Chapter 102 - Artificial Magic Sword Creation (3rd Attempt) - The Freezing Magic Sword
As Dahlia became completely absorbed in her crafting, oblivious to everything else, Volf simply watched her in silence.
Using the hilt of a dagger she had disassembled earlier, Dahlia manipulated its interior with magic, reshaping it to create a small pocket. She carefully lined it with reflective silver material, then installed a magic conduit, allowing an ice magic stone to be inserted.
Next, she carved a straight magic line from the hilt to the blade, specifically for the ice magic stone. A pale blue light traced its path along the dagger, creating an almost mystical aura.
The activation switch for the ice magic stone was designed to engage when the base of the hilt was pressed.
Ideally, it would have been more convenient to activate it with magic, but since Volf lacked external magic, this method was chosen instead.
"Please handle the assembly."
"Sure, leave it to me."
Volf inserted the ice magic stone into the dagger and assembled it. To be safe, he double-checked to ensure the blade and hilt were securely attached.
When he pressed the switch, the blade instantly turned cold and white.
Soon, a thin layer of ice, a few centimeters thick, began to form around the blade.
The blade itself was silver, surrounded by white ice that gradually turned transparent as it extended. The shifting colors were breathtaking.
Though it could no longer fit into a sheath, it was undoubtedly worthy of being called an ice dagger.
Compared to the previous two attempts, this one was completed much more quickly and easily.
Dahlia had referred to it as a "simple test" and a "faux ice sword," but even so, it was plenty of fun.
However, as she admired it, she noticed the hand holding the hilt was starting to grow cold.
Upon closer inspection, a faint layer of frost was forming on the hilt.
"Even with the reflective material, the hilt is getting cold... Is it the properties of the material, or the positioning or angle of the reflective material and the ice magic stone?"
Dahlia muttered, furrowing her brow. The hilt's coldness seemed to have caught her off guard.
"Well, since the sword itself is cold, we can call it the 'Freezing Magic Sword.'"
"Making it sound cool doesn't solve the problem. What if the wielder freezes? Volf, please give it back. You could get frostbite."
"Nah, it's fine. It's cold, but it feels refreshing."
Though it was indeed quite cold, Volf wasn't ready to return the ice dagger to Dahlia, who looked like she might dismantle it at any moment.
"It's going to get hotter soon. I could take this on expeditions to stay cool."
"Or you could just use an ice magic stone to cool off."
"But this has more romance to it, don't you think?"
"Is that romance really necessary for an expedition? It will just be extra baggage."
Dahlia said firmly, leaving Volf slightly deflated.
Still, he wanted her to consider his point.
During long expeditions, wouldn't it be nice to have this beautiful dagger to admire? It could even serve as a night watch companion.
It was cooling, beautiful, and crafted by Dahlia herself. It was perfect.
"At least turn off the switch for now. Frostbite is no joke."
"Dahlia, do you think it's okay if I swing it once while holding the switch? I want to see if the ice around the blade breaks off."
"Alright, but be careful not to get frostbite. And who knows where the ice might fly off to..."
"Got it. I'll step outside for a moment."
Volf stepped outside the tower, gripping the dagger in his right hand.
He pressed the switch as hard as he could and swung the dagger with all his might toward the empty garden.
"...!"
"Volf!"
It was hard to tell what came first—Volf's surprise or Dahlia's shout.
The ice on the dagger thickened instantly, and the hilt began to encase his hand in a round block of ice.
"I'm sorry! It's my fault..."
"No, it's my mistake. I pressed the switch too hard and pulled the hilt back before swinging."
Volf's right hand and the hilt were now both encased in white ice.
Though it was freezing, the surreal sight made him laugh.
"W-wait! I-I'll run a bath! I'll get hot water ready to melt the ice!"
"It's fine. I'll just break the ice off here."
"What if your hand gets cut in the process?!"
"Don't worry, I'll use body reinforcement magic."
"But if you slip and cut yourself..."
"Then I'll use a potion or head to the church if it's serious... Dahlia?"
Before he could finish, Dahlia grabbed his left arm with a strength he hadn't seen before.
