Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Repair Request (4)
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Chirp.
Chirp chirp.
Sunlight streamed through the window into the room, accompanied by the sound of birds chirping outside.
In the end, Rafne—who had stayed by my side all night—slept soundly, using my lap as a pillow.
And I, having finally completed the task...
Stared at the status window before me with bloodshot eyes.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have crafted similar equipment using an original method different from the crafting recipe. Bonus experience points have been awarded. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Crafted 'Imitation Thunder Spear'. ⚔ ITEM ⚔ Imitation Thunder Spear – A Rank Type: Spear. A spear modeled after the divine Thunder Spear Aspetra. Its structure is identical, but the critical core has been replaced with a spirit stone, lowering its rank. To mimic the original's output, it expends all its power in a single use before disintegrating. "...This... actually worked."
I muttered to myself, my body and mind utterly exhausted.
I'd pulled an all-nighter, working every single minute without rest to finally finish it.
Even then, I'd only managed it by accelerating the process with my skills.
In the real world, without skill assistance, practical crafting like this might have taken years.
The stamina drain had been immense.
I checked the status window with eyes that were already drooping shut.
'...Rank down... yeah, that makes sense. ...But it disintegrates?'
What I'd made was a knockoff, with the core Thunder Dragon orb replaced by a golden spirit stone.
So, the rank drop was expected.
But disintegration after one use...?
Did that mean it was single-use?
'Well, the rune design unleashes a massive burst of energy in a single attack...'
The design could handle multiple uses with the infinite energy of the Thunder Dragon orb.
But forcing a substitute with a spirit stone...
Not to mention the rank drop and the rune design being cruder and clumsier than the original, despite my focused imitation.
There was no way the spear could withstand even one use.
'Still, it's a huge gain.'
This spear would surely prove useful someday.
I gazed at the two identical-looking Thunder Spears, then stored them in my subspace pouch.
After that, I moved Rafne to the bed and promptly passed out myself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "To think you finished it in just two days—impressive work, Ken Fine Stein!"
On the promised date, Annet burst into a bright smile as she entered and heard my report.
"Now, let's see Aspetra at once!"
"First, the payment, please."
I boldly extended my hand to Annet.
It was the natural order of things.
There were several burly men surrounding us, after all.
If I handed over the spear first and she clammed up, I'd be giving away the farm for nothing.
"Fine, fine. You're quite sharp for how you look."
Annet, looking miffed like steam had escaped her, waved her hand dismissively and removed her necklace.
The necklace dangling from her outstretched hand.
It was unmistakably the Full Moon Necklace from my memory.
I took it.
"It's a valuable item. Normally, trading it like this would be absurd..."
"...This is a fake."
"......"
I scanned the necklace with Material Identification right after receiving it.
Result: a cheap knockoff made of plain metal.
"H-Hohoho... As expected of the craftsman who repaired a divine weapon—you've got a keen eye. It w-was just a jest. For fun."
For a "jest," she was sweating bullets, arms crossed, fingers twitching nervously.
Anyone could see she was uneasy.
Good thing I'd checked—just in case.
In the game, she was the type to frame others for her crimes. Pulling a scam like this was child's play for her.
"Sorry, but please provide proper compensation. My fee isn't just the repaired Thunder Spear."
"......Ahem."
"As you know, this includes payment to keep my mouth shut. I'm demanding it fairly. If you try passing off another fake, I'll go straight to the head of the Arnold Family myself."
"I-It was just a joke! You're so stiff—can't take a prank."
Annet huffed indignantly, acting the victim, but under my unwavering gaze, she finally pulled the necklace from her pouch.
"Ugh, what am I supposed to tell Father about the necklace..."
Her hand trembled as she offered it.
I snatched it without hesitation.
Appraisal confirmed: the real deal.
'...Yes!'
Yahoo! Got the Full Moon Necklace!
I wanted to spin around like some green-clad character, showing off the item with a fanfare.
After verifying it was genuine, I retrieved Aspetra from my subspace pouch and handed it to Annet.
"Ooh! What flawless craftsmanship. I half-expected it to be a gamble when I entrusted it to you... Beyond expectations! Ken!"
Annet inspected the spear, her face lighting up with satisfaction.
Seemed like it was worth the necklace to her.
Well, I'd poured my all into repairing it through the night.
I shrugged, basking in triumphant pride.
"Hm, but it's valuable, sure—why the Full Moon Necklace, though? High value, but hard to sell."
Annet hugged the spear preciously and tilted her head curiously.
Fair question.
The Full Moon Necklace held symbolic value but no special powers.
"Oh, well... There's a girl I want to give it to as a gift."
Not a lie, so I brushed it off vaguely.
"Hehe, stealing a necklace from one girl to give to another. You're a sinner of a man."
"That phrasing leaves a lot open to misunderstanding if someone overhears..."
"Ah, so I'll be played with to my heart's content, robbed of my treasure, and discarded..."
"That phrasing has way too much misunderstanding potential if someone overhears!"
Annet playfully pretended to wipe away tears.
But let's get the facts straight.
I didn't steal it. It was a fair trade.
"Anyway, you've made me see you in a new light, Ken. How about it? Care to work for the student council sometime?"
"Thanks even for the empty words. Sorry, but that's a position way above my station."
"Not empty words. I really am drawn to capable men."
Annet smiled seductively as she rose and approached me.
