ch61-ch80 · 079-ch66

Chapter 66

Hexaria's lectures were as well-attended as ever today.

In the university lecture hall, the students listened earnestly, not wanting to miss a single word from Hexaria.

Most of the students were Japanese speakers, but there were also unusual attendees — people who listened to the lecture via a translation feed in their own language while physically sitting in the hall.

Hexaria's lectures were translated into various languages and distributed worldwide.

That they would come all the way to the lecture hall despite that was honestly surprising.

Truly, dedicated researchers never failed to impress.

Now, Sai was also participating in this lecture as Hexaria's assistant.

He handled everything from operating the slides to serving as a demonstration model for spellcasting.

Hexaria handled the main flow of the lecture, while Sai supported her as an assistant, covering the areas Hexaria couldn't easily reach.

Today's lecture was about atmospheric mana.

On Earth, information about mana was astonishingly scarce.

It couldn't be seen with the naked eye, and even Earth's existing observation devices were in a situation where "we know it causes changes, but we can't observe the waves of mana itself."

Of course, the other world had mana observation devices.

But.

The problem was that the materials needed to build those observation devices didn't exist on Earth.

It was a bit of a Catch-22 — they needed ores that formed in mana-rich locations, but mana itself was scarce on Earth.

It was gradually increasing, but still far from sufficient.

Or perhaps it might exist in Kakuriyo, but they couldn't exactly tell ordinary people to go find and retrieve it. Of course, Hexaria was diligently conveying the necessary production information — what kind of ore would react this way, what mechanisms were involved, and so on — hoping that someday it would be found on Earth too.

Things like this, you had to find them yourself, make them yourself, and build upon them yourself.

That went for rookie adventurers and researchers alike.

The students attending weren't just ordinary students, after all. They couldn't expect to be carried the whole way.

So Hexaria focused on teaching the basics.

Building up the fundamentals carefully and thoroughly.

She conveyed them through multiple layers — mathematical perspectives, geological aspects, magical and arcane dimensions.

When Hexaria's lecture ended, there was a Q&A session.

Questions came from various angles.

Chemical and physical approaches went completely over Sai's head, but as it turned out, Hexaria was also clueless about quite a bit of it.

In the first place, mathematics, physics, and chemistry were more advanced on Earth than in the other world. In terms of science — disciplines that didn't rely on magic — Earth was superior to the other world in many ways.

So during what was supposed to be a Q&A session, the conversation went something like: "From the perspective of atmospheric dynamics, regarding mana..." "There's much I myself don't know about Earth's atmospheric dynamics, but judging from Earth's rotation..." — Sai understood absolutely none of it, but Hexaria responded sincerely, engaging in real dialogue.

It was hard to believe this was the same High Elf who'd declared "don't get in my way" during her first lecture, as she earnestly built up the discussion.

The conversation progressed, weaving together confirmed facts with suggested possibilities.

That was when it happened.

"...Lady Hexaria. Your sincere responses have moved me. Forgive my rudeness, but I must confess — I hold you in great affection."

In an instant, a wave of murmuring swept through the lecture hall.

Well, of course. They'd been deep in discussion just moments ago, and then out of nowhere, a love confession at the very end.

What kind of response would she give?

The questioner's face was slightly flushed. Having confessed to a woman who'd made the "don't get in my way" declaration, he was probably not just nervous, but anxious too.

In response, Hexaria answered without a hint of hesitation.

"I am already married. Focus on your research."

That was all she said, then continued with, "Any other questions?"

Seeing that, the researcher bowed his head.

The audience was in an uproar, but when the next questioner started asking about magic, Hexaria showed no sign of being flustered and answered the question.

Sai watched Hexaria's reaction.

◇

Now then.

The culture of marriage itself was common to both Earth and the other world, but the proof of marriage varied depending on the region and social status.

The most mainstream method on Earth was probably wedding rings, but love was also expressed through necklaces and various other forms. Wedding rings, paired necklaces — couples wore them to show their love to those around them.

