Chapter 25: A Day We're Idle

[The next day...]

After that short game of "Tag" that we had last afternoon, we all got back to the Silver Moon Inn with the three tomatoes exhausted from trying to catch me but still couldn't even at the end.

Well, how could they?! This dady here got the stamina of dragons! Never will I get tired from just a simple game of tag! Hahahaha!

*Cough* Anyway~.

As planned, Touya had his class with Linze, and also got briefed with magic that night after dinner.

Morning came, as what happened in the Canon, Touya got his affinities checked and got all of them even including null~! Well, especially null as almost all his useful spells introduced in the light novel version were all from the null attribute. Not the most powerful, but useful.

Heck. The guy even got me to teach the theories and fundamentals behind my Inventory. And, as a typical "broken" protagonist that he is, he was able to learn it, much earlier than it happened in the light novel version.

But instead of [Storage], this time he got something similar to mine, the [Inventory]. Same name, same functions, but different approach.

Well, it's not that surprising I guess?

Considering all what I've taught him were my understanding about my own Inventory, so I say that it's just as expected.

Oh, and for the differences, while I keep track of my list of items I have in my Inventory through the System screens, his somehow got connected with his phone... Goddamn plot armor and super OP backer... This is definitely the work of that old coot! I refuse to believe that he didn't have a hand on this!

Anyways, enough of that!

Let's get back to the present situation...

Okay, so with all his affinities checked and his absurd definitely broken ability that let's him use all types of null magic pointed out, we're now trying to make him try others as well, like Elze's [Boost], which he was able to do without much of a problem. Tough it could only be used to boost the caster once, it's still a great spell. But it's still too much weaker than Ddraig's [Boost].

Oh, and speaking of Elze, just like in the Canon, she went on a quest alone for gathering something, so yeah, she's not here right now.

"So, with all this considered, even with only these, we can now conclude that Touya can use all types of null magic, as long as he knows their general descriptions and mechanisms, theoretically anyway."

I said with a hand on my chin.

"Mm. Just like what I have said earlier, Touya. This is the first in history that someone was able to do what you did. Sure, there were some records of a couple of individuals having more than one null type magic... but you! You only need to learn what they do and how they work and you can cast them like they were yours in the first place!"

Linze exclaimed with excitement, clearly shown through the stars shining in her eyes.

Wow, this is the first time Linze got so riled up on something and forgot about her appearance and how she acts.

Gone were her timid and shy nature. Good for her? Yeah, let's just agree on that~.

Hearing this, Touya blushed a little, add to the factor that Linze's face is really close with his, and the fact that he doesn't have any experience with women, he could only scratch his chin awkwardly and look to the side.

"W-well..."

"Awww~. Just kiss already!"

I said with a teasing tone.

Hearing what I said, the two immediately turned bright red and Linze finally realized their distance between each other.

"S-sorry!"

"A-ah! No! It's okay! I don't mind at all!"

The two flusteredly said.

Letting out a light chuckle which only earned me a two-way death glare, I cleared my throat and tried to changed the subject.

"Anyway. Since you have already "stole" my Inventory, why don't you try another null spell? You know, something useful and convenient. Hmmm, something like that... anything that comes to mind Linze?"

"Awww, stop being a baby, wittle Kwoss~."

Touya teased as he pressed his ckeeks and imitated a baby speech.

Seeing this, I could roll my eyes and made a mental note to get back at him later. But anyway, this is a good improvement for him, at least he's not too reserved now, compared to how he is in the Canon... I don't know when it comes to talking with girls though, especially his future harem members... Meh, time will tell.

"Hm~. If we are talking about usefullness and convinience then...! Ah! There's this one spell called [Gate]! It could be used to instant transportation by connecting two points through magic power!"

"Ohhh~, right! That really does sound useful. Let me try. [Gate]!"

