Chapter 82

Then, every day, I faced the magic silk thread. Samyū-chan kept running.

One week later—

"Samyū-chan, Hasano-chan, watch this!"

"Okay!"

"Yes."

In the usual grand hall, I picked up a single magic silk thread.

The thread that had exploded so many times before.

As Hasano-chan had predicted, my magic power was too vast, and even when I thought I was using just a little, I was actually pouring out a lot.

In these energy-saving times, my inefficiency was astounding. That was me. Moreover, the overflowing magic power was putting a strain on my [Magic Circuits], making them unstable.

And now—

"Here goes!"

—With a snap, I winked one eye.

Instantly, the magic silk thread glowed in seven colors. When I let go, the thread, which should have fallen due to gravity, floated in the air.

Then, it moved wobbly and slowly formed a knot...

"I did it...!"

Wow! I did it! Even though I couldn't make a bow, I managed to make a simple knot!

With a sense of accomplishment, I wiped my forehead and looked up at Samyū-chan and Hasano-chan.

I did it! I really did it!

Then, I saw—

"Higgu... uguhi..."

"Samyū-chan...?"

She was rolling her eyes, her cheeks flushed, and trembling. The beautiful girl was making an inappropriate expression. Wait, this is Samyū-chan, right...?

As I was surprised, Hasano-chan opened her eyes wide, looked up at the ceiling, and clenched her right hand, shouting to the sky.

"So cute!!"

"Hasano-chan...?"

Looking closely, the elves waiting by the door were hugging each other, saying "kuu" to each other. What is this...?

The excitement over the success of [Magic Control] turned into suspicion at the strange scene. Then, Hasano-chan, who quickly regained her composure, gently picked me up.

"Everyone was overwhelmed by how cute you are, Reni-chan."

"Really?"

"Yes. Don't worry about it. Reni-chan, it's a great success!"

"Okay!"

I was worried that a simple knot wasn't good enough, but it seemed that wasn't the case. Hasano-chan praised me with a full smile, and I felt happy and giggled.

"Reni-chan, you can do [Magic Control] well with one eye closed."

"Right. It's just right when it's firm."

That's right. I think this is probably a habit of mine, but it's difficult to sense magic power with my eyes open. When I feel the magic power circulating in my body, I close my eyes and focus my consciousness inward.

However, when I close both eyes to do [Magic Control], I end up using too much magic power.

So, I came up with the idea of closing one eye! It took a week, but I think I finally managed to control the "just right" amount.

Energy-saving standards achieved.

"The problem might be that you're too cute..."

Hasano-chan said, still looking at Samyū-chan, who was trembling with an inappropriate expression for a beautiful girl.

"Samyū might not be able to handle it."

...Samyū-chan.

***

"Then, Reni-sama, let's go!"

"Okay!"

"From here, I will guide you, so don't worry!"

"Okay."

Having completed our training, we finally set out from the Elf Forest. Our destination is the [Rainy Lake]! The [Water Serpent] that guards the treasure is there!

The [World Foundation Black Dragon], which we had been taking for walks every day, will now join us on our journey.

And it's time to say goodbye to Hasano-chan and the elves.

"Reni-chan, thank you so much for coming to the Elf Forest. I had a lot of fun spending time with you."

"Okay. I'll come again."

Hasano-chan teared up and hugged me tightly.

"Yes. That's right. ...This isn't goodbye."

"Okay. We'll meet again."

"Yes."

"My mom and dad will come too."

"...Yes, that's right. Yes... that's right."

"Okay."

Hasano-chan sniffled a couple of times and gently set me down on the ground.

"Reni-chan's [Magic Circuits] are fine now. There's no [Magic Surge]. And you've learned [Magic Control], so there's nothing to be afraid of."

"Okay. I'm strong."

Because Hasano-chan helped me. Because she taught me so much.

Looking up at Hasano-chan, she nodded firmly.

"...Goodbye, Reni-chan!"

"Goodbye."

"Samyū, be careful!"

"Yes, thank you very much."

I waved goodbye to Hasano-chan and the elves.

The elves, just like when I first came to the forest, waved the branches of the [Luminous Tree] to see us off.

With our equipment all set, we were ready to go!

"Let's go! First, straight to the east!"

"Okay!"

"Yes!"

The [World Foundation Black Dragon] flapped its wings and flew away. Samyū-chan and I followed, jumping on the ground.

"By the way,"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"You don't have a name?"

"Name? You mean my name?"

"Yes."

The [World Foundation Black Dragon], which was flying "whoosh," and Samyū-chan, who was jumping "poyo poyo," seemed to be able to talk, so I called out, and a curious voice came back.

"I am the [World Foundation Black Dragon]. I am the only one in the world, so I don't need any other name, right?"

I tilted my head at the matter-of-fact voice.

