Iris was wearing a black T-shirt under a sky-blue cardigan, paired with a black long skirt. Her shoes were black sneakers that matched her skirt.
While her outfit was composed of garments commonly seen even in this era, the simple design gave off a modern vibe.
To my standards, this was actually more familiar and preferable, but since not many people in this world donned such attire, it was hard to shake off the feeling of standing out.
Besides, it didn’t seem suitable for active movements. Being modern wear, it felt far more refined than practical.
“Teacher…?”
“Ah… it suits you well.”
I was quite pleased.
However, due to her fresh appearance, those around her were fixated on Iris with curious eyes.
“Somehow… it looks both ordinary and extraordinary…”
“Maybe because it has no particular patterns? It’s fascinating how the skirt has pleats…”
The Spirit Kings couldn’t take their eyes off Iris’s clothes. Observing them glance up and down repeatedly, I wondered if Iris was starting to feel shy as her tail drooped slightly.
“Seeing you wear it, it does look different. I thought it was already distinctive when we were tailoring it.”
“But this seems quite uncomfortable for activities. It might be really inconvenient during certain… moments…”
“Is it not fitting your body?”
As expected of final armor, various spells were imbued into the clothing. One of them allowed the outfit to adjust according to the wearer’s shape, ensuring it wasn’t too loose nor too tight.
“It’s not that… I just thought it would get dirty during intense activities, especially since it’s an outfit given to me by my Teacher.”
“Ah~ in that case, Praus has already arranged for it, so don’t worry. It has an automatic cleaning spell applied to it. My wife can imbue magic into clothes.”
This was the reason Tori had recommended this shop. The owner’s wife was an ‘Elf’ capable of magic imbue.
“Dear~ Is something going on? It seems a bit noisy… Oh my!”
A woman with pointed ears discreetly emerged from the back workshop.
She was stunningly beautiful. Unlike the shop owner, she appeared young, likely in her early twenties, and her figure was one that any man would unconsciously glance at.
I was no exception; my eyes were momentarily drawn to her outward appearance. But that was barely a moment; I nearly lost my mind when I noticed her black T-shirt bore the words “I love Jendal♡” written in the Empire’s language.
Who’d have thought they were a couple…
An unintended pang pierced my heart.
Diana, Jendal’s wife, brushed her platinum hair behind her ear and hurried towards Iris.
“Oh my~ Iris! You look amazing!”
She scanned Iris’s outfit, nodding repeatedly.
“R-Really?”
“Yes! It really suits you.”
“Thank goodness—”
Iris’s confidence bubbled up as she saw Diana giving her a thumbs up. Just then, her tail began to sway again.
“Teacher! This seems good for moving around, but the clothes are a bit short! Is this how it’s supposed to be?!”
Tina shouted as she stepped out. Her outfit was unified simply in black: an oversized hooded sweatshirt and hot pants which exposed her bare legs. For the record, her shoes were also black.
I nodded, seeing her modern outfit appear much more striking compared to Iris.
“Right.”
As someone who often wore long pants, Tina surely felt uncomfortable in shorts that exposed half her thighs.
But it couldn’t be helped; we found the final items faster than expected. The final items were originally meant to be obtained only after the heroes turned seventeen.
“Hmm~ This seems like it would be really cold in winter!”
That was a pure Tina statement. Usually, one would comment on excessive exposure in such attire.
“It’s fine. There’s a warmth spell on it. You could always wear stockings; that wouldn’t be bad.”
“I see! But I’ve never seen such an outfit. It’s not a robe, and it has a hood too…”
“I heard someone who wore that style once became a famous assassin.”
Ah, was it an assassin or a contractor?
Even I found it baffling, considering the setting of the game.
Who in their right mind would wear a hooded sweatshirt in a medieval setting?
Using clothes from modern times in a medieval-themed game was absurd from the get-go. But the game developers had mumbled something about wanting to give the heroes more ‘special’ attire.
“An assassin? An assassin in such clothes sounds intriguing. Usually, wouldn’t they wear tight clothing?”
“And when they wear the hood, others can’t see their face.”
I recalled how Tina’s dialogue changed when facing opponents depending on whether she wore the hood or not.
“Ooh~ Is that so?”
With that, she immediately threw on the hood. It completely obscured her face as if a black curtain had been draped over it.
“Can you see me? Am I hidden?!”
“Yeah, you’re not visible.”
Tina tossed the hood off and exclaimed, “This is fun!” Her eyes sparkled as she twirled and examined her clothing.
“Besides, it’s comfortable to move in!”
“Tina has this adorable but rebellious vibe! So cute!”
“Fufu! My cuteness is recognized even by the Teacher!”
I had never said that.
…Cute, yes, but still.
Watching Tina hoist her nose in pride at Diana’s praise, I glanced toward the changing room where Maria had entered. She still hadn’t shown herself.
“Maria, come out if you’re dressed!”
“Uh… Is it really okay to come out in this?”
“Just come out; it’s fine.”
Anyone would think I handed her something revealing.
Swish.
Maria pulled back the curtain, gripping the front of her skirt tightly as she stepped out.
“T-Teacher, this skirt isn’t too short, is it?”
Her outfit consisted of a white blazer paired with a pleated black miniskirt, topped with a white hooded coat.
