Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Bonus Stage (7)
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Radica described the process of taming the star fragments as "attunement."
It meant getting close to the power of the stars.
Once you became familiar enough that the awkwardness faded away, you could start borrowing their power. And as your affinity grew, you could draw on more and more of it.
There was no telling how long it would take to max out that affinity while staying in the earth fairies' domain, so naturally, they only stayed until that first step—being able to borrow the power.
"Once you reach that point, the taming is complete. After that, only you can use it."
"What happens if someone else tries?"
"What happens? It just becomes an ordinary bracelet. The star's power doesn't respond at all."
"So it's completely bound to you."
"That's the right way to put it."
"And that usually takes about ten days?"
"It varies by person, but generally."
"Then why did Lilia manage it in just one day?"
"Who knows."
Radica could only give a wry smile at Galen's grumbling.
"Maybe it's because she's a priestess. That might be why legendary weapons are often holy swords—they have great affinity with holy power."
"Or maybe Lilia's just a super genius."
"Then how do you explain yourself?"
It might be something like The status window isn't involved, so the status window genius is on break. But he couldn't say that outright.
"Brother will get it soon too!"
"I hope so."
"Whether it's fast or slow, there won't be any issues using it, so don't worry too much. It's only been a day anyway—being impatient is odd. Geniuses are hard to understand sometimes."
"Isn't Radica a genius too...?"
Fairies lived several times longer than humans, so they had far more time for training.
But if sheer time alone raised your level, all elderly fairies would be Gems.
In fact, since they were born at Silver rank, it was like being born into wealth—they lacked the drive to improve.
Radica herself was a young man by fairy standards, though her exact age was unknown.
Yet she was called the strongest earth fairy. She had no room to talk about talent.
Seeming aware of it, Radica smoothly changed the subject.
"Anyway, you two. Do you need any weapons or armor?"
"No, not really."
"The bracelets are enough."
"Separate from the bracelets. Galen, the staff you brought back."
"The staff? Oh, the relic's core?"
"Yes. You brought it as proof of conquering the relic, but when I examined it closely after returning, it turned out to be quite valuable in itself."
"I think it just snapped when I hit it..."
"The shaft was quite worn. I meant the head."
It wasn't a small walking stick like elders use. It was man-height, with a round hoop at the top adorned with hanging ornaments. It felt more ceremonial than practical due to the extravagance.
"The head is entirely made of true silver."
"True silver? What's that?"
"Hmm, I don't know what humans call it. Do you know of it? We call it that because it means 'real silver.' Just think of it as a very light and very sturdy metal."
"Must be incredibly valuable."
"It is."
Not comparable to star fragments, which took decades to gather enough for one bracelet. Radica added,
"True silver is true silver, no matter how old. It can be melted down and reused anytime. If you need something made, I could craft it for you."
"I'm good, thanks."
Galen politely declined. It wasn't a game item that boosted stats, so why bother? The genuinely helpful star fragment bracelets were enough.
"Give it all to Lilia. She chose the bracelet over a holy sword, so make her a sword out of that true silver or whatever?"
"I was serious about the light sword and light spear being more comfortable."
Lilia pouted and continued.
"But... a blunt weapon might be nice to have."
"A blunt weapon?"
"It was a bit lacking in the Oclane ruins."
Light weapons felt like solidified light, so they were nearly weightless and hard to swing as blunts.
Punching or kicking had its limits too.
The power of the earth formed a barrier that absorbed external impacts, but Miracle of Fortification just made the body tougher, enduring shocks raw.
"Like with those dolls back then, sometimes smashing is more effective than slashing or stabbing."
"Alright. Let's sketch it out."
Radica fetched paper. Galen watched from a step back as the two women huddled together.
"What kind of blunt?"
"A mace feels familiar."
"Excellent for conversation. It'll be swung two-handed sometimes, so make the handle generous..."
"Make it comfortable to carry on the shoulder too!"
"Strike a pose? There. So the length..."
It was too elaborate for a blueprint, but a design quickly took shape on the paper.
A straight iron rod ending in a head of layered iron plates.
It looked far better at cracking skulls than a simple round ball.
"But can you make all this from the true silver in the staff head?"
"We'll use what we have too."
"Pardon?"
"We have plenty in reserve. Consider it payment for the treasures you handed over."
"No, that's not right!"
There was a bit of back-and-forth, but Lilia insisted, so they agreed to use true silver only for the shaft.
"The head will wear out anyway and need replacing, and it needs proper weight. True silver all the way up would burden me more!"
"Fine, fine. Steel for the head it is."
If the user liked it, that was good enough.
Radica, who had whipped up two bracelets in two days, needed time for the mace.