But isn't that like how I'm called "human" or "elf"? It's true that I can be identified, so maybe the concept of a "name" isn't necessary...

"Hard to call."

"Huh?"

"Black Bahamut Dragon is too long and hard to call."

"Is... is that so..."

"It's cool, though."

"Right!? That's right!?"

"Hard to call."

"Ugh..."

At my words, the [World Foundation Black Dragon] gradually slowed down.

"Pull yourself together. If you don't guide us, Reni-sama will be in trouble."

"Shut up! I'm just a little down right now!"

"Are you down?"

"...A little! It's not a big deal!"

The [World Foundation Black Dragon] said, flapping its wings as if to encourage itself.

I thought. If it's upset about being hard to call...

"Reni, can I give you a name?"

I thought a name might make it easier for both of us.

The [World Foundation Black Dragon] stopped moving forward abruptly.

"Whoa!"

"Reni-sama!"

We almost crashed, so I quickly slowed down. But we ended up in a strange position, and Samyū-chan hurriedly held me.

"That's dangerous! I don't care about you, but what if Reni-sama gets hurt!"

Samyū-chan looked up at the [World Foundation Black Dragon] with a "huh?" expression.

I called out to Samyū-chan to calm her down.

"It's okay. Samyū-chan is here."

"Ugh."

"Samyū-chan, that was amazing. You did a spin in the air."

That's right. Samyū-chan had caught me and spun in the air.

There was no wall or anything to change direction in the air, but it was amazing!

"I practiced the two-stage jump I saw Reni-sama do before in the Elf Forest."

"New move...!"

As expected of Samyū-chan. She had learned a new move while I was training in [Magic Control]!

I sighed in admiration, and Samyū-chan smiled shyly.

...Still.

"It's not moving."

"...Yes, it is."

The [World Foundation Black Dragon] was still stopped in the air, not moving at all.

...Is it okay?

As I watched, it finally moved its neck with a creak...

"Young elf, you want to give me a name?"

"Yes. To make it easier to call."

Hmm. From this reaction, maybe it's not a good idea to think of a name.

"If you don't want to, it's okay."

So, I added that, but the [World Foundation Black Dragon] flew up to me with a "whoosh" and puffed out its chest.

"I'll allow it! Yes, yes, yes! I'll grant your wish to give me a name! Give me a suggestion!"

"Reni-sama, let's not. It's a waste for Reni-sama to think of a name. Just call it Dragon."

"No, no, no, that's not right. It doesn't convey my nobility! Come on, young elf. What name suits me?"

The [World Foundation Black Dragon]'s purple eyes sparkled with excitement.

...What should I do? I don't have a really good idea.

"Black" is a bit too simple, and "Dragon" is apparently not good. ...Bahamut... Bahamut...

I racked my brain. And then—

"Muto-chan?"

The [World Foundation Black Dragon], Muto-chan. How does it sound? It's cute, isn't it...?

I tilted my head and looked into the purple eyes. The eyes narrowed into a smile.

"Muto. Muto, huh! Yes, yes, yes, it's from Bahamut! A bit simple, but it's fine! I'll allow it! Yes, yes, yes! Well, a young elf's vocabulary is limited, after all!!"

The [World Foundation Black Dragon] laughed loudly, then chuckled, and then laughed loudly again.

"Okay, let's go! The lake is still far away!"

"...I'll call you Dragon."

"What are you talking about! Call me Muto!"

"I'll call you Dragon."

The [World Foundation Black Dragon], now Muto-chan, started flying again, and I followed, jumping "poyo" on the ground.

I think Muto-chan liked the name. ...But Samyū-chan looked very unhappy.

So, while listening to Samyū-chan and Muto-chan's argument, we headed for the [Rainy Lake].

We stayed in towns along the way, and it took about three days. It was located northeast of the Elf Forest.

"We're here!"

Muto-chan said and stopped flapping its wings.

I should have stopped there, but with the excitement from Muto-chan's words, I kept going and passed Muto-chan.

Because, the lake I had admired in the game was just ahead...!

The lake was in the forest, and I moved carefully to avoid trees and approached the lake.

The beautiful water effect I had seen in the game. What color is it in real life? What kind of light is shining on it?

I couldn't contain my excitement.

Running, I soon reached an open area without trees.

This is the [Rainy Lake]. The scenery I had wanted to see since I was reborn. It was right in front of me—

"Huh..."

I took a deep breath to cheer, but what came out was a stunned voice.

"What's wrong, Reni-sama?"

Samyū-chan caught up to me.

But I couldn't answer, and I stared at the lake in a daze.

"The water..."

As I said that, Muto-chan also caught up.

With a flapping sound, and then—

"What is this!!"

—came a scream.

"The water is dried up!!"

That's right. What was there was just a large hollow without water.