Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Blessing on the Path Ahead
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I got completely hooked on D/Z SAGA because of one character's route.
Truth be told, I wasn't that into it until I saw that character's ending, but anyway.
In between, I wandered quite a bit.
I played all sorts of games. Replayed classic RPGs, went back to the ones from the orphanage.
As I mentioned before.
The orphanage computers only had classic games installed, and that's what we grew up playing.
Of course, online games had some classic RPGs too, but most were subscription-based or demanded excessive cash shops.
The ones that really stuck with me were those mobile remakes hyped with phrases like 【A reinterpretation of classic games!】 or 【Remember those memories?】【Long time no see. How've you been?】
That's how I ended up trying that "nostalgic RPG smartphone edition!" game... and promptly dropped everything.
In the end, D/Z SAGA is the only one for me.
Of course, D/Z SAGA isn't a perfect god game.
Perfect god games do exist in this world, but they've all been indefinitely delayed.
So shove those unreleased ones aside.
Let's talk about D/Z SAGA.
Gathering party members, seeing endings, training, skill crafting, item farming, rerolling builds, swapping traits—there's a ton... but the real fun is in skill combinations.
For magic, it's like 【Main Spell: Support Formula: Support Formula】—combine a few, and you change the 'spell range,' 'magic attack power,' 'support effects,' and so on. 【Black Crystal: Single Shot: Maximum Power】 is exactly that vibe.
And next up is crafting skill combos, which are a blast.
For example, using Shining Patissier twice triggers option fusion calculations, just like you can combine 'crafting skills' with other 'crafting skills.'
"Looks like skill combos are the only way to snag blessing items."
Blessings are a pretty hidden option—hard to get with normal methods.
The grand story wrapping the whole world, battling curses and all that, requires breaking through multiple flags into a whole new branch. There's even special heroines exclusive to that route.
So canonically, the Act 2 boss comes with an 'unblockable curse,' but with a few exploits, you can stockpile 'blessing' items right now.
The odds are RNG-heavy, though. Only one way to boost them.
"Eve. Help me out."
"I'm swamped as it is!"
A polite request to my bloodline mate secures the assist.
"Keep talking nonsense, and I'll actually shoot you."
"You the judge of what's useful or not?"
"Obviously."
Looking at Eve, dark circles under her eyes, I paused to think.
Getting help from Eve isn't hard.
The Black Flag is targeting academy bigshots. Help me out—easy sell.
But the follow-ups are a pain. How do you know that? What happened during your term? Dodgy answers make me look suspicious.
I could pull a 'Mind your own business. That darkness is mine. Darkness... 'tis the sacred duty of Wolfram von Loengrin!' But my twenty-nine-year-old soul won't allow it.
So, the play here is give and take.
What does Eve like again?
Ah.
"Candy."
"...Pardon? You don't think a single candy would sway me, do you?"
"Special flavors. I can match whatever you crave."
"...N-No way I'd fall for that! Hmph."
"Five packs."
"...N-No way I'd fall for that ei...?"
"Ten packs."
Eve went silent, holding her breath.
Ten's a hassle to make, but whatever.
"...Done today?"
"Of course."
Good.
My bloodline mate's a kid who follows for candy.
We arrived at the convenience store and stood before the sign.
After my quick rundown, Eve shuddered.
"...So what're you planning?"
"Take down this sign."
"You... remember who... gave you this... as a gift... right?"
"You."
How could I forget?
Eve von Loengrin gifted this Elwood sign for my store.
"I even cashed in... the savings I'd saved since childhood... one month early?"
"Oh. Right."
"I'll kill you here and take the blame. See you in hell, Wolfram von Loengrin."
Hey, stow the light spear.
"There's a reason. Listen up."
"...Fine. Explain. If it doesn't convince me, I'm shooting."
"Mm. Embarrassing, but my magic power sucks. You know? It's a measly 3."
"...Yeah, I know."
"But most skills need mana. Crafting wipes me out fast... so I end up chugging mana potions."
"Yep."
"But stamina's low too. Too many potions, and my body rejects them."
"...【Light Spear: Store: Release】"
"...Thanks."
"No... my bad for lacking empathy. Keep going. ...I'll listen."
She stowed the spear—nice—but those pitying eyes?
Magic power 22's sympathy hurts. Just stab me instead.
"Enter the sign. We're removing it."
"...Not following."
"Elwood material. Its trait?"
"Absorbs ambient mana in small amounts for energy. Produces near-infinite mana?"
"Right. Elwood gear runs semi-permanently without mana stones. But never thought of this?"
"This what?"
"Concentrate the Elwood's mana output locally to turn an area into a 'fast mana recovery field.'"
"...Huh? Oh... yeah, not impossible. How'd you even think of that...?"
It's a hidden material bonus in the game.
Sacred Wood Elwood bumps mana recovery by +1.
"Can you do it? Your magic should make it easy. You powered the sign 24/7 originally. Redirect it all to a mana field."
"Yes. But only half."
"Half?"
She snapped her fingers.
The sign floated, a magic circle sprang up—endless runes and lines. Eve danced her fingers like a world-class pianist on keys. About a minute in my head, and it settled back.
"Half done."
"Meaning?"
