Chapter 683 - Under the Same Roof
"It's a bit late to say this, but maybe it would've been a good idea to bring her along?"
"Nope, not an option. A non-combatant doesn't need a Great Spirit's blessing."
I was in one of the rooms under the same roof—a neighbor's, so to speak.
Some time had passed since I'd left Kanata with Kagura-san, who had gotten on board with his request just as I'd hoped, and moved on to my other personal artisan.
In response to my offhand remark, which was more to fill the silence than a genuine afterthought, the master of the atelier sighed, "What are you even saying?"
"If anything, it would have been nothing but a disadvantage. No, thank you."
Her technical skill was, as always, beyond impressive. Nia's 'no,' delivered nonchalantly as she multitasked her magi-crafting and conversation, seemed to be her genuine feeling, judging by her expression.
Since she also has Water Magic Aptitude, she would have received the same benefit if she'd accompanied us on the Great Spirit subjugation the other day… but, well, I see her point.
The blessing skill in question doesn't just improve output; it also comes with the negative side effect of worsening MP consumption. While the benefit far outweighs the cost in terms of effect versus MP usage, it would be more trouble than it's worth for someone who only uses magic for minor conveniences in non-combat situations.
There's also the possibility of control issues until she gets the hang of it, making it even more unnecessary.
"More importantly, I still haven't heard your thoughts on that."
Nia pointed to my left shoulder as I sat on the sofa.
It was my one and only transfigured body outfit, the [Sakura Hanaori], with its eccentric asymmetrical design, a product of a sense of style that isn't particularly kind to me. A single jeweled stone shone as a clasp for the one-sided mantle covering my left arm, which was short-sleeved in contrast to the long-sleeved right.
Until a little while ago, a yellow gem (a Golden Sapphire), similar to the one on Sora's [Dress of El-Clelia], had been set there. But the color its current occupant was emitting was not passionate red—but rather,
"…Other than the color, it's perfect."
"What's wrong with it? It's cute! It's perfect!!!"
—the color of affection, kindness, and compassion: pink. In my opinion, and likely in general, it wasn't a color a guy should be wearing.
I mean, sure, it already had cherry blossom decorations scattered all over it, but those are in a different category. They have a certain coolness to them, partly due to their significance in the hearts of the Japanese people…
This 'masterpiece' was tossed at me the other day on a whim. In terms of performance, it's absolutely flawless, just as she said. But its appearance is just so adorable that wearing it makes my skin crawl.
The work's name—or rather, its name as a gemstone—is [Rampagelight Tourmaline]. Despite its somewhat menacing name, it has a rather gentle color, but its inherent nature is that of a born problem child that could never be called 'gentle,' not even if my life depended on it.
It was one of the spoils of war I brought back from that [Mole's Bed], along with the top-tier unique material that became mine and Sora's rings, the Novemheart Diamond.
Incidentally, this was the second-best of the three I brought back.
The third one had properties that made it a bit difficult to handle, so it's been sealed away pending an idea from Nia. As for the very best one, it's already set in Sora-san's [Dress of El-Clelia].
And so, we had each completed our test runs during our latest expedition.
In short, my main reason for sliding from Kagura-san's workshop to Nia's atelier was to give Nia the feedback she'd asked for from the start.
She seemed to be logged in, so I figured I'd pop in. Otherwise, she'd probably complain later, asking why I didn't come see her when I was so close…
I decided to keep those thoughts to myself and just say it was on the way.
"Anyway, both mine and Sora's are working fine. I'll gratefully use this as a new surprise first-time-killer in the Tra-Duo. Want me to advertise the creator, the Milmarinus, while I'm at it?"
"I'll smack you if you do."
Just as I received her glare, the multiple magic circles shining in Nia's hands subsided and vanished. The piece of jewelry she placed on the desk with a soft clink was probably a commissioned piece from someone I didn't know.
Though Kagura-san and I use the word 'personal,' it's not like we've signed a rigid, binding contract that says 'we won't work with anyone else.'
It's merely a verbal agreement to 'prioritize each other above all else,' a turn of phrase that Kagura-san probably used for the simple reason that it sounded cool, and Nia and I just went along with it.
Besides, Arcadia's top artisans aren't people who should be monopolized by a single individual. I'd be happy if they shared their skills widely and helped with the game's progression.
…There was a time in the past when I mentioned this to Nia, and she sulked magnificently.
I don't intend to feign ignorance and ask why, but I'm not the type of person who can show possessiveness in that situation, so I have no choice but to ask for her understanding.
—And with that.
"If you're done with work, shall we go?"
"Yuppers!"
As we chatted, the real-world time hit 7:00 PM on the dot. It was the perfect time for dinner, and thus, the time for us who live in the same dormitory to head to our usual restaurant.
Today was Sunday. I'd usually go to the Yotsuya residence, but today was an exception for various reasons.
I could have just logged out quickly. I won't say why, but a body came charging onto the sofa, and remembering a recent promise, I didn't dodge and caught her.
While doing so, I prepared to force a logout with one hand, thinking, 'Another ten seconds, hold on, my reason,' and was somewhat carelessly patting the cheerful-looking blue head when,
"Huh? Wait, Sora-chan's online. That's rare."
As if it were a routine she did right after logging in or right before logging out, Nia, who seemed to have glanced at her friends list, let out a curious voice.
Then she gave me a questioning look. She was probably asking something like, 'It's incredibly rare for you two to be logged in but doing separate things. What's up?'
"Ah… well, you see. There's a little event after dinner, so she's making appointments and having a meeting beforehand, something like that."
My mind was elsewhere, having been caught off guard by the fact that this person, of all people, was casually hitting me with the assumption that we're always together. I ended up speaking evasively, but it wasn't the kind of thing I needed to keep secret from my inner circle.
Therefore,
"If you're free later today, Nia, want to witness it too? The historic moment when my dear partner evolves into something even more broken."
"…Huh?"
The blue-haired girl tilted her head again as if to say, 'What are you talking about,' and I let out a dry laugh.
I could accurately foresee a future where everyone present at the event, including us, would share the same expression: a wry smile composed mainly of awe and resignation.
Dinner was beef stew.