[Vol 1] Chapter 2 – Beast of the Night (1/2)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

2-1

When Selo was a child, his grandfather always reminded him.

“Wild beasts lurk in the darkness of the night.”

Zerdonato did not say these words just to scare Selo.

For those harvesting herbs, this was a valuable experience.

“—— Listen up, Selo. The effectiveness of the herbs will differ between night and day, depending on what time they are harvested. Sometimes, even the actual effects will differ. Once you become a pharmacist, you will often go into the mountains at night. So you must remember. Even if you can’t see them, wild beasts lurk in the darkness of the night ——“

His grandfather had a very serious expression when he told this to Selo.

“The type of wild beasts that this old man is talking about, is not just those ferocious wild beasts that attack humans. No, most wild beasts actually fear humans and wouldn’t approach. But those that lurk within the night are existences that cannot tell the difference between friend or foe —— If it’s an enemy, then kill them; if it’s an ally, then help them; if it’s of no relavance, then ignore them. But you can’t identify the ones who lurk in the darkness of the night. That is the biggest issue.”

After that, Zerdonato used his rough hand to caress Selo’s head, while letting out a long sigh.

“Selo, you must be overcome your fear of the dark. At the same time, don’t forget to be vigilant. There are things in the dark. You might try to avoid them, but when you cannot avoid the darkness, you must remember to use your eyes to identify friend from foe. Have you remembered this?”

Everytime he heard his grandfather say this, the young Selo would lightly nod his head.

He didn’t fully understand the meaning behind his grandfather’s words, but he understood the dangers of the night from his natural instincts, and kept the vigilant of “what could be there”.

“Wild beasts lurk in the darkness of the night——“

Bears, boars, wolves, dryads… Even humans were a type of wild beasts.

Don’t show weakness towards your enemies.

Don’t raise a hand against your comrades.

Do not agitate unrelated people.

His grandfather’s words contained these meanings, and it was naturally all from his experience.

Perhaps grandfather Zerdonato understood the essence of darkness.

Although he was someone unsuited to small businesses, a stubborn and cold man, to Selo he was a kind grandfather.

Although his skills as a craftsman was not amazing, his hard working att.i.tude earned recognition from his employer Ordoba, and became deeply trusted.

Because of this, the current Selo was able to reside within the mansion and continue working as a pharmacist.

Selo’s employer was a n.o.ble, and was also one of the most distinguished sorcerers on this land.

Different from the races like fairies, humans are unable to use magic without the use of magic tools.

And due to this, humans possess both the ability to “craft” and “use” magic tools.

People have different strengths, the ability to create and use magic tools also differ from person to person. There are sorcerers that can only use maic tools, and there are craftsmen that can only craft magic tools—— But, most sorcerers are also craftsmen, and most craftsmen are also sorcerers.

The difference between the two depended on “which side they leaned towards”, using or crafting.

But unfortunately for Selo, he had no talent for neither.

He couldn’t be like his grandfather Zerdonato and craft magic tools, he couldn’t even use them.

Any magic tools would be miraculously destroyed when they are used by Selo.

Using magic tools require talent and practice, it wasn’t uncommon for people to just be able to barely use magic tools. But there were barely any that couldn’t use magic tools even after practicing as much as Selo.

Among his friends of the same age, those who have the talent of using magic tools had already entered schools in larger cities. Those who are unable to become sorcerers have also found their own path, and would go on to live independently. For the arrival of that day, harvesting herbs was an important source of income, it was also an important round of training.

And so, Selo also headed into the forest today.

“Wild beasts lurk in the darkness of the night——“

Thinking back to his grandfather’s words, he found himself in the depths of the darkness.

2-2

The dense forest blocked out the weak traces of starlight, darkness surrounded Selo.

The apprentice pharmacist cautiously trod through the forest, relying on the dim light of his oil lamp.

The forest and mountain at night is a place you cannot let your guard down. Selo may be young, but he understood the dangers.

The left the main road, and stepped on the branches that had fallen onto the ground. His destination tonight was where the “Night Weeping Gra.s.s” were growing.

The effects of the Belfry of Beast Avoidance extended to around this area, if one was not a hunter, there was no way of entering the dense forest further away from where the Night Weeping Gra.s.s were growing.

Finally, a field of white bell shaped flowers appeared in front of Selo after climbing on top of a slope.

Because there were no trees in the flower field, the starry sky could be seen.

