Man… I really didn't think something like this would happen.
I mean, a harem situation is supposed to be for protagonists like Hayato, right?
You rescue a kidnapped princess, take in some noble girl with a troubled past, or adopt an orphaned child. That's how it usually goes.
And honestly, it's kind of a tricky situation to deal with.
If there was a red-light district in this world, I would've liked to visit it.
Back home, one of the fun parts of traveling was checking out the local adult entertainment spots.
But doing that while in the middle of a harem-like development just feels like cheating.
And besides, I'm technically homeless right now.
I haven't even stayed the night anywhere except the alchemy room, so how am I supposed to support anyone?
I mean, come on…
While I grumbled about something that had already been decided, my hands kept steadily working on making necklaces.
Looking out the window, I could see the sky starting to brighten—morning was coming.
Thanks to that, the twisted iron necklaces I'd been crafting now granted +5 defense, and just like with medicinal herbs, I'd managed to start making small magic power potions from magic herbs.
And then…
『Alchemy skill level has increased to 4』
『Spatial Magic skill level has increased to 2』
Well, of course.
My magic bag had gotten full, so I made necklaces until I could unlock magical storage space.
I even kept crafting necklaces while sipping on the magic power potions I'd just created.
Since I'd come this far, I decided to check my status.
———————————–
Shinomiya Itsuki – Alchemist Lv 1
HP: 15/15 → 30/30
MP: 250/250 → 540/540
STR: G
VIT: G
INT: F → E
MID: G → F
AGI: G
DEX: E → D
Active Skills
Spatial Magic Lv 2
Alchemy Lv 4
Appraisal Lv 1
Passive Skills
Farming Lv 1
Cooking Lv 1
Active Auto Skill
Madness Lv 1
??? Skill
??? Lv 1
———————————–
Now that I think about it, I've been using the appraisal skill a fair amount, but the level hasn't gone up at all.
Maybe appraising the same thing over and over doesn't count.
Do I need to appraise only unidentified items to gain experience?
Or is it just one of those skills that levels up really slowly?
Also, the status. My stats actually went up!
So they can increase even without defeating monsters!
But my level hasn't changed.
Still stuck at Lv1, and my stats are still weak.
Although, my MP more than doubled. I kept working until morning while drinking magic power potions and didn't even pass out!
Now that I think about it, what exactly can Spatial Magic Lv2 do?
[Spatial Magic Lv2 – Output
Allows the user to expel objects stored within the magic space]
Huh?
What does that mean?
I can already take stuff out of the magic space like normal.
So what's this Output supposed to do? Does it just spit the item out or something?
『Appraisal skill level has increased to 2』
Oh, perfect timing.
Maybe I can get more detailed information now?
Let's try appraising the Spatial Magic.
[Spatial Magic Lv1 – Input
Allows the user to absorb objects into a magic space.
Time does not pass within the magic space. Slots 0–9
Lv2 – Output
Allows the user to expel objects stored in the magic space.
The object is expelled with the same energy and vector it had when absorbed]
The description is more detailed now! So putting something into the magic space is called Input.
Vector… that means direction and momentum, right? If that's the case, then the energy part seems kind of redundant.
Hmm… So if I throw something in, and then expel it, it comes out with the same force and direction as when it was thrown?
Not sure I get it. For now, I'll try throwing a piece of iron straight up, catch it with the magic space facing upward, then Output it sideways.
When I did that, the iron shot out perfectly horizontally.
I see.
It preserves the kinetic energy and direction from the moment of Input.
So the direction is basically just where it flies toward after being expelled.
Depending on how I use this, it might actually be pretty handy.
Like, I could absorb an incoming arrow and shoot it right back.
Wait, wait, wait. Who exactly am I planning to fight here?
I'm not dealing with monsters anymore. I'm not fighting anyone!
Oh right, the Input description mentioned slots 0–9.
Does that mean I can choose where to store things or organize them?
When I opened the magic space to check, just as I thought, it was divided into ten separate spaces, labeled 0 to 9. Currently, I'm using slot 0.
Perfect. I'll use 0 for unclassified materials, 1 for iron ore, 2 for herbs, and move anything I plan to sell from the magic bag into slot 3.
There even seems to be a sorting feature. Just by thinking about it, items were automatically sorted without needing to physically move them.
I'll keep things I need quick access to in the magic bag.
Man, that's a relief. It was starting to feel like a cluttered desktop, and that really bugged me.
Alright. Things have finally settled down. Time to get some sleep.
I worked hard today!
