NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11 - Episode 11: Bets, Rewards, and New Magic
Episode 11: Bets, Rewards, and New Magic
I didn’t remember boxing rules that well. The rules were kind of trial and error, but the betting was somewhat set. Currently, it’s just a simple bet on “who wins,” but apart from that, I set up bets with things like “which round they win in,” “they win with a right punch,” or “they counter with a cross.” I raised the odds for things that seemed impossible.
Many people get enthusiastic about betting, but if it goes well, there might not be a need to kill slaves anymore.
First is the cleaning of the gambling den… It’s filthy, with walls like stacked bricks, making it easy to use water magic, but it’s so dirty, I can’t understand why.
Covering my mouth, I thoroughly pressure-washed the floor and walls, but it’s a pretty large building, and it won’t be finished in a day. Still, it’s looking and smelling a lot better now.
“But why did you come up with such a bet?”
“W-Well, I thought it might be interesting to bet like placing money in various places… And also, I’m scared of people dying.”
The betting itself is going smoothly. I came up with the rules somewhat randomly, but it’s fair and square punching it out. With a beefy slave referee ready to club anyone who cheats, there’s hardly any foul play.
Using the coins lined up on the desk to count as betting stakes… Is that a bit unreasonable?
“A child’s imagination is incredible… Boxing has a good reputation, and it’s great to see the gambling den getting cleaner.”
“Thank you, I’m glad I could be of help, Boss!”
Boxing has been used for betting like this for a long time, and even in modern times overseas, there are such examples. Betting boxing matches held under the guise of sports in foreign prisons would be the epitome of this. Boxing, without other joint techniques or ground grappling, is easy to understand. It’s straightforward, one-on-one, using only fists… That’s why it’s always been distinct from other sports or martial arts. From a Japanese perspective, I feel like saying, “Don’t taint boxing,” but if it saves lives and you want to complain, study history first and then come here to say it. Of course, you won’t be able to.
“This is a reward, read it or copy it, whatever.”
“What’s this?”
“It’s a water magic book. I don’t know if you can use it, but you can read it before selling it.”
“T-Thank you!!”
A book with a belt on it, bound in heavy leather. The text here isn’t in Japanese, but somehow, I can understand most of it. I feel like the pre-memory Frim liked studying… Wait? Where did I study?
―――My head hurts a bit.
I feel like I’m forgetting something important, but what could it be? Oh well, let’s leave it at that. I untie the belt and start reading the book, and I’m truly happy. I’ve been using magic somewhat casually, but if I could learn more, I’d love to. It’s a mysterious technology not found in Japan, and I might not understand it at all, but if it helps me… There’s nothing more valuable, even though I still don’t know what’s written in it.
“Get over here, Frim!”
“Yeah, yeah! Give us something too!”
“Shut up! Come up with some earnings yourselves!!!”
And so, amidst increased workload, my enjoyment also increased.
—
The content of the book was too technical, and some of it was difficult to understand whether it was the names of great people or special words, but it was written in an easy-to-understand way based on water magic.
『Using the magical power within yourself is a beginner’s first step, but when you use that magical power, the spirit reads your image and materializes it. Depending on the spirit, you can do more than you imagine, but it is very dangerous because it takes away the magical power inside your body.』
『In order to control it, you can use magic techniques, catalysts, magic circles, etc., but in the end, the quickest way is to sharpen your senses. But of course there are exceptions. It is a contract with a high-ranking being such as a dragon, spirit, demon, etc., and they can wield the power of the land beyond the power within their own bodies.’』
The content of the book is sometimes too specialized or difficult to understand, with parts that are illegible and hypotheses added. Did someone study it before, or is it from the author who wrote this book? Since the small room given to me as my room only has a bed and a clothes hanger, I lie on the bed and read. It would be nice if it were a bit softer…
『Magic functions in a manner similar to that of nature, but it’s not limited to just that. Flames take shape, rocks explode, wind emits light… Researchers have proposed various theories, but the consensus is that while magic phenomena resemble natural occurrences, they are fundamentally different. Except for some dim-witted scholars, of course.』
『Magic can bring about various phenomena, but there are exceptions to it as well. The great sage Regefamus who mastered the earth element added the fire element to it, creating what is known as lava magic. While it initially seemed impossible for one element to sustain the other, it was likely due to the sage’s exceptional qualities that he could produce such phenomena. However, it’s worth considering that this sage acquired the fire magic after using the lava magic. His magic was already capable of altering the earth’s temperature before. Though the reason remains uncertain, studying this feat could significantly advance composite magic theory. In recent years, there has been a rise in elemental supremacy and intermarriage among noble families…』
―――It’s complicated and too thick for me to finish reading.
Despite its complexity, I can glean various things from it, so this book should prove useful for me. Although I don’t fully understand it, magic seems to be performed by spirits that pervade the world, and humans use their inner magic to wield it. Simple spells can be cast using only one’s internal magical energy, but their effects are limited. Each individual has their own attributes and qualities, but people who can strongly wield specific attributes are rare and often protected by their respective countries…
Well, if magic is about creating images, what could I do?
“Water, take shape.”
It formed into the shape of a ballpoint pen. Of course, it couldn’t write…
Water… when you think of water, what comes to mind? Water is H₂O, consisting of two hydrogens and one oxygen, and it’s found in many places on Earth, essential for most living organisms. You can turn on the tap and get it. It flows in rivers, reaches the sea, evaporates into clouds, and then falls as rain.
What do I need now? Maybe alkaline electrolyzed water for cleaning? I think acidic or alkaline water can be made with electricity or something like that. I vaguely remember seeing it on TV, but I don’t know much about it.
Lying on the somewhat hard bed, I ponder various things. I want to try it.
“Alkaline electrolyzed water, come out.”
Water gushes out, but I can’t tell the difference. If it was acidic water, it should have had a lemon-like acidity, and if it was alkaline electrolyzed water, it should have been quite strong, but… I can’t tell if it’s working.
What can be made from H₂O? I heard something about extracting gold from the sea…
“Gold, come out, even if it’s incredibly small.”
Nothing happened. I don’t feel like my magical energy has decreased either.
Today, I worked hard cleaning all day. I’m tired, and I’m about to fall asleep. Even if I think about science, which I’m not familiar with, with my tired brain, what could indicate a change better than the floor’s alkaline electrolyzed water (provisional)?
“Ozone (O₃), come out.”
I feel a slight decrease in magical energy, and a faint smell wafts through my nose.
Jumping out of bed, I quickly unlock the door and dash outside.
“Huff… huff…!?”
――― Something came out.