Chapter 15. A Meeting I Wanted to Avoid (1)
After lunch, Reina, Lidypin, and I headed to the Stia Workshop located on the north side of Iris Academy.
It was about a third the size of the main building, but since the main building itself was massive, the workshop was still enormous in its own right.
The entrance was a large black iron door so big it looked like it had been made for giants. The patterns engraved on the door and building surface gave off a solemn and sturdy atmosphere.
After receiving entry permission from the workshop supervisor near the entrance, the doors began to open.
Creeeaaak!
The massive iron doors opened, revealing first the enormous central hall and the open-plan workshop, which was divided into three distinct areas.
From the front, there were zones for leather and textile crafting, magic tool and potion crafting, and finally the largest space—the forge area.
Unlike the intricately magical and barrier-protected Tretia Pavilion, the Stia Workshop was powered entirely by machinery and structural engineering, without any magical enhancements.
Heavy, industrial constructs radiated waves that ensured student safety, and the door frames where the hall connected to each section served as boundaries separating inside and outside. Yet, the heat still seeped through and enveloped us.
This stifling heat had already been partially contained—without some resistance to fire, one couldn’t even step into the depths of the forge area.
Reina flinched at the oppressive heat and humidity, scrunching up her face.
“Ugh, it’s hot! Why did we even come here?!”
“Sorry, I’ll buy you something nice later.”
“Do I look like someone whose mood gets better with food…? …Well, what will you buy me?”
“How about the Bistecca Restaurant?”
“That place with the delicious meat dishes?!”
“Yeah.”
“Alright! I feel better now!”
She’s simple and cute, which is nice—but sometimes I worry I might get tricked into something just by bribing her with food.
“You said we’re heading to the leather and textile section, right? Let’s finish quickly and get out of here!”
With that, Reina took the lead, and Lidypin smiled while watching her, then turned to me and asked:
“Y-You two seem to have known each other for a long time. You’re really close.”
I had known Reina for quite a while, but—
“We first met during the entrance exam.”
“R-Really?”
“Really. Ask Reina later if you want.”
“N-No, I was just curious. I guess I’m a little envious… just a little…”
“What’s there to be envious about? You can get close to us too. Even if you say no, Reina and I aren’t letting go.”
“I-I’d be happy if you did…!”
Her self-esteem was frustratingly low for someone so talented, but she wasn’t annoying about it.
So, we headed to the leather and textile section.
There, many second- and third-years were hard at work making and dismantling equipment through trial and error.
We carefully found an empty spot so as not to disturb anyone, but I noticed Reina’s gaze had been fixed on the forge area for a while.
“Wow… So that’s how weapons are made…”
Just as planned.
I smiled softly and spoke to Reina.
“I’m the only one with actual business here. I’ll be done soon, so if you want to look around, go ahead.”
“Can I? Wouldn’t that be a bother to them?”
“If just looking around were a bother, they’d be working in private workshops. As long as you don’t touch anything, no one will mind.”
“Really?! Then I’m going!”
“Be careful.”
Reina darted off like an excited puppy, and I turned to Lidypin.
“Sorry to ask, but could you keep an eye on Reina for me? She’ll probably be fine, but I’d feel better.”
“Ah, yes! I-I’ll do my best!”
Once they were both gone, I was finally alone—just as planned.
Today, I intended to enchant my clothes in preparation for the ambush planned during next week’s freshman orientation.
Normally, mana stones are single-use, but when enchanted into gear, their usage depends on the item’s quality. The high-grade mana stone I received from Ria Hailyn would make the enchantment permanent.
I had intended to use a mid-grade stone for a semi-permanent enchantment on self-made clothing—but I figured I might end up using this outfit longer than expected.
Of course, it would be bad if Reina or anyone else saw what I was doing, which is why I sent them away.
The students around me were focused on their own tasks, so no one paid me any attention.
Just to be extra cautious, I moved to a far corner of the leather and textile area.
【Advanced Fabric Workbench】【Crafting: Level 3】
Enchant
Apply Enchantment
Remove Enchantment
Disassemble
Craft Armor
I could have done the enchantments at the Tretia Pavilion too, but the reason I came here was because this workshop had better facilities.
The advanced fabric workbench increased success rates and experience gain when crafting or enchanting cloth-based gear.
Since I was using a high-grade mana stone, I wanted to minimize the risk of failure—so despite the danger, I came here.
So far, no issues.
I prepared the enchantment:
[Apply Enchantment]
Target: Patched Shirt (Black)
Item Used: High-grade Invisibility Mana Stone
Success Rate: 90%
Thanks to the probability boost from the advanced workbench and reaching Level 3 by crafting and disassembling cloth for two days straight, I had achieved a 90% success rate even without specific crafting skills.
Honestly, a 10% failure chance is negligible.
I started the enchantment—and succeeded immediately…!
[Enchantment Failed]
…?
It failed?
Surprised, I calmed myself and tried again with another stone.
Right. One failure in ten tries—it’s just bad luck…
[Enchantment Failed]
What? A bug?
I had gotten three consecutive critical successes last time. Now two failures?
I swallowed my frustration and tried once more.
