Chapter 201 My Mentor ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Nina-Mailse. Commonly known as Nina. Or Nina. Occasionally ‘Lick-Lick’—mostly by Laika, the adventurer dog-beastman, or by me when I’m being facetious.
Among the lineages of high-ranking Church officials, such as Loire-Rose (who is suspected of being a Saint) or Archbishop Trantestar of Canarias, there is an apparent obsession with bestowing exceedingly long names.
Given that almost no one uses a surname, perhaps these lengthy names serve as a substitute for establishing authority. In other words, she seems to be a young lady from a rather prestigious background, though, frankly, her name is the least of my concerns.
She is a ¹ Sacred Artificer dispatched from the Holy Capital, currently tasked with studying and researching our shop’s inventory. She maintains a close proximity to the Saint—a ‘Saint-adjutant’ of sorts. According to her own breakdown, she is outwardly of the ‘Saint Faction,’ ideologically a member of the ² Salvation Faction, and personally a ‘Seeker.’
Visually, she sports short-cropped violet hair and thick ‘bottle-bottom’ glasses that, for some reason, look quite chic on her. In my previous world, she would have perfectly fit the image of a subculture-leaning college student.
Well, her background and appearance are neither here nor there at the moment. Actually, maybe her background is a bit relevant… The real issue is that she isn’t the airheaded waif her first impression suggested; she’s turned out to be far more brazen than I anticipated.
”Oh, don’t be so stiff, Master. What’s the harm? I think I worked incredibly hard during the war, don’t you?” Nina said.
She spoke while clasping her hands behind her back, swaying calculatedly from side to side. At some point, she had started calling me ‘Master.’
It’s true that during the operation to flood the ⁴ Coalmine Kingdom with ³ Ddo-Buddy, she worked herself to the bone—to the point of literally conversing with fairies.
To reward that level of dedication, I’m not entirely averse to teaching her the basics of our manufacturing process. Naturally, products currently in development or magic tools classified as military secrets are strictly off-limits.
The one who bestows knowledge and the one who receives it. That dynamic could, depending on your perspective, be defined as a master-disciple relationship. However, I have absolutely no intention of taking her on as an apprentice.
”No matter how many times you ask, the answer is no. In what world does a ⁵ magic toolmaker take a Sacred Artificer as an apprentice?” I asked.
”Oh, come on, it’s fine! Why can’t a pair like that exist?” Nina replied.
”It’s not fine! When I say it’s a no, it’s a no!” I shouted.
Seriously, I’m not just being difficult for the sake of it. To begin with, while the roles of a Sacred Artificer and a magic toolmaker might appear similar, they are paths that diverge fundamentally.
A Sacred Artificer employs ‘Sacred Arts’ or ‘Divine Miracles’ to forge ‘Sacred Gear.’ Conversely, a magic toolmaker utilizes ‘magic’ to create ‘magic tools.’
Since the primal source of power and the foundational techniques are entirely different, how could I possibly guide her down that road?
”Besides, isn’t there someone who already taught you the ways of a Sacred Artificer? If you’re going to call anyone ‘Master,’ it should be them, not me. They’ll be crushed if you jump ship so easily,” I said.
”Nah, they’d probably just be exasperated or tell me to break a leg. The old apprentice system for Sacred Artificers died out centuries ago, so my training actually came from academy professors. Those people are researchers rather than craftsmen; to them, teaching is just a paycheck,” Nina replied.
I see. It seems the concept of a master-disciple bond has vanished among Sacred Artificers. It’s essentially the same as modern ‘magic’ users. If anything, it seems my mentors and I—who still harp on about masters and disciples—are the ones who are obsolete.
Which only makes it more baffling that she insists on calling me ‘Master’…
”Look, I haven’t reached the end of my own path yet; I’m in no position to preach to others. I just happened to be trained by some exceptionally skilled masters, and I just happened to be making the kind of tools other magic toolmakers were too cowardly to touch,” I said.
”Hmm, isn’t that a bit too much humility? Since so many people recognize the value of your work, I think you should just accept the praise. Besides, even if most people—myself included—were given the same resources and the same ideas, I don’t think they could ever become what you are, Master,” Nina said.
I couldn’t tell if it was mere flattery, but she tilted her head in that calculated, endearing way again. To be honest, being lauded by someone with her specific aesthetic sensibilities felt good. Even without that, I’ve always had a soft spot for women, and I felt myself starting to waver. But I can’t give in!
”Flattery won’t work, no matter how cute you act!” I said.
”Wow, you think I’m cute? Master actually complimented me!” Nina replied.
”You… Sigh. Call me ‘Master’ one more time and I’m throwing you out. The bond between a master and an apprentice isn’t something to be taken lightly,” I warned.
”You think so? The dynamic between… Kento-san and Kogima-san seems pretty relaxed to me,” Nina said.
Nina spoke shrewdly, stopping just short of the line. This specific trait of hers is exactly why she isn’t disciple material…
”It’s a casual relationship now, but that’s because of everything we went through after I was officially taken in. Even with him, I was rejected countless times. He’d say things like, ‘Our connection is worth a few silver coins, but I have no intention of apprenticing a half-hearted amateur.’ Once he did accept me, he told me, ‘By taking you on, I am duty-bound to turn you into a respectable alchemist. You’d better be ready for that. I won’t tolerate mediocrity,’ and then he proceeded to train me to within an inch of my life. That’s why I still respect him. I never miss a chance to report in, consult with him, or send gifts; I maintain proper decorum in all major matters. That is what it means to be master and disciple,” I said.
