After three days of work, it seems like it's finally complete. I've managed to make the gifts in time for Mimin's birthday tomorrow.
It's currently afternoon, and I'm at my usual spot on the hill. For the past two days, I've been working on these gifts from day to night, while taking as little breaks as I can manage. Only items of this quality can be considered as appropriate gifts for Mimin, after all.
Hm? What gifts did I prepare, you ask? Well, I made two magic stones out of silver, which is one of the highest quality metals that can be used for making magic stones. Ah, I had some silver left in my storage which I never used, in case you're wondering how I made the silver magic stones.
One of the silver magic stones function normally. It can be used as a container, to store magic, and to recover magic when needed. The size of this silver magic stone is the same size as Mimin's fist, which... isn't really that big, but since it's made with silver, it still has a large magic capacity, which is equal to Mimin's current magic capacity.
Mimin already has a large magic capacity for someone her age, and she also recovers her magic quickly, so I doubt she needs this silver magic stone. But, just in case she runs out of magic. Mimin tends to overexert herself, and it can be dangerous for her if that happens.
The second silver magic stone is different, though. Unlike the magic stone mentioned earlier, this one has been modified. This silver magic stone can't store magic. Instead, it can be used to measure the magic capacity of the user, and display it in a numerical value. Since silver has a high magic absorption rate, I made this magic stone using silver as well.
When Mimin passes her magic through this magic stone, it measures the density of the magic, and is able to give an estimate of her magic capacity from that. But she needs to be at full magic first, for the result to be accurate.
As for how I managed to make this work... It's too long to explain, so I won't bother explaining it.
Since it can be difficult for Mimin to tell exactly how much her magic capacity has improved, I made this magic stone to help her display it as a number. This silver magic stone is slightly smaller than the first one, because I ran out of silver while making this. But it shouldn't be an issue.
In summary, I made two silver magic stones. The first stone to store magic, and supply Mimin with magic when she needs it. The second stone to measure Mimin's magic capacity and display it in as a number.
(Are you sure you want to give Mimin these magic stones for her birthday?)
The Silverwolf Elder seems somewhat conflicted with my choice of gifts. These will be useful for Mimin, so I'm fine with it.
(It's fine, isn't it? You've already taught her how to use these things long ago. Right, Fluffy?)
(...You really don't need to call me that too, you know? Stop teasing me.)
(But Mimin calls you that, so why can't I?)
(...)
Ah, he's ignoring me again. He's always been like this every time I tease him about this. I wonder why?
Now that I have the gifts prepared, all that's left is to wait until tomorrow, to give them to Mimin for her birthday.
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It seems like they've returned from their hunt. According to the Silverwolf Elder, Mimin volunteered to join them, refusing to take a break just because it's her birthday tomorrow.
Since Mimin has gotten a lot stronger in the past few years, I expected her to return safely, but...
(...Mimin, what happened to you?)
Her shrine maiden clothes, which she rarely gets dirty, is now completely covered in blood. And it stinks with the smell of blood too. Her cheeks are wet from what seems to be her tears, and her dull eyes which lost their natural shine, appear to be lifeless.
I looked at the Silverwolves and White Foxes who accompanied her, asking for an explanation, but the four of them simply shook their heads. It seems like Mimin hasn't said anything to them either.
(You guys can leave now. I'll try to talk to Mimin.)
I dismissed the four of them, who went ahead to distribute the food they've gathered for lunch to everyone else. They're still worried about Mimin, which I understand. Mimin has never been in a depressed state like this before...
(Follow me, Mimin. I need you to explain what happened. But first, let me clean your clothes for you.)
I lead Mimin to an empty spot, and cover her in my magic so that others can't see her. When she takes off her clothes and passes it to me, I wash the blood off in a few minutes and return it to her. She then puts her clothes back on, and I release my magic that's covering her.
During this whole process, she's acting as if she lacks the intention to do anything. Her facial expression doesn't change, she doesn't say anything, and her ears and tail are completely motionless. Her eyes remains dull, as if suggesting that she's already dead inside.
...This is going to be difficult, isn't it? Getting Mimin to recover from this state. I'll try to talk to her over lunch, I suppose.
I picked out two Horned Rabbits, from the pile of food which is the result of the hunt, and put them in front of Mimin. However, Mimin just stares at them without any intention to do anything.
(...Don't wanna.)
(Hm? What are you talking about?)
(I don't want to eat.)
What's gotten into her? How can I get her to explain when she's like this?
(Why not?)
(...I can't. I've killed and destroyed... countless families.)
This is already difficult. I don't understand what Mimin is talking about, so I remain silent and let her continue.
(Because I killed two... nine more are going to die... They didn't deserve this...)
(...)
(I don't want to kill anymore... I don't want to eat anymore... I can't...)
Saying this, a few drops of tears fall from Mimin's eyes. She's been traumatized by something, and I can only listen to her talk about it.
(Mimin, you're not making any sense. Why don't you explain everything from the beginning? I want to help you, if it's possible.)
(...Yes.)