Chapter 15 - The Doll (2)

An alchemist's room is similar no matter where you go.

Berry's room, which she guided me to, was lined with flasks containing various reagents.

Even with the stoppers properly closed, the pungent scent of chemicals still lingers. Because she mixes reagents whenever she has time.

And beside the flasks, various magical engineering tools are placed.

These are things she submitted as assignments, and not a single one lacks in finish. The craftsmanship of a skilled alchemist.

"I can't believe I'm bringing a man to my room. It's really unbelievable..."

Berry still seemed unable to believe it, muttering like that.

Then she suddenly turns her head.

Her eyes looking at me were filled with suspicion.

"You don't have any ulterior motives, right? It's a bit suspicious that you specifically asked to be brought to my room."

"You're worrying too much. Why would I have any dark intentions towards you? I'm not an idiot."

"...That's the answer I wanted, but it's kind of irritating."

She's making a fuss even when I'm trying to reassure her.

Berry pouted her lips but eventually said nothing.

As the conversation briefly paused, I was thinking if there was something appropriate for small talk.

At the far end of the table, away from Berry's reagent cabinet.

My eyes fell on the dolls neatly arranged there.

They vary in size but most are similar in form.

Robust muscles, a face full of wild charm, splendid armor and scabbard.

They have the same appearance as the 'Armored Knight HR3' she shouted about when being bullied by the delinquents.

'She put a lot of effort into these.'

Even in my previous life, people who had figures or plastic models as a hobby were extremely particular about the finish.

Berry seems to have that quality too, as the dolls' appearances are quite pretty.

It's clear she put a lot of work into them.

"With that Armored Knight or whatever from earlier. Do you like this kind of thing?"

"...Yeah."

Berry hesitated slightly at my question, but then honestly admitted it.

"Making dolls is my hobby. Well."

"Who said anything? I just asked."

"Hmph. You're going to say it too, right? That I'm too old to play with dolls, that I'm not a princess so why do I have knight dolls. I know it all."

This one's a bit paranoid.

"Why would I say that? Whatever hobby someone has is their own business."

"What? ...Are you serious?"

"Would I lie about that?"

Berry's pupils narrow behind her glasses.

She really doesn't trust what people say.

"Anyway. My main point is this. Process this item for me."

Since the atmosphere seems sufficiently cleared, I took out the 【Werewolf's Lung】 from my pocket.

Even though it's been a while since the werewolf died, it still has a fresh texture.

The 【Werewolf's Lung】 is still well-preserved with vitality.

That means it's of good quality.

"This is..."

Berry carefully receives the 【Werewolf's Lung】 from my hand and leans in closer.

She even pushes up her glasses with her hand, probably those glasses are magical tools too.

"It's a 【Werewolf's Lung】. And of very good quality too."

"You recognized it right away?"

"Of course. As an alchemist, this much is basic."

She touches and turns the lung around, even bringing it close to smell it.

After finishing various appraisals like that, Berry voiced the essential question.

"Where did you get this?"

"......"

"This isn't something you can get in Olympia. You'd have to encounter monsters in a dungeon to acquire it. The academy wouldn't have posted any missions for this either."

"You're quite perceptive."

"Alchemists can't carelessly accept items. ...Tell me honestly, what's your intention?"

As expected, she's not going to let this slide easily.

Berry isn't stupid either. She could get in big trouble with the school administration if she carelessly accepts an item of unknown origin.

It's natural for her to be cautious, but.

'That won't do.'

In the end, Berry is the only alchemist I can entrust the 【Werewolf's Lung】 to.

Therefore, I need to lower her guard.

With an enticing carrot.

"First, I can't reveal the source. That's why I sought you out in the first place."

"...What am I? I'm nothing special."

"That can't be true."

Magic Department 2nd Year, Berry Rosemary.

In <Song of Sword and Magic>, she's an extra with no significant role other than being Penel's friend.

However, in the mage route, she's a character with unexpected usefulness.

You want me to process this item? ...Well, I'll do it specially for you.

In the original work, she was a skilled alchemist that only the protagonist could use.

Significantly cheaper costs compared to other alchemists, yet with superior skills.

A character who plays a useful role whenever the protagonist needs to change items.

That's Berry.

"You can do it. I know you have that level of skill."

"...Who are you to say that?"

"Well, if you're really not interested, I can offer another condition."

I smile slyly while holding the lung.

I lightly squeeze it with my fingers, as if wringing out blood.

"The 'blood' that comes out during the process of refining the 【Werewolf's Lung】. You can have all of it."

"What?"

Berry's eyes widen to the size of saucers.

Usually, when entrusting an item to an alchemist, all by-products belong to the client.

What the contractor gets is always the fee charged to the client, they shouldn't touch the item itself.

But I offered that as a condition.

It's natural for her to be shocked.

"What are you saying? Such an impossible..."

"No, Berry. That's not important."

In fact, it's not a losing deal for me.

The 【Werewolf's Blood】 has the effect of increasing the mana stats of the consumer.

But since I have magic insensitivity, it's meaningless no matter how much blood I drink.

Of course, I could sell it to other alchemists for money, but.

