Everyone's Gifts
Afterward, with Father's permission, Vee took Noir for a test ride. It seemed their wavelengths matched, and Noir became Vee's beloved steed.
As for Blau, Father had apparently been concerned too, and when Grandfather heard about it, he proposed retraining him in Phantasmo. So it was decided that Blau would be sent there temporarily. Blau was quite down about it, but after some persuasion from Zex and Snowy, he reluctantly agreed. The horses at the Phantasmo estate are pretty temperamental—like tough guys if they were human. We'll just have to hope Blau changes for the better.
At the birthday party that started in the evening, my whole family, including the servants, celebrated with me.
From Father and Mother, I received a dress, shoes, and a full set of accessories. From Brother Noel, a personalized stationery set to use at the academy. From Brother Gene, a silver chain for my Adventurers’ Guild plate. From the twins, a drawing of my face. From Grandfather and Grandmother, a real sword—not a wooden one. From Aunt and Uncle, a diary with a lock. From Vee, a pendant with a beautiful light blue stone that he said he picked out with Brother Aran.
“Thank you, Vee. It's such a pretty stone.”
“Keep it on you at all times.”
“Ohh~ Is this a magic stone with enchantments?”
Grandfather said, looking at the pendant.
“Enchantments?”
“The magic stone has magic spells embedded in it.”
“Wait, seriously!? Then wasn't it expensive?”
“No, Brother and I went and got the magic stone ourselves. And we asked Mother to do the enchantments.”
“Wait, got it from where?”
“From a monster. We went together during Brother's break. We thought this stone would suit you best, Joan.”
“Thank you. I'll write Brother Aran a thank-you letter.”
“Joan, you’re going to be summoned to the royal castle again soon, right? You’ll probably see Arandolph there—he’s with the royal guards.”
“Eh? Father… you are getting summoned again?”
“No, not me. You.”
“Huh? Me? Why?”
“It’s not him summoning you. It’s Her Majesty the Queen.”
“Ahh, I see. Understood.”
“Wahaha! You're probably the only one who would respond to a summons from the Queen with just ‘Ahh, I see.’”
““““““““No doubt about it.””””””””
Well, she *is* the daughter of my best friend, even if she is the Queen.
Though of course, I’ll act properly in public.
“Oh, and about the enchantments—it was detox and barrier, right? Mother?”
“Aran and Vince requested those two, but I added sleep and paralysis resistance as well. For sleep resistance, it just shortens how long you sleep.”
“Wait, four enchantments!? Big sister Julie, you did that?”
“Yes, I just did it while I was at it.”
A-Amazing. To just “add some enchantments while at it”… In light novel terms, you need some serious magical ability to do that, right?
To say it so casually, like adding some extra fillings to a sandwich… Aunt Julie is incredible.
“Thank you, Big sister Julie.”
I hugged her.
“It’s nothing. It’s for you, Joan. Now you’ll be safer when you go to the academy.”
“Joan? Look…”
“Eh!?”
Vee called me, and when I turned around, he was standing there with his arms open.
“… T-Thank you, Vee… but a hug is… impossible.”
I said, blushing furiously.
“”Pffwahahaha!””
Brother Gene and Vee doubled over laughing.
“But Jo? You really have to wear this at all times.”
“Brother Noel?”
“At the academy, we won’t always be with you. So we can’t protect you. That’s exactly why Aran and Vee gave you this gift.”
“Exactly! Especially since you’re a Null attribute. Some people might approach you with ill intentions.”
“Yup, yup, Noel and Gene are right. Brother was worried about that too. Don’t even take it off, even in the bath. The dorm has a public bath. The chain’s platinum.”
“O-Okay. Got it.”
“Pardon the interruption during your conversation. We’d like to present our gift to the young lady as well.”
Gray spoke, and behind him stood the household staff in line.
From Nathan and Zack, a cute letter set. Now I can write to Belle again.
From Nancy, Sarah, and the rest of the maid team, a riding outfit without a jacket and a waist pouch. The shirt had a stand collar, and the pants were black. The pouch was brown with a belt loop and inner pockets. Apparently, Mito led the team in selecting materials and designing it all.
From the butler team, black lace-up boots and a belt. The belt had special compartments—like an ammo belt.
From the cook team, a cake and a spice set. The spices came in little glass bottles.
From the gardening team, a mini bouquet and one of Old Tom’s handmade concealed weapons. Yes, the usual kunai. But this time, the tip was sharper. When I tried placing it in the belt, it fit perfectly.
“And from me.”
Finally, Gray handed me a ring with a small blue stone.
“Is this also enchanted?”
“Yes, it is. It’s a magic item that lets the pair wearing it know each other’s locations. Though using that feature requires magic. The other ring is for the master.”
To know each other’s location… sounds like a GPS?
“Does it matter which finger I wear it on?”
“No, once you put it on, it automatically adjusts to your finger size. Any finger is fine.”
So I slid it onto my left pinky, where it wouldn’t get in the way. At first it was loose, but it instantly adjusted to fit perfectly. It looks like a pinky ring.
“Jo, now all that’s left is to register at the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“Eh!? … Ah, you’re right. Thank you, everyone.”
Clothes, accessories, sword, concealed weapons—if I equipped everything I’d received, I’d be all set.
Tomorrow, first thing, I’m going to register at the Adventurers’ Guild.
Ahh, I can’t wait!
What do you think about this chapter?
