We spent a brief time with the manager of the AKB48 trio, a erhaps Karen-’s age, though despite that she gave off a rather intense, youthful vibe. Maybe that’s o work in the idol industry, even as a manager? My sis ainfully disappointed nobody else from AKB48 was there, but she soon perked up when she was asked by the manager if she had any i in being an idol herself, though her reply had amused and exasperated me. What does she mean ‘she ’t, as I’ll be jealous?’ Sometimes I worry about her head. The woman had asked Daiyu as well, who had also deed, but had skipped over Asha and Shiro, which made Shiro a little irritated, though the reason was obvious. If Shiro was an idol, the rest of the group would be suicidal, trying to measure up. A good manager has to think of the bigger picture. It’s not unlike what I have to sider, just on a far smaller scale.

  We had been thanked profusely for our assistan resolving the matter of the insane fan, which was further exacerbated when I said that I’d put in a word with the iigating officers, so that the venue could reopen soon and the i be downpyed as much as possible. It was getting a little embarrassing, the older woman thanking me so early, and Keiko- and the others clearly felt the same, as they were flushed and nervous. It became more awkward wherio fessed to having had Chirurgery. The manager was stunned for a moment, but fortunately she had some uanding of the issues, having been made aware of the recovery of the idol Matsui-. It seems like Shaeu’s been doing things while I’ve been absent. Not that I mind. We’re all w towards the same goal, and I know she’s very ied in the success of this cert too. She’s taking inspiration and pnning t such events to the Fae realms as well.

  Uandably, their manager was worried about possible side-effects, but we reassured them there were only positives, and the three of them promised to really show off and excel in both practid performance, so the matter was dropped, but I khat my sis leased, as it was clear if the trio really did improve noticeably, theher members and even other idol groups would take hough I think maybe I should get Hinata to round me up another set of patients to help, I just have a feeling…

  Once we departed, Shiro and the others headed home, though Shiro and Asha were heading back to Shirohebizumi, rather than our estate, leavio go to the Ministry facilities to relieve Eri. My Astral body iravelled back towards the shri a rather more leisurely pace than with which I arrived here, and oering the room, which olite way of saying well-decorated and fortable cell, within which Christina Bakker endiime here, when she was not being questioned by members of the Ministry, Eri jumped up, relieved.

  “Thank the Gods you’re here, Akio!” She said, throwing herself in my arms in a bold dispy of affe. “I’ve been going mad having to deal with her!”

  “How very rude.” Christina decred. “I think we have had a wonderful versation about the merits of knowledge and how it shape progress. After all, aren’t we both living proof of that? We should be good friends. We’ve so mu on. But you won’t succeed in making me jealous!”

  “Nobody is trying to!” Eri snapped, and I had to snort derisively.

  “You really do have a high opinion of your charms, Miss Bakker.” I deliberately didn’t call her Christina this time. “You think you pare to Eri or anyone else? Dream on.”

  “How hurtful! I’ve got a big chest, I’m told I’m not unattractive, and quite frankly, I’m a genius. What’s not to like? Do you uand it, Titan?” She asked her ever-present bodyguard, who had the grace to look embarrassed, turning his head away.

  “I wish you’d leave me out of it, ya know?” he said, not answering, which made Christina flounce peevishly, crossing her arms under her chest.

  “Nobody is on my side, it’s heart-breaking.” She pieasingly. “But I am gd you are here, Akio. I have a question, aher of these two would answer me properly!”

  “I’m going tret this…” I muttered, and Eri, still in my arms, nodded emphatically, her limited patience spent. I’ll have to make it up to her. While I trust the Chosen soldiers of the JSDF, I’d still rather keep Christina under our eyes too. Who knows what shit she’ll get up to when we aren’t watg? “…but you ask. I ’t promise I’ll ahough.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Christina’s eyes sparkled eagerly. “Now, I’ve noticed this girl here is far from ordinary, but she insists she’s not a Chosen, as you are calling them.”

  “I’m not.” Eri insisted.

  “That’s even more fasating. Just from the way she moves, the bance of her steps, her rea times when I make a sudden move… clearly she’s far above ordinary. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she surpasses a number of the cats we have seen.”

