Chapter 226 - I Think It Definitely is One Step Forward

The 27th day of the Earth month. The land in front of me is covered in pure white ice. I know that I’m okay thanks to Shiro-san’s blessing, but was it because I’m outdoors that I’m feeling it’s cold?

[……I’m sorry, Isis-san. Suddenly barging and asking you this request……]

[……No…… If it’s Kaito…… you’re always…… welcome.]

[Thank you.]

[……Unnn…… You need…… jewels…… right?]

Yesterday, I decided to make a music box as a present for Lilia-san, so I went to Alice’s yesterday and she got some designs and mechanisms prepared, and I’m currently in the process of gathering materials for that.

First of all, in order to get jewels for the main mechanism, I went to Isis-san’s home and rely on her help.

I can’t thank Isis-san enough for her kindness in spite of my sudden visit.

[Yes, what kind of jewel do you think would be good? I’m not really that familiar with jewels……]

[……You’re going to use…… that for a mechanism, right? ……It might be a challenge but…… I think the Midnight Crystal…… might be good.]

[Midnight Crystal……?]

[……Unnn…… There’s a jewel that has a deeper shade of blue and is quite rare…… compared to the Ice Crystals…… and it was called Midnight Crystal…… It’s tough…… but it doesn’t easily crumble…… It stores magic power…… but not as much as magic crystals…… So it’s easy to work with.]

I see, Midnight Crystals are a type of Ice Crystals, but are even rare compared to the rare Ice Crystals.

When I came to visit Isis-san before, I was allowed to mine it just for fun, but I don’t think I remember seeing anything like it.

[……I see, that means it wouldn’t be easy to find.]

[……Unnn…… but…… it’s alright…… If I search for it…… I’ll immediately find one.]

[I appreciate the thoughts, Isis-san…… but I’d like to try to do as much as I can…… Ahh, of course, I know I can’t do it all alone but……]

[……Okay…… If that’s what Kaito wants to do…… I will support you.]

Hearing me say that I want to do as much as possible with my own power, Isis-san nodded to me with a gentle smile on her face.

After that, she held her hand over a pile of ice in front of her, clad in flashing bluish-white magic power.

[……However…… even a little bit…… let me help you.]

[ ! ? ]

In the next moment, a dazzling flash of light shot out of Isis-san’s hand like a laser, punching through multiple holes in the mountain of ice.

Afterwards, a pillar of ice appeared inside, reinforcing the tunnel, preventing it from collapsing.

In a matter of seconds, the mountain of ice turned into a mine, making me understand that she’s making it very easy for me to mine.

[……The place where I shaved…… doesn’t have jewels…… but…… with this…… I think…… it’s easier to dig…… I’ll also case…… simple Defensive Magic on you.]

[Thank you! It helps me out a lot.]

[……Unnn…… Good luck…… While you’re mining…… I’ll go prepare you a meal……. So…… don’t push yourself too hard.]

[Yes!]

The maintenance of the tunnels, Defensive Magic, she’s really helping me with all sorts of stuff, I’m really grateful for that.

After nodding to Isis-san, who kindly smiled at me and told me words of support, I entered with pickaxe and all other tools.

I’m still at the beginning of gathering materials, so I have to get the Midnight Crystal as soon as possible……

Then, three hours mining in the mine, sitting down on the ground, breathing heavily.

[……I- I can’t find one……]

After entering the tunnels, I diligently started mining and found a good number of Ice Crystals…… However, they are all light blue, and no deep blue Midnight Crystals have been found.

I suppose it could simply be that I’m not used to mining and my pace is slow, but really, what a surprise that I haven’t found anything close to bluish, let alone deep blue……

Even though Shiro-san’s blessing keeps out the cold, it doesn’t seem to be helping out with my fatigue, so I was completely exhausted.

As I was catching my breath and thinking about where to dig next, I saw Isis-san floating in the air towards me.

[……Kaito…… Have you found one?]

[No, not at all…… It’s completely difficult finding one.]

[……Really…… How about…… you take some break? ……I brought you…… lunch……]

[T- Thank you.]

It seems that I completely lost track of time that Isis-san had brought a meal for me.

That being said, I was trying to hide my tiredness, but I was also quite hungry, so it was really great timing.

When Isis-san came to my side, with the appearance of a floating magic circle, a desk and chair were prepared for us.

Thereupon, she places a large plate on the table and after releasing the State Preservation Magic, warm steam rises up.

[……I made you…… some stew…… I also placed a barrier around us…… so it won’t get cold easily.]

[Thank you. Thank you for the food.]

