Chapter 6 (2/2)

『Every contractor is important but the first contractor hold special importance.』(Guno)

Guno said it and took a flower among the bouquet and then he inserted the flower between my hair and right ear.[12]

Where do you learn this seduction technique!? Mom doesn’t remember raising a child like this, you know!

I opened my eyes widely and stood stiff, while Guno returned back to his explanation.

『Spirits protect and cherish the magician who is contracting them. Since we don’t want them in danger, for example, no matter how much Master’s magic power leaks out, we won’t take it without permission. Also, we won’t take any other magic power except for the reward.』(Guno)

「Eh? My magic power is leaking out!?」(Mira)

I who became anxious by Guno’s words stared at both of my hands. How was it? But I didn’t see anything leak out.

『It’s just an example. Don’t worry, since Master has perfect control of magic power.』(Guno)

「Mou. So, what is surplus magic power?」(Mira)

『Since Spirits are beings of magic power, in case they personally use magic, they couldn’t use magic power that was composing themselves, but need to use their excess magic power. Of course, the amount of magic power needed by high ranked spirits is higher than low ranked spirits. However, because the amount of surplus magic power of high ranked spirits is also larger, their independent magic has more use and more versatile.』(Guno)

Fumufumu, so that was the existence called as Spirits.

「Then the Queen-sama, who was a Miko for Earth Spirit King, must had large amount of magic power. Since to grow to Earth Spirit King, you must need an enormous amount of magic power.」(Mira)

Just like in a game, as the level rose the experience point needed to level up also rose in proportion, right? But since she partic.i.p.ated in the Demon Lord subjugation then her magic power must be tremendously powerful.

『When the current Spirit King lifespan come to an end, the Spirit who holds the largest amount of magic power would be selected as the new one. Since they didn’t need more help to become an adult, they choose their contractor completely as a hobby.』(Guno)

「......Hobby?」(Mira)

『Yes』(Guno)

I demand my good impression back! Should I appeal to Queen-sama, the Earth Spirit King or maybe to Guno?

「...... Alright, this is something that more or less make uses magic, for the birthday present, I want you to make a perpetual calendar[13], how about it?」(Mira)

After putting my thoughts together, I restarted the conversation.

『Perpetual calendar?』(Spirits)

The Spirits simultaneously tilted their head in confusion, so I I picked up a small stone and drew a picture on the ground. It was a picture of five square dices. Then on that figure I write several numerals.

「The dice will be made from wood. The first die will be written with numerals from 0 to 5 on its side. The second die wil have 0 to 2 and 6 to 8. The third dice will have 1 to 4. The fourth one will also have 0 to 5. The last one will only have 0, 6, and 7.」(Mira)

『Is the dice acts as a calendar?』(Dine)

「That’s right, Dine. The first two dice counts the months. The third dice is for the weeks. The last two marks the days. To get a 9, I can just turn the 6 upside down and it will looks like a 9 right? If I s.h.i.+ft the dice’s sides to mark the date then I don’t need to write the date on a new parchment.」(Mira)

Since in this world you couldn’t obtain large amounts of paper cheaply, there weren’t any daily pad calendars. To schedule the farm work, you need to write the date on a parchment. If they want to make a record of what work was done on what day or what the state of the fields on a certain day, then they would need to write it on a different parchment like a notebook. Since doc.u.ments were important to convey a message to one’s descendant. However, on a monthly calendar, it doesn’t say what day today is? If someone forgets, then they wouldn’t able to tell the date. For that reason, a perpetual calendar is useful.[14]

So I wouldn’t carelessly mistake a school day with a holiday, I had the idea of using a perpetual calendar.

『Can we use our magic to make it?』(Sala)

To answer Sala question, I made a preface 「I don’t know if it can be done or not」, then I explained the rough process.

「First Guno chooses a piece of wood that is good to write on. Then Dine extracts the water from it to dry it. Next Rufi will cut the dried wood to 3 centimeter dices. And lastly, Sala will burn the numerals onto the wood. Do you guys think you can do this?」(Mira)

The Spirits exchanged glance and then nodded to each other.

