Capítulo 126: Sylphiette's Gift
"These boots have been our most popular choice over the years, but the ones over here are what everyone is talking about right now."
I was currently being guided around by a well dressed employee at a high end clothing store in the commercial district. These boots he was showing off... sure, they looked nice, but they don't really look like the type of thing she'd be into.
"I appreciate your help, but I'd like some more time to browse your selection if you don't mind."
I was trying to be polite, but in reality I wanted to try a different store. The truth is, I've been perusing wares around the commercial district all day today. Every time I find something I think Sylphy might like, I talk myself out of it.
'Maybe I'm overthinking this?'
Like Zanoba had told me, Sylphy will assuredly be happy with any gift I give her. At the same time though, she will only ever have one fifteenth birthday.
I decided to try out a high end wand store next. On my way there I passed by a small market stand selling miscellaneous magic items; it was the type of stuff adventuring parties would bring back from labyrinths. I didn't have anything particular in mind yet so I decided to give the shop a look.
"Greetings sir. What might you be looking for?", the man behind the stall said. He was on the shorter side and had a messy looking beard and wore a heavy layer of garments to protect him from the cold.
"I'm looking to buy a gift for my w-... for a close friend."
"I see", the man said with a sly smile. "What's the occasion?"
"It's her fifteenth birthday."
"That's a special day indeed! I've got the perfect gift!"
The shopkeep reached below the stall and lifted up a big crate and began to rummage through it.
"Ah, there it is!"
He pulled out a small, metal box from within the crate and set it on the stall in front of me.
"Take a look at these", he suggested as he opened the box. Inside the box was an assortment of jewelry.
"Each and every one of these is a magic item. Everything I have here has been appraised by the Magic Guild to certify its authenticity."
After telling me that, he reached into his pocket and brought out a small, stone card. I recognized it as an identification card that the Magic Guild assigned to its members. Evidently the owner of this market stall was a 'C' ranked member of the guild.
"What does this one do?", I asked as I picked up a silver necklace with a green gem set into it.
"You've got a good eye! That necklace grants its wearer the ability to detect disease and malnutrition in crops. It's the perfect gift if your girl enjoys gardening."
"Um, no. She's not really into gardening." That was more of Aisha's thing.
"How about this one then?", he suggested as he pointed out a golden amulet with a black stone set into it.
"It looks nice. What does that one do?"
"This one is quite the treasure. It is a magic item that allows its wearer to jump twice as high!"
"I guess that's kind of useful; although I'm not sure how often a practical use for such an ability would come up."
"We'll keep that one in mind then", the shopkeeper said as he set it back in place.
"How about this one? I really like the red gem. It matches the color of her eyes perfectly."
"Another good choice! This ring comes in a matching set."
He pointed out another ring sitting in the box right beside the first. They were golden with matching red gems set in them. The only difference in the rings were how the gems were set, with the patterns mirroring each other.
"These rings have a magic effect that, when you supply one of them with mana, the other will radiate a gentle warmth."
"Wow, that's perfect!", I exclaimed. "How much for the pair?"
~Meanwhile~
***** Therese's POV *****
I was working at the Sharia Chapel of Milis like I do every day. Zenith worked in the Chapel alongside me, but she worked as a healer while I worked as a teacher alongside my good friend Aurora. The two of us spent each day reading scripture to the children of Sharia and explaining the meaning of Milis' teachings.
Right now, Aurora and I were cleaning up our classroom after today's lesson.
"Sigh..."
"Is something the matter?", Aurora asked me.
"No, it's just... I'm supposed to head over to Zenith's place later tonight and I really don't feel like going."
"Why not?"
"I love my sister, but every time I go to her place to visit... well, it's kind of hard to explain."
"Are the two of you not getting along? You should let her know if something is bothering you. I can help as an intermediary if you would like."
"It's not like we're fighting. It's more like... I'm jealous. Jealous of the loving family she has around her."
"They are your family too, are they not?"
