Chapter 106 Exchange
The day after Lukas arrived at the royal capital. I felt sorry, but I decided to try synthesizing a healing potion with Lukas's Hero power.
I asked him to come to the synthesis room with me, and I handed him a container with the synthesized healing potion.
"Luke, can you try it?"
"Uh, yeah!"
Lukas, my childhood friend, nervously took the container with the healing potion in his hand. And then,
"Hmm..."
He placed the container on his forehead, closed his eyes tightly, and groaned.
The groaning sound gradually grew fainter and eventually disappeared, but unlike when Diona infused the healing potion with light, it didn't glow.
"...It's no good, I can't do it."
Lukas's shoulders slumped, and he let out a sigh. It was probably the first time for him to infuse his power into a small container, which was a delicate task. The size difference between the monster he usually used his power on and the small container was too great.
I felt guilty for putting too much burden on him.
"Can I try again?"
I asked if he was okay, and he nodded strongly. Then, he closed his eyes again.
Suddenly, a crest appeared at his feet. I thought he was using his power, and just then, the container in Lukas's hand made a loud noise and cracked.
"Whoa!"
"Lukas!"
I rushed over to him, worried that he might be hurt. But when I looked, I saw that the container was only cracked, and Lukas's fingers were unharmed.
"Laura, didn't the fragments fly towards you?!"
I smiled and reassured him, "It's okay." He let out a sigh of relief, but just for a moment, Lukas groaned again.
"Ugh, I can't control my power..."
He muttered in frustration.
If I think about it, he's somehow managing to use the enormous power of a Hero on his own. If it were magic, he could ask someone else for guidance, but there's no one else who possesses the power of a Hero... And as I thought that far, the face of a single girl floated into my mind.
Her power is different from the power of a Hero, but it's similar to the light-based power of a Hero -- Diona, who possesses a power akin to magic. Maybe she could teach Lukas how to control his power.
As I stood lost in thought, I turned my back to the door and muttered softly.
"Di, Diona-san, are you there...?"
There was a period of silence. No response.
Diona had said she was watching over us from the shadows. It's probably still going on even now...
I slowly opened the door, stepped out into the hallway, and asked again.
"Yes..."
A voice that seemed to come from nowhere echoed back.
As I looked around, the space seemed to warp and distort, and Diona's figure appeared. It was probably some kind of illusion magic.
The Diona who appeared before me had a desperate expression on her face. Feeling apologetic for calling her out so forcefully, I spoke to her.
"Did you see us?"
"Yes... sorry..."
Diona replied in a small voice, bowing her head. I shook my head.
"No, it's okay. You were watching over us, after all."
As Diona glanced up at me, I quickly changed the subject to avoid prolonging this conversation.
"Um, can you teach Lukas how to control his power?"
"Wha..."
Diona's eyes widened in surprise. Her large eyes were shaking, and she seemed even more flustered.
I was aware that suddenly asking her this might be a bother, but I couldn't afford to hesitate when it came to Elvira's treatment and the future of this world.
Diona's light-based power was something she received from the first Hero. It's different, but it's probably closer to the power of a Hero than magic. If Lukas were to learn how to control his power, Diona would be the most suitable teacher.
"Lukas has been controlling his Hero power on his own so far... and since you, Diona-san, have a similar power, I was wondering if you could please teach him..."
"Wha, me guiding Hero-sama?!"
Diona started to say that, but then she stopped as if she had realized something. After a few seconds of contemplation, she nodded slowly. Her expression was filled with determination.
"No, it's because Elvira-sama's life is at stake. I'll do my best to help."
* * *
After that, Diona was invited to the synthesis room, and explained the situation to Lukas vaguely. Instead of using the word "Hero's power," I told ho, that Diona had a power similar to his, and he seemed interested. It made sense, considering Lukas still had questions about the power he had been given.
