Chapter 67: Awareness Requires Notice

 

After concluding our introduction with the Casper sisters, we disbanded for the day.

After a day of preparation, we reconvened at the Adventurers' Guild.

When I arrived at the meeting place, the three sisters were already there, yet despite the plans for a long journey, they carried no luggage.

"Eva, you all travel light. Are you not bringing any luggage for such a long trip?"

"I can use spatial storage. Unfortunately, I don’t have space to carry your things as well."

"That's fine."

Being able to use spatial storage was a sign of considerable skill.

If one could pack the essentials for three people into it, that was even more impressive. I had planned to take their luggage, but it seemed unnecessary.

Indeed, the rumors of them being top young adventurers seemed accurate.

In a corner of the Guild Hall, other adventurers were using it as a rendezvous point just like us.

It was common for them to check their weapons and gear, and discuss plans beforehand.

Today, many eyes were on us.

Then, Raidock’s party arrived.

"Are we late?"

"No, you're actually early. Leifan went to greet Kyle, so he might be a bit late. Jitaro… if he's late, we’ll leave without him."

"Haha, it's better if Jitaro is with us. He’s reliable in the forest."

"Indeed."

As Raidock and I exchanged banter, the ranger Solar, the cleric Bepp, the mage Bardack, and the warrior Moda greeted the three sisters.

It seemed they were meeting Raidock’s party members for the first time.

"Kraft, here's our luggage."

"Got it."

Stacked in the corner of the wall were not only essential adventuring gear but also cooking equipment and spare weapons.

Seeing this, Eva was taken aback.

"Wait a minute. I heard Raidock was a proficient adventurer."

"Raidock is competent, I assure you."

"Are you referring to his combat skills? Seeing all this luggage, it doesn’t seem like he has much scouting ability…"

It seemed like an implicit way of saying he would be a hindrance.

But that was a complete misunderstanding.

"One doesn’t simply reach B-rank by fighting alone in the Adventurers’ Guild. So, this is what I mean—'spatial storage.'"

As I swiftly packed the piled luggage into my magic storage, Eva’s eyes widened.

"You can use spatial storage too!?"

"Yes."

"No... it’s a rare magic, but there are others who can use it... and your capacity is impressive."

"Yes. There’s a reason for that. Originally, I wasn’t born with the Alchemist’s Crest, but a Mage’s."

"You changed your crest?"

"Yes. It’s a long story, but apparently, the Mage’s Crest wasn’t compatible with me."

"I’ve heard that incompatible crests can’t be marked."

"Usually, that’s the case. But there are exceptions when one is unlucky."

Eva crossed her arms, deep in thought.

"Does that have anything to do with your spatial storage capacity?"

"My mentor, Master Jabeel, hypothesized that forcibly cramming magic into it during my mage days made me adept at compression and efficient magic use."

Master Jabeel’s hypothesis wasn’t proven or experimented on, so it wouldn’t be published.

"What!? Jabeel... you mean the renowned Master Jabeel!?"

"Yes. Master Jabeel is now exclusively working as an alchemist for Kyle's brother, Zayed, which led to our meeting. I was fortunate to become his apprentice."

That wasn’t entirely accurate, but it was easier to understand this way.

"That’s enviable... He’s also famous in magical theory."

"He’s prominent in the new organization, the academy."

"Such an esteemed person… And you address nobles so casually?"

"Ah."

Shoot! I slipped into my usual habit!

"Ah, well, Kyle and I are quite close. Keep it between us, please."

"I have heard the rumors. They say Lord Kyle trusts you completely. But as for Lord Zayed..."

"Ah, this is also between us, but honestly, I don’t really like Zayed. There's been some history."

"I see. I will keep that in mind as well."

"Thanks."

Despite Eva's somewhat curt demeanor, she seemed to be a good person at heart.

It might sound disrespectful considering she's older.

"Raidock, we’re done here."

"Ah, and Leifan and Jitaro are still not here?"

"Leifan being late is understandable, but what is Jitaro doing?"

"Kraft, can't you contact them with magic?"

"No, as far as I know, there isn’t any magic for that. Eva, do you know anything?"

"No. However, I once heard from my master that there are devices capable of such communication."

That reminded me of something.

"Actually, I heard from Master Jabeel about a device that allows communication over any distance."

"That would be handy. Can't you or Leifan make one?"

"It's impossible. It’s a very rare artifact, possibly only a few exist in the entire country, and there are numerous restrictions on its use."

"That’s unfortunate. It would make communication so much easier."

"If it could be mass-produced, it would turn the world upside down."

"Well, there’s no use thinking about things we can't make."

"Right... ah, looks like they've arrived."

Raidock noticed the approach and directed his gaze towards the guild's entrance.

