A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World

“Can you do it, system?” Mag asked, looking at Amy’s expectant face.

The system thought a moment. “I’m afraid I can’t,” it said apologetically.

Mag was surprised. “That’s a first. Don’t worry. I’ll pay you.”

“Magic is not science. Magic wands serve as a conduit for channeling the power outwards. I don’t possess enough knowledge about magic to make a magic wand.”

“I’ll pay you a lot,” said Mag.

“I can make one for you, but it’s unusable without a touch of magic from a magic caster—preferably one who can use the same kind of magic as your daughter.”

A smile touched Mag’s lips. “I almost forgot her two masters. I’ll ask them to make one for her then. They’ll be happy to help, I think.”

Mag nodded with a smile. “We can ask Master Krassu to make one for you.” Then he turned to face Guy. “How much can one of them fetch, Guy?”

“20 gold coins, but they could at least fetch 60 gold coins if you sold them together.”

Its bronze skin was also worth a lot—it could be made into boiled leather; its meat was at least 20 copper coins a pound.

Only, its skin and meat had been ruined.

Most restaurants didn’t accept game killed by magic—they didn’t trust it to be edible.

Mag nodded. “I see.” It’s really not easy to make money out here. These tusks from such a dangerous beast are only worth as much as 30 roujiamos. He walked over to the boar and twisted the tusks off—the meat had been cooked, so it was easy.

They were still a little hot, smooth and white; each one weighed about 4.5 kilograms.

“Give them to me, Father!” Amy held out her hands, excitement shining in her eyes.

Mag put one on the ground, and had Amy hold it. “One is enough to make a magic wand.”

“But we have two,” she said.

“Please take this, Guy,” Mag said. “It’s too heavy for us.” He wanted to thank him for coming to their rescue, and he was telling the truth—he couldn’t carry a fire chicken and two tusks as well as Amy.

If Amy hadn’t killed that boar, Guy might have saved their lives. It was rare to meet such an altruistic stranger.

Guy was surprised. He waved his hand with a smile. “Thank you, but I didn’t do anything to help.”

“I insist. Please take it,” said Mag. “I own a restaurant in the west corner of the Aden Square; please come when you have time.”

“All right, then. Thank you. My granddaughter also wants a magic wand.” Guy took the tusk and fumbled out a thumb-sized purple ball from his bag. “This is one of the eyeballs of a purple-striped hawk,” he said, handing it to Amy. “It’s a 2nd-tier magical beast; it’s said it can spot a prey from 30 miles away. One for my granddaughter as her birthday present, and the other for you.”

Amy held it up before her eyes. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Tiger,” she said happily.

Guy laughed and tucked the tusk into his belt. “It’s not safe here,” he said to Mag. “Many beasts have been agitated by adventurers. They may run here for safety.”

Mag nodded. “Yes. We’ll leave soon enough.”

“Bye, little girl,” Guy said, waving at Amy.

Amy waved back. “Bye, Mr. Tiger.” Then Guy left; his hunt had just begun.

Amy was still looking at that eyeball. “Father, a bird far away is preening itself on a tree!” she exclaimed delightedly.

Mag marveled at her words.

Amy handed the eyeball to Mag. “Look through this.”

Mag held it before his eye. Through the purple eyeball, he saw a seven-spot ladybird rolling on a leaf. He could even see the spots clearly. Then, he put it down and asked the system, “How far can I see with this?”

“10 miles. But its focus is not adjustable, so you can only see things at 10 miles away.”

“Seems it’s not that useful.”

“Maybe magic could make it into a proper monocular.”

“Can you put this eyeball on my magic wand, Father?” Amy asked Mag, expectant.