After lunch, Reina, Ridipin, and I headed to Stia Workshop, located in the northern part of Iris Academy.
It was only about one-third the size of the main building, but the main building was so enormous that Stia Workshop was also immense in its own right.
The entrance was so large that it seemed built for a giant, with massive black iron doors. The patterns engraved into the doors and the building's exterior created an atmosphere that was both rugged and solemn.
Once the workshop administrator near the entrance granted us permission to enter, the workshop doors opened.
GRRRRNNNN!
Beyond the massive iron doors, the first things we saw were an enormous central hall and a workshop divided into three areas without walls.
From front to back, there were the Leather and Textile Crafting Area, the Magic Tool and Potion Crafting Area, and finally the Forge Area, which occupied the largest portion of the workshop.
Unlike Trihi Hall, which had been enhanced with all manner of magic and barriers, Stia Workshop contained no magical enhancements whatsoever. It was filled solely with the power of various installations and devices.
Waves emanating from the massive installations ensured the students' safety, while the doorframes where the hall met each area isolated the interior from the exterior. Even so, heat that had not been fully contained washed over us.
Even this hot, humid air had already been contained to a certain degree. Without fire resistance, one could not even enter the depths of the Forge Area.
Meanwhile, Reina recoiled and grimaced at the hot, humid air.
"Ugh, it's hot. Why did you ask me to come here?!"
"Sorry. I'll buy you something delicious later."
"Do I look like the kind of person whose mood instantly improves when someone offers me food? ......What are you buying me, anyway?"
"How about Bistecca Restaurant?"
"The place famous for its delicious meat dishes?!"
"That's right."
"Great! I feel better now!"
I liked that she was so simple and adorable, but sometimes I worried that someone would promise her delicious food, lure her along, and lead her straight into a trap.
"You said we're going to the leather and textile area, right? Let's finish quickly and get out of here!"
Reina took the lead. As Ridipin smiled at the sight, she asked me,
"Y-You two seem to have known each other for quite a long time. You look very close."
Of course, I had known Reina for quite a long time.
"We first met during the Entrance Examination."
"R-Really?"
"Really. Ask Reina later."
"N-No, that is all right. I only asked because I was curious. I suppose I am a little envious....... That is all......."
"What are you envious of? You can just become close to us too. Even if you say no, Reina and I won't let you go."
"I-I would be delighted if you did that......!"
Her self-esteem was frustratingly low compared to her talent, but it was not enough to make me dislike her.
We made our way to the Leather and Textile Crafting Area.
Many second- and third-years were going through trial and error as they crafted and dismantled leather and cloth equipment.
We carefully searched for an empty space so we would not disturb them, but Reina's gaze had been fixed on the Forge Area for some time.
"Wow....... So that's how weapons are made......."
Just as planned.
I gave Reina a gentle smile.
"I'm the only one who has business here, and it won't take long. If you want to look around, go ahead."
"Are you sure? Wouldn't that be a nuisance?"
"Anyone who considers being watched a nuisance would usually use a private workshop. The people here won't complain as long as you don't touch anything."
"Really?! Then I'll go look around!"
"All right. Be careful."
After Reina bounded away like a puppy going out for a walk, I made a request of Ridipin.
"Sorry, but could you keep an eye on Reina? Nothing should happen if she only watches, but I'm a little worried."
"Ah, yes! I-I will do my best!"
Once I had sent Ridipin after her, I was alone, exactly as planned.
Today, I intended to enchant some clothes in preparation for the attack that would occur during next week's freshman initiation ceremony.
Magic Stones were consumable by nature, but enchanting them into weapons or equipment increased the number of times they could be used according to their Grade. The High-Grade Magic Stones I had received from Ria Heilin could be used permanently once enchanted.
I had planned to use Mid-Grade Magic Stones, which could be used semi-permanently, because I intended to enchant clothes I had made myself. But it seemed I would be using these clothes longer than expected.
And naturally, it would be troublesome if Reina or anyone else remained as a witness. That was why I had separated Reina and Ridipin from me.
Just as the game settings dictated, the students were all focused on their own work, so no one paid attention to me.
Even so, exercising the utmost caution, I headed to a corner of the Leather and Textile Crafting Area.
