"You declined an audience with the Luminary?" Senith asked with a look of horror. She stood carefully next to Vivi's nightstand, away from her runesmithing equipment. Runesmithing tools seemed to make her nervous.

"Should I not have?" Vivi asked. She suppressed a yawn. She'd just finished a bath, preparing for sleep, when she received five consecutive knocks on the door. That was code for Senith's or Lucas's arrival. The code for actually pleasant guests.

Lucas had an amused grin as he leaned against the wall behind Senith. He was calm compared to Senith's panic.

"Of course you shouldn't decline her!" Senith said. "Meeting with the Luminary is a great honor. Lady Insight might get upset with you, you know."

"I don't think Vivi cares about honor," Lucas said. "It's not like the Luminary will destroy the smithy if Vivi declines a tour. Coshi Dala is more intelligent than that. Piaro Vanhammer was seething in anger, though."

"Is the leader of the city really a woman?" Vivi asked.

"A woman, yes, but definitely not a lady," Lucas said. "She's arguably not very insightful either. Coshi is a born noblewoman. She ran from home at the age of nine to hunt monsters. Everyone thought she died, until seven years later, a sixteen year old became famous for defeating a Sand Wyvern. Turns out, that kid was Coshi."

"Oooh," Lucius said. "I knew the name sounded familiar! I've heard about her. She must be rich, right? Since when did she become the Luminary? She'd pay millions for runeswords."

"If I had to guess, she's looking to verify whether inside-carving is real or not," Lucas said. "And she's wondering if she can make use of it on a world-scale. The Vanhammers are all profoundly pissed off, claiming that a human from the surface with a shop in the Lowmoor district can't possibly have invented anything decent. The city is pretty much in chaos. Traditional runesword sales have come to a standstill while everyone waits for the Lost Raindrop to open."

"Seriously?" Vivi spoke under her breath.

"That's a good thing, Vivi!" Lucius said in excitement. "We should show the crowd the sword we crafted today!"

"You crafted another sword?" Lucas asked, surprised. "So quickly?"

"Yes." Vivi summoned her work from spatial storage.

A red hardsteel greatsword. Simple by shape and appearance, almost like an ordinary sword. The veins inside were barely visible. The sword merely glowed when ether was pushed through. The appearance was more in line with Vivi's typical work. Not pretty, but effective.

The sword had three runes: crush, mass, and sharpness. A heavyweight blade created to one-shot large bosses.

The network of veins wasn't nearly as complex as with Blossom. The difference between a casually crafted three-runed sword and a perfect sword on the limit of space was huge. Vivi had only failed one time while crafting the red hardsteel sword. The second attempt had gone rather smoothly. Her consistency and accuracy was definitely improving.

Lucas wasn't awed by the sight of her sword, but he saw the runes on the hilt. "This is another monster of a sword, isn't it?"

"Try it out if you want," Vivi said.

Lucas looked afraid more than excited. He flowed ether through the runes, which prompted a reaction just as shocked as previously. He slowly lowered it back on the table, as if afraid something would break.

"Uh-huh," Lucas said. "A monster indeed."

"How much is it worth?" Vivi asked.

"I've seen less powerful swords sell for eight million," Lucas said. "So the price probably starts and goes up from there."

That's insane, Vivi thought. Eight million for one day of work. Won't this city run out of ether?

"Shivenar must have at least a billion ether total," Lucius said. "They won't run out any time soon."

Senith's eyes were pointing down. She seemed worried about something. "Is it really okay for us to take your time?" she asked. "Compared to an inside-carving runesmith, Lucas and I are unimportant, aren't we? The moment we left you alone for a day, you made a sword worth over eight million…"

"No, no, it's fine," Vivi said. "You can visit."

In fact, please do, Vivi thought. As long as it's not while I'm working.

Lucius floated between the two, studying each of their expressions. He looked thoughtful. Then he asked, "Senith? Do you like blankets?"

"Eh?" Senith asked. "Yes?"

Lucius nodded. "Mmm. That is a common interest. Do you like raincoats?"

"I think, um, raincoats are interesting?"

"Yes," Lucius said. "Vivi likes raincoats as well. That is another common interest. There are not many demons who like raincoats." He nodded two more times, as if he'd made some grand revelation. "You two should be friends. That would make Vivi happy. I think. If you really want to impress her, you should become a raincoat maker."

Senith's face was red. "Really?"

"Lucius, what are you talking about?" Vivi asked. "Senith is a friend. She's always welcome. It doesn't matter what clothes she likes."

"Oh, you are already friends?" Lucius said. "Very interesting. Is it because you both like grape juice? Or is it because the bond over raincoats and blankets is so strong?"

Lucas wheezed a laugh from his corner, shaking his head to himself. "It must be because they're both silly."

"Oooh," Lucius said, head lifting up. "Good observation. They are both silly. Maybe it's silliness that makes them friends?"

"Lucius, just shut up," Vivi said. She tapped Lucius's forehead with the bottom of her fist. "Senith is not a friend because of anything like that. She's just…" Vivi's face felt hot. Gods, this was embarrassing. How was she supposed to explain to her idiotic spirit what friendship was? Vivi didn't even know herself. "She simply is a friend."

The smithy was silent with Senith and Vivi both admiring the floor.