Hai~. Lucky bastard. I really wish I have something like this. Well, not like I have the affinity to use space magic, well... yet. Considering that I have the 'Multiverse Bead' fused with my being through the System, which basically let's me travel through time and space, there's a really great chance that I'll acquire it eventually. Or, maybe a skill directly.

But I think I can do something a little similar with my lightning. Like~, oh! 'Hiraishin'! That would be really useful! There's also the 'Lightning Stride' for increased mobility. Oh~! How about the 'Flash Time' ?! Definitely want that one~. Though I doubt that I can even do something like that any time sooner, considering Barry's lightning is from the Speed Force or the lightning that have the attribute of speed, while mine have the attribute of destruction... Hm, bummer. Oh well, at least I could still try my hand on 'Hiraishin' and 'Lightning Stride' later.

With that final thought of consolation, I nodded my head and got out of my tthought, just in time too.

A wall of light appeared in front of him with a forest background.

"It worked!"

Linze exclaimed giddily in excitement.

Seriously, this girl will only get excited when it comes to magic... and books, definitely books. The girl loves her books after all.

"Hm. So it did. Well, let's try it?"

I said and turned to the other two then focused my sight at Touya which Linze did the same.

"W-what's with that look?"

He asked nervously.

"Well, it's your spell~. So obviously you'll have to test it first."

I said with a smirk which Linze backed up with her fist pumped in front of her chest as if to encourage Touya.

Well, cute. But I still think Reah's cuter. Yup, definitely. One hundred percent, though she could be a little extreme... Yeah...

With a helpless sigh, Touya relented.

"Alright..."

He put his hand in first, which sunk in, he pulled it back and stared at it, clenching it and unclenching it to tell the difference if there was, before putting both of his hands and pulled it back again.

This time, he approached his whole head and put it in and stayed for a few seconds before he pulled back. He blinked for a few times and turned towards us.

"It's safe."

"What did you see on the other side?"

"Elze."

"My sister?"

"Mm. It seems that she fell on her backside because she got ssurprised."

Well, duh?

"Oh."

Linze let out as she blinked her eyes for a couple of times.

"Well, what are we waiting for? C'mon!"

I said and immediately went through the wall of light without hesitation.

When I came out, Elze's surprised voice immediately entered my ears and yes, she's down on her butt.

"Kross?! Touya?! And even you Linze?! W-Wh-What's going on?!"

Not minding her reactions, I gave her a short greeting.

"Yo, Elze."

She exclaimed when she saw the three of us simultaneously came out of the wall of light. Hais, let's just call it the Gate.

""Linze, explain.""

"Hai~!"

Touya and I said in sync, which Linze enthusiastically agreed to, and which got another surprise look from Elze.

Yup, just as I thought. The girl never got this enthusiastic, well... not too often anyway, for even her own sister to look surprised.

After a short time of explaining Elze what we have been doing since this morning when she left, she finally caught up with the situation.

She let out a small sigh.

"I see. Haaah... So basically, you can use all seven elements? That's a bit freaky..."

She said, still trying to digest Touya's eccentricities.

"Heh. Yup, definitely freaky."

I agreed.

"Hah. That coming from a guy that can turn into a twenty meter big ass dragon?"

He shot back the sarcasm.

"Haha. Touché. It's true that I am freak-ing awesome~."

Hearing that, Touya just rolled his eyes as I gave him a light chuckle.

Welp, he got me there. That definitely is, but at least my dragon form is too freakin' cool~.

"I've never even heard of anyone who was proficient in every element before. Touya, you're really amazing!"

Linze, in stark contrast to her sister nd not even minding our own sarcastic exchange, reacted in sheer admiration, which Touya could only meet her in turn with a wry smile.

Elze nodded in agreement, though she still have a hard time believing what just happened, but then she turned towards me and put on a look as if she realized something as she nodded.

Oi.

Hais, anyway.

Elze seemed to be done with her harvesting, so as though he were a ferryman escorting some passengers, Touya brought us all back through the [Gate] to the garden behind the inn.

