Memoirs of the Returnee

Chapter 45: Stepping Stones (4)

Stepping Stones (4) The most uptodate novels are published on n0velbj)n((.))co/m

“You’re free to roam around while working on the assignment. After all, it’s impossible to cheat on this task. You can even take a walk to clear your mind. Feel free to order as much food as you want during lunchtime~”

What should I choose? I’m contemplating while eyeing the bookshelves. There seem to be about 100 books each on the advanced, intermediate, and beginner shelves.

Let’s start with the beginner level.

I picked up a book from the beginner shelf.

[Enchantment: Alarm]

I flipped through the pages—there were 30 in total. The Alarm Magic Formula took up 8 pages, and the enchantment process was 22 pages.

In fact, this ‘enchantment process’ is more important than the Magic Formula. It’s what maintains the Magic Formula—or Magic Spell—on an object. Without a proper enchantment process, the enchantment would fade in just 10 minutes.

The process can be summarized as follows: implant the Magic Formula into an object, then overlay the enchantment process on top of it using a magic stone as a medium, and you have a basic enchantment.

I do know about enchantments. After all, the underworld is rife with illegal enchantments.

Tap, tap.

Suddenly, a small figure approached me. He stood next to me, looking at the same bookshelf.

“Shion, do you know how to enchant?”

It was Layla.

“Do you think that guy knows? He can’t even figure out a circuit, he’ll fail.”

Kain sneered nearby.

“Hey, hey, hey. Those books are expensive, don’t steal them. You’ll get caught. Even if you worked part-time for a whole month, you couldn’t afford one.”

Asher joined in.

“Ah, you guys, go away! You’re annoying!”

Layla pushed the two of them away. They were making a racket amongst themselves.

“Anyway, Shion. Should I teach you~?”

“......”

I also glanced at the intermediate and advanced bookshelves. The intermediate books were usually 30-40 pages, and the advanced ones were 40-50 pages.

If you ask why the books are so thick when the Magic Formula is essentially the same, it’s because of the volume of the Magic equations explaining the Magic Formula.

Of course, as someone who possesses intuition, I don’t need such Magic equations.

“Should I teach you!!!!”

“You startled me.”

“Stop offering.”

Layla made a face like a bulldog.

“Well...... maybe.”

I can handle this level of Magic Formula with a paper crane.

“Ah! You seem like you don’t trust me!”

“How did you know?”

“Look! Look at this!”

Then Layla showed me some kind of bracelet.

“It’s a Sapphire level Artifact. It’s from the Romelord line, and it’s an intermediate enchantment. I only brought this level to school to be discreet. I have better ones at home, and this one alone contains two Magic Spells.”

Suddenly, she was showing off. Layla cleared her throat and patted her chest.

“Ahem. That’s to say, I know a lot about enchantments.”

......What kind of logic is that?

“If you own several cars, does that mean you can make cars well?”

“What? Why are we talking about cars all of a sudden?”

“That’s your logic just now-”

“Ah~ That’s why men~ They only know about cars, watches, and such.”

“......”

“Anyway. What about this?”

Layla pulled out a book from the lower shelf. It was titled [Enchantment: Purification].

“With this, you can even drink sewage water from a cup.”

“I’d rather not.”

“What about this one?”

Layla switched the book. It was [Enchantment: Deodorization].

“If you make this into an artifact, it can absorb all smells. When you’re trying to hide your identity...”

Suddenly, she clammed up. A quick glance revealed her eyes darting around, as if she’d made a verbal slip.

“I don’t like either. How about this?”

“What, which one?”

She pulled out [Enchantment: Heater] from the upper shelf.

At first glance, it seemed incredibly practical. It would be great to learn and use on my underwear. Layla flicked her finger.

“Ah~ a heater~ This one’s a bit tricky. If you make a slight mistake, it can go wrong. And its performance isn’t particularly outstanding~”

“Is that so?”

Seems like a subtle expert.

“Yep. Even if you use the best mana stone, the temperature only increases by 4~5 degrees. It’s useless in hot places. Things like temperature are covered by Magic Body anyway, right?”

The Magic Body of the One Belt, Four Lines type basically allows humans to withstand harsh conditions, such as extreme cold or heat.

I can’t use it.

“Well... I’ll just go with the heater.”

