Following her words, an object in the shape of a pot manifested. But instead of the standard cast iron cauldron, a translucent mold of pure energy with the physical properties of a cauldron was made. The runes were also responsible for heating and sustaining the mold at a certain temperature to emulate a cauldron above an open fire.
Sinister Granny smirked. “You also wondered why the kitchen didn’t possess any otherworldly ingredients used in the brewing of potions?”
Daisuke’s eyes widened in fascination as exotic materials—particularly from plants, animals, and minerals—started materializing from thin air. Is she using a magic bag for storage? Or maybe another pocket-dimension spell similar to what’s going on with this building?
One-by-one, the ingredients floated into the cauldron as if enchanted. Then, under the high heat, they all started being incorporated into the liquid and gradually reduced into a thick, gravy-like substance. Meanwhile—
“Ancient runes to sculpt and heat the cauldron, witchcraft to pull out the special properties of each ingredient and knead them all into one, and finally,” the woman said, retrieving a parchment inscribed with a detailed magic circle, “we employ science of another arcane power to regress the gemstones into their former state.”
Daisuke and Lumielle observed with evident intrigue as the woman’s telekinetic powers effortlessly pried the jewels from the eye sockets of the staff. Then they hovered just inches above the parchment at the center of the magic circle and started spinning to the point where they became a blur. Soon, the crimson stones started glowing as they were gradually rendered to a liquid.
Daisuke’s eyes narrowed in surprise. I’m not much of a chemist, but I do know that most gemstones have a higher melting point than most metals, but even without a forge, she makes it look so easy.
“Next,” the woman said with a flick of her wrist, and the thick pink reduction in the cauldron promptly rose from the pot in response like water caught in slow-motion. “We alter the state of the elixir. Ideally, we don’t want it to be in the embodiment of a solid, liquid, or vapor, but a pure form of energy. This, in turn, allows us to combine it seamlessly with the gemstone without the risk of any impurities that could compromise the integrity of the mineral. Next, we reshape and cool the alloy. But before that…”
“Simply amazing,” Lumielle sighed in astonishment.
“This definitely has the potential to put every single blacksmith in Lunarel out of a job,” Daisuke murmured jokingly.
“More importantly,” Sinister Granny began as the cauldron softly dispersed. “Is there any particular form in which you want the item to be? Should I design the gems to be embedded within another staff? Or maybe an accessory would be more practical? Do you both have a preference?”
While Daisuke was considering the options, in the spur of the moment, Lumielle retrieved a hair clip from her hair and offered it to the woman, even as she gauged Daisuke’s reaction. “Would this work?”
“Works for me,” Daisuke chimed in.
Without a word, the woman took the golden accessory and, using her magic, proceeded to resize and reshape the gemstones by splitting them into multiple parts. Then she used them to replace the tiny stones that encompassed the design of flowers on the hair clip. When the stones cooled, hardened, and were polished, they took on a raspberry-pink color that glinted in the ambient light.
“Perfect!” she grinned, appraising her handiwork. “Now that the fusion is complete, all that remains is the use of witchcraft to make the necessary power adjustments.”
Daisuke cupped his chin in interest. “How does that work, exactly?”
The accessory hovered and glowed above the woman’s open palm, even as she addressed the question. “An ego, core, or function,” she began, “…people of different trades use different terminologies to describe the essence that is born within weapons, accessories, and general items when they are made.
The features of this essence are generally fixed when the item is first created. But in special circumstances, alterations can be made. In this particular case, since I transferred the essence of the staff over to the gemstones and melted them, I am able to partially rewrite the functions that dwell within.”
By functions, does she mean the option effects?
Daisuke and Lumielle shared a befuddled glance before he spoke. “Sure, I’m just going to pretend that I understood everything you just said.”
Lumielle smiled awkwardly in agreement.
“It’s done,” the woman declared, a satisfied smile gracing her lips as she admired the accessory in her hands.
Throughout the entire process, her demeanor had shifted dramatically, a stark contrast to her earlier abrasiveness. Gone was the sharp irritation and biting tone—in its place was a warm, almost approachable personality. She’d even taken the time to enthusiastically explain the intricacies of her craft, her words flowing with a passion that made it clear this was more than just a task to her—it was her art.
I guess she really is human, after all, Daisuke admitted inwardly with a faint smile, but when Lumielle started approaching him with the finished accessory and he spied the dark and sly shift of both females’ expression, that smile abruptly faded and his heart utterly fell to his toes.
“Wait!” he exclaimed nervously, throwing his hands up frantically. “A-Are you sure this is safe?”
Both women’s features transformed into a smooth, shimmering mask of reassurance, but behind it was overwhelming anticipation and amusement.
“Of course~” Lumielle beamed innocently, her visage pure and dazzling—a bit too dazzling. “It’s perfectly safe,” she chimed sweetly. “There is absolutely no need to worry.”
“Now is when you wish to doubt my skills?” Sinister Granny mocked. “After fighting tooth and nail with a Dismal Lich? Or are you just afraid of growing body parts you have never seen before?”
Daisuke took a tentative step back and averted his gaze as Lumielle inched closer, like a dishonest and persistent merchant innocently trying to peddle a curse. “Haxks, think of all the people who will go without food if you don’t do this right now.”
“Huh?” Daisuke yelled. “That doesn’t even make sense!”
“Haxks, I’m honestly disappointed,” Sinister Granny added. “I never took you for a coward.”
Lumielle laced her fingers and cried. “Think of all those adorable kittens and puppies that will go without ever having an owner.”
“How the hell did kittens and puppies even come into play?!” Daisuke barked and then he tousled the back of his head with a snarl. “Fine, I’ll do it, alright! But if I croak, mark my words, I’ll haunt you both until the end of time.” Sёarᴄh the NovelZone.fun* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Simultaneously, Lumielle and Sinister Granny’s faces twisted ominously in delight. Daisuke broke into a sweat at the sight of that, but it was far too late to escape now. The princess had already closed the distance between them—like a starved banshee lunging at its prey—and clipped the hair accessory to the bangs at his temple.
Moments later, the hair clip began to glow, its light pulsating with a radiance that filled the room. Both women watched in astonishment as the transformation commenced, their breaths hitching as Daisuke’s body became engulfed in a radiant white light. The luminescence wrapped around him like a cocoon, shifting and pulsing in waves.
Then, in an instant, the glow splintered, shattering into countless fragments that drifted away like multicolored fireflies on a gentle breeze. As the shards dissipated, the change became undeniable.
Perky breasts and a round posterior pressed firmly against the taut leather armor, the once hard, angular lines of his frame replaced by soft, entrancing contours. His silver hair cascaded in shimmering waves, spilling down his back like a moonlit river, its brilliance stark against the dark armor. His eyelashes lengthened, framing luminous butterscotch eyes, and his lips became fuller, more inviting, with a natural flush that caught the light in an alluring sheen.
Lumielle stared, her jaw slack, her composure unraveling. The transformation was breathtaking—Daisuke’s masculine edge had been replaced by an allure so intoxicating it rivaled her own. Every inch of him now radiated the hypnotic charm of femininity, a mystique that seemed to command attention with every subtle shift of his form.
Her heart stuttered as his eyes flickered open, landing squarely on her. Those butterscotch irises, so familiar yet now laced with an enigmatic allure, sent a jolt through her chest. His hand rested on one hitched hip, his stance exuding a fiery attitude. The leather armor, snug against his new form, accentuated every curve, and the sharp arch of his eyebrows paired with the annoyed twist of his lips only heightened his captivating presence.
“So?” Daisuke urged, stirring the women from their trance. “Did it work?”
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