"It took me two whole hours to walk there, but now we're all back in an instant. That's one handy spell you've got there. And best of all, we won't have to go on another of Kross' dragon express!"

She exclaimed.

""Yeah!""

Followed by the other two when they also got this realization.

"Hey, that kinda hurts my feelings you know?... Nah~, just kidding. Hahaha."

We shared a bit of laugh after that.

On that note, Elze left to report her completed quest to the guild.

We all decided that Touya's crash course in magic would end there for the day, then headed on back inside the inn. It was almost lunchtime, anyway.

I wonder what would be on the menu. I sure am hungry... All of us are.

Now that I think of it... I never really got my fill these past few days, counting the ones in Terra. Huh. Oh well, I'll just treat this as a training for now. And I think it's also working~.

I can already my feel the need for the intake of large amounts of food getting lower and lower. Maybe this could work.

...

When we returned to the cafeteria corner of the inn, Micah was there with an unfamiliar woman who seemed to be about the same age as her. She had wavy blackhair, and judging from the white apron she was wearing, she's most likely a cook.

Then that's when I remembered that there's something like this that happened in the Canon.

Hais, there goes my lunch. My lovely, scrumptious, delicious lunch...

The two of them sat with various dishes laid out in front of them. They sampled the foods with a knife and fork, making difficult expressions all the while. Micah raised her head, then noticed us and called out.

"Oh, hey, perfect timing."

"What's up?"

Touya inquired, as Micah brought the other lady up to us.

"This girl's name is Aer, she runs a little café in town, Parent."

She said as she introduced the her to us.

Ohh~. If I remember correctly, that's the shop that we almost wrecked yesterday~. Not that I'll say it out loud though.

And, as to confirm my thoughts, Touya flinched for a moment and Linze looking a little guilty.

He sent me an accusing look along with Linze but I only winked at them which only earned their eye rolls.

"We're trying to come up with new items for her menu, so we figured we'd ask your opinions on the matter. Thought that someone from another country might know of some dishes we don't have around these parts, see?"

"I'd be very grateful if you could think of anything."

Aer bowed her head as she spoke. Touya turned to me and Linze who nodded at him and I gave him a shrug in return.

Welp, not like there's someone to prepare my food for me now, is there?

Might as well help them... At least there'll surely be good food when we're done.

"Mm. We'll see what we can do."

Touya answered on our behalf.

"Then, what kind of food were you thinking of putting on the menu?"

I asked.

"Let's see... Right, preferably something simple, I guess. A dessert dish of some kind, something that would be a hit with young women..."

"Hmm... something young women would like, huh... I can't really think of anything better than crepes or ice cream, to be honest..."

Touya thought for a while before giving his suggestion.

"Ohhh. I was thinking of milktea, but that's obviously a beverage, but yeah, ice cream sounds great."

"It does? I thought it was a really weak suggestion, even by my standards."

"Nah~. Ice cream's great. Besides, I haven't eaten one in a long, long time."

I assured him.

"Uhm, what is this I... scream?"

Aer asked, clearly confused.

Heck, even how she pronounced it was a little weird, and somewhat funny... for me at least.

"No, no. Ice cream. You know, the kind you eat?"

Touya corrected her.

"Ice... cream?"

And now everyone of the three ladies have confused looks on their faces and are now looking at the two of us oddly.

Hais, of course. How could I forget? Obviously ice cream doesn't exist here.

"What kind of food is that? By the that way you two put it, it sounds like a great food, which makes me more eager to try it."

"Uhm, it's like sweet and cold, white... you know, vanilla ice cream?"

"Or chocolate. Don't forget the chocolate."

I said.

Well, I just couldn't stop myself! Damn! Chocolate flavoured ice cream is my favorite~!

"Mm, that too."

Oi. Now I'm sure this guy only favors vanilla!

"Not really... I've never heard of anything like that before."

Yup, called it.

"Would you happen to know how to make it?"

She asked as her eyes gained a hopeful light.