“Go ahead~ I warned you~ No, I definitely helped you~”

Layla left with a playful stride, and I picked up [Enchantment: Heater].

Next, it’s time to choose a mana stone.

Most seniors pick up mana stones without much thought. After all, all mana stones are of the same C-grade.

But there are definitely differences. Even if they’re the same grade, they’re divided into ‘cost levels’.

It’s not a brag, but thanks to the Cancer of the Magic’s Core. Something about cancer cells that proliferate infinitely helping with magic recovery.

“Yaaawn......”

I fell asleep right away.

12:40 PM.

20 minutes before lunchtime.

“......Hmm.”

Elise is in deep thought. She’s scrutinizing the object in her hand, wondering what to choose. What to choose so she won’t regret it. What to choose so she can reminisce about ‘that was a good day-‘ for the next month.

She is preparing for the biggest decision.

“Elly. Have you decided?”

Layla asked. Elise shook her head.

“Please give me a little more time.”

“What’s there to ponder so much about choosing a lunch menu?”

Layla tapped the screen of her smartphone. Asher, Kain, and she had already chosen their menus 30 minutes ago, but Elise had been in torment since then.

“It’s a regular meal day. Just a little more. Give me 5 minutes.”

Elise’s diet management is eternal. For her appearance, for her strong body, for her Magic Body, for her intelligence, for her concentration and insight, for her health.

However, the cheat to maintain that eternity is today, once a month —— ‘Thursday’.

She can’t waste the wait of 30 days, 720 hours, 43,200 minutes.

“......5 minutes. Okay, but you have to tell me within 5 minutes. We need to order delivery. If it comes late, we’ll have to eat in a hurry.”

“Ah!”

A look of defeat appeared in Elise’s eyes.

“Right, if we have to eat in a hurry...... I forgot about that variable...... I made a mistake......”

“No, don’t make that enlightened face. If you choose the menu quickly, we won’t have to eat in a hurry, okay?”

“......”

Elise had already buried her nose in her smartphone. Layla sighed and leaned back in her chair.

“......Yaaawn.”

Then a yawn was heard. There was a man in the back row slowly getting up.

“Hey Shion, did you sleep well?”

Layla asked with a big smile.

Grrrrr——!

Instead of an answer, a stomach growl was heard. Layla slightly narrowed her eyes and then opened them wide. She had a good idea.

“Oh, Shion, are you hungry?!”

“......It’s almost lunchtime.”

“I’ll buy you lunch!”

Shion, who was about to leave, froze in his tracks. He asked with an intrigued tone,

“I eat quite a lot, you know.”

“That’s okay! I’m rich! Order anything you want!”

“Must be nice, being rich.”

Yawning again, Shion accepted the smartphone handed to him.

“We’re planning to order from Seven Guy Burger. Pick anything from the menu.”

“In that case, I’ll have...”

Shion poked at the delivery app screen, selecting his menu.

“Seven Burger, Spicy Bacon Burger, Spicy Chicken Burger, Hot Dog Burger, Chicken...”

His finger moved about 15 times. With each selection, Layla’s smile grew wider.

The more he orders, the more he’ll help!

“Alright. I’ve chosen. Thanks.”

Layla, who received the smartphone back, pointed at Elise.

“Just wait a bit~ Elly is still deciding.”

“Deciding?”

Shion also looked at Elise. She was still flipping through the delivery app’s menu.

“Just eat anything, why the fuss?”

“......”

At that, a vein popped on Elise’s temple. She put down her smartphone and said,

“Are you buying for that monkey too? Then I’ll order from somewhere else.”

“Hey~ why are you like that. You were the one who first wanted Seven Guy Burger.”

Layla mouthed ‘Secret Friend’ to Elise.

It meant she should help because she’s her Secret Friend.

“......sigh.”

Elise looked at her smartphone again.

It took quite a long time, but she was almost there.

After intensely considering several hypotheses, reviewing the process dozens of times, and imagining the future that would follow, she was about to make a decision she wouldn’t regret today, tomorrow, and for the next month.

Right here, right now.

“Bulgogi Burger, large set.”

“Okay! Decision made! I’ll place the order right away!”

Layla quickly checked and placed the order.

“Phew...... that was tough.”

While Elise was wiping her sweat and looking satisfied, Shion said,

“Why did you even bother if you were just going to order the basic set?”

“......Can’t you just keep your mouth shut?”