Chapter 44
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 044
Chapter Title: The Memorize Necklace
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Radia must have been exhausted, because she fell into a deep sleep after finishing what she had to say.
It reminded me of a puppy dozing off from fatigue, but I kept that thought to myself.
‘She might look like that, but she’s the future admiral….’
Unlike Elin, who had a clear image of a honey badger.
If I called Radia puppy-like and she actually started sleeping like one, that wouldn’t do….
If Elin asked why she could, though….
‘Because she’s a honey badger.’
She was an animal in human skin that had failed at anger management.
Calling a honey badger a honey badger was the natural conclusion.
She’d even tilt her head more if I were told not to call her that.
Of course, to me, she looked entirely like a chitinous insect.
Isel let out a groan from beside me.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been less than a week since all that hardship out there.”
“…And the outside world being so peaceful is even harder to accept.”
Elin chimed in with a comment.
She glanced at me last, as if urging me to share some impression.
Having nothing particular to say, I just clinked my teacup.
Instead, I looked at the sleeping Radia and Elin.
Caught off guard by the unexpected gaze, Elin bristled like, *What are you looking at?*
She’d been like that lately, but she definitely saw me as some kind of butler.
She seemed like she’d command me in that tone any moment: *Raise her.*
…In that case, I had no choice but to raise her.
‘Rather than impressions, we have results, so that’s fine.’
Elin probably wanted this more than my thoughts anyway.
“Elin.”
“What.”
“It’s yours. Take it.”
I pulled a small case from the drawer and showed it to her.
Was it because the case looked luxurious? Elin stopped sulking and crept closer.
“What’s that?”
“Open it.”
It’d be faster for her to open it herself than to ask me.
I handed the case to Elin and leaned back in my chair.
“This is… a necklace?”
She shot me a suspicious look.
“What, do you have some lady you like? If you want my evaluation… it’s pretty.”
Elin’s eyes narrowed menacingly.
Her eyes had sharpened the moment she saw it—I had no idea how she jumped to that conclusion.
‘…I told her it’s hers, but she doesn’t believe me.’
Elin’s distrust and grudges lingered.
Thinking about it, as a half-blood rejected by both elves and witches, she had no knack for accepting goodwill outright.
Her curt evaluation was a bit unexpected, though.
“It’s yours.”
“Huh?”
“Same context as Isel’s sword. Compensation for the Magic Tower work and the field trip disaster. Go ahead and take it.”
She stared blankly at the necklace, unable to believe it was hers, then turned her gaze back to me.
At least her tone wasn’t as prickly, like something shiny had caught her eye.
“But why a necklace of all things?”
That stemmed from the Magic Tower Lord asking me what part of the body I’d prefer for the artifact he’d make.
An artifact was an item that granted beneficial magical effects.
They were commonly made as accessories, with effects varying widely…
‘The pricier, the better.’
These days, ones made in the Magic Tower were higher quality than relics dug from ruins.
Barring extreme exceptions, anyway.
So when I specified the effect I wanted, even the Tower Lord balked.
It had to be something Elin needed right now, but not something that’d lose utility over time, and it had to cover her weaknesses.
For now, she could barely handle dozens of spirits, but later she’d command thousands alone, earning the title of spirit legion.
Something usable even then.
No reason not to splurge.
With a sigh, I explained.
“I’ve heard elves treasure their ears above all. As a half-elf, you don’t seem overly bound by that….”
My gaze fixed on Elin.
“But no need to ignore it and make earrings.”
“…I have a wand. Normally, wouldn’t you replace my old oak staff? Everyone who sponsors me….”
*What is this girl saying…?*
That’s the precious thing from your father.
She might think it shabby now, but a wand woven from ancient oak and world tree branches was practically an elven holy relic.
The CG of Elin quietly wiping away tears when she realized its value… No way I’d ruin that.
‘Even setting that aside, there’s no substitute for that wand.’
Not even the ones used by Mage, Oshuah.
Even the ones made with the Empire’s full resources.
I hoped she’d keep using that ancient oak staff.
“Isn’t that something you treasure? Cut the insincere probing.”
“…Ugh.”
The look on her face screamed *How did you know?*
As expected, it was just a half-hearted test.
Her face turned prim as she looked at me… Whatever, fine.
“It has a 3-use Memorize function. See the three mana stones embedded? You can store spells in them to use in emergencies.”
“Memorize? That’s….”
“I remembered how you couldn’t cast without a vanguard last time. It’s semi-permanent, so load it up without worry.”
Memorize was like a prepaid spell.
Store mana and incantations in advance, then cast without mana cost or delay in a pinch.
Elin gasped, but for a different reason.
“Three uses? Semi-permanent? Even for the Magic Tower….”
