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AFTER having dinner with Lord Viol and taking our baths, the two of us could relax together in our usual manner.
I immediately picked up the magical device that was lying beside the bed.
Lord Viol wandered back into the room, softly towel-drying his wet black hair. When he saw what I was holding, he smiled a little.
“Ah, your magical device from Gil and company?”
“Yes. Actually, I ran into Arles on my way home. I was able to say a personal thank you!”
Of course, I was going to learn the fire magic in secret from Lord Viol. I was going to get really good and surprise him soon!
“I see. Well, good. I’d like to thank them all personally as well for this amazing magical device.”
“It might be difficult to find the time to do so, but it would be very nice of you.”
I was pleased that Lord Viol felt the same way I did. He gazed at the magical device I was holding and narrowed his eyes a little with a smile.
“…Such a fun little device. Especially pleasant on a clear night like this one.”
“I agree. These kinds of magical devices are great for when you need to relax.”
Just make the room dark, magically activate the device, and press the button. So easy to use… But this magical device was packed full of wonderful effects that were so soothing.
“Okay, I’ll push the button now.”
“Um, should I turn off the lights?” he asked.
“Oh, please do.”
As soon as the room darkened, I pushed the button.
Then… WHIRRR. I heard small gears moving inside it.
“The light is so soft and beautiful.”
The round ball slowly rotated inside the slim, beautiful glass vial, emitting a beautiful light. The floral engraving on the glass vial sent little flowers of light dancing all over the walls of the room. Then the glass lid slowly lifted, and a gentle floral scent wafted out as a music-box-style melody filled the air.
I’d last used it only yesterday, but I was struck all over again by how lovely it was, how soothing.
“Light, sound, and scent. I wonder how they actually do all of this,” I said.
“Hmm? Didn’t you ask Arles..?”
Lord Viol looked at me curiously, though I hadn’t intended to muse about the device out loud. I smiled a little wryly.
“Yes, it was explained to me, but… I still didn’t quite understand it.”
“Hmm. So then, what were you told about how it works?” Lord Viol, now seated beside me, examined the magical device with intrigued eyes.
“There are three magic stones inside the vial… When you press the button, the magic stone containing fire is activated first.”
“Hmm, then perhaps this round ball starts spinning because of the heat generated by the fire magic.”
“Yes, I think so… Then, when the temperature inside the vial rises, the other two magic stones start to rotate as well, releasing the light and sound inside them.”
“Then the scent is connected to the fire magic as well.”
“Yes, it seems that way. It made sense to me at the time… But when I think about it, I can’t understand how the light and sound stored inside it is reproduced…”
“I see.” Lord Viol chuckled. “First, this round ball emits light, begins to rotate, and then the lid rises up, right? There must be some kind of spell stored within the three magic stones and the vial that works in conjunction with fire magic.”
“Wow, they can do all sorts of things, huh?”
“Yes. It surprises me, as well. Incorporating different magics, in tandem, in one magic device… That’s fairly complex and advanced stuff.”
“It certainly sounds so. I haven’t even started learning any of this yet.”
“Well, of course. But that’s why I’m surprised. Those newbie High Mages producing a device of this quality for a gift…? I wouldn’t have expected that.”
“Hehe. Everyone really works hard.”
I felt proud, somehow, to hear Lord Viol praising my peers.
When I thought about how everyone had worked together to create such a wonderful magical device for Lord Viol and me, happiness and gratitude overwhelmed me.
“It really is a splendid magical device,” I said.
“Yes, I think so as well. I have to be honest… I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t love to take it all apart and see exactly how it works. But I won’t.” Lord Viol paused after saying that typically Lord Viol-esque thing… then he seemed to snap out of his obsession and come back to the real world. Adorable. “I think the three who made this would prefer if we just enjoyed its effects. The light, sound, and scent… Rather than fixating on how it’s put together.”
Lord Viol has a greater fascination for magical devices than anyone else I can think of, but he’s also inherently kind, able to consider the specific feelings of the people who’d gifted us this special item. I really love that side of him. Every time I notice it like this, I smile all over again.
“Well then, let us enjoy this wonderful device for what it is out of respect for those who gifted it to us.”
Lord Viol reclined comfortably on the sofa and beckoned me to join him.
I snuggled up against him, and we lay there and watched the lights flicker against the walls, both enjoying the special, soothing moment.