  Eri and I exged a wry g her words. Calling them bck cats is offensive, but for Eri it’s incredibly apt…

  “So my question is… who would be stroitan here, or her?” Christina inquired. “I had expected Titan to shout loudly he would crush her, but he seems rather less boastful since London and he wouldn’t ent.”

  “Ya man, I’m no fool. I’m strong, no question, but there be many powerhouses out there. And nowadays, there be no reason a girl ’t be strohan a grown man.” Titan nodded sagely at Eri, who gave him a slight smile.

  “I don’t know if I would wi es to pure strength, in fact, likely not, my Might isn’t incredible. But there’s much more tth than simply how hard one punch.” Eri pointed out. “All I say is, if you tried to ask him to attack me, I’d fight bad it wouldn’t be easy!”

  “See? her of them are giving me an answer.” Christina pouted. “I uand they don’t know each other’s strengths fully, but…”

  “Eri and Titan here are bht.” I settled the question. “In a straight physical fight, it’d be hard to call, but if Eri or Titan had a few trump cards…” I knew Eri did, she was likely able to use light element as a ser, at least strong enough to temporarily blind Titan, and with her shapeshifting she could gain other advantages. “…I’ve beaten a number of stronger foes due to having a few aces in hand, and I never uimate my oppos.” It’s why I quickly blinded Sora-san, even though his Eyes didn’t affect me much. If I was cocky and he had stronger abilities, it wouldn’t just be me who paid the price.

  “I see. But it’s so… painfully wishy-washy.” Christina pined. “Runnis, paring numbers, it’s easy with physical strength or speed, or even some powers. There should be ways to quantify power…” Christina paused as Eri started snickering, amused. “...what’s so funny?”

  “Akio’s already way ahead of you on that too. For a stist with the might and bag of America, you sure are useless.” Ouch, Eri really doesn’t like her. Not that I bme her.

  “That stings, but… it’s sadly true, as you proved by altering my body somehow. Yours too, if I’m not mistaken, girl.” He shrugged. “But if you trusted me a bit more, I could certainly help advance your knowledge? I am a genius…” she boasted anew. “…and I don’t mind paying with more than just my mind…”

  “No way!” Eri shot her a gre. “If Akio wants to indulge himself, he has us! And if he finds someoo love I’ll accept her. But you’re the wrong sort!”

  “It seems I’m rather hated, Titan?” Christina giggled. “Either that or it’s that tsundere I’ve heard about?”

  “Nah, I think she proper hates you, boss dy.” He answered.

  “Fine. I see how it is. But my offer still stands. After all, love me…” she winked. “…or hate me, I am still a genius. My researto the other world has progressed at a rapid pace since yesse, but I hear your Territory is unique and powerful? If I could explore it, I have no doubt…”

  Shutting down her proposal with a rapid and emphatio, I groahis is a real headache, she’s mercurial in both the sehat she moves from oopic to another like lightning, and sedly, she’s as poisonous as she is pretty to look at. The only mercy of the situation ierial was I had a reply to my message. Motoko’s grandfather said that he had passed the ons down to Motoko, and while they were family treasures of the highest order, as Motoko’s husband-to-be, they would certainly be sidered mine, until that day they were passed down to our children.

  In any case, while I tinued my discussion with Christina ierial, in the Boundary, I had returo the shrine, and collected the three ons that Motoko and Natsumi cherished, Ginneka havihem to the Boundary for us. Hebihikoukiba, the rge bow, the body dark green with crimson highlights, the ends where the string was fastened shaped like serpent heads, was there. I had wondered why for a moment, sihe petition clearly favoured archery, but then I realised that only one of them could wield the bow, so Motoko and Natsumi would naturally not pete over it. Their retionship really is great. They care for each other too muain as mistress and servant. If any good came from my arranged marriages, this is certainly one of the biggest positives.

  The other two heirloom ons, the crimson spear Gurenyari, and the elega well-worn katana Utsuroihebi, were waiting for me, and I gathered the three of them up, feeling a little nervous, but excited as well. Taking them to the fe of Bjarki, I found rge piles of metals, woods and monster parts id out for me, along with several of Bjarki’s fellow dwarves who had been attracted to the Territory, and a number of Mortal Engineers. “An audience, huh?” I joked, and they nodded shamelessly.

