Chapter 6
A few weeks had passed since we got our hands on the secret base.
In front of the base, Lisa, Gelt, and the others were gathered around a campfire.
They were slowly roasting the Horn Rabbit Lisa had hunted down today.
The fire Mark had started with everyday magic was cooking the meat to a nice color.
I glanced over at them as I picked up the Horn Rabbit's magic stone.
—Could I do something interesting with this?
I gathered my thoughts as I looked at the magic stone in my hand.
First, I tried imbuing it with 'Heal.'
The magic stone took on a faint glow and continued to shine softly.
I bit my fingertip, drawing blood.
Holding the stone, I gently poured mana into it, and the wound on my fingertip healed in an instant.
The magic stone lost its glow and returned to its original state.
—Interesting.
This time, I tried imbuing it with 'Resurrection.'
But unlike before, the mana wouldn't enter it properly.
When I poured in a little more mana, the magic stone shattered.
I see. The magic you can imbue probably depends on the grade of the magic stone.
Besides, if I got the hang of imbuing magic, I could probably do it a little better.
Finally, I checked my status.
【Name】Noah
【Rank】Ⅰ
【Mana】A
【Skills】Appraisal Life Magic Mana Control Magic Imbuement
【Magic】Heal Cure Enhance Life Steal Resurrection
—Magic Imbuement, huh.
Seems like it'll be worth studying.
Just then, a mouthwatering aroma wafted over.
"Noah, it's ready."
Gelt held out a roasted Horn Rabbit thigh.
"Thanks."
I took it and bit into it.
A simple, savory flavor slowly spread through my mouth.
"But I'm really glad Lisa joined us."
Gelt said with heartfelt sincerity.
"I never thought we'd get to eat something this delicious."
Lisa smiled, looking a little bashful.
"Noah showed me where the Horn Rabbits were."
Saying that, Lisa looked up at me.
I didn't say anything, just patted her head.
Lisa smiled contentedly.
Actually, finding Horn Rabbits was easy.
I spread my mana thin and swept it around like a radar, rotating it.
Then, any monsters it touched came running toward us on their own.
—Maybe monsters are drawn to human mana.
"Come to think of it, I heard a priest is coming to make rounds in this village soon."
Gelt said casually.
"I know. They're going to check on the villagers' health, right?"
Tom answered.
"That's not all. Apparently they're looking for talented kids, too."
Gelt said with a soft sigh.
"Like Lisa?"
Mark asked jokingly.
Lisa looked at me anxiously.
"The church is looking for kids with an aptitude for Light Magic."
When I answered, Lisa let out a small breath and looked relieved.
"That's good. I don't want to be separated from Noah."
As I listened to Lisa say that, I found myself thinking about something else.
There wasn't much left to see or learn in this little village.
I felt bad for my parents, but being discovered by the church might be a good way to leave the village at my age.
"Anyway, if a priest is coming, there'll be escorts too, right? Adventurers!"
Tom's eyes lit up.
"Maybe they'll give me advice on swordsmanship, too."
Saying that, Tom casually swung a nearby branch around.
"Even if you become an adventurer, make sure to come back to this village."
Gelt said firmly.
"When I become village chief, I'll make this village even better."
"Oh, that's Gelt for you! Then I'll become an amazing adventurer and help the village!"
Tom said excitedly.
"What's an adventurer?"
Lisa tilted her head.
"Oh, you're curious too, Lisa!"
Tom began explaining proudly.
"Simply put, adventurers defeat monsters or go to dangerous places to look for treasure. They take on requests and get paid for them."
Lisa thought for a moment, then spoke honestly.
"Defeat monsters? Like Horn Rabbits?"
Tom nodded firmly.
"Yeah. But Horn Rabbits are still pretty weak monsters. As an adventurer, you keep getting stronger and fight tougher enemies. The stronger you are, the more places you can go freely!"
"You can go wherever you want!"
Lisa said, looking a little surprised.
"That sounds fun!"
Tom continued cheerfully.
"Right? You get stronger, help people in trouble, go on all kinds of adventures, and make a name for yourself. That's what being an adventurer is!"
"Wow, that sounds nice."
Lisa thought for a moment, then spoke as if she'd just had an idea.
"Lisa's going to be an adventurer too!"
Tom replied with a little laugh.
"When you grow up, I'll let you join my party."
"Okay! Noah, you should come with us, too!"
"Yeah. That might be nice."
"Promise!"
Lisa smiled innocently.
Adventurers, huh?
Living freely like that might not be so bad.
But—
There was a much quicker way to leave the village.
A priest was coming.
To look for kids with an aptitude for Light Magic.
If I showed them my magic, they'd definitely take me to the church.
The problem was—
How should I show them?