"Whoa, this is incredible!"
To Adriana, the storehouse containing the magic tools passed down through generations of the All-Creation clan was a literal treasure trove.
"Golems! Materials! Magic tools! And things I don't even recognize! This is amazing!"
She looked like she had reverted to childhood.
"I-I'm glad they're to your liking."
Bashako, acting as her guide, seemed a bit overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.
"Hoh, it seems Lady Adriana has found them interesting after all."
Saitos, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind.
"I'll leave Bashako with you. Feel free to consult him if you need anything."
"Father-in-law..."
Bashako looked a little weary, but Saitos maintained his usual stern expression.
"I'm counting on you, son-in-law," he said, before turning and walking away.
"...Phew."
Paying no mind to the exhausted-looking Bashako, Adriana walked through the repository with sparkling eyes.
After a short while, she spoke up.
"Bashako, is it all right if I pick these up to examine them?" Her initial excitement seemed to have settled into focused curiosity.
"Yes, just like with the storehouse at the manor, provided you don't break anything."
"Understood."
From that moment on, Adriana began her investigation with a level of concentration that was obvious to any observer.
However, it was the material samples that first caught her eye.
"This is fascinating! Most of the biological materials have dried out and spoiled, but these metals are so educational..."
Many were labeled with explanations using All-Creation clan terminology. Adriana worked her way through them, adding her own translations and jotting down notes.
"...This isn't just iron. The carbon content is fine, but... manganese? Vanadium? Molybdenum? I don't fully understand it yet, but it seems that mixing these in can improve the properties of the iron. This might even be applicable to stainless steel."
She took a particular interest in the iron-based alloys.
Next, her attention was drawn to a metal sitting in small lumps. A simple description was written nearby in ancient characters.
"This 'ada...mas' metal...? It seems to have incredible properties. Its origin is limited, too. It's a shame it's so rare."
Because it was described as an "adamas" metal, Adriana decided to name the incredibly robust material "Adamantite."
"Haha, Lady Adriana, that is a metal passed down through our history, but it is impossible to process," Bashako added with a smile as he watched her.
"I see. I'm not surprised; it looks incredibly hard. Is it all right if I tinker with it for a moment?"
"I don't mind, but..."
"Forming."
Before Bashako could finish his sentence, Adriana picked up the smallest lump and activated her Craft Magic.
A faintly glowing magic circle flickered into existence for a brief second.
"Oh!?"
In her hand sat a finished vessel made of Adamantite.
"Wha—wha—what!?"
Witnessing Craft Magic for the first time, Bashako didn't even try to hide his shock as he rushed toward her.
"W-What was that magic just now?! Our ancestors were supposedly able to work that metal, but none of us have ever been able to process it by any means!"
Because of its resilience, the clan apparently called it "Immortality Metal."
"Wait—please, wait just a moment!"
Leaving Adriana standing there with the vessel, Bashako bolted out of the repository.
A few minutes later, he returned with Saitos and two other young men. These two were Helmultos and Nadeslan, the men in charge of the repository.
"Lady Adriana!"
"...Ah, yes?"
Even Adriana flinched slightly at the sheer intensity radiating from Helmultos.
"I heard you processed the Immortality Metal!"
Faced with the over-excited Helmultos, Adriana reflexively offered an apology.
"Y-Yes. This is it....I'm sorry."
However, Saitos immediately shook his head.
"No, no, Lady Adriana, there is no need to apologize. We simply came to confirm the fact that you were actually able to process the Immortality Metal."
Saitos then took the vessel from Helmultos and examined it.
"Phew... This weight, this hardness—it is undoubtedly Immortality Metal....You are Adriana, correct? You truly did this?"
Nadeslan, the last to take the vessel, looked at her intently.
"Yes, I did. I'm sorry."
"Why do you keep apologizing? We were merely confirming the result. Regardless, you are remarkable. What did you call yourself... a Magi Craft Meister? I thought 'Meister' was a bit of an affectation, but after seeing this, I am convinced."
"I see."
Relieved to know she wasn't in trouble, Adriana let out a breath.
"In that case, can you make a vessel out of this material?"
"Yes."
The material offered this time was mithril.
Compared to Adamantite, which resisted magic, it was several times easier to work with.
"Forming."
"Oh!"
"Incredible!"
"Unbelievable!"
Bashako had seen it once already, but the other three widened their eyes in pure astonishment.
"Then how about this?"
Next, they handed her light silver.
"Forming."
"Oh! Then, what about this?"
"Forming."
After she had demonstrated processing nearly ten different materials using Forming, the way Saitos and the others looked at her completely changed.
"I am truly impressed."
Saitos gave Adriana a respectful nod and a smile.
"To be honest, I wasn't sure how to regard you. However, between Bashako's report and this marvelous skill, there is no doubt that you are a true seeker. Our clan shall cooperate with you to the fullest."
"Er, thank you?"
Unable to keep up with how quickly the situation had shifted, Adriana could only manage a polite word of thanks.
"Can you make something like this with this material?"
"Um, I'd like this processed into this specific shape."
"Would it be possible to make four of these exactly the same?"
For the next two days, at the request of the All-Creation clan, Adriana continued to use Forming to create items in the shapes they desired.
According to the villagers, many of the plates and vessels passed down from their ancestors had been damaged over the centuries. Replacing them had been a long-standing concern for the clan.
Since it served as good practice, allowed her to study different designs, and was a way to repay them for their hospitality, Adriana fulfilled every request without a single complaint.
In doing so, she firmly established herself as a Magi Craft Meister in the eyes of the All-Creation clan.
"You have been a tremendous help, Magi Craft Meister Adriana. From tomorrow, as you requested, you are free to research the magic tools in the repository to your heart's content."
"Thank you very much."
Thus, Adriana gained the opportunity to study a vast array of magic tools, including the ancient artifacts preserved by the All-Creation clan.