554 - - Five hundred and fifty-two. - Hot blood.

The next morning, after the imojikai was over without incident, when we wanted to take a breather, an interrogation-like interview about imo-jochu began. We had an accident that drove Mel into a corner at first, and after that, we were asked many questions not only about imo-jochu but also about sake, which made us exhausted to the core. The topic of alcohol is extremely dangerous for Shilfi and the other great spirits.

"Hey, Master, is Meru-chan all right?"

"......"

Hey, Master, you and Sylphy are looking busy and in a good mood these days, are you sure you're okay?　What's scaring you for no reason?"

"......"

"Sister Gina, Marco, Master is probably tired. Please leave him alone.

"......"

"Why are you looking at me so far away?"

Hmm?　For some reason, my students are looking at me with anxious faces. Is something wrong?

"You all look worried, what's wrong?"

I don't think anything strange will happen in paradise, but spirits do sometimes do outlandish things, so you can never be absolutely sure. Is something troubling you?　

"No, we were worried because you didn't respond to us when we were talking to you. What's wrong with you, master?"

"...... I see, I was just thinking about something, but I'm sorry for worrying you guys. It's okay."

I was escaping from reality to be precise, but I was the cause of the anxious look on your face.

"So you said you talked to him, what were you talking to him about?"

"Let's see, I was strangely scared because Sylphy and the others were in such a good mood, Marco was worried about Mel, Sara told him to leave Master alone, and Kikka was concerned about Master's distant look, right?"

Gina seems to have summed it up succinctly.

"...... Sylphy and the others, well, you know, they're just floating around making booze, so don't worry about them. Thank you Sarah for being so considerate. Kikka, it's easier to think when you're looking far away."

I can't help it if Sylphy and his friends are in a good mood.

It's been about two weeks since the Nomos started making their new drink. I've been to the brewery a few times to see how it's doing, it's a great expansion and everyone seems to be working happily with scary smiles on their faces.

I've been so scared that I've decided it's best not to get involved with Sylphy and the others and just watch from afar.

I appreciate Sarah's concern. It's a shameful thing to be a master who has to be concerned about his students, but it's nice to see them being kind to each other.

To Kikka...I explained a little too forcefully. But I can't explain the way she looked at me when I was escaping from reality to a child, so I can't help it.

"Master, where's Mel?"

Well, I intentionally didn't answer Marco's question because I wanted to pretend I hadn't noticed if possible, but I guess I didn't go through with it.

Mel was the reason I was running away from reality.

It's not that Mel did anything wrong or got hurt or sick. Instead, he worked hard and improved his skills considerably.

He has been exposed to blacksmithing since he was a child and has a solid foundation from his parents' guidance, so he is absorbing knowledge and skills like a sponge.

He will master the creation of Damascus in the not-too-distant future, as Nomos, who is not an honest person, praises him without any complaints.

However, his personality or genre seems to have changed, and I think Marco senses this and feels uneasy about it.

Kind, reserved, a bit scared and stubborn.

I don't think the fundamental part of Mel's personality has changed, but a different Mel has appeared on a moment's notice.

I don't know how to describe it... hot-blooded!　Or, perhaps, a better way to put it.

If the daily life in paradise is in the "heartwarming" genre of manga, only the part of the workshop where Mel is training is in the "hot-blooded sport-contest" genre.

I am the cause of this hot-blooded space.

I have been giving Nomos, who wants to concentrate on brewing sake, some hot-blooded guidance in order to complete Mel's training as soon as possible so that he can concentrate on brewing sake.

I tried to stop him many times.

But Nomos is not doing anything reckless just because he is strict, and more than anything, Mel is responding to his passionate guidance by becoming passionate and eating up to his guidance.

Perhaps, only in the workshop, the time-space is distorted and connected to the world of sport contests. Not sports, but blacksmithing. .......

Moreover, Nomos and Mel's hot-bloodedness may have infected Meral and Mericelio, who are also showing signs of hot-bloodedness.

I'm not a fan of hot-bloodedness or athleticism, so I have no idea what to do.

Every day I pray that Mel's personality will not change any further. I guess I can be forgiven for escaping reality a little.

"Master?"

"Osho-sama, are you talking to me again?"

Oops, I guess I got a little carried away again. I'll try not to escape reality too much, since it would worry Gina and the others.

First, let me answer Marco's question, even though it's a difficult one.

