The Gift

Looking at the description of the sword, I felt excitement swell in me. It was perfect. The only problem was explaining how I wound up with the sword... Mulling it over while I pretended to watch the others, I came to a realization. The story I gave them was vague enough I might ust be able to pull something out if my ass. All hey knew was that I came from a faraway kingdom and woke up suddenly in the west forest. Maybe I can just say that it was an inheritance? Perhaps mention that it was in my storage magic, and that I forgot about since it wouldn't work for me...

I thought about Ais and how much this could help the power imbalance in the team. It was at that moment that I actually felt a pulse running through my inventory, shocking me. I shot a pointed thought towards system, asking what the hell was going on.

System: {You bought a conscious sword, put it in your inventory, and then started actively thinking about the exact person that would fit the sword's ideal user. What did you expect?}

I rolled my eyes at system. Damn they were getting sassy.

Me: 'But how did it move? Doesn't time work differently in the inventory?'

I thought back to all those rabbits I killed and suddenly wondered if I had been eating rotten meat. System must have sensed my thoughts, because they responded quickly.

System: {Normally you can't put things that are alive or can think for itself into the inventory. This was one strange exception.}

I nodded slightly. It made sense. Summoning the ring into my hand, I turned my attention to Riveria, who stood next to me still. I think she was worried I would feel awkward so she chose to stay with me. I spoke quietly, keeping my hand squeezed around the ring.

Me: Riveria, I think I have something for Ais.

My voice caught her attention and she hummed before turning to me with a quizzical look.

Riveria: What makes you say that?

Taking out the ring I held it in the palm of my hand. It was glowing with a beautiful light green. Physically looking at it now, it looked different than I imagined. Simpler and less assuming. I could feel the power radiating off of the ring, though.

The quizzical look turned interested as she turned fully toward me, her head coming close to look at the ring.

Riveria: Where did you get this ring Aelita?

I shrugged, turning my [Acting] skill on just a smidge.

Me: It's been in my storage magic ever since I woke up in the forest. I tried putting it on, but it wouldn't let me. Just now I felt a pulse running through my storage magic and I'm pretty sure that this ring is what caused it, because it wasn't glowing like this before.

I heard a voice behind us and turned to see Ais had stopped her training exercises and turned her head in our direction. Her eyes were wide and staring directly at the ring, although from that distance anyone else would have had no idea it was there. She walked toward us as if in a trance.

Ais: Aelita, what is that ring?

I tilted my head to the side, showing her the ring in my palm.

Me: It is called "Avenger's Secret." It is a family inheritance that I was asked to keep safe because of my storage magic. It is meant for someone looking to avenge someone and won't let anyone else wield it.

The two girls were quiet, and I suddenly realized that everyone else had also stopped training and were looking in our direction. Whoops, didn't mean to make a show of it.

Riveria: Is this what you meant when you said that you thought that you had a gift for Ais?

I turned and nodded at her, keeping the corner of my eye on Ais to gauge her reaction. She couldn't seem to keep her eyes off of the gentle glow so I turned back to her.

Me: DId you feel it Ais? Did it call to you?

I spoke softly, unwilling to break the trance. Ais pressed a hand to her chest as she continued staring at the ring.

Ais: It felt like something was calling for me over here. I felt it in my chest, and I didn't think, I just answered it.

I nodded sagely as if this wasn't entirely planned by me buying the ring literally three and a half minutes ago.

Me: That's that then. I was always told it was for someone fierce of heart and loyalty who devoted their life to the memory of those they loved. It must mean someone like you, Ais, who has the Avenger skill.

I nodded toward the abandoned and cracked sword on the ground from her previous training.

Me: It's said to be indestructible due to an ability called Durandal. It also holds the power of Avenger's Resonance, which is supposed to amplify the wielder's ability based on their emotional connection to their purpose, which in this case is what gave you the Avenger ability.

I pulled the ring back a little, placing emphasis on my next words.

Me: This does not come without risk though. This sword, if you choose to bind with it, will be impossible to remove from your person unless you die or complete your mission. That means no matter how much damage it takes, it will repair over time. If it is damaged too badly though, it will pull on your own energy to help heal itself.

Ais nodded sagely, listening to despite being enraptured by the rings obvious pull. I hold it out carefully, letting her take it for her own.

She held it in her fist, closing her eyes and sighing as the magic that seemed to draw her in calmed once it was in her possession.

Me: It goes on your dominant hand index finger, and you have to will the ring to become a sword. It might take a few tries, but-

Before I could finish, she had already slipped the ring on and a flash of light had burst into her hand. Gone was the gold and silver ring with the ruby in the center. In its place, a golden rapier with a silver handle and hilt appeared, the red gem now set into the cross guard.

Everyone was quiet until she looked up with a happy face that was different from her usual emotionless one.

Ais: I love it.