SOUTHERN FANTASIA | CHAPTER 1

[posseoir]

The Fantasia of a Craftsman Reaching the Days of Old

Faust.  Alright. Let's take a break.

Shino.  Already? We were just getting to the best part.

Mitile.  I’d like to keep going too! Would that be alright, Dr. Figaro?

Figaro.  Ha ha. You're working hard, Mitile, but don't overdo it. Part of training is to rest your body.

Rutile.  That's right, Mitile. 

Come join me for a cup of tea beneath the shade. It’s herbal with a dash of honey.

Mitile.  Herbal tea with honey......! T-Then I'm going to take a quick break.

On that day, I was observing the joint training of the Southern and Eastern wizards. Excluding Nero, who was running late, the seven of them were hard at work. The most enthusiastic of the bunch was Mitile. He had been an admirer of Shino's young but strong magic power for some time. Being so close in age, they are probably influenced by one another in a positive way.

Mitile.  As I thought, Shino's scythe is really cool…

 

Shino.  Mmm-hmm, isn't it? Here, hold on to it for a moment.

 

Mitile.  Are you sure? Hooray!

Alright.... Ugh, too heavy......!

 

Lennox.  You okay, Mitile?

 

Mitile.  I- I'm fine! The closer I look at it, the cooler it gets. I can see a pattern among the other details.

 

Shino.  Heath crafted that bit.

 

Heathcliff.  It's nothing to look pleased over. A master craftsman or blacksmith could have done a much cleaner pattern….

 

Faust.  Even so, there are not many people your age who carve with such attention to detail. If you were of different status, there would have been a line of masters who’d have wanted you as an apprentice.

 

Mitile.  Hehe!  Heathcliff, you’re amazing!

 

Heathcliff.  That…-  Thank you,  Mitile.

 

Shino.  Well done. Keep it up, Mitile. This guy has a tendency to shy away when I give him compliments.

 

Akira.  (Shino and Mitile look like they're having fun.)

 

As I watched the young wizards exchange smiles with one another, Lennox, who stood beside me, also had a calm expression on his face. His eyes narrowed and he murmured something.

 

Lennox.  …it’s nostalgic.

 

Akira.  Eh?

 

Lennox.  Ah, sorry. Just talking to myself.

 

Mitile.  However, because of my stature, a weapon this big wouldn't suit me.   

I'd have to be as strong as Mr. Leno!

 

Lennox.  No, even I would have a hard time. You have to have some familiarity with the weapon.

 

Shino.  You know what you’re talking about, Lennox. By any chance, have you used a weapon before?

 

Lennox.  Yeah, a long time ago. I used a weapon called a mace as my magic tool.

 

Rutile.  …Mace? What kind of weapon is that?

 

Figaro.  Remember the hammers used to break rocks? It's a larger version of that for combat use.

 

Lennox.  The usage is not that different from hammering. You hold it up like this.....

 

As he explained the nature of a mace, Lennox swung his arm in a broad gesture. At that moment, we felt a strong and sudden gust of wind.

 

Akira + Rutile.  Woah!

 

Mitile.  Mr. Leno, that’s so cool!

 

Lennox.  Haha ... thanks. I didn't think it was very cool.

 

Upon hearing Mitile's praise, a slightly embarrassed Lennox laughs. He immediately relaxes his arms.

 

Figaro.  Speaking of, though once a soldier, Leno's now a shepherd. Isn't this what you would consider "gap moe" in your world, sage?

 

Faust.  Hah? Gap?

 

Akira.  Uhm, it's a word often used when you learn about an unexpected side to someone....  

I guess it's what you'd consider my world's  ....  youthful language?

 

Faust.   …Where do you get off using that sort of terminology?

 

Figaro.  I am younger than you. Dr. Figaro’s still young.

 

Faust.  ….Ha….

 

Akira.  (That’s a pretty deep sigh….)

