Bonus Story:
Gratitude For Kind Gifts
ONE DAY, ON MY DAY OFF, I WAS SITTING IN THE living room when Miina came over to me.
“I’d like to ask you about something, Miss Daisy.” She knotted her fingers together anxiously.
I patted the spot on the sofa next to me and gave her a reassuring smile. “Sure. Come sit down.” Her face lit up with a happy smile as she sat down next to me.
“So, what is it?” I asked.
“You know those two regular adventurer customers of ours, who bring us little gifts? I was thinking I’d like to give them something in return. They’ve given us so much.”
She was talking about the couple who had brought in things like the fancy bloodcow meat, claiming it was just souvenirs from their journeys. The total value of the gifts was probably a lot, however.
“You’re right,” I said. “They’ve given us so much that we could share with everyone. We should prepare a thank-you gift from all of us here at the shop.”
Miina’s face brightened instantly, her expression almost glowing. “Thank you so much!” she exclaimed.
“But what should we give them?” I asked. Miina interacted with them the most, and I realized I had no idea what sort of gift they’d appreciate.
Adventurers, hmm…
I sat there pondering when suddenly Miina spoke up. “Well… I don’t have any family, other than everyone here at the workshop and your family back home, Miss Daisy. Those are the only people I’m really close to. So…these customers are dear to me.” I could hear the sincerity in her voice; I reached over and gently patted her on the head.
“Oh!” I must have surprised her, because Miina blushed faintly, her cheeks turning a light pink. “I know it might be presumptuous of me, but I’d like to give them something for protection, like the pendants you gave to us. Something that means ‘Please return safely.’” She looked up at me hopefully.
That made sense. They were adventurers, so there was no telling what dangers they faced once they set out.
“But just asking you to make it for me feels wrong. I wish there was something I could do to contribute.” Miina’s tail drooped and she lowered her head.
“Aw, come on. What are you talking about?” I said. “Of course you’re going to help!”
She started flailing her hands in a panic. “Wh-wh-wha—!”
I rested both my hands on her shoulders to steady her. “Both Alchemy and magic start with feeling. Your feelings for them matter the most to make this gift truly special,” I said.
That was something my tutor Miss Yulia and my mentor Ana both had taught me. “Magic is imagination.” And if imagination was the key, then gentle wishes and caring thoughts could give even more power. I was sure of it.
Miina listened to every word, and slowly, the brightness returned to her eyes. “Okay! I’ve never done this before, so I’m a bit nervous, but I’ll do my best!”
“All right, then. How about we go shopping for materials together tomorrow and see what we can find?” I suggested.
“Okay!”
The next day, once the bread was baked and ready to go, we asked Ariel to mind the store for us while Miina and I went shopping.
We walked into that one shop I liked that always seemed to have hidden treasures tucked away.
“Hello there, little Alchemist! Are you looking for something in particular today?” the shopkeeper said, greeting us warmly as always. “Feel free to take your time and browse. And you as well, miss. Just ask if you’ve got any questions!”
Miina stepped forward and explained in a soft but steady voice. “I’m hoping to find a gem we can use to make a protective charm. It’s a thank-you gift for some adventurers who have been very kind to us.”
“Well, you came at just the right time!” he said. “I’ve got some protection stones in stock! They have modest defensive properties. Affordable, too, so they make for perfect gifts. Hang on, I’ll get one from the back.”
He disappeared behind the counter and returned a few moments later holding a perfectly ordinary-looking round stone. “Here you go. What do you think, miss? I know you’ve got a good eye for these things.”
I reached out and carefully Appraised it.
Protection Stone
Classification: Mineral, Material
Quality: Good
Rarity: C
Status: Increases defense by 10% when forged into equipment.
Feeling: I’ll protect you!
Yes, this would be a wonderful gift!
I pretended I only listened to the shopkeeper’s explanation, then walked back to where Miina was waiting and told her about the stone’s properties. Her eyes widened and her face lit up with happiness.
