In the end, both Renji and my father limited me to just one sauna session. They said that too much could be bad for my body. Apparently, typical sauna enthusiasts go for three rounds, but maybe I'll try that once I'm an adult. For now, though, I sipped on "Oropo," a drink they recommended for rehydration after a sauna session.
They told me that drinking this "Oropo" after a sauna session helps replenish fluids, so I gave it a shot. It was surprisingly tasty and refreshing, and I could feel the water coursing through my body. But, honestly, couldn't I have just had a sports drink?
With these random thoughts floating around, I realized I had an oddly clear sense of mind—a kind of openness I'd never quite felt before. Maybe this sauna experience was worth it after all.
After we finished our time in the sauna, we changed into fresh clothes and headed to the inn's front lobby to wait for the girls to return. Sitting on a sofa, I sipped on some green tea as steam rose from the cup in front of me. The large windows behind my father and Renji overlooked the inn's courtyard, where the vibrant red and orange of the autumn leaves created a picturesque scene. It almost felt like stepping into a traditional painting, which somehow made the tea taste even better.
So, why were we waiting for the girls in the lobby? Because we were about to head off to meet the legendary swordsmith who could forge a you-tou—a magic sword crafted from a demon's remains.
Excitement bubbled within me as I thought about finally having a weapon of my own, while another part of me worried about how Nina-chan was doing after her time in the hot spring. The emotions swirled together, leaving me feeling restless. As I distracted myself with some of the sweets on the table, my father glanced over at me and asked:
"So, Itsuki, have you decided which one you'll use?"
"You mean which relic?"
"That's right."
The you-tou would be forged from one of my relics, meaning I had to choose which one.
I currently had three relics:
Raikou Douji
,
Akeno Harunaga's Insect
, and the
Puppet, Luppet, Marionette
—the last one being the relic left by the demon that had killed Nina's father.
I gazed at each of the relics hanging around my neck, feeling their weight, before nodding confidently.
"Yes, I've made my choice."
"Good."
After my reply, my father took a sip of his tea, muttering "Hot!" as he pulled the cup away. My dad's always been a bit of a lightweight when it comes to hot food and drinks.
Satisfied with my answer, he didn't press me to reveal which relic I'd chosen. As I slipped them back under my shirt, I noticed Nina-chan and Aya-chan coming down the hall.
"Yes. The swordsmith's workshop is located at a ley line's energy nexus. It's best if only the exorcists go. The powerful energy there could affect anyone unaccustomed to it, even Hina. Although she's been practicing magic, it's safer for her to wait until she's older."
"What would happen if someone isn't used to the energy?" I asked.
"Nausea, dizziness, headaches, possibly even hallucinations or auditory distortions... that sort of thing."
"Oh... okay."
Hearing the list of symptoms, I felt relieved that Hina and the others wouldn't be joining us. I stood, ready to go, and took Nina-chan's hand to guide her outside. But then I felt someone take my other hand.
"Aya-chan?"
"It's more balanced this way, don't you think?" she said with a bright smile.
"Oh, um... yeah. I guess it is?" I replied, a bit taken aback by her directness.
"We should hurry, or we'll fall behind," she urged.
"R-right!"
Before I could fully process what was happening, I found myself following my father and Renji with both Nina-chan and Aya-chan in tow. Glancing back, I noticed the adults chuckling at the sight. It was... a little embarrassing, to be honest.
But since it didn't seem right to pull my hands free, I let them hold on and turned my attention back to the task at hand.
"Hey, Dad... how are we getting to the swordsmith?"
"We'll go part of the way by car."
"Part of the way?"
"From there, we'll be hiking up the mountain."
Hiking. Right after a hot spring session?
I felt my muscles ache in protest even before we started. It was true I'd gone on hikes before, but those were mostly local trails or short distances around our neighborhood. A hike to a swordsmith's workshop at a ley line nexus felt like a whole different challenge.
Seeing my expression, Renji grinned and clapped me on the shoulder.
"It's a great workout, and besides, you'll be carrying your own weapon soon. Gotta build up that endurance!"
"Y-yeah," I replied, smiling nervously.
But despite my apprehension, a flicker of excitement began to grow within me as we started our journey.