THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"Incredible…" Even Lanuvel is captivated by the new blade.

Its form is indeed beautiful and pure. Though it is still rough.

"I can only look forward to the final result." Frank places the iron bar against the furnace and then turns to us.

"G-good morning. My name is Lanuvel Nikitis." Lanuvel greets him while bowing her upper body. Frank smiles then stands up. His torso got wider. He looks a bit more imposing now.

"How have you been?"

He raises his thumb up when I ask then removes his leather gloves, revealing his callused hands. I grab his hand and shake it gently. Lanuvel does the same after me, though she is a bit trembling. Did he really left that much impression on her.

Frank then looks behind him.

"And now, the main attraction." Sophia advances at the same time and places herself right next to the armor exposed.

"Can I?" She looks at the master smith who simply nods then moves to our side.

"Is this my new armor?"

"Yes, you are THE STAR OF MERCURIA. And so, we only want to give you the best."

"I am just a third degree noble."

"Yes. But one who fought against the Longinus side by side with the heroes. Even if most people don't see you favorably, we do here."

"Is that so?" People don't see me favorably? Is it because of the hatred effect Cissa told me about once?

"It is. Anyway, this armor here was designed personally by yours truly." Sophia makes a small reverence then places her hands on the shoulder of the armor.

"You don't need to do all that, you know?"

"Can you please let me do my work, little girl?"

Lanuvel and Sophia don't seem to like each other too much. Lanuvel really doesn't forget grudges easily. Sorry, Sophia.

"Anyway, as I was saying, the three colors are derived from the materials you brought. The black is from the alpha gnoll you defe-"

"YOU DEFEATED AN ALPHA GNOLL?!!!!"

Lanuvel turns like a bolt and almost makes me fall by pulling on my shirt.

"Calm down first, please."

"How? When? What? No, wait, first things first, is it true?"

"Hey! I was talking here!!"

"I don't care!!"

"What did you say?!!"

Sophia grabs Lanuvel's shoulder and turns her around to face her. As they do, I can almost see lightning bolts flashing around between them.

"You thievery cat."

"Fufufu. You just have ne sensuality, that's all."

"Please, girls. Calm-"

Frank touches my shoulder then advances and places himself between both girls. They calm down as soon as they see him. Lanuvel then returns to her position, but she doesn't grab my arm this time.

"I will tell you how I defeated that gnoll later." Lanuvel smiles brightly and makes a 'yes' move with her hand.

"Hm-mhm. Sorry for this unsightly display. As I was saying, the black parts, which are the most present, comes from the tanning of the alpha gnoll's skin. We have use for the outer layer of the armor which by the way, is composed of three layers."

"I see."

"It's impressive, right?"

"Yep. You did a splendid work."

"Yay! Thank you!" Sophia really likes to display her emotions. To be so happy that you would jump like this is something I would only see with Farner, probably.

"Okay, then continuing on, the white parts are from the gragoras. Since they have supple skins, we decide to place on the joints of the armor, meaning on the shoulders, the knees, the elbows, wrists and ankles." She touches every part of the armor involved. Sophia is really skilled at explaining things.

"But won't they be more vulnerable?" I don't want those places to be tear off while I fight or create weaknesses that will expose me instead Joints on the body are already natural weaknesses after all.

"That's why I told you the armor has three layers. Inside, we have reinforced the armor with a chainmail. That way, you will surely have a good protection, though the armor is heavier because of it."

"Not a problem."

"Then it is good. Now, as you should have guessed, the third layer…"

"Is made of the arachnies' silk, right?"

"Ah, I love smart boys."

"Grrr…" Of course, Lanuvel would react to this.

"You asked earlier whether we could adapt the core you brought on the armor or your weapon, right?" Sophia ignores her and continues. You are right, it is better to just ignore her when she is like this. She will calm down eventually.

