Though I can’t stand the extreme cold, I do enjoy the crisp, icy air of winter mornings.
“Ugh, it’s so cold…]
The morning air is so frigid it makes my nose hurt. But blowing out the chill gives me a refreshing feeling, like I’ve cleaned out my lungs. That clarity helps me wake up and escape the bed that clutches at my ankles, refusing to let go.
My lodgings in the Imperial Capital, kindly managed by the gentle Maiden of Ashes, were also steeped in this cold and darkness. The winter daylight is short, and even at my usual waking time, it’s dark enough outside that I’d need the “Cat’s Eye” skill to see properly.
“Clearly colder here than back home…”
The water the Maiden of Ashes prepares for washing my face is warmed just enough to care for my skin, which is very considerate. Water drawn directly from the well would be so cold it feels like it could peel the skin right off.
The Imperial Capital lies towards the northern side of the Threefold Empire and feels much colder compared to Königsstuhl. However, it’s not a simple matter of getting colder the further north you go – I hear it’s even chillier near the Frosty Great Spirit Peak in the southeastern region, making this quite a complicated location.
After drying my face with a towel, I noticed a small vial that had appeared on the table, though it wasn’t there moments ago. Its faint scent of milk mixed with olive suggests it’s an ointment to combat winter dryness. It’s a wonderful item that moisturizes and prevents dryness while replenishing the lacking oils, but I wonder where she sources it from. It’s supposed to be quite an expensive item for the average person to afford regularly.
“Today too, I’m grateful for the Maiden of Ashes’ thoughtfulness”
Anyway, there’s no point worrying about its origin, so I’ll gratefully apply it to my hands and face. Sitting in front of the cloudy mirror left behind by the previous tenant, I remove the bandage covering the wound on my face that hasn’t yet healed…
“Huh?”
Looking in the mirror, my face was completely clear. To clarify, it’s not that some skill or trait has changed my facial structure – the face that was covered in scabs until recently is now smooth.
For some reason, the facial scar I was somewhat looking forward to is completely gone!?
You see, I thought face scars could look pretty cool, carrying an air of seasoned experience. Since it was a mark from such a fierce battle, I thought it’d be fine to have it remain as a handsome reminder. In the future, when junior adventurers asked about the scar, it could have been a great opportunity to boast about past achievements…
But, mercilessly, the faintly hoped-for scar was entirely absent. While it’s fine for the scabs to have fallen off, this complete absence is rather peculiar?
Also, regarding my age, in my previous life, I had started to grow a thin layer of facial hair. Both my father, who meticulously trimmed his beard, and my brother, who grew into a full beard just before adulthood, come from a family line where men grow thick facial hair.
Despite this, my face was smooth.
Running my hand along my jaw, I can’t feel any stubble at all.
“Ursula”
“Yes, yes, did you call me, my love? You’ve been working hard before the moon has fully hidden its face, haven’t you?”
Calling out a potential lead, Ursula, the Night Fairy, appeared in the room as if she’d been there all along, given the darkness. Since today the hidden moon is waxing, she appears the same height as when we first met. Though it’s concerning that she’s sitting on my bed like it’s her own, I’ll let it slide since it’s sort of a host’s duty to welcome guests.
“About the scars disappearing and the lack of beard growth, any ideas?”
Since I have little hope of winning a verbal spar with her – why are all the women around me so sharp-tongued? – I decided to ask her plainly. After burying her face in the pillow, she casually informed me with a nonchalant attitude.
“Not me! I like men’s scars quite a bit, actually. A mad dash looks especially radiant under the light of the moon, and the remnants of violently thrashed wounds possess a poetic beauty.”
I see, it’s not me, it’s….
“Charlotte”
“Yessss? What is it?”
Calling out the next suspect, Charlotte suddenly appeared floating above my head. The Wind Fairy had retained her usual size even as the moon was full, maintaining a fairy-like elegance as she laid down buried in my hair.
“Did you do something about the scars and the beard?”
“Eh? Uh… well… you see…”
“I get it, no need to explain”
The guilty party was revealed instantly by Ursula’s suggestive tone and Charlotte’s immediate hesitation in replying. Letting my head fall onto the table with a sigh, the Wind Fairy that had been atop my head floated back up before I could knock her off, peering at me with an apologetic look.