『We think we can do it. Since we’ve never use our magic in such way before, we don’t know if we able to do it.』(Sala)

『Then we only need to try, right? Let’s go to the forest quickly!』(Rufi)

Sala and Rufi speak together. However I interrupt them.

「I’m sorry to say but unfortunately it will be breakfast soon, so I need to go back and eat.」(Mira)

✦✧✦✧

After finished with their breakfast, I saw my family members off as they went to their work. With a basket containing lunch in my hand, I went outside. The content was a sandwich made from brown bread and slice of cheese inserted between them. Although it’s delicious as is, if heated up, then the cheese will melt and it will become even more delicious. This was the first time I thought how inconvenient a world without a microwave oven is.

Bread is the staple food in Ilga Village. As a former j.a.panese, I also wanted to eat rice; however I also like bread so I don’t felt any sadness. Why do I like bread? Maybe because Mira ate it since she was little. Also in this world, where goods distribution wasn’t that developed, even if rice exists, its price will be expensive. That’s why, if I become rich in the future, I intend to search for it.

「I wonder if I should eat lunch at Swyn-san’s place? Or maybe I should go to Kuga-san’s place?」(Mira)

Why were my choices for a lunch spot limited to these two places? It was because I could easily heat the bread at those places. I want to eat the bread with melted cheese, however I was prohibited to use the fire magic alone since it could be dangerous.

Even if Swyn-san is an Earth attribute Magician, he holds fire magic stones. If Captain-san;s injury had healed, then I can even ask him. It seems that during their travels, in a place where they couldn’t use fire, they can heat the food directly to cook it.

Kuga-san can use fire magic. Furthermore, since he’s a blacksmith, even if he didn’t use fire magic there still fire in the furnace that can heat the bread.

But Swyn-san and Captain-san’s group were lodging in Village Chief’s house, so it was in the opposite direction of where I am heading right now. If the calendar doesn’t get finished by lunch time, then taking a round trip back and forth is troublesome. As expected, today’s lunch spot is Kuga-san’s place.

『Huh? So, we aren’t going to the forest?』(Sala)

Sala was asking curiously as I exited the road that leads to the forest entrance and went to a house where wood sawing noises could be heard from inside.

「It faster getting the wood sc.r.a.ps this way. That’s why……. h.e.l.lo, is Kuuma-san here?」(Mira)

I called out to Kuuma-san who was working on the wood inside. The sound of the saw immediately stopped, and he sluggishly shown his face.

「Oh, it’s Mira. Eh, you’ve returned?」(Kuuma)

Are you a hibernating beark.u.ma in the forest?[15] I wanted to give a tsukkomi, but his name is Kuuma and his appearance also resembles one. He is lazy bearded grim middle age manossan.

By the way, just like Kuga-san, Kuuma-san also unmarried. It was said that they had “Who Will Get a Wife First Contest”.

「Swyn-san said that we need to meet with other people from the capital who will also be coming here. Then after that we will once again go to the capital. But before that, I wanted to make something. So I want some wood sc.r.a.ps.」(Mira)

「There’s no problem. What do you want, I’ll make it, okay? After all, today is your birthday. I also hadn’t given you a farewell gift since your previous departure was so sudden.」(Kuuma)

At Kuuma-san’s suggestion, I tilted my head.

「Why do you know my birthday?」(Mira)

「Seriously. “If it’s the birthday of the children in the village, then the villagers will know” is what I want to say, but actually previously, you left the village before your birthday. So your brothers said to me that they will make a chair for your gift.」(Kuuma)

Hey, will it be okay for you to leak this to me?

In the first place, even if they had built it, I’ll go to the Academy, so I can only use it if return to home in holiday.

「But since you suddenly came back and will be spending your birthday in the village, and with the short time, they only carved a doll.」(Kuuma)

「Is that so…」(Mira)

Therefore, don’t leak their plan to me!

But, I see, my brothers overslept because of this. I became happy and giggly laughed. Then Kuuma-san crouched and looked me at my eye level.