Shortly after, Jitaro burst in, heavily laden with goods, just a little past the agreed time. Guess I can let it slide.

"Sorry I’m late! I got a bit carried away shopping at the Sheelra store!"

"That’s fine but... no, never mind."

Jitaro’s bag was bulging, items from Sheelra’s store peeking out here and there.

The enchanting widow Sheelra, who managed the Sheelra store, had continued her business successfully even after Golden Dawn relocated here.

And it seemed Jitaro harbored feelings for Sheelra as well.

Internally, I couldn't help but think:

No self-control, Jitaro!

Well, live your life.

He had bought iron arrowheads, bird feathers, and various food supplies that would last a while.

Considering I was there, he shouldn’t have needed the sharpening oil or stamina potions he packed. The exchange between Jitaro and Sheelra was easy to imagine.

"Jitaro... just so you know, that comes out of your own budget."

"I wouldn’t have it any other way! Showing sincerity hurts the wallet, you know!"

"Can't tell if you're serious or not..."

As I sighed and stored Jitaro’s goods using spatial storage, Eva looked on, astonished.

"How much can you possibly store..."

I wondered what her reaction would be if I told her it could hold as much as a giant dragon. But some things are better kept quiet.

As we made small talk, a commotion started near the guild entrance.

"Lord Kyle!"

"Look! Lord Kyle has arrived!"

"Good morning, Lord Kyle!"

"Yes, good morning."

"I got a reply from Lord Kyle!"

"What!? Good morning, Lord Kyle! Welcome!"

"Good morning, everyone. Sorry to disturb your work. Please, carry on as usual."

Kyle’s voice mixed with the buzzing voices of the adventurers.

"What!? Lord Kyle is here!? Back off a bit!"

"Okay, okay."

"Lord Kyle! If you need anything, just say!"

"Just back off! Welcome, Lord Kyle!"

Mika, the receptionist, scattered the surrounding adventurers as she jumped out.

"Good morning. Is Brother Kraft here?"

"Yes nya! He’s right there nya!"

Kyle, being rather short, finally managed to spot me thanks to the adventurers stepping back.

Not only Kyle, but Persia, Mina, and Leifan were with him as well.

"Kyle. Weren’t you busy?"

"Yes, but... Mina wanted to see you off."

"Mina did?"

Kyle’s twin sister Mina was somewhat of an enigma—whether she was liked or disliked was hard to pin down.

Perhaps her coming to see us off meant she held us in some regard.

"Ah, thank you for going out of your way, Mina."

I patted Mina's head, not as one would with nobility, but as one would with a sibling.

"Mm."

Mina then offered something to me.

"Mm!"

"What is it?"

"She wants you to have this," Kyle chuckled.

In Mina's hand was something small.

"...Scary!?"

It was a rabbit—a small ragged rabbit doll with patches and a missing eye, its remaining eye hollow and covered with an eyepatch, like something out of a nightmare.

"!"

Suddenly, Mina kicked me. It wasn't painful, but it was surprising.

"Brother, she tried to embroider on a doll matching the one she owns," Kyle explained.

"Eh?"

Indeed, upon closer inspection, it resembled the larger rabbit doll Mina usually carried, though battered and altered.

"How did it turn into this...?"

Another kick came flying.

Was I disliked enough to be given such a cursed item!?

"Ha ha... Sorry, brother. When Mina said she wanted to give it to you, I mentioned it might be too cute for a man."

"Eh?"

So, what does that mean exactly?

"Mina wanted it to be a charm, so she wanted you to have a matching doll."

A charm... I see. It’s a charm.

Then, it finally clicked. Mina had tried to give me something she thought of as a protective charm, and since she only had her doll, she attempted to make a matching one. Kyle's unnecessary comment led her to try her hand at embroidery, resulting in this Frankenstein’s rabbit.

"Yeah... my bad. Mina, you worked hard on this, didn’t you?"

"Mm."

Mina nodded slightly.

I attached the eyepatch-rabbit to my belt.

"How does it look?"

"Mm!"

"It kinda looks like you're wearing a cursed effigy on your belt."

"Air Blast!!!"

"Hogyaahhh!?"

Without a word, I blasted Jitaro with magic.

"That’s harsh..."

Raidock looked pitifully at Jitaro, who was getting up with a groan. Eva was impressed, "He's getting up after that hit..."

"Yeah, Mina. Thanks. I'll make sure to keep it with me."

"Mm."

She seemed to have cheered up.

It looked bizarre, but it was made with care. I had to take it with me.

"Then, brother, please have a safe trip."

"Yeah, count on me."

And so, we set off on our journey to uncharted territories.

By the way, Kyle casually calling me "brother" in the middle of the town... I've given up caring about it!

"Don't leave me behind!"

Should I blast him one more time?