Originally, the outer garment was meant to be a robe, but it was modified for more practicality. Given her position as an Archmage, she frequently had to visit important places, and rather than changing clothes every time, they were designed as a set.
The skirt’s shortness was due to the designer insisting, “This is better!”
“Wouldn’t it have been better to give you something to wear underneath to feel less burdened?”
“Well, I wore it, but… it’s still embarrassing.”
The miniskirt exposed more than half of her thighs. While it wasn’t too revealing, wearing such short clothes in this era wouldn’t foster a good image.
Just look at Urka.
With such revealing attire, there were plenty who whispered she was a prostitute. They wouldn’t dare say it to her face; she was S-Class, after all.
Thinking of the clothing styles favored by the Empire’s citizens, it was clear that a miniskirt like this carried strong connotations of sexuality.
“That outfit was revamped from one worn by a past Archmage. While the design is a bit unusual, its capabilities aren’t bad. The white coat changes color based on the magical attribute used, amplifying its effectiveness.”
“Is that so?”
Maria quickly conjured a water droplet in her palm, and the white coat turned a vivid blue. Next, she summoned flames in her other hand, causing the coat to turn purple as water and fire properties combined.
“Oooh… That’s fascinating. But if I’m up high, wouldn’t it be visible from below?”
She still seemed uneasy about the emptiness beneath her skirt. I figured it wouldn’t be easy to detect it with magic moving about.
“If exposure is a concern, you could add fabric to extend the skirt… But the hemming is too well done for alterations to be made. More than anything, it suits you perfectly! What do you think, Praus?”
“D-Diana…”
Maria fidgeted with her hair, flustered by Diana’s straightforward compliment, stealing glances at me as if seeking approval.
“There’s no need for the clothing itself to be changed. Just adapt to it.”
“Again, say something softer! At times like this, you should just give compliments. Right, Praus?”
Diana patted my shoulder lightly, and I scanned Maria’s attire. I figured I preferred this style over medieval garb.
“I’ve thought you’d look beautiful in anything since the moment I met you. It really suits you.”
“Indeed, Maria.”
“Ugh… There’s no need to highlight it like that…”
As Maria grew shy, Iris looked down at her clothes, a slightly disappointed expression on her face.
“Um… Teacher, is there no explanation for my outfit?”
“I don’t know much about that attire. But—”
Swish!
As I spoke, I unsheathed the Revenge Sword. The people around me tensed at the sight, even Tina’s jovial smile fading.
“Iris, stay still.”
“Y-Yes?”
“What are you planning, Praus?”
Ariel inquired cautiously.
“Isn’t it about time to explain the function of this outfit?”
Gently holding the sword, I swung it across Iris’s abdomen.
Clang!
Though the fabric was clearly cloth, a sound akin to steel clashing rang out upon impact.
Simultaneously, Iris’s sky-blue cardigan turned a fiery red as crimson cracks formed in the black skirt. A special ability of the garment had been activated.
“Whoever crafted that attire may have been unaware, but it’s designed to protect the wearer under any circumstances. As long as these red cracks turn back to black, you will likely receive little damage.”
I sheathed the sword and informed her.
“I see.”
Even after the explanation, Iris’s expression didn’t brighten. It seemed her concerns lay not with the clothing’s function but something else entirely.
I leaned closer to Iris and whispered in her ear.
“Iris, I think your outfit looks the best. It matches your mature image perfectly.”
“R-Really? Ehehe.”
Only then did Iris’s face light up with a bright smile.
*
Thus concluded the fashion show of the Three Heroes. Each hero exuded a different aura thanks to their attire, but each could confidently claim they suited them well.
“Then for the alteration fee, including the magic imbue…”
Clink!
I placed a pouch containing twenty gold coins in front of Jendal, who was calculating the sewing costs.
“Ah, thank you.”
Jendal’s face turned puzzled as he opened the bag and confirmed the amount, his eyes widening in disbelief.
“…You’ve given too much, Praus.”
Upon hearing Jendal’s comment, Diana also peered into the pouch and gasped in shock.
“T-That’s right. Twenty gold coins is far too much.”
“Take it while you can. I have plenty of money.”
That year’s duel had left me well-off.
“But…”
“If you’re worried, just do the next repairs for free.”
Nonchalantly, as I dismissed them, Jendal pondered seriously.
“…I see. So you’re suggesting this amount guarantees you a spot as a VIP regular at our shop. Understood.”
What’s this now…
“From now on, I’ll prioritize Praus. Even if there are dozens of alteration requests pending, if Praus asks, I’ll put them all on hold.”
No, please don’t. That would make me feel guilty.
Jendal’s earnestness was absurd, but it seemed agreeing would be the most hassle-free option.
“…Take care.”
“Yes. Please travel safely!”
As Jendal saw us off, I turned to glance at the couple once more.
“Oh, and…”
“Yes?”
“You two look great together.”
This couple stands as a testament to the possibility of harmony between humans and other races. I hope they continue to live together till the end.
“Really? Ahaha! Is that so?!”
“Oh my~ Praus, you can say such things too?”
As Jendal grew bashful, Diana looked at me with pleasant surprise and giggled. I snorted and turned away.
“Let’s go. Come on, kids.”
“Yes!”
Tina waved at the couple, Maria bowed respectfully, and Iris deeply bowed in gratitude.
“Thanks for the clothes!”
“Come again!”
With that, we stepped away from the clothing store.