「Mmm, thank you, Kuuma-san. However since the one who will built it is the Spirits, so I only want the materials.」(Mira)

「Spirits, you say?」(Kuuma)

Kuuma opened his eyes full of surprise, so I nodded. Since I won’t be allowed to make it by myself and if Swyn-san heard that I made something with my magic, I’ll be scolded. That’s why I will persistently said that the ones who’ll make it will be the Spirits. I pleaded for enough wood waste to make five 3-centimeters dices, so Kuuma-san said 「Wait a moment」 and returned nacl into his workshop.

After the sound of a saw, *clang*, I can heard a sound of a piece of wood fall down. Since it could be dangerous, children are prohibited from entering the workshop, but I was curious. I tiptoed but I couldn’t see anything. Maybe I need to wait until I grown up. Then finally, Kuuma-san returned with five 3-centimeters cube and piled it up in front of me.

「Alright, I cut it while I was at it.」(Kuuma)

「……」(Mira)

However, Kuuma-san didn’t have any bad intention.

「Thank you.」(Mira)

I said my thanks and turned around to leave the carpentry workshop. But at that moment I was stopped.

「Since I’ll lend you the place, go make it here. I also want to see what kind the magic the Spirits will perform.」(Kuuma)

Then what should I do? I was thinking of working on it near the spring that I went to yesterday. If I could make it atop a desk like in the kitchen, then it will really help me. I wanted to go to the water spring because, just in case, it would be easier to extinguish a fire if it broke out, but if since there is an adult, then it will also be okay even if it not the water spring.

But in a place where other people are watching then that means I must act with a child’s speech and conduct. However, my childish façade had already started to crumble in various places.

After weighing the pros and cons of borrowing Kuuma-san’s place, the pros win.

「Then, sorry to trouble you.」[16](Mira)

✦✧✦✧

Because of my height, I can’t reach the worktable, so Kuuma-san prepared a log as a subst.i.tute for a chair. Then the saw and the lumber pieces were put away to create a s.p.a.ce on the worktable. I gave my grat.i.tude, and just in case a fire broke out, I prepared a bucket full of water.

I looked at Guno who was standing beside me, then at Sala and others who stand on top of the worktable one by one and announced.

「Then let us start.」(Mira)

『Let’s start』(Sala)

Sala answered enthusiastically and raise his fist to the air. Then I picked up one wood block and put it on top of the worktable.

「Let experiment first. Since it’s the first time, it may not turn out well.」(Mira)

『Do you think we will fail?』(Dine)

Dine became a little unhappy so I lightly stroke her head with my fingertip.[17]

「It’s not that I didn’t believe in everyone’s power. However I mustn’t help in making it, right?」(Mira)

『That’s right. Since it’s a present.』(Sala)

I nodded to Sala’s remark; first I showed the wood block to Guno and asked.

「Can this be used?」(Mira)

『No problem.』(Guno)

After seeing Guno nod, I then put the wood block in front of Dine.

「Then, make it really dry.」(Mira)

『Yes~』(Dine)

As soon as she gave her answer, Dine put her hand on the wood block. Then accompanied by a caramel scent, the wood block was covered in a blue light. Then small dose of water rose to the surface.

「Oh, the water came out.」(Kuuma)

「Put the water on the bucket.」(Mira)

While ignoring the wide-eyed Kuuma-san, I gave direction to Dine. The water floated in the air, then with a splash, it joined the water in the bucket. Then it was Rufi’s turn, however Kuuma-san already cut the blocks. While thinking what I should do, I picked up a block and felt that the surface is still rough.

「Can you polish the surface so it smooth to touch.」(Mira)

『Yes. I’ll try.』(Rufi)

Immediately after Rufi answered, with a scent of custard, the wood block was covered by green color. With a whizzing sound, then it began violently rotate. Kuuma-san’s eyes were widely opened; he stared fixedly at that sight.

「Even though you aren’t using a file[18], how can it be polished. Is the wind shaving the wood? Hey, Mira.」(Kuuma)

「Umm? I left it to Wind Spirit, so I don’t know.」(Mira)

I also t.i.tled my head and didn’t understand. Maybe she used a large amount of small wind blades as a subst.i.tute for a file.

