Farmer Mage

Chapter 55: Leaving the City

Cal frowned when he read that he needed to pick an option immediately. He had chosen not to wait for the Overseer to give him information based on the expectation that the day-long exception given to him on the rule would still apply. He had intended to take his time to consider the earth trait options.

If he had known that wasn’t possible, he would have studied the material the Overseer gave him and picked his reward before absorbing the earth simulacrum.

Thankfully, the options for the earth trait weren’t too difficult to choose from.

[Stone Skin] was the least appealing, and [Quicksand Mastery] was slightly better. Still, neither could really compare to [Harvest Guardian].

After the last two traits Cal had picked, he realized that most options were relatively easy to strike out. Unlike his [Skills], [Traits] seemed to need his mana to activate.

The only exception was [Second Chance], but that trait was the effect of a temporary reward. Plus, it was given to him by the ‘laws of the world.'

Disregarding that one, the other traits were like spells he understood how to cast perfectly from the moment he picked them. Thinking of them in that context was helpful.

[Stone Skin] and [Quicksand Mastery] were the ones he could see replicating the easiest with a spell. It wouldn’t surprise him if he found something similar in a spell booklet. Even if the spells were inferior to the traits, his high affinity would make it possible to eventually improve them.

As for [Harvest Guardian], that involved more than just high affinity with the earth element. Cal didn’t know what was required to create Golems, but the Celestial Order wouldn’t have to import them if they were so easy to make.

There were plenty of Masters who specialized in the earth element, and they would have a high affinity due to their experience even if it didn’t come naturally at the start. If the guild could save money by having these Masters make golems, that would have happened long ago.

Cal tapped [Harvest Guardian] and the interface disappeared.

I hope the golem can follow complex commands.

He considered absorbing the fire simulacrum next, of course, this was after he chose his reward. While Seris might have chosen an unsuitable spell, it did remind him that he had no true offensive element.

Water and earth were capable of it—as was any element—but neither had the immediate destructive potential of the fire element. He had hopes of the lightning element playing that role, but after he was shown that he had zero affinity, he quickly gave up on it.

Cal also had to consider that there was no longer much need to be secretive—at least, not in situations out of the public eye. The incident with Tarn changed everything.

He eventually shook his head and left the room.

I have too many untested traits to add one more to my plate, especially since I don’t need the fire element for my farming. I might not have a naturally offensive element, but [Lightning Aura] will have to do for now. I just need to figure out how it works when I’m not in a rage-induced state… I feel I’m at my best when there’s only one thing I can pour all my focus into. My attention is being pulled in too many directions.

Cal resolved to become proficient with the traits he possessed before picking anything else.

He walked out to see Elara in her ‘I’m way too bored’ position. She glanced at him and gave him a thumbs-up—mockingly—before pointing at the section with the earth spells.

Cal didn’t react to the girl’s sarcastic congratulations for absorbing the simulacrum without nearly killing himself. He couldn’t verbally spar with a child, but it did make him more curious about who she was.

Elara was clearly still a mortal, but her ‘ownership’ of the spell shops and her attitude towards him told of a familiarity with guild members. Cal suspected it went further than familiarity since she was so nonchalant. There was a high likelihood there was a Master in her family.

He browsed through the earth spells and was disappointed with most of them. There were far too many defensive spells, but he hoped for something to help him farm.

I need something that works as a starting point. Even if it has a negligible effect, that would be enough for me to work on improving it.

He finished checking all the earth spells available and sighed in disappointment. He could only pick some that were for defense or offense. There was nothing for farming. Since he was required to choose something, he decided to select the best of each type.

Earth Barrier

Description: Create a barrier of earth around an area.

Effect: Pulls the earth from the ground to make a temporary barrier.

Warning: Requires continuous use of mana to sustain

Fissure

Description: Create a fault in the ground.

Effect: Area-of-effect damage on anything that has fallen inside.

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Warning: Requires high earth element affinity to use.

Cal took the two booklets and walked to the water spell section. Since he was here, he might as well get the spells he needed to make his farming easier. Using [Rainfall] for everything wasn’t feasible.

He found Seris holding a booklet, looking like she was seconds away from drooling at what she was reading. She looked up when she heard footsteps and beamed.

“Cal, look at this one! It’s perfect for you!”

Cal raised an eyebrow when she shoved the booklet to his face. He humored her but didn’t expect anything that he would like. Seris was too enamored with destructive fire for him to believe in her choices.

Liquid Core

Description: Create a ball of water. The size can range from a marble to the limit of what your mana can handle.

Effect: Can be manipulated for various purposes. The most common being a blunt weapon.

He glanced at Seris and ate his doubts about her. “Good job.”

“Can I keep that after you’re done with it?” Seris asked eagerly.

Cal didn’t even think about giving her a used spell booklet after he promised to get her one. For some reason, he had been thinking of buying one for her, which was beyond wasteful. He cleared his throat and nodded, hiding how he was mentally kicking himself.

“Sure, you can have it after. Talk with Elara while I check the other spells here. I won’t be long.”

Seris walked off happily as he started to see if anything else was worth buying. The spell she picked was perfect for his needs. Not only was it perfect for measuring precise amounts of water, but it also came with the unexpected benefit of being dense enough to be used as a weapon, which made him think of ice.