“Well, you see, I’m sorry? Charlotte thought it would be terrible if you had scars on your face. You know, everyone cares about such things, and friends too. Everyone thinks facial scars aren’t cute…”
I see, so thanks to the fairies’ thoughtfulness, all scars heal without leaving traces. You can really do just about anything, can’t you?
“No, um, it’s fine, really. Honestly, I wasn’t too concerned about it either.”
Seeing her bow her head in apology, I feel like I’ve done something wrong. I’m not particularly upset, and there was no ill intent, so I forgive her.
Though, I will have to cut back on one piece of candy for dessert.
Though sugar comes into the Threefold Empire at favorable rates from the satellite nations around the Southern Inner Sea and isn’t extremely expensive, it’s not exactly budget-friendly either. My wallet is small? It’s shallow since it’s all I have. I had to use half of the ten drachmas given by Lord Faige for Eliza’s tuition and sent what was left for my family and as a late congratulatory payment for my nephew’s birth.
Charlotte’s audible groan and obvious dejection follow. However, one thing in her statement raises a question: while she mentioned scars, there was no mention of the beard.
“Which means the beard…?”
Voicing the question, a slight rustling behind me and the sound of porcelain moving caught my attention. Looking in the mirror to check behind me, the bucket I used to wash my face had disappeared from beside the bed, replaced by a steaming cup of chicory black tea.
Normally the morning tea appears without so much as a sound from the tableware, but this time it came with an excessive reaction, which likely means the obvious conclusion.
“…Maiden of Ashes”
“Because beards aren’t cute, they say.”
Ursula translated on the Maiden’s behalf, who resolutely refused to speak.
…Ah, I see, yeah, I get it, do whatever you want. Though I didn’t expect this earnest and quiet Maiden to play such tricks. No, wait, housekeeping fairies are known to enjoy playing tricks on the household, aren’t they?
It would have been nicer if the tricks were a bit more subdued….
【Tips】 Both blessings and favors require the will of the giver, but the consent of the receiver is not always necessary. Otherwise, a child with golden hair and blue eyes would not be called young and taken to the heavens, nor would they disappear during a forest walk.
Crunching through untouched snow from last night, which hasn’t been disturbed by anyone, I walk through a street decorated in white by the snow. The rich red of the fired bricks peeks out underneath the white, bathed in the light of the magical crystal street lamps, creating a gradient of pale blue that looks truly fantastical.
Inhaling the cold, bracing air feels like taking a deep breath of the predawn, brightening sky. If winter nights were distilled into alcohol, I imagine it would have a crisp taste, with a hint of sweetness, and would leave a subtle, fading fragrance in your nose, much like a glass of fine Japanese sake.
Still, despite the allure, I have duties to attend to, so I can’t linger too long. While enjoying this cold is pleasant, it’s important not to overdo it and harm my body. Activating the magic circle I obtained using my points with the “Selective Exclusion” add-on layered onto the “Isolation Barrier,” I repel the cold and apply water-repellent effects to my boots.
One of the things I spent my experience points gathered in the Demon Palace on was this. While the pinnacle of TRPGs may be combat, the magic used for daily living is also an important element, evoking a desire to use them in the real world during our sessions.
Having found the resistance to cold and wearing thick jackets and leather overcoats cumbersome, I impulsively obtained a defensive barrier skill that wasn’t merely an underdeveloped version of “Spatial Transference.” Taking the “Isolation Barrier” to its foundation level, I constructed what is essentially a basic barrier – “blocks both physical and magical contact.” It isolates the space conceptually by a mere sheet of paper’s thickness, preventing objects and phenomena from crossing over.
However, due to its simplicity, it is neither overly fuel-inefficient nor poor in efficiency. At the foundation level, its capabilities are sufficient to deflect arrows and poorly aimed attacks. By angling it to deflect incoming attacks, it can perform beyond its base capacity, and with slight adjustments, it turns into a raincoat-cum-thermal protector that repels water and buffers against cold breezes.
