Ice Crystal Sculpture (4)
Chloe wore a sullen expression.
She clearly hadn't imagined I'd use her as a human calculator.
"What's wrong? If you don't want to, you don't have to."
"It's not that..."
"But if you won't, hmm. It'll make things a bit more tedious. Among the cadets, you're the best in the Alchemy Order. I've confirmed your skills myself, so no arguments."
With that subtle praise, Chloe's expression softened at once.
"R-Really?"
Already well-tamed, she reacted immediately to my light push and pull.
She quickly hid her face behind her fan. My praise had embarrassed her, it seemed.
"...You think highly of me. It's not that impressive, but as you say, Viscount, I am the cadet representative. And it's true—alchemists of my caliber are rare in the Pantheon. Especially for transmutation alchemy using ice crystal stone as the material. No other cadet could help you, Viscount."
Brazen self-praise from Chloe, but she wasn't wrong.
"You know it well."
"S-So, I'll help you. It'll benefit my studies anyway."
"Good girl. I'd appreciate that."
"No need. It's atonement for my rudeness anyway. No complaints. And since you've acknowledged my skills, Viscount."
She seemed in a fine mood now, so I moved straight to the main point.
"Anyway, as you can see, there are four sketches I handed you. Including the final one Eirin's working on now, that's five stages total."
The sketches were divided by the statue's stages. I'd handled the alchemy up to stage 1.
Based on Eirin's rough draft, I'd set the statue's most basic form. But I'd already computed stage 2 ahead of time.
"Hmm. As you said, Viscount, the computations are finished up to the second sheet. After that, just the formulas are written."
"Sharp eye. I could compute the rest if I took the time, but if you handle the later stages while I advance the early statue work, we can finish the sculpture much faster, don't you think?"
"Definitely more efficient."
"Then start the computations. Oh, and dinner will arrive soon via my coachman—no need to worry. Time's short, so let's get to work."
To cut off any objections from Chloe, I smoothly shifted into the statue work.
Eirin was sketching the final stage 5. Chloe would compute the formulas from stage 3 onward, as they grew more intricate.
My role: transmute the statue using the pre-computed stage 2 formula and values.
I could delegate to someone else. But I shouldn't.
I had to craft the statue myself.
Personally carving this precious ice crystal stone as a gift—that alone would win major favor from the emperor. Handing it off would dilute the meaning.
Above all, it'll raise my Alchemy trait proficiency.
Using Professor Elmaier's theoretical formulas and Chloe's computations. Basing the material 'perception' on two master alchemists, I'd handle the resonance and transmutation myself.
Through this collaboration, I'd reach new horizons in my Alchemy trait.
Considering I had to clear the trial of Istia, goddess of alchemy, before tackling the nest—it was a must.
Let's get to it.
I began stage 2 of the sculpting. Carefully, I touched the ice crystal stone with my fingertip.
The stone was a mineral that exuded chill on its own—like handling dry ice, a cold sensation transmitted to my skin.
To avoid frostbite, I summoned a salamander to crawl across the back of my hand. With it in place, I began approaching the essence of the ice crystal stone material.
A mineral that lingered for ages underground in the polar regions. Its root element is earth, with traces of water and wind attributes mixed in...
Ice-like, but fundamentally a mineral. I recalled Professor Elmaier's exact elemental composition ratios for ice crystal stone.
Next: envision the transmuted shape of the stone.
My artistic skills were still lacking. Without a concrete design, I couldn't fully picture the statue.
So I referenced Eirin's pre-made stage 2 sketch to lock in the image.
With that fixed, I re-imagined the fluidization formula—fully computed—overlaying it in my mind.
Perception stage complete.
Now, alter my mana's attributes to match the composition exactly.
3rd tier refined mana.
Unlike swordplay, I focused purely on elemental conversion, not power. I poured it straight into the stone.
Wooong—
A clear resonant hum echoed from the ice crystal stone. Perfect harmony between its elements and my converted mana.
Only possible because of the painstaking formula theory and computations beforehand.
Chloe, watching, had a spark of interest in her eyes.
"You haven't even begun the actual transmutation, but drawing out a resonance like that... impressive. Ice crystal stone is a three-element material—converting mana elements should be tough. When did your alchemy reach this level, Viscount...?"
Praise from a renowned alchemist like Chloe? Not bad at all.
Worth all the studying.
And it was alchemy I'd constantly used in real combat alongside. Satisfying to have my efforts validated.
But this was merely stage 2. For the final stage 5, I needed to elevate my Alchemy trait to Plus grade.