[……Unnn…… Yes…… Ahhn.]

[……Eh?]

The white stew that Isis-san prepared for me smelled delicious and made my hungry stomach growl.

After thanking her again, I was about to take the spoon…… Isis-san held the spoon and spontaneously scooped up some of the stew and held it out to my mouth with one hand.

Eh? Is this what I think this is? Is this another one of those meals where I can’t feed myself?

[……Ahhn.]

[A- Ahhn.]

[……What do you think?]

[It feels warm and really delicious.]

The stew, which wasn’t too hot and had a pleasant temperature for my tongue, its creamy and smoothness soaked into my stomach, gently warming me from the inside.

It was somewhat relieving and delicious, as if this stew is Isis-san’s kindness given form……

[……That’s good…… Eat lots…… Okay?]

[……Yes.]

I guess I’m still really embarrassed to admit it but…… I wholeheartedly enjoy such moments of relaxation, enjoying Isis-san’s gentle care that warmed me to the depths of my heart.

After enjoying Isis-san’s delicious home-cooked meal, just as I stood up to say that it’s time for me to resume mining, Isis-san suddenly spoke, as if she thought about something.

[……Speaking of which…… Kaito…… have your Sympathy Magic…… right?]

[Eh? Ah, yes.]

[……The Midnight Crystal…… could store magic power…… so if you use your Sympathy Magic…… Wouldn’t it be easier to find it?]

[……T- There’s such a way!?]

[……U- Unnn…… I don’t really know…… if it would really work though.]

I haven’t thought of using my magic that way. I’ve been using Sympathy Magic only for reading the emotions of others.

However, this magic is originally something that was derived from a power specializing in sensing others, so it should also be used to sense feeble amounts of magic power.

According to Isis-san, although the Midnight Crystal isn’t as good as a Magic Crystal, it still has the ability to store magic power…… That’s also true for Ice Crystals, but it seems that Midnight Crystals store a bit more magic power.

[I’ll try it!]

After listening to Isis-san’s advice, I start using the power of my Sympathy Magic to search for magic power around me.

I’m not that great of a magic-user, so I can’t search around a large area but…… Searching within a radius of a few meters should be sufficient enough.

When I focused my attention to my Sympathy Magic, I could definitely feel faint magic power here and there among the tunnels…… However, I don’t understand well the difference between each of the things I’ve detected immediately, so I decided to walk around, focusing on my senses for a while.

After about half an hour of going through the tunnels, I felt something that has a little bit stronger magic power than the others, so I began hitting my pickaxe at that spot.

It seemed to be pretty deep, as it took me some time to get there…… And after digging for a while, I found a deep blue…… a navy blue jewel peeking out of a crevice in the rock.

[Ahh!?]

[……Unnn…… No doubt…… That’s the…… Midnight Crystal.]

Having successfully found the Midnight Crystal, I carefully mined it,, changing tools so as not to damage the jewel, and dig out a few inches of it.

I was unintentionally moved, seeing the Midnight Crystal that I finally found…… but I want to get some more, including some spares, because I don’t think it would be possible for me to successfully make something on the first try.

[……Wait…… A- Arehh? I feel faint……]

[!? Kaito!]

The moment I thought about going through this pace and digging for some more, I felt the strength on my legs disappear and almost fell down.

Isis-san, who reacted quickly, supported my body, but a feeling of considerable weariness assaulted my body.

[……Wide Area Detection uses a lot of magic power…… so you have to take a break…… for about an hour.]

[……I- I see…… I understand.]

[……I’ll carry you.]

[Eh!? Wait, Isis-san!?]

[……Kaito…… you’re tired…… so I’ll…… carry you.]

[I- I’m thankful for that but……]

[……Unnn?]

Even though Isis-san is stronger than me, I’m still extremely embarrassed, being princess carried as a man.

However, I couldn’t ask Isis-san, who was seriously concerned about me, to put me down just because I was feeling embarrassed being princess carried by her, so in the end, I had to be carried by Isis-san while enduring my shame.

Unnn, next time, let’s properly think about our usage of magic power…… I’ll definitely be more careful……

Dear Mom, Dad——- I’ve come to Isis-san’s home to look for gems as the first material I needed to collect for the music box. I’ve only barely gotten one Midnight Crystal, which is my objective, but still——– I think it definitely is one step forward.

<Author’s Notes>

Serious-senpai: [Oi, you b*stard…… keep your ass moving and start mining…… Stop flirting…… stop freaking flirtiiiiiiing!!!]

T/N: I’m slacking off (was actually reading Spy x Family earlier), so this is the only bonus chapter for the day.

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