Chapter 337 - Results Will Follow
Saturday
Saturday afternoon.
Mion had lessons, so I prepared for the evening’s live stream solo. Last time it was with the Selkies at the port, and the time before that with the Urisks behind the church, so this time I planned to stream a relaxed playthrough around the south side of the island.
I’d quickly finished preparing the ingredients I had on hand, so after a quick scout, I intended to make a Mithril Round Shield in the workshop.
“Woof!”
““Bow!””
Lupi dashed into the grass patch emerging from the Ancient Ruins to the southwest forest, with Leda and Roy chasing after her. The Fairies were collecting flower nectar, and the relaxed atmosphere was pleasant.
But...
“Phew...”
“~~~?”
At my unintentional sigh, Sweee poked my cheek with a curious expression. I’m a bit troubled, or rather, things are complicated...
I hit a problem with the paired Transfer Magic Circle in the Necropolis: it couldn't be moved. But if it could be used, Mion might be able to come to this island. I was wondering how Mion would get there, but Mion herself was troubled by an even more fundamental issue. Apparently, she felt, 'I would just be a burden on Shou-kun’s gameplay...'
I really don’t think she needs to worry about that... If it were Mashiro Onee-san or Miki, they definitely wouldn’t think that and would eagerly start preparing.
“~~~♪”
“Alright, alright, those Greenberry Fruits.”
The Queen has it easy, huh... For now, this matter was put on hold, and we decided to discuss it with Yata-sensei involved. It would affect the future direction of the live streams.
“Is it okay to cut this tree?”
“~~~♪”
“Thanks.”
After getting Sweee’s okay, I chopped it down. I want to secure wood for various crafting projects, and I also want to give Pan and the Urisks the Jade Goddess wooden statue (the small one).
“Alright, let’s go soon~”
“Woof!”
“I’m going to do some Blacksmithing, so Lupi and the others can go play freely.”
“Woof!”
“~~~♪”
I circled the south side and headed to the workshop. It was time to put my heart into making a Mithril Round Shield. I saw Lupi and the others off as they went to play by the river, then entered the workshop.
I guess I’ll set up the refining first. I have plenty of Iron Ingots, and all the Mithril is already in ingot form, so... I’ll make copper. While refining, I’ll work on the Round Shield... Before that, I’ll replicate the Jade Goddess wooden statue. This is for Pan and the Urisks. Is there anything else I can do in parallel? No. Alright, let’s make it.
[Your Blacksmithing skill level has increased!]
[The base value of your Blacksmithing skill has reached its cap. There are no SP refunded.]
“Oh, Blacksmithing also reached its cap. If I made a hammer out of Mithril, would it break the Blacksmithing skill cap? ...For now, I guess not.”
First, I appraised the finished Round Shield.
[High-Quality Round Shield]
*A Round Shield made of Mithril and Ranziboa leather. High quality.
Defense +42. Shield +1.
Shield: Equipable.*
Huh? It’s not highest quality...
[Your Appraisal skill level has increased!]
[The base value of your Appraisal skill has reached its cap. There are no SP refunded.]
[Magic Analysis skill has become acquirable!]
“Huh?”
Is this another one of those 'I messed up' patterns? I checked [Magic Analysis] from the skill list. Since it’s a rare skill, it requires 9 SP. I asked how to view the details before acquiring it, and when I opened it, it showed...
[Magic Analysis]
*A skill to analyze Elemental Magic imbued in magic tools.
The magic revealed by analysis is limited to spells the user can cast.
Prerequisites: Appraisal LvMAX, Elemental Magic LvMAX, Basic Magicology Lv5 or higher.*
Whoa, that sounds dangerous... Or rather, the prerequisites are intense. But it feels like, what’s the point if I can analyze it? If the analysis only reveals spells I can use, isn't it not much different from inferring it myself? Magic Transfer Boxes and such surely have [Transfer Magic] (?) imbued in them, so the benefit of acquiring this would be for a pure magic build like Bell-bucho, right?
“Since it’s a rare skill, if I acquire it and try it, I’ll probably get a Pioneer Reward...”
In times like these, if Mion were here, I could somehow consult with her.
“Can you tell Bell-bucho about this first?”
Speaking to Mion, who would probably check the archive later, felt somewhat hollow.
“Woof!”
“Lupi. Oh, is it that time already?”
I caught the jumping Lupi and stroked her. I guess I’ll quickly eat dinner and head to the club room early.
*
“Is it that people who have reached the maximum level in [Appraisal] skill are already rare?”
“Ah-”
After an early dinner, I went to the Virtual Club Room a little after 7 PM. Waiting for Seth (Miki) and me, of course, were Mion and Bell-bucho. Mion had apparently shown them the archive regarding the [Magic Analysis] that became acquirable at noon, so they got right to it.
No, I hadn’t decided whether to acquire it yet...
“Is the [Appraisal] skill difficult to level up?”
“Yes, it’s no different from others until level 5, but after that, it seems to be quite difficult. Appraising the same thing repeatedly apparently doesn’t help.”
“In that regard, my brother is surrounded by rare things that no one on the mainland has ever seen, you see.”
Seth’s supplementary remark left me speechless. Ingredients discovered on the island, magic tools from Ancient Ruins and the port, Fairies like Sweee, True, and Pan.
Apparently, appraising rare items makes the [Appraisal] skill level up more easily.
“So, you’re not taking [Magic Analysis]? I think you’ll get the Pioneer Reward, you know?”
“Hmm, I feel like I’m getting too many rewards myself already.”
I’ve already received three: [Taming], [Stealth], and [Spatial Magic]. Though [Stealth] remains a secret.
“My brother worries too much. After all, the Pioneer Reward is a measure to mitigate the risk of being a guinea pig for unknown skills. I think players as a whole would be happier if you quickly acquired it, got the Pioneer Reward, and then disclosed the information to your viewers.”
“That’s right. Since you have the chance, why don’t you acquire it and try using it during the live stream?”
“Then, let’s go with that direction. Can I ask just before I acquire it, to be sure?”
“Yes!”
Well, if it's about being a guinea pig, then it's fine. Apparently, there are no truly inconvenient skills in IRO...