―――Kelvin’s Residence – Underground Training Hall
“Haa, haa… unexpectedly tough.”
A full day had passed since the start of my training. I had spent most of it in the Underground Training Hall, dedicating myself to honing my S-rank magic. The only times I left were for meals, to take care of necessities, and for a few hours of sleep in my bed.
When my MP ran dry, I’d drink a recovery potion and repeatedly cast the Great Wind Demon God Scythe. Even though I tried to keep my magic consumption to a minimum, the Adamant walls would get gouged just by grazing them. Fortunately, the training hall I had just repaired was in torn and tattered condition. This was proof that I still couldn’t handle it properly, though.
“But I’m starting to get the feel for it. One more go, shall I?”
“You’re quite dedicated, aren’t you, my lord?”
“…Mel?”
Melfina was there, sitting on some rubble and looking at me with a smile.
“Don’t just appear out of nowhere. I’ve made this place off-limits, you know. My movements might go awry and it could be dangerous?”
“At that speed, it wouldn’t be a problem. I could avoid it even with my eyes closed.”
“Haha, that’s harsh.”
It was frustrating, but considering Melfina’s Status, it was true, not just a joke. Though, it was based on my own Status standards.
“However, it seems to be going quite well. Your magic consumption is more stable than before, and you’re handling it more freely.”
“Still a long way to go. Ultimately, I need to reach a level where I can wield it without damaging this room. Oh, speaking of which, Mel, are those items I asked for ready?”
“Hehe, that’s a silly question. With my S-rank accessory crafting skill, making accessories for everyone is a piece of cake!”
“You slept in again today and had a full breakfast, didn’t you?”
“If I achieve results, it’s fine!”
“Alright, alright.”
What I had asked Melfina to craft were accessories. Clive, the general of Trisen I fought recently, possessed the Charm Eye. He didn’t use it on me, but there was a definite possibility he could use it on Efil or Sera. To avoid that, I needed accessories with status ailment resistance that would nullify charm. Fortunately, the raw materials I needed could be obtained through Kuro’s Metalization and Mel’s alchemy skills. I hadn’t crafted accessories before, so this was a good opportunity.
“I thought it would be boring with just charm resistance, so I stayed up all night making these highly functional accessories…”
Mel pretended to cry, boo-hoo, but it was far too exaggerated. Besides, she was already asleep when I returned to my private room. Kicking off her blanket.
“Well, jokes aside, there’s something I wanted to confirm with you.”
“O-oh. I think it’s a bit much to suddenly get so serious… What is it?”
As Mel looked straight at me, the playful atmosphere completely vanished. I instinctively tensed up. After looking at me for two or three seconds, which felt much longer to me, Mel spoke in a slow tone:
“That man named Clive you fought the other day, did he really claim to be a Transmigrator?”
–––––Spirit Song Inn – Tavern–––––
While Kelvin was engrossed in his training in the Underground Training Hall, Sera, Gerard, Rion, and Alex were hanging out at the Spirit Song Inn around the same time. Gerard was there to enjoy some alcohol after a long time. Rion and Alex were there to meet Claire. Sera was simply bored.
“Ugh, I’m so bored!”
“What’s wrong, out of the blue?”
Claire glanced at Sera, who was exclaiming with her hands up, from her seat at the counter. Fortunately, it was a quiet time with few customers, so not much attention was drawn. Though, for the regulars at the Spirit Song Inn, they just thought, “Ah, it’s Sera-san again,” and paid it no mind.
“Listen, Claire! Kelvin isn’t paying attention to me!”
(Sera-nee, that sounds like it could lead to all sorts of misunderstandings.)
Rion, drinking juice next to Sera, thought to herself.
“He’s been cooped up ever since yesterday, and he won’t even let me into his room!”
“That’s rough. Is it that ‘malaise period’ thing?”
“Malaise? What’s that?”
“Well, it’s a period when a married couple gets comfortable and settled with each other, and starts to feel bored. Does that make sense?”