"No, I'm afraid I don't really know that much... If I remember correctly, milk was one of the ingredients..."

Touya answered.

Hais. How can he be so dull sometimes?

"Oi, Touya. Our smartphones have unlimited internet access, use that."

I pointed out in a deadpan expression.

"Oh... oh! Of course! How could I forget about that? Thanks Kross!"

He said as he took his phone out of his pocket.

Seriously...

"Please wait just a minute. I think I can solve that problem. Uhm, Linze. Could you help me out for a bit?"

"Huh? W-Well, I don't mind, but-"

"Great!"

Linze wasn't even able to finish what she's about to say before she got dragged away by Touya.

Micah along with Aer was surprised by this action then turned to me.

"What was that about?"

Micah asked.

"Hm. Probably going to list down the ingredients needed for ice cream."

I shrugged and gave them a smile.

Well, that's all they could see anyway, considering I always have my hood up.

Well, don't really want to get into some troublesome situation because of my looks, so yeah.

I've had my hoods up the entire time the moment we got into this world.

The only ones who saw my appearance would be the old coot, Touya, Elze, and Linze.

The two did get a little red, but that's it.

So phew~~~. Don't really want to take Touya's women, he's a good after all.

Anyway, that matter is totally unimportant right now.

"Oh! That would be wonderful if it is the case."

Aer said as she lapped her hands.

I nodded at her as we wait for the two to return.

After a while, Touya with Linze in tow came back with a paper in Linze's hand.

Touya gave us a happy smile as we immediately began to work.

Following the instructions, Aer began making the ice cream in which I helped to make the job much easier and faster.

As the two of us, along with Micah and Linze who was helping by the side, Touya didn't stay idle as he got the most... troubling task there is, especially in this world.

Yeah, he was tasked with the mixing. Poor guy, maybe he would like to build a mixer powered by magic much sooner.

For the last step, the mixture was placed in a container and sealed with a lid.

Linze cast her magic on it and froze the container in a block of ice. Though, I think she over did it a bit, even Touya thinks too.

Now there's a huge iced boulder in the in front of us and flustered Linze by the side.

We left it for a while until it seemed about ready, then cracked open the ice block and retrieved the container. It appeared to have come together properly.

I took a spoon into my mouth and tried it.

Hm. It's a little lacking in terms of sweetness, and the flavors aren't really pronounced, add that to the fact that it lacks the taste of vanilla... which made the taste more like milk than anything, it still needs some work if you ask me.

But all in all, it's still pretty good in my on my book, especially since this is our first try in making it.

I'm sure, if I can somehow find the right ingredients and the best flavors possible in both worlds, I'm pretty certain I can make a deluxe version of this!

"This is delicious...!"

Aer said the moment she put the ice cream in her mouth as her eyes widened in delight.

"What is this thing?! It's cold, but it's sweet at the same time?! This is amazing!"

Micah exclaimed.

"Mm! This is definitely good! I've never tasted something like this."

Linze added as she indulge in the sweet treat, having a blissful smile on her face.

After that, Aer gave a quick goodbye, then rushed back to her shop. It seemed like she wanted to try making it herself. When Elze returned from the guild and heard the full story, she almost exploded, complaining that she was the only one who didn't get to try any and... all of that were directed at Touya.

Honestly, it was an amusing scene to watch. Touya getting yelled at as he stood there like a tamed puppy, looking at us for help.

Though, as amusing as it was to watch, Micah have cut in and said we'd make some more, and with that, Touya's back with his mixing duty.

*Chuckle* Duty~.

He's really good at it too. I wonder what he thinks about mixing business if for example he didn't get his title as a Grand Duke?

Meh, oh well.

So, with another batch of ice cream done, which came out much better than the first one thanks to mua, we decided to have our slightly early dinner and retired for bed to prepare for our early day tomorrow as we all agreed to once again continue our adventuring career and see if we can get a decent quest that may hopefully have high rewards, not that I lack money or anything.

-fin.