Another world, Celeste

Chapter Four

"Plants with magical properties are rare and can only grow naturally. You can't just use it for recreational purposes." Lord Sol lecture sternly while I keep my head down.

I glance over at Auntie El casually sipping tea Maya prepares for her. Afterwards, I'm banned from anything related to hair dye, plants and flowers. If my mana is the cause then maybe I could use magic instead. While tinkering with concealment magic as it could alter one's status and hide my presence, why not alter the colour of my hair? I try looking for a magic spell or item with that kind of effect from Lord Sol's books. It's useless. Most of the contents are about defensive, offensive and protective magic. Life magic is deemed unimportant to be recorded. I puff my cheeks in frustration.

While Maya is busily talking to the merchant and placing her orders, I look around and notice a small stall displaying feather quill pens with intricate design on the nibs. I walk closer to the stall and take a better look at them. A voice exclaim in surprise. I look up to see a young girl with reddish-brown hair who looks to be about fifteen years old, tending to the stall.  She fidgets while murmuring something I can't make out.

"Iris," Maya calls out to me.

I call her over to where I am. 

"Didn't you say you need a new stationery, Maya?"

The young girl eyes turn wide in surprise when I mention Maya's name then lower her eyes to the ground.

Maya picks one up and compliment the design. "These quill pens are beautiful. How much is this?"

Maya direct the question to the young girl. She picks up a writing apparatus and scribble a number on it. It's the price for the quill pen.

"Oh, you're a gnome. Forgive me, it has been long since I've gone outside the village. I wasn't considerate to notice." Maya says to the nervous-looking girl.

The young girl whom Maya says is a gnome shakes her hand furiously, motioning it's all right while muttering two words.

"Nom nom."

I tilt my head in confusion. "Maya-"

A slender older looking man around the same height as the young girl reappears from the back of the stall. She repeats the same two words to him and he responds to her in the same manner. When he looks at us standing there as customers, it seems he recognises Maya.

"Nom nom."

"He's saying it's a great pleasure that you are admiring their work." I translate for Maya.

The three stare at me in astonishment. Yes, yes. I understand what the pair is saying. Maya quickly recovers and proceed to choose a design that she likes.

"Iris, you should choose one too. It will be a gift from me for helping with the potions."