“I chipped in a bit. Don’t worry about it.”
Truth be told, it wasn’t a bit—I broke the bank….
High-level magic engraving like Memorize, semi-permanent, three top-grade mana stones in a tiny necklace for three casts.
To ensure she wouldn’t skip wearing it for being plain, I used precious metals accordingly and outsourced the gem design.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that little thing encapsulated all the compensation for this incident.
Money alone couldn’t buy it, nor could mere power.
‘The Tower Lord oversaw it personally.’
His own show of sincerity.
‘He must’ve realized I handled that massive thing in the end.’
A reward for maintaining close ties with the Tower—payment for resolving this mess.
“That doesn’t sound like ‘a bit.’”
*Sharp as ever.*
Give an extra rice cake to the disliked one, and they’ll eat it politely… No.
You’re the protagonist, after all. Yeah.
“Shut it.”
Elin’s Elise power had grown stronger, and Radia would ascend to student council president without issue after the Tower incident.
Gains outweighed losses.
Above all, I’d safely proposed boosting security forces to the Tower Lord for the coming tunnels.
He couldn’t save face otherwise, so he agreed.
“…You’re really giving this to me?”
“What would I do with a Memorize necklace?”
She was getting cheekier by the minute, and that expression spelled trouble, whatever it was.
C-cold sweat.
“…Then fill it for me.”
“Can’t you do it yourself?”
“It’s etiquette for the gift-giver to do it, right?”
The way Elin looked at me was… a bit….
Suggestive….
*Snap out of it. Elin’s a student….*
I was still committed to asexual love.
Charlotte would chew me out otherwise.
No doubles for me!
Etiquette, though?
Even Aiden’s knowledge had no such etiquette….
I quickly corrected myself on Aiden’s knowledge.
‘Come to think of it, Aiden has zero dating experience.’
Same as me.
Such romance knowledge from Aiden?
Useless.
This was a fantasy world with class systems, after all.
One such etiquette wouldn’t be odd.
“Um… Maybe I was joking a bit….”
“I’ll do it. Turn around.”
“Huh?!”
“What? Didn’t you ask?”
Her ears flushed at my words, but I ignored it.
Not the first or second time.
Freezing up like that was a bit novel, though.
Was she embarrassed?
That headstrong honey badger?
‘No way.’
Excellent acting.
I almost fell for it.
Her neck, pale skin like it might shed powder, with fine hairs visible.
I gently draped the necklace over it, then clicked it shut.
Since it was my first time fastening one, I took it slow.
Sorry, but I was figuring out the clasp.
As I fastened it, the soft, warm sensation lingered on my fingertips.
“There. Wear it.”
No reaction.
Feeling awkward just standing there, I returned to my seat.
Catching my breath, I saw Elin pouting at me.
“As expected, Professor, you’re sly.”
No, you asked for it….
Unjust.
Anyway….
“Isel, why the long face?”
“Me too… Hng.”
She glanced at her neck.
“…Go check the price of enchanted swords at the Magic Tower shop. Your complaints will vanish.”
Enchanted swords were buyable with money, but the astronomical sums made “with money” moot.
More importantly….
“For a knight, the sword is an extension of self—a soul, not to be hoarded like a famed blade, nor spared in use. What you received from the Tower isn’t mere tools; it’s you yourself.”
“…Is that from the professor’s perspective?”
“What nonsense? It’s from a fellow pioneer on the same path. Treat your sword as a mirror. It will reflect your heart.”
Same path, same path… same path.
She nodded eagerly, liking the phrasing.
“Then maybe it’s okay?”
I couldn’t grasp the context of her disappointment turning to acceptance, but okay was okay.
I’d long since given up deep comprehension of conversations.
It was good for my mental health.
Sitting down, I gazed out the window.
The Magic Tower incident was resolved.
Next up: the tunnels.
A chance to be judged on all I’d done so far.
Elin had grown strong enough at the Tower.
Enough to contend with the beasts the beast tamers would bring.
‘Radia just needs her self-confidence; no special training required….’
She merely faced a mental hurdle, but with the right mindset, she’d surpass Elin easily.
‘Still some time left.’
Gaining full confidence before the tunnels was unrealistic, but the foundation was set.
In the short time remaining, instill as much confidence in Radia as possible.
If that failed….
My eyes drifted back to Elin.
“Gotten a bit used to Elise’s power?”
“Eh…? Ah, yes. I can use it without strain now.”
I nodded.
Then we could move to the next stage.
To prepare if Radia faltered in the tunnels, strengthen Elin further.
‘The groundwork for that is laid.’
There was one hidden object extractable from Elise.
‘Originally a subjugation reward… but ways to avoid that exist.’
Steepled fingers, lost in thought for a moment.