With the redemption deal settled and the paperwork freed up, I was walking through the Epic Seeker headquarters.
　Now that I'm back, I'm going to do something that I can only do here.

　My current goal is to become stronger.
　The stronger we become, the easier it will be to explore the labyrinth and the more dangers we will be able to deal with. This is also necessary for the fight against Palinkron, which will come eventually.

　I'll be able to stretch my game-like thinking to become stronger.
　And I chose the method of collecting armor. This is what I call 'equipment' gathering.

　It's basic on the high road. If this is a game, it's quite common that you have to equip yourself to clear the game.
　Up until now, I was short of money, lacked a handlers, and didn't have time, so I didn't have any good equipment. Also, being an evasion-oriented style, I would rather have nothing than wear something shoddy.

　However, Rowen's ore gave me a guess as to how much money I could get. He had extra time on his boat trip. There are many friends who will need equipment.
　Now should be the time to work on the equipment we've been putting off.

　I snort as I walk to the Epic Seeker's workshop.
　I can see that my love for the game is coming out now that I have more room in my heart. Now I enjoy the act of collecting 'equipment'.

　I visit the workshop and open the door with great enthusiasm.
　It's the same messy space as before.

　At the back of the workshop, a man with long hair was wielding a hammer. It was Mr. Allivers.
　But for some reason, there was also a petite girl with her butt on the desk next to it.
　The petite girl - Seri noticed her visitor and shouted out when she saw my face.

''Ma, masteraaa!　You're the master!　I knew you were going to come back to "Epic Seeker"!　You're coming!
'No, I'm not going back to 'Epic Seeker'. I'm just going to come back every now and then to see how things are going. I'm sneaking in today, so be quiet. ......
'Yes!　I'll be quiet!

　I get off the desk and stand upright, stiffly.
　I leave Seri alone and greet Mr. Alibers.

''Haha, you're the master. Here's an early welcome back.
It's good to see you again, Mr. Alibers.

　Mr. Alivers doesn't seem greatly surprised and welcomes you with open arms.
　He is a craftsman by nature and has a special sensitivity. He doesn't seem to be surprised by this level of abruptness.

'I came here today to get a new set of equipment. Including those of my friends, so I'm sure there will be quite a few of them.''

　As I look through the armor and other items on display in the workshop, I start the conversation.

'I see. I see. That's a good thing, Master. I've always thought of you as a master fighting in those filthy clothes. I could have gotten you better equipment.
Ugh, is it dirty ......?
At least that's not what the head of an organization wears. Your cloak is tattered and your shoes are in pristine condition.
As long as I can use it. Also, it's something I'm attached to in its own way.
'Hmmm, that's the beauty of being a master, though. ...... But you can't say that anymore, can you?
'Yes, I re-dived into the labyrinth, but I felt I was a bit underpowered. So I came to review the basic equipment first.
Good. If you need it right away, you may take the one you have on display. I'm sure the master will be pleased with any of your armor, as long as it's used for him. Well, I'll get paid for it.
Thank you.

　While Alibers resumes his work with a hammer, I look over the works in the workshop. I walk around and "analyze" all the equipment in the warehouse at the back.

　However, it is difficult to find equipment that meets my eyes.
　I'd like to have the black armor rankings that Perciona wore during the dance tournament.

　Above all, there are few that fit. I'm still better, but there are very few child-sized ones for Dear Maria Reaper.

''Come to think of it, half of my people are child-sized: ......
''Come to think of it, one of the kids who was rooting for you in 'V'alfoura' was about the size of Ceri.
'Yes. If possible, I'd like to have equipment as big as Seri's.

　Today's objective is to strengthen myself. However, I calmly understand that the priority should be the equipment of the rear guard, Dia and Maria.
　And when I glanced at Seri, she was excited and was about to take off her jacket.

''Master, do you need these clothes!　Of course we'll give it to you!　Shall I take it off?!
Wait!　Sure, I want what you're wearing right now, but you don't have to take it off!　So don't take it off!

　It's a good thing that Seri's clothes are quite good.

--The robe of white stone thread
　　　3 defensive powers, 3 magical powers--

If you want it, by all means!　Here are my freshly undressed clothes!　Go ahead, Master!
'I don't want to get you out of your clothes!　Don't take it off!　Stop!　Quiet again!

　I hadn't seen her in a while, so I was caught off guard.
　She's one of the top talking girls in 'Epic Seeker'. This isn't the top, it's the top, so 'Epic Seeker' is a horrible place to be.

