Chapter 159 - Top-Tier Whimsy
Friday
"Phew, it's over."
"How was it?"
Natto, who was in the seat in front of me, turned around and asked, but it's hard to completely bomb the first mid-term test of freshman year.
"Normal."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Natto apparently studied surprisingly diligently for the tests.
Well, more accurately, he was probably being monitored by [Iincho] to see if he was playing [IRO]...
"Now I can finally play [IRO] without a care."
"Tell me about it. And I didn't realize it would be so painful not being able to play with Lupi much..."
With only one hour a day, it was feeding Lupi, taking a casual walk around the basin.
The remaining time was mostly reading, and then the time limit would instantly be up...
"Alright, everyone, good work!"
Yata... Kumano-sensei entered, and homeroom began.
Yesterday and today, school ended at noon. And today, I can play without any worries about the future. Though I can't enter the real [Club Room] yet.
Club activities are conditionally resuming next week if we don't get any failing grades on the returned tests... but I felt pretty good about them.
There were no specific announcements, and it just ended with a reminder that club activities were still prohibited.
Now, it's time to go home for lunch, but Miki is supposed to have tests all day, so I'm alone. I'll make a quick, simple lunch and then log into [IRO]...
"Shou, wanna grab a bite somewhere on the way home?"
"Huh, oh, that would be easier. But you came by bike, didn't you?"
"I can just take the train home today and then take the train here on Monday and ride my bike back. Besides, making lunch is a pain."
Ah, yeah, well.
Knowing him, he probably just had instant ramen or something. He could at least make some stir-fried vegetables to put on top.
"Mm..."
"Are you two plotting something mischievous?"
"We were just talking about getting lunch somewhere."
Natto and [Iincho] were bickering, but I ignored them.
Well, there's no ancient school rule like 'no buying food on the way home from school,' so it's not like we'd get scolded anyway.
"Mion, what are you doing for lunch?"
"Togeth...er..."
In that case, a family restaurant or fast food, I guess. It feels like it's been a while, so I'm a little excited.
Speaking of which, Mion is a young lady, so this wouldn't be her first time at fast food, would it?
*
"I'm going for a bit. Izumo-san, please."
"Mm."
The two girls stood up and headed towards the drink bar.
[Iincho] is surprisingly good at looking after others, after all.
"What happened with that [Gnome] situation after that?"
"Oh, that's going well. The difference in activity hours between the two guilds turned out to be just right, too."
According to what I heard on Tuesday, the [Gnome Village]... or rather, the cave, was built in no time, and they even started growing mushrooms near its exit.
Their staple food is mainly vegetables and mushrooms; they don't eat meat. However, eggs and dairy products are fine, and cookies have become their favorite treat.
"After the [World Quest] ended, have any monsters appeared?"
"None. Well, if you go to the forests or mountains a fair distance from the city, they're there, so we're being careful."
"That's true, I guess."
The truce between the [Empire] and the [Principality] was established, and some of the refugees apparently returned home.
Still, a considerable number of people remained in the [Kingdom].
"Huh, some people don't go back to the land they were born and raised in?"
"Yeah. Those people seemed to have a hard time as tenant farmers..."
Natto said, making a grim face.
Apparently, some lords had ridiculously harsh land taxes, and they fled when the civil war began...
"Here. Kashihara-kun, you wanted cola, right?"
"Yep, thanks."
"Mm..."
"Thanks."
Natto had cola, I had coffee, [Iincho] probably tea, and Mion a cafe latte?
Quite a varied selection...
"So, what were you two talking about?"
"The [Gnomes]."
"It went well after that, didn't it?"
[Iincho] logged off immediately after that to study.
She apparently hadn't logged in since then during test week.
"They built a proper wooden fence outside the [Gnome Village], so it should be fine. It seems they're even exchanging cookies for mushrooms."
"Mushrooms? [Chagatake]? [Sabumaro]?"
"I wouldn't know if you say [Chagatake] or [Sabumaro]. They're like mushrooms, and the stew with them was really delicious."
Natto laughed.
Mmm, 'like mushrooms' means it's probably not the same as mine.
I'll ask Sweee and the other [Fairies]...
"I thought test week was until Monday, though?"
"[Iincho], you're too serious."
I thought so too, but I didn't say anything. Why? Because,
"Kashihara-kun. Last Wednesday, before the test, you played for more than an hour, didn't you?"
"Huh? No, I just logged in for a change of pace, and then someone asked for advice, so..."
This is what happens.
So, Natto! Don't look at me like you need help!
*
"Mmm! I think I'll get some serious exercise for the first time in a while!"
How about going for a stroll with Lupi-chan?
"Woof!"
It's 2 PM. I'll play until about 5 PM, then prepare dinner.
During the 'one hour of gaming a day' test period, my [Botany] and [Animal Husbandry] skills reached Level 5.
Thanks to that, my [Appraisal] skill increased to Level 7. Did it rise because I gained more foundational knowledge?
Feeling confident, I acquired the new Uncommon [Mining] skill and raised it to Level 5 as well. I'm left with 7 [SP], which feels a bit low...
But I also think it's essential for efficiently raising the [Civil Engineering] skill.
My [Alchemy] skill also increased. I leveled it up by making [Anti-Paralyze Potion]s from [Papu Fruit] and antidotes from [Lexon] leaves.
By the way, my blend of [Coputi] and [Hermit Bamboo Grass] is still failing...
I'm planning to open the [Unlock Code] door soon, so I should probably level up and keep some [BP] in reserve.
"~ ~ ~ ♪"
"Oh, it's been a while."
Sweee came over and landed on my left shoulder.
It's fine if she comes along, but,
"I heard the [Gnomes] are growing delicious mushrooms, but do [Fairies] have anything like that?"
When I asked, she turned her face away with a huff.
Doesn't seem like it.
"Well, they're different races, so I guess it can't be helped."
Shou-kun, haven't you ever appraised Sweee-chan?
"Ah."
Come to think of it, I definitely haven't properly appraised her.
Would appraisal annoy her? No, it's not like I'm peeking at her stats, so it should be fine, right? So, I...
[Fairy (Queen): Sweee: Friendly]
Queen of the [Fairy] race.
She rules over the whimsical [Fairies], but she herself is even more whimsical.
""What!?""