Magic Item Shop

Karina-chan here!

I beat the pirate in a drinking contest! Cheating? Nope — spatial magic is basically my external stomach, so it's totally legit!

 

 

Riding that good mood, I "left" the Merchants' Guild — I actually just slipped into storage space instead of heading to an inn.

After a night's rest, I exited from the guild like nothing happened.

"Time to go procure some lotion."

The guild paid me about 15 silvers for the booze. That's after deducting what I gave to Harumikazuchi-oneesama and what Blade-senpai used for negotiations, so I'd call that a solid profit.

Sati-tan, were you giving me a sweet deal? I'll thank you next time we meet.

Anyway, off to buy lotion…

Which means the supplier is a magic-item shop.

A magic-item shop!!

"Other world magic-item shops are pure romance."

I'd like to make magic items for fun too. They're so handy.

Huh, you say spatial magic can already do anything? Well—

Magic tool for lighting fires? I can just store fire in spatial magic!

Magic tool for producing water? Store water in spatial magic!

Magic light? Store light in spatial magic!

—Okay, fair. The Goddess' spatial magic is too much of a cheat!!

Well, there are still magic tools that do what spatial magic can't.

Spatial magic feels like an extension of my own hands. Which means others can't use it. If I get party members someday, magic tools will have plenty of uses.

Like, I can't make lotion with spatial magic.

Yep, magic tools surely have untapped potential!

I opened the magic shop door and stepped in.

From outside it just looked like a house with a sign — shady. Inside, though, it's very general-store-ish.

Trinkets whose purposes I can't guess are lying around, with no price tags. What even is this bumpy thing for…?

"Excuuuse me. The Merchants' Guild said I could buy lotion here."

I called toward the back. After a few *"Hello? Anyone?"*s, a man who seemed to be the owner appeared.

"Welcome. Lotion, right? We make it here. How much will you buy?"

"Um, as much as I can? After I check the quality."

"Here's a sample."

He set a small pouch on the counter. White powder inside. I wet a pinky, dabbed, and tasted it.

… Hmm. No particular taste or smell — probably the good stuff.

This transaction sort of feels like dealing in illicit substances, doesn't it?

Kinda outlaw-chic. Cool.

"Nice. How much?"

"One silver a pouch. How many?"

Hmm, one silver. Same as Harumikazuchi-oneesama's offered buy price. That leaves no profit… normally I'd lose money on expenses.

For a second I considered duplicating it, but that breaks my self-imposed challenge, so no.

Time for honest haggling.

"How about you lower it if I buy 30 silvers' worth in one go?"

I've got around 50 silvers. Considering I also want other items, that's about the right volume.

"No can do. Powder of this quality — nobody else carries it. Ask the Merchants' Guild if you don't believe me."

"Come on! I gotta make a living too!"

"… Hmm, what to do."

As he said that, I caught his eyes flicking to my chest.

Oh? Will a grope get me 10% off?

If you're fine with boobs that the aunties kneaded in exchange for fruit milk, I wouldn't be opposed. As a former guy, I understand the gravity of boobs!

"Hmm, what to do."

"… Can't you do anything on the price?"

"Hmm, what to do."

Hey, that's a stare now, not a glance. I crossed my arms to hide my chest a bit.

Is he waiting for me to suggest it?

If he'd asked plainly, I'd have considered it… but not like this! Cowardly chicken.

"Then how about this — I'll buy some magic items too. This is a magic-item shop, right?"

"… Yeah. If you bundle with magic items, I can do 10% off."

Yesss. In that case — depending on the item prices.

"What's that bumpy thing, and how much?"

I pointed at the knobbly gizmo from earlier.

He frowned like he had to remember. Hey man, know your stock.

"Ah, right. That's a magic tool for cutting parchment to a specific shape. One silver."

"Specific shape?"

"You place it on the parchment and it cuts along the outline. See, it's a rectangle, so you can orient it just so. Then push the nub and it cuts to size."

"… Scissors wouldn't do?"

"That's why it hasn't sold. I'd appreciate it if you bought it."

"I see."

This magic shop might not be thriving.