Chapter 557 – Restoration of the Heritage

After borrowing books from Peresford Academy, I headed straight to the workshop. Since my home, the academy, and the workshop are all nearby in the Eastern District, getting around is easy.

The group that stayed over last night said they’d come to see the workshop, so they should already be gathered there.

“Good morning.”

When I entered the workshop, everyone was setting up tables and tea sets in the courtyard.

Well, the plan was to take breaks for conversation and tea while doing training and such. Though it’s winter, the weather is nice, so we decided to spend time outdoors while keeping warm with wind barriers and such.

“Good morning, Theo-kun.”

“Good morning.”

“Welcome back, Theo.”

Alfred and the others from the workshop, as well as Grace and her group who had arrived earlier, all greeted me.

“Did you find the books you were looking for?”

“Hmm. Mostly.”

I nodded in response to Alfred’s question.

“Fermentation acceleration magic… I see. Looks like you’re starting something again.”

“I was thinking about whether we could make something using Halvaronis’ koji mold. Like new fermented foods.”

“You mean… like cheese?”

“Hmm. Well, I’m not sure what it’ll turn out to be.”

Specifically, I’m aiming for miso and soy sauce, but I can’t say the final form exists yet.

While having Golems arrange chairs and such, I was having that conversation with Alfred when Luscinia tilted her head and approached us.

“Luscinia. Is something wrong?”

“Um. I was curious about Alfred-kun’s necklace – could I take a closer look at it?”

Luscinia looked at the nomad charm that Alfred was wearing around his neck.

“This? Theo-kun got this from the chieftain of the Bruto tribe during his southern travels, right? Ah, I believe it’s a charm that offers prayers to the Wind Spirit King.”

That’s right. I received it from Yumit, the chieftain of the Bruto nomads – or rather, as a return gift for Alfred’s magic tools, with the request to give it to Alfred.

“Yes, indeed… It contains the power of prayers for us.”

Luscinia held her hand over the magic stone in the necklace and closed her eyes.

“Even as it is, everyone will protect the owner when they’re in danger… But you know. The people who offered these prayers are very grateful. It seems like they’re saying their child was stung by a poisonous insect but was saved thanks to this.”

“A Clear Blood magic tool… huh.”

Alfred narrowed his eyes as he looked at the necklace.

Indeed, I had given them healing and detoxification magic tools in exchange for this blessed necklace. …I see. So it was useful. That’s good to hear.

This necklace also seems to indeed help when the owner is in danger, with wind spirits coming to their aid.

For example, diverting arrows with sudden gusts, pushing back assailants with wind, or protecting from fire with wind. The protection of wind spirits works like that.

“Since Verdgar seems to have difficult times ahead, if there’s something that has gathered prayer power like this…”

As Luscinia said this and slowly stroked the magic stone, its glow intensified.

“Um…”

When Alfred tilted his head slightly, Luscinia smiled without reservation.

“In case of emergency, it can create a strong wind… barrier, I think? I believe it will protect you if any danger comes.”

“That’s… thank you.”

“It’s because there are people praying for me, and those people are grateful to you, Alfred-kun.”

So it’s possible because there are believers, people who are grateful. It’s not like anything can be done just by preparing magic stones. Though the Spirit Kings possess great power, they seem to have various restrictions on using that power, but in this form it should be fine.

From Alfred’s perspective, his magic tools are being appreciated. That must make him happy.

He looked quietly at the necklace, seeming to savor the happiness somewhere.

“That’s wonderful, Al.”

Ophelia, perhaps understanding Alfred’s feelings, said this with a gentle smile. Marlene also smiled cheerfully along with Ophelia.

“Yeah. Thank you.”

Alfred smiled happily at Ophelia’s words. As always, Alfred and Ophelia seem to get along well, which is great.

While this was happening, the preparations were completed. Grace and Ashley brought tea and snacks.

“Thank you.”

When I expressed my thanks, the two smiled and nodded.

Now then. First… yes. I think I’ll start with teaching Lasnote language.

“Lasnote. Is now a good time, as we discussed? As I mentioned yesterday, I’d like to start by teaching you language.”

“Okay.”

