The following Monday.

"Well then, I’m heading out for a bit."

With those words, Nils, Eto, and Amon went to venture into the dungeon.

Ryo stepped outside the city.

He decided to run outside the castle walls.

He could have trained at the Guild's outdoor training ground, but he was also a bit curious about the area surrounding where he lived.

As he ran outside the walls, he began constructing an ice Tokyo Tower with both hands.

Just like he once did in the Forest of Rondo.

Training magical control and building endurance... to strengthen both aspects.

As his proficiency in magical control increased, so did his magic generation speed.

Yesterday, Ryo had lost to Leonor in many aspects, including power, but he was never behind in the speed of magic generation.

He had managed to disrupt Leonor’s magic during their sword fight.

That’s why he wanted to be able to use magic faster and more precisely.

He needed to expand on the areas where he was winning.