CH 246

“Chapter 246: Original Skill”

After falling for several meters, we landed safely and unscathed on a cushion of feathers probably made by Ernika.

– Takaya, are you okay?

– Somehow.

I looked up, but no signs of Mike or Leonis.

Clearly I’m their objective in this disaster. The best course of action is to retreat as soon as possible.

– Man, I’m freezing in here. Takaya, can you make some more of that heat potion thing? (Dyke)

– Uhh…

– Ah, right, your powers. Sorry.

– Don’t worry. It’s not your fault.

I need to get them back.

But is it really going to be so easy?

In a scenario where we have to beat Ernika to recover them, how would we fare?

Not very well. At all.

– I’m sorry. (Takaya)

– What was that?

– Nothing. Let’s keep moving.

At that moment, a beetle landed on my shoulder.

I guess she doesn’t need to hide her true intentions anymore.

– Is that one of those bugs?

– Yes. It’s Shiori’s. (Takaya)

– So she’s coming to help us!?

– Sadly, no.

– What?

– You see…

I explained the situation to the three of them. They seemed doubtful at first, but eventually, everything clicked in their minds.

– Now that you said it, she always seemed a little off. (Meirir)

– What do you mean? (Takaya)

– Well, she would talk about you and only you. It’s like we barely existed for her.

The beetle flew away and we decided to follow it through the darkness of the pit.

After an hour or so of walking and constant left and right turns we lost sight of the beetle.

– What is this?

We walked into a huge dark room made of stone bricks with a candelabrum and an altar in the middle.

This had to be built by human hands.

Interrupting my thoughts, a flame lit up the candles on the altar, illuminating the room.

The figure of a person bounded by light chains was revealed.

– Takaya!? What are you doing here!?

– …That’s what I’d like to know, Grandmaster.

She was wearing the formal attire that she never uses. A dark green robe covering her entire body.

Mike said Ever was at the top of the mountain.

Which means, we’re on the highest point of Snowpeak.

– Thank you for coming, Nagami-kun. I would’ve loved to pick you up myself, but this woman right here can be troublesome oftentimes. If I took too long she might’ve broken the chains.

Shiori was wearing her uniform under a white robe similar to Ernika’s.

– I’m glad you’re fine. (Takaya)

– Is that so? (Shiori)

– Yeah. If you died I wouldn’t be able to get back what you stole.

– I see you’ve realized.

Grinning, Shiori made a small recovery potion on her hand and poured it into a glass.

– I must say, your powers don’t cease to amaze me. Processing, refining, blacksmithing, mixing… Truly a creator.

– Give them back… Is what I’d like to say, but I’m assuming you won’t do it. Just like the girls that escaped with you.

Showing the personality that she had been hiding all this time, the edges of Shiori’s lips curved.

– Little girl, I hope you understand the consequences of laying a finger on my disciple. (Ever)

– Don’t be silly. I took Takaya’s powers of Master Adaptability, not even Ernika can’t stop me. What do you think you’ll be able to do?

– Master… Adaptability?

Ever and I were equally confused.

I was told that my powers were “Manufacturing and Production”. I’ve seen my tree on many occasions.

Why would Shiori lie?

I was useless. That’s why my classmates kicked me out.

– …Don’t tell me it was all your fault.

– Hehe… Let me tell you about my Original Skill, and why you were left with only processing skills.

※

Shiori’s story begins way before the accident. When she first met Nagami Takaya.