Elsa’s face was radiant after receiving the mid-level science knowledge and other data from Jin.
"I’ve finally found the answers to things I’ve always wondered about. I was able to understand concepts that were completely unknown to me before. And... I realized that this world is still overflowing with things I don’t yet understand."
Jin smiled back at her words.
"That’s right. People want to know because things are unknown, and they strive because they want to know. That effort builds up, layer by layer, toward the future."
Jin scratched his head in embarrassment after offering another sentiment that felt a bit out of character for him. Elsa, however, remained serious, her eyes fixed intently on him.
"I will dedicate all the knowledge I gain from now on to Jin-nii."
Saying that, she seemed to grow bashful after all, blushing as she looked down.
Reiko watched the two of them with a complex expression. She opened her mouth to speak several times, but ultimately remained silent.
"Now then, Elsa, let’s go ahead and upgrade Edgar."
"Eh?"
"I think Edgar is likely the only one who can go with you to see the sick king. I can't be sure, of course... but either way, it would be best to transfer the knowledge of the Nurse Golems to him, wouldn't it?"
Elsa felt her cheeks grow hot as she sensed the depth of his concern for her in every word he spoke.
"...Yeah. Thank you, Jin-nii."
They immediately decided to carry out the 'Edgar Upgrade Plan.'
Hanna seemed to be enjoying her time back on Hourai Island, running around the garden and playing. Jin decided to have Soleil and Luna support and look after her.
In the laboratory workshop, the modification of Edgar began.
The first and most vital step was transferring the knowledge of the Nurse Golems. With this, he would be able to utilize a significant range of healing magic. His martial arts and swordsmanship programs were also further reinforced.
"Next is upgrading his visual systems."
This was a consideration to allow him to assist with medical examinations. Jin upgraded the magi-crystals used for Edgar's eyes, granting him X-ray vision and magnification functions. He also established a Link with Laojun, allowing the latter to analyze anything Edgar saw or heard in real-time.
"Let's modify his energy system too."
Jin taught Elsa how to construct a magi reactor.
"...Jin-nii, it's difficult. I can't do it."
Elsa failed the Fusion of the magi-crystals on her first attempt.
"It's okay. You can do it, Elsa. Try it one more time."
But she failed a second and third time as well.
"Jin-nii..."
She was about to say it was no use, but then Elsa suddenly caught herself. She realized she was on the verge of leaning on Jin again.
(...I pledged to myself that I wanted to become someone who could support Jin-nii. That’s why I can’t give up and rely on him here.)
"...Let me try one more time."
Jin nodded with a smile at her words.
"Yeah, try as many times as you need. I'm sure you'll get it, Elsa."
"Mm."
She took the magi-crystals and fused the two together, focusing her mental image to alter the crystal structure. She had a model to follow: a twin crystal of quartz, shaped like a butterfly spreading its wings.
(Jin-nii created this without a model. I have one right in front of me, so it should be much easier. There’s no way I can’t do this.)
Elsa concentrated her mind, sharpening her magic power, and activated the Craft Magic 'Stransform.'
"You did it!"
Jin’s voice rang out in praise.
In Elsa’s hand sat a magnificent twin magi-crystal.
"It was only because of Jin-nii."
"No, that was impressive. Don't you think, Reiko?"
"...Yes."
Reiko gave a short affirmation. Her voice carried a faint hint of respect, though no one noticed it.
Regarding his armaments, Edgar was now equipped with an internal barrier, a magi-radar, a magi-jammer, and a Paralyzer. He was also fitted with a magi-device capable of using mid-level attack magic, giving him more than enough performance to serve as a guard.
Furthermore, Jin made it possible for him to communicate with the pendant-type manacam Elsa wore.
"All right, we can feel secure with this."
Seeing Edgar's improved performance, Jin was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
＊ ＊ ＊
The sky over Hourai Island turned a deep crimson as Hanna returned from playing outside.
"Onii-chan, is it because of the 'time difference' that it gets dark so fast after all?"
"Yeah, that’s right."
Hanna seemed to have fully understood the concept of time zones he had explained earlier. Jin was once again struck by her incredible powers of comprehension.
It was an odd quirk of the trip that they had breakfast in Loizart and dinner on Hourai Island. Due to the time difference, it was actually the middle of the day locally.
Jin and the others headed to his house for the evening meal.
"This is called a 'tiled roof,' right?"
Seeing the house, Hanna asked a question about a term she had somehow learned.
"You really know your stuff."
When an impressed Jin patted her head, Hanna smiled happily.
"Ehehe, I studied from the books in Onii-chan's castle."
Hanna puffed out her chest, explaining that she had already read all the children's books Laojun had prepared.
Jin couldn't help but wonder if Hanna might actually be a genius, even accounting for his own bias toward her.
Dinner was white rice, miso soup with nameko mushrooms and tofu, grilled fish, pickles, and hojicha. It was a traditional Japanese meal, a favorite for all three of them. Elsa hadn't had much of an appetite while worrying about the mission tomorrow, but this menu saved her.
"...It's delicious. Can I have seconds?"
"Ah, me too!"
"Hanna, chew your food well."
"Okay!"
It was a warm, harmonious dining scene. Elsa felt that as long as she had this warmth to return to, she could endure anything.
After dinner, they took a moment to rest before bathing. Naturally, they used the Hourai Island hot spring. Since the men's and women's baths were separate, Jin went to the former while Elsa and Hanna went to the latter.
"...Hanna has grown quite a bit since I last saw her."
"Yes, Father. Hanna-chan is a very intelligent child."
"You think so too?"
Jin soaked in the hot water, considering whether he should establish an elite education program for promising children from Kaina Village, not just Hanna.
Meanwhile, in the women's bath:
"Big Sister Elsa, I'll wash your back."
"...Thank you. I'll wash your back afterward, Hanna-chan."
"Okay!"
The two of them happily took turns scrubbing each other's backs, and Elsa helped wash Hanna's hair as well.
"Now it's my turn to wash Big Sister's hair!"
Hanna scooped up hot water in a washbasin and lifted it... but her hands slipped.
With a loud clatter, the washbasin hit the floor.
This particular basin was made of alumite, a detail Jin had been specific about. It was aluminum with its surface protected by an oxide film.
"Ah, I'm sorry..."
Since the base metal was aluminum, it was relatively soft. A noticeable dent had formed from the fall.
Seeing the girl's distress, Elsa gently stroked Hanna's head.
"It's okay, Hanna-chan. I can fix it right away. 'Forming.'"
Through Elsa's Craft Magic, the dented washbasin was instantly restored to its original shape.
"Wow! Thank you, Big Sister!"
Hanna thanked her while running her hand over the smooth surface.
"Magic is so amazing. Onii-chan does it too, but I wonder how it actually changes the shape?"
"Eh?"
Hearing Hanna's casual question, Elsa felt something click in her mind.
"Big Sister?"
"Ah, sorry, Hanna-chan. But thanks to you, I might have just found the solution to the problem Jin-nii was struggling with."
"Onii-chan's problem?...If that's true, I'm happy."
Elsa quickly finished washing her hair. As she soaked in the water with Hanna, her mind was already racing, analyzing the new theory that had just taken root.