Scritch, scratch.

A girl seated at a desk moved her pen swiftly across the page.

With each motion of her hand, the black ink freely ventured beyond the neat square borders, running rampant across the paper.

For a moment, the girl paused, eyeing the ink that strayed beyond the lines with a hint of dissatisfaction. However, her hand resumed its movements without any extra caution, and the words she created, like all her previous work, broke free from the square constraints and spilled out into the wide, open world.

Daeun gently stroked the girl’s pink hair, chatting with Selene.

“…So, that’s what happened.”

“A lot happened while I was gone. If I’d known you’d go through all that, I would have gone with you…”

“Oh, come on! It was no trouble at all thanks to Kana. Though, when I was flying with her, I did think I might end up joining Edel-sama.”

“Haha. Hearing you say that makes me want to experience it myself.”

“Don’t even joke about that!”

Selene bantered back, outdoing Daeun’s playful remark with her own. Surprised at Selene’s unexpected response, Daeun protested.

That… that is no experience for a human.

When Daeun first rode on Kana’s back, she imagined a romantic scene straight out of a movie, where the hero and heroine held hands and walked through the sky. But the harsh reality quickly shattered those rosy illusions.

‘Reality…’

Daeun repeated that word to herself, deep in thought. If her viewers had heard her, they surely would have teased her, calling it a “gamer’s addiction.” But since she kept those thoughts to herself, her viewers couldn’t know what was on her mind.

‘Well, even if they did…’

“It wouldn’t bother me much.”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, just talking to myself.”

Daeun brushed off Selene’s curiosity as if it was nothing. Even if she explained, Selene wouldn’t understand due to the mental filter. No, she probably wouldn’t even hear her.

‘…’

Daeun shook her head, dismissing her bittersweet thoughts.

“Anyway, it looks like we’ll have to stay in Valtora for another week.”

A week—the time Brondin said he needed to craft the magic tool. Given that it was not just any magic tool but one made from the Dragon Orb, and a custom-made one at that, the timeline seemed incredibly short. Even though Asie had voiced concerns after hearing Brondin’s words, the dwarf only laughed heartily, his beard shaking with amusement.

“Ah, a few sleepless nights, and it’ll be done, won’t it?”

Although his words weren’t exactly reassuring, no one dared to contradict him. After all, who would argue with a dwarf, a race second to none in craftsmanship? The only real issue was that Max, Brondin’s previous magical engraver, had disappeared, leaving no one to inscribe the magic.

‘…Are you asking me?’

‘Not interested?’

‘No! I’d love to! Please let me!’

That problem was solved when they established a new partnership with a wizard who had helped locate Max. There were a few minor conditions, such as showing Kana’s ring during the production period, but they were easy enough to meet, so they accepted without hesitation.

“So, it seems your purpose for coming to Valtora has been fulfilled.”

“Hmm… I guess so? The process was a bit unsettling, though.”

“Don’t worry too much. Edel-sama, known for her virtue, wouldn’t forgive people like that either.”

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s also proof of how kind you are, Joni-sama.”

“Oh, why are you embarrassing me like that?”

Blushing at Selene’s comment, Daeun fanned her face. She wasn’t quite at the point of wanting to crawl into a hole, but the compliment made it awkward to look directly at Selene. Glancing around, Daeun’s eyes eventually landed on the paper Kana was scribbling on.

And on the ink marks spreading across the page, looking more like drawings than letters.

“Aah! Kana, you’re supposed to write within the lines! What are you doing letting it all spill out like that?”

“…It’s a bother.”

“If you’re careless, your handwriting won’t improve!”

“Who cares? It’s not like I’m showing this to anyone.”

“Well… even so, writing neatly helps with focus, and makes it easier to read….”

“Hm.”

Despite Daeun’s well-thought-out reasons, Kana remained unfazed. Left with no choice, Daeun decided to use her ultimate tactic.

“If you write so sloppily, it’ll look like a child wrote it. Right, Selene?”

“Uh, oh, yes, of course. Joni-sama’s absolutely right.”

“…How silly.”

Selene, not fully understanding Daeun’s argument, nodded in agreement. Kana, who had been watching them with a look of pity, sighed and resumed her writing, this time keeping the ink neatly within the boxes.

 

One week later.

As dawn broke, we gathered our things and left the church, heading to Brondin’s workshop.

“Wow…!”

Daeun’s eyes sparkled, and a cheer burst from her mouth.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Of course!”

Who wouldn’t love something like this?

Seeing Daeun’s radiant smile, Brondin’s fatigue seemed to lift slightly. I inspected the magic tool he handed to Daeun, shaped like a ring.