【High-Grade Cloth Workbench】【Crafting : Level 3】
【Enchanting】
【Apply Enchantment】
【Remove Enchantment】
【Dismantling】
【Armor Crafting】
Enchanting was also possible at the Workbench in Tatia Hall. Even so, I had gone out of my way to visit Stia Workshop because the Workbench here was of a much higher Grade.
The High-Grade Cloth Workbench increased the probability modifier and the rate at which Crafting Experience was gained when crafting or enchanting cloth equipment.
Since I was using High-Grade Magic Stones, I wanted to eliminate the chance of failure as much as possible, so I had accepted the risk of coming to the workshop.
Not that anything dangerous had happened so far.
With that, I prepared to Apply Enchantment.
【Apply Enchantment】
【Target : Patched Top (Black)】
【Item Used : High-Grade Stealth Magic Stone】
【Success Rate : 90%】
Thanks to the probability modifier from the High-Grade Workbench and the fact that I had reached Crafting Level 3 by repeatedly crafting and dismantling the cloth I received from Ria Heilin over the past two days, I had raised the success rate to 90% without any crafting-related Skills.
In truth, a 10% failure rate might as well not exist.
I immediately began applying the Enchantment, and it succeeded at once......!
【Enchanting failed.】
......?
I failed that?
I was bewildered, but I quickly calmed down and used the next Magic Stone.
Right. It only failed once every ten attempts. I was just unlucky.......
【Enchanting failed.】
What? Is this a bug?
When I made the clothes last time, I achieved Great Success three times in a row, so why am I failing twice in a row now?!
I suppressed the indignation threatening to burst out of me and tried again.
【Enchanting succeeded.】
【Equipment】
【High-Grade Stealth Patched Top (Black)】
【Grade : Common】
【Category : Top】
【Description : Thanks to the high-quality fabric used to make it, this item is more durable than an ordinary Patched Top. Its hood reduces the chance of the wearer's identity being discovered.
+A High-Grade Stealth Magic Stone has been enchanted into the item, adding the Skill 【High-Grade Stealth】 and further reducing the chance of the wearer's identity being discovered.】
【Name : High-Grade Stealth】
【Effect : The user becomes invisible for one minute, and their presence is concealed. The effect ends if the user attacks or is struck.
Cooldown : 1 hour.】
What a relief.
If it had failed three times in a row, I would have assumed the clothes were cursed and thrown them away immediately.
Still, I was satisfied with the finished equipment.
I wanted to stop Enchanting then and there, but the Patched Bottom still remained.
Worried that another failure would force me to perform a ritual for rain—no, a ritual for garments—I attempted to Apply Enchantment again. Fortunately, the Patched Bottom succeeded on the first try.
I immediately tried the remaining mask, afraid it would meet the same fate as the Patched Top if I waited. It also succeeded on the first attempt.
The mask had been so roughly made that it had not counted as equipment, but after I enchanted it, an equipment description appeared.
【Equipment】
【High-Grade Voice Alteration Makeshift Mask (Black)】
【Grade : Common】
【Category : Face Accessory】
【Description : Although it was made with high-quality fabric, its hasty construction gives it low durability and defense.
+A High-Grade Voice Alteration Magic Stone has been enchanted into the item, adding the Skill 【High-Grade Voice Alteration】 and reducing the chance of the wearer's identity being discovered.】
【Name : High-Grade Voice Alteration】
【Effect : Uses mana to make it extremely difficult for others to identify the user's voice. By using more mana, the user can reproduce the voice of a designated person.】
There was a minor issue, but my preparations for the first attack were now mostly complete.
I was certain I had received six High-Grade Stealth Magic Stones, yet after enchanting only two pieces of equipment, I had just two remaining.
I would have preferred to have two High-Grade Voice Alteration Magic Stones left instead.......
Just as I finished Enchanting and placed the equipment into my Subspace Pouch,
"Van Astraea."
A familiar man's voice reached me.
No. Why was that voice in the workshop.......?
I desperately tried to convince myself it could not be him, but only one person came to mind when I heard such an obnoxious baritone.
"Ha ha....... Did you not tell me not to speak to you?"
