Chapter 685

Let’s make a shaved ice machine! (2)
“... Hmm? What’s this supposed to be?”

Galvano Ojisama looked puzzled as he stared at one of the sketches.

“Huh? What is this—did you try to draw a magic beast or something?”

Reacting to Galvano Ojisama’s comment, Owen-san glanced at the same sketch and echoed the confusion.

“A magic beast? … There’s nothing like that in here, though?”

I flipped through the page they were looking at carefully, but it was all just sketches of shaved ice machines. There wasn’t a single magic beast anywhere.

“I don’t recall drawing anything like—ah.”

Mariel-chan seemed to realize something and made a face like, *Oops!*

“Wait, where?”

“It’s right here.”

Still not understanding what they meant, Owen-san pointed at a specific part of the sketch.

“... This is also a shaved ice machine, though?”

What was drawn there was one of the shaved ice machines from my previous life—a cute one shaped like a bear’s face. When you turn the handle, its eyes would wobble side to side.

Mariel-chan and I had gotten excited thinking, “Wouldn’t it be adorable to make this with Mashiro’s face?”

… Ah. So that’s it.

“Um, that sketch came from when Mariel-san and I were talking about how it would be cute if the eyes moved when you turned the handle. It’s modeled after Mashiro, so it’s not a magic beast.”

“I... become shaved ice machine?”

Mashiro peeked at the sketchbook with curious eyes, but maybe because it was a simplified head-only design, he ended up looking a bit upset.

Oops.

“What about mine?”

Kurogane also seemed displeased—not about the disembodied head motif, but because he wasn’t included at all.

Hmm... Looks like I’ll have to hold an extra-long fluff time when we get home to make it up to them.

“... Is this function necessary?”

“No, it’s just a playful addition. It only uses the motion from turning the handle, so I thought it might be fun for both the person making it and the person watching.”

Back in my previous life, my grandma had one like that. I always looked forward to using it during summer vacation.

And every time, I’d agonize over what syrup flavor to pick.

… Though once I grew up and learned that all those syrups were the same flavor with different colors, my dreams were kinda crushed. (distant stare)

“C-Cristea-san...?”

“... Ah! A-Anyway, please disregard that function and just build a simple version with basic features, if you would?”

“R-Right! Then I think this design would be good!”

Leaning too hard on my memories from my previous life, I might’ve ended up sketching it too accurately and made Galvano Ojisama and Owen-san suspicious.

Mariel-chan and I hurried to change the topic and iron out the details.

“... Hmm. Something at this level, I can handle on my own. Too bad for you, Owen-san.”

Ojisama grinned smugly at Owen-san.

Apparently, Owen-san had found out during last night’s drinking session that I was coming and insisted, “There’s no way the genius magic tool artisan won’t be needed again! I’m definitely going!”

So that’s why Galvano Ojisama carried the passed-out Owen-san here…

“No, no, no! I can make it even simpler and more precise! You wouldn’t even need a handle—just pour mana into it and use a combo of water and ice magic to make shaved ice, even without an ice block! I can make it with textures ranging from fluffy snow to crunchy chips, and even... let’s see... something that melts in your mouth like air!”

Wait, that sounds amazing!?

That’s basically an evolved shaved ice machine—we could have so much fun with that!

“You make it sound so easy, but to include all that functionality, you’d need pretty powerful water and ice attribute magic stones, wouldn’t you? Not to mention the magic circles would have to be really complex.”

“Ugh, well... B-But! Miss Cristea’s contracted Sacred Beasts probably have good stones, and I can draw the magic circles!... Probably!”

Probably!?

But if you want different ice textures, you’d need separate magic circles for each one, and you’d have to add functionality to switch between them, not to mention safety features so someone’s hands don’t freeze when they pour mana in…

“Besides, the young lady hasn’t mentioned a budget yet. The more excited you get, the more expensive it’s going to be.”

… Ah, that’s true.

Sorry, Owen-san, but I’ll have to say no this time.

I gently explained that I wanted something affordable enough to be used in food stalls and shops, but Owen-san refused to back down.

“Nope! I’m making it! And if you end up liking it, then that version can just be Miss Cristea’s personal unit, right? Right!?”

Right!? No, that’s not okay!

Who makes a preteen buy a luxury, high-tech magic device!?

“... Please.”

“YES! Leave it to me!”

… Ugh, I gave in to the temptation of fluffy shaved ice.

I mean, think of all the possibilities!

In moments like this, I’m really glad I earned some extra money through recipes and other side gigs.

Mariel-chan looked at me like, “Are you seriously okay with this!?” but... maybe I should’ve asked about the price first? Did I rush it?

“Well then, here—use this.”

Mashiro pulled a large magic stone out of his inventory and thumped it onto the table.

“...! T-This is...!”

Owen-san clung to the table, staring intently at the stone.

“Ice-element magic stone. I enhanced it with my own mana, so it’s tougher than normal.”

“OOOOHHHH! I-Is it really okay for me to use this!?”

Owen-san, your eyes are bloodshot.

“If it’s for Cristea, yes. If it’s for anything else, I won’t forgive you.”

“Of course! Thank you so much!!”

Owen-san bowed so low it was practically a full prostration. Seriously, that’s full-on kowtowing.

“... In that case, I shall offer this.”

Kurogane also pulled out—no, summoned from his inventory—a large magic stone and placed it next to the ice stone.

“T-That’s a water-element stone!? And a very high-grade one, too...!!”

“It’s a water dragon magic stone. I picked it up long ago after defeating one and forgot about it.”

A water dragon...!? As in, a DRAGON!?

Did he seriously just say he defeated one a long time ago!?

“W-Water dr—!? Ugh...”

“Whoa!”

“Eek! Owen-san!?”

Owen-san fainted from sheer excitement...

“Oi, get a grip… Good grief.”

Galvano Ojisama tried shaking him awake, but when that didn’t work, he simply lifted him up and tossed him onto the sofa.

“Kurogane-dono. Water dragon stones aren’t something you normally see on the market. Owen might be able to handle it, but... could you keep the offerings to a reasonable level?”

“Understood. Then shall I exchange it for something else?”

“NO! Please let me use that one!!”

The moment Kurogane reached for the stone to put it away, Owen-san bolted upright and slid into another full-body bow.

“Well... alright. Then do your best—for her.”

“Yes, sir!!”

Owen-san pressed his forehead to the floor and shouted with conviction.

… Seeing Kurogane look taken aback like that is ultra-rare.

What do you think about this chapter?