Awkwardly, they exchanged conversation, and I watched Lukas and Diona teaching and learning how to use their powers from a distance. Even though I wasn't too far away to hear their conversation, I couldn't understand the feeling of not being able to use magic at all.
(I can't use magic at all, so I don't understand the feeling...)
Unfortunately, I couldn't understand the sensation of circulating magic power in my body. In my previous life, I lived in a world without magic, and even though I'm living in a fantasy world now with swords and magic, "Laura" has no magical talent.
I'm grateful to the staff who gave me the talent of an alchemist, but I've thought several times that it would have been fun if I had even a little magic power, especially when Arnold has talent in both alchemy and magic.
"U-Use your power without straining too much."
Diona advised with a trembling voice, and I secretly smiled.
(Diona, you're straining too much.)
I sent words of encouragement to the 2 of them from my heart while still smiling at their somewhat distant interaction. I've known them for a long time, so it feels like I'm watching the endearing interactions of a younger brother and sister.
Suddenly, the door to the synthesis room was knocked on. I turned to Lukas and Diona, telling them "Don't mind me, continue," before rushing to the door and opening it slightly.
The one standing beyond the door was a man with a hearty smile -- Vake.
"Yo!"
"Vake-san!"
I opened the slightly ajar door wide, welcoming him into the room. It seemed like his travels around the country's towns had finally come to an end.
As soon as Vake entered the room, he looked around.
"I heard the boy's coming this way... Oh? Was he in the middle of something?"
It seemed like Vake had come to visit Lukas. He caught sight of my childhood friend and, noticing that I was in the middle of something, gazed at me with a curious expression.
Diona turned her gaze towards me at Vake's hesitant words, and I caught a glimpse of Lukas's shining eyes, which made me subtly shake my head.
"No, let's stop for today. Using too much power suddenly will put a strain on your body."
Lukas bowed his head deeply, saying "Thank you very much" after hearing those words, and then rushed over to me. It seemed like this was a reunion with Vake since his visit to Emme Village.
Vake raised his hand in greeting, saying "Yo" to Lukas, and then leaned in to whisper something in my ear.
"Hey, is it okay to borrow him?"
"Yes"
After I nodded, Lukas and Vake quickly left the room. They might be going to practice their skills or something.
As I smiled, thinking about the exchange between the protagonist and the future hero, I called out to Diona, who was busy cleaning up the containers by herself.
"Diona-san, I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion. Thank you very much."
When I bowed deeply, Diona shook her head repeatedly, looking flustered. She still seemed a bit tense, and the desperate expression on her face, which was different from the image I had of her, made me feel somewhat puzzled.
(I thought so in "Last Brave" too, but she's really a nice person)
Although the incident with Laura had left a slight impression, I never had a bad impression of heroine Diona throughout the main story of "Last Brave". She was a kind and strong-willed woman with a core.
The cleaning supplies were so minimal that we were done in no time. Diona started to leave right away, so I couldn't help but call out to her.
"Um, excuse me?"
Diona stopped and looked at me curiously, then nodded.
I hadn't prepared anything, so I desperately tried to think of a way to thank her. I remembered some unopened snacks in my dorm room, so I thought it would be better than nothing.
"Sorry to bother you, but could you come to my dorm with me?"
If I mentioned wanting to give her a gift, humble Diona wouldn't accept it. That's the kind of person she was in "Last Brave". So, I asked her vaguely, and she still looked puzzled but nodded with a hint of guilt.
I felt bad for suddenly asking for help and making her come all the way to my room, so I hurried down the hall.
It didn't take long to reach my dorm, and I left her waiting at the door as I went inside.
"Sorry for making you come all the way here."
Diona shook her head and smiled, but she looked tired.
I decided to send her a better gift later, and I offered her the box of snacks.
"This is a thank-you gift. Please, have some."
I worried that she might be annoyed by the simple packaging, but when I looked at Diona, she was surprised and then said,
"Thank you!"
With a joyful expression, Diona's cheeks turned red as she laughed. Her smile looked more childish than usual.
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