“Oh. A [Beast Transformation] skill, huh. That’s rare.”
After explaining a bit about Shella , the golden dragon, Rei, squinted his eyes and chuckled softly.
Looking into the hand mirror-like communication magical device, Rei stared directly at me.
“Seeing it directly would be easier to understand, but… I can assess it to some degree through the magic tool.”
“Then, could you take a look at Shella for me?”
When I eagerly asked, Rei tilted his head in confusion.
“Wouldn’t you be able to assess it yourself, Tohma?”
“Well, yeah, but I feel like it’s weird for me to assess someone I’ve gotten somewhat friendly with.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is! At least, for me.”
I thought that if I were to use the [Appraisal] skill on an enemy or suspicious person, I’d do so without hesitation. But I didn’t want to secretly uncover the secrets of a girl I had gotten close to.
(If I did that even once, it’d be hard to face her again…)
I felt this way especially because I, myself, had a lot of secrets I didn’t want others to know.
While I didn’t want anyone to uncover my own secrets, I also didn’t want to be the one to uncover someone else’s. For people I wouldn’t see again, I might feel differently, but for friends I had grown close to, I didn’t want to do such things.
“Hmm, understood. Then, bring her here.”
“Thanks, Rei. Ah… but please keep your identity a secret.”
“…Hm. I won’t call myself the golden dragon, just Rei, then?”
“That’s true, but it’s hard for people to see you as just an ordinary person. How about you pretend to be a high elf instead?”
“You are the high elf here, though.”
“Well, yeah. But somehow, I think your looks match more with the image of a high elf I have in mind…”
With golden long hair and amethyst-colored eyes, Rei had a beauty that exuded a mysterious aura, making him look the part of a high elf.
(Though, in reality, he’s a bit of a quirky dragon who likes Japanese manga and games.)
When he stayed at our container house, he ate a lot, but I wondered if he was eating properly now. I vaguely remembered hearing that as a divine beast, the golden dragon didn’t need food.
I had completely forgotten about that since he had such a good appetite.
Anyway, right now it was Shella .
I shoved the hand mirror into my pocket and knocked on the door to Shella ’s room.
“Shella ? It’s Tohma, is it okay if I come in?”
“Yes, come on in!”
Invited by Shella , I stepped into the room. I’d made sure to bring Ketsue along just in case.
Visiting a young woman’s room at night is quite the etiquette violation, but I hoped she’d let it slide.
“I’m connected to the person I wanted to introduce you to through the communication magic tool. They’re knowledgeable about skills and magic, so they should know about [Beast Transformation]. Want to talk to them?”
“Eh, um… yes. Ah, but…”
Noticing Shella ’s hesitation, I quickly clarified.
“Oh, this is Rei. Normally, he stays deep in the forest, but he won’t tell anyone your secrets, I promise!”
With a large blink, Shella smiled faintly.
“Yes, I trust you. Since you’re introducing him, I believe he’s someone trustworthy.”
“Thanks, Shella . This is the communication magic tool, the hand mirror. The person on the other side is Rei.”
“Wow…! It’s not reflecting me, but a stranger instead. Magic tools are amazing, Tohma!”
“Yeah, I know they’re amazing. Anyway, this is Rei. Uh, he’s a friend of mine, kind of like a mentor? As you can see, he’s a long-living high elf, so he knows a lot about things.”
“High elf…! That’s amazing! I’ve never even seen an elf before!”
Shella held the hand mirror tightly, blushing with excitement. She gazed at Rei without any doubt, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Rei, perhaps a little flustered by her respectful gaze, coughed lightly.
“Ah, sorry! My name is Shella . I’m a winged person… though I’m a failure…”
“There’s no such thing as a failure. You are all beloved children of the Creator. There’s no need to belittle yourself unnecessarily.”
“Ah, thank you…”
Shella bowed her head toward the mirror, tears welling up in her eyes, but she looked happy. Despite Rei’s somewhat indifferent tone, he didn’t lie, and Shella could likely sense that he was someone who spoke his mind.
“I heard from Tohma that you have the [Beast Transformation] skill, Shella ?”
“Yes… Back in my village, they said I’m the reincarnation of a sacred beast.”
“Hmm. The skill is a special ability given by the gods, and the reincarnation has no connection to it… Shella , would you like me to appraise you?”
Rei asked plainly, and his directness was refreshing.
Shella was surprised, but she didn’t seem upset and nodded.
“Hmm… I’ve appraised her, but she’s not a sacred beast. She’s a descendant of the winged people, blessed by the gods with the [Beast Transformation] skill. If anything, she’s a幻獣 (Phantom Beast).”
“Eh?”
“…Huh? Phantom beast, what’s that?”
Just as I thought we were done with surprises, a new bombshell dropped.
We had just learned she wasn’t a sacred beast, but now she’s a phantom beast?
“A phantom beast is a rare creature, considered almost mythical. They can understand language and have high intelligence. They are far superior to magical beasts.”
“…A Shimaenaga (Long-tailed Tit) is a phantom beast…?”
I couldn’t understand, and muttered to myself.
Then, Rei’s face lit up in the hand mirror.
“A Shimaenaga!? So Shella can transform into a Shimaenaga! That’s amazing! Please, show me!”
Now that I thought about it, Rei had been reading Japanese books nonstop when he stayed at the container house, including a photo book of cute animals that he bought because he wanted something soothing.
Of course, that book included a collection of photos of Shimaenaga, the cute little birds.
(After seeing that, it’s no wonder he’d want to see the real thing…)
Shella , a bit confused by the sudden request, hesitated but eventually nodded when Rei asked again.
“Sorry, Shella . I’ll buy you some sweets to make up for it later.”
“Really?! Then, I’ll change into one with enthusiasm!”
Her smile was so quick to appear that I couldn’t help but worry.
At least, I’d make sure to get her some really nice sweets.
◆◇◆
“Pichichichi!”
“Oh! Truly, it’s a Shima Enaga! How small and delicate… what a fragile existence…”
Even through the magical tool, it’s clear that Rei is excited. I can understand that feeling. From a human’s perspective, it’s a small, delicate, and adorable existence.
For a big, powerful, and strong dragon like Rei, it probably seems even more precious.
“Chichu! Pichichi!”
“How lovely. And beautiful. As expected of a phantom beast, a living treasure…”
Rei praises endlessly in front of her, and Shella energetically strikes cute poses.
This girl is surprisingly enthusiastic.
After a while, Rei, looking satisfied, thanks Shella. Shella, after changing in the bedroom, looks into the hand mirror again.
“So, I’m not a holy beast, but a type of phantom beast? If I say that, I won’t have to go back to the village! Thank you, Rei-san!”
Shella smiles innocently, but for some reason, Rei has a troubled expression.
“Well… Shella, indeed, in your current Shima Enaga form, you are a phantom beast, but it seems you have the blood of many races. The [Beast Transformation] skill is a technique that allows you to transform into the form of your ancestors’ powerful forms…”
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yes, exactly. It’s quite likely that, as Shella’s power grows, the form she can transform into will change. She will likely transform into various phantom beasts.”
“Eh…?”
Shella opens her mouth in confusion.
I understand how she feels, but this is something she should definitely get clear on.
“So, does this mean that as Shella levels up, her skill will level up, and she’ll be able to transform into forms other than the Shima Enaga?”
“Most likely. Gradually, she will transform into stronger and more beautiful phantom beasts. There may even be a chance that, beyond that, she could become a holy beast.”
“What?! If that’s found out…”
“Ah…”
In order to comfort the downcast girl, I ended up pulling out cookies, chocolates, and orange juice from the [Item Box].