I realized I was speaking with quite a bit of heat as I explained the nature of the bond. Of course, I was just parroting what Old Man Kogima and Madam Miranda had drilled into me.
Because of their teachings, I found myself worrying about the old man’s retirement before he even got married, and I was stressing over Madam Miranda’s funeral arrangements before I even knew she had a family. That’s how profound I believed the master-disciple connection to be.
In fact, I heard Old Man Kogima stayed with his own master until the very end and even took charge of settling the estate…
”Um, Kento-san…” Sister Amelia said.
”Hmm? What is it, Sister Amelia?” I asked.
While I was lost in thought regarding my own mentors, Sister Amelia—who had been hovering nearby—spoke up with a conflicted, somewhat hesitant expression.
”The fact that you’re lecturing her like that… it makes you seem very much like a master yourself,” Sister Amelia muttered.
”……”
Yeah… I suppose I did get a bit preachy. My bad… I didn’t think I was at that age yet, though I am aware I’ve lived a rather… concentrated life. One that spans across worlds, to be precise.
”A-anyway! I am not taking you as an apprentice! Is that clear?!” I shouted.
”Loud and clear. I’ll follow Master’s example and refuse to give up, no matter how many times I’m rejected,” Nina declared.
Behind those bottle-bottom lenses, Nina’s eyes crinkled into a smile as she made her bold proclamation. Apparently, she’s decided that I’m the type who can be worn down if she just keeps at it. Dammit, she’s playing me…
”Argh! I’m serious, I’ll kick you out! I’ll talk to Archbishop Trantestar and have you sent back to the Holy Capital!” I yelled.
”I refuse! You won’t kick me out, you won’t send me back, and I absolutely won’t stop trying to be your apprentice!” Nina replied.
”Guh…! Sister Amelia, back me up here! You’re Mother Marian’s disciple, so you must have some insight to share, right?!” I asked.
”Eh? Oh, well… Listen, Nina-san. As Kento-san says, if you truly seek an apprenticeship, you must demonstrate a certain level of resolve. You must articulate the depth of your devotion. To do that, you must fully grasp your master’s legacy and understand that their wisdom and skill are priceless. And more than anything, you must show a hunger for knowledge that transcends mere words. When I sought Mother’s tutelage, I fasted for three days and three nights while praying in the cathedral…” Sister Amelia said.
”Hey! Why are you giving her tips?! Whose side are you on?!” I asked.
”Huh? But Kento-san, weren’t you just bestowing your own ‘teachings’ a moment ago…?” Sister Amelia asked.
For some reason, Sister Amelia seems convinced that I actually want to take Nina under my wing. To think she’d force me to play the straight man like that… what a terrifying woman! Meanwhile, Nina, watching the exchange, let out a delighted laugh.
”I’ve got it! In that case, I’ll also go three days and nights without food or water, right here in front of the shop!” Nina said.
”That would be a massive inconvenience, so please don’t! We have a baby on the way soon!” I shouted.
In the end, today was just another day where I failed to make Nina give up on her apprenticeship…
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Summary:
Nina-Mailse continues her relentless campaign to become Kento’s official apprentice, despite his insistence that their crafts are incompatible. Kento reflects on the deep, traditional bonds he shares with his own mentors, Kogima and Miranda. Sister Amelia tries to help but accidentally provides Nina with a blueprint for how to prove her ‘resolve’ through a hunger strike. Kento ends the day frustrated and unable to deter the persistent Sacred Artificer.
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Character Insight:
While Nina appears airheaded, she is actually a keen observer who recognizes Kento’s soft spot for persistent, earnest women. Kento’s refusal is rooted in a profound respect for the ‘master’ title, viewing it as a life-long responsibility rather than a simple job title. Amelia’s intervention highlights her own extreme background of devotion, which inadvertently validates Nina’s pushy tactics and forces Kento into a comedic straight-man role.
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Behind the Scene:
The chapter highlights the clash between the modern, transactional education system Nina describes and the old-world, familial apprenticeship Kento values.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Nina-Mailse – A Sacred Artificer from the Holy City. She has short violet hair and wears bottle-bottom glasses thick glasses that somehow look stylish. She is attached to the Saint.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Loire-Rose – The current Saintess, possessing a divine appearance yet a modern, playful, and irreverent attitude that clashes with Church tradition. She has white hair, pale skin, blue eyes, and wears clergy robes.
• Trantestar – The middle-aged man Archbishop of Canarias and the initiator of the current trial. He is an alleged ally of Kento but remains suspiciously neutral.
• Kogima – Kento’s alchemy master. A middle-aged man who is a henpecked husband to his wife, Josephine.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• Marian – A ‘Mother’ and supervisor from the Church of Demon-Subjugation. Her appearance and demeanor defy the Church’s purported ‘chastity,’ instead she has wavy purple long hair, busty, black nun, tear mole under eye, and monroe walk. She has arrived with a clear purpose: to confront Kento about the ‘Devil’s Stick.
• Suu – Secretary for the Royal Capital Beast-person Mutual Aid Association and a cat beast-person. Sample No. 19 in Kento’s report. She steps up as the first witness for the defense.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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