Volume 6 - CH 6

As the flower-viewing session came to an end and the sakura petals dispersed, we went back to our usual lifestyle.

As the days passed, we made some new discoveries and found some changes in our surroundings.

First, it was about the sakura tree that I created with my <Creation Magic>.

I created it based on my memories, but they seemed to have high mana generation ability.

Although its ability wasn't comparable to a world tree, it did boast a much higher mana generation output compared to ordinary trees and it also exhibited a property to calm the ferociousness of monsters to some extent.

I did hear that sakura trees possessed characteristics like 'Evil Warding' and 'Dispelling Malice' in Japan in my previous life. Maybe by bringing such trees that held such nuances to the other world that they were able to exhibit such power.

<Master, let's first research sakura trees.>

World tree leaves could be used in medicine and its branches were also one of the best magic mediums for things like wands so they couldn't be spread into the world that easily.

On the other hand, the sakura petals' effects weren't comparable to the world tree leaves and since their application was also only limited to pacifying monsters and mana generation, we had been gradually increasing the number of sakura trees by planting them through cutting methods.

"They are still small, but I guess we will be able to see lots of sakura trees in 10 to 20 years."

I was already looking forward to the scenery that would unfurl after a decade or two.

Aside from that, I and a small portion of the maid corps would usually go to the <Space-Time Flotsam> tower that has already been repaired by Baretta and the other maids.

"I had long since wanted to start my own personal research."

For decades I was focused on the goal of restoring the <Empty Wilderness> and the mana density inside it.

But now that everything was progressing so well that I didn't even need to help out anymore, I began to do some research on magic in the tower.

"I wonder what kind of effect a fruit would have if it was grafted on a world tree that held exceptional mana and vitality......"

I planted a sapling of a world tree in the vicinity of the tower and grafted different fruit tree branches such as apples, oranges, and pears onto it and then used <Recovery Magic> on it.

The amalgamation of different trees could be said to have similarities with a Chimera, a synthetic lifeform in a sense, but of course, I didn't have any intention of creating one here.

And the grafting experiment that was done on the world tree surprisingly resulted in it bearing fruits.

"I see...... At the expense of lowering the mana output of the world tree, it was able to bear fruits that were filled with mana."

"Majou-sama, this is the same as the mysterious nut that Majou-sama eats~!"

Just like what Teto said, the fruits from this experiment held identical properties as the <Mysterious Nut>.

I had now discovered the way to produce the <Mysterious Nut> to increase the upper limit of a person's mana capacity without using <Creation Magic>.

I was happy that I could now have different variations in taste since I was only able to produce one kind of fruit, pear, with my creation magic up until now.

The world tree's mana output in itself has lowered to the level of a sakura tree, but I guessed that this was due to the mana being condensed into these fruits.

"I wonder if it's similar to the mana-dense monster meat that high-ranking adventurers or nobles eat."

Although there was no definite proof, there was a saying since a long time ago that eating mana-rich items could increase one's mana capacity.

Apparently, nobles put up requests for the delicate parts of the monsters that adventurers take down and then eat that meat.

But if it was just taking in the mana from external sources, then even drinking a mana potion should be able to raise the upper limit of one's mana capacity, hence there may be another mysterious factor at play--- such theories had been summarised in a book.

While I researched the topics that piqued my interest, I occasionally had discussions with the maids that frequented the tower.

Then over time, the maids would come to me one by one holding a small box.

<Master. I would like your permission to raise some magic silkworms to make new clothes.>

<Master, I would like your permission to raise this Red-Eyed Spider to obtain its elastic webbings.>

<Master, I would like your permission to use this chemical to process the fur of the mythical beasts we got from the residents.>

Mechanoids that excelled in making clothes would come to me with such requests.

Magic silkworm was one of the monsters domesticated by people to produce high-class silk, so I gave my permission.

The fur discarded by mythical beasts and gathered by the residents needed chemicals so that they could be cleansed, processed, and turned into items, so it was best to process them in the tower which had a compounding facility.

If there was a problem with the requests though, then it was------

"Red-Eyed Spider should be a D-rank monster if I remember right. Won't handling them be dangerous?"

They also had the alias of 'forest hunters' due to their agile movement in using their threads to jump from one tree to another and then catching their prey by pouncing on them from above.

Although the Demonic race possessed high physical abilities, a child would still be nothing compared to these creatures.

<We found a place where mythical beasts were protecting them and we trained them. So I believe there should be no problem.> <Screeee------>

<Incidentally, this child has made its nest near the sapling of a sakura tree, so I think the calming effect of the sakura tree has worn off its ferociousness.>

Then seeing the antics of Red-Eyed Spider that rubbed its hands and feet and made some cries at me as if to say 'please', I couldn't help but think it was quite a versatile entertainer.

