Finis.h.i.+ng the Magic Tool

We started making the magic tool right after breakfast, and we finished the first one just before snack time.

It was a lot earlier than I had antic.i.p.ated.

Kathe looked at the finished product as she stretched. Her tail swayed up and down.

“Yes! I think it’s turned out rather well.”

“Indeed. This is all thanks to you and Mors.”

I said. Mors gave a humble bow.

His tail was also moving up and down.

“Thank you so much. This was very educational for me.”

“I am so glad that I was able to help you, Locke.”

“Groof-groof!”

Grulf had been sleeping in a corner of the room. He now got up and wagged his tail.

He was probably trying not to bother us out of consideration.

“You also did very well by being quiet, Grulf.”

“Groof-groof.”

He barked as he jumped around.

It was a relatively large room, but it didn’t seem like it when Grulf jumped around.

“I’ll take you on a walk later, so calm down.”

“Groof!”

I said as I petted him to calm him. Then I looked towards Luchila.

Luchila had been helping us as an a.s.sistant.

“And thank you too, Luchila.”

“Oh, but I barely did anything…”

“That’s not true. You were a great help.”

“Cluck-cluck!”

Lord Gerberga hopped onto Luchila’s shoulder and tousled her hair with his wings.

He was probably praising her for a job well done.

Kathe also patted Luchila on the head and said,

“You know a lot about alchemy too, Luchila. I am very impressed.”

“No, I really don’t. I have a long way to go!”

“She’s right. Your knowledge was very useful.”

Recently, Luchila had been helping Philly as her a.s.sistant. And so she was studying alchemy.

Perhaps she would be able to use both magic and alchemy one day.

Magic was more useful for combat. But alchemy allowed you to make more money.

Luchila would one day become chief and restore her tribe.

And that would, of course, require money. So learning alchemy would surely help her.

I handed Luchila the magic tool.

It was made of metal and just slightly smaller than Lord Gerberga in size.

“Luchila. Try activating it.”

“Understood!”

–VRRRR!

There was a low buzzing sound for a second as it activated.

Now the magic tool had an area of effect that was a semi-sphere with a radius that was about five times the height of a man.

An alarm would go off if a dark one entered it.

“It is easier to have it detect all of the dark ones instead of just those that have been charmed!”

“Yes. That was unexpected. I learned a lot.”

We had been meaning to make something else at first.

However, it was difficult to make it detect something so specific.

And that’s why we changed direction.

“Well, as long as it detects those that are charmed as well, then there is no problem.”

“Yes. After all, it’s not like we want thralls of lesser vampires to enter.”

“Of course.”

As we talked about this, Kathe’s stomach began to grumble loudly.

“I think I was a little too concentrated on my work. I’m so hungry now.”

“Yes. Let’s ask them if we can have something to eat then.”

“Yes!”

“Groof!”

“Cluck!”

Kathe, Grulf, and Lord Gerberga all answered happily.

And so we left the room we had been working in.

A young beastkin wolf had been waiting outside and now rushed towards us.

“Mister Locke. Everyone. Are you finished working?”

“Yes, we have finished.”

“Uhuh. I’m so tired.”

“Then we will prepare a meal for you immediately. Please wait in the dining hall. Or would you prefer it if we brought the food to you?”

“No, we can go to the hall. Thank you.”

They had made the food ahead of time but hadn’t told us so we would not be disturbed.

Sorcerers had a tendency of forgetting to eat when they became obsessed.

“I’m sorry that we weren’t able to eat with the others. It’s made more work for you.”

“Oh, no. Please don’t worry about that!”

The young beastkin said with a smile.

Then Kathe said,

“Did you eat already?”

“Not yet. But don’t worry about me. We beastkin can survive for days without eating!”

“Hmm. Now I feel bad. You must eat with us then.”

“N-no! I can’t! I am not even worthy.”

Mors turned to the mortified beastkin youth.

“Don’t worry about it. You must eat with us.”

“Kathe and Mors. You shouldn’t force people. It might make them even more uncomfortable.”

“Oh, I see…”

“I’m so sorry.”

Then the beastkin youth looked even more frantic.

“No-no! Not at all! I would be glad to eat with you all…”

“That’s better!”

And with that, we all moved to the dining hall.