The next day, I headed to "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"'s forge.
"Good morning, Alan-san."
"Hm? Oh, Orun! Morning. Here for the swords, right? Wait a sec."
Noticing me, Alan-san went to the back and returned with two sheathed swords of different lengths.
"Check 'em out. The longer one's shape, weight, balance—made 'em the same as that black sword from before."
I took the swords and inspected each.
The long sword had a lead-colored blade, but otherwise almost identical to Schwarzhaese.
Different materials, yet this level of similarity—Alan-san's skill is incredible.
The shorter sword was half the length, but fit my hand perfectly—no discomfort.
These were remade specifically for the martial arts tournament.
Weapons are allowed, but edged blades must be blunted per rules.
These two comply.
After testing their feel, I sheathed them.
(Sheathing swords... been a while. Haven't needed to since getting the storage tool...)
In ancient times sheathing was standard, but now it's rare.
Thanks to storage magic tools.
Sheaths prevent injuring others while carrying and keep blades sharp.
Storage solves both without bulk.
So few use sheaths anymore.
But tournament bans magic tools—so sheaths were needed.
"As always, they feel unbelievably natural..."
"We keep all members' order data. Reference it for updates. Old data loses accuracy, so re-measure often."
Makes sense. Then—
"Do you have data for the rookies—Tenth Squad?"
Asked if he had theirs.
"Yeah, got it. Measured 'em right before instructional dive."
"Two months old should be fine. Then I'd like to order weapons for the three in Tenth Squad—possible?"
"Can do, but costs from their squad funds? Not rude, but limits material quality."
"No—I'll cover personally. Management approved, pre-join materials are mine. Use best—remaining black dragon scales, deep-layer stuff—for top-quality weapons."
I know this risks favoritism accusations from others.
But no matter what, I won't budge.
They suffered crushing defeat yet refuse to give up—striving harder.
Seeing that makes me want to help. As their master, I have a duty to protect them.
"Management approved—fine. Got it. Leave materials here. Festival's slow—gives us work. Should finish around end. Contact when done."
No exploration till festival ends—perfect.
"Understood. Thanks."
"Sure. Now—since sheathing, need sword belts too?"
Sword belts strap swords at waist.
Leather's standard, but tournament-only—cloth might work.
"Yeah. Never needed one. Thinking tailoring department."
"Good call. We could do belts, but time to spare—custom better. Tournament carries clan prestige—go top quality. Tailoring's idle now—prioritize."
Tailoring's not here—in neighboring Farila.
Farila's textile hub—few hours by carriage from Tsutorail.
Regular carriages—accessible.
No rush today—finish paperwork, go tomorrow?
"Thanks for advice. I'll visit tailoring tomorrow."
◇
"Hey, Orun! What're you doing here?"
Next day at carriage stop for Farila, Will appeared.
"Will...? Oh yeah—you said you'd be away a few days."
Surprised, but recalling his schedule—quickly understood.
"Yeah. No exploration—figured I'd visit family."
Family, huh...
"Oh—carriage. Let's go."
Right on time.
Paid driver, boarded.
"Where you headed, Orun?"
Will asked as carriage rocked.
"Farila. Ordering sword belts and uniforms from our tailoring."
"Uniforms? Changing design?"
Most would assume mine.
"Nah—not mine. Tenth Squad's. Clear 30th floor—they graduate rookie status. Thought I'd gift as celebration."
"Damn... thoughtful master..."
"Not big deal. Self-satisfaction mostly. Designs undecided—probably just consult..."
Yeah. Decided to gift uniforms—but no designs yet.
I'm function-first—zero fashion sense. Nothing comes up.
"Designs, huh... Base on your coat?"
"...Mine?"
"Yeah. Got a little brother—copies everything. Gave him my old crest-less uniform—thrilled. Tenth Squad's attached to you—similar might make 'em happy."
My coat motif...
Embarrassing, but yeah—they're fond of me.
No better ideas—worth considering.
"Will, thanks. Image forming."
"No prob."
◇
Casual chat passed time—we arrived in Farila.
Completely different from Tsutorail—lush nature, relaxed vibe.
"First time—feels nice and livable."
"Glad you think so. Perfect escape from city noise, right?"
Will—disembarking with me—spoke proudly.
His family home's in Farila—he guided me to tailoring building.
"Here we are."
Compared to town buildings—noticeably larger.
