Chapter 46

My father didnt come home yesterday after all .

Since hes a blacksmith he knows about swords but Im still vaguely anxious .

. Its a strange feeling .

If anything happens Im sure I can do something about it so theres no reason to worry about it .

Misha-chans come you pick you up Arnos-chan .

My mothers voice comes from the entrance so I leave my room and head down to the front .

Sure enough, there was my mother and Misha .

Good morning . Misha says .

Shes wearing a white one-piece dress decorated with fluffy ringlet type ribbons .

Ive never seen those clothes before .

. New clothes

I see . That explains the new look .

Strange? Misha asks looking at me with upturned eyes .

Not at all . Theyre nice clothes . You look good .

Misha starts looking a little shy at my words .

Arnos taste .

Mine? I certainly think you look good but in the end, I didnt answer any of your questions .

Just like yesterday, Misha lets out a little *fufuu* laugh .

I can tell by looking .

Really?

Nn .

Though I didnt think Id given any conclusive answers it appears she saw right to the bottom of my heart .

As expected of Misha, shes a good demon eyes .

You saw well Misha . Im happy .

Mishas talent is considerable . If her growth is handled correctly she has the potential to approach the level of mazoku from the age of myths .

Im glad .

Misha is happy at my words .

Right, were off then mother .

Take care .

My mother sent us off with a smile .

Now then . Will you teach me your favourite thing Misha?

Misha nods .

This way .

Misha starts guiding me .

Walking together I was looking forward to seeing where Misha was taking me .

Eventually, we came to an area filled with shops known as the Midhayes shopping district . Its probably the busiest neighbourhood in the city with many people and travellers coming and going .

Here .

Misha stopped in front of a certain store .

Magic model shop [Hometown Of The Wounded Dragon] .

Its huge .

A female shopkeeper wearing a hat turned to us as we entered .

Oh? Welcome, Misha-chan . Have you come to make something today?

Nn .

Thank you as always . That magic model castle you made the other day has already sold . You really helped me out .

The shopkeeper opens a door leading further inside the shop .

Is that onii-san your boyfriend Misha-chan?

Misha glanced at me then shook her head .

Friend .

Im Arnos Voldigod .

The shopkeeper laughs then smiles at me .

Im Melissa Nomad . Nice to meet you .

Aah . By the way, whats a magic model?

Melissas face took on a surprised expression when I asked her .

. Theres nobody who doesnt know what a magic model is . Are you not from Deiruheido, onii-san? Where are you from?

If I said from 2000 years ago I wouldnt be believed .

From a remote region on the human continent of Azesion .

Heee . I see . Then Misha-chan came to show onii-san magic models .

Misha nods

Then feel free . No one is using the workshop at the moment .

I follow Misha and Melissa into the workshop where I see several magic formations drawn on the floor . Looking closer I see that they are restricted formations .

Restricted formations limit the type of magic that can be used and where they can be placed but offer high precision when used .

The room also contains shelves and a long table with a glass globes on top . Inside the glass globes were all sorts of scenes like miniature buildings, trees and flowers .

It was like someone has cut out landscapes and miniaturised them .

These are magic models . What do you think? Arent they great? Also, Misha-chan made this one .

Amongst all the glass spheres Melissa pointed to one that showed an ice castle built in a forest .

Its an exact replica on the one Misha made during the team battle with the demon forest in the background .

A piece of paper with the word [sold] on it is placed underneath it .

I see . They are made with Construction Creation <Ibis> .

Misha nods .

To make a huge structure using <Ibis> requires considerable magic power and understanding of the magic method used . Even more power and understanding is required to make small detailed things and thats where the restricted formations come in .

This model is excellent . To be this small and precise is great .

It would be very difficult .

The model Misha made fits in the palm of your hand yet the details are superb wherever you look .

Is this your favourite thing Misha?

I like making small detailed pieces .

Mishas voice which is usually monotonous seems more lively than usual .

Look .

Misha holds out a hand and activates the restricted formation .

Everyone eating together .

Using <Ibis> the glass ball appears first followed by the dining room in my house . Food appears on the table then Misha, Sasha, Ray, Misa, my mother and father appear . Its the exact scene of all of us eating in my house the other day .

Misha makes it look easy but its actually quite difficult to create such detailed models from a mental image alone . She may have a photographic memory .

She looks really happy . Her face which is usually expressionless is faintly breaking and smiling though she is also concentrating with her eyes firmly fixed on the model .

She suddenly stops working on the model and turns to me .

Boring?

She looks a bit uneasy .

Not at all . Its interesting . Even though its only for fun, pursuing smaller and finer details means you are approaching the abyss of <Ibis> .

Misha laughs her little *fufu* laugh again .

Arnos likes magic .

Ive never really thought so .

Misha shakes her head .

Likes .

Fumu . Ive never thought about it . For me, magic is like breathing .

Does it look that way?

Misha nods .

Then perhaps I do .

I dont really understand myself in a lot of ways .

If Misha says it is so then perhaps its worth considering?

She starts using <Ibis> again .

After a few minutes, my figure finally appears at the table and the magic model is complete .

Done .

Its very good .

I examine the magic model Misha made . The dining room is intricately detailed . I cannot imagine anyone else born in this era that is able to use <Ibis> like this .

Try?

If I do, Ill make a masterpiece like no other in this world .

A laugh came from behind me .

Big words onii-san but magic models have been around for 500 years . It wont be that easy .

Really? Then can you show me the best magic model?

. Ahh . As youd expected, the best model in the world is not in this store . There is a great one here though . Some say it is the best but thats subjective . Follow me .