With that, I flopped down on the floor of the alchemy room and drifted off into a light sleep.
-0-
Ah… what is this?
Feels like low blood pressure.
My head's foggy right after waking up.
My vision's blurry, but the back of my head is wrapped in something soft and blissful.
「You're awake?」
A voice calls out from above, but I can't see the speaker's face.
Peeking over the object casting a shadow, a beautiful woman with red hair appears…?
「Still sleepy? Want to rest a little longer?」
My vision finally focuses.
The moment I realize what's going on, I jolt upright—
—and knock my forehead into hers with a loud thunk.
「Ow… Haha, looks like you're up.」
「W-What…」
「Well, I came by early this morning, but you didn't answer. So I asked Reinrich-sama to let me in. You were fast asleep on the floor, so I thought I'd at least offer a pillow. Was my muscular, firm leg too uncomfortable to sleep on?」
「No, I actually slept just fine…」
「I see. That's good, then.」
Please stop! Don't smile at me like that, all bright and shining!
My brain's still waking up, and now I'm feeling both happy and frustrated that I can't even remember the sensation!
「Is Master… lonely, perhaps? Even in your sleep, you…」
「Huh?」
「No, it's nothing. I mean, I am a slave, after all. That much is… fine. Yes, I'm okay.」
Did I do something!?
I usually sleep pretty still.
Never fallen out of bed or kicked the covers off or anything.
Why don't I remember!?
Come on, instincts! Awaken! Show me my true power! 『Ability Awakening (Remember Memory)!』
Not that I have a skill like that!
「Anyway, good morning.」
「Uh, good morning?」
「Technically, it's already noon. So what now? Want to eat first?」
「Um, I'll head to the armor shop first, then grab a quick bite at the stalls, I think?」
「Got it. Come out when you're ready.」
「Ah, yes. I'll be right out.」
I rushed over to the faucet, filled the bucket with water, and splashed my face with a big splash.
「Hey, your hair's sticking up over here.」
「Wah! I thought you already went to the lobby!」
I accidentally slipped into formal speech from the surprise.
「I was a bit worried. Plus, helping Master get ready is part of a slave's duties, no?」
Uh, could you not come so close!?
You smell really nice, and also—you're brushing against me!
Something sacred is… pressing against my back!
「How long are you planning to sleep… Hey, just what do you think you're doing, making people wait like this?」
That voice—Sorte!
Oh, right. She said she was coming too.
「Ah, don't move. Just a little more and I'll have it fixed.」
As I tried to turn around, a firm hand physically returned my head to its original position.
With damp fingers, she started fixing the bedhead in my hair.
Seriously, too close—way too close!
My self-control—my Rationality +5—is taking a hit!
「There, all done. You're looking handsome now.」
With that, she pulled her hand back, turned me to face forward, and nodded with a satisfied grin.
「Why are you fixing his bedhead, Aina!?」
「I am his slave. I thought helping him get ready was my duty.」
「That doesn't mean you need to get so close! And you didn't have to give him a lap pillow either! You could've just left him lying on the floor like the mess he is!」
「That wouldn't do. The floor is hard and cold.」
「I—know—that!! …Forget it! You're ready now, right? Let's just go already!」
Looks like Sorte doesn't like seeing Aina act like a proper slave and fuss over me.
Can't really blame her.
Until yesterday, they were adventuring side-by-side. Now, out of nowhere, Aina's calling me Master and doing all this by choice.
Yeah… I guess I'd be pissed off too if I were her.
「Armor shop first.」
「Huh!? I waited until noon for you, and now we're going to the armor shop!?」
「Of course. We're the ones causing trouble here. We shouldn't derail Master's plans.」
「Tch… fine! Then let's get it over with as fast as possible!」
I mean, going to the armor shop is a must.
We don't even have enough money for food today.
And I don't know how much the necklace I made will sell for, either.
「Reinrich, we're heading out.」
「Alright, take care. Also, could you drop off today's batch of potions at the Adventurers' Guild? And include yesterday's too?」
「That gonna be okay? Going back there right after all that happened—I'm not getting mobbed or anything, right?」
「It should be fine. We already informed the Guild Master this morning. If anyone lays a hand on you, I'll cut them down myself.」
「Still, I mean…」
「Despite appearances, I am a skilled adventurer. Besides, Sorte has agreed to back you up.」
I believe she's capable, no doubt.
But… Sorte? Really? She's the type who probably thinks the world would be better off if I dropped dead.