“So if they wear this stone, they’ll be protected? That way they can come home safely, even when they’re out doing dangerous quests!”
“I think so too,” I said. “Let’s make it together with your wish in mind!”
We didn’t waste another moment; we bought the stone and headed back to the workshop.
When we got back, the two of us went into the lab and I picked out a silver from the ingot shelf that would blend well with the stone.
“All right, let’s make the alloy, Miina,” I said. “I’ll need the strength of your heart too!”
“Okay!”
We both put on thick aprons and pulled on our gloves. I placed the silver ingot and the protection stone in the Alchemy cauldron. Gripping the stirring rod, I glanced at Miina, who was beside me. “I’ll let you know when I need your help, okay?”
“Okay!” She nodded eagerly.
Here we go. Help me grant Miina’s wish!
I poured all my mana into the cauldron, focusing on heating it as intensely as I could. As I held the stirring rod, the cauldron’s contents started to glow, and the silver began to melt.
Come together, blend!
Protection Ingot
Classification: Alloy, Material
Quality: Low
Rarity: C
Status: Increases defense by 10%. However, the bond is weak, so it likely will not reach its full potential.
Feeling: Your prayers aren’t strong enough yet!
Right. We’d only melted and combined the components so far; this is where the real work began. I channeled my mana into the rod, along with all the hopes we had for the adventurers we cared about and stirred in wide, steady circles.
“Miina! Put your hands on the rod next to mine and think about your wish!” I called out, and she hurried to grasp the rod with me. Even though she only had a normal, basic level of mana, her strong feelings would still convey her intent. I was certain of it.
Together, we stirred with the rod again and again. Miina’s eyes were closed, a solemn expression on her face like she was praying.
Slowly, a change began to occur inside the cauldron.
Protection Ingot
Classification: Alloy, Material
Quality: High
Rarity: B
Status: Increases defense by 20%. A special material infused with the pure wishes of a kind girl.
Feeling: I swear I’ll protect the ones you care about!
I knew it! Wishing to protect others really does have power! I felt a surge of pride and admiration for Miina’s accomplishment.
“It’s perfect, Miina! This all happened because you poured your heart into it!” I praised her. She looked totally flustered. Of course, she had no way to gauge if that was true, but she still gave me a relieved smile.
Afterward, we poured the mixture into an ingot mold, let it cool, and asked Lynn to make it into pendants.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Really? A thank-you gift for us?”
The day the pendants were ready, the two adventurers came by the bakery. Miina handed them a couple of little wrapped boxes.
The adventurers accepted the gifts with baffled looks on their faces. Truthfully, guarding us was simply their duty, so it must have seemed strange to receive a gift for it.
“You’ve brought us so many gifts and souvenirs from your journeys,” said Miina. “This is just a small token of gratitude from everyone at the workshop.”
They unwrapped the boxes and opened them to find the pendants resting inside.
“A pendant?”
“Yes. If you wear it, it’ll increase your defense by 20 percent. I-I wanted to give you something to help you come back safely from your journeys,” Miina said warmly, her expression clear and bright.
“This is so valuable, though!” the woman protested. “It’s worth far more than anything we’ve brought you.” Miina reached out and gently closed the woman’s fingers over the pendant.
“This is my wish for you. Please accept it.” She looked so earnest the two adventurers couldn’t help but smile, knowing it would be fruitless to argue.
“Thank you,” said the man. “We’ll treasure it, and come back with more souvenirs next time.” He lifted a hand and gently patted Miina on the head.
After the pair left the workshop, they slipped into a quiet alley.
“We’re lucky, aren’t we?” Shadow said to Bird.
The two of them had given up their real names and lived in the shadows with no true home to return to. And yet, there was a girl who wished for them to come back home safely.
“Yes, Shadow, we are,” said Bird. “I never thought we’d find a place to belong like this.”
Together, they put the pendants around their necks. Their duties had originally been just the king’s orders, but somewhere along the way this place had become precious to them.
“Come on. Let’s protect them always.” They clasped their hands around the pendants, renewing their vow.