Binary Soul

> Ellie PoV <

I snuggle against something soft while a tender hand brushes my hair.

Such unparalleled comfort and warmth… it can only be one thing!

“Good morning, Ellie!” (Kira)

I’m greeted by Kira’s dazzling smile as I wake up.

“Kiraaa! Naaa, naymmmuu.” (Ellie)

I keep snuggling against Kira’s peerlessly bouncy chest!

My voice leaks out, but I have no intention of stopping it!

Waking up together really the best!

I don’t think I’ve ever slept so comfortably before!

“*Giggles* Stop that! It tickles!” (Kira)

Oh right, let's not forget!

"Good morning Nano!" (Ellie)

{Good morning you two. Getting along today as well?}

"Fufufu, that's right, good morning Nano." (Kira)

Kira hugs me a bit tighter.

You see, Kira wanted to hug Nano, but Nano isn't a person.

But Nano is always with me.

So, Kira hugs me enough for two people!

I'm not being spoiled though.

Half of it is Nano's share.

"Come on Ellie, let's get breakfast!" (Kira)

"Okay!" (Ellie)

I untangle myself from around Kira and get up from the bed.

It’s one of the things Nano brought out of the containers from the ship.

Among them were a whole bunch of luxurious items!

Like my pajamas and Kira’s nightgown!

They’re really soft and comfy…

Oh, and the clothes are too, I guess.

I’m pretty grateful for those, especially since both my and Kira’s armors were shredded.

* * *

We head down the stairs after putting on the casual clothes Nano prepared for us.

Just shirts and trousers easy to move around in.

The first floor is where we decided to put our bedroom, though it’s a bit too wide.

We haven’t decided what to do with the rest of the above-ground floors yet.

I think Nano got a little excited when making the tower and went overboard.

But Kira says it might come in handy in the future, so it seems it was the right call.

So Nano ended up doing a good thing even while showing off!

Nothing less from my partner!

The ground floor is divided into a living room, dining room and a kitchen!

Nano managed to salvage components and parts from what we had to throw together an actual stove!

As a whole, this tower is incredibly comfortable!

The drones will take care of cleaning, maintenance and can even cook for us!

“So, what did you manage to prepare for us today, Nano?” (Kira)

Kira asks the all-important question as we take a seat at the dining table!

{I’ve gathered a bunch of fruits and berries you described to me, with a side of wild boar bacon.}

“Bacon? I get to enjoy actual meat!?” (Ellie)

{That’s right, Ellie! Real, fresh meat!}

“Yes!” (Ellie)

The last time I had meat was over 4 months ago!

“So Ellie. What do you want to do after breakfast?” (Kira)

“Hmmm, I really should start doing my training…” (Ellie)

I promised Nano I’d keep doing it whenever we had a chance.

It’s already my third day on this world, so I should stop slacking off!

“Oh!? What kind of training is it?” (Kira)

“I perform six sets of kata.” (Ellie)

“What’s a kata?” (Kira)

“Well… It’s hard to explain… Nano?” (Ellie)

{A kata is a series of martial art training exercises. The kinds Ellie needs to perform are intended to help control her powers.}

“You said those come from the mind, right? How do those training exercises help?” (Kira)

{[Star Magic] demands a healthy mind. A healthy mind dwells in a healthy body. A healthy body is forged through training.}

That’s how it was!

I had forgotten why I even did those in the first place, I just knew they were important.

Oh well, that’s why Nano is here - because I forget things!

“Kira should watch me do them after breakfast!” (Ellie)

“I’d love to!” (Kira)

* * *

“Haah, haah, haah. All done.” (Ellie)

I sit down on the grass to catch my breath.

“Was it really that exhausting? It just looked like you stretched a bit and then did some weird dance…” (Kira)

“Demands, haah, a lot of, haah, focus!” (Ellie)

{That’s right. It may look simple, but you have to do those movements perfectly for it to be effective. Concentration and precise muscle control are a must!}

“That’s how it was… I’m a bit sad it’s not actually a dance, but those movements were still captivating. Ellie is surprisingly limber!” (Kira)

Hehe, I got praised!

{Kira, speaking of which, can you please cast your magic at the tower now?}

“Hmm? Ah, sure. Just let me get my staff.” (Kira)

Kira goes inside the tower to get the staff Nano made yesterday.

“Nano, you sure this will work?” (Ellie)

{Positive! I’ve hooked up the energy capacitors to the lightning rod on the roof. Bad news is the ship’s old batteries are a bit battered so they won’t hold the charge for as long as they could. We would need to recharge them around once a week, regardless of how much power we actually use.}

“I see. That’s not too bad considering we don’t need to worry about fuel with Kira here.” (Ellie)

If we can harness Kira’s magical lightning as a power source, we won’t need a reactor.

