Binary Soul

> Kira PoV <

“Uuugh. Hey, Red!” (Kelly)

Kelly walks down to the first floor while groaning and calls out to me from the dining room. I step out of the kitchen to greet her.

“Oh, finally up, Kelly? I was starting to wonder if you’ll ever wake up.” (Kira)

She looks absolutely terrible. That drinking spree of hers was a bit too much as expected.

“Please tell me you have-” (Kelly)

“In there.” (Kira)

I point to one of the cabinets on the wall. She groggily walks over to it and looks inside. She takes a small vial of clear liquid that looks like water, but smells like old cabbage and drinks it in one go. Her complexion almost instantly gets better.

As usual, Picorio’s elixirs are effective, although they cost quite a bit. I questioned the need for hangover medicine at first, but it seems that man knows his clients.

“Thanks for that. How long was I out?” (Kelly)

“Pretty much all day. It’s almost dinner time.” (Kira)

“I see. Dinner sounds good about-” (Kelly)

“Hmm? What’s wrong Kelly?” (Kira)

She's staring at me with fearful eyes. Did she just remember something unpleasant?

“Red… why were you in the kitchen wearing an apron?” (Kelly)

“Why I’m cooking of course!” (Kira)

Her expression becomes downright desperate. I should probably explain.

“Relax, I’m just practicing. Nano’s preparing the actual meal, so don’t worry about it.” (Kira)

“Oh thank the Steelmother. Don’t scare me like that!” (Kelly)

“I understand your feelings, but… openly saying things like that still hurts…” (Kira)

“Sorry, Red.” (Kelly)

I’m not going to pretend my cooking is any good. I’ve been practicing every chance I get, but there hasn’t been much progress. I’m doing the same things Nano is, yet it tastes and looks completely different. And while other people tell me it tastes horrible, it’s just tastes ‘okay’ at worst to me!

“Aunty Kelly! Hey Big Sis, she’s up! She’s up!” (Sophie)

“Auntyyyy! I’m so glad you’re okaaay!” (Lara)

“Oooof!” (Kelly)

The girls barge into the room from outside and pretty much tackle-hug Kelly. Thanks to Kelly’s alcohol-induced coma they haven’t had a chance to properly welcome her back yet. She gives them a double bearhug in response.

“Hey you two! I missed you so much!” (Kelly)

“We missed you loads too, Aunty!” (Lara)

“... does it hurt?” (Sophie)

Sophie who was hugged by the mithril arm gives it a worried poke.

“Nope. It feels just like my old arm. Only shinier, I guess?” (Kelly)

“Let me touch it too! Waah! It’s hard, but it’s still warm! Mom said it was made of metal, but how come it’s like this?” (Lara)

“No idea. It looks cool though, right?” (Kelly)

Kelly starts showing off for the girls. She really is rather cheery about everything, all things considered. Probably related to those chains she mentioned yesterday. I’ll be sure to have a proper sit-down with her at some point - she still owes me that explanation.

“Alright everyone, dinner’s about to be served so take your seats.” (Nano/Butler)

Nano’s butler golem calls out to us from the kitchen and we move to the dining table. Another butler golem has already prepared all the plates. I keep telling Nano I can do at least that much, but it seems I’m not even trusted with the plates when it comes to food these days….

“Hmm? Aren’t there a lot of plates on the table?” (Kelly)

“Those are for our visitors. The dwarven delegation to Ferseit.” (Kira)

“Delegation? Ferseit? What?” (Kelly)

Oh right. She was asleep for most of today. I bet she hasn’t even realized we’ve already left Ecebis a while ago…

* * *

“Ohhhhhh!” (Everyone)

*Clap clap clap clap*

I was just finishing my morning training with Ellie when the dwarves and the kids started applauding. When did they even get here!?

