kscans

Chapter 564 - Reactions: The World

"Yo, sorry to keep you wait—oh? What's this, you're up to something unusual."

At dusk, at the Eastern Round Table.

Like a certain junior I'd seen a few times. As I was 'working' alone, taking up the entire, more-than-spacious grand table, the person I was waiting for arrived and called out with a cheerful voice.

In response,

"Nngh..."

I managed a listless reply.

It wasn't that I was being careless or disrespectful, but rather that I was concentrating on my work—which Gossan, the old man of curiosity, was peering at with amusement.

"—Hk, ugh...!?"

"Whoops."

And yet, the result was a failure...—The [Magic Craft] skill I had activated was interrupted in an incomplete form, and the broken formula scattered into ephemeral light.

A shame. Farewell, my dear departed materials, forgive me...

"So, what's with the sudden change of heart?"

"Hah... It's nothing, really. I just thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to broaden my horizons a bit, and to have more options for the next event, so I figured I'd give it a try."

It had been about a week since the clearing of the [Shadow-Infested Arena].

The 'Skill Seal' penalty from [Lightning Gale] had finally been lifted, allowing for a certain degree of freedom. Following through on my earlier promise, I'd had Nia give me [Magic Craft], but... well, it was proving to be quite difficult.

"Man, this is fundamentally different from combat-related skills. That 'feel' that changes every time is crucial..."

"Yeah, I hear it's a different beast every time, even with the same materials and process. I've never dabbled in it myself, so I can't say for sure."

Simply put, it was like being asked to clear a randomly generated stage in one go every time.

In other words, my 'memory' didn't quite mesh well with it. Or rather, because I would remember it perfectly, I was getting done in by the subtle differences.

Perhaps things would change as I gained more technique and knowledge, but... while I was working on my teacher's 'homework' of 'just try things out for yourself at first,' it seemed inevitable that I'd be failing for a while.

—Well, I'll take it slow. Even though my skills are usable again, I'm still stuck at Level 1 and can't go out for another three days anyway.

"Nah, it's good. Once you get the hang of it, make me something to commemorate it."

"Yeah, yeah... well, we'll see. I'm not sure yet if I'll get serious enough to be able to make any kind of 'work' out of it."

For now, I was trying my hand at 'accessories,' following the example of my teacher and the skill's 'parent,' Nia, but my own aptitude was still... well, it was completely unknown how suited I even was for magic craft itself. It would be a long road, but if that 'someday' ever came, I wouldn't be opposed.

—And with that thought.

"Alright... shall we get down to business?"

"Yeah. Sorry to take up your time."

"As you can see, I've got time and motivation to spare. Don't worry about it."

I'm still busy with studies and what not in the real world, but it's lonely not being able to fly around when I come to the virtual world for a break—or so I'd like to say.

I tossed the several [Fool Boar Fang Fragments] I had been using for practice from the tabletop into my inventory, and after some small talk, I asked about the real reason for his summons.

"Then I'll get right to it... I've got a favor to ask. It's about that teleportation gate system."

"Ahh... have things... come together?"

"Yep, for the most part."

I see. In that case, I could pretty much guess what the favor was.

"If my legs are what you need, feel free to use them as much as you want... Ah, no. I'm still out of commission for another three days, so it'll have to be after that."

"It's not that urgent, so no problem—man, that's a huge help. A real huge help. It's like you got into the ranks just for this, you're seriously a lifesaver."

"I think you might want to rethink that statement, General Comman—oof, hey, sto—!"

As I gave him a deadpan look for his obvious joke, he ruffled my hair with his trademark cackle.

As usual, his physical affection was a bit too forceful.

"You're always so quick on the uptake, it's a huge help. Our Ten Seats are, as a rule, a bunch of eccentrics... Hinayo's one of the more manageable ones, though."

I swallowed the retort, 'You're one to talk.'

"Irori and Ri-na seem like pretty serious types, don't they?"

"When Irori gets focused on his training, he won't even show up if I contact him. Ri-na... well, she's generally obedient, but she can be surprisingly difficult at times."

"Huh... well, I guess there are sides to them I don't know."

Having known them for only about two months, I couldn't claim to know everything about them. The weary expression on Gossan's face, who had known them for years, must have been born from facts I was unaware of.

I was envious of the relationships they had built... and yet, when I thought that I might be able to build the same things from now on, I felt a sense of excitement.

"Well, anyway, that's the gist of it. Now that I have your consent, we'll work out the details. The official request will come after everything's been decided."

"Got it. Let me know whenever."

There were some concerns, like tuning my new, untouched skills, but... well, in the worst-case scenario, if it was just a matter of flying around, I had my reliable wings (Sapphire) with me.

Therefore, there would be no problem with the matter Gossan wanted to ask of me—that is, the system expanded by the subjugation of the 'White Throne.' The mission to lay down new, long-distance teleportation gates would go off without a hitch.

"Alright, that's all then."

"Okay. Well, see ya."

It wasn't exactly an errand, but it was about time to start preparing dinner.

When Nia had granted me [Magic Craft], she'd made a very pointed appeal, something along the lines of, "I'm in the mood for Japanese food tonight, just sayin'," so to show my gratitude—

"Hey, kid."

"Hm?"

The name that had become increasingly rare lately was cast at my back as I stood up to leave, whether intentionally or not.

I looked over my shoulder and met the straight-on gaze of the golden-haired giant.

"It's a bit late, but I saw the video. It was brilliant."

"...Thanks for that."

A blunt compliment, a blunt reply.

I don't know about the former, but the reason for the latter was simply because I was overwhelmed. By the utterly serious expression of the General Commander, one that I only saw on rare—truly rare—occasions.

"By the way, there's something I want to ask you."

It wasn't that I was scared. It wasn't that I felt pressure. It was just that... when the 'act' that his 'daughter' spoke of fell away, he overflowed with a dignity befitting the commander of a faction.

"You... did you get some kinda 'Hero' title or somethin'?"

Even if I didn't quite understand the meaning of the question.

"...Yeah, I got something like that."

I just answered with the sincere truth.

He then closed his eyes for a few seconds—let out a soft breath, and said,

"That's one damn cute 'Hero' you got there."

"Shut up."

He gave me his usual smile, having seen me with my side-tail swinging the whole time.

And so, after one hero had departed.

"...Even though you retired, it's been a long duty, hasn't it, old man?"

One man, who had once seen off a hero, let out a cheerful mumble.

"In name and in reality—this means you're relieved of duty. Good work."

He imbued his words with a celebration for the changing world.

---

—Ranker's Title—

◇First [Sword Saint] — [Ui]◇

◇Second [General Commander] — [Goldow]◇

◇Third [Peerless] — [Irori]◇

◇Fourth [Acrobat] — [Haru]◇

◇Fifth [Left Wing] — [Mi-na]◇

◇Sixth [Right Wing] — [Ri-na]◇

◇Seventh [Scorching Gaze] — [Hinayo]◇

◇Eighth [Undying] — [Tetra]◇

◇Ninth [Twin Fists] — [Genkotsu]◇

◇Tenth [Screen] — [Yurayura]◇

————————————————————————