Chapter 161 – Spring Evening

“This is quite a peculiar drink. It’s bubbling even though it’s not alcohol.”

“The bubbles are the same as in ale.”

Alfred and the others blinked as they sampled the carbonated water. This was the second item for the theater’s concession stand menu. I wanted to prepare at least one or two standout products.

Shaved ice and carbonated drinks. The plan was to sell these not just to theater patrons but also to attract people who weren’t interested in watching plays.

“Quite an unusual mouthfeel. I like it.”

“I’ve taken quite a liking to it myself, I have.”

It seemed Talcott and Ophelia particularly enjoyed it. Alfred, who seemed somewhat bewildered, appeared to think it wasn’t bad either, so the reception was fairly positive.

To put it simply—creating carbonated water itself wasn’t particularly difficult.

Using Fire Magic and Wind Magic, I produced high-concentration carbon dioxide, then cooled it with Water Magic to create dry ice, selectively extracting only the carbon dioxide. After that, I dissolved it into sugar water using Water Magic to complete the carbonated drink. By mixing in fruit juices and such, I could create various variations.

“Hmm. But it’s interesting. Like the theater construction and shaved ice, I think this will become a topic of conversation.”

“I hope it’s well-received. So… this is the spell formula process.”

Alfred nodded as he looked over the paper describing the spell formula.

“Could we manage by combining about three types of Magic Tools…?”

“I think we’ll need high-quality Magic Stones for the cooling process using Water Magic.”

“Well, maybe so. I’ll check if the Guild has any in stock.”

Talcott seemed to have accumulated various knowledge related to Magic Tools while serving as the workshop guard. I occasionally saw him consulting with Alfred… perhaps someday he might become something like Alfred’s escort and assistant.

“I’m quite interested in this shaved ice machine.”

Viola was flipping over the model shaved ice machine I’d made with Earth Magic, examining its structure with great interest.

“Let’s see—when you grip the handle and turn it, the gears engage, causing the ice to spin on a plate with blades attached… shaving the ice and dropping it into the container below… It’s well designed.”

As usual, it wasn’t my idea though.

“Can you make it?”

“Leave it to me. I think I can manage on my own. It’s not a Magic Tool after all.”

Viola smiled and puffed out her chest.

Although I could easily make it using magic… I didn’t plan to be permanently stationed at the concession stand for either shaved ice or carbonated drinks. The ideal was to create forms that employees could handle even without particular magical aptitude.

So for shaved ice, just having a regular shaved ice machine made would suffice. The innovation would be in the ice room—purifying water to make ice, freezing it into sizes and shapes that could be set in the shaved ice machine. We’d need to convert those processes into Magic Tools.

For carbonated drinks, almost all processes would need to be converted into Magic Tools. I hoped to create a system where the user could simply add sugar water or plain water to make carbonated drinks.

“Well then, I’ll work on the Magic Tools, so I’ll leave that to you, Viola.”

“Understood. Once that’s finished—it’ll finally be time, won’t it?”

Yes. The theater preparations were nearly complete. The stage equipment was almost in its final form, and Irmhild and the others were ready too. Once the kitchen-related items were finished, we’d have mostly completed everything that needed to be done before the opening.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Alfred must have been imagining what would happen after the opening too. He closed his eyes contentedly as he spoke.

At this pace, we should be able to hold the concert around the next full moon.

“Huh?”

As I was making playing cards on the living room table, something brushed against my waist.

Wondering what it was, I touched it—a smooth, pleasant texture.

When I turned around… it was Irmhild’s tail. Though slightly startled, I gently placed it on the sofa so it wouldn’t fall to the floor.

Irmhild herself had finished today’s practice and returned to the living room. She was deeply seated in a chair backrest, breathing in sleep. Earlier, Sheila had brought a blanket and covered Irmhild with it.

The fact that her Humanization Spell had worn off suggested she was quite tired.

…With all the preparations, training, and labyrinth explorations, our days had been rather busy. If I had to say who was having the hardest time, it would probably be Irmhild and the others.

Although we were reducing the burden by prioritizing concert preparations, keeping training sessions shorter, and preparing Stamina Recovery Tools.

“Am I pushing them too hard?”

When I muttered this to no one in particular, Claudia shook her head.

“I watched their practice today, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves very much. Being tired because you’re fulfilled isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

“Mhm. Irmhild said she’s grateful.”

“Well, that’s good then.”

When Sheila and Claudia both gave me gentle smiles, I felt somewhat embarrassed and scratched my cheek.

“I’m happy too. I’ve always liked Irmhild’s lute playing since long ago.”

Sheila narrowed her eyes.

“You said you helped Irm when she collapsed from hunger.”

“Though I didn’t fit in well at the orphanage… Irmhild’s instrument sounds were calming to listen to, so I was always interested.”

According to Sheila, that day she was also listening to Irmhild’s music while sunbathing on the roof.

Irmhild’s music, which usually continued to the end, had stopped midway, which made her curious. When she peeked through the window, she found Irmhild had collapsed with her Humanization Spell worn off.

Director Sandra found her then too… but since she had endured until collapsing from hunger, she was judged to be safe.

“So Irm is quite tired now, huh?”

Her Humanization Spell has worn off too.

“I think there’s also a part of her that feels at ease.”

Sheila said. Hmm…

“Theodore-sama, can Circulating Ki reduce fatigue too?”

Ashley asked.

“I think so… but when Irm is awake.”

Irmhild is sleeping, so I’ll do that another time. Since it would involve touching her, I need to get her permission first.

“By the way, Claudia. Could we invite Irm’s parents to the concert?”

At my words, Claudia showed a momentarily surprised expression before looking around thoughtfully.

“Her mother can use the Humanization Spell… Well then. If she comes, this child might be happy too. I’ll try asking.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

If Irmhild’s mother comes… she could convey information about the outside world to the labyrinth village. I hope that might lead to them considering coming outside themselves. Since these are delicate matters, it’s better to take things slowly.

I’ll leave the labyrinth village matters to Claudia.

As for me, I should finish these playing cards. I’ve managed to create paper with nearly uniform thickness, dimensions, and quality, so now I’ll use dyes and Water Magic to draw the patterns.

I manipulate the contents of the ink pots arranged on the table using Water Magic to draw the designs.

First, I draw the back pattern as uniformly as possible. If I mess this up, subtle differences in characteristics could reveal the cards. It requires careful work.

Marlene and Seraphina are watching the work with interest but don’t come closer. Probably because they can see I’m concentrating.

After making some progress and finishing the back patterns, I look up and call out to them.

“You can come closer to watch.”

When I say this, Marlene and Seraphina exchange glances, smile, then sit in the adjacent seats and peer over.

“What are you making?”

“Is it a Barrier or a Talisman?”

At Seraphina and Grace’s words, I gave a wry smile.

“No—”

Come to think of it, does what I’m making look like that kind of tool? They’ve been used for fortune-telling and associated with tarot, so it might not be unreasonable for them to be perceived as magic-related tools.

“It’s not that kind of Magic Tool. It’s just a toy for games.”

“Games? Like gomoku?”

“Yes. But with these, more people can play various games. Like each person playing cards, with the one playing the highest-numbered card winning… or competing with cards of the same type.”

But explaining verbally probably wouldn’t make much sense, and there are many possible games with playing cards, so it might be good to try various ones once they’re finished.

Well… that would be after the concert that’s gradually approaching. If we could all gather at the workshop and have fun together, that would surely be enjoyable.