“That was spectacular!” (Goldrim)

“I know, right? When our moms move together like that it’s really great!” (Lara)

“Yeah! They’re so graceful and pretty!” (Sophie)

“And you say they do this every day? What would the point of this training be?” (Rimgold)

“Those two just do weird stuff all the time. Don't let it bother you.” (Kelly)

“Still, it's my first time seeing movements like that. They definitely seem closer to dancing than training.” (Brand)

Maybe to you! It’s actually quite difficult to make those movements properly! My chest especially is a problem! It keeps throwing me off balance even though it’s bound as tight as I can bind it right now! Ellie said overcoming it would only make me stronger in the end so I just have to tough it out.

“Kira is getting better every day! Soon you’ll conquer this and move onto the sword forms!” (Ellie)

“Is that really okay, though? I don’t know anything about swordfighting.” (Kira)

“The sword is there just as a tool and an anchor. The movements are what’s important.” (Ellie)

“Hmm, I guess that’s true.” (Kira)

I don’t really get it, but Nano says as long as I can concentrate on controlling my body rather than my magic, it’ll make it easier to use Ellie’s magic during [Unity]. I haven’t noticed any improvement myself, but if Ellie says I'm getting better then it’s not just empty praise. She's quite strict as an instructor.

Since she’s the wife.

“Anyway, you girls head inside and eat your breakfast. Ellie go with them and make sure they don’t try to wash the dishes again.” (Kira)

They tried that yesterday night. Said they wanted to help while we were busy talking about this and that with the delegates. I appreciate the thought, but we now have three plates less. Quality porcelain isn’t cheap- I mean, what am I going to do if they hurt themselves!?

I watch the three of them head off into the tower. I sit down on the ground and catch my breath. These exercises are exhausting as ever.

“Kwaaaaa!” (Shull)

“Ah right. Excuse me, I think it’s time to change Shull’s bandages.” (Brand)

Brand walks off to attend to his gryphon. We brought it along because Brand said it would chase after him anyway if he left it behind, and with those wounds it has it really would be a terrible idea. I’m honestly amazed it survived after taking that huge hit from the spider thing. Just how durable are gryphons, I wonder?

“Say Red. How does this rock stay in the air, anyway?” (Kelly)

“I’m also curious about that, if you don’t mind my asking.” (Goldrim)

Oh good. It seems Goldrim has recovered from Ellie's acting. Looks like he’s back on his feet after a drink and a good night’s sleep.

“We have a special sphere-shaped Magic Stone buried at the base of the tower. It’s about 3 meters in diameter and releases the [Flight] spell into the surrounding ground.” (Kira)

“And how do you control it?” (Goldrim)

“With a magic tool. It’s like a desk with two rods sticking out of it. Grabbing hold of these rods and channeling mana into them lets you control the spell.” (Kira)

“Huh? But neither you nor Ellie are steering it right now?” (Kelly)

“Well yeah, once it has a direction the spell just keeps going. I do have to take control for landing and taking off though.” (Kira)

A smooth landing would be extremely difficult without guidance from Nano, though. I can’t see where I’m going, after all. I’ll have to ask Olboun how Runetap does it every year.

“Fascinating. Does all of Ferseit utilize this mode of transportation?” (Goldrim)

“No, not quite. Not everyone can get permission to use these Magic Stones. Usually only the lord of a city is allowed access to them. And even then they’ll probably choose to use a city-wide Barrier in case they get attacked.” (Kira)

“I see. That does sound more practical. What of the mana requirement? I imagine it’s rather hefty.” (Goldrim)

“Normally it accumulates residual mana over time, but Ellie and I charge our Magic Stone directly through a hole in the basement. As long as we do that regularly, it can fly indefinitely. It can even keep going for about 5-6 days in case we’re not here.” (Kira)

“Is it really that efficient? I was under the impression the [Flight] spell had a hefty mana cost.” (Rimgold)

“Yeah, you said Runetap could only float once a year and only for a day, so what gives?” (Kelly)

“Wait, that Runetap? That huge city you were telling us about? It can fly!? And more importantly, you’re telling me this woman is using magic of that magnitude so casually?!” (Rimgold)

“Now, now, calm down Rimgold. If you think about it calmly, the scale is completely different.” (Goldrim)

“Ah, yes. You’re right. My apologies.” (Rimgold)

I may have misjudged Goldrim. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

Well, Runetap’s situation was a huge mistake anyway. The instructor we hired from the Magic Academy explained that the flying enchantment on Runetap's ground was actually of rather poor quality. They arranged them under the walls assuming those were [Barrier] stones, but for [Flight] magic they need to be evenly spread out.