"Well, Marco. You know Mel is working very hard right now, right?"

"I know. He's working so hard it's kind of scary. That's why I'm worried."

"Yeah. I'm worried about you, too. But you know, right now Mel is learning valuable, if not authentic, knowledge about the creation of Damascus, knowledge that has been lost to the human world. With the workshop in the labyrinth city, we can't spend too much time on it. Now is the time for Mel to work hard."

I'm surprised that the conversation has grown so big, though, when the goal was to shut up the old men who insisted on selling the workshop.

I mean, I'm in the camp that wants to stop Mel, but why are you talking to Marco in the direction of tolerating Mel's efforts?

"But ......"

"But Master, I think Sister Mel is trying too hard. Even after her training is over, she is always doing something, making cushions, reviewing what she has learned. If she doesn't rest, she might get sick."

Sara joined the conversation to follow Marco, who was at a loss for words. I had thought that Sara was looking out for Mel, but from the look on her face, I could tell that she was worried about him.

Still, he's not going to be able to stay in shape. It seems my students and I have different concerns.

"Don't worry about your body. I've promised to eat well and Vita checks on me every day so I won't get sick. I should have told you first, I'm sorry."

Mel became concerned and asked Vita to help. I also asked Vita to check on me and Gina and the others regularly so that we can take good care of ourselves.

We are probably the most health-conscious people in the world.

"Oh, I see. That's a relief. Right, Marco?"

"Yeah!"

The disciples' faces cleared up when they saw that Mel was OK. They must have been worried.

I'd like to rejoice with them, but I can't because I'm worried about their mental health.

I asked Vita about it, but she said that the part related to emotions is more the domain of the spirits of darkness.

Of course, Vita, who is a great spirit, can understand it to some extent, but it is a delicate area and it is dangerous to touch it carelessly.

It would be a complete disaster if Mel's personality changes drastically in an attempt to deal with her sporadic state.

There is a way to contract Onyx or other spirits of darkness to do something about it, but I don't like the idea of messing with his spirit in the first place, and I'm stuck in limbo.

"Master!　It's done!"

Suddenly, the living room door slammed open and Mel, in a state of excitement, jumped in.

The previous Mel would never have thought of opening the door noisily, nor would she have come to report loudly, holding up the unusually powerful and beautiful metal high in the air.

I'm sure it has affected his personality. But the completion of the work means that the training is over.

It's not a big change, and since the period of time was so short, it's likely to return to the original Mel in time. I feel a little ...... relieved.

"Congratulations, Mel!"

With a sense of relief, I send my congratulations to Mel. Gina and the others congratulate Mel after me, and the living room becomes lively at once.

Now that my fears have been allayed, we are going to have a feast tonight to celebrate.

"Ugh, I never thought I could really build a real Damascus. ...... I'm sure my parents and ancestors will be pleased. Thanks to Master and Nomos!　Thank you!"

"No, Nomos or not, I didn't do anything, and Mel's hard work paid off, so you should be proud of yourself. Congratulations, Mel. ......?　Real?　I thought Mel and his team couldn't build the real thing?"

Huh?　Am I remembering this wrong?

Oh, that's right. The reason we were able to build the real Damascus this time was because Nomos-sama helped us, and we could never have done it by ourselves.

"I see, Nomos helped."

I wonder if Nomos, who said he wanted to concentrate on brewing, wanted to teach Mel how to make real Damascus, which he didn't bother to teach, because he liked Mel so much that he wanted to give him the experience.

Nomos is a craftsman, too, and he may be a surprisingly good teacher and apprentice.

"So what happened to the one Mel was aiming for?"

Oh, we were able to build that one a few days ago. I'm sorry, I was so busy building the real Damascus that I didn't report it!

Mel looks flustered and bows his head. I see, it was completed a few days ago.

I feel a little disappointed because I was worried ...... about it, but well, it's no one's fault, so I guess I'll just have to accept it.

"Well, that's fine. Well, that's fine. So, I guess we're done with this training, right?"

"Yes!　Nomos-sama told me to hone my skills on my own!　I'll do my best!"

It looks like there are flames in your eyes, but I'm imagining it, aren't I?

At any rate, if he has finished his training, let's get Mel back to the labyrinth city as soon as possible. Then he will calm down a little.

...... It is not that we are afraid of infecting Bell and the others with Mel's hot air. I'm just worried about Mel's workshop.