Chapter 3

"Right. Kiri, let's reinforce your sword and make some armor before you go to sleep."

"Reinforce?"

Kiri asked, looking puzzled.

"Yeah, you're good at fire magic, right? I want to add some defensive and physical enhancement support."

I took out the mithril ore I picked up in the Glass Forest. According to the appraisal magic, it's of high purity and good quality. There are such good things deep in the forest. It's a popular ore because it's easy to process. I picked up as much as I could. Probably enough to fill a light truck? There were still more, so it's all good.

"I'll stretch this with heat and engrave fire magic runes on the surface. Then I'll embed the magic stone from the monster we defeated today, and voila, it's done."

"Y-You can process mithril so easily? What is this?"

Kiri's eyes widened as he looked at the magic stone bracelet in my hand. It would be surprising to see a lump of stone and a magic stone turn into a bracelet right in front of you. Moreover, the surface is embedded with magic runes, making it a top-notch accessory (according to our standards). The thick bracelet complements Kiri's tanned skin.

When I placed the bracelet on Kiri's arm, it shrank with a *shururu* sound, automatically adjusting to the right size. I also embedded this function into the magic runes. Kiri was speechless, just watching.

"Kiri, try infusing your magic power into it."

At my words, Kiri hurriedly channeled his magic power. The magic runes engraved on the bracelet glowed, harmonizing with Kiri's magic power. It looks so fantastical! Really fantastical!

Eventually, the magic stone embedded in the bracelet was filled with Kiri's magic power, taking on a beautiful red hue. It's amazing, it suits Kiri even better than I imagined!

"Is my magic power... increasing?"

"Yeah, it boosts your magic power, physical abilities, and defense. How about another one?"

I processed another piece of mithril and magic stone, this time making an anklet. It looks like an accessory at first glance. I also placed it on Kiri's leg, and it automatically adjusted to the right size.

"Activate it by channeling magic power like before. Use one normally, and both in emergencies. Let's practice monster hunting from tomorrow. Now, let's take out your sword."

Kiri hurriedly handed me the cheap sword issued to soldiers. As expected of meticulous Kiri, it's well-maintained, but it's not very durable.

I took out the mithril and started processing it. The magic stone I used was larger than the ones for the bracelet and anklet. I covered the blade with mithril, carefully balancing it. I occasionally had Kiri test it to adjust the weight and balance to fit his hand. Once I was satisfied, I embedded the magic stone at the base of the hilt, had Kiri test it again, and made final adjustments to the weight and balance. Finally, I engraved magic runes on the blade, and it was done.

This time, Kiri infused his magic power into the sword without a word. The sword was dyed with Kiri's magic power, and the magic runes glowed. When the magic stone turned a pale red, it was complete. A custom magic sword for Kiri.

"The blade is... enveloped in fire magic?!"

It's a fire sword. So fantastical.

"S-S-Sheena-sama? Is this a national treasure?"

Kiri's voice trembled with shock. I immediately denied it.

"No, no, it's just mithril ore and a magic stone I found, and a cheap sword. You saw me, right? I just processed it a bit."

"I've never seen such runes!!"

I haven't either. I just made them now.

The appraisal magic said that combining mithril and a magic stone could create something like this. Is this really what the appraisal magic does?

The automatic adjustment is my original idea. I thought it would be nice to have, and the appraisal magic happily provided the runes... It's such a friendly appraisal magic. Is it normal for appraisal magic to be friendly?

"I don't deserve to use such a valuable treasure, being a half-orphan."

"No way. I already dyed it with your magic power. No returns. And don't ever call yourself a half-orphan again. I won't forgive anyone who belittles my precious Kiri, even if it's Kiri himself."

Kiri clenched his mouth, sensing my anger. No, Kiri, you should smile happily, not look so cool. It ruins the cool beauty. I'm angry, you know. Really.

"But I feel guilty using such a treasure alone."

"Then I'll make one for myself. Matching ones, right?"

I made a bracelet and an anklet for myself, infusing them with holy magic power. It's the attribute I'm most familiar with.

I also made a short sword for self-defense. I prefer using magic, so it's just for self-defense. I even use it to peel vegetables. Isn't that great? When I said that, Kiri looked at me with disappointment. Why? The sharpness has improved, and it can cut through hard fruits too!

"Next, let's make... this."

I took out some mithril and small magic stones. The magic stones glowed in various colors and were beautiful, but they were irregular in shape, as they are formed inside monsters.

I infused the magic stones with magic power and gradually shaped them with wind magic, aiming for a brilliant cut like I've seen in Japan. I couldn't make it as beautiful, but it's a rough brilliant cut.

I embedded the shaped magic stones into the curved mithril, which I had already engraved with the necessary magic runes. The hook-like mithril was adorned with the colorful, processed magic stones.

"Sheena-sama, what is this?"

Kiri's eyes sparkled. Yeah, girls do love accessories.

I hooked it onto Kiri's ear. The decorated part shimmered, complementing Kiri's skin.

"Yep! It suits you, Kiri."

Dressing up a beautiful person is fun. I bet it would be even more fun if I weren't plain-faced...

I felt a bit down but perked up and attached another ear cuff to my own ear.

"Let's see if it works."

I stood up and moved a bit away from Kiri. I stopped Kiri from following and activated the ear cuff.

"Kiri, can you hear me?"

I spoke in a small voice, and Kiri jumped. He looked around, met my eyes, and pointed at his ear and me, looking flustered.

"Kiri, calm down. Can you hear my voice now?"

Kiri nodded vigorously, making it clear to me.

"I'm sending my voice through the ear cuff on your ear. Try saying something?"

"S-S-S-S-S-"

Hmm? Is it hard to hear?

"Sheena-samaa!"

"!!"

Kiri's voice came through at a high volume, making my ears ring. Ouch. My ears hurt.

Kiri, who seemed excited and started crying, made me give up and cut the connection. When I returned to Kiri, he was prostrating himself, holding the ear cuff.

"K-Kiri? What's wrong?"

"F-Forgive me, Sheena-sama. I didn't realize you had created a divine artifact. I was terribly disrespectful, not knowing you were a goddess."

"No, wait, Kiri? Why did it become like that?"

I just made a communication device in the form of an ear cuff. You know, like in TV crime dramas or foreign shows where they press their ear to communicate, which looks cool. In this world, there are magical ways to send letters, but not to send voices.

"But the voice, Sheena-sama's voice, right by my ear. In myths, the goddess's message is heard by the ear!"

"It's not that. It's just a communication device. A way to communicate, right? I could hear your voice right by my ear too. You're not a goddess, right?"

I explained hard, and Kiri finally understood. He also realized its usefulness. Yes, during battles with monsters, it will be easier to coordinate even when we're far apart. We'll practice this from tomorrow.

By the way, the construction is such that one magic stone has the functions of a microphone, speaker, and transmitter. The runes were also provided by the appraisal magic, which even suggested adding this function, like a helpful store clerk.

Well, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's monster hunting.

It's time to sleep. Good night.