Converting Agnis's Magic Power

The next evening.

When we went to the bathhouse's rest area, Agnis was waiting there in her armor.

"I've been waiting... Thor Rigas-sama."

"Thank you for coming, Agnis-san."

"......"

After we found ourselves staring at each other, we both looked toward the boiler room at the same time.

My face grew hot. Agnis's face was red, too. Probably.

There were faint flames coming through the gaps in her helmet.

"Did something happen in the boiler room, Thor-sama, Agnis-sama?"

"Oh... Mabel?"

"I'm sorry. I asked Thor-sama if I could come along."

Mabel pinched the hem of her skirt and bowed to Agnis.

"As Thor-sama's maid, I wanted to help."

"I-I see..."

Agnis faltered.

I knew the circumstances.

The two of them had grown distant because Agnis had accidentally burned Mabel.

Mabel's burn had healed without a trace by now.

But Agnis was still troubled by having injured her friend.

"Thor Rigas-sama... I came here to say goodbye..."

"Goodbye?"

"Yes. Agnis will be returning to our territory with Father tomorrow."

Agnis lowered her head with a clank.

"Even though you went to the trouble of saying you would make an item to suppress my flames... I'm sorry. I was happy that you felt that way. But I don't think you'll finish it in time..."

"Actually, it's already here."

"...Huh?"

"It's complete. The item that will suppress your flames, Agnis-san."

I took the 'Health-Boosting Pendant' from my pocket.

"This converts Fire Magic into the Magic of other Attributes. When you wear it, your Fire Magic will grow weaker, while you'll become supple like wood, sturdy like earth, hard like metal, and water-like... Well, your skin will probably become smooth and soft."

"W-whaaaaaaaaaat──!?"

Agnis nearly shouted, then covered her mouth with both hands.

She hurriedly muffled her voice.

That was because flames came out whenever she became excited.

I didn't know how stressful that link between her emotions and flames was.

But if I could alleviate it, I wanted to do so.

"That's why I asked Mabel to come."

"I brought some clothes for Agnis-sama."

Mabel took a maid outfit out of her bag.

"I would like you to wear this instead of your armor, Agnis-sama."

"Th-that... I can't..."

Agnis shook her head.

"I'll burn Mabel's maid outfit... I might burn Mabel again..."

"That's what Thor-sama made the item for."

In contrast, Mabel proudly held up the maid outfit.

"Nothing Thor-sama makes could possibly go wrong. It will be all right."

"B-but..."

"I want to see Agnis-san use this pendant, too."

I said this.

"We won't know how it feels to use while you're still wearing your armor. But I can't exactly ask you to put it on against your bare skin. Personally, I wouldn't mind, but as an alchemist, I can't do that."

"Thor Rigas-sama..."

"So please put on the pendant and try wearing the maid outfit."

As I said this, I held out the pendant.

"...Agnis... wearing a cute maid outfit like Mabel's...?"

Agnis's voice trembled.

I couldn't blame her.

She knew her tendency to burst into flame all too well.

She had probably burned clothes she was wearing before.

Even if I told her, "You'll be fine if you wear this pendant," it was only natural that she couldn't believe me.

"...I'm scared..."

Agnis clenched her gauntleted hands.

"...I like cute clothes. I want to wear them. But I'm scared I'll burn Mabel's maid outfit... that flames will come out... I'm scared of disappointing you, too, Thor-sama."

Agnis stared down at the floor.

Mabel and I quietly waited for her answer.

"But... but..."

Agnis took one small step toward me.

"If I don't try here and simply return to our territory... I'll definitely regret it... That frightens me much more... So..."

"It will be all right. If anything happens, I'll readjust the pendant as quickly as I can."

"...Thor-sama."

"I'm the alchemist of the Demon Lord's Territory, after all. As long as Agnis-san wants it, I'll remake the Magic Item as many times as necessary. That's my job, and it's what I want to do."

"......I understand, Thor-sama."

With that, Agnis reached a hand toward me.

I placed the 'Health-Boosting Pendant' on her gauntlet-covered palm.

"Please let me use your pendant, Thor-sama!"

"All right. Then, Mabel, please."

"Understood, Thor-sama!"

When I said this, Mabel approached with the maid outfit and an extremely cheerful smile.

"I'll help you get changed, Agnis-sama."

"I-I can do it myself, Mabel..."

"You're going to let Thor-sama see you, so you have to get properly dressed. Right?"

"...A-all right. But leave the boiler room door open, okay? That way, Mabel can escape right away if flames come out..."

"Understood. But I think it will be all right."

Mabel smiled brightly, then looked at me.

"Well then, Thor-sama. I'm sorry, but..."

"I'll turn around."

Agnis and Mabel went into the boiler room.

The salamanders' voices echoed: "Grrruu," and "Grrr."

They seemed worried about Agnis, too.

When I turned my back to the boiler room, I heard armor hit the floor.