「Hmph. I just don't want the Adventurers' Guild's reputation to get any worse than it already is.」
She's definitely tsundere… but in her case, I'm pretty sure the dere part doesn't exist.
「I see… Got it.」
「Why don't you go ahead and get yourself roughed up? Just don't die, and she can protect you enough to keep you breathing.」
This granny's still trying to squeeze more out of me!?
Judging by the strained looks on the girls' faces, we should probably get out of here fast.
「Alright. Then put them in this.」
「A magic bag, huh… Maybe this thing is what made them mistake you for someone from the Pharma Guild.」
「The Alchemy Guild doesn't use them?」
「They have them, but they don't usually use them for deliveries. I guess since the Pharma Guild's been raking it in lately, it wouldn't be weird for them to have one.」
Makes sense. I totally forgot this was considered a high-end item.
I was thrown off by the "(Small)" label and the fact I got it for free… but still, that wasn't my mistake. Nope.
No matter how you slice it, this was their fault.
If they'd just checked, they wouldn't have messed up. And even if I were from the Pharma Guild, they still broke my stuff.
「Here, all set. Off you go.」
I take the magic bag from Reinrich and strap it to my waist.
「Alrighty, we're off!」
「Yeah, yeah.」
Reinrich casually waves while still reading her documents.
She's just so her.
「So… where's the armor shop, exactly?」
「Head to the central plaza, then go east. That's where you'll find it. On the west side is the slave dealership, so we can loop back there after and grab lunch.」
「Perfect. That work for you, Sorte?」
「Hmph. Don't speak to me so casually.」
Oh, you dog-eared menace…
If it weren't for those ears, I'd have words with you.
Just you wait—someday I'll get to fluff those ears until you cry and beg for forgiveness!
Aina-san! Please hold her down when that day comes!!
「Alrighty then, let's go, Aina-san.」
「Yes, Master.」
「...」
Okay, I'm starting to think being called "Master" in public might be a bad idea.
That lady walking past just turned to stare like she saw something out of a horror story, then speed-walked away.
「Hey, about the way you call me…」
「You mean 'Master'?」
「Yeah. That. Do you have any other options?」
「Is it no good? I thought it was a fitting term.」
「Yeah, no, it's not. It's super embarrassing.」
I mean, it's fine in a private setting. You know, if it's that kind of play. Just the two of us.
But being called "Master" out in the open like this? It's like public humiliation! Total shame-play mode. No thank you.
「In that case, shall I offer some alternatives? Lord, Sir, Your Grace, My Liege, Master (in English), or—though it may be a bit soon—Husband… Which would you prefer?」
Calling me "Master" just doesn't fit.
If I had to choose, I'd go with "Lord" or "Master," but both are way too embarrassing.
If I had to choose, maybe "Sir" would be the least awkward.
Wait a second…
「Hold on, what was that last part?」
「In my race, it's customary to call the one who becomes your first as 'husband'. So if you were to… well, let's just say I'd call you that if you ever took that step with me. Oh, and don't worry about acknowledging any children, you don't need to.」
「Wha—」
「I won't let that happen, though! I'll just buy you out right away!」
So Sorte's goal is to buy her out, huh?
She confidently shakes a small bag in front of me, making it jingle.
If this is filled with gold coins, there's a pretty decent amount in there.
Honestly, I'd rather just take the gold coins than make Aina my slave. It's a lot more useful to me, and I could just take the money and call it a day.
「No, Sorte. That's not enough. It won't show my sincerity.」
「Why not?! I'm paying, so that should be enough, right?!」
Why is she saying that?! I'm the one getting paid, so it should be fine!
It's like our thoughts are perfectly synced.
「I'm taking responsibility for my actions. That's why, Sorte, I appreciate what you're doing for me, but it won't settle my feelings.」
So stubborn. This is so frustrating.
The thing is, Aina's not directly at fault here.
She only acted out of goodwill when she intervened, and being this adamant about it doesn't make sense.
「Ugh… Fine! Fine! I'm going, okay?! I'm coming with you! I'm not going to let you have Aina!」
「Ah… Just… Just call me whatever you want, but not "Master." It might be for just a short while anyway.」
「Got it. Then, Lord, I'll leave it all to you from here on out.」
With that, Aina kneels down and bows deeply in a formal gesture.
I hurriedly stop her and help her stand, and she looks up at me, confused.
I think I've finally started to understand how hard Sorte's situation is.
Meanwhile, Sorte is struggling to control her emotions, repeating "Ugh!" over and over.
Without further delay, we decided to head to the armor shop.