 

Shino.  Hey, next time, how about we have hand-to-hand combat with my scythe and your mace?.

 

Lennox.  Not necessary. If all you want to do is subdue your opponent, your bare hands will suffice.

 

Mitile.  T-That's true. You are very strong even with your bare hands, Mr. Leno. Still, I kind of wanted to see…

 

A slightly disappointed Mitile was then questioned by Heathcliff.

 

Heathcliff.  Are you interested in weapons, Mitile? You seem to enjoy hearing their stories.

 

Mitile.  I am! Just looking at Shino's scythe and Cain's sword is exciting. It would be nice if I could see a real mace somewhere.

 

Rutile.  You read illustrated books on weapons sometimes, too.

 

Mitile.  Yup! There are all kinds of weapons in the world.

 

Mitile nodded in agreement. His smile was innocent; typical of someone at his age who yearns for adventures to name his own.

 

Shino.  Then, how about getting your own personal weapon, Mitile?

 

Mitile.  …..eh?

 

Shino.   There is no shortage of fighting techniques in this world. After all,  not only with his bare hands and magic,  Lennox can even fight with a mace.

 

At Shino’s words,  Mitile looked a little frightened.

 

Mitile.  Y-You're right that having a weapon would be cool.  Owning one all for myself though,  it sounds scary…

 

Figaro.  There's no need to force yourself, if you're afraid? Besides, in the South, very little happens that involves the use of weapons.

 

Shino.  But we're in Central Country. Even wearing it for self-defense would be reassuring.

 

Mitile.  Mmmm….

 

Nero.  Haa…  good grief.

 

At that moment, Nero appeared. He walked toward us, sighing and nodding his head.

 

Faust.  You're late, Nero. I made today’s class early since you weren’t in charge of cooking.

 

Nero.  Sorry ‘bout that, teach.

 

Faust.  Did something happen? You don't have to join us, if it's an inconvenience.....

 

Nero.  No, nothin’ serious. I was just sharpening a kitchen knife an’ the blade got chipped. It was originally from the Manor, so it musta been pretty old. I just liked it ‘cause it was easy to use…

 

Although Nero shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner, he was clearly discouraged.

 

Rutile.  My, that's too bad.....are you sure it can't be fixed?

 

Nero.  Nah, the blade’s worn out.  Probably at the end of its use. 

Guess I'll have to go find a new one soon…

 

Heathcliff.  In that case, why don't you go to the town where blacksmiths gather? We are in Central.

 

Nero.  Ah, that place. Never been, so maybe I should stretch my legs a bit.

 

Rutile.  A town filled with blacksmiths?

 

Heathcliff.  There’s a rural town here in Central famous for its many skilled blacksmiths.

 

Nero.  Everybody says there’s nothin’ you can’t buy there. Most of the knives used by chefs in Central are supposedly made in that city.

 

Akira.  A town of blacksmiths sounds like an interesting place!

 

My mind is filled with scenes of a blacksmith's shop as depicted in an illustration of a children's story. A workshop where taciturn craftsmen gather. The sound of hammers clanging and sparks flying…as I imagine it all, I can’t help but get excited.

 

Shino.  If they have everything you’d need, then weapons would be no problem. We could find a mace there.

 

Heathcliff.  I wonder... it's pretty old. 

But, from my understanding, they have a complete line of most weapons.

 

Lennox.  Pretty old…  Is that right…

 

Heathcliff.  Oh… please forgive me.

 

Shino.  Then this is perfect. Mitile, you should accompany Nero. You like weapons, don't you?

 

Mitile.  Oh, I want to go! Mr. Nero, Dr. Figaro, would that be alright with you?

 

Nero.  Doesn’t matter to me,  but…

 

Figaro.  In that case, count me in, just to be safe. A lot of artisan towns can be a little rough around the edges.

Mitile.  I can handle it! I can even shop by myself in the kingdom.

CHAPTER TWO