  “Aye, I hardly wait t’see yer skills.” One bearded dwarf said happily.

  “No pressure then. I’m handling the prized treasures of my fiancées, and this is the first time I’ve tried this, but then… I’m fident.” I had been pnning an update of our equipment for quite some time, and soon I’d be distracted by the pain of resonating and suppressing the damage from Shiro’s buffs again, so it was the ideal time to start.

  “Yht them?” I asked, and I was handed a Hoe 89 assault rifle. Thinking about it, didn’t Hinata say Ichijou Heavy Industries were king out a new version of an assault rifle soon? My Eye fred, and at what I could see, I nodded in satisfa. This particur on wasn’t kept in the Boundary by Ginneka’s power, but instead existed in its ht. Of course, what I want to do is harder, but not impossible… gng at my boots, I gathered my thoughts. “All right then, the Ship of Theseus it is!” Ixitt had quoted the paradox to me during his early experiments, and it art of the reason why our factory that Kana, Grulgor and the others were building so swiftly would work.

  Taking Utsoroihebi, I carefully detached the bde, feeling it in my hands. “Hmm, the weight and the bance, both are perfect. This was definitely made by a master craftsman, but even being maintained so carefully by Tsumura house, over the years the bde has chipped beyond repair, and there are some hairline cracks. But…”

  Fme element surged, and I melted the bde, feeling a touch ret. No, it’s got to be fed anew, if I’m to make it truly a on for them. Better still… there’s two girls, so… Despite the metal beiiculously made from some of the best iron avaible back then, some impurities still came free. Separating out the pure iron, I made it into two equal halves. Taking out some kobold bluesteel from the pile, as well as some other metals from our Mines, I melted them too, mixing them into the iron. Of course, this isn’t enough. Aether surged, p into the metals, but even that seemed insuffit.

  “Etherites as well…” Breaking down some into powder I added it to the mixture, as well as p out wind element, impregnating the bluesteel within. Bubbles rose in the molteal, and green and yellow energies fshed. Not enough. Shaping the metal into two identical bdes, I used my rich water element to quench the bdes, and steam hissed. Despite them still being scorg hot, I picked them up in my hands, only feeling a slight heat. “No, the bance is correct but the weight is different. I to match.” Fme surged again, and I shifted some of the position, and the sed time, I was satisfied.

  “Right, but…” pared to St Moonlight, it was far too weak. I wao transform the precious ons of Tsumura house into paired ons that Motoko and Natsumi could use in both the Material and Boundary. And they would also be the test for the further ons and armour I was going to make. Using my knowledge of Dvergr Teiques, having watched how Bjarki made the inal bde for me, I also drew on adherence, using my new Skill as well. Having absorbed a signifit amount of adherence from Mary Stuart and Sarah McLaughn, which was rather thickly aspected, I started to utilise that. A lot of the aspect seems to be… e? I use this I think. In fact, I wonder…

  Ether Crafting used aether, which was a transformation of ether, so logically, Adherence Crafting funed in the same way. I tried to craft the adhereself, purifying it, and was rewarded by letters fring ay vision. Fasating. I’m n. In fact… The bdes momentarily fotten, other than the Split Thoughts I was using to carry on my argument with Christina Bakker, I focused everything else on the adherence, purifying it and attempting to press it. My efforts seemed futile, as it sprang out of my grasp, fighting me, but pulling out a single, precious blue Etherite, one of the few Ixitt had left for me, as most of our trade goods and loot was now being recycled into endless Artificial Buildings… wait, that’s it… Buildings… Heading over to the Materia Tree, which had grown slightly rger yet again, I quickly harvested a few leaves and shining crystalline fruits, as well as a few brahe materials respoo my will, flowing together, mixing with the Adherence, and as my vision once more fred with amber letters, I admired my handiwork.

