Chapter 170 - Gaps in Personality Are Often Eye-Catching
The [Dress of El-Clelia]—unlike my [El-Gran Series], this single piece of armor was a complete set. Apparently, its design had drastically diverged from the simple status-enhancing direction we'd initially planned.
It all happened when I handed over the additional materials she had requested. She asked for the details of Sora's build again, and after I explained it, she said something like, "You know, just slapping a luck bonus on it feels a little lackluster, doesn't it?" Since Nia was reluctant to create a merely mediocre item, I gave her the green light. "Go ahead and do whatever you think is best."
As a result—in addition to the feathers of the [White-Shining Bird of Fortune]—the outfit was crafted using a special fabric into which jewels had been woven.
Woven jewels? What does that even mean? I tilted my head in confusion, but when I asked the tailor herself, she just said she wouldn't know the theory behind it even if I asked... I guess it's best not to overthink these things and just chalk it up to awesome fantasy technology.
In any case, that's how the [Dress of El-Clelia] ended up with a 'special specification,' possessing the qualities of an accessory despite being categorized as cloth armor.
To be precise, it's not an accessory itself, but rather functions as a foundation that amplifies the effects of equipped accessories—or so I'm told.
"Hmmmm..."
Several minutes had passed since Nia started circling Sora, letting out a low hum. It seemed this tailor had a particular style of "completing the item at the moment of delivery," just as she had when she gave me the [Agaphanthus Amulet].
Apparently, there was a finishing touch she needed to add, and she was observing her model, searching for the perfect way to make it fit.
Sora had been standing ramrod straight with a tense expression ever since she was told to "just stand naturally," but after holding the pose for so long, she was probably starting to relax.
She shot a pointed glare at me from my position on the sofa, where I was admiring her new attire.
"...So that question was for this, wasn't it?"
She was talking about that time I suddenly asked her if she preferred skirts. Without a hint of apology, I gave her a thumbs-up, and Sora puffed out her cheeks just a little, looking displeased.
She was so cute.
"Honestly, why did you have to keep it a secret...! I was so surprised I couldn't even—Hyaaah?!"
Just then, Nia, who had been moving about freely without a care for our conversation, made a certain move. Sora let out a shriek, and I instinctively averted my eyes.
Well, yeah, anyone would be surprised if someone suddenly cinched their dress tightly at the sides to accentuate their chest. I'm in the room too, you know. Has she forgotten there's a guy present?
"Mmm... Sora-chan, you're surprisingly..."
"Nia-san, what are you—!!"
Ah, okay. I should probably cover my ears, too.
I blocked my ears midway through Sora's protest, shutting out the sound.
I saw nothing and heard nothing. Absolutely nothing.
In retrospect, I should have just left the room again, but I remained frozen for several more minutes. A light poke on my knee made me open my eyes to find Nia standing before me, having left Sora's side.
"...Are you done? It's fine to get absorbed in your work, but try to remember I'm here, will you?"
"Yeah, yeah, sorry, sorry. Just come here, quick."
As always, when it came to her work, she was serious—almost stoic, even. I let her pull me to my feet and was led to stand beside Sora, whose cheeks were still faintly flushed.
"Hmm... Mmm, ahh... The balance isn't bad, but... Yeah."
After examining us from various angles as if we were a matching set of models, Nia gave a nod of understanding and opened a system window.
Her eyes were fixed on us—or rather, on Sora again—as her slender fingers danced across the light panel with the speed of a touch typist.
"Whoa..."
"Wow..."
Come to think of it, this was our first time seeing it directly—a glimpse of a top-tier artisan player's process. Both Sora and I let out voices of awe.
What appeared in Nia's hands was a piece of black leather, about an armful in size, from some unknown source. As she held her hands out to either side of the levitating material, complex, multi-layered magic circles unfolded around it.
Motionless, her eyes fixed solely on the material. The circles began to rotate independently, as if carving something into the leather with the intricate movements of a 3D puzzle—kashakasha. Through several stages, the 'hide' was transformed into 'leather' in the blink of an eye.
Now beautifully refined, the material had become fabric. As Nia's fingertips traced the leather's surface, it was as if by magic—or I guess it was magic—that finely cut strips of fabric were processed one after another... and in no time at all, a belt was complete.
"Excuse me, can you raise your arms?"
"Y-Yes...!"
Perhaps she was overwhelmed by such undeniable, professional skill. With a voice tinged with renewed tension, Sora stood perfectly still and let Nia work.