I know that casting ice when someone has a water element is theoretically possible, but I’ve never seen it in the Celestial Order. I don't have high hopes for being successful there, but this spell could be a start.

He went through the shop's selection of water spells with a frown. Some were interesting, but the cost was prohibitive, coming close to a guildmark for a single booklet. He would have gritted his teeth and splurged the money if it wasn’t for how similar they were to [Rainfall].

Cal could learn that by himself since he knew the fundamentals. It would just take some time.

If I haven’t made progress after a month of trying, I’ll rethink this decision.

After reading the last booklet, he shook his head and headed for the counter.

“—because lightning and earth don’t synergize well. What’s the point of—”

Cal froze as Elara explained the elements to Seris. Her voice melded together as he recalled what happened when he tested [Lightning Aura].

And the fact he tested it on the ground.

How did I forget lightning is weak against earth? Did losing my affinity make me an idiot? ... The high affinity I now possess with the earth element could explain why I lost all of my affinity with lightning.

“—done?”

Cal blinked when he realized that Elara was speaking to him. He gave her a short nod before placing the three booklets on the counter.

Elara glanced at them briefly. “Let’s round it down to three gold.”

“Deal,” Cal handed over the coins like he feared she would change her mind. He saved over twenty silver on the unexpected discount. Of course, now that he knew it was negotiable, he would try his luck again in the future.

He pocketed the booklets with a smile when the interface popped up.

Your skill [Master Negotiator] has increased by 1 level.

I didn’t think I did anything to deserve that… but I’ll take it. I almost forgot about the skill, too. I should make it a habit to go shopping once in a while.

Cal felt a tug on his shirt.

“That was three gold!?” Seris asked in a loud whisper.

“Yes? Didn’t you look at the prices when you were browsing?” Cal got a shake of her head in reply. “Well, you’re about to own one of these soon. You’re a rich girl, Seris.” He could immediately see the obvious thoughts enter her head. Ones about selling the booklet.

I was hoping that’s what she would do. I suspect she will give Orrin most of it to fund his smithing with how close they are.

He cleared his throat and looked outside. He had hoped that the Overseer would have arrived by now. It was getting far too close to extending the maximum amount of time he planned on staying in the city.

“Do you know the name of the person who dropped you off here?” Cal asked without much hope.

Just as Seris was shaking her head, Elara spoke up. “It was Master Corvin.”

This almost confirmed that she was someone deeply connected with the guild. No mortal would know of a Master’s name without personally dealing with them.

“Did he say anything about returning?”

“Master Corvin was in a rush to leave. He usually chats with me a little, but he didn’t say a word other than telling me Seris had to stay near the shop.”

Cal wanted to ignore the humble brag of how a Master took time to speak to her, but he reminded himself that she was a kid. He had been worse at that age… probably. His memories before entering the Celestial Order were faint.

“You should introduce me to him sometime,” Cal said solemnly, getting a smug look from Elara. “Since you know him well, can you do me a favor?”

“I can give no promises, but since you’re Seris’s friend, I’ll think about it,” Elara replied in a tone meant to match his. It didn’t work since, well, she was a kid.

Cal hid his amusement. “I’m expecting someone, but I don’t think I can wait any—”

“No need for that,” the Overseer’s voice interrupted Cal.

Before he could react, the Overseer moved from the entrance and stepped close. The man handed him a booklet the same size as the spells he bought. It even looked similar to them.

“I’m happy I got here in time to see you off,” the Overseer said with a tight smile. Considering how expressive he had been recently, seeing the man with his usual expression was a surprise for Cal.

“Thank you for—”

“That’s not necessary,” the Overseer shook his head while subtly pushing the hand holding the booklets to Cal’s inner pockets. “I’m just happy to see my former Trainee content after the Selection.” He turned to Elara and said, “Master Corvin said you will be free to shadow him for a week for your help.”

Elara vibrated in excitement, but the Overseer had already moved on. He gave Seris a brisk nod before taking his leave.

Cal had already hidden the booklets in his near-capacity inner pockets, and he was staring after the Overseer in confusion.

Strange is not descriptive enough for what just happened. I’ve never seen the Overseer in such a rush before. So the [Class] booklet is meant to be a secret… and Elara is being groomed to be a pillar of the guild.

I doubt any word from the Overseer was said without intent. It feels like I'm back in the core guild.

He pressed his lips into a thin line before addressing Seris. “We’ll be leaving immediately.”

“… Carriage?” She asked hopefully. That hope was crushed when Cal shook his head without mercy. She sighed before looking at Elara. “I’ll visit again. Thank you for answering all my questions.”

“Anytime,” Elara smiled before it faltered. She braced herself before turning to Cal. “Dreams are never-ending, and we are here to help you fulfill them. I hope you had a pleasant experience. Come back anytime you want to fulfill your dreams.”

Cal suddenly remembered the canned farewell he first heard in the tower. His lips slowly formed a smile as he failed to hold back his amusement, but Elara had a dangerous look, just like the first time she said the farewell. He decided to spare her the embarrassment.

“It was good doing business with you, Elara.” Cal motioned for Seris to follow and left the shop. He was cutting it close for the watering time and would need to rush back.

It wouldn’t be fun for Seris, and with the long face she was showing him, she knew it.