Vincent returned from the clothing workshop and went straight to his room.
He looked at himself in the mirror and nodded: he was trying on the academy uniform he would wear for the next few years.
It was a mostly red and white blazer over a white dress shirt, brown trousers, and black shoes. Everything was high-quality and quite expensive, almost a month's worth of his monthly allowance.
Vincent took off the uniform and set it aside.
"It's not bad at all, it's better than the clothes I wear now," he said as he sank into his comfortable, cushioned chair.
Vincent closed his eyes and rested; it had been a while since he'd gone out, and he wasn't used to it anymore.
"I should go out more," he muttered, but he wasn't really someone who went out much.
Since there was technology, he just stayed in his game room and stayed there until late.
Although he didn't neglect his daily training, it wasn't like he pushed himself too hard either. That's why he hadn't gained weight, but he hadn't gained much muscle either.
The maid entered carrying a tray with a cup of coffee. Vincent took it lightly and began to drink it. His maid stood beside him, and Vincent, as if remembering something, said,
"Bring me the gems I asked you to buy."
"Understood," she replied, curtsying and leaving the room, returning shortly after with a small, decorated wooden case.
Vincent took it and examined it: there were various gems, arranged from highest to lowest value, right to left; those on the left were the least valuable, and those on the right, the most valuable.
Vincent examined each one: there were amethysts and sapphires.
"Aren't there any emeralds or diamonds?" he asked.
"They are very valuable gems, and I couldn't buy them even at the auction," she explained.
Vincent nodded understandingly; he had hoped she could buy them, but it wasn't something he expected too much.
"This will do. You may go."
"Yes, Master. If you need anything, you can call me," she said, giving a slight bow before withdrawing.
Vincent stood up and walked to his desk, sat down, and placed the gems to one side.
He picked up the least valuable gem, an amethyst, and placed it in front of him.
He extended both hands. "Reading," he murmured.
As he spoke those words, a book suddenly appeared in his hand.
It was a thick, pure white tome with a black pattern on the cover.
The tome opened abruptly, and the pages began to turn before stopping on one.
The page displayed a crude drawing of a gem similar to the one Vincent held before him. The gem's characteristics, including how it was made and a brief description, were written on the page.
Vincent extended his hand and murmured,
"Writing." A fountain pen appeared in his free hand.
Vincent began to write in the book with ease. He finished immediately, and when he stopped writing, the pages he had written glowed faintly before disappearing.
He frowned and continued writing; this process repeated itself until all the words remained.
Then, immediately, his vision blurred.
His eyes flickered and, at the same time, rolled.
Vincent sat in the chair as if accustomed to it, remaining motionless while the symptoms continued.
This wasn't unusual, but rather a fairly common symptom of "mana depletion."
A physiological phenomenon similar to "exhaustion" that occurs when one's magic is completely depleted.
Vincent reclined in his chair, resting as the effects of mana depletion gradually subsided.
When he was no longer completely dizzy, he opened his eyes and picked up the amethyst gem.
He took his staff and placed the gem in the center of his room.
He pointed the staff at it and cast:
"Magic Missile," he murmured, and the gem at the tip glowed; then a bluish projectile shot from his staff.
The magic projectile traveled toward the gem, but a magical barrier immediately stopped it, dispersing the spell.
Vincent nodded in satisfaction, picked up the gem, and returned it. He examined it: it had sustained some damage, but not too much.
"Restore," he cast, and the cracks in the gem were instantly sealed.
Vincent nodded and lay back; he had expended a great deal of magical power on those experiments and could barely move now.
He sighed wearily; now that he had to go to the academy, all his plans for the future would have to be postponed for a few years. Although some of them could be accelerated within the academy, considering the people who would be attending, it was best to put them aside for now.
He hadn't originally planned to go to the academy or anything like that. He expected to come of age and become independent right away. He had a plan to earn a modest amount of money and live the rest of his life with his maid without any other thoughts.
Marriage seemed like a nuisance, so he hadn't considered that option; he wasn't even thinking about having children or anything like that.
But now that he had to go to the academy, he would have to return to the dull and tedious life of a student.
"I'll have to go to that place tomorrow… there's not much time left before I start at the academy," he murmured slowly.
His maid entered and, seeing him lying down, approached.
"Are you alright?" she asked as she sat on the edge of the bed and placed her hand on Vincent's forehead.
He nodded and said,
"I'm fine, just a little tired."
"You don't need to exert yourself too much, Master," she replied immediately.
Vincent shook his head.
"It's not too difficult, don't worry."
"Master, but…"
"We'll go to that place tomorrow. Prepare everything."
"Very well, Master," she replied immediately.
"I want to rest. Tidy everything up and take the gems back to the storeroom. Keep the amethyst; I enchanted it with protective magic."
"Master, that's…"
"Don't say anything, just take it with you, put it in a pretty brooch, and wear it always."
"...Very well, Master," she said immediately as she gathered his things, quickly tidied everything else up, and left.
"Have a good night, Master."
"Likewise."
She closed the door, leaving Vincent alone in the room.