Farmer Mage

Cal resisted the urge to spread out mana tendrils and test [Mana Sense] in the large city. He lost count on the number of times he stopped himself, even though it was a great idea.

There was too large of a chance to get lost in what he might discover, and if not that, time would fly by as he trained the spell. This trip wasn’t time to lose track of… well, time.

He shifted slightly to avoid a harried mother running after her daughter before coming to a stop. The theater in Lumina didn’t interest most guild members, and he certainly hadn’t been an exception.

Cal never bothered paying attention to it the few times he had been to Lumina in his past life, and even if he had, it wouldn’t have stood out. It perfectly matched the city’s administrative buildings around it, meaning it had a bland, forgettable design that was built for efficiency instead of flash.

The only thing that separated it from the rest was the uniformed attendant beside a velvet rope that barred entry into the theater.

The show inside must be in progress.

Cal eyed the rope as he approached. He couldn’t help but reach out with a mana tendril see what type of protections were hidden within such a simple looking object.

His steps faltered.

… It’s just a rope. There’s nothing special about it.

There was nothing stopping people from rushing in other than the attendant, who was a mortal. It took him a moment to realize such security wasn’t needed for a simple theater.

“The next show starts soon. If you want the exact timing, you can get them from the booths over there.” The attendant was polite, but it was of the practiced sort. The line must have been said numerous times in the past.

Cal’s eyes were attracted to the ticket booths on the side and shook his head. “I won’t be needing that. Do you mind if I wait here for the show to end?”

The attendant looked confused, but nodded all the same. “I don’t mind at all, Apprentice. This show should end in a couple minutes. Are you waiting for someone?”

“Yes, a friend of mine is inside.” Cal had nothing better to do than commit to the small talk.

“Your friend is lucky. I’ve been trying to get tickets to the show for weeks, but the chance that I get my hands on some are close to zero.”

Cal glanced at the attendant curiously. He had thought this was subtle way of asking for help, but the attendant only had an expression of regret no expectation whatsoever.

“You’re selling me on the show and I don’t even know what it is yet,” Cal said, chuckling at the unintended marketing.

“You have to see it! I heard the troupe came from a territory from the other side of the world. Their mages use illusions that make you feel like you are part of the play.”

Cal listened to the attendant excited ranting and wondered if the man had a hidden desire to be a part of the troupe himself. However, he was curious about the illusions that were using the show. It was a branch of magic that he didn’t have much of an interest in due to the complexity, but that didn’t mean he had no interest in observing it.

Still, voluntarily submitting himself to fall under a spell’s effect was not something he would be rushing to do anytime soon.

Perhaps Nibbles could act as a safety alert if I decide to watch the show.

Cal heard the doors of the theater open and saw a crowd walking out with flushed faces. They were chattering excitedly about what they just seen, and more importantly, he saw Fintan in the middle waving his arms expressively as he spoke to the woman beside him.

“If I get my hands of extra tickets, I’ll look for you,” Cal said, almost as an afterthought as he walked away from the attendant. He was already too far away when he realized that he had never learned the man’s name.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I can find him from his unique mana signature.

“Fintan!” Cal called out, startling the oft-missing acquaintance.

Fintan paused mid-word and looked around like a startled cat. If Cal thought Fintan had the ability to slack off whenever he liked without fear, this would have convinced him otherwise. ℟𝖆𝐍Ộ𝐛Ɛṡ

“Farming Apprentice Cal?” Fintan, for some reason, looked even more terrified.

Cal chuckled at the unique way he was addressed. If it was from anyone else, it would be an insult with the prefix ‘farming’ added. However, it was too easy to see through Fintan’s intentions and there was no malice behind it.

“I am here to oversee the suitability of a foreign show,” Fintan blurted out, almost sounding robotic.

Cal glanced at the girl beside Fintan and saw her staring wide-eyed at him. He was curious about the reaction, but it was more important to act like Oleg would in this situation.

“Farming Apprentice? We’ve known each for too long for you to be formal, Fintan.” Cal received a blank look. He smiled and glanced at the girl. “So, who’s the lucky lady you took out of a date?”

