Chapter 166: Completion
While waiting for it to turn black, I worked on making a feather pen.
Speaking of feather pens, they have this elegant image, but in reality, most people find the feathers to be a nuisance and just end up cutting them off.
Usually, goose feathers are the go-to, but the wealthy use Demon Beast feathers. The larger the Demon Beast, the bigger the quill shaft. The shafts are beautifully decorated, sturdy, and less prone to wear. Though they’re technically dip pens, they’re definitely easier to use than regular feather pens.
Now, when it comes to drawing magic circles, this Demon Beast feather pen is essential. I thought that if I hunted strong ones, their residual magic would be potent enough for drawing magic circles! Feather pen attack! The paper tore! The parchment ripped!
…It seems there’s a saying about moderation. Even though I rounded the tip and didn’t apply much force, it sliced through cleanly. I ended up with a pen that has unnecessarily high attack power. Should I make the parchment from Demon Beast hide? Nah, that sounds like too much trouble.
Besides, I’m not planning to draw on parchment anyway. Would that be just right for this?
First, I’ll experiment with the regular ink on the marble tile I prepared. It can be scratched, but I don’t mind! In fact, carving it will likely make it last even longer.
Alright, I’ll consider this feather pen good as it is. No worries, as long as I put on a face that says this was my intention from the start, no one will realize it was a failure. —Just kidding, I did make a normal one too.
So, with that said, I’ve completed a chilling marble plate for Rishu. If it gets cold, he can move it himself to adjust, and since it’s activated by a Magic Stone, it’ll stay cool even while Rishu is sleeping.
I set it up next to my bed and in the living room. I’ll also place the experimental one under the basket in Kanum’s attic room. I wonder if Daifuku prefers the heat or the cold? Cats seem to have a reputation for being cold-sensitive, but he was in the mine, after all.
Well, if it’s not activated, it’s just a regular marble plate.
“Rishu, come try this out for a bit.”
I tapped the plate lightly with my fingertips to call Rishu, and he came trotting over, sniffing before hopping on.
“How does it feel?”
He lay down flat, looking quite pleased.
“If it gets too hot, use it. Also, this one cools down when magic power flows through it, and this one is cooler than the plate, so be careful.”
He wore a bright red bandana with a belt, which could hold a coin engraved with a magic circle and a spherical charm for the Magic Stone. It jingled a little like a bell.
It cools down with Rishu’s magic power, but I made it so that after a bit of magic flows through, it’ll be supplied with magic power from the Magic Stone for a while. I can’t push Rishu too hard.
“You look great in that!”
He didn’t seem to mind wearing it at all. Adorable! I want to wash it, and maybe I should make one in a different color too?
Suddenly, I noticed Rishu’s fur getting chilly as I petted him. Smart, very smart.
I still have some Ice attribute, snow, and cold wind Magic Stones left. I’ve defeated quite a few Demon Beasts during my journey to make bedding and to obtain the Ex-Staff.
If it’s just for magic power supply, other attributes would work too. I have the Magic Stones from the Demon Beasts I hunted while chasing the Black Spirits and from the Giant Lizards. The Magic Stone from the Giant Lizard was jade, so I just carved a single cabbage out of that nice green color.
The more beautiful the color and the closer it is to a sphere, the more expensive the Magic Stone. Magic Stones are condensed magic power from Demon Beasts; for example, those that harbor a deep-seated hatred for humans tend to be closer to a sphere. However, since emotions like anger and fear mix in, most of what comes out is distorted and resembles rough stones.
Spirits, like water and flowers, love gemstones, especially spheres. They often enter them, but once they do, they can’t get out until the magic power of the Magic Stone runs out. Since Black Spirits, or rather, the dark spirits, typically absorb regular spirits, I wonder if that’s related?
Well, it seems gemstones are popular as beds, so for spirits, being trapped is often not a problem.
They prefer attributes similar to their own, and the rounder it is, the better the comfort. This results in the creation of stronger Magic Stones. The larger ones are called Orbs.
Recalling the knowledge from the Library and what I heard from Retze and the others, I began to draw the cooling magic circle on the pillowcase. I attached the charm engraved with the magic circle for magic power supply to the edge, completing it. When it gets hot, I’ll set the Magic Stone and sleep cool.
If I can’t stand it anymore, I plan to draw on the sheets too, but for now, I want to feel the seasons.
—The fabric cools down less than the marble, so I’ll draw on the fabric I’ll lay in Rishu’s basket too.
By the way, the cooling magic circle is officially named the “Ice Chamber Formation.” It was drawn on a special stone to create an ice chamber in a desert country. It’s a relic from an era when fire dominated over wind and trees. If you don’t use the special stone, the effect diminishes to a more suitable level.
“Rishu, don’t let your belly get too cold.”
Well then, that’s it for today. Dinner will be steak and vegetable soup, and after that, I’ll bake some sweets for Kingin.
Tomorrow, I’ll check the prices of Magic Stones in Naruadeid and head to the Island to check on the progress. The Forest House is currently drying, and it should be ready soon, so I’ll start the next phase the day after tomorrow.
The walls are fine, but the second-floor floor and roof seem like a hassle to do alone. Should I aim for a time when I’m alone to kidnap Retze?
Dinoss will probably be with his family, and Ash is with the Butler, plus it’s not a job suited for him.
I definitely wouldn’t hear the end of it if I did that.