“Apprenticeship” 

———————

“I want to express my gratitude.”

If it weren’t for Rudy, who healed my body, I would probably have died, despite the vast amounts of money I spent and the current limitations of medicine and magic.

Noemi wanted to show some gratitude to Rudy.

“Well, I already took it.”

“…?”

“I examined Noemi’s body because I wanted the human body data of this planet… for research purposes.”

“You should say ‘received’ instead of ‘took’.”

“You could say that.”

“But is it okay to use such means?”

“It was valuable data. Thanks to it, I understood a lot about the human body and the flow of mana.”

Saying so, Rudy bowed his head.

Unauthorized examination of a woman’s body is an act that disregards both sexual harassment and human rights, and it could potentially lead to a lawsuit. However, Rudy managed to deceive Noemi by pretending it was part of the treatment.

“…I see. I want to know about it too.”

Instead of getting angry about having her body examined without permission, Noemi became interested in her own body from the perspective of an extraterrestrial like Rudy.

“If that’s the case, you can ask.”

The result of Hal’s analysis of Noemi’s body revealed the following:

The humans of this planet absorb mana by consuming mana viruses in their food.

Once the mana enters the body, it is broken down and enters the bloodstream, where it merges with red blood cells. It circulates throughout the body and accumulates in the bone marrow and brain marrow.

“I see. So that’s why the nobles, who have no trouble with meals during their growth period, are more skilled in magic compared to commoners…”

“Nobles? Is this planet’s social system based on feudalism?”

“Well, it’s something like that. Each country has a king, and the king and nobles handle all the administration.”

“A dictatorship… An outdated social system.”

In the Galactic Empire where Rudy comes from, there is also an emperor. However, the emperor is not involved in administration, and politics are essentially separated into three branches. Moreover, the empire consists of hundreds of countries with their own kings and prime ministers, operating under a parliamentary system, making it closer to a republic than an empire.

“We’ve digressed… I deviated from the topic of mana.”

In order to cast magic, it was necessary to solidify the intended direction of the magic in one’s mind through an incantation. Therefore, without an incantation, magic would not be activated.

“Well, it’s mostly accurate based on what I know. By the way, the incantation also serves as a means of controlling magic and preventing it from going haywire. Babies with magical talent release harmless mana when they cry. It seems I was one of them.”

“I see.”

As Noemi provided additional explanations, Rudy nodded in understanding.

“So, that’s all for the discussion.”

“Thank you. I found it very informative. It was particularly interesting to learn about the storage locations of mana.”

“The feeling is mutual. Thanks to you, I now have a higher possibility of being able to use magic.”

“Hmm? Is Rudy going to be able to use magic?”

“I’ve only been on this planet for two and a half days. Right now, I’m just struggling to resist mana with the vaccine. But I’m researching how to use magic, and I hope to be able to use it someday.”

“You can do something like that…”

At that moment, Rudy seemed to come up with something and hesitantly opened his mouth.

“Hmm… If you really want to express your gratitude, I have one request.”

“Oh, what is it? Anything, just tell me.”

“In that case, if I become capable of using magic, please teach me your magic, Noemi.”

Rudy bowed his head, and Noemi shrugged her shoulders in response.

“Many people have bowed their heads and asked the ‘Demon Witch’ Noemi for teachings, but you’re the first one to say ‘teach me’ while bowing their head.”

“Is it not possible?”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll teach you all the magic I know, Rudy.”

Smiling, Noemi bowed her head again, and Rudy followed suit.

“Thank you very much. I humbly request it, Master Noemi.”

As the two continued their conversation, time passed, and the stars sparkled in the sky.

“Master Noemi, your clothes still haven’t been fixed. Can you stay overnight today?”

“Come to think of it, you were fixing my clothes, weren’t you?”

“They’re still in a midriff-baring look.”

As Rudy spread out Noemi’s clothes that he was fixing, he noticed numerous holes in the abdomen.

“Well, I’m not meeting anyone, so it’s fine as it is,” she said.

“Master, I failed to protect it. This is the least I can do to apologize,” he replied.


 

“You’re quite conscientious,” she said.

“It’s only natural as your disciple.”

Since Rudy couldn’t finish sewing Noemi’s clothes within the day, he decided to leave it to the drone.

“Why don’t you sew it yourself?” asked Hal.

“…I’ve accepted the fact that my efforts won’t be rewarded,” Rudy made excuses.

As the drone was commanded, it undid the stitches Rudy had made. Then it started sewing again, and its stitches were even neater than Rudy’s.

Seeing that, Hal understood that what Rudy had said was true.

Once Rudy left the sewing to the drone, he got up from his seat to prepare dinner.

“Master, let’s have ethnic food today,” he said.

“Ethnic?” Noemi tilted her head in confusion.

“It’s spicy,” Rudy replied.

“Are you intentionally making it spicy?”

“That’s right.”

Noemi frowned, still tilting her head. Normally, she only ate dishes seasoned with a little bit of salt. She couldn’t imagine what kind of dish spicy food was.

“If it’s too spicy, it won’t taste good,” she commented.

“That spiciness becomes addictive,” Rudy explained.

“Well, Rudy’s cooking is delicious anyway. Let’s give it a try.”

“Leave it to me,” Rudy replied.

Rudy entered the kitchen and started cooking, filling the air with the scent of spices. The aroma stimulated Noemi’s appetite, and her stomach growled.

“It smells appetizing,” she said.

“Good smell,” Rudy replied.

“By the way, Rudy,” Noemi began, resting her chin on her hand while observing Rudy. “You said you don’t want to stand out, right?”

“Yes?”

“In that case, I think it was a bad idea to build a house here.”

“Why?”

“This is a remote forest where people rarely come. Still, there are a few idiots who try to defeat monsters here a few times a year. If they see this house, it will stand out.”

“I see,” Rudy stopped cooking and thought for a moment before speaking.

“In that case, after we finish the spaceship survey, let’s move.”

“Move? But where to?”

“To your house,” he said.

“What?” Noemi’s face slipped from her hand, displaying her surprise.

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