III

A laugh echoed through the smithy as the baldy laughed.

"I hardly recognized you two!"

He snickered, slamming his hand on the table.

I leaned on one of the weapon counters.

Raphtalia giggled.

"I haven't seen you guys for a while, what have you guys been doing? Just fighting i'd bet."

"Just about!"

She grabs my arm, pulling me toward me as she smils at the baldy.

"We were taught proper table manners by the inn staff, we felt it proper to eat as sofisticated as Master Naofumi."

'We?'

I take a glance at the corner mirror examining my larger figure. My long black hair cascaded along my back, making the white in my maid outfit pop.

Slitted golden eyes stared back at me as my ears twitched and tail waved. I had turned into a beauty.

'And I hate it.'

This new body was a little weird to me.

"I was worried for a while, but we leveled up a bit. And they eat well now, and Raphtalia's coughing is cured."

"Master naofumi! You're making me sound fat!"

I see a bead of sweat roll down his cheek.

The baldy just chuckles.

-:-:-

"They've become quite the beauty's haven't they?"

"You think so?"

I watch on as the two girls inspect a sword on one of the counters.

"Well excuse me Mr. Highstandards."

"Hey hey, atleast I don't like little girls. Most of the guys we walk past are staring with their eyes popped out."

His face of confusion made me question if he even knew what he was talking about, I just sighed.

"Uh, hey kid... don't tell me you didn't notice."

I watch Nyx walk over and tug at his shirt, shaking her head as he just sighs.

"Anyways, what did you guys come here for anyways?"

"Oh yeah, it's about time these two-

Raphtalia cuts me off, pulling on me close as she speaks up.

"Obviously to get Master Naofumi some new armour!"

I look at her confused.

"What do you mean? The plan was obviously to come get you guys new armour."

She jabs a finger in my direction. I could feel Nyx's blank stare jab into me.

"I'm sorry to break it to you, but putting aside your shield, you look like just another villager master! You need to have attire befitting of you!"

I could feel sweat trail down my cheek.

"Right..."

I look at her squarly, confused on what she's getting at.

"I have the shields protection, so I don't really need anything like that."

I wave her off.

"Did you forget? You got seriously injured a few days ago!"

"Forget it, just getting you a sword should be just fine."

I watch as she grabs a sword off the rack.

"Master Naofumi, if you don't cease this you may very well die."

The look in her eyes was dangerous, bseides the fact that she was weilding a sword. I look over to find Nyx haggling over the price of a sword she seems to have chosen.

'She's gotten so stubborn, she didn't even go against the slave crest either.'

I sigh.

'Is she hitting puberty or something?'

"Master Naofumi, I meant it. The calamity is approaching, if you don't prepare properly anything could happen."

My interest peaked.

"It's already near?"

"Yes!"

I take a second to think about it.

'She was right in some regards.'

"Oh, that reminds me. I'm pretty sure I already asked, but how do you go about finding out where and when the wave'll take place?"

"You mean no one told you?"

I look at him confused.

He seemed to get the message.

"They call it the Dragon Hour Glass."

"Dragon Hour Glass?"

He scratches the back of his head, seemingly trying to recall the specifics.

"Yeah, it's apparently shaked up in the church. When all the sand reaches the bottom, supposedly the hero's and their companions are transported to the location of the wave."

'You're telling me he knows something that important when I don't?"

I feel a tug on my sleeve as Nyx looks at me.

"Done?"

She nods.

"Well i'd say if you don't know when it'll happen just go take a peak yourself. No harm in it."

I look back at him, scratching my head thinking if it was needed or not. I'd obciously eventually have to.

'but did I need to now?'

"Oh, and before we go we should-"

"Fine fine, I get it. Just give me something in the range of about 180 silver."

He chuckles, leaning forward.

"Stubborn isn't she? Well I suppose this would work."

He pulls out light chainmail, sudden flashbacks of what happened cross my mind. I Grit my teeth.

"I'm not wearing that."

He sighs.

"Alright alright, my bad."

-:-:-

"This is great! To think we could get all of our gear tailor-made with our collected materials!"

Walking next to master Naofumi, I pump my fist in the air. Nyx takes a glance at me as she inspects her new sword.

"To think he'd even give us these as gifts, the blacksmith is a nice guy don't you think master Naofumi?"

He looked at me, he didn't answer but it was enough to know he was listening.

"What do you think Nyx?!"

I excitedly tug on her arm, her tail tensing at the sudden grab.

She looks at me and nods.

I giggle, finding her actions cute.

Nyx was quiet most of the time, not making her presence known in most conversations. Though her pretty appearance alone lets people know she's still around.

I glance at her chest, and smile.

'Even if I can't beat her in looks I can atleast beat her in something! Hopefully master likes them bigger.'

I felt a stare, I was caught redhanded. I turn to find Nyx staring at me blankly. I nervously giggle.

Before long we were interrupted by a low growl.

"That wasn't me this time!"

I wave my hands around, a bit embarrased even if it wasn't me. I take a glance to Nyx but she just shakes her head.

"I know, it was me."

He clicks his tongue.

"I don't feel like eating since I can taste Jack shit, but I just have to keep getting hungry."

-:-:-

"Master Nofumi!"

"What's wrong?"

She points to her food while pouting, a white flag waving proudly out of her rice.

I sigh staring at their interaction as I chew my food. Not choosing to complain about food I didn't pay for.

'Alright, let's think about what i've gathered so far.'

I think about the past month as the info i've gathered so far comes to mind.

'The heroes are summoned to stop the calamities called waves, they can't level together, the current summoned shield hero is hated, and i'm serving him as his slave.'

I take a bite of my food, hearing raphtalia complain about being too old for her food in the background.

'And... the fact that I can't level up.'

-:-:-

"Huh?"

He stares confused at the air, presumably hisTY  status screen.

"Nyx didn't get any but me and Raphtalia did?"

He wispered under his breath, though my cat ears easily picked it up.

"No, rather it seems I got it instead."

-:-:-

I tap my fork to my plate, bringing a hand to my cheek as I think.

My thoughts drift, a continuous tapping of my fork creating a steady pace. Bringing my thoughts further and further away.

"...Yx"

'I wonder if I have to level up another way.'

"Nyx!"

I jump, my tail and ears tensing. I slowly turn towards master and raphtalia, my tail waving shyly.

'Oops.'