She pressed her body close to my shoulder, her lips brushing my ear.
"...How about exchanging something more adult next time?"
"Wh-What?!"
Flustered by the ticklish whisper and the soft pressure on my shoulder, I pulled away immediately.
"Ahaha! You're fun to tease."
Annet laughed merrily at my ear-clutching panic.
"See you later, then. Ken Fine Stein."
And with that, Annet Nel Arnold's repair request was successfully completed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What did the student council drag you in for? ...You skipped yesterday too."
After wrapping up with Annet, Mary rushed over upon seeing me at school, checking on me.
"It was... nothing much! All sorted out."
"Good if it wasn't serious..."
The day she saw me being hauled off by Annet.
Hearing it was student council business, she hadn't worried too much.
But skipping academy without a word had concerned her a bit.
Mary puffed her cheeks slightly, expressing her displeasure.
"Still, if something comes up, please rely on me."
"Yeah, I will next time."
This job required secrecy as a condition, so I kept the details from Mary.
"See you, Ken."
Having confirmed I was fine, Mary waved blankly and left the classroom.
Ken's heart fluttered whenever he crossed paths with Mary.
Capturing that feeling, I waved back happily.
Looks like Ken really likes Mary.
'Anyway, I'm one step closer to the Goddess's Pendant.'
The key to crafting the pendant had come unexpectedly.
By making the imitation Thunder Spear, I'd proven that even without the fixed materials, substitutes could produce similar effects.
As expected, this Full Moon Necklace should serve as a stand-in for the Goddess's Token.
'That leaves just one more thing to acquire...'
[ Pure Mana Crystal ]
I could definitely get it at the upcoming event.
As Rafne's curse liberation drew nearer, I hummed while preparing for class.
But then.
"...Hey."
A quiet call from behind.
A familiar voice.
Conditioned by repeated training sessions, Ken's body shivered reflexively at her voice.
My heartbeat quickened.
I turned to face the voice's owner.
"Got something to ask."
It was Emily Epiris.
"...Wh-What?"
Emily stared at me, arms crossed.
Having experienced her sadistic side firsthand, I tensed up automatically.
But Emily's vibe was somehow different from usual.
No bold, teasing smile like when she trampled me.
Instead, she eyed me cautiously, almost warily.
What could she want to ask...?
"You... and Mary Heidi... what's your deal?"
Her question caught me off guard.
No, more like—why even ask?
What do you mean, "what's our deal"?
"Me and Mary? Friends?"
Unsatisfied with my answer, Emily pressed further.
"...Friends, so not dating?"
"R-Really? You two were wandering the festival together last time..."
She clung to it unusually.
More importantly, the idea that Mary and I were like that? No way.
Maybe guys and girls strolling a festival together implied that much...?
Well, Adrian and Emily had done it too.
This misunderstanding could trouble Mary if mishandled.
Better clear it up firmly.
"Just got two tournament tickets by chance and went with Mary. We checked out the festival while we were at it."
"S-Still! Why go with Mary of all people? Plenty of others!"
"Well... no one else."
"......Ah."
Her acceptance stung a bit, but whatever.
At least she got it now—Emily relaxed her tense expression, reverting to her usual self.
"...Phew."
Well, by my standards, her gentle smile wasn't "usual."
"Ahaha, oh, that's all it was."
Anyway, she laughed, seemingly relieved.
"Yeah, no way Mary Heidi would date a fatty like you. Hehe."
Then she flashed her usual little-devil smile.
I knew that face well.
The one she wore while enjoying tormenting me.
"You and Mary—hilarious combo, right?"
Emily patted my shoulder chummily, like she'd gotten something off her chest.
True enough, no retort...
'......Huh?'
Then a status window popped up.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Due to the effect of 'Mental Fortification LV 2', Ken's immersion is disrupted. '...Ken's immersion spiking out of nowhere?'
Ken's immersion rose when he was with Mary or being bullied by Emily.
Why now...?
"Would any girl even bother meeting up with you?"
Emily's mocking words rang out.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. '...Wait, no way.'
"Me? I'd consider it for a laugh, maybe... But not Mary. Hehe."
"No, wait, um..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. The cause was clear.
Every mocking jab from Emily boosted Ken's immersion, only for Mental Fortification to dispel it—over and over.
"No way someone like Mary would ever like your type."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. Mentions of Mary seemed to spike it harder.
A vague unease crept in.
Should I stop Emily?
As I pondered, she sidled up and tugged my cheek lightly—not painful, but humiliating.
"So, why not ditch the pipe dream?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. "That festival? You're so naive, Ken. Could've gotten the wrong idea and gotten hurt."
"Um, Emily..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. "I hate girls who play coy. Foxes or whatever—kinda lame."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. "So next time, don't drag Mary into it. She might misunderstand."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. Emily leaned in close, poking my cheek playfully.
Her face flushed as she gazed at me with that familiar sadistic smile.
"Oh, if you can't find anyone next time, just ask me. I-I mean, I could tag along sometimes..."
With those final words...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 'Mental Fortification LV2' has reached its limit. 'Oh no...'
"Hey..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ken Fine Stein's immersion level has increased. I felt control of my body slip away.
My mouth moved not by my will, but another's.
"Am I crazy? Ask a bitch like you?"
Those were unmistakably Ken Fine Stein's words.