The light disappeared. The wood block *plop* and fell to the desk, the corner had been properly removed and the surface is smooth to touch.

「It’s amazing!」(Kuuma)

「Yes. It become beautiful.」(Mira)

Kuuma-san and I gave our admiration.

「Then the last one is to put the numbers.」(Mira)

『First is 0!』(Sala)

Sala rotate his arms in enthusiasm, with a snap he thrust his finger on the dice surface. With a milk chocolate scent, his finger glowed with a red colored light, Sala slowly move his small finger and left a burn mark on the wood block.

『Next is 1!』(Sala)

I turned the dice and show the next surface for Sala to write the numbers. After repeating the same process for 2, 3, 4, and 5, finally one dice had been completed.

「First piece finished!」(Mira)

「There’s no sixth dice? But, why do you want make five dices? If it’s for a “square game” then one dice is already enough, “number match” is too soon for a kid.」[19](Kuuma)

Square game is a game similar to sugoroku[20]. While number match is that odd or even thing. In other words, an adult’s game.[21]

While leaving Kuuma-san who was confused alone, I asked the Spirits if they can do the rest of the work. 『Of course, it’s OK.』 was their reply, then they started working on the remaining four.

They finished the task without any problem.

「So, what are these?」(Kuuma)

While watching the blank s.p.a.ce of the dices being written with numbers, Kuuma-san raised his hand as if to giving up and asked me. I made a smug smile and while sneering as I rearranged the dices.

「You use it like this. Today is Twelfth Month, Second Week, and Fifth Day.」(Mira)

「So, it’s a calendar!」(Kuuma)

Kuuma-san fiddle and rotated the dices briefly, then he said 「Wait a moment.」 Then he took out a 2 millimeters thick wood waste from around this place.

I sat obediently on the log while seeing Kuuma-san’s working. He cut out 4 three-centimeter squares. Then on a plank that looked semi-cylindrical like a kamaboko[22] he made 4 two-millimeter grooves. The groove continued until the tip, and then each end was about 6 centimeters apart. Kuuma-san made another identical piece, and then he painted the kamaboko plank with white paint when he raised his face to me and asked.

「Mira, when the Spirits use their magic just now, I faintly could see a blue, green, and red light. However there still one other Spirit right? What color came out when he use magic?」(Kuuma)

Kuuma-san seemed to remember when I first asked Guno in the beginning. However, it seemed that he didn’t notice the smell.

「It’s yellow, maybe?」(Mira)

The first time I had seen Guno use his magic, was previously when I got motion sickness. This time, Guno only looked at the wood, since he didn’t have any opportunity to use his magic. That’s why I guessed based on the other three Spirits’ light, and replied with a question like statement. Guno nodded to me and it was the same color as a magician’s magic power.

「So, it’s yellow.」(Kuuma)

Kuuma-san then nimbly painted one plank with yellow paint, the second one with blue, third with green and the last with red. Finished with the painting Kuuma-san then looked at me.

「Then Mira, since there is no time, I wanted to request something to the Spirits. Just like when drying the wood just now, can they also dry the paint?」(Kuuma)

I turned and looked at Dine. She nodded, so I conveyed to Kuuma-san,「She said she can.」

「Then I beg of you.」(Kuuma)

While Dine was drying the paint using the magic, Kuuma-san hammering an L-shaped nail to the kamaboko plank, then he inserted the remained board sheet inside the groove. It turned out to be something similar to a miniaturized bookrack. Kuuma-san set the perpetual calendar dices on that rack.[23]

「This is...」(Mira)

「Well, with this you can easily differentiate month, week, and day, right? Take it.」(Kuuma)

「Thank you, Kuuma-san」(Mira)

Holding the rack that make it easy to carry the perpetual calendar, I exited the workshop.

「Ah, the lunchbox!」(Mira)

I remembered about the forgotten cheese sandwich inside the basket, and returned.

「Kuuma-san. Let’s eat lunch together~」(Mira)

Since it was just the right time, I ate lunch not with beark.u.ma-san in the forest, but with Kuuma-san in the carpenter workshop.

☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽

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