When that was over, Mabel's voice followed: "I'll put the pendant on you now."

I wonder if Agnis had taken off all her clothes.

I wanted to turn around, but──I couldn't risk upsetting Agnis right now.

I would wait until they finished changing.

I could hear Mabel's voice from behind me.

──The pendant looks lovely on you. And... Agnis-sama, your skin is beautiful, too.

──Next is the maid outfit. I'm sorry it's one of mine.

──Huh? Is it tight around your chest...?

──When we were children, you were about the same size as me. We've both grown, haven't we?

And things like that.

I felt like turning around, but I had to endure it.

Agnis answered Mabel.

Her voice gradually began to sound happier.

There was no sign of flames. Without a doubt, the 'Health-Boosting Pendant' I had made was working.

Then, several minutes passed──

"S-sorry to keep you waiting... Thor Rigas-sama."

A voice came from immediately behind me.

When I turned around, Agnis was standing there in a maid outfit.

"...I feel so awkward. It's been a long time since I've worn anything but armor..."

Unable to settle down, Agnis kept holding down her skirt and adjusting her ribbons.

Her fluffy red hair swayed each time she did so.

She opened her topaz-like eyes wide and stared at me, Mabel, and then her own arms and legs. She pinched the hem of her dress and tugged at her sleeves.

She seemed unable to believe that she was wearing clothes.

"D-does it look strange... Thor-sama?"

"No. In fact, you look incredibly cute."

"Fweeeh!?"

When I voiced my honest opinion, Agnis's face turned bright red.

Mabel had prepared a maid outfit matching her own. It had a pure-white apron and a headdress.

The ribbons had been made red, probably to match the image of flames.

Of course, the 'Health-Boosting Pendant' was shining at Agnis's chest.

"It's nice that you're matching Mabel. You look like sisters who get along well."

"As expected of Thor-sama. You understand."

Mabel approached me with a gentle smile.

Then she leaned close to my ear and whispered,

"But please only call us sisters here. Agnis-sama and I are of different status. If Raizenga-sama heard you, he would get angry."

"Got it. So, is the pendant working properly?"

"Of course. It's working perfectly."

Mabel looked at Agnis with the gentle eyes of an older sister.

Agnis seemed embarrassed, but──there was no sign of flames bursting out.

Instead, the pendant at her chest was shining.

It was converting Agnis's Fire Magic into Wood, Earth, Metal, and Water Magic.

The converted Magic Power produced an effect according to its Attribute.

Specifically, it was making Agnis healthier and strengthening both her body and mind.

'Through Fire Attribute Magic: You gained +100% Vitality.'

'Your excess Fire Magic will be converted into other types of Magic Power.'

'Fire Magic converted into Earth Magic. Earth Attribute effect: You gained +100% Stability.'

'Earth Magic converted into Metal Magic. Metal Attribute effect: You gained +100% Fortitude.'

'Metal Magic converted into Water Magic. Water Attribute effect: You gained +100% Flexibility.'

'Water Magic converted into Wood Magic. Wood Attribute effect: You gained +100% Vitality.'

A voice came from the pendant.

Apparently, in the Heroes' world, Magic Power circulated.

In the same way, this pendant continued converting Agnis's powerful Fire Magic into Magic Power of other Attributes. All of it was used to strengthen her and improve her health.

That was why no flames came out.

Instead, Agnis was becoming stronger and healthier by the second.

"...Amazing... My body feels... light. And my skin is so smooth..."

Agnis flared out the skirt of her maid outfit and spun around and around.

The salamanders flew around her.

Agnis kicked off the floor and jumped, trying to touch them.

Her body──floated gently upward, almost to the ceiling.

"W-whaaaaaaaaaat!?"

"Right now, Agnis-san is using all her powerful Fire Magic to strengthen her body."

I explained.

"So her explosive power and jumping ability have increased, too. It will probably take some time to get used to, but you shouldn't burn your clothes or anything else with flames anymore. From now on, you can slowly get used to your new life──"

"Th-that's not it. Agnis isn't wearing underwear right now...!"

"Ah."

As Agnis fell, her skirt billowed out as it caught the air. It flipped upward.

She hurriedly tried to hold it down──

But whether she managed to do so in time or not, neither of us commented on it.

"...I'm sorry."

"I-it's fine! I don't mind at all!"

When Agnis said this, the 'Health-Boosting Pendant' emitted a glow.

'Through Fire Attribute Magic: You gained +150% Vitality.'

'Your excess Fire Magic will be converted into other types of Magic Power.'

'Fire Magic converted into Earth Magic. Earth Attribute effect: You gained +150% Stability.'

'Earth Magic converted into Metal Magic. Metal Attribute effect: You gained +150% Fortitude.'

'Metal Magic converted into Water Magic. Water Attribute effect: You gained +150% Flexibility.'

'Water Magic converted into Wood Magic. Wood Attribute effect: You gained +150% Vitality.'

