Chapter 6
After school that day, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Philosopher’s Stone that Aesis had mentioned, so I decided to drop by a bookstore.
“Would there even be any books that actually write about something as mysterious as the Philosopher’s Stone?”
『On that shelf over there, Master. Those books seem related.』
Aesis spoke directly in my mind.
According to her, she knows everything about this world.
“…Wait a second. These are light novels.”
Sure enough, when I went where she told me, the covers were filled with illustrations of cute girls.
I’d been busy with all sorts of lessons since I was a kid, so I’d never had time to read books like these. Besides, if my family caught me reading them, I’d have been scolded badly.
Especially my older sister, Rinne—she hated this kind of stuff.
『True, light novels are works of fiction, but “not too far off the mark.” For a Master who lacks basic knowledge, they’re an acceptable starting point.』
“…Fine. But which one am I supposed to buy? There are way too many.”
『In that case, why not buy the isekai series marked as “Staff Recommendation”?』
“…Alright.”
That “recommended” series had seven volumes lined up.
I don’t have enough money to buy them all…
Reluctantly, I picked up the book labeled “Volume 1.” The cover featured a cute girl with animal ears, wearing very little.
Embarrassment surged through me, but right now, gaining knowledge was more important.
When I took it to the register, the female clerk glanced at my face.
Her smile somehow looked fake.
I quickly paid and left the store, vowing to go to a male clerk next time.
On the way home, I stopped by a convenience store and bought a bento. That would be tonight’s dinner.
I usually cook for myself, but too much had happened today, and I wasn’t in the mood.
Still, my wallet was getting pretty light. The allowance I got from home was barely pocket money.
I didn’t have to pay rent, so I could make ends meet if I budgeted carefully, but I’d already spent my savings on camping gear for solo trips.
Unlocking my bike outside the store, I muttered as I thought about the clerk who was about my age:
“…Guess I’ll need to get a part-time job.”
『In that case, Master, you could make potions and sell them. Or, if you became an explorer, you could earn money easily.』
Aesis suggested something absurd.
“Potions? You mean those weird medicines you get from dungeons beyond the Gates? There’s no way I can make something like that. And you need to be eighteen to get an explorer’s license.”
『True, becoming an explorer is impossible for now. But potions—you can make them. Have you forgotten? You are the Great Sage, Master. Nothing is impossible for you.』
“…Seriously? I don’t feel confident at all about that.”
No matter what she said, it didn’t feel real. I had no knowledge about potions. Being called “Great Sage” didn’t help—it just didn’t click.
“Yeah, yeah. The Great Sage is amazing, right?”
I muttered teasingly.
『I will kill you!』
Aesis’s tone suddenly turned threatening.
But her cute voice ruined the effect—she wasn’t scary.
“Oh? Then why don’t you try?”
『As you wish.』
The moment she said that, a searing pain shot through my head.
“It hurts! It hurts!!”
『I just manipulated your internal mana and stimulated your brain nerves. Stopping your heart would be no trouble at all. Shall I try?』
“You’ve gotta be kidding me!”
If this pain continued, I’d collapse.
“Fine! I get it! Please stop!”
『As long as you understand.』
The pain vanished.
I had no idea what just happened, but I knew one thing for sure—I shouldn’t make her mad.
“Damn… that really hurt. Don’t ever do that again…”
『As long as you behave properly, there won’t be a problem. Work harder, Master.』
“…Got it. I won’t tease you again.”
It felt like I had a landmine planted inside my own body. What on earth had happened to me?
『First, Master, you should read the light novel and gain knowledge. We’ll discuss potions after that.』
“…Fine. I’ll read it once I get home.”
I picked up my fallen bike and started pedaling. Soon, the road opened up into the countryside, lined with rice fields.
“It’s a nice place… but shopping sure is inconvenient.”
From here on, there were no stores. Living in the countryside really required a car.
Looking at the empty fields that hadn’t been planted yet, I thought it was a waste to leave all that land unused. Of course, I knew they’d soon be flooded and planted with rice seedlings.
The sun was sinking behind the low mountains.
You couldn’t enjoy a sunset like this in the busy city.
Just before the mountains lay a patch of broadleaf forest. At its edge was my house.
I looked forward to a relaxing bath once I got home.
Back home, I filled the tub with hot water.
I removed the wig I wasn’t used to and let my natural hair feel the air.
Then Aesis spoke again:
『Master, change into your gym clothes.』
“Huh!? Why?”
『Are you stupid? Obviously, to exercise. First up: a 10-kilometer run.』
“…What!? I just got back from school! Riding my bike home should count as good exercise. Why do I have to run?”
It was my first day back at school after leaving the hospital. I just wanted to relax today.
『Do you want to die, Master?』
“…Why the hell would you suddenly say something that extreme!?”
『I already explained at lunch. I’ve prepared a training curriculum so you can live up to being the Great Sage.』
Oh yeah… she did say something like that.
I just didn’t think it meant starting today.
“…Seriously?”
『Seriously.』
“….”
Ugh. Such a pain.
『I can hear your thoughts, Master. If you keep resisting, I’ll stimulate your brain nerves again…』
“Wait! Fine! I’ll go running! I’ll change right now!”
That pain was the last thing I wanted to experience again.
I quickly changed clothes and laced up my shoes.
When I stepped outside, my cousin Chi-chan was standing near the entrance, pacing. She was dressed in a plain pink tracksuit—nothing glamorous, but it suited her. Then again, she was a natural beauty—everything looked good on her.
She fidgeted with her hands and hair, clearly wanting to say something.
The tension got to me, so I spoke first.
“Uh… what’s up?”
“Are you going somewhere?”
She answered my question with a question, staring at me.
I decided to just answer honestly.
“I was stuck in bed for a while, so I thought I’d go for a run to get back in shape.”
“Ohh, I see. Glad to see you’re feeling better.”
Not really…
“Did you need something, Chi-chan?”
She smiled faintly and handed me a container she was holding.
“Mom told me to bring this over. She made too much.”
Aunt Akane, huh. Always so thoughtful.
“Thanks, I’ll gladly take it.”
“Good. Make sure you wash it and return it, okay?”
“Of course. I’ll bring it back tomorrow morning.”
But even after handing it over, she didn’t leave.
Instead, she played with her hair nervously.
“…Your white hair really stands out. Aren’t you going to dye it?”
“I tried a store-bought dye, but it didn’t work. So I wear the wig Aunt Akane gave me when I go to school.”
“Figures.”
Looked like she already knew my situation.
But I didn’t want to go deeper—it hurt too much mentally.
“It’s getting dark, so I’d better get going. …This is nikujaga, right? My favorite. Thanks.”
Through the container, it looked like meat and potatoes.
“Yeah. And don’t forget to return it.”
With that, she cut across the fields and went back home.
We hadn’t spoken like that in ages—even if it was less than three minutes.
It reminded me of when we were kids, playing together.
More than that, I was shocked that I could actually hold a normal conversation with her.
Then Aesis chimed in:
『Your mental strength has improved. The weak spirit you once had would never suit the Great Sage.』
So it wasn’t just my body—my mind was a little stronger too.
『Still weaker than a water flea, though.』
Her merciless insult echoed in my head.
…But maybe, if I kept training, both my body and mind really would grow stronger.
I set the container on the kitchen table and headed out for my run.
The headwind pressing against me felt strangely refreshing.