That being said, the vibe it was giving was indeed toned down compared to the Red-Eyed Spiders I had defeated in the past. To be more accurate, I couldn't sense the same animosity and malice from it.

"Could it be a variant species? Well, you can raise it, but I will have you take responsibility and dispose of it if anything happens by chance."

<Yes Ma'am!>

<Then Master, if you can consider honeybee...> <Then how about Treant...> <Then Matongo too...> <Consider Monster Plant please!>

Once I approved the rearing of a monster, the other maids flooded me with their request of wanting to raise honeybees, treants, and fungal and omnivore-type monsters. Unfortunately for them, the <Empty Wilderness> wasn't ready yet to accept so many monsters at once.

Moreover, these types of monsters are likely to gradually migrate on their own, so I have put them on hold for now.

Especially that monster plant at the end. Since it was possible to create an artificial mana stone by feeding lower-level monsters to a plant and condensing a magical stone in its core, they may have intended to create an artificial mana stone ranch, so I rejected that idea because I felt it would be dangerous in various ways.

With all these considerations, the tower eventually became a place used not only by me but also by the mechanoids.

Currently, I was researching mainly three things in the workshop of the tower.

"Hmm, the combination failed, huh? Let's discard this one after extracting the mana. Next is------"

One of them was studying compounding by researching magic potions mentioned in the different books through trial and error while dispensing the essential magic potions to the villages of the <Empty Wilderness>.

"Come to think of it, since there are many who ride on the backs of flying mythical beasts, I should create a fail-safe mana tool for safety. <Forming> <Enchant> <Charge>!"

Using the Earth magic spell <Forming>, I shaped a fragmented piece of the shattered giant floating stone from the floating island along with iron and then bestowed it with the fail-safe effect through <Enchant>.

Lastly, I infused a vast amount of mana into the iron itself, transforming it into a black magic metal called "Magic Steel," creating an accessory.

This was my study of mana tool craftsmanship used in everyday life.

And finally...

"Hmm. Magic to transform into an adult――<Imitation>!"

I solidified the image with my magic and created an entirely new magic spell through this magical research.

The approach involved enveloping myself in an illusion of an adult persona created by hybrid magic of light and dark elements.

I wrapped the surface of my body with the mass-carrying dark magic and overlaid it with the illusory magic of light.

As a result, I grew to the same height as Teto but......

"Hmm... There's something strange with Majou-sama's looks. Very strange!"

"I guess it doesn't work after all."

I performed a spin on the spot, but both my movements and expressions were stiff.

To put it plainly, it was like wearing a costume, except it was composed of mana and I could feel the weight due to the properties of dark magic.

The movements of my limbs were dull. It felt like I was wearing a geta made of magic to raise my height, which affected my balance.

Moreover, a touch would give a sensation different from that of a real physical body.

Furthermore, the illusory light magic didn't synchronize with my facial expressions, so it felt like I was wearing a mask.

"This thing can't be called adult transformation magic."

"Is that so? What a pity."

With that said, Teto pouted in disappointment as the magic was deemed a failure, but it didn't mean I had given up on the idea of becoming an adult through <Adult-ification> magic just yet.

Besides, it was difficult to distinguish if this magic was fake at first glance so it could still be used as an alternate persona or a decoy in times of emergency. In fact, since this magic was basically like wearing mana on my body, I could sense the possibility of a new type of defense magic different from barrier magic from it.

And so, I passed my days tinkering with compounding mana tools and magic which felt like I was just playing around under the guise of research. Teto also joined in.

"Majou-sama~ are you still busy with research? Teto wants to play with you."

"Well, you're right. Let's call it a day for today."

I would have nearly shut myself in the tower for god knows how long if I was alone, but, fortunately, Teto would request me to hang out outside with her, so I was able to have a moderately relaxed, or you could say balanced life.

I sometimes sparred with Teto to keep my combat abilities from becoming rusty, took relaxed walks in the forest, and ventured out of the great barrier to defeat monsters to secure mana stones for Teto, earn money, or go shopping with teleportation magic.

I had such a peaceful daily life.

<Master, may I take some of your time?>

"What's wrong, Baretta? It's rare for you to come here."

As Teto and I tilted our heads in confusion seeing Baretta, the one managing all the maids, personally visiting the tower which was rare for her, she passed a piece of information to us.

<The guests you have been expecting have arrived.>

'So they have finally come, huh?' As I nodded in understanding at Baretta's words, Teto once again tilted her head in puzzlement, not understanding our exchange.