9. The Power of Magic is Great

To use a magic scroll, you have to hold it in your hand and recite the corresponding incantation. Incidentally, I had already committed the words to memory.

I mean, who wouldn't get excited about magic spells? I doubt anyone could blame me for wanting to memorize them for no reason—though actually, I did have a reason.

The incantations for scrolls are the same as those used for spells you’ve already mastered. That meant if I planned to learn magic eventually, I’d have to memorize them anyway. I couldn't exactly go around checking a spellbook every single time I needed to cast something.

Regardless, it was time to put it to the test.

Holding the Clean scroll in my hand, I began the chant. Target: myself. I triggered the magic while focusing intently on the bloodstains clinging to my clothes, visualizing them being wiped away.

A moment later, the scroll crumbled into ash. A faint light wrapped around my body to take its place.

The glow vanished in a heartbeat, taking the blood with it. My clothes were spotless again, and I felt as refreshed as if I’d just stepped out of the bath. This was incredible!

Seriously, Clean was amazing! With this magic, I’d never have to do laundry again!

Laundry in this world was a nightmare—no washing machines, just grueling hand-washing. Since clothes were too expensive to replace, I had to wash them constantly, which only wore the fabric out faster. But with this magic, I was finally free from those chores. I had to master this, no matter what.

Wait... come to think of it, I felt something strange the moment I used the scroll. It was like... like a circuit had clicked into place inside my head. Was that the feeling of actually learning the spell?

There was only one way to find out.

―――――

Name: Tort Race: Commoner Age: 12 Level: 2 [1up]

Vitality: 18/20 [5up] Mana: 15/17 [4up] Strength: 8 [2up] Stamina: 9 [2up] Agility: 15 [3up] Dexterity: 18 [4up] Magic Power: 16 [4up] Spirit: 13 [3up] Luck: 100

Divine Protection: 【Divine Protection of the Job God: Dungeon Explorer】

Skills: 【Destiny God's Smile】【Dagger Lv3】 [1up] 【Lockpicking Lv5】【Trap Disarming Lv5】【Sense of Direction Lv1】 【Light Magic Lv1】 [new]

Characteristics: 【Cooking Talent Lv1】【Great Luck】【Dexterous Fingertips Lv1】 【Magic Aptitude Lv2】

Magic: 〈Clean〉 [new]

―――――

I really learned it!

I wasn't sure if it was my high Luck or the [Magic Aptitude] trait, but I’d succeeded on the very first try.

What a relief. Spending five silver coins on a single scroll was a huge gamble. Dungeon diving didn't always pay well, and I’d been worried I’d have to go back to medicinal herb gathering just to make ends meet. This was a lucky break.

It looked like learning Clean had granted me the [Light Magic] skill as well. I guessed spells were categorized by attribute. If I tried to learn everything and anything, my progress would probably crawl. Maybe I should specialize in a few specific attributes?

I’d also leveled up. Goblins were supposed to be the weakest of the weak, but taking on three at once had still been a close call. At least the experience was worth it.

I had no idea if my growth rate was any good, since I had nothing to compare it to. It's not like I could go around staring at other adventurers through an Appraisal Loupe; apparently, checking someone's stats without permission is a serious breach of etiquette. A high-level Appraisal Skill might let you peek covertly, but a loupe is much more obvious.

The only stat that hadn't budged was Luck. I doubted it was already at its cap, so maybe it just doesn't increase through leveling? If that’s true, then my starting Luck really is among the highest in human history.

Stats checked, I resumed my exploration in high spirits. Even though the corridors all looked the same, I had an instinctive sense of where the entrance was. That had to be [Sense of Direction] at work. It’s a perfect skill for a dungeon, though I shouldn't rely on it blindly.

I really should be mapping this place out properly. It might be overkill for this floor, but I need the practice.

Supposedly, there are no traps on this floor, so I could relax for now. But on deeper levels, I’d have to spot them by lantern light. That sounded incredibly difficult. I had [Trap Disarming], but that was useless if I didn't see the trap in the first place.

Is there a "Trap Detection" skill? If so, surely a Dungeon Explorer should be able to get it. I’ll have to look through the Guild Lectures more carefully when I get back.

The exploration was going smoothly, though treasure chests remained elusive. I took down another four Goblins and three Giant Rats along the way.

The Giant Rats seemed like ordinary animals, but they still followed dungeon rules—vanishing when killed and leaving behind drop items. In this case, Rat Meat. My appraisal said it was edible, but I had my doubts about the taste.

If I sold the magic stones from the seven Goblins, I’d at least have enough for the inn tonight. I was still in the red if I counted the cost of the Clean scroll, but for a first dive, it wasn't bad. Too bad about the lack of treasure, but I’d find some eventually if I kept at it.

Well, no sense in pushing my luck. Time to call it a day.

Or so I thought.

I was making my way back to the entrance when the sound of voices raised in a heated argument reached my ears.