Chapter 63
By the time I stopped by the training grounds to deliver the completed wooden training dolls, the sun had already gone down.
I figured everyone would’ve gone to dinner by now, but surprisingly, my comrades were still there.
Even the two instructors hadn’t left yet.
“Haa… haa… It’s Elaine! The Captain! Our savior! The wooden dolls are done, right? Please tell me they’re done?”
Darren—who looked like he’d once again been thoroughly beaten by Instructor Craig—was practically glowing at the sight of me.
If I told him they weren’t finished, he looked like he might actually burst into tears.
Flinching at his desperate expression, I took a cautious step back and stammered,
“Uh, y-yeah. I’m here to deliver them, but… there’s still a bit of assembly left. Maybe an hour or so?”
“That means they’re basically done! I’m finally free…!”
At my answer, Darren collapsed flat on the dirt floor of the training grounds, overcome with the joy of escaping Craig’s club-based torture sessions.
Judging by how completely exhausted he looked, training had been hell lately.
The sight was a little pitiful but also kind of funny, so I couldn’t help but chuckle as I walked toward the corner of the training field.
That was where the shattered remains of the old wooden dolls I’d broken to pieces were still standing.
Pulling the mostly completed components of the new dolls from my inventory, I began fitting the parts together with a satisfying click-click-click sound.
“The dolls being finished is all well and good, but training’s not over yet! Get up, disciple!”
Craig, wearing full armor with sword and shield in hand, nudged Darren’s side with his boot.
“Ughhh, Master, you’re a monster…”
Apparently, the more Darren got beaten up, the more creative his vocabulary became.
I watched their sparring match as I worked on assembling the dolls.
Even though they weren’t actually using magic—just swinging swords and axes through the air—sparks flew and brilliant afterimages trailed behind each swing. It was quite a spectacle.
Huh, maybe I’m getting work done faster because there’s something entertaining to watch.
Back in the information-saturated 21st century, I was used to constant stimulation.
I never just played games—I’d have a tablet propped up beside me, streaming a drama or variety show while gaming.
And I never played just one game at a time—while I played a PC game, my phone would be running an idle mobile game in the background.
I was, in short, a full-blown content addict.
But here, in this world, there was nothing to watch, nothing to do for fun.
At least I’d been too busy surviving to dwell on that fact.
Maybe you could even call it an unintentional “digital detox.”
Still, watching this high-energy action scene live from the front row as I worked made my hands move twice as fast.
I was reminded, yet again, that I’m hopelessly addicted to “content.”
Since this was just a spar and not a real life-or-death battle, I could enjoy it without guilt.
Both Darren and Craig moved like seasoned action actors—their long limbs and sharp motions were something to behold.
Thanks to that, my efficiency was through the roof.
Before I knew it, five wooden training dolls stood firmly planted in the ground.
“Wow, Miss Elaine! You’re so fast! You said it’d take an hour, but you’ve already finished?”
Right on cue, Leo—the ever-ready member of the ‘five-minute compliment squad’—appeared beside me, clapping enthusiastically.
“Ah, yeah. I guess it went faster than I thought.”
No way I was admitting that I worked faster because I was watching Darren get smacked around, so I just scratched my cheek awkwardly.
Before long, everyone in the training ground had gathered around the finished dolls.
“Oooh, these look way sturdier than the old ones! Way higher quality too.”
Craig rapped his gauntleted knuckles against one of the dolls, admiring the solid sound.
The trip to Silvagrove Forest to chop down merbau wood had been worth it.
Well, it didn’t really feel far since I teleported there, I thought wryly.
On the map, that forest was a long way from Midisle—probably the same distance as a flight from Incheon to L.A.—but teleportation made it feel like nothing.
Teleportation really was a god-tier convenience.
“Hmm. You’ve got such skillful hands, child.”
Suddenly, Johanna floated over, smiling lazily as she complimented me.
Even though it was clearly praise, her tone sent a chill running down my neck.
Ever since I realized she was over a hundred years old, I couldn’t help but find her a little intimidating.
