Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Preparations for the Journey (2)
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“How about this one?”
“Hmm... It’s definitely more refined, but it feels like it’s missing that sharp edge you often see in spars.”
“I see. I’ll adjust it. Take another look.”
A month until departure for the journey.
During that time, the group had been making all sorts of preparations in their own ways.
Among them, Siegfried was focusing on developing his own techniques, just as I’d advised him before.
After all, the greatest help he could offer on this trip was his martial prowess.
That’s why he was working to perfect the Siegfried-style swordsmanship.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ —Screeech!! The Black Blade was drawn with razor sharpness, swiftly pursuing its target and slicing it clean in two in an instant.
“Wow! That last one was amazing! It’s perfect for the iaijutsu you mentioned.”
That sword strike was one I’d seen him use often in spars.
A technique where, right as the match begins, he draws his sword from his waist and slashes forward with blinding speed.
Siegfried seemed satisfied with the sensation too, flashing a faint smile.
“So that’s the feeling. Got it.”
“What are you going to name it?”
“A name, huh?”
“Yeah! A technique deserves a proper name! Just like spells!”
Of course, it didn’t require chanting an incantation to activate, but naming a technique you’d created just felt right.
It’d make it easier to teach to others, too.
But instead of answering my eager prompting, Siegfried suddenly tossed me a wooden sword.
“Whoa!”
“I’ll teach you this technique first, then think about it.”
“Y-Yes...?”
“No time to waste. Pick up the sword.”
A pleased smile played on Siegfried’s face.
It was the same expression he often wore when tormenting me during training.
“Eek!”
“Don’t run! Ken! Come at me!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Siegfried was pouring his time into creating his own techniques.
So what were the others up to?
“Ken! Help me out again today.”
“Uh, oh, again today?”
“Yeah, it’ll be quick. Hehe.”
Emily approached me with a bright, innocent smile.
And the place we headed to was an empty classroom with no one around.
It used to be for students, but now it served as a storage room.
As I sat in our usual spot, Emily pulled her chair right up next to mine.
“Um, hey. Do we really need to sit this close?”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“N-No, it’s not that I don’t like it.”
“Doesn’t it feel more intimate this way?”
Emily pressed her body against mine, sulking playfully at my question.
She grabbed my arm and hugged it tight for no reason.
“Sorry, sorry. I don’t mind, so ease up.”
Realizing my slip, I pleaded, but...
Emily just wore an amused smile and whispered in my ear.
“I won’t.”
“Eek...!”
It didn’t feel bad, but her breath on my sensitive ear made me let out a weird noise involuntarily.
She giggled at my reaction.
So what were we doing in this empty classroom?
Helping Emily practice her healing magic, of course.
Or more precisely, serving as her guinea pig.
“It’ll be over quick, so bear with it a little.”
“Okay.”
With that, Emily took my hand and brought it to her lips.
And gently bit down.
“Ow.”
I felt her soft lips through the back of my hand, then the pain of her teeth sinking into my skin, accompanied by her hot breath.
Soon, Emily pulled away and dabbed the wound with a handkerchief.
“Sorry, did it hurt?”
“Nah, I’m fine.”
She apologized, but her cheeks were flushed red, and her faint smile made her look oddly pleased.
Then, with her slightly ragged breathing, a status window appeared before my eyes.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [System: Emily Epiris's arousal level increases.] Thanks to her persistent sadistic streak, this status window popped up every time we went through the process.
“But do you really need to bite me?”
“Ugh, th-that’s because knives and stuff are too scary.”
Emily averted her eyes and flustered at my question.
I bet she just wanted to bite.
After a short wait, blood began seeping slowly from the bite wound.
“......”
Emily stared blankly at it, cheeks still red.
“Emily?”
“Ah, y-yeah! Sorry, I’ll heal it right now.”
Snapping out of her daze at my call, she hurriedly placed her hand over the wound.
She closed her eyes, gathered her mana, and focused.
“...Hmm~.”
Mana flowed around her, creating a faint glow.
“If it’s tricky, why not try chanting?”
“W-Wait. I think I can do it without chanting now...”
After focusing a bit more, Emily seemed to get the hang of it and carefully recited the incantation.
“Vitia.”
The glowing mana converged in her hand, enveloping my wound.
A warmth different from her body heat spread through me, and soon...
The pain from her bite vanished.
“It healed almost perfectly this time?”
“Yeah, I’ve pretty much mastered beginner level now!”
It wasn’t fully closed—just faint teeth marks now—but Emily beamed innocently.
She was clearly thrilled with her growing skill.
“Hey, Ken. Can we do one more?”
“O-One more?”
“Yeah, I think I can nail it perfectly this time.”
Her eyes weren’t filled with effort so much as a trance-like flush, cheeks red and breath heavy.
No choice—I offered my hand again.
“Ufufu, ahh~.”
Her approaching breath tickled my hand.
Her moist lips enveloped it once more, and she bit down.
“Ow.”
She bit me three more times after that.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Mary had spent the month studying maps and plotting the route to the tower.