Fits major clan facility.
"Thanks for escort—even on homecoming."
"Don't sweat. Heading back today? Stay night if you want—family'd love it."
"...Appreciate it, but stuff to handle back home. Take the sentiment."
Outsider intruding on family time—not right.
Plus... seeing family warmth might not sit well.
"...Fair. Change mind—come by. You're welcome."
"Yeah, thanks."
Will headed family direction.
"Hello."
Entering alone—girl at counter sewing (receptionist?).
Around ten—impressive skill... (I don't know sewing.)
Deeply focused—didn't notice me.
"Hm? Wah—sorry! So absorbed I didn't notice! Waited long!?"
Noticing me—focused air gone, age-appropriate energy.
"Just arrived—no wait. Nice to meet you—I'm Orun. Appointment made—contact come?"
"Um um—nice to meet you! Marsha! Orun-san, right? One sec!"
Flustered but proper.
Marsha rushed back.
"Mom! Orun-san's here—!"
Loud voice—presumably hers—from back.
Hmm... quieter would've been better.
I don't mind, but some customers might dislike casual address.
Probably knew I was coming—had her at reception.
Clanmates can get away with informality.
Lost in thoughts—woman appeared from where Marsha went.
Seeing me:
"You're Orun-kun. Nice to meet you—I'm Glenda Barnett, tailoring head. Head office notified. Right away—measurements. This way?"
"Understood. Thank you."
Followed Glenda deeper.
◇
"Done. Measurements complete."
In a room—she measured swiftly. Done fast thanks to skill.
"Ah—thank you."
"You're welcome. Belt first, right?"
"Yes. Long sword left waist, short sword horizontal back waist. Short handle left, please."
While stating—manifested yesterday's swords from Alan-san.
"Oh? Dual swords—dexterous."
Glenda impressed.
"Short's backup. Mainly long sword."
"Hmm. Got it. Hold onto these? Send belt with them. Two-three days."
"Three days...? Fast."
"Hehe—tailoring pros. Slow season, head office prioritize your belt. Try on arrival—discomfort, tell me. Adjust."
"Understood. —Also, slow now—accept personal order?"
"Depends, but generally fine. What?"
"Three uniforms."
"Uniforms? Spares?"
Same as Will—explained same.
"I see~. Lovely! Happy to make!"
Glenda's eyes sparkled—accepted.
...Childish reactions.
Marsha's mom—thirties?—but youthful. Without info—never guess.
"Thanks. But... designs undecided..."
"Oh? Image in mind?"
"Yeah... thinking my coat motif."
"Master to disciples—makes sense. Coat motif good. Mind if I design?"
"Sure. No fashion sense—leave to pro."
"Got it. Ask personalities/preferences?"
Barrage of questions.
Answering best—picturing Sophia, Carol, Log.
"Yeah—image forming. Start after belt."
"Understood. Thanks."
"One thing—your disciples trio party?"
"Yeah, now. Planning add soon—hard finding fits..."
"Really? Feels like candidate in mind."
...Sharp.
Didn't think obvious.
"Yeah... someone to fill gaps. But already in another party—hard poach. Her circumstances. Strength unbalances current three."
"Hmm... Hey—is it—?"
Almost no hints—named exactly who.
"...How'd you know?"
"Woman's intuition. Make hers too. Not disciple—slight design change."
Glenda suddenly full throttle...
"N-No—she won't join...! Waste!"
"Said we're idle—no charge. Let me?"
"...If you want—won't stop. But pay properly—regular price."
"Oh, generous."
"Clan materials, right? Gotta pay."
"True executive—responsible. Fine, full price."
"Thanks. Leave belt/uniforms to you."
"Leave it. —Wait."
As leaving—Glenda stopped.
"Yes?"
"Might be nosy—get proper sleep."
"—!"
Observation scary...
Never called out on sleep deprivation.
Lately short sleep.
Not insomnia—just late nights tasks.
"Fine. Managing health—no collapse."
"Rumors you're exceptional. Still—limits exist. Tournament coming—for clan, top form."
"...Stings. I know. Proper sleep before tournament—full condition."
"Good. Understand—enough. Sorry meddling."
"No—appreciate concern. —Leaving now."
That said... lifestyle likely continues awhile.
But can't compromise.
Never want that feeling again.
Then—two weeks flew by, busy festival prep.