Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Masterpiece (2)
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Lea and Estelle's subtle battle of wills was forgotten for the moment.
"Hmm... Light magic. A rare attribute. And from the looks of it, you're from the Lumeria family."
Standing before Michelan, who had gathered all his new insights, was Estelle, next in line after Lea.
"Your personality... it's unique. Endlessly pursuing anything intriguing... That's how you've achieved so much at your young age."
Though Michelan had originally said he'd appraise Arien first...
-"Hahaha! Alright, Arien, you're next?"
-"...I'll do it."
-"Hm? Order doesn't matter. Just wait a bit..."
-"Next is me."
Perhaps due to the chilling atmosphere and Estelle's icy tone pressing forward.
Michelan, who had lived for ages and seen it all, seemed to yield for once.
"But when it comes to relationships... you're hopeless. Little interest in people, and even if someone catches your eye, it'll be trouble."
"..."
"If you find someone you like, you'll pull out all the stops to make them yours. Whoever it is, they're in for a rough ride."
An interest bordering on obsession...
Of course, excessive attention could be seen as a flaw, burdensome and uncomfortable.
Yet that very trait made Estelle so captivating.
"...Yes, you're right."
She nodded slightly, responding calmly to Michelan's words.
And as she shot me a subtle glance with a shy smile...
"A mage's interest... is never taken lightly."
Born into nobility, her greed had always gotten her everything she wanted.
A mage's thirst for knowledge demanded that anything fascinating become hers.
"So, if you ever pique a mage's interest... you must be prepared to pay the price."
Above all, beneath her cold, stoic exterior lay a warm affection.
"..."
It perfectly explained why I couldn't help but fall for Estelle's charms.
"Heh heh... The young ones' love these days weighs heavy, it seems."
Of course, Estelle, ever shy about showing emotion...
Soon flushed red and turned her head away...
Swish,
"..."
Yet she pursed her lips toward me again, her face strangely flushed with excitement.
A dizzying sight. The phrase "utterly enchanted" fit perfectly.
'Is she doing this on purpose...?'
With beauty that could steal everyone's gaze, making such a longing expression.
If I didn't know Estelle's pure heart, I might have fallen right then. A dangerously tempting scene.
"Anyway, Estelle, you could use an artifact most of all."
In the somewhat stirred atmosphere.
Michelan, unable to bear the awkward silence, broke it.
"I first thought of making you a staff. But the one you have is excellent enough."
A staff was merely a tool to aid magic.
Advanced mages often found them cumbersome and left them behind.
Moreover, Estelle's current staff boasted impressive performance.
'How much they dote on her...'
The staff gifted by her older siblings, who cherished their late-born sister like their own child.
Commissioned to the empire's finest craftsman with top-grade materials.
Not quite a masterpiece, but second to none otherwise.
"I'll make you a protective artifact. Mages are generally vulnerable to defense. It won't be a game-changer, but it'll help."
Scribble, scribble. After a brief, vigorous sketch.
The blueprint was instantly filled with intricate runes.
"This part here is detection magic. It activates a mana barrier the moment an attack approaches."
"...That would compromise stability greatly."
"Hm? You know your runes too? Haha, good. Stability's the issue? Solve it by minimizing the mana barrier—keep it in standby mode. That reduces mana drain and ensures quick response..."
Hmm, what's all this...?
Michelan eagerly explained his design, while Estelle questioned with keen interest.
High-level terms flew between them, incomprehensible to a mere swordsman like me.
Something about a thin mana barrier.
It addressed the chronic issue of protective artifacts guzzling mana like a beast.
"Argh, what are they even saying..."
Fortunately, someone just like me sat beside me.
Arien started with a serious nod, pretending to understand.
But as their debate heated up, he scowled in annoyance.
See? I knew it!
Knights have their own lingo.
If even the Hero Arien couldn't follow, it was natural for me too.
...It made me look a bit pathetic, but Arien felt like the most reliable ally right now.
"...So, we need a medium to engrave these runes. Anything works, but metal would be ideal."
Amid the professorial debate tormenting our brains.
Michelan, having fine-tuned the details, mentioned materials for the artifact.