  Adherent Quicksilversteel is a metal made from trated Adherend Ether, kneaded and impregnated into a suitable catalytic material. It has the property of being strong and self-repairing so long as Ether be supplied, and the i Adherehin gives it the potential for maing powerful reted properties. This Adhereal tains Adherence of e and Bonds.

  “Perfect. Better than perfect!” I excimed, excited. I checked my Skill that had increased twi mere minutes, feeling rather proud of myself.

  Your Skill, Adherence Crafting has increased from Rank 1 to Rank 2. Your ability to apply Adhereo crafts has increased, and the ??????? of the Adherenvolved be more fully drawn out and ied into the item, and ??????? of Adherence will be more stable and less likely to degrade in general.

  Your Skill, Adherence Crafting has increased from Rank 2 to Rank 3. Your ability to apply Adhereo crafts has further increased, and you have gained insight into the nature of Adherence. You further purify ??????? Adherence, and strehe ??????? of Adherence slightly if you uand the ???????. Adherence take tangible form not dissimir to Etherites, though the effort and ????????? required is signifit, and will have poor efficy. Solidified, tangible Adherence will have a deeper ??????? and is more powerful wheo craft items.

  “e. Perfect. Because…” The Adherent Quicksilversteel indeed melted and flowed like mercury, allowio mix it with the other alloy I had crafted, though it resisted being fed. A powerful fme is required. Foehn? No, Foehn ’t be trolled. But… A halo surrounded me, brilliant light fringed with inky darkness, and a searing citrine glow shone as I poured my fme element into it. Radiaains the properties of the fme it is fed, but light be endlessly trated, like a ser, the wavelengths matg. So… F with fiery light, I shaped two new bdes, adjusting the bance. As I worked, I fed it not just the bzing light, but also my wind element. The Adherehin the Adhereal resisted at first, but I also adjusted the Adherence slightly. The work was crude, and I was taking my first steps, but in the end I had a pair of beautiful bdes that shone and rippled with green, yellow and indigo as the light touched the metal.

  “Damn, I’m utterly exhausted. My pns of doing all three ons is going to be tough.” I also o keep adherence for the Favours I was maintaining. While my Ether Spires did supply me some adherehe amount was only enough to offset one Favour, and I was sure Tan wouldn’t lend me hers for this. Disassembling the work of art that was the tsuba and tsuka, the handle and protective guard for the hands which was a delicately coiled serpent, I carefully made a replica out of the metals here in the Boundary, before carefully seperating both and sharing the parts between them. “It’s not aire Ship of Theseus, as I haven’t repced everything with identical parts, but the principle is the same. But…”

  Joining the new bdes with the handles, I felt there was something missing. Even with my Skills, I hadn’t reached the heights that Bjarki had with St Moonlight. Holy, I didn’t expect to, I was an amateur pared to him, but I had made some fairly det stuff before, such as Shaeu’s pinwheels, so I felt I could get closer to my ideal. What do I have to work with? The metal is strong and uhere’s an adherence of e running through the swords, as well as impregnated wind and radiance… hmm, I think I need more Ether Crafting t out the tent strengths here…

  P out my aether, I studied St Moonlight carefully, probing it, seeing how it absorbed aether and released wind, fme htning. It artially a factor of the material, but then, since Adherent Quicksilversteel was the majority po of these new swords, they were excellent at elliher and elements too, with little resistance. Maybe I duplicate the internal ws? Fine scalpels of aether, and also adherence, due to the nature of the metal, formed, the work painstakingly precise, almost like creating a Chakra work ihe bdes. I guess my Chirurgery skill helps a lot. It definitely helped, I could feel the vision I had for the swords being realised. As I worked, I found additional, greater insights, and moments ter I was rewarded.

  Your Skill, Ether Crafting has increased from Rank 5 to Rank 6, surpassing the first bottleneck. Equipment and other items you create more easily be imbued with abilities that draw oher and refined versions of Aether, with signifitly improved version and draw rate. The tent, i properties of materials also be enhanced slightly. [Css: ype: Rule]

  In addition, my Precision had increased by a dozen points, and my Css Master Of Many Crafts had been going up repeatedly, and was now at Level four, with the bes that brought. I guess Prodigy Of The Lower Worlds kicked in. That Css is now at two…

  Suddenly I uood more of Bjarki’s seminal work, and I redid my efforts on the swords, and soon I was done again. Wiping silvery sweat from my brow, I realised I had quite the audienow not just the craftsmen of my Territory, but Shiro was there with Asha, looking on wryly. Seeing my surprised gaze, she shrugged.