I followed a happy looking Melissa over to where a lot of models were displayed .

The store is larger than expected and full of people .

Magic models appear to be popular in Deiruheido .

Through here is the magic model thats counted in the top ten . Its creator is unknown though . Its called the phantom gem and is supposed to have been made by a famous mazoku over the course of a decade .

Melissa takes me further into the depths of the store where beautiful magic models are lined up .

Im sure these are the expensive ones .

Further down a luxuriously decorated section comes into view with an elderly gentleman wearing a monocle standing there . Presumably, hes looking at the magic models .

A man who seems to be a clerk is accompanying him .

Aah, sorry that was careless of me . Can you wait a moment .

Is only one person at a time allowed to look at these models?

If I dont feel like waiting cant I just peep anyway?

Is that what Im supposed to aim for? Shall we come back when its quiet?

Wait just a bit . Thats the famous appraiser-sensei Demir Grahate . Everyone in this neighbourhood knows him . Hes a legendary appraiser . If you are recognised by him you are called a first-class magic model maker . Well, its a little rude but lets watch him .

Is this special treatment?

Whatever I can see well from here anyway .

. Hou . As expected of something called the phantom gem . Demir says while looking at the model .

Its about the size of a little finger but its so precisely built and faithfully reproduced inside . This is old Deruzogedo . Are the rumours of it being hundreds of years old true? Its splendid . Theres probably only 5 people in history who can use <Ibis> this well .

I became slightly interested so I enhanced my eyes and looked at the magic model .

Is that the magic model thats counted as one of the best ten?

You can see it onii-san? Thats right . Isnt it amazing? Are you regretting your remarks from a little while ago?

Melissa starts teasing me .

Regret? What are you saying? I could easily make that .

Demir who was eagerly looking at the magic model turned around and sent a sharp glance into the people around .

Who was it? Who just profaned this splendid work?

At his scolding tone, the lively shop falls silent .

Good grief . If you dont have the courage to come forward then dont say such thoughtless remarks . To have no respect for such a great work and to look down on it with such a remark is deplorable for lovers of magic models .

I called out to Demir who turned back to the model .

It was me who said it .

Demir turned to glare at me .

Im not diminishing that work at all . Im just stating facts .

Demir frowns at my remark .

Melissa who was standing next to me starts getting upset .

Errm, onii-san . ? Lets leave this area .

Itll be fine .

Be fine? Nee Misha-chan please stop him .

Misha stared at Melissa .

Be fine .

Ehhh . . be fine . .

Demir takes step towards me .

Are you a magic modeler?

No, but this level of <Ibis> is easy .

Demir laughs at my words .

Yare yare . A rank amateur . Listen up . Making a small model like this is harder than you think . If you can do it then go to the workshop and show me . Nn?

Thats unnecessary .

Demir laughs .

Thats it then . Be careful with your big mouth in the future . You should show more respect for great works and modelers .

Youve misunderstood . I can make it here without going to the workshop .

I hold out my hand and draw a formation .

The next moment a stone no smaller than a speck appeared in my hand .

Thats!

Demir trembled and stared at the tiny pebble in my hand .

An upset Melissa rushed over and bowed her head .

Im sorry! This onii-san is an amateur that knows nothing about magic models . Please forgive him

Did she think Demir was angry?

Demir answers Melissa .

What are you talking about?

Eh . . ?

Melissas face shows a blank expression .

Youre the owner of a magic model shop but youve said nothing at all about this work . If you dont understand the splendour of it then keep silent .

Melissa is stunned at the transformation of Demir .

Demir stares at the tiny stone Ive made .

Magic power fills the monocle and he activates his demon eyes .

. Aah . as I thoughtno, more than I thought . Its incredible . . if someone told me I wouldnt believe it . . Whats this!? This tiny grain is Deruzogedo castle! No, no its different . Not just Deruzogedois this the entire city? At 10,000 times magnification, no even a million and I still cant see all the details . .

If you make it a billion times magnification you should be able to see it fine .

A billion! You built a billionth scale magic model!?

It was easy .

Demir has an amazed expression on his face while his whole body shakes .

I cant believe it . A billionth scale magic model, without using a restricted formation done in an instant

Demir uses even more power and desperately stares at the very small model .

The monocle enlarges whatever hes looking at so it should be fine now .

. . Wonderfulits too splendid . !! What precision . How is such a thing even possible? You . . no . . ! Sensei! Please tell me your name!

Its Arnos Voldigod .

Arnos-sensei! I want to see more of your work! Ill make sensei the worlds best magic model maker! Please . Will you show me your work in the future? Ill pay any price you ask .

Yare yare . Such an exaggerated thing .

Because Demir is being noisy a crowd has gathered and seems to be interested in whats going on .

Should I leave quickly?

Sorry, but I dont intend to be a magic modeler .

Whaeven with all this talentwhy is that? Think of the wealth and fame!

Unfortunately, Im not interested in that .

Not interested!?

Demirs voice is going wild now .

When I point at the model which is floating in the air it moves to my palm and drops down .

Then sensei, would you at least sell this wonderful work? Ill pay whatever you want!!

Im sorry but Ive still got a use for it .

No way! Sensei! Arnos dai-sensei!(1)

I turn around and talk to Misha .

Im sorry . Ive caused a bit of a disturbance .

Misha shakes her head .

Done nothing wrong .

What about the uproar?

Arnos like thing to do .

Fumu . Misha isnt bothered .

Should we move on?

Nn .

Moving through the hustle and bustle of our surroundings we left the magic model shop .

(1) Dai-sensei = Great teacher/great master etc . Usually reserved for those at the top of their field .