'Ha, yes. I understand. ....... I'm sorry, but I'm giving up this time: ......

　Ceri is restrained and becomes as quiet as a scolded puppy.
　Breaking out in a cold sweat, she resumes her conversation with Mr. Alibers.

''Since I know the size of my mate, can I order it now?　Something with a reasonable amount of protection from the bottom to the top, please.
I don't mind. I can make as many as I want, as long as I know the size.

　By the way, I've figured out their three sizes in Dimensions.
　I didn't intend to do so, but as we've known each other for a while now, I've found out naturally. It's an absolute secret around Sera, who seems to overreact.

''So, this is the magic stone in the new layer. If possible, please use this magic stone.
''Mmm. ....... Well, you've brought a rare magic stone with you. Are you sure you want me to do this?
I only know one blacksmith, Mr. Alibers, so I'm going to go to ......
''But from here on out, even if the master brings more rare magic stones, there will definitely be a time when my skills won't be able to make use of the materials, right?　I'm going to be reasonably good at it, but I'm only one blacksmith in one guild. I think it would be better to ask a larger and more famous blacksmith to do it for me: ......
But I'm almost a wanted man in the confederacy, so I ....... I don't want to go somewhere conspicuous and get in trouble if the Walkers or anyone else finds me. ......
"Hmmm, you can't stay: ....... You can't go there even if you wanted to: ......

　Yes.
　I can't go to ...... even if I wanted to.

　As I ruminate on those words, I look at my status and worry about it, a good idea comes to mind.
　I recall that yesterday, I got the skill 'Magical Combat' from training with Lastiara, a combat expert (professional). In other words, we can repeat that same thing.

　There's no need to go separately.
　From now on (...), from here (・・・・), you can compete with people who are experts (professionals) in blacksmithing and get the skill 'blacksmithing'.

　Now that you've got 'knitting' and 'fraud' and have found that Rowen's former advice is true, it's worth a try.

...... Mr. Alibers, is there anything I can do to help you?
Helping out, master, you're an amateur.　I can leave it to you to do simple heavy lifting, but ......

　Mr. Alivers' face contorts reluctantly.
　It seems he was too hasty. I myself am on the verge of mastering the skills in 'Parallel Thinking', but I don't understand that kind of thing, Alivers-san.

　In order to train in practice, you need to obtain the minimum amount of skills first.

-- 'Dimension Multiplexing'

　I know the location of all the workshops in Lauravia and where to find the best blacksmiths. As the master of the Epic Seeker, I've been guarding Lauravia, and this country is like a garden to me.

　I say "I'm sorry to disturb you" in my mind and follow the movements of all the people doing the forging. Then, I will keep track of and memorize their every movement.
　What you do is the same as following the sword streaks. Compared to Rowen, it's much slower, so it's easier.

　I walk through the workshop in parallel and take out the things I want.

'Here's the material: ....... May I read it?
Yeah, yeah, no problem.

　Alibers, who was a former wizard, noticed that I was emitting an unusual magical power.
　He nodded at me, even though he was upset.

　I take out all the books on blacksmithing and stack them in a corner of the workshop.
　I hand a few of those books to a handful of Seri-chan and ask her to do so.

'Seri-chan, would you please flip through the books?
What, flipping ......?
'I'll read it with you by magic. No?
'......?　Yes, sir!　I'm going to flip it!　I'll do my best!

　Seri doesn't seem to understand what it means, but she picks up the book with a lot of enthusiasm. She flips through it pretty quickly, but I can handle it now.

　Beyond the third guardian (guardian) battle, my level and status have increased, and my processing power has increased even more. I read multiple books as if there are several of them myself.

　I flip through the books with both hands, too. While cramming the knowledge of blacksmithing one after another, I also steal the skills of blacksmiths throughout Lauravia in parallel.

　The processing of vast amounts of information causes high heat to emanate from their bodies.
　I am surprised at the number of amazing processes that exist to make a single sword.
　I didn't even know the difference between casting and forging, so everything was new to me. The list of words I had never heard before made my mind dizzy. And the unique movements of a blacksmith are not the same as imitating swordplay. Although I started my skill training with a light heart, I can't cut any corners.

　Since I'm using Dimension and Parallel Thinking at full strength, my MP and stamina are being cut down at a frightening rate.
　However, thanks to this, I was able to understand it little by little.
　The basis of the livelihood of 'blacksmithing', the way of thinking. How to use the tools in the workshop, how to handle the furnace. How to hammer, how to make a fire. The process and technique, all of them.