Her green eyes were moist, her lips tightly pressed together, and she stared at him with a pleading look.
There was no escaping this.
"Volf, let's go to the bath!"
"...Yes."
Volf was dragged to the third-floor bathroom and made to sit on a chair.
In her panic, Dahlia messed up the water heater controls, causing a sudden burst of hot water to spray everywhere. Though it splashed all over, Volf couldn't bring himself to say anything, given how serious she was.
As Dahlia held his hand and desperately poured hot water over it, Volf sat quietly, letting her do as she pleased.
Fortunately, the ice melted quickly, and there were no signs of injury or frostbite.
The dagger, with its switch turned off, also stopped functioning.
"Finally, it's melted. Are you really okay? Does it hurt?"
"Nah, I'm fine. See? I can move it. No problem."
"That's a relief. I was so worried you might get hurt... Oh, I'm sorry, Volf. Your shirt is soaked..."
Though it wasn't a big deal, her concern made him feel a little awkward.
"Really, I'm fine."
As Dahlia let go of his hand, Volf felt a lingering warmth from her touch.
Shaking off the sensation, he looked up—and now he was the one frozen in place.
"Dahlia, you should... change your clothes soon. You might catch a cold..."
Her white short-sleeved shirt and linen skirt were soaked from the splashing water.
The wet fabric clung to her body, accentuating her figure, and parts of it had become slightly transparent, leaving Volf unsure where to look.
"Oh, I got pretty wet. I'll change right away. You should take a shower to warm up, Volf. You're still cold, and we don't want you catching a chill. I'll grab some work clothes from downstairs—wear that top for now. We can dry your shirt with the hairdryer."
"Sorry for causing you so much trouble..."
"No, I'm the one who should apologize. I should have thought more carefully about the ice magic stone's orientation."
Dahlia bowed her head, her expression dark.
As she left the bathroom, Volf began unbuttoning his soaked shirt. His fingers were still cold, making the task a bit clumsy.
Finally, he managed to take off his clothes and turned the shower on full blast.
"...Pathetic."
He let out a deep sigh along with the word.
Dahlia hadn't even noticed her own wet clothes, yet he had been so flustered.
He wasn't some teenage boy anymore. It was disrespectful to her, especially after she had been so worried about him.
Lately, he had been feeling a little off.
Maybe he should go for a run when he gets back to the barracks, or spar with someone in the training grounds.
Or perhaps he should grab a drink with Dorino and head to the red-light district—but he quickly shook his head at the thought.
This wasn't the time or place to think about such things. At least not near Dahlia.
He switched the water heater to cold and drenched himself from head to toe.
Volf continued to let the cold water run over him until his body was completely chilled.
・・・・・・・
"...Pathetic."
After hurriedly changing her clothes in her room, Dahlia returned to the workshop and let out a sigh.
Her carelessness had nearly caused Volf to get hurt.
She had been too caught up in the fun, thinking it was a simple task, and had rushed through it.
As a magical toolmaker, she had forgotten the dangers of her craft. She had been far too careless.
Earlier, as she melted the ice from Volf's hand with hot water, the coldness of it had sent a shiver down her spine.
The conversation they had earlier about the expedition and the "Last Supper" must have lingered in her mind.
The thought of Volf growing cold one day—just the idea had nearly brought her to tears.
When he assured her he was fine, she finally regained her composure. She quickly blurted out whatever came to mind, then fled from the bathroom with an apology.
Monster hunting was a job Volf had chosen for himself.
Doubting his strength, worrying unnecessarily, and getting flustered was disrespectful to him.
She wasn't his family or his lover—her role was to support him, not fret over him.
As a friend, she could create magic tools and swords to aid him.
Yet, whenever she remembered that coldness, her chest ached with a pitiful pain.
She never wanted Volf to see this weak side of her.
Dahlia tried to shift her thoughts, recalling how Volf's black hair and shirt had been soaked earlier.
"I think there's a saying, 'A handsome man dripping with charm...'"
She muttered, recalling a phrase from her past life. It took her five seconds to blush at her own words.
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