“This looks wonderful already… but wait a moment, dear. Let me show you something nice.”
Smiling, Johanna began to cast a spell.
A deep violet light bloomed at her fingertips and spread over the dolls I’d just assembled.
Whatever it was, the color alone made it look ominous enough to make me uneasy.
I wanted to shout, “Hey, don’t just cast random creepy-looking spells on my stuff without asking!”
But having been raised to respect my elders, I couldn’t bring myself to scold someone possibly four or five times my age.
And besides, it could be a good spell.
After a while, the violet glow seeped into the dolls and vanished.
No visible change.
So… what exactly just happened?
Looking around for an explanation, I saw Darren scratching his short hair with the same confused expression.
The twin apprentices were marveling at their master’s magic but clearly didn’t understand it either.
Finally, Johanna herself smiled and explained.
“Consider it an honor, child. The great mage Johanna has personally cast an enhancement spell on them. They should now withstand almost any attack.”
Ah—so it was an enhancement spell.
They did say merbau wood became exceptionally strong when magically reinforced—this must’ve been that process.
“Thank you very much, Miss Johanna.”
It was only right to show gratitude, so I bowed deeply.
When I raised my head again, Darren was grinning ear to ear.
“Wow! If Johanna’s reinforced them, they’ll barely ever break now! I’ll put them to good use starting tomorrow!”
He looked way too excited.
Sure, he probably liked the new training dolls—but I suspected he was even happier about not having to spar one-on-one with Craig anymore.
Of course, that joy didn’t last long.
“Hm. You know, Darren,” Craig began thoughtfully, “I realized something. Practicing techniques alone on a doll isn’t nearly as effective as sparring with me. So I think we’ll keep up our one-on-one training once or twice a week…”
“NOOO—this is a nightmare…!”
It was chaotic, as usual, but not a bad way to end the day.
The next morning.
As soon as I woke up, I headed to the Hero Corps office and reported to Belinda that the dolls had been completed and installed.
She looked extremely satisfied and handed me a Rainbow Stone.
“…What’s with that face? You don’t look very happy.”
“Oh, no—it’s just… someone came to mind.”
Someone.
If you could even call her a “person.”
Thinking briefly of Cassie, I felt a complicated twinge of emotion, but I tucked the Rainbow Stone away safely and headed to the library.
Before I started polishing the raw green malachite I’d stored in my inventory, I wanted to confirm that it really was a gem suited for holding magical power.
As always, the library was spotless and perfectly organized—no doubt thanks to Adrian’s meticulous nature.
And of course, as soon as I thought of him, there he was, sitting in his usual spot.
He was lounging in a chair, legs crossed, reading a book.
He didn’t often look that relaxed, so the sight made me smile.
“You’re here. What brings you in today?”
Startled at being caught in such a casual pose, he quickly straightened up—his reading glasses slightly askew.
That tiny hint of imperfection somehow made him look even more charming, and I couldn’t help but feel a little pleased.
“I’m looking for something. Where can I find the mineral encyclopedias?”
“If you’re looking for mineral references, they’re over there…”
Adrian explained in detail which shelf they were on, and I thanked him before heading that way.
Mineral encyclopedias… ah, there they are.
Thanks to his clear directions, it didn’t take long to find the right book—
But it was placed on the highest shelf.
Even though I wasn’t short, the bookshelf was absurdly tall.
Even standing on tiptoe, I couldn’t quite reach it.
Just a little… just a bit more…!
As I strained to reach the book, I suddenly felt someone step up behind me.
A gloved white hand reached past me—Adrian’s hand—and easily pulled the book free.
I found myself trapped between the bookshelf and him, his presence close enough that I could feel his warmth.
Wh-what—! He’s way too close…!
My heart thudded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
For a moment, I was genuinely worried it might leap straight out of my chest.
The few seconds that followed felt like an eternity—
And then he stepped back, offering me the book.
“…My apologies. I didn’t realize I’d shelved it somewhere you couldn’t reach.”
His face was faintly flushed as he handed it to me.