Honestly, with my lack of aesthetic sense, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is it really that beautiful?” But…

‘As long as the receiver is happy, that’s all that matters.’

Watching Daeun bouncing with joy, I nodded.

“Thank you, Kana…! I’ll cherish it!”

“…Why are you thanking me?”

“Well, I wouldn’t have gotten it if it weren’t for you! You even paid for it. I could have covered the cost, though… should I pay you back?”

“Don’t bother.”

Since I’m dragging her to the perilous Raxia because of my stubbornness, covering this expense was the least I could do. Then again, knowing Daeun’s personality, she probably would’ve insisted on coming along regardless.

“Seeing how you’re trembling, how could I possibly accept money from you?”

“What? Trembling? Me? No way…! Sure, I’m a bit short on funds, but…!”

“Heh, just kidding.”

Daeun looked down at her hands in shock, then pouted. Compared to when we first met in the mountains, we were much closer now. As I reached up to her wrist, the bracelet on my arm jingled slightly.

“A token of thanks. …Thinking about it, I don’t think I’ve thanked you for it yet.”

“…It’s not like I gave you anything worth a gift. It’s just a bracelet from a street stall.”

“Nope, it’s not.”

I smiled faintly, disagreeing.

“To me, it was special.”

The value of an item isn’t solely determined by its price. Daeun’s eyes glistened with an indescribable emotion as she quietly listened. A sense of unease crept up my spine.

If this pattern continues…

Squeeze!

“Kana…!”

“Urgh.”

Once again, I found myself enveloped in Daeun’s embrace. I resigned myself to the hug. This was becoming a regular occurrence.

Still—

“I can’t breathe….”

I won’t ask you not to hug me, but can’t you hold me a little more gently?

But instead of loosening, Daeun’s grip tightened. As I gave up and stayed in her arms, I heard her murmuring above me.

“I’ll truly treasure it, I promise.”

“Do whatever you like.”

…This tickling atmosphere isn’t really my thing. Lifting my limp arm, I cautiously patted Daeun’s back, careful not to press too hard or break anything.

As if taking it as a signal, her arms finally released me. Her face, when I looked up, was free from tears, though her nose was red and her eyes shimmered as if on the verge of crying.

“Ahem!”

The sound of a cough drew our attention to Brondin, who looked slightly embarrassed.

“What a close pair of sisters. It’s a lovely sight.”

Well, shall we get to the explanations now?

Daeun took a step back from me, smiling sheepishly.

“Oh… sorry about that.”

“No worries, I understand. Just know, I feel like I might pass out from exhaustion. Ideally, the wizard should do this explaining, but since he collapsed right after the work, I’ll have to manage.”

Brondin rubbed his bloodshot eyes. Each day, I’d watched his eyes become redder, and now they were as crimson as a rabbit’s. His gaze rested on the ring I wore.

“To be honest, I wish I could’ve done better. If I were more skilled, I could’ve made it even better.”

When I’d asked Brondin to create the magic tool, I hadn’t specified the form it should take. So the fact that Daeun’s magic tool was shaped as a ring was purely his decision. Inspired by the blessing of Grasis that I possess, he was ecstatic with an idea—had he not been so inspired, it could have been a different form.

“Even now, I can’t fathom it. What kind of craftsman could create such an object…?”

Whether in envy or reverence, his voice carried mixed feelings. I merely shrugged. I hadn’t told him that a dragon had made it, not because I thought he wouldn’t believe me, but rather because I knew he would. You don’t tell someone who brags about buying a Dragon Orb in a drunken stupor that it’s dragon-made.

Half as a complaint, he continued, shifting the topic back to the ring. He spoke about the design, durability, and the types of magic inscribed, adding bits of bragging here and there as he animatedly explained. His face split into a wide yawn just as he delved into stories of his childhood.

Finally wiping a tear from his eye, he rubbed his bloodshot eyes again.

“I really must get some sleep. I still have so much more to say.”

“Thank you so much for crafting this amazing item! Please get some good rest after all your hard work!”

“Yes, Master. You might pass out if you don’t rest soon.”

Daeun and Asie, who had formally become his apprentice after recent events, teamed up to nudge Brondin toward his room.

“I can restore your energy with—”

“Shh.”

Sensing trouble if Selene finished her sentence, I quickly covered her mouth.

“Hmph?”

“Oh, haha! Nothing at all.”

Despite his protests, Brondin couldn’t resist the combined efforts of Daeun and Asie, and eventually disappeared into his bedroom. As peace settled in, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.

“He looked so exhausted….”

All except one person. Selene continued staring at the bedroom door, unwilling to let go, and we looked at her with exasperation.