Chapter 77
*
Thinking back, I had no memory of ever seeing Erika take water out of her canteen.
Sure, she drank water, using the cover of the canteen she carried.
The shopkeeper of the magic tool store, Boi, regained his professional demeanor as a shopkeeper in an instant, with utmost politeness.
But I could imagine what was going through his heart.
Few humans involved with magic tools would readily believe what Erika had said.
That's just how special matter-generating magic is.
Even I, for a moment, thought, "Surely even she can't do that, right?"—though I couldn't see Boi as some clueless fool who didn't recognize Erika's true worth.
Still, I wish he'd stop giving me that look that says, "She's your companion, right? Do something about her."
"Here."
Erika's voice was completely flat, carrying an ordinary tone with no hint of strain.
And so, when she quietly took out the cover of her own canteen and naturally generated water as if it were a given.
Well, even I, who thought if Erika says she can do it, she probably can, was left speechless by how effortlessly natural it was.
"Erika, you're amazing."
"Am I really?"
Erika made a face that showed she genuinely didn't understand.
That's odd. Erika, weren't you someone who seriously attended classes at the academy?
"No, I'm pretty sure we were taught at the academy that water-generating magic is extremely difficult, weren't we?"
"But I was never taught that it's impossible, was I?"
Hmm, true.
Indeed, we were never taught it was impossible.
But still, is that really how it works?
Suddenly, the calm part of me surfaced.
Hey, aren't you accepting this too unconditionally just because it's Erika?
Being able to use matter-generating magic isn't something that can be explained away by saying Erika is a genius.
Think carefully, me. Is Erika some kind of legendary being or something?
The calm part of me made a serious face in my heart.
Beautiful, wise, kind-hearted, unmatched in sword and magic skills, possessing golden magic that shines brilliantly, crushing any hardship no matter how great, and striding boldly on her own path as if it were the ordinary way—that's Erika Solnzari.
Erika is like a character straight out of a legend.
If that's the case, then of course she can do it.
Erika, legend, no problem.
"Yeah, you're right. It was never said to be impossible. So it's not strange that Erika can do it."
That's right. As I looked at Erika's face while she responded to me.
The memory of a teacher's face from academy classes, who taught us but clearly thought, "None of you lot will ever be able to use this," was overwritten by Erika's face.
As I couldn't help but smile at Erika's expression that seemed to say, "Of course it's natural," she once again turned her face away with a quick motion.
Before I could think, "What's wrong?" I realized I'd "done it again."
When I glanced toward the counter, the shopkeeper Boi had a strained smile on his face.
That was probably his unyielding pride as a shopkeeper, forcing a smile despite being utterly taken aback.
From my perspective, knowing Erika means there's nothing to be surprised or shocked about, but I guess it's only natural since he didn't know her.
Understanding why the shopkeeper was surprised, I nodded at him with an "uh-huh," but for some reason, he seemed even more put off.
Why?
*
Erika said, "Since I can produce water with magic, why not use my canteen?" but I declined and bought one anyway.
When I hinted at what happened recently in the Demonlands with, "Even you aren't always in perfect condition, right?" Erika quickly agreed.
Perhaps she was so embarrassed about running out of magical energy that she muttered, "Yes, you're right," in a small voice while blushing—an Erika so cute she could conquer a country.
Well, humans often feel embarrassed when recalling certain things later, and for Erika, that must be the time she ran out of magical energy.
After buying a canteen and a few other magic tools, we walked down the main street toward the Adventurer's Guild.
We didn't have any particular business at the Adventurer's Guild.
We were simply heading to a diner for adventurers near the guild to grab lunch.
There are diners in the craftsman district where Tepe's shop and Boi's magic tool store are, but the clientele there is too hectic for my taste.
Saying this might make it seem like I have a noble's sensibility, but anyone who's seen the way craftsmen eat would change their opinion.
At the very least, I want to teach those guys that potato salad isn't a drink.
So that's why we were having lunch at a diner for adventurers near the Adventurer's Guild, on the outskirts of town.
At Erika's request, it was a counter-only place, but even so, it was far more relaxing compared to the diners in the craftsman district.
The only problem was...
I was feeling confusion at the golden magic flickering in and out of my field of vision.
Clearly, golden magic was being directed at my face intermittently.
Which means Erika was looking at me, but when I glanced at her sitting next to me, wondering if she needed something, she was gazing with interest at the cook preparing food behind the counter, maintaining a beautiful posture.
Indeed, the cook's skills were impressive, and while it might be quieter during lunch when fewer adventurers are around, I'm sure they handle customers with remarkable skill during the morning and evening rushes.
But still, is it something worth staring at so intently?
Somehow, it seemed like the old cook was feeling uneasy under Erika's gaze.
Was it just my imagination? As I turned to face forward again, the golden magic still flickered in my vision.
Ugh, did I do something?
I tilted my head in my heart while glancing down at the lunch in front of me, which was clearly sloppily arranged compared to what was placed before Erika.