Chapter 176: Within Constraints
“Don’t get too serious about making it, Jean. Save that for the real thing. You’re not planning to go shopping together, are you? You’re just going to make it, right?”
As I pondered what to create, Dinoss’s words pierced through my thoughts.
Right, it would be troublesome if it didn’t match her taste. I see, so we could go together to choose it. I learned something new today. As expected of a married man.
“I’m not well-versed in jewelry. I’d be happier if you chose based on your preferences, but…”
Hmm, it seems it depends on the person.
“If I leave it to you, it might end up being something out of the ordinary. I’ll prepare the magic stones from my collection, so you can choose later. Anything you make is bound to stand out, so only use magic silver, nothing else.”
“That sounds reasonable. It would be a problem if it stands out too much on your end…”
Constraints! Well, I am aiming for something that doesn’t stand out in Kanum. As for the island, I’m still experimenting with how much I can stand out without issue.
After that, I chose a stone to use from the magic stones Dinoss provided, alongside Ash. The stone Ash picked was a small purple spinel, about the size of my pinky tip. Spinel is a stone that reacts to magic power, often worn by magicians. It comes in various colors, but red spinel is particularly popular and expensive.
“Is this okay? Wouldn’t red be better for spinel?”
Red is known for its ability to enhance power and is famous for being used in fire protection charms.
“Yeah, this one is good.”
Does he prefer purple tones?
“Ah, I wish there was a color change feature.” Dinoss remarked.
“Color change?”
“Spinel has a color change property; it appears bright gray-blue in sunlight and turns purple under candlelight. It’s rare and pricey, though. It might be a bit too bright for your eye color, but…”
Dinoss’s eyes were telling me I looked dull, way too dull.
The gray-blue color is Ash’s, while my eyes are the same deep purple as the magic stone Ash just picked.
But the image of my dark brown eyes as a Japanese person is much stronger! It’s not that I’m dull! Probably.
Since I hadn’t been caught yet, our departure was drawing near. I hurriedly locked myself in the workshop and knocked lightly—wait, I’ve never done any metalwork before!
For now, I flew to Naruadeid, wandering through various jewelry shops and then visiting workshops. I was paying to observe.
Aside from spherical shapes, most stones here have flat backs on their pedestals, with only a few exceptions.
“Hey, isn’t this rare? You can’t really tell under the sun, but under candlelight, the way it sparkles is incredible. It’s a cut popularized by the Hero Shulm for night gatherings.”
I discovered traces of my sisters (the heroes) in a place like this. Apparently, they registered several types of gemstone cuts with the Merchant Guild, just like my bag. The thought of money flowing to them makes me a bit resistant, so I should avoid using this cut in the future. They need to spread more hygiene culture, hygiene!
With those thoughts in mind, I spent a day observing the work of the metalworkers.
Today, I gathered my tools and stared at the spinel I received, lined up next to the various colored magic silver on the workbench.
Some metals change color due to the influence of spirits or demon beasts. Gold changes overall to shades like platinum or pink gold, while silver only shifts slightly in color where the shadows of light and darkness are thick.
Now, which color should I use? Each color of magic silver attracted spirits of their respective attributes, who were trying to lift them or nuzzling against them, doing as they pleased.
If the spinel is purple, then maybe a blue tone? Ash also has a good affinity with water attributes. I drew closer to the magic silver that takes on a bluish hue in the light, and without caring that a spirit sleeping on top slipped off, I compared the colors with the spinel.
What kind of design would be good? It shouldn’t be too obtrusive, yet it needs to stand out just enough to subtly indicate that there’s someone special.
Naturally, the color would be subdued, so should I make the shape more elaborate? Ash’s first impression is… no, I should forget that; I might get scolded. Ash gives off an impression of pure water, but quiet. Like a delicate vine with small flowers. While gazing at the materials, I intended to sketch out a design, but…
As I pondered how to shape it, I lightly tapped the magic silver with a small hammer.
Thud!
No, it suddenly flattened and flowed out like water. What the—spirits? It’s quite helpful that they can shape my vague image into form. Grateful, but surprised.
As I continued to tap, somehow, green-tinged magic silver began to flow in a single stream, mixing in. The smooth-flowing magic silver created a pattern reminiscent of a vine and flowing water, enveloping the spinel. A bracelet shaped like a small leaf emerged, cradling the spinel.
It was three-dimensional enough not to be obtrusive, with smooth, delicate patterns. Actually, it’s flowing! Hey, this bracelet has changing patterns!
Two small spirits that had been playing with the magic silver spun around joyfully.
Effectively, it offers healing that can heal a cut in a day, albeit weak, and has poison resistance. The first two effects come from the magic silver, while the magic amplification likely comes from the spinel.
It’s not something you can easily discern unless something happens, so it should be fine, right? It has to be.
“Hey, you two, could you attach yourselves to this bracelet and help the owner only in times of need?”
If it amplifies magic, then having these two should be okay.
I asked a humanoid spirit dressed in blue, resembling a dayflower, and a round, light green spirit that looked like a marigold.
The humanoid saluted, while the round one bounced as if to say it understood. I gently cupped each in my hands, sharing a bit of magic power as a thank you while naming them.
I named the blue humanoid Aoshizuku and the light green round spirit Ryokuen. I wish they would just give up on the naming.
Because if I named them after my impression, like calling one a dayflower, there might actually be a spirit of that flower somewhere! I regretted naming one Corn just because it was yellow a long time ago.
Aoshizuku somehow ended up in a mini skirt dress, while Ryokuen multiplied into two. Are they one entity split into two? Spirits are full of mysteries.