kscans

Chapter 18 - The Pale Wind Stone and the Secret in the Back of the Shelf

Mireille returned to her room, clutching the bag of clothes she had received first thing in the morning.

She tried changing into them.

She had chosen what seemed to be a safe white blouse and knee length skirt, but when she stood in front of the mirror, she looked like a shop clerk in a customer service uniform.

(...It reminds me of when I used to work at the shop.)

It felt like just yesterday that she was laughing and talking with customers every day, but now it seemed like a distant dream.

Would the day come when she could own a shop again? She imagined a future where she saved up money and started over in another country, just for a moment.

Inside the bag were several other outfits, including a trendy sheer shirt (the type where the tank top underneath is visible) and a demure-looking dress.

Of course, there was also adventurer’s gear... but this was a design that prioritized ease of movement, stripped of all excess, which in turn made the body's lines stand out clearly. It looked like something an assassin or a thief would wear.

(Overall... are the clothes in the ‘demure girl’ style? Is this Leonhard-san’s taste?)

She was relieved that the underwear was a safe "normal." But then she discovered a small box tucked away separately.

On the lid, a single line was written.

"Put this on last."

(Last...? The last of what!?)_ _

Timidly, she opened it. What came out was, by all appearances, lingerie meant for a special occasion.

She slammed the box shut, patan, her face and ears turning hot in an instant.

She hurriedly shoved it into the back of a shelf, deciding to pretend she hadn't seen it.

(I’m sure... it wasn’t Leonhard-san, but someone else who was trying to be thoughtful... right? But did he tell them we were in that kind of relationship?)

It should have been embarrassing, but being mistaken, even if it was a lie, as the "partner" of such a wonderful person was just a little bit pleasing.

...Well, just a little.

Mireille switched gears. Before Leonhard arrived, there was some work she wanted to finish with alchemy, so she headed to the workshop on the third floor.

On the third floor, besides alchemy tools, there were some materials left. She opened a drawer to find several unrefined magic stones, including an ore that emitted a faint blue light. She searched among them for a stone related to wind.

Pale Wind Stone. A catalyst stone that stabilized wind magic particles.

She also took out the magic core from the monster bird she had taken down yesterday.

It contained wind magic particles, but one bird’s worth was weak. Fortunately, she had several, so if she ground them into powder, it would be a decent amount. All that was left was to find the catalyst, wind-chime grass.

(Then I can process it and it will become a ‘wind magic stone.’ The power will be lower, but... if I can exchange it with the magic stone in the current sword, which is too strong and difficult to handle, it should surely become easier to use.)

A small spark of motivation ignited in her chest.

To make Leonhard’s sword a little lighter, a little sharper. It was for his sake, and it was the best "thank you" she could offer right now.

—

Meanwhile, a little later, Leonhard was carrying groceries to the second floor, looking for Mireille.

He couldn't see her, but he could hear the sound of someone working from upstairs. Knowing she was in the building, he let out a sigh of relief.

"...I’ll just borrow this shelf for now."

He started putting canned goods and bread onto a space on the shelf lined with alchemical reagents and tools. In the process, a small box caught his eye. On the lid, in familiar handwriting, it said.

"Put this on last."

(...Ah, right, Kyle did say he ‘put in a present.’)_ _

He opened the lid casually and his face immediately turned bright red. What appeared from inside was, by all appearances, lingerie meant for a special occasion.

"...!"

He instinctively slammed the box shut and shoved it further back with the grocery bag.

(Hey... Mireille definitely saw this, didn't she!? Kyle... what are you plotting!)

He put a hand to his forehead and thought for a few seconds. An excuse... no, should I explain?

As he was thinking this, he headed for the third floor. What jumped into his vision was the sight of Mireille, her gaze fixed intently on the workbench.

The simple attire of a blouse and skirt suited her surprisingly well. He had been a little worried about what kind of clothes Kyle had bought... but if it was this, he felt relieved.

He remembered her wearing similar clothes when she was working at the shop.

(...She really does look good in things like this.)

As he murmured this to himself, he tried to find the right moment to speak.