“Ken, could you check it over with me?”
She was throwing herself into the trip preparations with enthusiasm, ready for anything.
From food supplies to stopover cities.
She’d even arranged the carriage recently.
Mary was reliable enough with her magic alone, but her extra care made me grateful.
“What do you think of this pass here? I’m a bit worried about monster sightings.”
“...Uh, that. ...I can’t really see it.”
The map she showed me was obscured by her swaying hair.
We were in the academy library—a whole building dedicated just to books, befitting a place that hosted so many VIPs.
We’d found a quiet corner table to discuss.
The problem was the seating.
Or rather, Mary was sitting on my lap.
“M-Mary? Why sit on my lap...?”
“......”
She flinched at my question but didn’t answer.
Instead, she leaned back, pressing her back against me in silence.
Her swaying hair tickled my nose, and a pleasant scent teased my senses.
Her petite frame radiated warm body heat.
Honestly, it wasn’t bad.
But then Mary slowly turned her head to look up at me.
“Lately, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Emily and Rafne, haven’t you?”
“Yeah...?”
Probably about helping with healing practice or weapon crafting.
Mary brought it up with a blank expression, but her eyes held a hint of gloom.
“It made me feel left out.”
“L-Left out? I consider you close too, Mary.”
“But I’ve seen you getting cozy not just with Rafne, but Emily too lately.”
Suddenly, a chill emanated from her warm body.
Why? She seemed kinda upset.
“So I thought I’d close the distance too... Am I bothering you?”
The icy aura vanished instantly as she looked up anxiously.
Physically uncomfortable? Sure. Mentally? Not at all.
It just tensed me up—her on my lap meant one wrong move as a guy could spell disaster.
But her moist eyes won me over. I smiled and shook my head.
“Bother me? ...Not at all.”
“Okay, then shall we finish looking at the map?”
Pleased with my answer, Mary smiled faintly and held up the map again.
This time at shoulder height so I could see clearly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Just like that, busy with our individual preparations, a few weeks flew by.
Now only a week remained until the scheduled date.
It was time to hand over the equipment I’d agonized over creating.
The actual crafting hadn’t taken long—what ate up time was deciding what to make.
First up, Emily.
“You made this for me?”
Emily took the round shield I’d crafted and smiled in delighted surprise.
“Thank you!”
She hugged it to her chest, eyes even tearing up a bit.
She really liked it—I felt proud.
For our healer Emily, I made a shield for protection.
A round iron shield with a mana stone and mana absorption stone embedded in the center—excellent against magic attacks. Runes kept it lightweight.
Next, Mary.
“A staff...?”
“Yeah, I figured this suited you best.”
For magic-focused Mary, I crafted a lightweight wand-style staff for one-handed use.
She was skilled enough without one, but the amplification stone and mana control runes would make her frost magic even smoother.
“...This.”
Mary swung it a few times, testing spells.
Ice crystal serpents danced gorgeously in the air.
Confirming its performance, she gripped it tight and smiled.
Her usual stoic face made the blush on her cheeks shine even brighter.
“I’ll treasure it, Ken. Thank you so much.”
Next, Adrian.
He might not need gear like the others, but better to have it.
“For me?”
“How’s the fit? I can adjust if it’s off.”
“No, it’s perfect. Heh, I’m glad you know my hand size this well.”
“...I eyeballed it.”
For him, enchanted gloves.
Unlike Mary’s pure magic focus, Adrian sometimes used weapons, so I tailored it accordingly.
The inscribed runes and effects were similar to the staff.
“This... impressive, Ken. I didn’t know you had skills like this.”
He snapped his fingers a few times, conjuring flames, and stared at his hand in astonishment.
And finally, Rafne.
“Wow... Ken made this for me...?”
Rafne’s eyes sparkled as she took it.
She liked it as much as I’d hoped.
She spun the long staff in her hands a few times.
No training, yet she wielded it flawlessly.
“Perfect! I love it! Thanks, Ken! I’m so happy!”
For her, a spear.
A long, gleaming golden spear.
After much deliberation on what to make for the versatile Rafne.
Not just any spear, of course.
“Watch—channel mana here.”
“Whoa! It shrank!”
Demonstrating, I infused mana into a specific part, and it shortened to wand size.
“Depending where you channel it, you can extend the shaft or enlarge the blade.”
A shape-shifting spear.
Like Sun Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang—I couldn’t have made it without studying Aspetra’s repairs.
The design was complex, but the result was satisfying.
Sword-capable and portable.
With that, the group’s main gear was complete.
All that remained was waiting for Adrian’s intel.
We spent the final week double-checking plans.
Then, on the appointed day.
Late at night after sunset.
Wearing the hooded cloaks I’d provided, we gathered at the academy entrance.
“Everyone here?”
Food and luggage were split between Emily’s and my subspace pouches.
Essentials stayed with each person.
The six of us, resolute expressions set, preparations done.
“We’ll be back soon.”
With nods, we turned from the academy we’d briefly leave behind and set off on our journey.