Chapter 1007 - Now Training...
At dusk.
In the middle of a perfectly flat plain that stretched as far as the eye can see. A plain so devoid of features like bushes or rocks that its ultimate lack of character had become its defining characteristic.
A single small light flickered, scattering sparks.
"............Whoooa...──Sorry, Lu-chan, I honestly underestimated you a little."
"Hmph, hmph, hmph!!! Cooking is an essential skill for a traveler, you know!!!!!"
And before it, two shadows stood side-by-side.
The air was filled with a fragrance that stimulated one's virtual appetite. The main source was a large pot emitting steam, but besides that, several other 'dishes' were already arranged on an improvised table nearby.
There was a pot of chicken meatballs stewed with herbs, steamed chicken that had been wrapped in large leaves and buried directly under the bonfire, and a stir-fry of wild vegetables accented with thinly sliced chicken skin────
"It'd be great if you could overlook the fact that it's all chicken!"
"It looks delicious, so it's totally fine. No one's going to complain. You're amazing, I'm in awe."
Every single dish was handmade by Lux, the [Traveler] herself.
After finding 'a place with a good view, wide open space, and where the monsters could rampage to their hearts' content', she had casually prepared all this using ingredients gathered along the way.
"Hmph-hmph!"
And again, it was truly handmade (....).
In other words, it was a real skill, not one from the game. The tools, including the pot and dishes, were borrowed from her [Reminiel Traveler (Travel Journal of the Treasure Guide)]────an Anima that could create limited copies of others' Anima. But there was no doubt that her own skill had wielded them.
Nia, who was currently in training, could understand that much.
Honestly, she was a little jealous. But this time, she couldn't offer any retorts or wry smiles to her friend, who was puffing out her chest with her usual overflowing confidence. All she could offer was applause.
"Ya know... honestly, when I heard that you were gonna tag along with Sora-chan, Lu-chan, I was kinda like, 'Huh? Is that, like, okay in various ways?' or maybe I wasn't, but..."
"Huh?"
"You coming along was definitely the right call. You're just so useful in so many ways, Lu-chan. Good girl."
"Of course I am! I'm a good girl!!!"
As always, as ever. The fresh-green girl, who seemed to speak without a single thought in her head, her normal state being an explosion of pure energy, puffed out her chest proudly once again.
Others might find it more or less off-putting, but from a friend's perspective... well, even then, there were rare moments she couldn't help but flinch with a 'Whoa...', but her single-minded energy was undoubtedly a positive and endearing trait.
They considered each other friends. Nia, of course, didn't dislike it either. And so────
"Besides... If I'd been alone, I think I would've been super bored for three days."
...all things considered, she was just glad her friend had come along.
────At dusk.
In the middle of a perfectly flat plain that stretched as far as the eye can see. A plain so devoid of features like bushes or rocks that its ultimate lack of character had become its defining characteristic.
Flickering, one by one, were tiny glints, small in comparison to the vast world, scattering sparks in a spectacular dance.
On one side was her best friend and rival in love──── a younger girl whose relationship with her had become even more complicated just the other day, but who was still, without a doubt, infinitely adorable.
...and, clashing swords with an intensity that was terrifying to watch, was a young boy she still didn't know very well. ............A young boy? Well, yeah, a duo consisting of a cute-faced young boy.
And then...
"Hmm............ For reference, Lu-chan?"
"Hmm~?"
"How much of that (..) can you actually see (..................)? Through the eyes of the Northern Faction's number one."
Putting aside the other pair, which she could still watch with the admiration of a layman thinking, 'Wow, that's amazing,' Nia slid her gaze over and, knowing it was rude, pointed.
She couldn't even tell what was happening anymore.
In fact, she couldn't even judge if anything was really happening at all. When she asked for an opinion on that sight... the [Traveler], renowned in various ways but certainly highly so, stared intently for several seconds.
"Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...................................."
And then, for another ten-odd seconds, she stared and stared, and at the end of it all...
"Eh, I have no clue. I mean, Ui-chan's one thing, but isn't Har-kun kinda insane?"
...seeing her friend declare this with a carefree laugh.
"Ah, so... it really is insane, even for a ranker..."
And then, the duet of master and disciple.
────Watching the serious profile of the person she loved, who continued to produce the roaring symphony of clashing swords while, at least to her eyes, not moving an inch...
"........................Tch. Getting all fired up like that..."
...Nia, having read the brilliant excitement in his heart, didn't gaze at him dreamily.
Instead, she let the sound of 'jealousy' escape her lips in a faint whisper.