Chapter 176: A Closer Relationship (2/2)

“Well they did teach me all sorts of stuff, so I did feel like they were amazing, but they weren’t really the sort to boast about themselves, so…” [Ryouma]

I told them that I thought they were just an old couple that knew a little more than other people.

“It’s all finally starting to come together. For various reasons, it really is.” [Reinhart]

“People of great character really do end up with unexpected results, don’t they?” [Elize]

“No wonder you’re so smart and so strong.” [Pioro]

“If you’re raised up in an isolated place like that and the only people you have for comparison are those two, then it’s no wonder that your common sense is so messed up.” [Serge]

The four adults sighed exhaustedly many times.

Then they talked about the many great achievements of the old couple.

According to them, my grandmother, Melia the Sage, was a talented woman active in all fields of studies with a focus on medicine and magic.

She was enrolled in the academy at the imperial capital and produced many thesis and research results.

To this day, there is a faction known as the ‘Melia Faction’ that is present in many fields of studies and are always highly appraised.

As for my grandpa, ‘Teagle the Martial God’, he was undefeated in his own generation despite not having studied anything.

He started hunting monster beasts at the age of 7. And in pursuit of strength, he searched for foes stronger than himself and became an apprentice.

Through his talent and effort, he absorbed all of the techniques in the blink of an eye and improved his techniques.

It is said that in his later years, he has become so strong that weapons would break before he could even go all out.

The truth remains unclear, but what’s for certain is that he owns a smithy and that he’s a first-rate blacksmith.

If even a single one of his works were to be discovered, people would flock enough to fill a house regardless what type it is.

‘The both of them are on a completely different level from your run-of-the-mill intellectual or person of ability!’ Or so the four adults said. They used the entirety of our teatime to talk about what kind of people my grandparents were and how highly appraised they are.

I found the topic interesting since it was a lot more detailed than what I had been told. I’ll be going to where they lived before, so I think it’s good to know too.

Also, by being able to reveal my past, I feel like I’ve gotten a lot closer to everyone.

But…

“Just to be sure, but it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it’s a bad idea for other people to find out about this, right?” [Ryouma]

“It would be dangerous.” [Serge]

“You’ll be targeted for sure.” [Elize]

“As we’ve been saying for the past few days now, knowledge and technology are treasures to people in authority.” [Pioro]

“The pupils of famous people are highly valued too, after all.” [Reinhart]

…Well, if it’s those two people’s disciple, then I guess it makes sense.

Maybe there’s another reason why Gayn and the others chose those two people to make my cover-up story.

As I went back to my room, I resolved myself to ask Gayn and the others that next time.

The next day.

This would be my fifth day staying at the duke’s family, and I’ve already more or less gotten used to it.

The servants have all gotten used to me as well.

“Ah, Takebayashi-sama. The head chef was looking for you earlier. There will be a sampling of the dishes to be served at the wedding reception around noon, and he was hoping that you would be able to make it. Of course, if you’re schedule permits it.” [Rurunez]

“Thank you for inviting me. I’ll be sure to be drop by.” [Ryouma]

“Hey!　About the ceremonial hall, are we going to complete it today?　There are people quarreling over whether it would be completed today or tomorrow.” [Guard]

“We finished the foundation yesterday afternoon, so the remaining upper part should take shape before the day is over. But even then there’s still decorations to be done, so construction won’t be complete until then.” [Ryouma]

Now, when I walked through the premises of the manor, people would often call out to me.

We’ve been working together all this time to complete the preparations for the wedding ceremony, but at some point, they stopped treating me as a ‘guest’.

There’s still a hint of that relationship, but I feel we’ve all gotten a little closer.

“The experiment the other day sure was effective. Word of how you’ve treated the children about to be dismissed has spread, and now the maids see you as a gentle person. They also see you as someone they can ask questions to without fear.” [Rurunez]

Rurunez-san said that, but isn’t it normal to be able to ask people questions without being afraid?

…That’s what I was thinking initially, but when I thought about it some more, it’s true that there are plenty of places where that ‘normal’ isn’t true.

In the first place, the idea of ‘normal’ is really vague.

Hmm… Normal sure is complicated…

“…Well, I’m glad that I didn’t scare them.” [Ryouma]

We chatted in leisure like that as we headed toward the magic training area that I was borrowing.

Preparations for the experiment to improve the sugar scrub were already underway.

And Fei-san and Ox-san could be seen at a corner.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let us begin the Sugar Scrub experiment.” [Ryouma]

“Yes!” [Test Subjects]

“Last time we tested the perfumed oils to go with the sugar scrub. Today, we’ll be thinking about the improvement of the sugar scrub itself. Which oil feels good? How fine should the particles of the mumitou be? Please make the comparisons just like before and have all the inputs – no matter how seemingly trivial – summarized in a sheet of paper.” [Ryouma]

I asked them to pass that on to the rest of the people helping me out, then I called out to Fei-san and Ox-san. The servants of the duke’s family, especially those that are higher ranked, are very smart people, so I can be at ease and leave things to them. Besides, all they have to do is ask the test subjects for their impressions, and it’s not like they need any specialized knowledge, so there’s no need for me to gather the data personally.

As such, I’ve decided to make the most of my time and make preparations for concocting Ox-san’s mana recovery medicine.

My schedule is packed with all the preparations for the wedding, so as much as possible, I want to make the most out of my time.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting.” [Ryouma]

“Master. I’ve brought my weapon and status board as you’ve asked.” [Ox]

“I’ve also prepared the mana recovery medicines.” [Fei]

“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

In order to make Ox-san’s mana recovery medicine, I need to match the amount of mana restored by the medicine with Ox-san’s consumption of mana when using his sword.

If the amount of mana restored is too little, then Ox-san will run out of mana.

If the amount of mana restored is too great, then he’ll end up with mana intoxication.

In order to match the medicine with Ox-san perfectly, I need to know how mana he possesses and how long he can hold the spell.

From there I’ll need to know how much mana he consumes per second.

Fortunately, I can confirm how much mana he has just by looking at his status board.

I explained to him the objective of this experiment.

“Ox-san, you have 315 mana points. Is that small or big?” [Ryouma]

From what I’ve heard, 500 to 700 mana points is enough for a warrior to supplement himself with magic.

“I never really used spells, so when I tried to increase my mana pool as hard as I could, that’s the result. It’s definitely on the smaller side.” [Ox]

The smaller the mana pool, the easier it will be to be afflicted with mana intoxication.

It would probably be best if I started with a weaker medicine.

“Well, let’s go see how long you can hold your spell then. Rurunez-san, the watch please.” [Ryouma]

“It’s ready, Takebayashi-sama.” [Rurunez]

As she took out a pocket watch, I left the time and the signaling to her. As for the status board, I handed it to Fei-san.

I took out my slime katana.

“It’s said that one’s mental state affects one’s mana consumption. I’ll need to get the average mana consumption, so we’ll be running different tests several times. For this test, you’ll have to fight me at full strength.” [Ryouma]

“I understand!” [Ox]

And so, we measured Ox-san’s mana several times until it was afternoon. I felt bad for Riviola, the maid from the Big Monkey Man Tribe, as the test subjects of the sugar scrub kept looking our way.

It’s not their fault. Really. I’m sure anyone would be bothered if the sound of metals clanging kept resounding not far from them.