"It does not matter if I am the one who initiates the conversation. What are you doing right now?"
I slowly turned toward the voice and found Drener, the protagonist of [Spell Breaker], standing there.
Am I fucked......?
Drener wore his usual expressionless face, but his gaze was fixed on me without the slightest deviation.
"Did you not hear me? Or is the question difficult to answer?"
Why the hell is this bastard in the workshop?! No, now that I think about what he said during the entrance ceremony, he placed second in the Martial Arts Department, so there isn't actually any problem with him entering......!
No, that isn't the point. Did he catch me? Did he see what I did? No, I haven't done anything yet, so wondering whether I got caught is strange in the first place......!
I-I need to answer him first!
In a moment shorter than a single second, tens of thousands of answers and all the situations they could cause flashed through my mind. I finally managed to respond.
"What did you say? I didn't hear you properly."
I had chosen to play dumb.
Rather than make a hasty assumption and answer, it was less risky to determine what he had seen and respond accordingly.
Drener regarded me suspiciously from head to toe before speaking.
"No matter how I consider it, I cannot understand why you are in a workshop."
"Wh-What's so strange about me being here?"
"The Empire's Greatest Scoundrel. A direct descendant of the Ducal House of Astraea who would never make his own weapons. Do you require further explanation?"
"......Fair point."
Drener's suspicion was certainly justified, but being unable to refute him irritated me for some reason.
Judging by the fact that he was questioning me, he did not appear to have seen me enchanting the clothes.
That was a relief because I would eventually have to encounter Drener while disguised.
"I recently acquired some good Magic Stones, so I came to enchant the cloth items I usually use. They all failed, though."
"Judging by your trembling hands and wavering pupils, you appear to have failed rather spectacularly."
Apparently convinced, Drener nodded, and for some reason, he was smiling.
He must have thought it served me right after I teased him the other day.
"By the way, if you've come over to speak to me, does that mean I'm allowed to talk to you now?"
"No. Upon further consideration, my mood has worsened. Do not speak to me again."
"We attend the same class. Can't we at least talk once in a while?"
"Then you may speak to me no sooner than three days from now. If you speak to me before then, I will kill you."
If I'm allowed to talk to him, I'm allowed. What's with waiting three days?
I could not tell whether he was genuinely aloof or merely pretending to be.
After receiving his answer, Drener was about to leave when I stopped him.
"I came here to enchant something, but why are you here?"
"My friend had business at Stia Workshop, so I came to look around while using the privileges afforded to me as the second-ranked student."
That was strange. There was no event that should bring him to the workshop at this point in the story. And that friend had to be.......
"You mean Sonia Serium?"
"Correct."
Sonia was a major character, so there should not have been anything about her that I did not know. Yet in all my time playing [Spell Breaker], I had never once seen an event in which she visited the workshop. And she had even asked the protagonist to bring her inside.
"Why did she come here?"
"I do not know that either."
"Then which area did she go to?"
Drener frowned, looking slightly displeased.
"Why are you asking? Is there some reason you absolutely must know?"
"No, that's......."
Apparently, I could not pry any further.
I lightly patted Drener on the shoulder and laughed.
"Sorry. You suspected me, so I was just turning it back on you. This is a little awkward now that you've taken it so seriously."
"......I see. My reaction was excessive as well. I apologize."
"All right. Anyway, enjoy your tour. I came with some other people too."
I was about to leave when Drener stopped me this time.
"Van Astraea."
"What?"
Drener silently closed his eyes for a moment before finally speaking.
"Professor Hazen Rauzer did not mention it, but I believe you also contributed a great deal during the Anti-Magical Beast Combat Exercise. That arson strategy was presumably your idea."
The guy has a sharp eye.
After calmly sharing his analysis, Drener pointed at me.
"But next time, I will defeat you. That is all."
That was praise in Drener's own way.
Saying he would beat me meant he believed I had done better than him this time.
Receiving such sudden praise—and from Drener, of all people—made a chuckle slip out.
"Thanks. You did well too."
"That was not praise. Do not misunderstand."
"Sure~. I'm just saying you did well."
"......Then I will be going."
With that, Drener walked away at a brisk pace.