"Well, yes; but it's not the same."
"I know what you mean", Aurora lamented.
"It's like, when am I ever going to find that special someone? Don't I deserve that same kind of happiness?"
"We must continue to follow in Milis' footsteps. Remember the teachings that he will guide us to our destiny"
I could detect a hint of sadness from Aurora's voice when she said that. I knew why. She has told me many times about how she met Rudeus; how it was Milis' divine intervention. It was plain to see, however, that Rudeus did not feel the same way.
"Sometimes we misinterpret Saint Milis' plans, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have one.
"You're completely right", she answered with a smile.
"What do you say the two of us go out to eat after we finish here?", I suggested. "I think we both deserve a break, don't you?"
***** Rudeus' POV *****
After finally picking out my gift for Sylphiette's birthday, I stopped by the house to store it away. I was meant to practice controlling my battle aura with Sylphy and Ghislaine after lunch today and I didn't want Sylphy to see her gift early.
I got to the university a little bit early, so I decided to stop by Zanoba's dorm room to see how Julie was doing.
"Rudeus! What a pleasant surprise! Please, come in."
When I entered Zanoba's room, I noticed Julie sitting on a chair, studying several dolls from Zanoba's collection sprawled out on the table in front of her.
"I see that you're taking Julie's education seriously."
"Of course! If she is truly to become my apprentice, then she must learn the intricacy and subtleties of what makes each doll special."
"I would expect nothing less."
As we talked, Ginger walked in with a tray of cookies.
"Rudeus, welcome!", she said with a smile. "I didn't know you were coming today."
"I'm just stopping by. I wanted to see how Julie was adjusting to her new home."
"She's doing wonderfully", Ginger said as she handed her a cookie from the tray.
Julie gobbled it up, leaving crumbs on the table.
"...although we still have some work to do when it comes to manners", Ginger said with a laugh.
Julie still was very underweight and looked rather frail, but she's recovered enough that she is as energetic as any other six year old. Once Julie noticed me, she ran to me and gave me a hug.
"Aww...", Ginger gawked over Julie's cuteness.
"I missed you too", I said in Beast-God tongue as I patted her head.
I spent about an hour visiting with Zanoba, Ginger, and Julie until the lunch bell rang. Julie didn't seem to want me to go, but I promised her I'd come back tomorrow. Starting tomorrow I planned to spend each morning teaching Julie how to speak in the Human tongue. Ginger was trying to teach her to speak as well, but it would be much easier for me since I could translate.
Zanoba also promised her that soon she would be allowed to come eat with us in the cafeteria. Ginger had suggested that we wait a couple weeks for her to build her weight back up and grow accustomed to her new living situation before bringing her out into a crowd like that.
After enjoying lunch at the cafeteria, Sylphiette and I met Ghislaine at the campus magical training grounds. At this point, the school had adjusted the schedules of students to reserve this building for us each day after lunch.
I finally was able to give training my full focus again.
"Great job Rudeus", Ghislaine complimented me after our training had completed. "You made some real progress today."
"I'm glad to hear it. It's kind of difficult to gauge my own progress since I can't see my mana for myself."
"You managed to compress your ambient mana to about half its normal radius. Once you are able to envelop your body in a very thin layer of mana, you will be able to notice your own progress through enhancements in your body's strength and speed."
"I can't thank you enough for all your help, Ghislaine."
"It's not a problem Rudeus, I'm glad I can help", Ghislaine said with a smile. "I'm planning to settle down here anyway. Now that Master Sauros has died, my duty is to serve Master Philip and he lives in this town."
That's right. I'll have to stop by to visit Philip and Hilda sometime; maybe tomorrow. I feel like I hardly speak with them even though they live here in Sharia. I suppose it's because they are more focused on cozying up to Ariel and helping with her plans.
On our way back to our home after school, I overheard a customer at a restaurant yelling "That's right! Who needs men, anyways!".
They sounded drunk, but even from a distance, their voice sounded strangely familiar...
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