“What are you talking about, Claire? Kelvin and I aren’t married, you know?”
(That’s not the point, Sera.)
Gerard, drinking fire liquor at a table behind them, thought to himself.
“There’s no way I could get tired of Kelvin. It’s not like that. I told him I’d spar with him if he wanted to train, but Kelvin refused, saying it was dangerous! He won’t even have a match with me!”
“Ah, so that’s what you’re talking about…”
“That’s why I’m bored! Isn’t there anything to do?”
Sera muttered, slumping onto the counter. Claire looked a little disappointed.
“What about your hobby, fishing?”
“It feels wrong to be fishing when Kelvin is working so hard…”
(Wha?)
Alex, gnawing on a bone-in meat under Rion’s chair, thought, *Aren’t you already failing by just chatting here?*
“—That’s it!”
Sera abruptly pushed her chair back and stood up. The sudden motion was so grand that Alex, who had good hearing, looked up with a start.
“I’ve thought of a way that would not only be good for Kelvin but also enjoyable for me! Gerard, Rion, Alex! Let’s go right now!”
“W-wait, Sera-nee, go where?”
“And I came here to drink today…”
Naturally, the two were bewildered by the sudden proposal. However, Sera’s smile was so radiant that they couldn’t firmly refuse. Since they couldn’t refuse with words, Gerard decided to try a different approach. He approached Sera with a bottle of fire liquor in hand. It was a high-proof liquor with a strong aroma. Sera instinctively put her hands to her face and stepped back.
“Gerard, don’t bring that liquor too close to me! I’ll get drunk just from the fumes!”
“Then, you should at least explain what you intend to do.”
“I’d like to ask that as well. Right now, I can’t figure out what you’re planning at all.”
Rion, trying to lighten the mood with a laugh, prompted Sera to reluctantly explain her idea.
“What I just thought of is, frankly, food procurement!”
“Food procurement?”
“That’s right! And not just any food, but high-tier stuff that Kelvin would love!”
“Um, like a Blood Bear?”
“Hmm, so that’s what it is… However, didn’t the mansion have plenty of A-rank ingredients? Wouldn’t that be enough until the day after tomorrow’s ceremony?”
“You’re too naive. It’s true Kelvin can’t eat continuously like Kuro. The quality is what matters. If we only consider Kelvin, the current stock might be enough. But, think about it. We have that glutton here, don’t we? She seemed to hold back on seconds yesterday, but do you think she can resist seconds of Efil’s exquisite cooking with A-rank ingredients until the day after tomorrow?”
“…”
Rion and Gerard were unable to refute her. In their minds, they thought, *No, no, surely not.* However, considering Melfina’s passion for food, it wasn’t impossible.
“Can’t say it’s absolutely impossible…”
“Now that I think about it, Mel-nee seemed to be looking enviously at Kelvin’s cooking after dinner last night…”
“See? There’s a possibility, right?”
“What is it? Is that new girl eating that much? In that case, next time, at my place, you can eat as much as you want—”
“Claire-san, I’d advise against that. My conscience would hurt.”
“Th-that much, huh…”
After all, Melfina had recently earned the ignominious title of “Goddess of Gluttony.” We couldn’t cause trouble for others.
“To eliminate that potential problem, let’s go hunt some rare monsters! That way, I can vent my frustration, and I can provide Kelvin with a stable supply! It’s killing two birds with one stone!”
Sera clenched her fist, motivated. Perhaps influenced by her enthusiasm, Gerard and Rion stood up.
“I suppose I have no choice. I didn’t get a chance to shine in the Elf Village, so let’s do this.”
“Hearing it’s for Kelvin-ni, I can’t just stand by. Alex, let’s go. Claire-san, here’s the tab.”
“Thanks for your patronage. Be safe out there.”
Sera and the others paid and left the Spirit Song Inn. Now, where would they head next—
“First, we gather information at the Guild!”
They were headed for the Adventurer Guild.