"...Ugh. When I power up, I can tell that I'm getting embarrassed..."

"It's a side effect. I'm sorry."

"N-no, no. I'm the one who showed you something so embarrassing..."

"It wasn't embarrassing──I mean, I didn't see anything. Yes."

In any case, creating the item had been a success.

The 'Health-Boosting Pendant' was functioning properly.

No more flames came from Agnis's body.

She had changed clothes with Mabel, faced us, and... well, I'd seen quite a lot.

If no flames came out even after all that, she was probably fine now.

"Can you control your body properly, Agnis-san?"

"Y-yes! There's no problem!"

Agnis smiled happily in her maid outfit.

"I've had magic cast on me to strengthen my body many times, so controlling my body and my strength isn't a problem. Besides, this pendant is very gentle... It feels as if my whole body is becoming softly stronger, so I'm fine."

Good. It seemed she could control her movements properly.

Her Fire Magic was completely under control, too.

Now Agnis could wear whatever clothes she liked without worrying about flames. She could stay beside her friends and go wherever she wanted.

I was truly glad it had worked.

"So items like this are sold as a matter of course in the Heroes' world..."

I wondered if any of the Heroes summoned to this world had used a 'Health-Boosting Pendant.'

Come to think of it... I had heard about a Hero who achieved "Super Awakening" after shouting, "You bastard! How dare you hurt my companion──!"

Perhaps that person had converted their emotions into Magic Power and then used this item to strengthen their body, too.

...The Heroes' world really was incredible.

"Thank you very much, Thor-sama."

"Mabel?"

"With this, I can fulfill one of my wishes."

Mabel bowed deeply, then smiled.

Then she ran toward Agnis──

"...M-Mabel?"

Mabel gave the bewildered Agnis a tight hug.

"M-Mabel. D-don't. When Agnis's emotions waver, her flames..."

"It's all right now, Agnis-sama."

Mabel whispered into Agnis's ear.

"You've been afraid for a long time, haven't you? Afraid that your flames would hurt someone?"

"...Ah."

"I think I may have been the one who gave you that fear. I'm sorry."

"N-no. Agnis... was startled by the Magic Power inside her and became agitated all on her own. Agnis was the one at fault... I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Mabel."

"You apologized many times back then, too, Agnis-sama..."

As she said this, Mabel stroked Agnis's hair.

Agnis's eyes widened in surprise──but she let Mabel continue.

"But... if I hadn't been startled by the burn and cried back then... Agnis-sama might have been able to calm down more and face her Fire Magic. She might have been able to control herself without wearing armor."

"...N-no. It's not your fault, Mabel! It's not your fault..."

"But it's over now. Agnis-sama won't hurt anyone anymore. You can even cling to someone like this, you know?"

"......Mabel."

"Right?"

"...Yes. Yes, Mabel..."

Tears spilled from Agnis's eyes──and then she began to cry.

Like a child, sobbing loudly.

Of course, no flames came from her body.

The 'Health-Boosting Pendant' continued properly converting her Fire Magic into other types of Magic Power. Messages indicating this continued to sound.

Perhaps she found that funny, because Agnis's face became a tearful smile.

"Then Thor-sama is next. Please."

With that, Mabel released Agnis.

"Thor-sama, please give Agnis-sama a tight hug, too."

"Me, too?"

"Since we have the opportunity."

"M-Mabel!? Why... why Thor Rigas-sama, too?"

"Since she can finally touch other people, I thought she should take advantage of the opportunity."

"B-but... but..."

"Oh? Agnis-sama, don't you want Thor-sama to give you a hug?"

"──!?"

In response to Mabel's question, Agnis shook her head vigorously.

"Then it's all right, isn't it?"

"B-but Thor-sama might not like it..."

"Thor-sama, would you dislike hugging Agnis-sama?"

"I wouldn't dislike it."

I answered immediately without thinking.

No, I mean, I thought that was an unfair question.

How could I answer "I don't want to" when she asked me face-to-face?

Besides, as the person who had made the 'Health-Boosting Pendant,' I had a responsibility.

I had to properly check whether it was safe to hug someone other than Mabel.

Telling myself that, I stepped toward Agnis.

Perhaps she had steeled herself, because Agnis turned toward me and spread both arms.

The salamanders flew on either side of her, nodding and saying, "Grrruu," and "Grrruu."

It seemed they accepted me because I had solved Agnis's problem.

I placed a hand on Agnis's shoulder.

...Come to think of it, Agnis wasn't wearing underwear right now.

Hugging her in that state seemed like it could lead to all sorts of problems...

But Agnis's face was already very close.

The reason I couldn't hear her breathing was that she was holding her breath tightly in nervousness.

...Stopping now wouldn't be right. Yeah.

And so, just as I was about to hug Agnis──

"Agnis──! Where have you gone? Agniiiis──!"

General Raizenga's shout echoed through the hallway outside the bathhouse.