  “We didn’t want to disturb you, Aki. It looked like you were giving it your all there.”

  “Indeed.” Asha agreed calmly. “I am tent to wait, I and my Tree are not going to disappear.” Her lips curved into a warm smile. “Besides, I do not enjoy seeing you suffer to shield my Tree, even if it is your doing in the first pce, and food cause.”

  “Nice dig there, Asha! Anyway… huh, there’s two now?” Shiro observed the twin Utsuroihebi. “So, don’t keep us in suspense.”

  “Aye, there nay be a need f’that.” Bjarki said, haviurned and joihe watg crowd. He was blowing smoke from a wooden pipe ched between his teeth, his practised eye gng over the two bdes. He gestured, and I handed him one, while I ied the other. He brought out some delicate hammers and tapped the bde gently, listening to the sound of the metal.

  “Iing.” He observed. “This’n be al like I ken before. Perplexin’, it’n be.”

  “Yes.” Asha agreed, hand on her belly, looking ied. “As a Dryad, I have a natural distaste for mines and fes, and the delving and smelting of metals, but for some reason I feel a… yearning.”

  “There’n be hope for ye yet.” Bjarki ughed, his attention still on the sword, his aether surging. I unleashed my eye, and snorted wryly, somehow both eted and rather disappointed.

  Utsuroihebi Twin [Item Type: Noble] [Item Css: Artifice] A twinned bde, two created from one, made from a treasured on of antiquity and materials both rare and uhe powerful Adherence of e ties together the disparate elements, elevating the ambitious, spirited yet clumsy craftsmanship to a level where it dispy a respectable portion of the powers of the materials it is made from.

  The bde is wickedly sharp, and will regee if provided with Aether from the wielder or the surrounding area, and excess Aether is verted to Wind and Radiance, further increasing the sharpness of the bde, and allowing bursts of Wind and Radiao be unleashed, though this will draiher incredibly rapidly. The Adherence of e will draw on the bonds between the crafter of these twin bdes and the wielders of the paired katanas, geing trace amounts of Adherence of e and also ???????. Due to the Rules bound by the Adherehin the crafting, this on is exceptional, but there are fws within the design and implementation that a greater craftsman would not have allowed, and this prevents the true power being drawn out.

  “Yeah, my Eye is dissing me again. It’s been a while.” I snorted, again the mix of happiness at the swords being a on worthy of Motoko and Natsumi, and the annoyahat I clearly still fell short of a truly great pair of swords mingling, until Bjarki spped my back heartily, having finished his own iion.

  “It’n nay be bad, for a mere stripling like ye. If’n ye could match my masterpiece after mere months, then why be I sving away and learnin’ m’craft for many long years? Though….” He spped my back again. “It be passin’ marks. It ranks among t’best bdes I fed until I came t’yer nds, ddie. Though t’materials cover many shames, and I nay be able t’see all the teiques that be employed here.” He frowroubled at that, and I realised Bjarki was crafting with pure skill, talent and teiques, whereas I used Adhereo shortcut it.

  “Yeah. Holy, I think I should make you some Adherent materials when I have more adhereo spare. Even if you ’t work them right now, if you master the Skill I daresay you go to an even higher level.”

  “I’ll be holdihat, ddie.” Bjarki ughed, handing me back the sed Utsoroihebi Twin. Examining them again, and feeling the faint boween the swords and me as their maker, I realised I had gained something else, and now the present I wao make for Daiyu would have a higher ce of w as I intended.

  “Right then.” I pced down the swords. “I don’t want to disturb Motoko and Natsumi when they are w so hard to win the Favour. somebody fetch the twins if they are around? I’d also like to get the Klein Bottle. I’m going to …” If I make this work… well, I also hat person too. It’s going to cost some money, but why else am I gatherih? You have to spend moo make money, as the saying goes…

  ShipTeaser