I am the travelling alchemist Mei.

    Acquiring the all-purpose map without a hitch, I found myself on the streets while aiming for the next town.

    [Fufufu-. As long as I have this map I will never be lost, and by changing the mode I can see the position of the demon beasts. Isn''t it fun-]

    Collecting material while singing my self-composed song on the way to the highway. The weather is clear too, this is the perfect day for a journey.

    ...By the way. Speaking of journeying, I finally have a goal.

    That is to 「Broaden the renown of alchemy in this world」

    The alchemy that I know and love is considered minor in this world. Due to that, when compared to magic, it''s often treated as inferior.

    I do think magus being powerful in a fantasy world is a common trope and I also understand the admiration for it. However, not once have I thought that alchemy is inferior to magic.

    That''s why, by using this cheat items that I was fortunate enough to be bestowed to their maximum potential, I will spread the wonders of alchemy wherever I go.

    ? ? ?

    ...Oh, seems like it''s getting cloudy?

    Embracing that ambition of my mine while strolling, I felt the cold wind and looked at the sky. Without realizing, the sky is turning dark and it seems like it will rain anytime soon.

    [That''s weird. It was clear only a moment ago]

    I tilted my head while opening the all-purpose map, wondering if it has the capability of weather forecasting. Yes, much like cloud radar.

    While thinking that I started tinkering with the map and it did change its mode. Hmmm. This dark bluish part must be displaying where the rain will fall

    [Geh]

    ...It seems like the rain cloud is approaching at a high speed from the north. This looks bad.

    The wind felt colder and colder over time, I desperately searched for a shelter. Along the highway there are tree and plant growing at a certain interval but, they are all thin and doesn''t seem dependable.

    Eventually, the rain started falling and not along after it I could hear thunders and it became a heavy rain.

    [This is bad--!]

    While getting drenched from walking in the rain, I covered my head with my two hands in a futile attempt to protect myself.

    It''s a little too late to realize this, even if I can predict the rain, it''s useless if I don''t have the means against it.

    [...That''s right. This is the perfect time for the map!]

    I retrieved the map I kept earlier from the bag. It is not wet at all despite the rain but I am not going to question the logic.

    [Please let me find a shelter!]

    Forcefully unwrapping the map, I zoomed it out with all my might to search for the shelter. There it is. Just one place.

    The distance is about 500 meter. Run, me!

    ? ? ?

    In the midst of the downpour, I entered the hut I found by chance. Ahh, I am drenched. It got me real good.

    [...Who are you, big sister?]

    [Eh?]

    Closing the door, I started squeezing the sleeve of my clothes to dry it which was when I heard a voice from behind. As I turned around, there stood a girl with a worried expression. Is this a residence?

    [Ara, do we have a guest?]

    Explaining I am not a suspicious individual, which was then from within the hut came the voice of a woman.

    [S-Sorry. I thought for sure that this was an uninhabited house...]

    As I was apologizing, the woman corrected her posture. The lady who just entered the scene was clearly unhealthy and pale. I wonder if she is ill.

    [It''s such a heavy rain. Which should help each other when we are troubled. Please stay here until the rain have passed]

    [Thank you] as I said that, the lady started coughing. The girl rushed to her side, and supported her to the bed.

    [...Mother is sick]

    A short moment the girl returned. Her name is Mary, and she told me about the situation.

    Continuing, [As we are poor, we cannot afford in live in town] was what she said.

    I thought it was strange that there were small houses along the highway but to think this was the reason. The tax of that town seems high too.

    [Well then, I will borrow your place for a bit]

    Informing the residents, I took out the cauldron and recipe book while drying my clothes. Don''t get the wrong idea for I am still clothed. I prepared spares just in case, even tho it''s a little wet.

    What I started working on was a raincoat and umbrella. Thinking about preparation for the future, I decided to get to work as the rain continues.

    Following the recipe book, I started with the waterproof cloth. It is made by preparing powder made via crushing glass and cloth, it seems like a thin layer will be formed to repel water. Glass is procured through the potion container and as such I didn''t have much difficulty getting materials.

    I mixed the completed waterproof cloth with bamboowood I got from Meno''s forest......which is a plant that I can only identify as nothing but a bamboo. In no minute, the umbrella is completed.

    Next, I mixed the waterproof cloth with oil in the cauldron, and similarly the raincoat was swiftly crafted. All right, I shouldn''t have to worry with all this protection.

    [Amazing. Big sister, are you a magus?]

    Mary who has been watching my alchemy from God knows when asked me that with sparkling eyes.

    [Fufufu, this is alchemy] was what I exclaimed proudly. However, Mary tilted her head and answered [Alchem......?]. Yea yea, I get it. Alchemist is just some insignificant profession.

    ...Doing this and that, it was then I heard the chirping through the thin wall. It seems like the rain have stopped.

    The anti-rain equipment that I painstakingly made doesn''t have the chance to shine but that too is fine. Keeping the completed product along with the tools, I placed a few bottles of potion on the desk as compensation.

    [Wah, potion. Big sister, are you a merchant?]

    [Like I said, I am an alchemist]

    I tried to enforce my will again, but it seems like she doesn''t understand.

    [This is a gift for allowing me to take shelter. You can let your mother drink or sell it at town for money. How you use it is up to you]

    Money is important but, an alchemist who will return favor to the best of her ability. That is who I am.

    [Well then, I shall be leaving now. Thank you for allowing me to take shelter from the rain]

    Expressing my gratitude too to the mother who was lying inside, I placed my hands on the door handle. At that moment, the door was opened from outside with momentum.