What about the other world? Among adventurers, the most popular option was a kind of Magical Crest carved into the neck. The designs were generally small marks, ranging from heart-like shapes to patterns resembling Japanese family crests.

These were applied as a pair, and being magical crests, they could have enchantment formulas inscribed on them.

Typically, the formula embedded was one that let you know whether your paired partner was alive or dead.

Since this Magical Crest was often inscribed at the time of marriage, people called it the "marriage crest." And of course, the necks of both Sai and Hexaria bore this Magical Crest.

However, both Sai and Hexaria had also applied a concealment formula alongside the "know if your partner is alive or dead" enchantment, hiding the mark.

They only showed their necks when asked about their marital status, revealing that they were married.

◇

Scene change — Sai's home.

After accompanying Hexaria to the lecture, they'd returned home together.

They sat at the table, drinking coffee and catching their breath.

"Saria. How about we make wedding rings?"

Recalling the events during today's lecture, Sai brought it up.

If they were living together as a married couple in Japan — even if it was a fake marriage — wedding rings were necessary.

Not to mention, they'd gotten married precisely to prevent incidents like today's.

Hearing his proposal, Hexaria glanced sidelong at him.

"...You're not bringing this up a bit late?"

"I completely forgot we needed rings..."

"Honestly..."

She sighed.

Now then.

Normally, one would go to a jewelry store to buy wedding rings, but Sai's partner was a developer and a smith who could rival any dwarf.

Many of the rings Sai owned were made by Hexaria.

So naturally, Hexaria would be the one to make the wedding rings too, but from Sai's perspective, it felt strange to wear a ring without incorporating any enchantments into it.

"The issue is what enchantments to put on it. I mean, we've got the marriage crest and all..."

When he brought that up, Hexaria gave him an extremely disappointed look.

"You're an idiot, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"Well, if you don't understand, fine. I know very well what kind of person you are — better than anyone. Wait a few days."

Hexaria sighed again and holed up in her workshop.

Leaving Sai behind, unable to understand why he'd been dismissed.

A few days later, Sai received a necklace from Hexaria.

Attached to the pendant of the necklace was a wedding ring.

It was a simple but beautifully designed ring.

The material appeared to be the highest grade of magisteel.

It had a platinum-like hue and was imbued with an enormous amount of magical power.

"Incidentally, that ring has no enchantments whatsoever."

"That's unusual for you, Saria."

"Hmph. This itself will serve as a charm."

"A charm?"

"The kind of charm that someone like you will never understand in a lifetime."

That was quite harsh, but Sai had a feeling that asking further questions would only make her angrier.

Hexaria took out another ring.

It was the same shape and color as the one on Sai's necklace.

That one appeared to be for Hexaria.

She handed it to Sai, then held out her left hand.

"You there. Put it on my finger."

"R-right..."

Even Sai, who was often called an oblivious blockhead, understood what this meant.

His heart racing a little, he slipped the ring onto her left ring finger.

Hexaria gazed at the ring on her own finger.

"Honestly, for being my property, you sure make me work hard."

"Well, the feeling's mutual."

"Quiet. Making that ring gave me stiff shoulders. Give me a massage."

"Sure. I owe you for the trouble, so I'll go all out."

Incidentally, the reason Sai didn't wear the ring on his finger was to prevent it from being conspicuous.

A High Elf sage and a middle-aged adventurer.

They'd already declared that Sai was "her property," so their relationship was constantly under suspicion anyway. But keeping it a secret was meant to avoid unnecessarily provoking those around them.

Still, their bond — despite all the ups and downs — seemed unchanged.

Later. During one of Hexaria's lectures.

A beautiful wedding ring was on her left hand.

As a result, it sent shockwaves through a portion of the researchers, viewers watching the lecture, and those who worshipped her (?).

Let it be noted here.

================ Thank you very much for reading.