The consultation between Laojun and Reiko continued.
『So, you are saying that we alone cannot persuade My Lord?』
“Correct. In the end, we are merely Father’s creations. It is regrettable, but I must admit that we do not possess that much influence over him.”
The two seemed to be in total agreement on that point.
『Then, what shall we do?』 Laojun asked.
“Reluctant as I am, let us ask Elsa-san,” Reiko replied. Judging by her deep scowl, this was a bitter decision for her to make.
『Very well, Reiko-san. Please bring Elsa-san here from Kunlun Island.』
“Understood. Please look after Father while I am away.”
『As you wish.』
With their roles decided, Reiko used the Warp Gate to travel alone to Kunlun Island.
“Hello,” she announced herself as she entered the Guest Wing where Elsa and Mine resided. Since the island was technically Jin’s property, there was perhaps no need for such formality, but Reiko considered it a matter of etiquette.
“Yes? Oh, Reiko-san?” Mine stepped out, looking slightly surprised.
“Good day. Actually, I have a request for Elsa-san regarding Father.”
“For me? What is it?” Elsa asked, peering out from behind Mine.
Reiko began explaining Jin’s current state to the two of them. Elsa and Mine listened in silence as she described how he was consumed with opposing the Unifilar, how the weight of the war weighed on him, and how he was agonizing over what he could possibly achieve.
“He does not look as happy as he used to. That is what concerns me,” Reiko concluded.
The two remained silent for a while before Mine finally spoke. “Jin-sama must be fixated on the Unifilar because of what happened to Elsa and Master Reinhard.”
“I’m happy he’s doing it for me. But I don’t want Jin-nii to push himself too hard,” Elsa added.
Mine continued, “Surely Jin-sama is trying to chase too many things at once and has lost his peace of mind.”
Elsa nodded in agreement. “I think so too. It feels like he’s trying to do too much.”
Reiko considered their words and felt that they were likely correct. “Then, what should we do?” That was the answer Reiko sought most of all.
“A change of pace, I suppose,” Mine answered.
“A change of pace...?” Reiko murmured, repeating the words. She seemed to find the suggestion sound. “Then, how can I provide Father with a change of pace?”
Reiko couldn't think of a single thing. This time, Elsa answered.
“I think he should do something fun.”
“Something fun...?”
Once again, Reiko could only echo the words. She looked somewhat lonely, perhaps disappointed in herself for being unable to conceive of such a simple idea.
“In that case, Elsa-san, would you be willing to invite Father to do something?”
“Me?”
“Yes. I believe Father would find it more of a change of pace if the invitation came from you rather than from me.”
Sensing Reiko’s somber mood, Elsa gave a firm nod. “Okay. If I’m enough. Wait a moment.”
With that, she went into the Mansion to tidy her clothes. Mine, remaining behind, offered another piece of advice to Reiko.
“Reiko-san, I think it would also be good for Jin-sama to be in a place where he can feel at ease.”
“A place where he can feel at ease...”
Hearing this, Reiko wondered where such a place for Jin might be. Before she could form a conclusion, Elsa returned.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Elsa was dressed in a navy-blue long skirt, a white blouse, a light blue scarf, and the brooch she had received from Jin. For Elsa, this was her formal attire.
“Mother, I’m going.”
“Yes, have a safe trip.”
With that brief exchange, Elsa and Reiko used the Warp Gate to teleport back.
After arriving in the Warp Gate room on the first floor, Elsa followed Reiko toward the workshop. This being her first time in this particular workshop, everything Elsa saw was a marvel to her, and she looked around with wide-eyed curiosity.
When they entered, Jin was busy giving instructions to Laojun. He looked up, his face registering surprise when he saw that Reiko had returned with Elsa.
“...And that’s the gist of it. Laojun, can I leave the preparations to you?”
『Yes, My Lord. Understood.』
Cutting short his instructions to Laojun, Jin turned hurriedly toward Elsa. “Elsa, what’s the matter?”