Seeing the open sky, Selo calmed down a bit and let out a sigh of relief.

“Hurray, the flowers have blossomed splendidly.”

He muttered happily. All of the “Night Weeping Gra.s.s” were already blooming with beautiful flowers.

This type of Night Weeping Gra.s.s was a type of herb that could only be harvested deep within the mountains.

The effects of harvesting it in the morning or night were different. When it was picked as a bud in the morning, it is a nutritious herb, while picked at night in full bloom, it would become an ingredient for vitality potion.

It can be used as cigarette when it is rolled up within a piece of paper or a leaf after mixing and drying it with other medicinal herbs, then drying it again after a period of fermentation.

Since it could be used to raise one’s concentration, it was a type of herb favored by many sorcerers, but because it was complicated to process, buying it from elsewhere would cost a lot.

So, creating the tobacco used in the Ordoba mansion became Selo’s duty.

Selo didn’t smoke, but for his master Ordoba and the craftsmen, smoking was a hobby that was hard to get rid of.

(… But, grandfather said that it was bad for the body.)

Fino also said that “it smells disgusting”, and so avoided tobacco.

He once attempted to convince Ordoba to control the use of tobacco, but it seemed like this type of herb was related to the crafting of magic tools. Thinking back, his grandfather Zerdonato used to smoke as well.

After arriving at where the Night Weeping Gra.s.s were grown, Selo sat down in the shade where he could see the entire field of flowers.

He couldn’t pick the leaves yet.

The Night Weeping Gra.s.s which blossomed at night has a special trait, and that was where its name originated from.

After midnight, when human and fairies have fallen asleep, this plant would let out “shushu” sounds like a little animal.

Apparently it was the the screeching of nocturnal insects within the area, but this theory was never proven to be true. But altogether, when the sound resonated, that was when the Night Weeping Gra.s.s would exhibit its effects.

Collecting it when it was weeping would make it an excellent herb.

Selo quietly waited for that moment to come.

He leaned back on the tree and gazed up into the night’s sky.

The stars shone brightly as well tonight.

At the corner of the night’s sky was “Kramkram’s garden”, where the stars gathered, an area of with all the colors in profusion.

Rumours said that it was where the G.o.ds lived, they had come here to create this world, then returned there.

Holding his hands up towards the sky, just within the area where his palm covered, was a world of myths.

When he was younger, Fino often told him about it.

The hardworking Fino who was also a sorcerer was very knowledgeable of the origins of the myths and the legends of G.o.ds. Teaching Selo who was younger than her may have been a way of revising what she had learnt.

The G.o.ddess of crops, Kelen, and the G.o.ddess of harvest, Elekna, dragged other G.o.ds into their sibling quarrel.

The legend of how Nirwario The Artisan G.o.d’s disciple, Lulubu The G.o.d of Crafting, disregarded G.o.dhood to become a human.

The reason for the forced separation of the G.o.ddesses of gemini, Ketica and Shutika, who loved each other deeply——

Fino told him all sorts of stories.

There was also a legend about the Night Weeping Gra.s.s.

“Selo did you know? Night Weeping Gra.s.s would cry because it is waiting for the deceased lover that will never appear no matter how long it has waited ——“

Until now, Selo still remembered her lisp, and the look on her face as she told the story.

About one to two hours later, when Selo was drowned in his memories, the sound of “weeping” could be heard beside his ear.

The sleepy Selo that heard the sound hurriedly stood up.

Shu —— Shu —— The surrounding Night Weeping Gra.s.s wept loudly.

They didn’t all start weeping at the same time, but after a few seconds, the number of weeps gradually increased.

The sound of weeping spreaded around like a wave.

At the same time, the top of the flower field was covered with a milky white light.

Little particles of light rose up from the flowers into the night sky.

Not long later, the scene started to look like a waterfall of light rising up towards the sky.

The power of spirits undetectable by humans is stored within the Night Weeping Gra.s.s. The moment when the power stored in the morning is released at night —— that was the most suitable moment for harvest.

Selo hurriedly harvested the leaves around him with his hands.

The chorus of Night Weeping Gra.s.s echoed throughout the night.

The weeping continued, and began to seem like a commotion of merriment.

It was rather loud.

The white bell-shaped flowers slightly vibrated, some of them also shook as if they were dancing.

Within most of these shaking flowers were insects.

To flowers, insects were important symbionts that carried their pollen. The pollen would stick onto the insect as it rolled within the flowers.