If it was done right, Runetap would also be able to float for 5-6 days like our base can.

* * *

“Goldrim, Rimgold, Brand. I wish to express my gratitude to the people of Ecebis.” (Kira)

I came to the guest house Nano built for them in the yard for this express purpose. The three of them shared difficult expressions.

“I’m afraid I don’t follow, Madam.” (Goldrim)

“The Titansteel we received from Ecebis had proved instrumental in accomplishing one of my wife’s dreams. Since this made her incredibly happy, it also made me happy. Therefore, I am here to say my thanks.” (Kira)

That Titansteel is a truly unique material. It completely disrupts any and all mana flows if there is enough of it. Spells dissipate harmlessly the instant they come in contact with it. While direct-hit type spells like [Firebolt] and [Thunder] can damage it somewhat, most spells simply disappear harmlessly.

“This is rather unusual for you, ma’am.” (Brand)

“Come now, Brand. I’m not some ingrate! Truthfully, I also have to thank Senator Goldrim personally. Your discussion with Nano on the basics of Alchemy led to an epiphany that solved a dire problem for our household.” (Kira)

I had forgotten that one of the basics of Alchemy was that you needed to pour your mana into the mix at certain stages of the potion brewing process. How accurate you are with this step is a direct measure of how good of an alchemist you are.

“I see.  I don't fully understand, but I am glad to have been of service.” (Goldrim)

“I will be sure to relay your thanks back to the rest of the Senate when we return to Ecebis.” (Rimgold)

“Still, to actually use Titansteel so readily, as expected of you, ma'am!” (Brand)

“Do the dwarves not use Titansteel much?” (Kira)

“Only in rare cases, it is quite the uncommon metal, after all.” (Goldrim)

“Since it’s called Titansteel I thought it was something the Steelmother provided for the dwarves. Was I wrong?” (Kira)

“I see, the name is a bit confusing when you put it like that. You see Madam, Ecebis means ‘Titan Summit’ in our ancient language. This metal was named for the mountain.” (Goldrim)

"Is that so. Still, it should be more common now that you have ready access to those Depths, right?" (Kira)

“I sincerely doubt that, Madam. The real problem is that Titansteel deposits are extremely small, about the size of a fist. Since they are so hard to find, it is unlikely we will ever have too much of it.” (Goldrim)

“It’s true, even the two small crates of it we brought along amount to about a quarter of all we have been able to collect over hundreds of years.” (Rimgold)

“S-So it’s actually a super-rare material?” (Kira)

“That’s right. To put it plainly, my country values those two crates more than all the rest of the items we brought combined. We were planning to present it as a luxury good of the highest class.” (Goldrim)

Cold sweat forms in my palms and back. I had no idea!

“By the way ma’am, mind if I ask what you used it for? I’m quite curious now.” (Brand)

“I think we all are, Major!” (Rimgold)

“Well. It’s, uhh, rather personal…” (Kira)

Nano and I figured out why my cooking was terrible - I had been unconsciously pouring mana into the food while preparing it. Thus, what came out was not a meal, but a failed potion. Even after realizing this, I wasn't able to completely cut off the flow.

That's where the Titansteel came in handy. With the interfering mana flow gone, my cooking became so good that Ellie and the kids were moved to tears. Seeing that made me feel completely satisfied as a housewife!

But even then, I really can't bring myself to tell these guys that we used their ridiculously precious Titansteel to make a pot.