'That would make Berry refuse.'

Berry needs to get some crumbs for her to open her heart.

In the end, it means I'm willing to pay the necessary cost.

"What's important is your reason for accepting my offer. You're already being bullied by those delinquents. Don't you need to grow stronger?"

"......"

"Drink the blood. And grow stronger. If you don't like that, sell it for money. Do as you please."

Anyway, Berry wouldn't have the chance to obtain a precious item like 【Werewolf's Blood】.

If she gets it through this deal, it's clearly a gain for her.

Moreover, it's also an opportunity to practice alchemy.

"Alright."

Berry also thought it over.

She nodded and accepted the offer.

"I have many questions, but I'll put them aside. It's not an alchemist's duty to pry into a client's secrets."

"You've thought well."

This should do it.

Refining and consuming the 【Werewolf's Lung】 in preparation for the Act 1 boss battle will definitely be helpful.

I've entrusted it to a skilled and honest person, so there's no suspicion of being scammed.

"Then I'll be going now. The main business is done."

"...Wait a moment."

After telling her what kind of item to process it into.

Thinking it was roughly finished and about to leave the room, Berry's thin hand grasped the hem of my clothes.

"?"

What's this?

Suddenly doing this here?

Where did the girl who told me not to have any dark intentions go?

Berry's black pupils look up at me.

With an expression like she really wants to ask me something.

"You, why did you help me?"

"What?"

"Why did you protect me from those bitches? You didn't need to."

"Did you want me not to help?"

"That's not it."

She shakes her head.

Although she seemed embarrassed to say it herself, she clearly stated her question.

"...If your purpose was simply to entrust the item, you could have ignored it. You didn't need to make enemies with those girls."

"......"

"Why did you stand up for me there? You... had nothing to gain from it."

'I see.'

So that was her question.

At this point, I think I understand the character of this girl named Berry.

Lacking skills, the self-loathing it causes.

Yet the self-esteem she clings to, and the will to not easily rely on others' help because of it.

She was quite a tough woman.

'That's probably why she's hiding it from Penel too.'

For whatever reason, Berry is trying to do it without Penel.

To be able to defeat the delinquents on her own.

"And that's not the only strange thing."

Berry's questions continue.

She pointed out the ultimate question of those who have observed me.

"How... how could you change so much in just over a month?"

"......"

She pinpointed how Herak Leonhardt changed 180 degrees.

'Hmm.'

I thought someone would be curious about it someday.

But when the situation actually came, I didn't have a proper answer.

What should I say?

Because I possessed this body?

Because I got a physical cheat?

Either way, these are things I can't openly reveal.

"...I think you're amazing. And I'm jealous."

"......"

"You, who have Penel's goodwill. You, who were in the same situation as me but have completely changed. I... envy you."

"...Hmm."

Isn't she suddenly revealing too deep emotions?

I didn't intend to delve this far into the heart of this girl named Berry.

But having come this far, I can't back down either.

I feel like I should give a serious answer in my own way.

Berry's ultimate questions are as follows:

'Why did you help?'

'How did you change?'

...To be honest, it's difficult to give a proper answer.

Because there's no one in this world who can fully understand my circumstances.

So I decided to give the most appropriate and plausible answer.

"No reason is needed."

"...!"

"Does an act of helping someone need a reason? Does a person changing their mind need a reason? No, it doesn't."

That's exactly right.

No reason is needed.

The fact that I suddenly possessed a body in a game, and that I have to do my best to survive because of it.

These aren't things that can be explained by reason.

What's important is.

"Because I have to do it. Because I want to do it."

"...Ah."

"That's all there is to it."

I have to do it to survive.

In that process, if it's necessary, I just do it.

It might be hard to call it a perfect answer... but this should be enough.

It probably wasn't a question asked hoping for understanding in the first place.

"Is that enough? Then I'm leaving."

"......"

"Don't just keep getting bullied, if you're frustrated, tell me or something. I'll entrust you with the item, so please take care of it."

I wave my hand casually and step out the door.

Not knowing what expression Berry is making beyond the door.

I had no way of knowing that she was staring at me intently.

***

The room after Herak left.

In the room that had become quiet again, Berry slowly walked towards the edge of the reagent cabinet.

To where her handmade dolls were lined up.

"......"

She picks up her cherished 'Armored Knight HR3' and brings it close.

Robust muscles, a face full of wild charm, splendid armor and scabbard.

The image of the 'hero' she always deeply envisions in her heart.

As she quietly looked at it.

She recalled what that guy had just said.

No reason is needed.

Because I have to do it. Because I want to do it.

Those lines were really like the ones she often saw in fairy tales.

They were just like the hero she always longed for.

"...It's strange."

The more she knows, the stranger he seems, she thought.

With that sentiment, she fiddled with the doll for no reason.

***

As time passed and passed.

Early morning at Olympia Academy's lecture building.

A notice posted prominently on the wall of the administrative office is catching the students' attention.

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[Inter-year Exchange Competition Notice]

The Inter-year Exchange Competition will be held from today.

Students who have applied to participate, please make sure to check.

...

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It was the start of the Inter-year Exchange Competition.