--Inherent skill: swordsmanship 4.89 icy magic 2.58+1.10
　　　Acquired skills: body arts 1.56 dimensional magic 5.25+0.10 sensory perception 3.56 parallel thinking 1.47
　　　　　　　　　　　Knitting 1.07 Deception 1.34 Magical combat 0.72 Blacksmithing (...) 0.69
　　　?　???
　　　???　?????


　-- When a few hours had passed, I was wobbling.
　But when I check my status, I find that the skill 'Blacksmithing' was indeed floating around.

　I ask Alibers-san with a twist of my mouth.

'...... I know you're kidding. Mr. Alivers, let me help you a bit.
''I can't say no when you say that line after releasing as much magic as the 'Dancing Tournament' final. I mean, since it's a master order, I'm not going to say no to you in the first place, okay?
Thank you. ....... Oh, Ceri, keep turning the pages. I'm still reading.

　He lets the sluggish Ceri continue to turn the pages.
　Then, as if walking through the workshop she's been using for years, she picks up her blacksmithing tools and begins to help Alibers with her work.

　Of course, it doesn't go well right away. Watching and doing are two entirely different things. You could say it's a different dimension.
　But the amount of experience you can acquire is another dimension, too. I'll soon adjust for the error. Fortunately, the dimensional magic "Dimension" is suited to adjusting movements of less than a millimeter.

　I can feel Alivers' eyes and muscle usage next to him and predict what he wants. He mobilizes all the knowledge he has gained and directs his body to move with the highest efficiency. In parallel, we also absorb knowledge. He learns not only the books, but also the temperature of the kiln and the timing of the iron and steel being met. Then he feels the heat on his own skin and strikes the iron with his own arms - with exactly the same movements as the skilled blacksmiths in Lauravia.

　After helping for an hour or so, Alibers' work is settled and he takes a break.

'...... I see, I'm beginning to understand a bit more. There's a lot of depth to it, blacksmithing.

　I mutter my honest thoughts.

''My master has become a mid-level blacksmith hand in a matter of minutes: ......
Yeah, I'm pretty handy with my hands.

　As Alibers shuddered next to me, I ranted out my usual excuse.

'You are the master!　Unlike me, you're incredibly handy!

　Ceri was stupid enough to believe me. It's about time I started to worry about her future.

'Oh no, this isn't a level of dexterity or anything like that. It's something more terrifying. No, well, he's a master, so I guess it's no use. ...... Teyri's guy said something similar ....... Hmph, hmph. ......

　Although dumbfounded, Mr. Alibers's cheeks rise to the top.
　As I thought, their love of heroes is extraordinary.

　Even though Alibers has stolen all the skills he's accumulated so far, he still looks at me with shining eyes. Since our master is a 'hero', he seems to think it's only natural for him to do this.

　Confirming that I didn't hurt Alivers-san's pride as a blacksmith, I repeat my request thickly.

...... It makes me want to make something a little easier.
Oh, I'm sure the master can make it already - it's a terrible thing. Don't be shy, you can make something here now, okay?

　Mr. Alivers says with an amused look on his face, "Horrible," he says.

'After all, it's small magic items that are easily and immediately useful?
No, magic items take a lot of work too. It takes an awful lot of time to carve a magic formula ......--shouldn't it be easy for a master?
The more detailed the work, the better I am at it.

　It's thanks to my status being specialized in technology and speed. And maybe it's also because I was good at those things before I came to another world.

''I specialize in magic items, so that's probably the easiest thing to teach you: ....... Okay, you want to try it?　What about the shape?　Bangles and anything accessory-based. Necklaces and hair clasps are okay too.
'Let's start with the easiest and quickest one. What's the easiest thing to do?
'Hmm, I guess the ring is the smallest, so it's quicker. The thing is so small that it's a lot of detail work, but I think the master can handle it.

　Rings.
　The word reminds me of Mr. Hein. My brother, Rainer, liked to use it too.

''The ring sounds useful. Let me do it.''
Yeah, sure. Let's do it. Is it the master's freezing spell you're cramming in?
No, I'm trying to pack a different kind of magic into it.

　This is how my first magic tool generation begins.
　First I need to create the core magic stone.

''So, does the master have any knowledge of the magic formula?''

