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 Im okay thanks to s.h.i.+ro-sans blessing, but was it because Im outdoors that Im feeling its cold?

[Im sorry, Isis-san. Suddenly barging and asking you this request]

[No If its Kaito youre 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 Alices yesterday and she got some designs and mechanisms prepared, and Im 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-sans home and rely on her help.

I cant thank Isis-san enough for her kindness in spite of my sudden visit.

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

[Youre 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 Theres a jewel that has a deeper shade of blue and is quite rare compared to the Ice Crystals and it was called Midnight Crystal Its tough but it doesnt easily crumble It stores magic power but not as much as magic crystals So its 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 dont think I remember seeing anything like it.

[I see, that means it wouldnt be easy to find.]

[Unnn but its alright If I search for it Ill immediately find one.]

[I appreciate the thoughts, Isis-san but Id like to try to do as much as I can Ahh, of course, I know I cant do it all alone but]

[Okay If thats 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 flas.h.i.+ng 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-sans 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 shes making it very easy for me to mine.

[The place where I shaved doesnt have jewels but with this I think its easier to dig Ill also case simple Defensive Magic on you.]

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

[Unnn Good luck While youre mining Ill go prepare you a meal. So dont push yourself too hard.]

[Yes!]

The maintenance of the tunnels, Defensive Magic, shes really helping me with all sorts of stuff, Im 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.

Im 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 cant 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 Im not used to mining and my pace is slow, but really, what a surprise that I havent found anything close to bluish, let alone deep blue

Even though s.h.i.+ro-sans blessing keeps out the cold, it doesnt 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 Its 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 wont 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 cant feed myself?

[Ahhn.]

[A- Ahhn.]

[What do you think?]

[It feels warm and really delicious.]

The stew, which wasnt 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-sans kindness given form

[Thats good Eat lots Okay?]

[Yes.]

I guess Im still really embarra.s.sed to admit it but I wholeheartedly enjoy such moments of relaxation, enjoying Isis-sans gentle care that warmed me to the depths of my heart.

After enjoying Isis-sans delicious home-cooked meal, just as I stood up to say that its 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 Wouldnt it be easier to find it?]

[T- Theres such a way!?]

[U- Unnn I dont really know if it would really work though.]

I havent thought of using my magic that way. Ive 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 isnt as good as a Magic Crystal, it still has the ability to store magic power Thats also true for Ice Crystals, but it seems that Midnight Crystals store a bit more magic power.

[Ill try it!]

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

Im not that great of a magic-user, so I cant 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 dont understand well the difference between each of the things Ive 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 Thats 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 dont 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 a.s.saulted 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.]

[Ill carry you.]

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

[Kaito youre tired so Ill carry you.]

[I- Im thankful for that but]

[Unnn?]

Even though Isis-san is stronger than me, Im still extremely embarra.s.sed, being princess carried as a man.

However, I couldnt ask Isis-san, who was seriously concerned about me, to put me down just because I was feeling embarra.s.sed being princess carried by her, so in the end, I had to be carried by Isis-san while enduring my shame.

Unnn, next time, lets properly think about our usage of magic power Ill definitely be more careful

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

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

T/N: Im slacking off (was actually reading Spy x Family earlier), so this is the only bonus chapter for the day.

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