Chapter 54

<053. Household Mate>

"I've brought the items you ordered."

"You've worked hard."

The dwarf's voice, coming from Maestro, doesn't carry any particular emotion.

He used to be quite hostile, but now he seems to have become just gruff. Maybe it's because I order from him so often.

"And I've processed all the orders you placed. Here are the results."

"Hmm. You've worked hard."

The dwarf bowed his head slightly and then retreated.

The items the dwarf brought were three in total.

A low-grade manufacturing kit, a zip-type airtight bag, and the ores I had commissioned to be finely ground by Maestro.

"【Handy Work】"

The skill I received with the 8th-tier skill selection right was still a manufacturing and production skill.

Actually, I had hoped for this instead of the Magical Pastry Chef.

But because I made too many pastries, this is what I ended up with.

【Welcome to the world of crafting!】

【Handy Work, Magic Craft, Blacksmith, Bomb Master, and countless other crafting skills await you!】

【Would you like to select the low-grade manufacturing kit as your crafting tool?】

【Would you like to select Handy Work as your crafting skill?】

【Selection complete.】

【Put in the materials and start crafting to your heart's content!】

After installing the low-grade manufacturing kit and activating Handy Work, an explanation appeared in my mind.

It had been a while since I last saw this.

The manufacturing kit was in the form of a large square panel, and I placed the three items on it.

The image that came to mind was like placing three items on a whiteboard slightly smaller than my upper body.

However, this is the manufacturing method, and the correct process starts here.

【What would you like to craft?】

In response to the system's question, I chose the item I wanted to make in my mind, and soon blue lines appeared on the whiteboard, wrapping around the items. The lines wrapped around all the items and then converged in the center with a thud.

【You attempted to craft Blazing Ore Powder, Airtight Zip Bag, and Sealed Ore Powder.】

【Success!】

The result was the item I had in mind, appearing in the center with a faint steam.

【A low-grade hot pack (5 hours) has been created.】

"Finally, I've made it."

I nodded, hugging the hot pack dearly.

In the original story, they were sold in the store from the beginning. Here, I had to learn the skill and manufacture it myself.

It's really frustrating. What kind of infrastructure is this?

"......However, was it because I went outside that I was able to get this?"

I fell into thought for a moment.

Outside.

At first, I was hesitant, but now I have a better grasp of things.

"......Whatever."

Even though it's May, the nights are cold and the early mornings are chilly.

However, the long, cold nights are finally over.

Now I can sleep warmly.

Definitely.

***

Ib extracted all the information she wanted from Nefte and then politely sent her away.

She told Nefte that she was also worried about Wolfram, that Wolfram was trying to do something without any support, and that she was also troubled by this.

By forming this consensus of 'worrying about Wolfram,' the girl Nefte, who had become incredibly docile, spilled all the information.

[So, you and Wolfram explored the eastern forest and discovered the legacy left by the great ancestor?]

[......Yes. If it weren't for Senior Wolfram's method, we wouldn't have been able to defeat that golem.]

[Thank you.]

[Yes, yes. So, Ib. That......]

[Hmm? Ah, ah. You mean the memo left by the great ancestor himself?]

[Yes!]

[The royal family is indeed trying to recover all the legacies left by the great ancestor.]

[......Ah.]

[However, this is an undiscovered legacy, and it's also customary to pay a reward for reporting it.]

[......T, then?!]

[But, the great ancestor left many messages, and even if it's the first discovery, the reward won't be that large.]

[......Ah.]

[At least a million rin, wouldn't you say?]

[......That's right!!]

Every time she spoke, she seemed to shrink and then laugh loudly, which was unexpectedly cute. Ib smiled as she recalled Nefte's reaction. Nefte then said she had to go because there was someone she needed to talk to seriously and left.

Anyway,

Now is not the time to think about an interesting classmate.

"Even though I told you to be so careful, you're wandering around like this?"

If he had control over the entire student council and even influenced the royal family, I could understand, but does Wolfram know his current situation?

What is he trying to do? Is he crazy?

"No, not really. Because there's a guardian fairy, if you consider that......"

That fairy seemed far too powerful for Wolfram to handle. So, he might be able to defend himself to some extent......?

While Ib was lost in thought, walking through the garden, a voice reached her ears.

"Grumble."

"?"

The fairy that Wolfram had taken as a servant. The guide wolf was there.

"Why are you here?"

"Grumble."

"Stop grumbling and speak. I can understand you."

"Ah, right."

"Yes. I also have royal blood."

"I'm sorry. Recently, there haven't been any kids who can understand me, so I thought about just grumbling."

"......I see."

Ib shrugged. After being trapped in the fairy land for three hundred years, she probably wanted to play around.

"So, what's the matter? Shouldn't you be with Wolfram?"

"Hmm. I came out for a break. My master said it was okay to wander around."

"Then who's at the convenience store now?"

"He's alone, I guess."

"Crazy."

Ib moved quickly.

If something happened to Wolfram, she wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

When she arrived at the convenience store, her magical field activated, and she instantly knew who was inside.

"......Two people? Who's in there?"

Ib quickly entered the convenience store, where she found Wolfram sitting blankly and a girl passionately speaking in front of him.

"Okay, Senior. A million rin! Now, let's decide how to distribute it!"

"......Do you know what time it is?"

"Money is more important than time!"

"......I won't deny that, but couldn't you have come tomorrow?"

"Money is more important! How should we distribute a million rin!"

Nefte, who was loudly discussing the distribution, and Wolfram, who looked exasperated.

Ib sighed in relief, and Wolfram, noticing her, gestured with his hand.

"Ib."

"......What?"

"Take her away."

"......Sigh. Alright. Nefte, come with me."

"Ah, but if we don't discuss the money here, who knows when or how I might be cheated! We need to settle this clearly!"

"......That's true, but isn't Rudica Hotz Shadow, who went with you, not here?"

"Ah."

Ah, what? Really.

Anyway, although she didn't want to follow Wolfram's instruction to take Nefte away, it was the right thing to do at the moment.

"Wolfram."

"What is it?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, can you spare some time? I have something to talk about."

"......Sure."

Wolfram casually waved away Ib and the uninvited guest, went back to sleep, and Ib, though annoyed by his attitude, silently retreated.

At least nothing serious happened. Nefte was just prioritizing what she had to do, so there's some leeway for consideration.

"Nefte, you violated the dormitory curfew, so you get a penalty point."

"Ah."

Of course, there was leeway, and she didn't say she would give it.

***

The next day.

Ib came to the convenience store.

It seems I've been seeing her a lot lately. Isn't she busy?

"To be honest, I'm a bit annoyed with you, Wolfram."

"Ah. I agree. I feel the same way."

We smiled and raised our middle fingers.

However, after carefully observing Ib, I noticed there was no pink aura around her.

Of course, the system is bugged, so it's not a reliable indicator, but I felt a bit relieved nonetheless.

"So, what is it?"

"To be honest, it's incredibly annoying, but I'll acknowledge it."

"......Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I,