The effect of my words is immediate. Alto's eyes light up like a Christmas tree, and I feel her grip on my wrist tighten. It's the same, intense demeanor she adopts when I mention new science to her.
"New, as in, you've never made anything like it before? Ever?" (Alto)
Nearby, I can see Alyse's curiosity being piqued as well.
"Uhm...what is it that you plan on making for me? I didn't know that you were a craftsman." (Alyse)
I give them a sly grin.
"Well, I wouldn't really consider myself a craftsman, but I've been known to produce a curiosity or two. Don't forget, the trains and the MMCs are actually my creations." (Mizuki)
Well...these magical versions of them anyway.
"As for what I'm going to make for you..." (Mizuki)
My grin grows mischievous, and I cut my eyes at Alto teasingly.
"...it's a sword." (Mizuki)
They both give me odd looks. Then, Alyse's expression turns mildly disappointed, though she quickly tries to cover it up.
"Oh, uhm...thank you, Mizuki. That's very generous..." (Alyse)
However, Alto is less reserved.
"That's a terrible gift, Mizuki. No offense, but Nephilim or not, a sword is still a sword. Even if it's an enchanted one, whatever you make is going to be inferior to something that Percivil could produce. Plus, Alyse already has two swords, and I imagine that she's quite particular about them." (Alto)
Alyse and I both look at her abruptly – me amused, and Alyse horrified. I just smirk at Alto, though, causing her brows to furrow.
"Oh, ye of little faith. When are you going to stop doubting me, little one?" (Mizuki)
I move my hand to ruffle the top of Alto's head condescendingly, but my hand is met with a decisive smack from her own. While my lips twist into a smug grin, she gives me an annoyed glare.
"Don't call me that, I'm five times your age...man-child." (Alto)
Man-child? Really? I raise my eyebrow at her incredulously.
She ignores my faux-indignation, and instead begins to study me thoughtfully. After a moment, realization dawns on her face, and she gives me an annoyed look.
"It's not really a sword...you're just saying that to mess with us, aren't you?" (Alto)
I press my finger to my lips playfully and shrug.
"Huh...I guess now that you mention it, maybe sword isn't the best word for what I'm going to make her. It's close, though!" (Mizuki)
While Alto rolls her eyes at me, Alyse's interest seems to be piqued once again. She steps closer to me, an excited gleam in her eyes.
"So it's a weapon that's like a sword? Something from the Nephilim home world? What's it called!?" (Alyse)
I nod, pleased to see her finally excited about her gift.
"Yup! Well, kind of...a version of something from my world. The closest thing on my planet...it's called a lightsaber {English}." (Mizuki)
Alyse instinctively rubs the hilt of her swords, which are still attached to her waist, whispering the unfamiliar term thoughtfully.
"Light...saber..." (Alyse)
{AN: no longer will the term 'lightsaber' be explicitly identified as English, since it's tedious and annoying to clarify every time, but know that it still sounds the same}
Alto's voice interrupts, once again thick with curiosity.
"What's a lightsaber? How is it different from a sword? What can it do? How does it work?" (Alto)
I can't help but smile.
"You'll see, just be patient. Essentially, it's a sword made of light that can cut through anything. As for how it works...hmm. Tell you what – why don't I make one and, after you see what it can do, you try and guess for yourself? It can be like a little research challenge for you. We can discuss your theories later, when we're alone." (Mizuki)
My comment seems to catch Alyse's attention, and her eyes narrow at me.
"Wait, Mizuki...do you intend to create this weapon right in front of us? Now? And are you implying that Alto might be able to replicate it? I thought this was something only a Nephilim would be able to do...you know, like the trains." (Alyse)
Ahh, right...Alto's cover story from the last nobles' meeting. She told them that a lot of my 'Nephilim creations' are fundamentally inimitable, that they are based on 'divine' magic.
Hmm...best to cover my bases.
I wave nonchalantly at Alyse.
"Ah, right...that. Maybe I should clarify. Do you remember how it was mentioned that I could grant some people certain...blessings? Specifically, the ability to use a few mysterious spells without incantations." (Mizuki)
Alyse's eyes immediately become sharper, more serious.
"I do...like Princess Ilina, right?" (Alyse)
I nod.
"Right, like Ilina. Well, normally when I do that, the people in question only get a couple of spells that they're...err, compatible with. But, Alto is somewhat of a special case...she doesn't have such a restriction. Though she's significantly more limited than me in terms of magic power, with enough training, she'll eventually be capable of using all the same fundamental abilities as me. She's also ageless like me as well.
So, the reason it may sound like Alto will be able to understand what I'm doing and potentially replicate is because...well, she may. As for your other question, yes, I am going to create the lightsaber in front of you. It goes without saying that you're not to share what you witness with anyone outside of our inner circle. Oh, and...we can't actually call it a lightsaber, we'll have to name it something else." (Mizuki)
Alyse's pupils constrict, and she slowly turns to stare at Alto, her face paling by the second. Alto, however, is giving me a perplexed look, as if totally ignoring Alyse's terrified gaze.
"Why can't we call it a lightsaber?" (Alto)
I turn towards Alto solemnly, my expression darkening.
