Occasionally, when I looked beyond the wall, I could see the man with silver hair talking to the uncle.
-...Because I kept using healing magic, my natural recovery ability is almost depleted. At this rate, even the strongest body wouldn't be able to endure it.
-My thoughts have changed recently. I thought this time it would be a success because my abilities manifested, but it was far from enough. So, I decided to give up on the 10th attempt. I think it's better to gather as much data as possible this time to prepare for the next one.
The two had such a conversation.
The man who spoke with a cold gaze, mentioning the 10th attempt and giving up.
I didn't know what those words meant.
All I could tell was that the uncle's face, when he heard those words, looked the same as when he apologized to me.
Ever since that day, just like now, over and over again.
Every time the man with silver hair gave an order, I endured the pain and emitted flames.
I didn't like the pain, but I obediently followed his commands.
Refusing to follow orders was the first thing I learned not to do.
Even when the uncle healed my pain, which had worsened, I sometimes couldn't move my body well and spent a long time lying on the floor.
Lying on the cold floor made me feel as if my body was cooling down like the floor.
Instinctively, I knew that if this continued, my body would eventually become cold.
If that happened, I wouldn't feel pain anymore.
Perhaps that wouldn't be so bad, I thought, lying on the cold floor and falling asleep.
I woke up because of a sound coming from somewhere.
Was it Uncle or the man with silver hair?
Looking outside the transparent wall, I saw no one.
Then, where was this sound coming from?
[■■■.]
At first, it was a faint, small sound.
[■■wer.]
But it gradually grew louder, and I realized it was a voice.
[■Burn.]
And that it was giving me an order.
[Set it on fire.]
So, I didn't refuse.
*
"Prosthetic, it's finally complete. We made an incredibly cool one."
While eating, Jesse, who was sitting in front of me, exclaimed with a voice full of excitement.
He looked like he was about to collapse.
He must have stayed up for several nights in a row to make the prosthetic.
Still, he managed to complete it in just a few days, as he mentioned last time.
I was more worried than impressed by his incredible work speed.
His face looked like he had used up his soul.
"Jesse, how long has it been since you went to measure your abilities to make the prosthetic? Isn't this too much of a rush?"
When I asked, Jesse chuckled and replied.
"I told you before. My sisters and brothers helped because they thought it was fun. Actually, none of them had ever made a custom prosthetic for a superhuman before. Ten craftsmen with dwarf blood, who specialize in making things, were involved. It took this long because they lacked experience. Honestly, without their help, it would have taken much longer."
I should thank those people.
Thinking this, Mei, who had been listening, asked Jesse.
"But you mentioned your sisters and brothers? Ten of them?"
"Ah, I'm the youngest of seven girls and five boys. My mother inherited a strong dwarf bloodline and has a unique tendency to make things. My father, who married into the family, had a hard time. When I was little, I remember him crying and asking my mother to take care of him. At least being the youngest is a blessing."
"......I see."
Mei looked flustered by the overly detailed family history.
I felt like I shouldn't have heard that.
"Anyway, it's interesting because we're not purebloods, so our abilities manifest differently. In my case, I'm not particularly good with my hands, but I'm relatively tall. My older brother, on the other hand, is tall and bald. Haha, isn't that funny? How can someone with dwarf blood be so hairless?"
I could hear the sound of someone digging into a man's chest, and I imagined Jesse's older brother crying somewhere.
Anyway, Jesse's smile didn't look good.
His eyes, which had been a bit unfocused, seemed to be clearing up.
His neck also looked a bit swollen.
Jesse scratched his neck and then looked at Sylvia, who was sitting next to me.
"Sylvia, isn't it? I heard that Astras only marry each other to maintain their bloodline?"
"......Well, it's kind of an unspoken rule."
The topic seemed a bit sensitive, and Sylvia's expression stiffened slightly.
I should have covered Jesse's mouth when he looked unwell, but he went ahead and said it.
"Wow, so you're all related?"
I was a bit flustered, thinking it might be a serious statement, but Mei's expression suggested it wasn't.
I looked at Sylvia, who was flustered.
Sylvia's hand was already glowing.
There was no time to stop her.
When the light from Sylvia's hand hit Jesse's head, he let out a yelp and tilted his head back.
Is he dead?!
I was momentarily shocked, but soon saw Jesse turn his head back