Lasnote nodded with a serious expression. Well then… let’s begin. I arranged textbooks and writing implements on the table. Then I created a Golem – an Aqua Golem with a chubby, rounded body shape that doesn’t give too much intimidation. I colored the tongue and lip parts respectively with water magic. Lasnote tilted her head curiously.

It’s a two-pronged approach of textbooks and demonstrations. By creating a Golem and making its mouth interior resemble a human’s, she can watch the movements of lips and tongue during pronunciation to efficiently learn how to pronounce.

“Then, let’s start with various characters and their pronunciation. Try to imitate the Golem’s movements as much as possible when pronouncing. First, this character here.”

“Okay. Understood.”

When I pointed to the character while speaking, Lasnote seemed to understand my intention and smiled as she nodded.

So while having Lasnote practice pronunciation, I continued combat training with everyone by creating Golems in parallel.

Close combat with Aqua Golems, bullet hell battles, and so on. Moving around three-dimensionally while rapidly changing positions.

Sheila seems to be practicing mainly with her new technique using the Pearl Sword, perhaps because she just learned it. Well, it’s important to get used to it before using it in actual combat.

This is pretty much our usual daily routine… but Michelle, Rovisa, Marion and the others seemed wide-eyed, perhaps because it’s an unfamiliar sight.

As for Lasnote, she’s improving quite quickly. Whether this applies to all Water Dragons, or if Lasnote is special. Or perhaps it could be interpreted as high motivation, but her memory regarding physical matters is excellent.

The process involves looking at textbooks and the Golem while copying characters and pronouncing them.

I wouldn’t say it improves exactly in proportion to practice, but individual pronunciations are visibly improving. Hmm. Since she’s progressing so quickly, perhaps we can move to words and such soon.

While watching Lasnote’s practice, I also proceeded with my own work. I checked the research materials in my hands to verify there were no mistakes.

This is work I should do before researching fermentation acceleration magic – content related to Sealing Techniques.

Based on Mother’s legacy of Sealing Techniques, with applications added by referencing Silvatoria and Halvaronis’ documents and spell formulas… or rather, it would be more accurate to say I’m reproducing the content from the documents.

“Balor.”

When I called to Balor, he floated up from my shoulder. Magical power replenishment is sufficient. Well then, shall we begin the experiment?

I went to a spot slightly away from everyone and faced Balor. First, I deployed the Barrier of the Sealing Technique I’m researching. A blue-colored wall expanded around my body. Balor fired a Fireball at it, but it disappeared the moment it touched the Barrier.

“Ooh. A mysterious technique.”

Rakeld, who saw this, let out an impressed voice.

Against fire – it seems to work like this.

The contents of the technique include: a barrier that weakens individual elements; a resistant barrier, or magical armor that can be worn while moving; and a Light Bullet that weakens power when hitting the target.

Though the deployment methods differ, they’re all derivatives and applications of the same technique.

Naturally, the Light Bullet version that directly hits the opponent is also one type of application. Unlike sealing wedges, it takes effect as long as it hits.

The principle is that by directly attaching an anti-element field, the opponent’s elemental attacks can be weakened. However, since it’s only weakening rather than sealing, the effect isn’t absolute, and even when activated there’s a time limit. Furthermore, there are drawbacks like our own attacks also having difficulty passing through that element’s techniques.

Also, since we need to see the opponent’s preferred techniques before using it, we either need preliminary research or to observe their approach… but well, if it works well, it can potentially seal them off, so it’s convenient enough.

This is something I reproduced by referencing descriptions about Sealing Techniques found in Silvatoria’s documents.

The plan is to have Balor fire each technique to confirm whether the anti-element defensive magic works properly, check its usability and safety, and then pass it on to Charlotte.

“A revival of Sealing Techniques? Impressive.”

Old Sigmund nodded quietly as he watched the experiment.

“Compared to the original technique, the usability might have changed somewhat.”

“No… Though there may be some differences, the effect should be sufficient.”

“It seems the next Sealing Shrine Maiden will have significantly more to inherit.”

“I’ll do my best.”

At Valentina’s words, Charlotte clenched her fist as if psyching herself up. That’s right. It’s derived from Mother’s legacy techniques. If I can restore them to where they should be, that’s my wish as well.