We're Open! - Chapter 1 of Welcome to Carbuncle Wizard's Shop!

An old man carrying a sword and a girl of about ten walked through the dark ruins, lit only by a lantern.

The old man had a noble air about him, dressed in elegant robes, smiling gently.

The girl, with brunette hair bouncing as she walked, looked up at him with a bright, joyful grin.

"Hey Grandpa! Where are we going today?"

The girl with the shining smile—Claudia—skipped alongside him, eyes full of curiosity.

The old man walking beside her was Fabrice Cancer. He returned her energy with a warm smile.

"I'm thinking we’ll check the inner chamber again today. I still feel like there’s something hidden there."

"Yes! --Towaa?!"

The girl started to run, but her feet tangled beneath her and she tumbled loudly down the hallway.

"Ouch..."

Fabrice chuckled gently.
"Are you okay, Claudia?"

"Yes, Grandfather... huh? Look! There’s something back there!"

Claudia, still on the floor, was staring at a drainage ditch dug into the wall of the passage.

She reached her slender arm deep into the narrow space.

"Yessss! I got it!"

She pulled out what looked like a pocket watch, caked with dust but ornate and clearly ancient.

Claudia stood and proudly held it out to Fabrice.
"Grandpa, what is this?"

Fabrice narrowed his eyes and examined it carefully.

"This is... quite remarkable. I’m surprised something this beautiful survived in such good condition.
It's an ancient relic. But it’s not functioning—it seems broken."

Claudia stared at the pocket watch, then smiled.

"Hey Grandpa, isn’t it true that the finder gets to keep it?"

Fabrice nodded with a small smile.
"That's right. So, Claudia—this pocket watch belongs to you now."

From what he could tell, it wasn’t dangerous—just broken.

"Really?! Yes!!"

Claudia beamed, hugging the watch tightly as she walked with Fabrice toward the inner chamber.

＊＊＊

In the town of Ewiger Wind, near the buried ruins, Claudia and Fabrice visited a magic tool shop tucked into a quiet corner.

Fabrice greeted the elderly shopkeeper.
"Aneth, we’re counting on you again today."

The shopkeeper—Aneth—nodded warmly.
"Of course. I've prepared your accommodations, as always, Fabrice."

After a warm, simple dinner, Claudia looked up eagerly.
"Aneth! I found a broken artifact, and I want to try fixing it!
Can you teach me how to repair it?"

Aneth looked a bit troubled.
"Fixing magic tools? I can teach the basics, but... this is an ancient relic, right? Those can't usually be repaired."

"That's okay! I just want to try. Please, teach me!"

Fabrice chuckled.
"Sorry, Aneth. Would you mind indulging her curiosity?"

Aneth smiled.
"Well then, I’ll teach you what I can."

Claudia and Aneth headed into the workshop.

＊＊＊

After learning the fundamentals of magic tool repair, Claudia began to carefully dismantle the pocket watch.

Aneth, watching from the side, was amazed by how quickly Claudia picked up the techniques. Her hands moved precisely, with thoughtful attention.

After a while, Aneth spoke up.
"Beyond this point, there are parts even I don’t understand.
It’s best not to take it apart any further."

Claudia nodded.
"I understand. But I want to look into it a little more. I’ll just borrow the workshop for a while longer."

"All right. I’ll be in the living room with Fabrice. Call me if you need anything."

Claudia nodded again, then turned back to the workbench. Her expression was serious now, eyes fixed on the complex magical circuits within the watch.

Aneth quietly left the workshop.

＊＊＊

Fabrice looked up as Aneth returned.
"Haha! Sorry for all the trouble my granddaughter causes."

Aneth shook her head.
"No trouble at all. Lady Claudia’s magical talent is truly impressive.
If she trains properly, she could become a master magic craftsman."

Fabrice smiled fondly.
"My son used to complain—said she only ever studied archaeology and magic instead of learning how to be a noblewoman.
But she’s the third daughter. Maybe it’s fine if she runs a magic tool shop instead of marrying into some noble house."

Aneth laughed.
"Such a sweet girl... not getting married? What a waste!"

The two old friends chuckled softly, watching Claudia work earnestly in the back room.

＊＊＊

Hmm... maybe the magic circuit in the core is disconnected.

Claudia carefully channeled magical energy into the structure.

If I reconnect the right path, it should work again...

There were three possible connection points—but choosing the wrong one could damage the core.

Well, it's broken anyway. Might as well try!

Trusting her instincts, Claudia used the engraving magic Aneth had just taught her to carve a new circuit.

As the new path connected, Claudia’s magic flowed into the core—

—A red light flared to life.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

"...Yay! It’s working!"

"Congratulations!"

Startled by the sudden voice, Claudia froze.

Floating in the air before her was a tiny, palm-sized girl with bright red hair.

She smiled brightly.
"Thanks for waking me up! In short—Good morning!"

Claudia blinked, stunned.
"...Who are you?"

"I’m Uzume! I’m the spirit that lives inside this Carbuncle!"

Claudia leapt to her feet and ran to the living room, flustered.
"Grandpa! Something crazy happened! I fixed it—but now there’s a girl inside!"

That night, the workshop of Aneth’s magic tool shop was buzzing with excitement.

This was the day Claudia met Uzume, the spirit of the Carbuncle.

And so, time moved on.

＊＊＊

Over dinner at Aneth’s house, conversation turned to the ruins.

I glanced at Uzume as she hovered through the air.
"If Uzume had her old memories, we could learn so much more."

Uzume pouted.
"Hey! Lost memories can’t be recovered! That’s just how I’m programmed—technical limitations!"

Aneth gave a tired sigh.
"Tonight might be the last time we have a talk like this."

I looked at her, startled.
"What do you mean—the last?"

Aneth replied sadly.
"I’m getting old. My eyesight is failing, and I can’t repair tools like I used to.
It’s hard for me to gather ingredients for potions.
I’ve decided to close the shop and go live with my son and his wife."

Fabrice nodded solemnly.
"I see. If that’s your decision, we’ll respect it."

No way... this place, full of memories, is just going to disappear?

I stood suddenly.
"Then—I’ll take over the shop!"

Aneth stared at me in shock.
"...Are you serious, Lady Claudia?
I’ve taught you the techniques and the knowledge, but doing this as a job... that’s a different story."

I nodded, full of resolve.
"I’m serious. I’m the third daughter. I won’t inherit the estate anyway, so running this shop won’t cause trouble for Father."

Aneth looked uncertainly at the old man.

Fabrice stroked his beard with amusement.
"Claudia is 14 now. It’s time for her to make her own choices.
Very well—I’ll purchase the store.
The rest is up to you, Claudia."

I smiled genuinely.
"Yes, Grandfather!"

And just like that, I inherited the magic tool shop of Ewiger Wind.