Which is good, because we definitely need a new power source ever since said reactor got slightly exploded...

The drones will run out of juice eventually, but we can recharge them from the ship- I mean, the tower’s power grid.

If Nano’s idea works, we will have an easy solution to our energy problem!

Alternatively, we might have to come up with a geothermal or solar solution.

It would depend on what we find in the old fart’s boxes.

Nano is still going through them, but it has to be done very carefully.

That old fart loves to booby trap his belongings, after all.

“Alright, I’m back!” (Kira)

Kira arrives triumphantly, flaunting the black staff.

Apparently Nano’s first staff was so good, it brought Kira to tears!

I know the feeling, it was my first time seeing magic yet I was also moved to tears!

“Here I go! ---- [High Thunder]” (Kira)

*KRAKAKOOM*

After a small flourish of the staff, a bolt of lightning strikes the tower’s tallest spire!

It really came from nowhere!

Tendrils of electricity travel across the metal exterior of the tower and disappear into the ground almost instantly!

“... Did it work?” (Kira)

{It did! That was perfect! Like this we don’t need to worry about running out of fuel for the drones! Magic sure is amazing, isn’t it?!}

I nod at Nano’s astute observation.

Somehow, I feel Kira is the truly amazing one though.

It makes me a bit jealous when I think about how much Kira can do alone...

{Oh! Actually, I have another surprise for you two! I’ve repaired Ellie’s gear and prepared a set for leather armor for Kira as well!}

* * *

I put on the gear I was wearing under my EVA suit when we arrived here.

Looks like Nano remodeled it slightly.

On the whole it’s a bit lighter, but much easier to move around in.

I kind of prefer it that way!

First is a special sneak suit Nano prepared just for me!

It fits snugly around my whole body without causing any discomfort.

A face mask covers my mouth, nose and neck, leaving the rest of my face and head are exposed.

Looks like my old visor was beyond repair, but I shouldn’t need it on this world.

There are no security drones to interface with, after all!

Next is the breastplate, which is the same as before.

Interlocking armor plates that cover the torso and shield the vitals.

Similar plates cover my wrists, shins, shoulders and thighs.

They won’t do much if we get attacked by magic, but they’ll easily deflect or absorb all but the heaviest of impacts.

Not that I plan on getting hit anyway.

The knuckles on my gloves are reinforced with Durasteel studs for CQC.

There's also a utility belt with a few emergency measures on my waist.

My 42 centimeter Tritanium blade is sheathed horizontally on my lower back.

It’s really heavy, so it disturbs my balance if I keep it on my hip.

There's a number of throwing knives and serrated blades strapped to my boots, thighs and on my belt.

There’s a few hidden ones in my boots, arm guards and breastplate - just in case.

“So, what do you think Kira?” (Ellie)

I strike a small pose to show off a bit.

“You look really dashing in that! What about me? I think Nano did a really good job!” (Kira)

Kira similarly twirls once to show off the armor Nano prepared during the night.

It’s made from Troll Leather which Kira claims is good at stopping slashing attacks.

Well, Nano’s drones have a cutting and welding laser capable of affecting hull plating.

So something like a Troll made of flesh and bone was sliced neatly in half.

It means the leather I got from those corpses was really pristine!

As a result, the combination of mine and Nano’s hard work is currently protecting Kira!

It makes me oddly happy!

Not that I plan on letting Kira get hit anyway!

The armor set consists of fingerless gloves that go up to the elbow, knee-high boots, leather trousers and a corset-like chest piece.

There’s also a short mantle covering Kira’s shoulders.

A rather simple bright-red linen shirt is visible underneath the corset.

Since the leather parts are a dark gray, it makes Kira’s shirt and hair really stick out!

Kira says appearances are important for adventurers - they need to look reassuring or the client will have doubts.

“...” (Ellie)

And the current Kira looks incredibly cool!

“Ellie… you’re drooling…” (Kira)

“Wah! *Slurp* Sorry Kira, I couldn’t take my eyes off you…” (Ellie)

“Fufufufu, that makes me really happy. Thank you Ellie!” (Kira)

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but Kira is way too amazing.

I don’t think that word even fits anymore, it’s way too shallow!

I need to find a new word for it…

How about ‘Kiramazing?’

“Then, shall we head out?” (Kira)

“Out? Ah! Adventuring practice, right?! Alright! Lead the way!” (Ellie)

Kira has a dream - to become a Rank A adventurer.

Apparently people who climb that high are respected and treated with reverence.

I don’t need any of that to revere Kira though…

However, I want to fulfil that wish.

I’ve decided to follow and support Kira without holding back!

Not that I know how to hold back anyway…

You don’t survive in the Outer Rim systems as long as I have by doing silly things like holding back.