Weapons required delicate adjustments, unlike simple bracelets. Despite its rugged look.
A few days later, the mace was complete. And a few days after that.
"Phew."
Finally, Galen's bracelet accepted him.
It was a strange sensation.
The moment Galen moved his mana for Water Flow Manipulation, star power flowed from the bracelet, blending naturally with his mana.
Not much yet, but steadily increasing, it would reach 50% someday.
More importantly.
Whoosh!
Galen summoned Vanity Inferno's mana instead.
The flames, evolved from battling Vantis, burned perfectly controlled without scorching his palm.
And the star power blended into the Vanity Inferno mana.
It works.
Tamed with Water Flow Manipulation mana, the star fragment had accepted Galen himself as its master, lending power willingly to his other spells.
Already having several times a normal mage's mana, Galen could now outpace with single spells—unless his opponent had star fragments too.
He couldn't stop his lips from curling up.
Never imagined this when first invited.
It started as curiosity and relaxation, enjoying earth fairy culture.
Somehow, he gained star fragments and reached Gem rank.
The best trip ever.
* * *
With Galen gaining the star power too, they had no more business there.
From Red Rock Federation days, nearly two months in the earth fairies' domain—a long stay.
Bidding Lushard farewell, they left the council headquarters.
Heading to a nearby mountain range.
With so few earth fairies, even the council HQ had undeveloped zones with evil beasts nearby, half a day's ride away.
Lilia expertly lured and captured a wyvern. Galen mounted carefully.
They waved to Radica, who saw them off.
"Thank you so much. We've gained so much."
"It was fun, Radica! I'll use the bracelet well! Oh, and the mace too!"
"Good, use them well. It was fun for me too."
Radica smiled softly.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how far you've grown next time. I might get overtaken."
"No way."
"I'm serious. Thanks to you, my training motivation is renewed. I've gained insights from being with you, so I'll organize those first..."
If she got stronger from here, that'd be scary. Galen was Gem now, but catching her would take more effort.
Still, by next meeting, no hostility unless something happened.
"Please give my regards to Akancksha too? Feels bad not stopping by."
"Will do. See you next time."
"Stay healthy, Radica!"
The wyvern took flight.
It circled twice in greeting to Radica waving below.
Lilia tugged the wings to set direction. The wyvern banked sharply and flew as she wished.
Earth fairies in northeast diocese's northwest, so southeast would reach human lands.
"Better head back to Mezaya first?"
"Showing our faces to His Excellency once would reassure him. We've been here a while."
"Wish we could fly this straight there. What if he can't adapt to the carriage?"
Lilia sighed wistfully. Galen smiled wryly.
"He'll adjust quickly."
Advice from experience enduring carriage tedium over car distances. Acceptance makes it easier.
"Anyway, after returning to Mezaya."
"Yes?"
"Best keep the star fragments secret. Even from His Excellency."
"Oh, really?"
"I trust His Excellency's character, but if word leaks, others might covet it."
No matter how few earth fairies had, or that Galen and Lilia's were bound items.
Would greed-blinded fools back off? They might scheme against them or the fairies.
"You don't want to brag about bracelets like holy swords, right?"
"Not at all."
"Then no need to give them cause."
"Brother's right."
Lilia nodded.
"Others not knowing doesn't diminish what I have!"
"Exactly."
"Brother suppresses his urge to show off and hides his spells too!"
"...No, that's because it'd really be dangerous if known."
"Ah."
"Now that I'm Gem, no need to hide. But won't flaunt it..."
Despite banter, they meshed well.
Flying through the domain, they slew the wyvern before dusk and reached a human city.
Kalia Merchant guild had an outpost everywhere. Black plaque got instant service.
Linked upscale restaurant reserved, luxury inn guided, next day's carriage prepped.
Mezaya was seven days by carriage.
Peaceful for five days.
Trouble hit on the fifth evening.
Knock knock knock!
After dinner at the city's inn restaurant, resting, someone knocked.
A Kalia outpost staffer from earlier.
"Sorry to disturb your rest, Galen sir."
"No problem. What is it?"
"A letter for you arrived. Here to deliver it."
"A letter?"
From Shane, Kalia Mezaya branch manager.
Remembered coordinating for Vantis tracking.
Two days to Mezaya—must be urgent.
Sending the staff away, Galen opened it.
Short read.
Just an unexpected, unignorable name at the end.
"...Lady Elisa?"
Muttering unconsciously while folding it, Galen startled.
Lilia had crept right beside him unnoticed.
"Brother?"
She tilted her head.
Smiling as usual, but her pupil's stigmata flickered unusually.
"What does it say?"