"Yes. Though, from what I see now, I don't even know if it is necessary." The armor they have crafted looks so reliable I don't think even a Longinus could hurt me when if I wear it. Though maybe I am exaggerating a little.

"Well, you might be right but since we never know what the future will bring. My advice would be to reinforce the armor."

"Why? aren't you confident in that creation of yours?"

"Lanuvel, please…"

"What? I am just asking."

"No, little girl, I am a hundred percent confident in my creation. But unlike you, I am worried about him."

"I am worried too!! And I am not a little girl!!"

"Oh…Then, tell me. Between his weapon and his armor, which one should be more efficient?"

"HMPH!! It is obviously his armor. The stronger it is, the better."

"Ah,this foolish little girl…"

"I am not foolish!" Once again, she advances to Sophia and faces her. "Stop insulting me already!"

"I am not insulting you, those are just facts."

"I am not foolish, nor am I a little girl. I am Lanuvel Nikitis. Remember that."

"Anyway," Sophia raises her hand and fixes her hair, "do you know why I think you are wrong?"

"No, I don't."

"If you lose your weapon, how can you win a fight?"

"Why would you lose your weapon?! If you are that careless, you don't belong to the battlefield."

"You are even more naïve than I thought. Those words prove that you haven't seen a real battlefield yet."

"I told you to stop insulting me."

"If you feel like they are insults, then you just plain stu-"

Lanuvel raises her hand and forms a fist but I jump in and hold her before she can hit Sophia. Scary thing is that Sophia didn't even move or flinch. Is she not afraid?

"See, exactly as I said."

"Please, Sophia, stop provoking her."

"She is just too immature to understand sometimes."

"Even so, I don't like your attitude towards her."

Let's put an end to this before somebody is hurt.

"Okay, I understand. As I was saying then, I believe reinforcing your armor would be for the better. In case you ever encounter an enemy stronger than you, you could still run away and survive."

"Wouldn't having a stronger weapon be more useful then?" Lanuvel doesn't let go and continue to try to justify her point. 

"Not necessarily. I think she does have a point."

"Kevin?" I know, Lanuvel, I should support you on this, but…

"See, even he agrees with me."

"Kevin, you traitor!"

"Let me explain myself first, Lanuvel. I have had to encounter some opponents who were stronger than me not because they had more strength but because they had more experience in combat. In fact, I think you know one as well."

"No, I don't."

"Come on, don't be like that."

"...Okay, okay. Maybe I know one or two people like that as well."

"Then in that case, it doesn't matter how strong your weapon is, if it doesn't reach your opponent, you are as good as dead."

"Which is exactly why I am saying reinforcing the armor is the best option."

"But!" I look at Sophia now. I shouldn't let it looks like she is completely right. "Reinforcing your weapon is also a very good option. Because it will allow you to have a clear advantage in a fight and finish your enemy faster. Being efficient on the battlefield is crucial."

"Yeah, exactly. That's what I wanted to say."

"Yeah, right."

"You are just jealous."

"Grow that skinny body of yours a bit more before talking back."

"I am not skinny!" Lanuvel puffs her chest out and embraces herself to make her breasts stick out more. "See that?!"

"Like I said, a child."

Realizing she just got fooled, she blushes and quickly turns around.

"Please stop teasing her." I am the one who will have to handle the aftermath of all this.

"It's not my fault. She is so cute."

"Sigh…And for the raizen. How much longer would you need?"

"The first one is ready. The second will be done in a week at most."

I look at Frank and bows again to thank him. He just comes and taps my shoulder with a smile.

"AH, now that I think about it, do you have some news about Anriette?"

Frank shakes his head with a sad face. She still hasn't come back or send a letter? Don't tell me…Could it be that she got kidnapped? Maybe Romas captured her to get to me? Then that would mean he knows that I am the one who attacked his camp that night. But how? I should find him and interrogate him as soon as possible. I will ask Frankher if he can help me with his whereabouts.