Chapter 103
Chapter 103
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Materialization
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[It can strengthen this body...? What does that mean?]
Kerr asked in a puzzled voice.
"Exactly what I said. I think I can make you even stronger."
I gave a simple answer, but inwardly, I was surprised too.
In Stella Academia, items are generally classified into four categories.
Weapons, armor, accessories, and special items.
Among these, Kerr—that is, the Shadow Cloak—had been classified as an accessory.
It was a utility item in the game that allowed the use of the Shadow Passage movement skill.
But now, it was being recognized as a weapon.
Why?
'...Ah, could it be that?'
After pondering it, I had a good idea of the reason.
Unlike in the original story, I had been using Kerr in combat like a weapon.
In fact, though I'd mostly used her lately for travel or odd jobs, her own combat prowess was quite impressive.
Even in that spar where Artel held back from attacking her main body, Kerr had been evenly matched with Artel.
So maybe the system was judging her not just as a simple accessory, but as a weapon too.
'I'm curious.'
What would happen if I enhanced Kerr?
Would some new function unlock?
She wouldn't become slothful too, would she?
[Ugh... Papa... Tired...]
[Master... Ears...]
I imagined it briefly, but that would be a real problem.
Then Kerr spoke up.
[Making me stronger, huh... If some other human said it, I'd call it nonsense, but with you, it actually seems possible.]
She continued in a curious tone.
[But how exactly do you plan to enhance me? With magic or black magic?]
"Uh... Not exactly. I have my own special ability."
Explaining the system or the weapon enhancement ticket would be tricky, so I glossed over it vaguely.
[Hah. Possible without magic...? Come to think of it, my previous master seemed to have something similar, but I can't quite remember the details.]
Kerr sounded a bit surprised, then asked,
[Anyway, what exactly gets enhanced?]
But I didn't know that either.
I wasn't the one doing the enhancing; it was the system's Weapon Enhancement Ticket.
"Well, I don't really kn—"
[...If you're the one doing it but don't even know, then what's the point?]
"It'll still turn out great. I can guarantee that much."
There were no failures or destructions when using the ticket, so no need to worry.
Of course, this was the first time on a shadow cloak, but...
Since it worked on other ultra-high-grade items, I was confident it'd be fine.
[Hmmm... Fine, I'll trust you this once.]
Kerr fell silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject.
[Human, so that non-answer earlier... You weren't sulking, then?]
"...? Why would I sulk?"
I asked back, not understanding.
I'd been so focused on the weapon enhancement ticket earlier that I hadn't really heard Kerr properly. Was there something?
Kerr shouted in a strangely embarrassed tone.
[Kuh! Forget what I said earlier! No lullabies or anything!]
"Sorry I missed it. I was thinking about enhancing you."
[I-is that what it was?]
"Obviously."
I soothed Kerr and casually made a suggestion.
"I'll enhance you, so how about lulling me to sleep instead?"
[...This body is making an exception for you, so be grateful.]
Kerr hesitated a bit before giving in.
'Nice. Deal sealed. Let's do this.'
I levitated Kerr into the air.
Without delay, I used the Weapon Enhancement Ticket.
A light briefly enveloped Kerr's shadowy form before fading away.
The system alert appeared.
I looked at Kerr.
'Hmm...'
But her appearance didn't seem to have changed at all.
What was different?
Then.
[...Human. What the hell did you do to my body?!]
Kerr spoke in a panicked voice.
'What's wrong? Something off?'
Did it go wrong?
I started to worry a little.
But soon, an overwhelming wave of joy from Kerr washed over me.
It was the most intense emotion since she'd realized she'd been acting cute with me when we first met.
[Mana... I can feel mana!]
'What do you...?'
Kerr, who was just an item, could feel mana?
I'd never seen a case like this in the game.
[It's a small amount, but it's definitely mana!]
'Does that mean you can use magic now?'
If she had mana, didn't that mean she could cast spells?
Kerr had vast knowledge of magic and black magic.
Had I just gained an archmage slave—no, companion?!
[I need to test it out.]
Kerr replied excitedly right away.
But then.
Shhhh!
Suddenly, her shadowy form rippled and shifted...
And astonishingly, Kerr took on a human form!
A young woman with sheep-like horns curving to both sides, seductive purple eyes.
Her figure was incredibly voluptuous, and her outfit so revealing I didn't know where to look.
I stared at her in shock.
"Kerr...?"
[W-what are you staring at?]
Kerr spoke, sounding a little shy under my gaze.
"What's with that form?"
[Oh, this? It's my form from the past. It came back to me when you gave me mana with that enhancement.]
"So... you used to have a real body?"
She looked down at her own body as she explained.
[Indeed. After I died, my master placed my soul into this current form.]
She hesitated slightly before continuing.
[To use magic, it seems I have to take this shape... but you're staring so intently. Is there something wrong with this body?]
There was a problem.
A big one.
Setting aside the overly revealing outfit...
Her form had features I recognized all too well from a certain race.
A major enemy race in the game.
'Demonkin.'
The nobility among mana beasts, the demonkin.
They generally had humanoid forms with horns on their heads.
So, Kerr was a demonkin?
"Kerr. Were you a demonkin?"
[Hmph. Demonkin? Don't compare this body to such lowly creatures.]
Despite my question, Kerr scoffed.
"Then what?"
[This body is not demonkin... um... what was it again?]
Kerr groaned, then sighed.
[Ugh, for some reason, my past is so hazy. It's not just forgetfulness since I remember my magic knowledge and such perfectly. There must be some kind of seal on it.]
I agreed with that.
[I don't know which insolent fool put a seal on this body... but being with you seems to be loosening it bit by bit, so that's good.]
With that, Kerr proudly extended her hand.
[Now then, human. Behold as this body demonstrates the wonders of magic!]
"Oh...! Show me, show me!"
I watched her eagerly, full of anticipation.
[Ardum, Icam, Bellos...]
She murmured in some unknown language.
[Exiom...!]
Then she dramatically opened her palm.
'That's so cool.'
She exuded the aura of a master mage, making me wonder if she'd unleash some massive spell that would blow up the dorm room.
But.
[......Huh?]
'Hm?'
Nothing happened.
[Th-this is strange. I constructed the ritual perfectly...]
Panicking, she tried again, but it still failed.
[What's going on...? This body couldn't possibly be wrong?]
She tilted her head, then closed her eyes as if examining something.
[Ah, I see... So that's the situation.]
When she opened her eyes again, her face was downcast.
"What situation?"
[This mana isn't something I produced—it's a limited power you infused via your ability.]
[So I can't wield it freely... It seems I can only manifest one ritual closest to my soul's essence.]
Kerr explained.
In simple terms, she could only use one specific type of magic.
"What ritual is it?"
[Shadow Flame.]
[That's it. And this tiny thing is the maximum output.]
Kerr muttered in a dejected voice.
She looked so pitiful that I comforted her.
"I see. Still, it's better than nothing. And it might get better in the future."
[Yeah... You're right.]
She nodded faintly and reverted to her original cloak form.
[Anyway, thank you so much for letting me use magic again. I'll never forget this favor.]
She slipped back into my inventory, pressing tightly against my body.
'...'
It was just like always, draping the cloak over me, but why did it feel so different somehow?