Ah, what a good purchase it was. Applying it thinly over my hands like gloves, I can do wet work without my hands getting rough, a benefit I appreciate. I thought mimicking Lady Agrippina’s method of interacting physically with the Sword of Desire would be useful, and I was correct.
I tend to Castor and Pollux, and as usual, grooms line up in front of me with copper coins in hand for me to perform the “Purification.” It’s heartwarming to see more people greeting me now.
Afterward, I prepare breakfast and see Lady Agrippina transform from a vulgar sinner into an only visually corrupt – and, it should be noted, someone who corrupts nations in a literal sense – beauty. I sit Eliza, who’s stuck to me like velcro, on my knee as I attend to my court language lesson, passing the morning in such a fashion.
Since the errand mission, Eliza’s clingy tendencies have resurfaced. When she starts clinging to me, near tears, and says, “Big brother, please don’t do dangerous things anymore,” I can’t resist as her brother. That Lady Agrippina has consented to let her sit on my lap while learning is surely because she’s become tired of the situation. As long as I take care of her, her spirit as an apprentice stabilizes.
I accompany Eliza until lunch, estimating the arrival of the manners lesson, which I leave for the afternoon, and bid her adieu. It’s impractical to keep her on my knee while eating. After encouraging the pouting Eliza to do her best, I drop a kiss on her forehead as a pacifier. Sending my tearful sister away feels like tossing my conscience into a blender, but… yeah, I’ll brainwash myself into believing love isn’t only about spoiling her like a kitten, and endure.
“Oh, right, I almost forgot”
Just as I’m about to leave the room, Miss Agrippina hands me a piece of paper. She magically folds it into a butterfly shape and sends it flying with a gesture that suggests she has some sentimental attachment to it, though it’s difficult to comprehend.
“This is the reservation that you asked me for. It’s under my name, so you can just pretend you’re an errand boy performing an experiment for me.”
“An errand for an experiment…?”
The note handed to me turned out to be an “Experiment Room” reservation ticket.
The Magic Academy has several rental experimental labs where the pinnacle of magic technology is applied. Designed to accommodate various scenarios and equipped to prevent dangerous leaks, these rooms are isolated spaces akin to workshops but made specifically for larger, potentially hazardous experiments.
While the workshops themselves are highly isolated, military magic research often leads to massive outcomes, prompting requests for something more extensive. After all, it would be disastrous if researchers casually destroyed prairies or forests, and if there’s any biohazard risk, the substantial budget invested in constructing massive secure boxes becomes entirely understandable.
We need one of these facilities due to the new combo magic I’ve come up with. Concerned it might be a bit dangerous to try it out randomly, I consulted with Mika and learned about the existence of these rental experimental labs, leading to the current request she made on my behalf.
“As usual, just talk to the elevator. But since this is a busy time of year, I could only get you a shared experiment room. And don’t do anything too crazy.”
What kind of person does this vulgar woman think I am? I do have a sense of moderation. Besides, it’s not like I would perform some wildly uncontrollable magic that would disrupt the entire lab just because there’s someone next to me, no matter how self-restraint I would apply. If anything, I take pride in having designed something rather modest, producing reasonable sounds and lights that I think are quite sophisticated and elegant.
“I assure you, I’m well aware of my limits.”
Her muttered skepticism, “Are you really…?” went ignored as I shook off my little sister’s clinging gaze and left the workshop behind me…
【Tips】 The Experiment Room. Located deeper below the Magic Academy’s workshop area, at a depth comparable to the Restricted Library, is the experimental space rental facility. Ranging from booths of just a few square meters for small experiments to vast areas akin to a domed stadium, various rooms are provided. Robust conceptual isolation barriers protect them from causing external damage, a facility Emperor of the Threefold Empire commissioned and funded with more than half the royal budget to preserve his prestigious reputation. Ironically, it seems experiments were routinely conducted outdoors prior to this.
There are three recorded incidents where attacks breached the barriers, causing massive accidents inside.
Time for the debut of development and the launch of a new campaign. After this campaign wraps up, a transition to young adulthood is planned.
Thank you again for your feedback and typo reports from yesterday. I’ll implement them progressively. It’s heartening to gain more followers, and I plan to share some behind-the-scenes tidbits not covered in the story on Twitter when I have a moment, so feel free to tap away.