　A magic formula.
　It's a reproduction of the magic mechanism used by people through letters. By passing magic power through it, smooth activation of magic is possible. Of course, just passing magic power through it is not enough. The user's understanding of and affinity with the magic formula is also important.
　The highest class of magic stones that are inscribed with this magic formula are the magic stones of "Fly Fire" and "Impulse" that Maria once drank.

　Magic and magic formulae are two different fields.
　The fact that you are good at magic doesn't mean that you will be good at the magic formula. Just like being good at exercise doesn't make you an expert in exercise science or health and physical education.
　But luckily, I'm a researcher at heart.

'Yes, I have a certain amount of it,'

　When it comes to understanding magic, no one is better than a dimensional wizard.
　For example, the magic I invented, "Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)," is something that I invented from scratch. All of that magic construction - I understand the source of the magic formula without a trace.

　It's a pain in the ass to convert them into words, but now, thanks to Dimension, I have a dictionary in my head all the time. With time, I can convert it into a magic formula and carve it into a magical stone.

　I'll change the direction of the 'Dimension' and move from the knowledge of blacksmithing to the knowledge of the magic formula.

''And I have some collaborators to help me with that.
Collaborators ......?

　After saying this, he took out the Treasure Sword of the House of Alais, Lowen.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that there is no one better than the one who steals the logic of the earth when it comes to tinkering with ores. And the experience of fighting against the "thief of fire" has made him an expert in handling fire.
　Fire and iron. I was confident in the two important elements in blacksmithing: fire and iron.

''Is that sword the one left behind by that crystal swordsman (Rowen)?
Yeah.
Okay, okay. Well then, let's get ready to carve the magic formula into the magic stone.

　Magic stones and tools are spread out on the work table.

　I scrape the prepared magical stone, melt another magical stone, and start pouring it into the stone.　
　This is a task that requires a tremendous amount of concentration. Just the thought of doing it without a dimension gives me goosebumps. I understood the significance of the high price of the magic stones containing the magic formula sold on the street.
　Those magic stones were lined up in the store after the skilled craftsmen had spent a long time and reduced their energy.

　The work, which could not be off by even a millimeter, continued without stopping even once.
　Dropping large drops of sweat, overworking the 'Dimension', he managed to carve the magic formula into it.

It's a good feeling. Let's prepare the ring over here. I've built in a trigger formula that can be pulled with magic power, so this should be ready in no time.
Thank you.

　For the magic formula, he chose an earth attribute magic.
　And while interfering with the ores with "Quartz" and not allowing any mistakes with "Dimension", he combined the magic stone and the ring to complete the magic tool with his full strength.

--The ring 'Crystal Shield'
　　　The ring that bears the power of the Quartz Shield.

So, here it is: ......!
'It's amazing, Master. You've created one of the best magic tools in the country in just a few hours: ......, I'm afraid ......!　I can't help but laugh now: ......!

　Mr. Alibers is excited to see the finished ring.

'No, thanks to the help of Mr. Alibers,'
Best of all, it looks good!　The innocent image of the crystal is intact, yet it is gorgeously decorated: ......!
I hate it when you don't make it gorgeous or Mr. Alibers will look sad. ......

　I really didn't want to over-decorate. But because of Mr. Alibers staring at me from the side, I had to go through the extra trouble.
　I don't have any taste for ring design, so I just tried to copy my parents' engagement ring from memory. But the design seemed to be a strike for Alibers.

'How to describe it: ....... A ring that is both pure and eye-catching ......, a ring that is truly the making of a 'hero' and a legend .......
That's good to know. ......

　As the two of us were checking the finished product, a voice called out from behind us.

''You're late!''

　She was a reaper.
　It looks like she came here through The Connection.
　Come to think of it, it's been hours since this morning. Maybe she was worried about me.

'I can't have lunch until my brother comes home!　So hurry up and come home!

　Putting his hand on his stomach, the Reaper gets angry.
　Apparently, it's his own hunger that he's worried about.
　Me and Mr. Alibers look at each other and nod at each other.

'That's all for today. Thank you for your time today.'
After all, you only managed to make one ring. If there's anything you want, come back for more. Today, take the armor in the workshop as you see fit. I'll do the ones you ordered before I come back.

　I take the finished ring and get the appropriate one that I could use. Of course, I pay for it.
　And after thanking Seri-chan as well, I leave the workshop. Until the end, Seri-chan was in good spirits.
　But if possible, it would be more helpful if she wasn't there the next time I visited, and I headed to the office of "Connection".