Basilisk's Carcass

This basilisk's carcass was a veritable treasure trove in itself.

For starters, those fangs came from its poison glands, so turning them into daggers would make for some pretty decent weapons. Heck, grinding them up and drinking the powder would ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠massively boost poison resistance too.

And those scales, basically its back shell, were hardened to the max for defense—probably because even the snake hated getting hurt. How tough were they? Tough enough that unless Ebnis swung down with a full-powered 'serious' strike, they'd barely get scratched.

Anyway.

Kalen and I dissected what we could manage, and in the end, we scored two more fangs, three chunks of meat, and a few back scale fragments.

"……Hoo, haa. Th-this is the limit for just the two of us."

"Good work. Go rest over there."

I hadn't planned on hauling the whole thing back from the start. How could we? Just take the prime cuts.

'Dissection' doesn't mean ripping the monster to shreds and taking every last scrap of meat, right?

"A-Adrian? That's dangerous!"

Leaning on my staff, I approached the dead snake, lifted its closed eyelid, and peered in. A chilling sensation wrapped around my whole body.

A basilisk's eyes keep working eternally, even after the host dies. If I opened my eyes here, it wouldn't end well for me.

But.

Unfortunately for it, that wasn't going to happen.

Pfshk!

With practiced ease, I gouged out the eye with my dagger and reached in to extract something. The spurting deadly venom? I converted my mana to wind to block it from touching me.

In my hand sat a yellow, glistening orb.

The mana condensate embedded in both of this thing's eyes. A very useful item in many ways.

Link it with the basilisk's petrification, and you can track afflicted 'prey' no matter where they hide. Nothing wrong with having it.

With this, I could pinpoint the Act 3 boss's location without ever showing my true form—even if it's hiding.

I jammed the dagger into the other eye and pulled out its crystal too. Rolled both into my inventory, then farmed a few more things.

A few glowing purple and blue gems. These were...

[Acquired 'Enhancement Stone'!]

Mana condensates, back scales, fangs, and enhancement stones. That's why I called it a treasure trove.

"A-Adrian."

"What?"

"Wh-when can I get my shield back...?"

Shield. Hm...

Originally, I planned to combine these scales and commission a blacksmith for a new one.

But I've changed my mind.

And with a thunk, a massive silver scale—pointing backward under its jaw—dropped in front of me. Light enough for me to lift, I picked it up and turned to Kalen.

"Kalen, try hitting this scale with an Attribute Sword."

"Yes, sir."

Kalen infused his sword with ice and swung at me. The scale perfectly deflected the strike and shot it right back.

"……Wh-what is this?"

"An item called the 'Earth Dragon's Reverse Scale'. Unusually, it's far stronger against 'magic' and 'mana-infused attacks' than pure physical ones. Time it right, and it'll reflect the attack outright. Top-notch stuff."

Unlike the physical-tank shield Kalen used before, this focused on magic and mana attacks. Only 3-star grade, but serviceable through late Act 3.

Still just a stopgap—I'd get him a real shield later.

I tied a strap to the scale and tossed it to him. He strapped it to his back.

"……But it's woefully weak to physical attacks, so you'll have to block those with your sword."

"Completely different style from the last one... It's fine. I'll overcome the shortcomings with effort."

"Then let's head back. We've got everything worth taking."

"Yes, sir! I'll take point!"

Returning to Salenium with Kalen, an unexpected face waited at the south gate, hands on hips.

Neatly pressed uniform. Black hair down to her waist. Eyes gleaming like jade.

"Long time no see, Adrian!"

"……Reina?"

"That's me!"

......Why was she here? Vacation still had four days left, right?

"The proxy patriarch procedures are all done, so I'm officially the Wolfgang family's acting head now. I'll inherit the countess title right after graduation!"

I see. So it was all finally over.

"You came to tell me that? ...Vacation's got four days left. You could've wrapped up official duties and come later without issue."

"Uh, um......"

Reina fidgeted, then spoke.

"Th-the duties... Butler Chief and Alpren are handling them... Alpren straight-up said, 'Sis, get back to the academy already,' and basically kicked me out..."

