Why is Miranda here?
Did she predict that Master would come here with me after the trial?
Or did Master deliberately choose this place, where Miranda is present, to punish her?
I'm not sure.
I definitely don't want these two facing off again!
Miranda got lucky before and managed to keep her life. But now that Master has already gotten her fill regarding the two new unique skills she saw, nothing is stopping her from erasing my cute maid from existence.
Thankfully, nothing seemed to be happening.
Only a witch smiling, appearing amused but with a hint of pity, and a maid standing across her with a pasted-on smile that was clearly fake.
"M-Master!"
Unable to remain silent in this tense atmosphere, I decided to change the topic.
"I completed the trial, so I should be receiving my reward now, right?" I asked.
Of course, I was also excited to receive my rewards, even though I used the trial as an excuse to diffuse the tension between the two girls. After all, this was my chance to gain knowledge that Master was mostly unwilling to share.
"Oh, right. There's that left."
She sighed, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
"Alright. What do you wish to learn this time? You performed quite spectacularly, so asking for something a bit more extravagant is fine. Speak."
Here it is...!
This "reward time" is when I receive Master's teachings. In the past, I've used it to ask for spells and how to cast them.
Of course, there's a limit to what I can ask, and I can't request everything at once.
I don't know why, but that's her rule.
"Alchemy!" I roared.
Anyway, if I'm allowed to ask for anything, then I'll definitely try this one first.
"I want to learn alchemy, Master!"
"That request again...?" The beautiful witch sighed, sounding fed up. "I'm telling you, you don't have a use for it at present. It's a waste of time."
Alchemy.
It's such a versatile study, with various applications, so I want to grasp it as soon as possible.
I accidentally discovered that I have an aptitude for a branch of magic, which I became enamored with after learning more about it through my Akashic Records. Since then, this is the first thing I always ask for as a reward.
But for whatever reason, Master Krystal refuses to teach it to me, claiming it would be a waste of time. However, this time, I'm not backing down.
"Ehh? Didn't you say I could ask for something extravagant? Then I want Alchemy! Teach me Alchemy, Master!" I exclaimed, acting like a spoiled kid my age might—throwing a little tantrum.
Her eye narrowed in irritation, but she quickly shook her head. "I did say that, but..." she whispered with a sigh.
"Master's a cheapskate! She can't even share her knowledge of Alchemy with her only disciple!"
"..."
Even that didn't get her, huh? Ugh! What a tough cookie!
"Could it be that Master doesn't actually know alchemy~?"
I decided to try egging her on with a bit of reverse psychology. "Ah, is that so? Well, I guess it's fine. If Master doesn't know it, what can I do? How disappointing..."
I pulled Miranda's arm around me, half-playing, while I kicked imaginary pebbles away. "To think there's a witch who doesn't know alchemy... what a shame."
"I'm a Master of Alchemy, just so you know, my cute disciple."
And thankfully, Master took the bait—hook, line, and sinker!
"No, it's fine, Master. Don't push yourself. You don't know alchemy, right? No need to lie to me just because I'm your only disciple."
"No, I'm telling you, I know Alchemy from front to back. There's nothing I don't know about it, in fact!"
"Ehh? That's amazing~! Is that how it is in your dreams, Master?"
"You brat..."
Ah... were my taunts going a bit too far? Master looked angry now.
"Master Rex, if you want to learn Alchemy, should I introduce you to someone?"
It was then that an unexpected lifeline appeared—Miranda!
"Actually, I had a few alchemist acquaintances before I was rendered a slave. They helped me greatly with paying back my father's debt. How about it?"
I glanced up, noticing that her fake smile was now as natural as can be, and I nodded.
"Really? Are their skills good? Then I'll—!"
THUD!
Right then, Master stomped down hard enough to create a hole in the wooden floor. I flinched at the sound, but Miranda didn't even blink.
"Hoo? So, instead of me, your master, the greatest alchemist among the witches alive, you choose to learn it from someone whose mouth still reeks of milk?"
This... isn't good.
It's Master's "Angry Mode."
If I push the wrong buttons here, I might end up in a trial that's literally impossible for me to survive!
"You want to learn Alchemy? Alright, here you go."
"...Heh?"
But to my surprise, she relented so easily.
Master's way of "teaching" was different from the norm. After all, as the owner of the World's Library, she had a faster way to transfer knowledge.
She stepped closer and pulled me away from Miranda.
Although I felt some resistance, Miranda couldn't really compete with Master in terms of stats... Why? I can't explain that right now, but let's move on.
"Close your eyes."
It was the usual method, so I didn't hesitate.
I closed my eyes and lifted my chin.
Then, the next moment... I felt something warm touch my forehead—a soft kiss.
From that point of contact, my head was suddenly flooded with fresh knowledge—everything related to alchemy. New information that made me feel excited. But...
I slowly opened my eyes, processing the information, and frowned.
"Master... Only the basics? Really?" I grumbled.
The knowledge she imparted was entirely focused on alchemy.
From fundamental principles to basic recipes, it covered everything necessary to embark on the craft. But couldn't she have given me all the information at once? Although it'd be hard to apply the advanced principles instantly, it would certainly be more efficient that way...
"Imbecile," Master scoffed. "If I did that, the flood of knowledge would make your head explode. I don't want to lose my very first disciple in such a ridiculous manner."
Ah...
Then this amount is acceptable.
Thank you for your consideration, Master.
Wait, is there really such a drawback to Master's knowledge transfer technique aside from getting slightly embarrassed?!
No wonder she always taught me in bits and pieces!
Ah, of course, I certainly never thought that she was a shotacon, deliberately limiting the information she provided just so she could kiss my forehead more often—definitely not.
As I pondered the notion of my head exploding, Miranda pulled me back into her embrace, her cheeks puffed up in displeasure.
A chill ran down my spine...
This... wouldn't escalate into a fight, would it?