The Garden of Myriad Flowers was located near Yugfressia. As its name suggested, it was a breathtakingly beautiful place where countless flowers were said to bloom in perpetual glory.
However, despite its fame, almost nothing was known about its true nature. The public regarded it as a "Phantom Garden," an elusive sanctuary that could not be reached through any conventional means.
The reason was simple. To put it plainly, the Garden of Myriad Flowers was Rosmiel's home and private estate. Being pathologically shy, Rosmiel had erected incredibly powerful barriers to ensure no stranger could ever set foot inside.
Breaking through defenses created by a Six Kings' Executive—especially one as powerful as the top-tier Count-class Rosmiel—was an impossible task for an ordinary person. Thus, the location remained the stuff of legends and rumors.
"...That’s what this gossip magazine says, anyway. Is it accurate?"
"Yeah. Rosmiel-chan is exceptionally gifted with barrier magic," Kuro replied. She had come over to visit, as was her habit. "She stacks multiple layers: Recognition Inhibition so you don't notice it's there, Visual Inhibition so you can't see it even if you suspect something, and Phase Shifting so you can't actually step inside. I'd say only a tiny handful of people could find that place on their own."
"I see..."
It really was a phantom location. Rosmiel was clearly going all-out to avoid people... though given her personality, I suppose it was only to be expected.
I popped a Baby Castella into my mouth, nodding in understanding. Today's batch was a standard, reliable flavor, which I washed down with coffee from the teapot.
"...Oh, that reminds me. Nebula and Illness-san made some pottery together. Don't you think it turned out pretty well?"
"Ooh, that’s a beautiful color. Getting a white that clean is proof of real skill. Nebula-chan is as multi-talented as ever."
"Right? And she mentioned she’s been experimenting with things like splitting the magic formulas themselves."
Kuro paused. "...Sorry, what was that?"
"Huh? Oh, I said she's splitting the magic formulas..."
"Splitting the formulas? You don't mean a Partition Formula, where you distribute the effect across several separate spells? You mean the activation actually works while the formula itself is physically divided?"
"That's what she told me. I think she said this cup even has a Temperature Preservation formula on it..."
Kuro’s expression turned dead serious as she began to inspect the teacup Nebula had crafted. The atmosphere grew heavy, and I stayed silent as she scrutinized the work. After a long moment, she whispered to herself.
"...Incredible. It’s not just embedding the formula; it’s like she kneaded it into the material itself. And the spell activates without any issues despite being split like this? If the division were off by even a fraction, it would never trigger. Even if someone conceived of the idea... it should be impossible without hundreds of trials to map out the exact points of division. This is perfect. Amazing. With this, even if the materials are somewhat limited, we can create magic tools that were previously impossible due to the size constraints of magic crystals."
"..."
"Kaito-kun, could you call Nebula-chan for a moment? I want to ask her some things."
"Sure thing."
It seemed this technique was far more significant than I had realized. Kuro’s eyes were filled with a rare earnestness. Now that I thought about it, Illness-san had said something about this being a revolution in magic tool production if it worked...
Impressed, I called for Nebula, and she arrived in the room almost instantly.
"Master, did you call for me?"
"Yeah. Kuro wanted to ask you about the formula on that cup you made."
"Nebula-chan, sorry to call you so suddenly. Your approach to formula division is truly groundbreaking, and I’d love to hear the details. I won't force you, of course, and the rights to this formula belong to you. If we use it to manufacture magic tools, I’ll pay you royalties."
"I see! I do not mind at all, and no money is required. I am an Absolute One. I have no need for compensation in exchange for the use of my knowledge or rights... though, if you insist, please give the money to Master. I shall simply ask Master for what I need, whenever the need arises."
Puffing out her small chest with pride, Nebula began to explain the mechanics of the division to Kuro in great detail.
To be honest, the level of the conversation quickly surpassed my understanding. I couldn't follow a word of it halfway through, but Kuro was hanging on every syllable. It was clear they were discussing something monumental.
"...I see. That was very enlightening. Your perspective is remarkably unconventional, Nebula-chan. Seeing the finished product makes it look like a clear breakthrough, but being the first to actually think of it is the hardest part."
"Hmm. I am still quite ignorant regarding the common sense of this world, so perhaps that lack of bias resulted in a fresh approach."
"Maybe... anyway, thank you for explaining it all. You've given me so many ideas for new magic tools."
"I am glad to have been of service. I look forward to seeing what new tools you create."
Nebula gave a cute, beaming smile. Seeing her recognized like this made a sense of pride swell in my chest.
Technically, Nebula was the one who did something amazing, not me, so it was a bit weird for me to feel so smug... but seeing her get praised made me happy. I couldn't help it.
Serious-senpai: "Look at him. Even when Kuro is the one who’s shocked, his reaction is just 'Yep, Nebula is amazing, isn't she?' His doting parent mode is in full swing."
???: "It happened with Bell and Rin, too. Kaito-san is incredibly easy to read whenever he's feeling like a proud father."
Serious-senpai: "And the Absolute One is truly a demon of consideration... She claims she doesn't want payment for her expertise, but she immediately offers an alternative so that the other party doesn't feel guilty. Plus, she words it so that Kaito won't feel burdened by saying she'll just take money from him when she needs it—essentially treating him like her personal bank."