Rising Of The Shield Hero Web Novel ver

Learning Magic

For some reason, the accessory merchant joined our peddling. I'm not complaining since there is payment, but I don't know what this fellow is up to.

The accessory merchant started teaching me various things after he found out about my Hero status during the bandit fiasco, which he seemed to have enjoyed.

Apparently accessory merchant wants to refine my talents...

While the accessory merchant on the surface is someone who is gentle and teaches apprentices kindly. He actually holds considerable influence within the merchant guild. Apparently, the thieves around this area are notorious. It seems that they were tipped off by associates within the merchant guild.

The first thing he taught me was where to mine for the gemstones needed to create jewellery. Next is processing precious metals into accessories. I am currently capable of making various designs. Because I am somewhat of a picture otaku, my creations were quite nice.

The tools needed to work are also cheap. In this world, there are magic tools that were powered by magic stones, similar to how fuel works. There are several points that seem similar to the burning and grinding process of metalworking in my world.
Tsl note: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalworking

To process any hard iron, I would need to go to the ironworks and work with a metal mould. Having crafting skills really help out with preventing any mistakes that might have been made. Although the Shield is reacting, I can't just let it absorb my work because it's expensive.

Back to the main issue, I wanted to start working on enchantment magic.

As expected, I need to be able to use magic. I groaned while holding the magic book in one hand and the accessory merchant is curious.

Accessory Merchant: "Is Hero-sama unable to use magic?"
Naofumi: "Yeah, even though my slave can already use magic"
Accessory Merchant: "Ah I see… "

The accessory merchant took out some small transparent fragment and handed it to me.

Naofumi: "What is that?"
Accessory Merchant: "It's a piece of an extremely rare ore. It’s quite expensive."
Naofumi: "Wow..."
Accessory Merchant: "Can you read the letters?"
Naofumi: "Yeah... Only the simple ones though."

I've been seriously tackling the letters of this world for about a month. I can't read any of the more difficult words, but I can understand the simple ones.

Accessory Merchant: "It's enough for you to be able to feel magic first, learning how to use magic will come after."

Hmm... What you said just now is quite difficult.
I play with the fragment while thinking.

The fragment begins to shine.
What can I say... This feels like I just found another hand within myself that I had no idea about.

Until now, I had no idea of the existence of such an “organ”, but it doesn't feel out of place. Seems quite similar to how even when a bird doesn't know how to fly, it still know how to flap its wings

Naofumi: "What a strange feeling."
Accessory Merchant: "I grew up knowing the magical power was there. However, you had no idea of its existence until recently, but you seemed to have succeeded"
Naofumi: "Is that so…?"

I am now conscious of another “arm” called magic power.

I open to the part of the magic book which I have already deciphered. The letter begins to shine. This is a magic engraved by me and only usable by me.

Naofumi:“As the Shield Hero,source of thy power, I order thee. Decipher the laws of nature and protect my target!”
Naofumi: "First Guard!"

A target mark appears in my view. I selected myself as a test.
A light shines over me. Then I check my status and it seems to have risen.