Hello, it's me again, Rex the grounded~!
As you might've guessed, thanks to the Annex exploding, I was grounded to stay in the main house for a month—restricted from going out unless with Father—and my allowance was cut off. Of course, that's after I was scolded for several hours regarding how to act properly and so on.
I'm not really bothered by the sermon or the allowance thing, but being unable to go outside is a little troubling. As a result, my Alchemy skills have barely improved.
But what troubles me the most is Miranda.
Throughout the entire month of my grounding, she made a concerted effort to remain by my side. There were even moments when she barged in on me while I was bathing, claiming she wanted to wash my back, but... well, nothing really happened.
The head maid always arrives on time and pulls her away.
By the way, Master visited me for our regular monthly training later on.
Since it was daytime then and Miranda was out training with the knights, she couldn't pick a fight with her.
Just to note, their training sessions became increasingly intense as the days passed; after all, the proxy war with Count Vedel was approaching.
Anyway, although I'm thankful for the perfect timing, the trial this time ended up even more hellish than the last.
I had to capture a certain S-Rated dangerous beast by myself!
Of course, I completed it... but not by fighting.
There was no way I could win against a monster that could literally kill me in the blink of an eye. Instead, I took advantage of its routine.
In a survival setting, I studied how it looked for prey, where it drank water, and where it nested. Every passing second that I was watching it was a risk to my very life, making me feel like my lifespan shrank by at least a decade.
Then, with my Akashic Records, I discovered its weakness to a particular plant's poison and used that at all three locations.
In the end, the plan worked better than I expected. As it slept, the slow-acting poison took effect, killing it while it was in the world of dreams. Letting it sleep forever thereafter.
After that, I just needed to wait for Master, who was disappointed with my method of clearing the trial, to pick me up. Until then, I used the extra time there to study Alchemy instead.
Thanks to having a wide, clear space, I was able to safely practice Material Synthesis and Material Decomposition. Though I ended up with a few explosions again, they only made my ears ring at most.
"I did it...!"
And after about three days of practice, I finally succeeded in Synthesis, managing to produce a sphere of water using nothing but the gases present in the air!
Once I grasped Synthesis, Decomposition posed no challenge at all; in fact, it felt significantly easier. I couldn't help but wonder if starting with Decomposition might have spared me from several explosions...
Anyway, Master Krystal's expression when she was about to bring me out of her diorama was peculiar. No, it was more like she was looking at me as if I were the odd one.
Curious, I asked her about it while simultaneously inquiring about the next step in alchemy techniques. That's when she revealed...
"My disciple... how did you make water out of thin air with alchemy?"
"Huh?"
From what she explained, it seemed that, unlike magic, Alchemy cannot create something from nothing. It cannot instantly form a ball of water just by channeling a bit of mana, nor can it generate a powerful explosion.
"Ah, that..."
Since I had no intention of keeping it a secret, I shared my method.
I explained how the water was created by combining two specific gases in the air and that the explosions were merely "failures" when the gas accidentally ignited.
"Interesting..." she whispered, a big, eager smile on her face.
At that moment, I noticed my Master's eyes shining with great interest—a look I had only seen twice before... Did I make the wrong choice in revealing this?
Following that, I was delayed for another day as I was bombarded with questions about chemistry and physics—concepts well understood and explained in the modern world but shrouded in mystery here. Just recalling that exhausting time makes my throat feel dry...
Nonetheless, it was also thanks to Master that I completed the first prototype of the bidet!
Although it was made of mud instead of porcelain, it sufficed as proof of concept. Now, I just need to find craftsmen who can create it for me. If not, I'll certainly gather the ingredients to make porcelain clay and craft the product myself!
This matter requires utmost attention and speed! It is a high-priority issue!
"Why are you so eager about this beeday you're making, my disciple?"
Even Master became curious after hearing me go on about it.
However, words cannot adequately express the magnificence of the product... "Once you experience it, I'm sure Master will feel the same way I do!"
And with that, I was finally released.
The next day, I asked Father to gather artisans to create the sample toilet I showed him. Although he was perplexed, he quickly agreed after catching a whiff of potential profit. If the bidet is successful, it could become yet another fantastic product for us to sell.
"Alright, I'll act on it as soon as I can!" Father said, promising with a smile. "But first, I have to let you know that the date for the proxy war has been set."
"Finally, huh?"
It's been a month since it was decided that a proxy war would take place, and now the date is finally confirmed.
"It's in three days," Father said, his expression refreshed and brimming with confidence. "Just in time since your house arrest ends today. So, I was wondering, do you want to come with me?"
Come with him to... watch the proxy war?!
"Yes, I'll come with you, Father!" I quickly nodded, grinning from ear to ear. "I definitely can't miss my maid's fight!"
With Miranda leading the lineup, I'm sure she will perform spectacularly. Father's smile must be due to that, too, right? From what I hear, Miranda is now unbeatable among Father's knights.
Even Father would find it challenging to defeat Miranda, whose stats are far superior to theirs.
"Good!" Father smiled, nodding. "Then go get Miranda to prepare your things. We'll be leaving for the Capital today at noon!"
"E-Eh...?"
Wait, you mean right now?!