That snapped Fintan out of his state of confusion. “This is Sora! I’ve known her since we were kids—”

Uh, oops. Did I read the situation wrong?

“—We’re more childhood friends than anything else.”

Cal stared at Fintan’s earnest expression and then at the girl radiating displeasure. He suddenly felt that his passivity with Tavia was forgiven. He had never actively sabotaged himself like Fintan was currently doing.

“I see,” Cal said seriously. “Sora, do you mind if I cut your… not-date short? I need Fintan’s help with something urgent.”

Sora’s eyes bounced between the two men curiously before she said, “Of course.”

Cal waited for Fintan to say his farewells, and spoke when Sora joined the slowly thinning crowd leaving the theater. “You realize that Sora is interested in you. As in, more than just a friend.”

Fintan blinked in reply and silently pointed at himself in shock.

Why am I even bothering to do this?

“Yes, you,” Cal confirmed. He figured he was in a mood to matchmake after getting together with Tavia. Plus, Fintan being grateful wasn’t a bad thing either.

Sora was no Tavia when their appearances were compared, she was still an attractive woman. One that was used to wealth with the way she carried herself, similar to Fintan.

He gave Fintan a closer look to see what could have made her choose him, but it was admittedly hard to understand.

Maybe it’s from their long friendship. Fintan is acceptable, in a naïve, foolish way.

“I should go after her,” Fintan immediately turned to run in Sora’s direction, but Cal kept him in place with a strong grip on his shirt.

“There’s no rush. She looked surprised you knew me. Let’s use that to help you. I needed your help anyway, so it won’t even be an act.”

“You need my help? How?”

“I’m looking for interesting crop seeds for my farm. And I need a place to sell my harvest, a place that can handle large batches without issue.”

Fintan pointed at himself again. “And you think I can help?”

Cal’s lips twitched at the response. A few negative thoughts about having Fintan as a partner started to creep into his mind, but it was quickly erased by how much easier his life would be if the Gane family could help him.

“I’m sure you have the right connections to at least point me in the right direction.”

Fintan stopped reacting with dumbfounded expression and finally give his request some real thought. After several seconds of silence, it seemed like an idea appeared.

“I don’t deal with farming directly, but I know some purchasing managers that work for my cousin. I’ll get in touch with him and see if they’ll be of any help. Is there anything specific you want me to ask?”

Cal didn’t hide his pleased smile. As for being specific, he didn’t even know what type of crops existed to pick from other than the ones Drex mentioned. “Just that I want someone to show me the correct way to plant any crop seed I buy. Other than that, no, I don’t have exact requirements.”

“Meet me at the office in a month. I should have news for you by then.”

Cal narrowed his eyes, smile dropping as fast as it appeared. “Your cousin is that busy? How can I speed this up?”

“You can’t. It’s not my cousin that would cause the delay, but the managers. They’re never in the city, and when they are, it’s for a couple days before they have to leave for other territories.”

He almost felt guilty at how quickly his mind jumped to blaming Fintan being lazy as the main reason for the time needed. In his defense, constantly skipping work did not give a good impression on efficiency.

“Right,” Cal cleared his throat. “That makes sense. And you say that you wouldn’t be of much help. You must have been interested in farming in the past.”

Fintan’s face scrunched up in displeasure. “Please, never say that again. I was forced to learn the basics of business, and a few months of that was spent in some backwater farm.”

Cal looked Fintan up and down before reevaluating him. It seemed like under the perpetually work-averse surface, there was a person that could achieve things if forced. Maybe.

“You won’t hear it again. So, do you need my help with Sora? I can praise you for the help you’re giving me.”

“Why would that help? She doesn’t really care about farming at all.”

Cal was thrown off for a moment.

It might work against him if I did that, I guess. Sora liked Fintan without him showing off about being close to a young Apprentice.

“You’re right,” Cal agreed. “Go after her, and if it doesn’t work out, it won’t hurt to try my idea.”

Fintan barely gave him a nod before running away, as if Sora would be taken in the few minutes it took to speak to him.