"Because, if we do...a very litigious {English} mouse named Mickey will come fuck us." (Mizuki)
While Alyse seems to have lost the ability to perceive her surroundings, Alto's eyes widen in surprise. Meanwhile, I'm briefly thrown by the realization that I heard myself unintentionally speak the word 'litigious' in English.
Huh...now that I think about it, from what I've seen of Azura's races' systems of law, none of them incorporate the idea of suing another person or entity. So, I guess that the Azura Common language doesn't have a comparable word for that to be translated...interesting.
Speaking of laws, that's something I haven't even bothered meddling with her on Azura yet. Should I talk with Alara about some of the legal protections in America, and see if they're worth implementing? Are they even feasible here? Would that be overstepping?
I'm startled from my thoughts by the sound of a frustrated sigh behind me, followed by the feeling of someone hugging me from behind. Naturally, there can be only one culprit...
"Ughhhhh...Mizuki. Can you make this sun-sword already? You're leaving tomorrow, and I want to spend time with you before then." (Nina)
My lips twitch at her total lack of interest in this objectively fascinating project of mine, but I give her a small smile and nod my acknowledgement regardless.
Alto gives Nina an incredulous look.
"He said lightsaber...sun-sword is a terrible name." (Alto)
Nina rolls her eyes.
"He said we can't call it that because of that creature prone to sexual deviancy. Do you think you have a better name than 'sun sword'?" (Nina)
Alto purses her lips thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. Her voice is filled with a subtle pride when she responds.
"Based on what he said it does, we should call it a...Photon Blade." (Alto)
Though neither Nina nor Alyse recognize the foreign, English word, I cringe at Alto's choice. I direct a pained expression at her.
"Alto, has anyone ever told you that you have the naming talent of a chemist?" (Mizuki)
Alto tilts her head innocently, clearly intrigued by me comparing her to a profession from my home world.
"No?" (Alto)
I look at her with pity. The poor girl clearly has no idea of her sins...
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
"Ready?" (Mizuki)
After calming down Alyse and talking Alto off the metaphorical ledge, I'm preparing to craft the first lightblade – the lowkey name we all agreed upon.
I give them both expectant looks, and they nod eagerly. Nearby, Nina is watching with a detached curiosity, but she also seems uncharacteristically distracted by her thoughts.
"Yes." (Alto)
"Yup." (Alyse)
I give them a small smile, nodding my acknowledgement. Then, I turn my attention to the two walls with windows to outside. Without much thought, I use my gravity magic to manipulate their latches and push them open, allowing a cross-breeze to blow through the room.
Realization dawns on Alto's face, but Alyse raises her eyebrows.
"What was that for?" (Alyse)
I wave dismissively, then extend my hand towards her.
"Don't worry about it. Now, give me one of your swords – I need a reference to make the lightblade to your preferences. So...pick your favorite, I guess." (Mizuki)
She stares at her scabbard with a conflicted expression for several moments before apprehensively pulling one of the swords out and presenting it to me. I take the sword without much ceremony, gripping its handle and holding it out in front of me horizontally to inspect it.
For a moment, I'm struck by the fact that, with the exception of my little half-katana, this is the first time I've held a real sword since that first day in Percivil's shop. Feeling how effortless the motion is now versus then, even without a drop of physical enhancement applied to myself, my eyes involuntarily widen.
Sometimes I forget...my contract with Nina has changed me at a fundamental level. I won't ever die of old age, and last time I checked, my base body is about as powerful as Zara's while she's fully self-enhanced. Even without magic, I'm not even remotely normal anymore.
Shaking myself from the strange melancholy that thought brings, I focus on the task in front of me. My eyes examine the hilt of Alyse's sword, taking in the details of its shape. Then, slowly, I imagine my magic forming an invisible copy of it in the space in front of me.
Once I feel that I'm successful, I activate my alchemy spell, synthesizing solid aluminum to fill the magical mold using the surrounding air as building blocks. Immediately, strong artificial wind begins whipping through the room as the generated negative pressure pulls air from outside, terrorizing the lighter items within the family room.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Alyse looking around frantically with a pale face, her eyes sparkling with a mix of terror and awe as she slowly turns her gaze back to me.
Ignoring her, I finish my alchemization of the hilt, and I carefully inspect the finished product, comparing it to the original. My eyes hone in on the handle, noting the distinct lack of a proper grip. Since her sword's is leather, I can't replicate that on my own.
I'll direct her to Percivil for a proper grip on the handle, but in the meantime...
I once again activate my alchemy spell, this time meticulously carving an ultra-fine criss-crossed pattern into the handle's metal. After about ten minutes, I finish and run my fingers over the handle, noting the rough but subtle resistance now present against my skin.
I nod in satisfaction. That should be good enough to make the handle functional until Percivil can improve it.
Next, I quickly alchemize the core of the handle into copper. After, I let out a steadying breath. Alyse moves closer to me, her earlier apprehension quickly replaced by a subtle excitement that leaks into her voice.
"Is it done?" (Alyse)
I give her a wry smile and shake my head.
"No...now it's time for the real magic." (Mizuki)