The weather was being nice today. The sun reported to his work without any obstruction.
It was a very hot day for exercise. I paid extra for the water mages' mana potions for increased hydration requirements. No, if the heat was too much for them, they could rest. They could even commission the mages for a 'shower'.
The Princess sure is a lively kid. I always thought such an activity of continuous digging would be boring. That was why I included "even just a moment" as I invited Her Grace.
Moments of having fun later, she approached me. "So the incident with Selene is really real, right?"
"Yes." I subconsciously bowed. "I'm honored that the Princess is concerned about my friend. While I can't be sure of her being fully recovered, she has no issue with using simpler magic."
"Even with things as they are, the kingdom will have a very high expectation from all candidates of MIRAcle Institute."
"Excuse me? All candidates?" I thought. So I can assume you all already did the research?
"Your heroic discovery placed the institute's importance at a world level. Our warriors are not just humans trying to gain land from other kingdoms or species you know?"
Hmm? Not just in between humans and other species?
So, there are other worldly aliens? Well, I already knew of alternate world existence since I knew about Earth.
"Father Alexander is receiving letters trying to confirm your deed. There may be more than just nine more people for you to teach"
"Princess, I have a humble request. I'd like to have total access to all data collected by the AA Library for free. Perhaps with the exception of the royal lineage."
"We have a winner here! Let's see, this CLEARLY is water! Kei isn't lying to us when he organized this!"
Hello, guild master? You are saying a such thing to someone who paid you all? But yeah, I hadn't actually found a well around here even living for six straight years.
The winner team had a nice shower inside before being pulled up by the team along with the victory cheers. The remaining 29 teams started to dig with renewed motivation.
It seemed like everyone thought I was trying to start a scam here! The reward, everything was thought to be fake. But the money I spent was real.
Having such a discovery sent birds flying to the King again. Now, in the Alexander Kingdom, being a water mage is a STRATEGIC asset. I just hoped that people here at least recognized the taste of plain water and not to just consume those 'tasty' underground water…
"We have a SECOND WINNER HERE! Let's take a look…. Erm… does this count? Kei, the organizer shall decide."
I took a look. It was water mixed with mud and stuff. Still, water is water. Not gonna lie on that.
"AND A YES IS GIVEN! DIRTY WATER IS STILL WATER!
Looking back at the rules, Kei didn't announce just water. The quality is NOT INCLUDED! JUST LIKE THE MANPOWER AND TOOLS!"
In the presence of Her Grace, with clear evidence, that water acquired via this way could be both clean and dirty. Needless to say. It could be toxic. Everyone steps on the ground, some even release waste directly in the wild.
"Your Highness. Please be aware that not all water that looks clear is clean water. While this was an effective method for water source. These findings are still mainly for other purposes than drinking."
What Kei didn't know was, he underestimated the world's capability. In this sense. What can a water mage do.
"Our mages can already make clean water with mana. Logically thinking, they can feel if the water is safe to drink just by touching them.
That aside, I sure didn't see you making a mistake coming."
Fine.
"By how far can they do it on a dirty water?"
"They can get the dirt out to the level they think it is potable."
That is not the answer I wished for.
I quietly requested 500ml of reverse osmosis water into my already empty bottle and handed it to the Princess.
"Your Highness, give this to a water mage you trust. From now on, this is the quality of water that your mage should minimally strive for."
A water mage passed by and overheard our conversation, she stated that it is doable. But logically unnecessary for the effort, of course I knew. But I had use. Since you're good enough to say this is simply okay. I had another task for you.
I quietly asked for another 1g of common salt in my world.
"If you are able to exclusively separate this through underground water or dissolving some rock or whatever. You deserve a gold coin from me."
It may have been unnecessary, but it shows my determination.
"You can even start now, with so many different water found below already. An extra gold if you can find it today."
Two gold, she can retire already if she lives alone.
Tempted, she ran towards the fields.
"Her highness. If I may add. Our upcoming institution will not only want people with the heal ability. We will want some trained water mages capable of delivering water of this level and is able to separate this powder from water.
I will definitely need water this clean and I also separately need this powder.
Secondly, I will need at least one fire mage capable of minimally boiling oil; it is not a high standard, but I need a mage.
Thirdly, I need many small blades of this full one piece metal. The sharpness… I handed her guard a dagger. Try to very, very, very lightly scratch a skin surface with this. You will be amazed."
The guard was certainly caught in surprise for having me, someone who possessed a sharp weapon, into close range with Her Highness. She is certainly lucky that I harbour no ill intent.
With all these, dungeon crawling has a new issue to tackle. With so many new uses for water mages, which one will want to even risk their lives entering one? Now, they have a water supply issue.
But having a water mage with selection ability gave him more options.
For example: Getting that ethanol out from ale is a possibility.