"You dumped all the official work on your eight-year-old little brother and came to the academy yourself?"

"N-no! Alpren needs to learn duties too. It-it's just four days, and Wolfgang territory's always peaceful with barely any work, so I came back."

......I see.

"Hehe, Adrian. Were you bored without me?"

"Not at all."

"Uuu."

Why puff out her cheeks like that?

"Oh yeah, since Ebnis came back with you, let's all meet up later."

"Pass."

"Adrian, Ebnis the sub-marquess handled all the aftermath of your grand mess. She even went north to report to the marquis herself, so at least say thanks?"

......That musclehead did unasked-for work again.

And.

"A-Adrian, sir."

Beside her stood a girl with eyes spinning like crazy.

Oh right. Forgot to loop them in.

"C-Countess? Proxy lord? Marquis? Wh-what are they talking about? D-did I miss something...?"

Come to think of it, I hadn't explained to them.

"Fine. While we're at it, I'll fill you in on vacation events, and since everyone's back at the academy, we'll welcome you all. Assemble the whole crew."

Plus, I had other things to say.

I glanced around and headed to the dorms.

First, I rented a central district open-air restaurant in my name.

Everyone arrived on time, and after nearly a month apart, we exchanged greetings.

"Welcome back, Reina!"

"Rel! And Millije! Oh, Sufle too!"

Relbrian and Reina hugged it out. Me, Reina, Millije, Relbrian, Sufle, and Millije's spirit Nero.

Of course, Lijelilias the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠imperial princess was at the palace, so no show.

Finally.

The restaurant door opened, and someone entered.

"You're all already here... Ugh."

"What's with the ugh."

"Haa... I feel sick now. You know I have a ton to say, right? Do you have any idea how much I suffered? I even went all the way north for the report!"

"Unnecess—"

Reina lightly grabbed my shoulder.

"Adrian."

......Hm. Fine.

I wasn't sure if it was Bloodline Dignity kicking in, but she was Repelheit too—my sister in a way.

"......You worked hard."

"......Eh?"

She glitched.

"Th-that's not what I came for! I just explained we have zero connection to your actions!"

"I know. Sit down, you tardy slacker. Lucky the food's not all out yet."

"Hmph, drop dead."

With that, she sat as far from me as possible.

Before food arrived, we chatted away.

Talking Wolfgang family stuff...

"So that's what happened......"

"That's a shame. W-we wanted to help too..."

"Couldn't be helped. Had to be covert."

"Mm, sounds like it really couldn't be helped. But Reina's a dear friend, so give us a heads-up next time."

"......Got it."

Right on cue, food came out, and we enjoyed a light meal.

I set the mood that I had something to say, and everyone paused to look at me.

"Listen up. Lately... things at Salenium haven't been normal."

"Yeah. I heard injuries from expeditions are way up from last year this time. Word is, with tuition due soon, everyone's rushing out on expeditions."

......Technically demonkin work, but Reina thought that.

"Right. So never go on expeditions alone or in pairs. If you need to go, call me. I'll tag along anytime."

"Hehe, that's reliable."

Saying that, I slipped a note under the table. Reina's hand carefully took it.

Then, she shamelessly pointed behind everyone.

"Whoa! Look at the sky, everyone!"

I turned too.

......A single blue shooting star streaked across the night sky.

I instantly clocked it as fake—made with her mana.

"Make a wish, everyone! Now!"

Everyone else closed their eyes at her words, but only Reina and I kept ours open, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠exchanging glances.

Man, her instincts were sharp.

She mouthed words with a sly smile.

'Got it, 4 people? I'll have my informants watching them.'

"Mm."

I nodded slightly, locked eyes, then pretended to wish with eyes closed.

"Done! What'd you all wish for? Me first..."

Chatter buzzed around as I closed my eyes briefly.

......Yeah. With these guys. With the crew I've gathered.

We'd breeze through the coming Act 3.

"......Huh, Adrian? Asleep? Then I'll snag those butter potatoes off your plate..."

"Not asleep."

"Ack."

"But take the butter potatoes."

"Thanks!"