Elsa seemed to have already prepared her answer. “Teach me magic technology too. Ah, Jin-nii calls it magi craft, right?”
“You, Elsa? You want to learn magi craft?”
“Yes. I want to try. Is that... not okay?” Elsa asked, dipping her head slightly and looking up at him.
Jin was notoriously weak to requests from those he considered family. He hesitated for only a second before nodding. “Sure, I’ll teach you.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Elsa said, looking genuinely happy.
Watching them from the side, Reiko thought to herself, Come to think of it, Father did murmur something about that a little while ago...
“Right. That’s the basic way to use mana.”
Jin’s coaching began immediately. They started with the fundamentals of Craft Magic.
While most ordinary magic was projected outward, Craft Magic primarily worked on the internal structure of matter. This meant one had to perceive the mana rather than just seeing the results with their eyes. Jin began by having her grasp that fundamental difference.
“Ugh, this is hard.”
“Keep at it. Once you can do this, the rest will get much easier.”
“Mm.”
It was the quintessential scene of an older brother helping his younger sister with her studies. It was a heartwarming sight. For the moment, all thoughts of new weaponry and military logistics had vanished from Jin’s mind.
Jin spent the next two hours coaching Elsa in Craft Magic.
His efforts were rewarded; Elsa managed to grasp the basics of mana manipulation and even learned the introductory Craft Magic spells Softening and Forming.
Forming was a particularly deep art; while Jin could create intricate figurines, the best Elsa could manage for now was a simple cup.
“This is fun.”
Even so, Elsa amused herself by using Softening and Forming to knead a lump of copper as if it were clay. Seeing Elsa smile so brightly brought a natural smile to Jin’s face as well.
Reiko felt a wave of relief as she watched them. She approached the two and announced the time.
“Father, Elsa-san, it is already five o’clock. It is about time to wrap things up.”
“Oh, is it that late already?”
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Elsa remarked.
With that, it was decided that Elsa would return to Kunlun Island for the evening.
“Well then, why don’t you come back here tomorrow after lunch? We can pick up where we left off.”
“Yeah, Jin-nii. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Father, I shall escort Elsa-san back.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Reiko and Elsa headed together toward the Warp Gate room on the first floor.
“Elsa-san, thank you for your help today,” Reiko said.
“No, I had a wonderful time. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Elsa replied.
They soon arrived at the room. Just as they did, Reiko received a transmission from Jin via her internal manacam.
『Reiko, I forgot I had something to give to Elsa. Come back and pick it up for a moment.』
Reiko turned to Elsa. “Elsa-san, I have received a call from Father. It seems he has something to give to you, so I shall go and fetch it quickly. Please wait here; I will return shortly.”
“Mm, okay.”
Reiko rushed back to Jin’s side.
“Ah, Reiko, sorry for calling you back like that.”
“It is no trouble. What is it?”
“I meant to give this to Elsa. Tomorrow would have been fine, I suppose, but I wanted to give it to her as soon as possible.”
Jin held out a bracelet.
“It’s a bracelet to prevent Elsa’s Mana Overload Syndrome. It converts excess mana into ether and stores it.”
While it would have been far simpler to design it to just vent the mana into the air, Jin had felt that was a waste, so he had made it a storage device instead. Even in his busy state, he hadn't forgotten about Elsa’s condition.
“Well, now that Mine is with her, it might not be strictly necessary, but still.”
His biggest worry had been that Mine might become self-deprecating and distance herself from Elsa, but seeing the two together lately had put those fears to rest. He had been finishing the bracelet slowly in his spare time, and it had finally been completed.
“Understood. I shall deliver it to her.”
Jin remained oblivious to the fact that Elsa would have been much happier receiving it directly from him—a classic example of his density.
Reiko took the bracelet and headed back to the first-floor Warp Gate room.
However, she returned almost immediately, her voice tinged with panic.
“Father! Elsa-san has disappeared!”