Prompted, the girl lifted her arms slightly. Just below her chest—around her solar plexus—Nia's fingers traced a circle around the dress.
It must have tickled. Sora flinched, but Nia paid her no mind. A series of small loops had appeared along the line her fingers had traced.
The thin belt, which had been floating above one of her hands, smoothly threaded itself through the loops. When it came back around, Nia deftly snipped off the excess with her fingertip and joined the ends, then paused again in thought.
"Nnng... Wrong."
She uttered a single word of negation. With a surprisingly stylish snap of her fingers, the leather, which had been a light-swallowing black, changed color.
Snap, snap, snap. With each successive snap, the belt cycled through different hues—Nia finally stopped at red. The same color as the shimmering choker around Sora's neck.
"Sora-chan."
"Yes!"
"Is it too tight? How's the stiffness?"
"It's fine...!"
"Okay, then—"
Sora was now completely submissive, letting Nia do as she pleased. And I, watching from the side, was captivated by a side of Nia I had never seen before.
Damn, she's actually kind of cool.
I'd never actually seen her make something before. She had crafted the [Crimson Rabbit Hairpin] for me right here, but I'd had my back to her the whole time, and there was no conversation about the work itself.
It wasn't that my opinion of her changed, exactly. I can't quite put it into words, but...
"Will it clash...? But as an accent color... No, her hair's light, so this way..."
Well, in any case—I have to admit, seeing her so seriously focused on her model as an artisan was undeniably attractive.
◇◆◇◆◇
"Phew...! So, how is it?!"
—And then there's this drop.
Having finished the adjustments and final touches on the outfit, Nia let out a satisfied breath and demanded my appraisal with an intensely smug look on her face.
I had been captivated... or to be blunt, completely mesmerized. The fact was so frustrating that I was tempted to give a flippant reply, but I managed to restrain myself.
After all, her confidence was well-earned; she had just demonstrated truly magnificent work.
"I can only say it's amazing... The best just went beyond best and became the best."
"I-It really is incredible, but... Ugh...!"
There were only two adjustments, but I was astonished at how much of a difference they made. Sora seemed embarrassed by my staring, but she didn't look entirely displeased either.
While preserving the overall soft impression of the dress, the addition of the belt to cinch a portion of it created a lovely contrast... I'll avoid saying it outright, but it's certain she's become more charming in various ways.
Her faint, healthy allure combined with her girlish innocence created what could be described as a perfectly exquisite look.
The other addition was a single decorative piece at the hip of the dress—a gem accessory similar to the [Agaphanthus Amulet] I received.
It was a rare gem called a Golden Sapphire that shone with a deep yellow light. Expertly polished by a master jeweler, it matched the color of Sora's hair and eyes, blending seamlessly into the outfit.
This accessory served as the core, with the dress acting as an amplifier to produce a special effect... but the performance turned out to be more specialized than I expected, with some rather extreme stats, leaving Sora a little bewildered.
We'll have to find some time to practice with it—but anyway, there was only one thing to say to the tailor awaiting her evaluation.
"Nia-chan, you're a genius."
"Hmph...! Of course I am!"
When I delivered my final verdict and raised my hand, an exceptionally pleased Nia high-fived me with both of hers. Next, Sora, still looking slightly bewildered, started to thank her, but...
"Um, Nia-san. This was so sudden and I was surprised, but thank you very—fugyu...!?"
"Haaaah! But really, it's not my outfit, it's you, Sora-chan! It's because the model is cute that—I mean, you're just so cute, can I take a picture?!"
This time, Nia launched herself toward her, beaming as she unreservedly threw her arms around her new favorite model.
"Wh-wha, nya, ehh...!? H-Haru... Haru! Help me...!!"
And so, a cry for help came from the flailing Sora. A distress call from my precious partner. Of course, I had no choice but to answer... eventually.
"Haru...? Haru...!? Um, help me...! I said, please help!"
This sight brought an involuntary smile to my face. I'm definitely normal for wanting to watch this just a little longer.
The lecture I'll get later is a small price to pay—I thought, as if it were someone else's problem, and pretended not to hear as I returned to the sofa.
Several minutes later, I was, as expected, forced to sit seiza-style, apologizing profusely and regretting my decision with lightning speed. That, of course, goes without saying.
My reservation was off by one, so this post is for next week, haha. What a blunder...! And the main story, which was supposed to just be a quick performance explanation, went completely off the rails.