Endless Memoir - Seraph Wedd (read a book .TXT) 📗

precise actions. She was copying the circle from the book into the large sheet of paper.

After roughly 3 minutes, her hands stopped. The drawing of the circle seems to be done.

To check, she placed her hand on a corner of the magic circle and it gave off a faint light. She then nodded her head with satisfaction.

“Looks like it was a success this time.”

“This time? You mean there are times it ends up as failure?”

“Yes. The drawing of the circle needs to be precise and should be in the same proportions as the one in the book.”

“Are there no drawing tools here? It will surely make your job easier…”

I blurted out what came to my mind. If she had even just a compass and a ruler, then her life would be a hell lot easier. Drawing everything with just your hands alone is unreasonable.

However, she just gave a wry smile in response to my words.

“Drawing tools are expensive. Only master Magic Artificers can afford those.”

Expensive? If you just cut out from a thin piece of wood and shaved the sides, it is a good ruler already.

I suddenly thought of an idea.

“… I’ll make drawing tools for you. In return, please teach me about magic.”

Her eyes turned wide with surprise.

“You can make tools? Are you a craftsman?”

“No. I’m a researcher. My classmates often call me ‘Mad Scientist’ though.”

I said with a wry smile. I also noticed that despite remembering about them, I can’t recall their names.

“Classmates? Scientist?”

“Aah, don’t mind it. Just me talking to myself. So? What do you say?”

I prevented the conversation from derailing and asked directly. She pondered for a while before she answered.

“If passing my knowledge to you is enough to pay for the tools, then I would gladly do so.”

She answered with a refreshing smile.

“However, that is after the village doctor have checked you. Before then, you must behave yourself properly. Is that fine?”

I wanted to say that I’m fine already but thinking that she would not permit me that easily, I just nodded.

“Then in return, I can explain Magic circles to you. Would you be fine with that? You just need to listen.”

“It’s fine. I don’t have anything to do anyway.”

Hearing my answer, she began her explanation.

The one she drew just now was the Magic Circle for «Luminescence». It would give off light when mana was supplied.

Looking closely, it was composed of simple geometric patterns.

A circle that encompassed all other elements. A square inside the big circle and a small circle on the top of the square.

The word light written in lowercase cursive on the middle was conspicuous.

Then, a straight vertical line ran from the top of the big circle to the top of the small circle and from the bottom of the square to the bottom of the big circle.

I noticed some notions and patterns but kept quiet about it. This is the first magic circle I saw (in this world) so drawing conclusions early wasn’t admirable.

When I asked about the word light written in the middle, she once again answered with doubt.

“What are you saying? That line is the core of this magic. Don’t tell me you can read it? You can read?!”

She spoke while pressing closer to me. Honestly, I was slightly taken aback by her pressure.

“N-No, I was just wondering…”

I tried to smooth the conversation but it seems that I failed miserably.

Luckily, Mary noticed how rude her actions were and she quickly sat down with an embarrassed face. She was red up to her ears.

“S-Sorry. I was surprised that you can read the ancient letters. My master told me the meaning of the lines in the middle of the circles but I don’t know how to read them.”

“I-Is that so…”

Then her master can read it too? Or maybe he/she was just taught the meaning by his/her master too...

Honestly, I didn’t have the grasp of the level of literacy in this world. As I haven’t spent that much time here.

“If you want, I can teach you. Do you wish to?”

I tried asking her with a lighthearted tone. Without even a split second passing, her answer came.

“Please teach me how to read it!!!”

I felt a faint headache coming. I shouldn’t have mentioned that.

I shouldn’t have muttered that thing half-heartedly.

Chapter 2: Temporary Name

I watched Mary work the whole time until noon.

Since I was considered as a patient now, the promise of teaching her will be shelved for now. That was until I have fully recovered.

She made about 60 sets of «Luminescence» circles before noon came. It seems that the failure rate was about 1 in 5 tries.

When I asked her why she’s not making anything else, she said that it was because she was told to practice one type of magic circle until she can make it with only 1 mistake in 10 tries.

Looks like she had one hell of a Spartan teacher.

When noon came, a loud sound of a bell echoed in the surroundings. I was startled at first but let it pass after noticing the two of them ignoring it.

Just as the bell sound ended, a knocking sound came from the door.

Nina nimbly jumped towards the door, her chocolate brown hair tied in a twin-tails shook left and right as she moved.

After she dried her hands on the apron-like part of her blue and white dress, she quickly opened the door.

There stood an old lady. Her hair was already white but her face was devoid of any wrinkles. If not for her slightly arched back, I would have thought she was just in her 30’s.

Her clothes, similar to Nina but was green in color, had visible stains of random things. As if a playful kid did a prank and painted on her apron using all the colors he can find.