"Clothes or a robe you like. A staff works too. Or beautiful jewelry."
Defensive artifacts had simple structures, less picky about materials than others.
Michelan surely knew this, hence his casual suggestion.
Estelle pondered calmly, seemingly undecided.
"If nothing appeals, I'll handle it. Hmm, Lumeria family... How about a robe emblazoned with the sun?"
"...That's a bit..."
Genius or not, they all had their quirks.
"..."
Michelan's sketched design was disastrously hideous.
As if he'd traded aesthetics for magitech talent.
Even Estelle, usually agreeable, looked flustered.
No, flustered? Her eyes were twitching...
Her hesitant cuteness was endearing, but I didn't want to see her deflated like this.
Swish,
On midterms, in the devil's barrier where I'd gone looking for Estelle.
Her hair ornament on the floor amid fierce battle traces.
This hairpin, her cherished symbol always worn.
Perfect for crafting a satisfying artifact.
"Hey, Estelle? Come here a sec?"
Curiosity lit her face as she approached, wondering what was up.
Click,
Gazing at the adorable Estelle, I brushed her hair aside.
And carefully pinned the gleaming silver hairpin in place.
"Yeah, I've had it. Was wondering when to give it... Seems now's the time."
"..."
"Looks pretty on you, Estelle. Suits you perfectly."
"Ngh..."
Estelle fiddled with her hair, expression peculiar.
Yet her eyes trembled toward me like an earthquake.
"...You're openly flirting now?"
"Haha... What're you talking about, Lea..."
"So it wasn't Estelle enchanting Rowen—it was Rowen enchanting Estelle."
Lea glared sharply for some reason...
"...Thank you, Rowen."
Seeing Estelle's fully ripened blush and shy expression.
A pleased smile formed, a strangely satisfying warmth.
"Ahem... Couldn't you just give it to me?"
Michelan stared in confusion, of course.
"......"
But seeing Estelle's face turn frosty, he soon looked glum.
"No, didn't mages pride themselves on cool rationality...?"
Spot on.
Mages were beings of calculation, analysis, and utmost logic...
"...Sometimes, irrational choices trump reason."
Michelan's words rang true: affection was the greatest emotion.
Even a mage radiating winter frost.
Before love, she was just a girl.
Face flushed red, head bowed, fingers fidgeting.
"Ugh, my own words, can't argue..."
Self-inflicted wound.
Speechless from his own statement, Michelan sighed sheepishly.
"Heh heh... You're a sinner with women. One's obsession veers scary. The other's desperate to claim you. Tough road ahead."
"..."
"Then again, self-inflicted? Keep playing with fire, no wonder it burns."
Pity in his eyes as he looked at me.
"...Ahaha, yeah. Look away once, and you lure another girl. Maybe tie you up somewhere quiet."
Lea smiled, yet chilled the spine.
...Indeed, self-inflicted.
The ancients' wisdom held truth.
Meanwhile, at the academy cafeteria kitchen.
"Ahaha... How did this happen~?"
The president had rushed from her office at the head chef's report.
"...Such a sharp cut. Her skills haven't dulled, have they...?"
Staring at the kitchen wall, nearly bisected by a sword mark.
She picked up a nearby scrap of metal and examined it carefully.
Crunch, cruuunch!
"Already blowing the budget... Getting squeezed so hard... And now this mess~?"
Forcing a smile, but her eyes twitched, a vein bulging on her forehead—perhaps to cool her boiling rage.
Grrrind!
The apple-sized scrap became a tiny ball in seconds.
"No choice but to demand compensation~ That dwarf's skilled... Maybe 100 years will cover it~?"
For wrecking the academy.
A light sentence compared to crumbling the cafeteria wall.
She set off toward the forge, last place she'd seen her old comrade Michelan.
.....
"Wh... what is it, all of a sudden. Feels ominously foreboding..."
"...What foreboding?"
"That mad mage I mentioned. I sense her aura..."
At that moment, Michelan felt an inexplicable unease.
"Eh, it'll be fine. No wind'll blow her here!"
Oblivious to the future, he forced a hearty grin.