kscans

Chapter 330 - A Slot Is Open

"—Ah, Haru!"

While I was staring at my status window at our meeting spot, a voice called out as a figure came pattering toward me. It was, of course—

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"You're still five minutes early, you know."

It was my partner, Sora-san.

Even though our virtual avatars don't get tired from a little exercise, she was slightly out of breath from her eagerness. That's just like her.

"Were you doing something?"

"Yeah, just checking on a few things."

Sora tilted her head, likely curious about the window I closed as she arrived. I smiled and told her it was nothing important.

Today, we'd conquered about five dungeons, including the [Four-Sided Mixed Tower], but aside from materials and loot, my skills hadn't shown much growth.

Even factoring in the experience from my rematch with [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King], I thought I'd earned a decent amount…

I wonder. Has my avatar graduated from its beginner's growth spurt?

"Alright, let's go."

"Okay!"

Unlike me, who'd been to our destination many times, Sora's memory of it was a bit fuzzy, so we had arranged to meet a short distance away.

As we started walking, the stares directed at me—at us—remained, and even seemed to increase. However, my partner showed no sign of being bothered.

Rather than feeling apologetic… I felt grateful and walked beside her.

"—So, how's your body feeling?"

That sudden question didn't just pop out because I disliked silence. It was out of concern for her, as she was walking somewhat awkwardly, the clicks of her boots a little stiff.

"Ah, haha… It's a little… difficult."

I expected that wry laugh in response. You didn't even need to look closely to see that she was clearly having trouble controlling her avatar.

The reason was simple.

Unlike me, who had already amassed a great deal of experience through training and wars, Sora's avatar—which hadn't been able to play Arcadia properly for a while—was right in the middle of a growth spurt.

With that, combined with the guidance of her overly reliable seniors, the recent expedition had resulted in a massive influx of experience—and, as you'd expect, a mountain of new skills had manifested.

And, as I'm currently experiencing myself, a sudden shift in one's build greatly impacts avatar control, for better or worse.

In other words, Sora is currently in a state of 'being tossed around by her skills,' though not to the same extent as I am.

It seems she's acquired a few passive skills that can't be turned off, too…

"…It might get even more difficult, you know."

As we walked toward our destination, I thought of the ring on my right hand. The words that slipped out were half-teasing, half-worried.

Sora blinked for a moment, then seemed to understand my meaning. But instead of glaring or pouting, she turned a rare, teasing gaze on me.

"Unlike you, Haru, I've always cherished our relationship."

"That cuts deep…!"

Hey, I've cherished our relationship in my own way—whoa, hold on. Stop reading my thoughts and materializing on your own. Where do you plan on swinging that pommel, you…!!

I frantically held up my hands to placate my Anima, which had a habit of trying to physically punish me even for my inner thoughts. The white sword trembled as if in anger before returning to the ring.

One of these days, I'm seriously afraid this thing will turn on me in the middle of a battle…

"Hehe… but it looks kind of fun. I'm a little envious."

"Whoa, that's a dangerous thing to say. These Anima are listening to our every word, you know."

My beloved sword is, at the very least, definitely holding a grudge over Sora's comment about envying her Anima. A good relationship requires daily care and attention.

"I'm sure it will be fine."

While I was tapping the ring with affection, trying to tell it to cheer up, Sora took out 'her ring' from her inventory and held it in her palm.

[Cradle of Sword-Craft]—the silver ring with an amber gemstone that always shone on her right hand.

She gently stroked its surface, her soft gaze fixed on it…

"Because this is the one who answered my selfish wish."

The Anima, which had opened the path to the next tier, pulsed with a faint light.

◇◆◇◆◇

"I see… so that's how it works."

It had been several minutes since Sora and I had visited Halzen, the artisan who forged our Anima.

"I see. Wait. It's done." I swallowed a wry smile at the NPC craftsman who continued to exhibit the pinnacle of bluntness.

As I examined the Anima he had 'evolved,' I tilted my head, thinking, 'What should I do about this?' The result was a little different from what I'd expected.

[Cradle of Sword-Craft] Second Tier—the name was unchanged, the appearance was the same, but the Anima had undoubtedly grown. It was already back on Sora's right middle finger.

An amber gemstone set in a silver ring engraved with intricate carvings. Its appearance hadn't changed at all… but somehow, its atmosphere was clearly different.

The pressure of the information it radiated had definitely increased.

"Um… Haru, what do you think I should do?"

"Hmm, hmm, hmm… Let's see…"

It was only natural for Sora to seek my opinion with a troubled look.

The craftsman had already told us on the day she received it how her Anima would grow.

So this evolution was within my expectations… but the details had turned out to be a 'spec' that made me think, 'Ah, so that's how it is,' and left me with no choice but to ponder.

"Hey… Master?"

"What is it?"

I couldn't just wing this. I spoke up on behalf of Sora, who was being intimidated by the silent, muscular man, in order to wring the necessary information out of him.

"This will change depending on what's imbued into it, right?"

"Probably."

Right, I can imagine that much—

The important things are the range of possibilities and whether there are any limitations.

"Players… 'Rare Folk' and monsters. Is one better than the other?"

"Monsters are no good. The nature of their mana is different. If a player is using it, it's better to imbue it with another player's mana. It'll make for a finer sword."

So, players only.

"Any recommended attributes?"

"Decide for yourself. It'll accept whatever you choose."

"The stronger the magic, the better, right?"

"It will have some effect. But as you train it, the initial difference will shrink. Rather than saving up, imbue it with the best you can get now and use it."

"Ah, that's good to hear. That takes a lot of weight off my mind."

What were we talking about? None other than the magic to be imbued into Sora's ring.

[Cradle of Sword-Craft]—the vessel of a magic sword that will one day become 'all-purpose.'

I had assumed that with each evolution, it would automatically gain a new attribute… but it seems the correct specification was that an empty slot would be added.

In summary—the nature of the next magic sword will be determined by the magic that Sora, or 'someone,' imbues it with.

"Sora, did you get all that?"

"Y-Yes… I'm sorry, and thank you."

Don't mention it. You're still a little scared of this muscle-head, right? I get it, I get it.

"Are you done with your questions?"

"Hmm… well, probably… yeah, I think I'm good."

At the very least, I understood that the choice we were being asked to make was the type that could be reversed. In that case, there was probably no need to be too nervous.

In any case, the owner is Sora, not me. I had asked all the questions I could think of on her behalf, but if she had anything else she wanted to ask… ah, looks like she's okay. Good.

"Um, thank you very much!"

After nodding back at me, Sora stepped forward and bowed deeply to the artisan.

As the girl offered her sincere gratitude, her golden hair swaying, Halzen's tough expression softened ever so slightly—

"Come again."

—and he replied with the same curt, brusque words as always.