“Good day Doctor Tessa!”

Nina greeted her in a very lively voice. The old lady just smiled and returned her greeting in a low voice.

“Nina seems to be as energetic as ever. Oh how I wish I had that much energy remaining…”

“Doctor Tessa is much more amazing! Making rounds around the village all day? Even I can’t do that!”

“Haha. It’s my job after all… Is he the one?”

Suddenly the old lady, Doctor Tessa, looked towards my direction. Her pale blue eyes looks sharp but gentle. Her long experience in life could be faintly seen on her piercing gaze.

“You… Where did you come from?”

Right off the bat, just after her short observation, she asked something that was connected to the root of the problem. I really didn’t want to tell them yet as they may think I’m crazy though…

“If I say that I’m not from here, would that be enough?”

I tried answering in a slightly ambiguous way. If she can get the truth from what I said, then she is quite a smart person indeed.

“……”

Her gaze sharpened even more. However, instead of a cold gaze of doubt, it felt more like the scrutinizing gaze of someone who saw something for the first time.

Looks like my words got through properly. What a frightening woman.

“Don’t worry as this wasn’t the first time. Though I doubt if you could return.”

She spoke after placing her small basket above the table.

Just as I had thought, looks like she understood the hidden meaning of my words. She even provided information for me.

In the first place, I don’t really know why but, I don’t feel the slightest inclination to return to my original world.

… Wait? This wasn’t the first time?

It means…

“About a hundred years ago, a similar thing occurred. The said man sought for a way to return but end up dying of old age in this village.”

… Is she reading my mind?

“Just so you know, reading minds is a forbidden magic. Once found, the king’s knights will come and arrest the practitioner.”

She’s an Esper! Or maybe this is the effect of her advanced age?

“… Are you thinking of something rude?”

For some reason, even Mary seemed to have read my thoughts. Am I really that easy to read? Or was the intuition of the women in this world really that sharp?

Before I could even think about it, Doctor Tessa quickly pulled a rolled up magic circle.

“Sit down on the bed, I’ll heal your wounds.”

I obeyed her words and walked a few steps before sitting on the edge of the bed.

Doctor Tessa came near me and pressed the paper containing the magic circle on my chest over my shirt.

Suddenly, a faint green light enveloped my whole body. I could feel some sort of warmth covering my body.

So this is magic…

“I have healed your injuries. For safety, you must not exert yourself too much for the rest of the day. If it is simple strolling, then you can probably go.”

I’m already healed? That quickly? To check, I undid the bandage wrapping around my chest. There’s nothing there except my pale white skin.

I tried to touch the part of my head releasing a pang of pain regularly but couldn’t feel any discomfort.

Magic really was convenient. No question why science got ignored.

“Mary, the payment will be just like always. Is that fine?”

Payment… Do this world already had the concept of money? Probably yes as Mary even said that the drawing tools were expensive.

“Here. Please take it. Is 30 sets alright?”

Mary immediately handed half of the «Luminescence» circles that she made. So this is what they mean.

“Did you already move to «Luminescence»? Looks like you’re progressing quite fast.”

“It is all thanks to everyone that I can study like this. If I don’t give it my all, how else could I ever repay them?”

“You got a point. Nina too can’t work just yet. She’s finally turning 15 this year if I am correct?”

“Yes. Until then, I need to work hard to earn our keep.”

The two of them was talking with a wide smile. Looks like everyone in this village were on friendly terms. Or maybe not… I may need to stroll around later.

“But now it looks like you found someone to support you…”

For some reason, before Doctor Tessa went out of the door, she turned towards me with a grin on her face. I really don’t know why but I shivered slightly under her gaze.

“D-Doctor!!!”

And for some reason, Mary turned red and quickly tried to push her out of the door. Doctor Tessa just laughed lightly on her reactions.

After she got out, the room turned silent. A very unpleasant silence. Nina was sending a cold gaze to me for some reason.

“S-Sorry for that earlier. Doctor Tessa’s words didn’t mean anything so please just forget what she said.”

Mary turned to me with a wry smile. Her face was still with a red tinge, blushing lightly.

“… If you say so…”

I just agreed to her even though I don’t know the reason why. Nina’s gaze turned even colder for some reason though. I don’t get it.

“By the way, can I go out for a stroll?”

I diverted the topic quite abruptly. Mary was a little bit surprised with my question but soon smiled gently.

“Of course. Nina? Can you go and tour him around the village? I still have some things to do so…”

“Okay. Just strolling is fine right? Do I need to introduce him to everyone?”

“That would be great. However, his name…”

Mary turned to me with an uneasy look. She must be thinking about my loss of memory.

“Just