Chapter 165.1
Urgh Is it morning already?
As I slowly rose up from the sofa, I smelled a pleasant aroma coming from the kitchen.
Looking towards the kitchen I saw Claude, who was wearing an apron, cooking.
Oh yea. Mom is at the shelter.
Having noticed me Claude turned to look at me with a bright smile.
Good morning Zeph-kun.
Are you okay, being up this early and all?
Ahahaha Its all thanks to you Claude mumbled, her face flushing as she shifted her look away.
Thanks to me? Oh! She must be talking about the Remira Grass.Even though it was an emergency it probably was somewhat unpleasant for her.
I changed the conversation to the food in an attempt to deflect the subject.
So, what are you making? It smells fantastic.
T-Thank you! Im trying to make soup Would you like to try it?
With pleasure.
Claude scooped a bit of soup into a bowl and handed it over to me.
The aroma that tickled my nose felt awfully familiar.
This is moms
Thats right I actually had your mother give me the recipe.
Did you stop by the house while I wasnt around?
I originally came with the intent to apologize Yet I felt even more indebted when I left Claude said nervously fiddling with her hair.
I see. So the beauty that mom told me about was Claude.Truth be told, with her hair grown out like this, she really is quite the beauty.
Your mother is a really nice person. she said.
Shes my pride and joy. This soup, its quite good.
Fufu. Theres more so eat as much as you like. As I presented my empty bowl to Claude, she filled it up again.
The sunrays pierced through the cracks in the curtains, and Claude and I just stood there silently.
However, it strangely didnt feel unpleasant at all.
Zeph-kun
What is it, Claude?
Can I travel with you again?
Of course.
Thank you. Claude sighed deeply, relieved from the bottom of her heart.
Afterwards Shirushu woke up and we ended up having breakfast together.
Phew. Thank you for the meal.
Claude-san it was really delicious. Shirushu said.
Hehe Im glad you liked it.
Still, Milly is oversleeping even more than usual, dont you think?
She must have been quite fatigued from yesterday Shirushu said, worried.
Milly had yet to wake up. I got closer to the sofa and called out to her.
Milly. Hey Milly.
Ug. Zeph? she replied with a faint voice.
Her eyes still closed.
Its just as Shirushu said. She cant even move.
Let me check something. I said.
Urg
It cant be.
I turned over her clothes and put my finger on her lower abdomen. As a result, I saw some damage to her magical power lines.
It must be because she used magic even though she was already way past her limit.
If one pushed their magic power to the limit, their magic power lines began to snap. Due to weariness, in some of the more acute situations, that person would be unable to move for several days.
Theres nothing we can do about it. For now, just rest, okay?
Im sorry
Well take care of the protection barrier by ourselves.
After carrying Milly to the bed I left the house with Claude and Shirushu.
We discovered the stone monument carved with the Magician Associations crest after walking around town for a while.
It was a small Hokora just in the centre of Nanami. The protection barriers most important point was right beneath it.
This is terrible Claude remarked.
Normally, the residents of Nanami revered the Hokora, and they wouldnt let even a single piece of trash near it. However, it was now covered in mud and rubble as a result of Dark Zells massive attack.
The outer circumference of the beautifully constructed protection barrier was completely covered up.
Hmm, it reeks as well.
A foul smell was lingering in the area. Shirushus face turned pale as she covered her mouth.
Urgh I feel sick Shirushu said.
It must be hard for you, considering your keen sense of smell. Youd better go back. Dont push yourself.
Shirushu-san, you can leave this to both me and Zeph.
Im sorry Just in case Ill keep watch from a bit farther away. Zeph-san could you wait here for just a bit? Claude-san you come with me Shirushu said and dragged Claude by the hand.
She then whispered something in Claudes ear.
After a few moments of watching them converse, Shirushu encouragingly sent Claude out.
Claude was approaching me in an embarrassing manner, whilst Shirushu appeared to be quite happy.
I-Im sorry to have kept you waiting
Claude, youre bright red. What did Shirushu tell you?
I-Its nothing! Dont worry about it Zeph-kun. L-Lets just go! she said, waving her hands.
If you say so. As I said, Claude took me and we went inside the Hokora.
The inside was quite dark. The inside was usually covered with luminous moss which illuminated the area, however that moss was now completely covered by the black mucus.
We then proceeded after I cast Red Ball, which I used in place of a torch.
Its unpleasant I feel like something will jump out at any moment Claude said.
Whats wrong Claude? Are you still scared of ghosts? I said teasingly.
T-Thats not it! she said, pouting.
She should be more honest with herself. If shes scared she can just hold onto my sleeve or something.
The mud became more awful as we progressed deeper. It was to the point where it was hard to walk.
Claude was just behind me when she abruptly grabbed on my clothes, attempting to compel me to come to a halt.
Zeph-kun. Theres something moving over there.
Youre right. It seems like there are still monsters left.
As I used the Red Ball to illuminate the ground, a dark silhouette appeared, wriggling on the ground. It was a Dark Zell.
The Dark Zell approached us with its partially destroyed body, further destroying it.
This thing must be a fragment of the enormous Dark Zell.
Leave it to me! Claude said, pulling out her sword and facing the Dark Zell.
She moved, and in an instant numerous slashes burst forth.
The Dark Zell before her was left with numerous white trails as Claude calmed her breathing.
Was that White Flash? I asked.
cough!!
As soon as he heard me Claude began to cough violently.
Hm? Did I mess up the name?Ive only heard it once, and she did mumble it, so I might have gotten it wrong.
The fact that Claude hesitated to look me in the eyes and her face turning blazing red led me to believe that.
Whats wrong Claude? Did I get it wrong? Isnt it called White Flash?
No White Flash is fine Youve got the name perfectly right so please dont say it over and over again As she squatted and covered her ears with her hands, Claude said.
Hmm She seems to be embarrassed by it for some reason.
After a while she wobblingly stood up, however her cheeks were still a bit blushed.
This skill Its something that I created during these three years
I see. So its a self-made sword skill. White Flash is a good name.
Can I ask you not to say that name? Its embarrassing.
But why? Its really cool. I think that White Flash fits perfectly.
Just dont, please!! Blocking her ears, Claude said.
I dont get her.
I tried to give it a name just the way you give your spells names, Zeph-kun However, its way more embarrassing than I thought.
Really?
Ahaha. I guess I really cant win against you, Zeph-kun. Claude said as she looked at me with a complicated expression.
I really dont get her.
So, what kind of skill is it exactly? At first I thought that you had just used some spell on it, but it doesnt seem to be that simple.
Well it works by applying my Screen Point to the sword. Claude said.
She took out her sword from its scabbard and gathered magic power at the tip of the blade to show me.
Screen Point was a magician killing spell which was passed down the Leonhardt family. It worked by enveloping ones whole body with a dim light which could nullify the magic power that touched it.
So she wrapped it around her sword huh.
If we excluded Support Spells like Red Weapon, it was extremely difficult to imbue a standard spell in a weapon.
Originally, a blacksmith and a magician would have to collaborate to create such a weapon by stacking layers upon layers of high-grade magic metal imbued with magical power.
The more powerful a monster is, the more of the continents magical power it contains. As a result, this White Flash is highly effective This is especially true when it comes to the black monsters. However, the drawback is that when Im using it I cannot use Screen Point on myself, so I need to sacrifice my defense. Claude said.
I see. Its a completely offensive skill.
Thats right.
After proceeding forward for a bit more, we finally reached the central part of the Hokora.
Next we went down a long spiral staircase till we arrived in a dimly lit room.