Selo felt a pang of headache from the noise created by the weeps of the Night Weeping Gra.s.s, and the friction between the stems and the leaves, so he quickened his pace to harvest.

The duration of weeps was only five minutes, there was no time to leisurely wait around.

He concentrated on his work, and placed the harvested leaves into the basket.

Right now, his concentration was only on the Night Weeping Gra.s.s.

Because he was too concentrated with work, Selo didn’t notice his surroundings.

—— So he didn’t realize something approached him from “within the darkness”.

Their footsteps were covered by the weeping of the Night Weeping Gra.s.s. “That shadow” approached Selo as if it was gliding.

A wild beast hidden within darkness ——

That existence stared intently at Selo.

The beast stared at the unknowing Selo, and pulled its bow from afar.

The arrow in its hand stored the radiance of thunder, without an arrowhead or a fletching, it didn’t even have a physical shape.

The weeping of the Night Weeping Gra.s.s covered the presence of the shooter.

And so, the shooter shot the arrow of thunder towards Selo without hesitating.

2-3

Tonight, Fino sank into her overly soft bed, gazing blankly at the dark ceiling.

She had dinner with her family tonight after a long time.

To tell the truth, it wasn’t that happy.

The only other person present with her adoptive father was that squad captain called Helmbekt, and he was very good at starting a conversation.

He spoke a lot on topics that many n.o.ble ladies loved to hear, such as the trend of clothes and playthings in the capital, and the production by the Royal Theatre. If the listener wasn’t Fino, then they would definitely be very impressed.

But to Fino who didn’t care much for trends, these topics didn’t matter, she had to continuously put up a courteous smile to muddle through.

Fino didn’t hate the trend, but always felt like it was irrelevant to herself who was at the countryside.

But she wasn’t completely uninterested in what Helmbekt was talking about.

When eating dessert, Fino became very interested in a topic he brought up.

“Speaking of which, Ordoba-sama. Did you know? In the far west, there are rumours of the disappearance of the Majin Fandal and the ‘Staff of the Magic G.o.d’ ——”

Hearing what Helmbekt said to her adoptive father, Fino’s eyes blinked a few times.

Father seemed surprised as well, the fruit knife he was using was also dangling in midair.

Majin Fandal ——

To those wanting to become sorcerers, this name was a kind of belief.

This world had “Six Sages”, existences that protected special magic tools.

Majin, Gakujin, Seijin, Kojin, Bujin, and Ryujin ——

They were responsible for managing and guarding the magic tools that the G.o.ds had left on this land —— the “Divine Tools”.

The “Magic G.o.d’s Staff” that holds the power of creation.

The “Music G.o.d’s Harp” that can waver hearts.

The “Sacred G.o.d’s Stone” that was imbued with the G.o.d’s blessing.

The “Artisan G.o.d’s Golden Hammer” that can forge everything anew.

The “War G.o.d’s Blade” that can slice through what cannot be seen.

And, the “Dragon G.o.d’s Horn” that the Dragon G.o.d broke off himself.

Majin Fandal is the current sorcerer that guards the Magic G.o.d’s Staff.

His background is unknown, all that is known about him is his outstanding talent shown in his teens. As an elder now, he has become the most talented sorcerer known to man.

According to the rumours, this kind of person had gone missing, this was unbelievable.

“How.. Is this confirmed?”

Towards Ordoba’s question, Helmbekt revealed a bitter smile.

“No, this is only a rumour. This is after all a rumour from afar, it’s very difficult to determine its validity. But, if this was true, then there’s going to be a lot of trouble.”

Helmbekt replied using an intrigued tone. This was a weird incident in a faraway foreign country, to him it was only “interesting and weird news”.

Ordoba nodded seriously.

“That’s true. Sacred items have been stolen by heartless people before —— if it wasn’t handled properly, another “Sin War” may occur. I hope this is only a baseless rumour.”

Fino could empathize with her adoptive father.

Rumours were something very irresponsible, and were often exaggerated.Even interesting things would lose their original meaning after being exaggerated.

The rumours that started this spring were also very exaggerated.

“A deal between the royalty and Magic Race, slaughtering all their relatives——“

For a rumour to become like this, it could be viewed as adverse.

There was also no method of determining the validity of Majin Fandal’s disappearance.

Even Helmbekt who brought up the topic only said it was a baseless rumour.