Focus.
Precision work: I moved the now-fluid stone's surface excruciatingly slowly.
Mana had to be maneuvered with utmost delicacy along the formula's spatial coordinates. Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the chill.
I pressed on with the statue.
***
"Huu. That's enough for today. It's late—Chloe, you should head back to your mansion."
The work had dragged on quite late. Approaching 11 p.m. All three of us had lost track of time, immersed.
"Shall I? But if it's urgent, I could stay a bit longer to help."
Hours of work. In between, she'd used the atelier's bathroom—and seemed to have peeked at the rest area next to it.
"This atelier even has a cot. If you wish, Viscount, I could... huu... manage an all-nighter?"
Her voice turned oddly sticky.
It was called a cot, but plenty big for two.
Lilia and I had done some pre-sex practice there once. No wonder this lewd young lady's eyes looked suspicious after spotting it.
An all-nighter, huh. Is that what she's hoping for?
Secret lovemaking inside the Pantheon. With a bed right there—perfect. Her head must be swimming with such debauched thoughts.
Of course, I had no intention of indulging her.
"No. I can't have a precious marquis's daughter overnighting in this shabby place. Head home."
With her personal carriage and coachman, no worries about the night roads.
Or rather, if someone tried to ambush her, they'd be the ones to worry.
Having gently rebuffed her advances, Chloe looked disappointed.
She'd performed her human calculator role flawlessly for hours. Realizing she wouldn't get any fun time with me? Understandable.
In a glum voice, Chloe replied.
"Understood, Viscount Yulian."
"Instead, I'd like your help with this for the next few days."
Her face brightened at that. Probably thinking another day might bring her chance.
"Then I'll take my leave. See you soon."
With a parting greeting, Chloe left the atelier. Now just Eirin and me.
"Show me the final stage sketch, Eirin."
"Yes, Young Master. It's nothing special, but..."
Eirin blushed faintly as she handed me the drawing paper. What was drawn there was no longer a mere sketch—a fully detailed image.
The final form of the statue I'd envisioned was taking shape on that page.
"But I'll keep refining the details to match your sculpting progress."
I nodded. Eirin would handle it perfectly without further instructions.
We two continued the work even after Chloe left. I'd sent Chloe home, but I planned to pull an all-nighter.
Finishing stage 2 brought us past midnight—to 1 a.m.
"It's very late."
"So it is. If you're tired, feel free to crash on the cot inside."
Stage 2 complete: the emperor in majestic pose, sword pointed to the heavens. The rough frame was done. But I had no plans to sleep.
Chloe got a head start on stage 3 computations. Complex formulas—study them overnight and refine the statue further...
Lost in such thoughts, Eirin called to me.
"Young Master. Overdoing it isn't good for your health."
Eirin was worrying about me again.
I'd been poring over the bundle of formula sheets Chloe left. She'd noticed I had no intention of sleeping.
"Then a short break it is."
I sank into the sofa near the table, leaning back fully.
Eirin set down her pencil, still seated demurely as ever.
Her focused expression earlier, absorbed in drawing—it had been striking. A beauty like Eirin hard at work was a picture in itself.
Come to think of it, it was deep into the night. Just two young people alone in one Pantheon building. No one to disturb us.
That awareness made for a rather tantalizing situation for hot-blooded youths.
My mind was stuffed full of the emperor's statue, of course. Eirin just looked a touch drowsy from the hour—her usual impassive face unchanged.
But Eirin's true feelings differed from mine, it seemed.
Sylph, you sharp-eared pest.
Sylph fed me her breathing and heartbeat sounds directly. Both quicker than usual.
Clear sign she was acutely aware of our situation, now that we were alone.
Yet she broke the brief silence in her calm tone.
"It's really too late. At least rest your eyes on the cot inside."
"Too much left to do. I'll cut sleep short—it's not harming my health, so no worries."
"Still... staying soaked in sweat like that, you might catch a cold."
Eirin had scanned my body in the interim.
Indeed, prolonged alchemy had left me drenched head to toe.
Sustaining mana resonance with the chill stone—despite the cold, the extended mana use had soaked me through.
"Got it. I'll shower first, then."
The atelier even had a bathtub and shower facilities. Perks from the original Yulian's artist cosplay all-nighters.
I headed into the bathroom, down to my underwear after shedding the cadet uniform.
But as I went to close the door— it swung open, and Eirin rushed in belatedly.
"Y-Young Master. It's late, so bathing must be tiring... Allow me to attend you!"
She too was in just her underwear, minus the maid headband.