"Daylight, 6 AM to 6 PM: sign off, mana field on as you want. Nights: sign lights up."
"Reasonable. So why the attitude?"
"Hmph. Your fault for dismissing my hard work outright."
"Sorry about that. I was desperate."
"...Huh?"
Eve's eyes went wide staring at me.
What?
"You actually apologized straight-up. ...Wow. Emotions left in you after all?"
Tch.
What do you take me for?
I scowled; she found it hilarious and laughed lightly—uncharacteristic—waving it off.
"Kidding. So, after all that trouble, service drink? And demo this mana field?"
"Mm. Easy. Come in."
Inside the store, a cozy whoosh of comfort hit—fresher than before.
Eve felt it too, eyes widening.
"Whoaaaa..."
"Told you."
Eve converts magic to stamina via the trash-efficiency 【Soul Change】 skill.
Student council grind means she's always under mana penalty at 22.
Invest in her? Mana recovery items are meta.
She looks thrilled just stepping in and recovering.
"...Gotta reassess you, Wolfram."
"What?"
"Thanks—er, good job. Great spot. I, Eve von Loengrin, approve."
She slumped into a chair, body melting over the table.
Just like Aila after a failed 'rebellion today...'
"Elwood's blessing, huh? ...Never imagined using it like this."
"Why forest elves dominate woods. Or how our great ancestors fought them—didn't learn that?"
"...Burn the forest to fight there. Threaten fire if no surrender. Drag 'em out if threats fail."
"Yep. Elves ranked with celestials and demons—tough conquest."
"But founding noble 'Companion' Cierra house spilled elf intel. All elves knelt."
"Cierra... faded now, but elves call 'em traitors."
"Still knowledgeable. ...Where from?"
D/Z SAGA wiki I wrote.
Can't say that.
"Anyway, back on track. Wanna see crafting? Eat candy and watch."
"...Yeah. Hehe. Tasty."
Eve nibbled candy, pressing it to her cheek with a obnoxiously cute grin.
Ugh, gross.
Ignoring my bloodline mate's antics, activated skills.
First, Shining Patissier.
Shining Patissier
【Making bread dough.】
【Underdone bread completed.】
Now the real deal.
Handy Worker next.
Handy Worker
【Crafting paper slip with blessing inscription.】
This much is heretical combo.
But not enough.
Two skills down. Mana drains—I'm at 3, so 2.5 gone already.
Eve's mana field kicks in.
Mana refilled—instant third skill.
Accessory Crafting
【Crafting using 【Underdone Bread】 and 【Paper Slip with Blessing Inscription】.】
【Accessory Crafting: Critical Success!】
【Fortune Cookie infused with divinity created!】
"...Phew."
Nodded at the result.
Crafting skill fusion. One of the few early 'blessing option' accessories.
"...What'd you make? What's that?"
"Fused combo formulas. Fortune cookie—know it?"
"...?"
"Cookie with a blessing slip inside. Crack it open, read the slip. Wishing infinite luck on whoever does."
"Nice cookie."
"Fun part: it's a cookie and accessory. Dual properties."
"Possible...?"
"Take it."
Handed Eve the fortune cookie.
She held it, pondering.
Then beamed brighter than ever.
"Heart's warming up. Washes away the exhaustion."
"That so."
"Yeah. First time feeling this. Not even recovery magic does it... hehe."
Makes sense.
Blessings/curse ignore magic power.
Huge for Eve von Loengrin—pierces her magic resistance either way.
Think: others' 'recovery magic' on her? Her resistance nerfs it hard.
Self-cast? Burns mana instead of HP—half-baked.
Never had true recovery or purification blessing.
So blessings bypassing mana hit deep.
Kelters, hero of light, special to her for that reason.
Curses hurt bad too, of course.
"Don't eat it. Tastes bad."
"Even as a cookie?"
"Made as a talisman."
"Got it. You using, Wolfram? Nice item."
"Nah, gift."
"Ooh. Blessing someone's path ahead? Recipient'll love it. Not me, though."
Hm.
About that—I thought it over.
"Nah. It's yours."
"...…………………………………………What?"
She seemed happy earlier, helped with the sign today.
Plus, Eve von Loengrin is Act 2 boss target too.
Why's she blanking like that?
"Blessing my path...? After I stole your president seat?"
"Obviously. Freed me from duty. Blessings on the grueling student council president's road ahead."
I said it smiling.
I know her workload—she'll get I'm half-teasing.
Eve caught on, eyed me and the cookie, then smirked faintly in disbelief.
"Teasing me?"
"Finally."
"You know why I'm buried in work? Shoddy handover, holed up making junk, academy in chaos!"
She stomped.
"That's the bribe."
"Word it nicer! Sounds like I'm bribing the corrupt ex-president!"
"Final handover from ex-president, then."
She froze.
"Blessing Jefrin's next prez. Looking forward to more."
"...Fine. Handover accepted. Ex-President."
She fiddled with the cookie, then shot up.
"Heading out?"
"Unlike a certain retired ex-prez leisurely crafting, I'm swamped."
"Safe travels."
"...Hmph. Be back. If I get the chance!"
With that, Eve left the store.
Carefully wrapped the cookie in mana—protection spell, even I at 3 can tell.
"Always think it, but..."
Man.
What a dishonest kid.