“Majin is old, so if the rumour said that he pa.s.sed away, it would be more believable, but it said “disappearance”, that’s really weird. However, among the remaining Six Sages… No, aside from Majin Fandal, it should be Five Sages, there is a rumour that their servants are starting to search for Fandal’s whereabout. I hope nothing happens.”

Hearing his words, even the sweet dessert started to lose its taste.

Fino actually knows this sorcerer named “Fandal”.

But, she never brought it up to her adoptive father, and of course there was no way for Helmbekt to know.

Before moving here, when she was living with her mother —— “Majin” Fandal once visited Fino.

Fino doesn’t remember what he looked like —— actually she couldn’t even see.

At that time, Fino had lost her vision due to the sequelae of her high fever,

The one who cured Fino’s eyes was Majin Fandal.

Mother and Fandal seemed to be acquainted, Fino still remembered her mother happily thanking the Majin.

Before the bandages were taken off Fino’s eyes, Fandal had already started his journey and they never saw each other again after that.

That’s why to Fino, Majin Fandal is a great benefactor.

(That grandpa… is missing?)

Fino laid on her bed and let out a sigh.

Because she had never seen his face, his appearance didn’t appear in Fino’s mind. But, she still remembered his soothing voice.

“Little miss, allow me to grant you a new pair of eyes ——“

That affectionate voice had saved the younger Fino.

“… No, I can’t sleep.”

She had a.s.sumed her being unable to fall asleep was due to the rumour Helmbekt mentioned, but now that she thought about it, its because she had taken a nap on Selo’s bed earlier today.

Noticing this, Fino sat up.

In these restless nights, she had gotten used to go and find Selo to improve her mood. However, it seems like he wasn’t here today and the shawl she had left there had been handed to her by Kardena.

(Since he was giving it back, it would have been better if Selo gave it back to me directly——)

Although she was thinking as such, Selo had just been scolded by Ordoba, so he probably didn’t want to get into even more trouble.

Kardena seemed to have said that Selo was going into the mountains to harvest some herbs tonight.

He was only a fourteen years old teenager, and Fino was worried about him going into the mountains at night by himself. Although the “Belfry of Beast Avoidance” was still in effect, Selo was unable to use magic tools and wasn’t proficient at handling a sword.

Most importantly, Selo had a cute face like a girl’s that would make people want to prank him. Seeing those trusting eyes would even make Fino waver.

Selo didn’t seem to notice her worries.

Thinking about the young man in the mountain, Fino let out a long sigh.

—— He cannot become a sorcerer.

He can’t use magic tools.

He was unable to use even the simplest magic tools that children can use.

“That’s why, he is undeserving of your friends.h.i.+p——“

She did know when Ordoba had once said that to her.

“You’re not a child anymore, keep that in your mind.”

“You and him live in different worlds.”

“One day, you will marry into another house, don’t always say some irresponsible things.”

Every time Fino got scolded by him, she would rebut him and run to Selo.

——Recently Selo seemed to take the initiative in keeping a distance from me. I feel so lonely.”

“Selo seemed to have forgotten ——the things from the past.”

Fino muttered, then feeling thirsty, she walked out of her room.

Her eyes had already accustomed to the darkness, and so she didn’t feel any unease walking in the dark corridor. She walked down the stairs without a lamp.

At this moment, some kind of footstep could be heard.

(A servant…?)

Thinking this, Fino shouted.

“Is anyone there?”

——There was no answer.

But, she definitely felt someone there.

The surprised Fino walked forward vigilantly. Although the mansion didn’t allow unauthorized personnel in, but the Magic Knights Squadron were here today.

She got ready and peeked her head over the corner of the corridor——

A small figure dashed into the room next door.

It looked like a child, but not a human. But since she only caught a glance of the shadow, she couldn’t make sure, judging from its posture though, it looked like a wild beast with four legs.

An animal like a dog, cat or rabbit.

But —— At its waist seemed to be a very short “sword” sheath.

A short stature and carried a weapon, it could be a young goblin.

Goblins are short monsters that live in the forest, they have no language to communicate with, but have the knowledge to use simple tools, and lived in a horde. They won’t appear within cities or towns, but would attack travellers to steal their weapon and food. They were one kind of wild beast that people have to take care against.

However, as far as what Fino has heard of, they stood on two feet like humans, and they were not as agile as that shadow.

“Someone! Wake up!”

Fino shouted and walked backwards.

It didn’t matter if the other party was a wild beast or something else, if they were hostile to herself, then they must attack with caution.