[Enchantment Successful]
Equipped: Patched Shirt (Black) with High-grade Invisibility
Type: Armor (Shirt)
Rarity: Common
Description: Made from fine fabric, this patched shirt is more durable than typical ones. Includes a hood that reduces the chance of being identified.
Enchanted Skill: High-grade Invisibility
Effect: Renders the user invisible and suppresses presence for 1 minute. Ends upon attack or being hit. Cooldown: 1 hour.
Whew.
If it had failed three times, I’d have tossed the shirt out of spite.
Still, the finished product was satisfying.
I wanted to stop there, but I still had pants to enchant.
Worried I’d need to perform some rain-warding ritual if I failed again, I tried it—and succeeded on the first try.
Lastly, the face mask—if I waited, it might turn out like the shirt—so I enchanted it right away. It also succeeded on the first try.
Although it was shoddily made and not considered actual gear before, the enchantment brought up an equipment description:
[Equipped]
Sloppily Made Mask (Black) with High-grade Voice Distortion
Type: Face Accessory
Rarity: Common
Description: Made from high-quality fabric but carelessly assembled. Low durability and defense.
Enchanted Skill: High-grade Voice Distortion
Effect: Uses mana to alter the user’s voice, making it extremely difficult to identify. With more mana, can mimic a preset voice.
There were still some problems, but this mostly wrapped up preparations for the first ambush.
I should’ve had six Invisibility stones, but after enchanting two items, I only had two left.
It would’ve been better if I had leftover Voice Distortion stones instead…
I stored the gear into my subspace pouch, when—
“Ban Astraea.”
A familiar male voice called out.
Wait, why is that voice here…?
No way, I thought optimistically. But that annoyingly deep, arrogant voice belonged to only one person.
“Haha… Didn’t I tell you not to talk to me?”
“I never said I couldn’t talk to you. So, what are you doing here?”
I slowly turned toward the voice—and there stood Drenor, the protagonist of Spell Breaker.
Am I screwed?
Drenor wore his usual expressionless face, but his eyes were fixed on me with pinpoint accuracy.
“Didn’t you hear me? Or is it a question you’d rather not answer?”
What’s this guy doing in the workshop?! I mean, he’s vice-captain of the Martial Arts Division, so technically, he’s allowed in…
Wait, did he see me enchant something? Did he figure it out?
No, I haven’t done anything wrong—at least not yet.
I need to say something!
In less than a second, my brain ran through a thousand possible replies and scenarios. Finally, I gave my answer:
“What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that.”
I chose the “play dumb” strategy.
Rather than guessing and saying something suspicious, it was safer to find out exactly what he saw.
Drenor scanned me from head to toe with a doubtful look.
“I just can’t figure out why you’re here in the workshop.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Ban Astraea. Empire’s most notorious troublemaker. Direct heir of the Astraea family. Not exactly the crafting type, are you?”
“…Fair point.”
His suspicion was totally valid—but that just made it all the more annoying.
At least it didn’t seem like he caught me enchanting anything.
Which was a relief, since I’d have to face him disguised someday.
“I recently got some good mana stones, so I figured I’d try enchanting the cloth items I usually wear. Though, they all failed.”
“Judging by your trembling hands and twitching pupils, I’d say you failed hard.”
Looking oddly amused, Drenor nodded in understanding.
Guess he thinks it serves me right for teasing him before.
“Anyway, since you’re talking to me first, does that mean I can start conversations now?”
“No. On second thought, it pisses me off. Don’t talk to me again.”
“But we share classes. Can’t we at least exchange a few words?”
“Then wait at least three days. If you talk to me before that, I’ll kill you.”
What does three days have to do with anything?
I can never tell if he’s being blunt or pretending to be.
As Drenor turned to leave, I stopped him.
“I came here to enchant something—but why are you here?”
“My friend had business at the Stia Workshop. I used my vice-captain privilege to accompany her and observe.”
Weird. There’s no event in the game at this point that should bring Drenor here. And that “friend” must be—
“You mean Sonia Cerium?”
“Yes.”
Sonia’s a main character—I know all her events. And none of them involve this workshop. And she asked Drenor to bring her?
“What’s she here for?”
“I don’t know.”
“Which section did she go to?”
Drenor frowned, slightly annoyed.
“Why are you asking? Do you have a reason to know?”
“Well, I mean…”
Guess I shouldn’t push it.
I patted his shoulder and laughed.
“Sorry. Just figured I’d give you a taste of your own medicine since you were suspicious of me.”
“…I see. My reaction may have been excessive. I apologize.”
“No worries. Have fun with your tour. I’ve got people waiting.”
Just as I was about to leave, Drenor called again.
“Ban Astraea.”
“What now?”
Drenor paused, eyes closed, then finally spoke.
“Professor Lauzer didn’t say anything, but I think you did pretty well in the Behemoth exercise. That arson strategy was probably your idea.”
Damn, he’s sharp.
Drenor calmly voiced his analysis, then pointed at me.
“But next time, I’ll beat you. That’s all.”
That was Drenor’s version of a compliment.
It meant he thought I was better than him—for now.
Getting praised—especially by Drenor—made me chuckle.
“Thanks. You did well too.”
“That wasn’t praise. Don’t misunderstand.”
“Sure~ I’m just saying you did well.”
“…I’m leaving now.”
And with that, Drenor walked away briskly.