After that, the sound of a window opening could be heard.

Fino chased from the rear and halted in front of the open window, then she bit her lips.

Right now, she didn’t have any magic tools for self defense, she can’t chase recklessly.

“Someone! Come here quickly! There’s a thief!”

After shouting “thief”, Fino knitted her eyebrows. She couldn’t tell if the escaped figure was a thief, she wasn’t even sure whether if it was a human or a beast.

“Ojou-sama! What is it!”

Soon after, several servants that heard the commotion rushed over. Ordoba also showed up not knowing what happened.

Fino used her hands to suppress her racing heart, and said to the servants.

“Just now there was a weird figure here —— When I approached it, it escaped from the window in the room. Check if anything is missing. Also, please increase the security around here, we aren’t sure if it was human.”

Hearing Fino’s words, Ordoba’s expression darkened.

Speaking of the items that are most in danger, that would be Ordoba’s important collection —— Those rare and valuable “magic tools”.

Those who had their eyes on magic tools won’t only be human. In this world, there are many other races aside from humans, although Fino had not met any of them, it was said that among the wild beasts, some could also speak human language.

It didn’t matter what the intruder was —— From the small footprints on the mattress in the room, it was likely to be non-human.

Ordoba and Fino opened the window and looked outside.

There were weird footprints underneath the window. They traced through the courtyard and went towards the town, but the footprints disappeared in the middle.

A servant’s shout could be heard from the corridor.

“Master! The lock on the kitchen door is broken! There are also traces of disarray on the racks in the storage room——“

Fino’s body stiffened.

This was the first time she encountered a thief ever since she moved into this mansion.

“I understand. Continue chasing the thief, I will check the laboratory.”

Fino quickly pa.s.sed by her adoptive father’s back.

“Father, do you have any ideas…?”

“Are you talking about the backgrounds of the thief? How is that possible. But I have an idea of what they have their eyes on. If it was really a thief, then they should have their eyes on my collection.”

Ordoba clicked his tongue and quickened his pace towards the laboratory, then he stood in front of warehouse door nearby.

There was a lock that keys can’t open here —— A magic lock called “Admonition of the Ancestors”.

It looked just like a stone tablet that was fixed onto the door, there was no resemblance of a lock at all.

However, there were seals carved on top of the tablet, any sorcerer could tell its purpose.

Fino didn’t know the method of opening the lock. One could randomly set the unlocking sequence upon installing this type of special magic lock. It could not be opened without fulfilling the pre-set condition.

It could be opened with a chant and resonation with another magic tool, it could be through fingerprint or voice checks, it all depended on the user.

To Ordoba who lacked any relatives outside of his adoptive daughter Fino, the magic tools protected by this lock were akin to family.

There were naturally no signs of the lock being opened. But, the cautious Ordoba wasn’t satisfied without seeing the actual items, so he reached his hand towards the lock.

Then, he used a soft voice that Fino couldn’t hear to say several words, and quickly moved his fingers around.

The stone tablet on the door slowly floated up and separated in two halves as it shone brightly and became uneven.

Ordoba illuminated the room with a lamp.

Seeing the neatly arranged precious magic tools, the adoptive father let out a sigh of relief and locked the door once again.

Even Fino was not allowed into the warehouse, she didn’t know what type of magic tools were inside and was not interested.

“Was there no problem?”

“En, seems like it wasn’t destroyed. Apart from me, no one can open this door.”

Although his tone was firm, he appeared to be very anxious previously. Ordoba had a large physique, and a serious expression, no one would expect that he was surprising sensitive.

Just then, Fino noticed something.

It didn’t matter how much commotion the servants made, or how brightly lit was the mansion——

The guests did not show up.

The Magic Knight Squadron was living elsewhere, but their captain Helmbekt and his guards were staying in this mansion.

“… Did the people of the Knight Squadron not appear?”

Ordoba lightly muttered.

“What are you saying? Unless you think the thief’s ident.i.ty is…”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Fino calmly replied, but Ordoba helplessly lowered his shoulders.

“Helmbekt-san and the rest said they would go out just now. They will come back later. Don’t hold such weird suspicions.”

“Go out —— At this hour?”

Fino became more skeptical, but hearing his daughter’s words, he knitted his eyebrows.

“He probably brought his subordinates to the bar. I heard that the knights continued to train during the journey, so they may have gone to train as well. No matter what, they shouldn’t have any relations.h.i.+ps with the intruder. Unless the thief looked like a knight?”

Hearing her father’s question, Fino shook her head.

“No, it looked like a small beast with four legs, but because it was too dark… I couldn’t see all too clearly.”

Ordoba knitted his eyebrows in surprise.

“You said beast——? Then it seems like it isn’t the ‘Magic Race’.”

The words that came out of her adoptive father’s mouth made Fino tilt her head.

“Magic Race? The Magic Race which appears in legends?”

The Magic Race did appear within the world of legends

In the ancient times, the G.o.ds created everything in this world, calling it a “gift”. Aside from the six Divine Tools, the many difference species of animals and plants as well as the land itself, even feelings and fate were all gifts from the G.o.ds.

But, the world also created things that were not the “gifts” of the G.o.ds.

Side products, leftovers, twisted, useless thing, evil force, cursed existence —— Scholars have many hypothesis for these existences. But, these beings without the blessing of the G.o.ds, they were called the “Magic Race” in the world of legends.

This concept only existed in legends and had no solid evidence.

That’s why, Fino was undoubtedly confused when her adoptive father mixed up reality and legends.

Fino looked up at Ordoba, a bitter smile appeared on his face. Knowing that his precious magic tools were safe, he seemed to be at ease.

“Haha, you didn’t know. ‘Magic Race’ is a code between fellow sorcerers. They have no official name —— Recently, there is a weird rumour. But it doesn’t matter. It’s rather late, I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Fino was quite interested in the content of the topic, but Ordoba immediately ordered the guard to increase the security of the mansion.

After her adoptive father left, Fino surveyed around uneasily.

Although nothing was stolen, Fino still walked into the corridor without the servants knowing.

She walked towards Selo’s home.

Selo went to harvest Night Weeping Gra.s.s, and so he might return very late at night.

He shouldn’t be back yet, but Fino was still worried whether his home was messed up by the intruder earlier.

Fino turned around to the new servant and said softly.

“I’ll look around the mansion, if there is anything then report to father.”

She couldn’t say that she was going to Selo’s home.

If she said it to Kardena, she would have replied “It’s too dangerous”, and stop Fino. But the new servant was tried by Fino’s strong att.i.tude.

Holding a portable lamp, Fino arrived at the courtyard, the surroundings were darker than she had imagined.

In the sky above the mountain, a large moon rose from the east, it should brighten up the night a while later.

Fino pa.s.sed through the small forest in the courtyard and arrived in front of Selo’s door.

It was pitch black inside the small house without its owner, even Fino who has long become used to this felt a little fearful.

She opened the unlocked door and walked inside.

Although she was just here at noon, but it still looked terrifying on the outside. Now inside, she could feel at ease. Because she can smell Selo’s scent, Fino stopped and uttered.

“Selo—— It seems like he’s not back yet…”

Fino muttered to herself, and placed the lamp on the table.

This lamp was also a magic tool, the official name being “Light of the Night”. It was a beginner’s magic tool for lighting, even children could use it.

It wasn’t a high cla.s.s magic tool that could be used for prolonged periods of time, as it will deteriorate over time, it must be changed after a year of usage, thus it could be treated as a consumable. For any magic items used in daily lives, it wasn’t uncommon for them to be thrown away after usage.

But, even if its magic tools like these, the moment Selo tries to use it, it will miraculously break.

Everyone says that it’s because he has no talent for it, like it’s his weakness, but Fino could not agree with such an a.n.a.lysis no matter what is said.

Although hearing people speak poorly about Selo annoyed her, she had a feeling of dissonance that everyone missed something.

(Selo… really can’t use magic tools?)

Fino thought this to be unbelievable. Especially since Selo’s grandfather Zerdonato is an excellent magic tool artisan.

Since Selo inherited Zerdonato’s bloodline, it was very unnatural that he was unable to use magic tools.

Fino surveyed Selo’s room.

The suspicious person didn’t seem to have come here, the room was no different from its usual state.

It’s just that the magic tools Selo’s grandfather had left behind were placed on top of the table.

Because Selo couldn’t use magic tools, these things were just “the deceased grandfather’s remnants.”

The Bell of Beast Avoidance, Key of the Snake, and the unknown black rock——

Selo couldn’t use any one of them, but he treasured these magic tools.

Anything important to Selo, Fino would value just as much.

Fino used her delicate fingertip to lightly tap the black rock.

It was neither cold nor hot.