Lucas cleared his throat. "Vivi, if I may suggest, Senith and I, along with the Nemonn Company, could become your business advisors. The Lost Raindrop is far too small for the amount of attention your swords receive. Someone to manage customers, sales, ether, taxes, could be useful for some ease of mind."

"Would you do that for me?" Vivi asked.

"For a small cut, of course," Lucas said. "No more than a percentage or two. That alone is profitable for us."

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"That could be useful," Lucius said. "Vivi can spend more time crafting without worrying about idiots trying to scam her. What do you think?"

"I wouldn't have believed success could be so tiring…" Vivi said.

"Only the first few weeks are bad," Lucas said. "When things are new, and the people are wowed. Work will get easier once a new routine takes place. I'm hoping we can help you with that."

"For one, you can stop bringing in so much food," Vivi said, glancing at her food cabinets. Lucas had brought in an ice box to store meat. "I don't have time to eat this all. And for two… Senith? Could you help me with something… weird?"

"Yes? Of course?" Senith said, a tad confused. "What is it?"

"Could I meet your… fashion stylists?" Vivi asked. "I need a swordmaiden's dress. As quickly as I can get one."

Senith blinked. "A swordmaiden's dress? Like for combat?"

"Yes, something that's beautiful and easy to swing a sword in," Vivi said. "And, um, I might need makeup? I think?"

"Vivi, what's this?" Lucius asked.

I need a disguise, Vivi thought. Something to blend in.

"Ah, and it doesn't need to be tailored for me," Vivi said. "Just something that loosely fits. I'll only wear it once. You'll have it back right away."

"A swordmaiden's dress and an outfit quickly," Senith said. "Lortel is in town right now, right? She can get the makeup and your hair done in an hour."

"I'll get it arranged," Lucas said. He bowed. "May I ask, what do you need the outfit for?"

"Nothing special," Vivi said. "Just human business. I won't leave this room."

Lucas raised one eyebrow. "Interesting. We will be ready in an hour. Senith, feel free to stay with Vivi. I'll fetch Lortel."

"Thank you," Vivi said.

Lucas exited the building. A yawn escaped from Vivi's mouth. She'd only been working for twenty hours straight. Somehow, she was more tired than usual. Her energy just seemed to disappear somewhere.

Senith's presence helped her stay awake. Vivi suggested cooking to start emptying her filled-up food cabinets. Senith laughed and mentioned she could go fetch her cooks. Vivi quickly dismissed that idea, arguing instead that cooking together would be fun. Senith required some convincing, but eventually, Vivi managed to get Senith to cook a pot of grain porridge. Attempt to, at least.

While they were eating the results of their fumbling, Lucas returned. Lortel came with him. The concealer from Anthony Ailman's hunting group, who was supposedly also a seamstress.

Senith laughed lightly at Vivi. "Lortel suffered burns when she was young. She looks scary, and, um, she lacks manners sometimes, but she's a genius stylist."

"We've met," Lortel said calmly. She wasn't wearing her rogue's outfit anymore. Her dress was stylish more than it was rich: a long-hemmed dress adorned with a single rose, and a handbag with a long strap over her shoulders. She bowed with smooth and elegant motions. "Honored to be here. We meet again, Master Vivian."

"Feel free to call me Vivi," she said.

"Very well, Vivi," Lortel said. "If I understood, you are in a hurry. May I forget the formalities and get to work right away?"

"Yes, please," Vivi said.

Lortel nodded, then began observing Vivi from top to bottom with her sharp demonic eye. "Without horns, Vivi requires a headpiece. A hairband, perhaps flowers, should fit well."

"Can you get it done?" Lucas asked.

"No problem," Lortel said. "The outfit will be ready in an hour. Vivi, sit down. Everyone else, step out. Lucas, fetch me my workstation while you're at it."

Vivi picked a stool to sit on. Lortel reached into her bag for tools, placing them on Vivi's nightstand. Scissors and makeup trays were the only items Vivi recognized. Lucius eyed the woman suspiciously from Vivi's core, ready to fight, though Vivi trusted Lortel would do a good job.

Lortel closed the curtains, leaving Senith and Lucas on the other side. She hung a mirror on the wall in front of Vivi, then got to work.

"Take off your jacket," Lortel instructed. "I have been instructed to make you look like a beautiful swordmaiden. Is this correct?"

"Yes," Vivi said. "Something simple that doesn't stand out, while still allowing me into balls."

"Sit still and do nothing at all," Lortel said. "This will be done in thirty minutes."

Vivi complied, sitting straight and watching through the mirror as Lortel worked on her face. She started by spraying some sort of conditioner on Vivi's face and hair. Lortel's hands were quick and precise; Vivi's hair was done in under ten minutes, after which the woman moved to makeup and nail paint.

Gods, Vivi thought after seeing the effects the makeup had on her face. She still looked tired more than beautiful, but with a good smile, Vivi could imagine herself actually looking like one of the hunters that strolled the streets of Ythar's island.

"How formal is this event?" Lortel asked. "Do you require full-body makeup?"

Full-body makeup? Vivi thought in horror. "That exists?"

"Of course," Lortel said with a smile. "Lady Senith wears a light layer on her arms for balls. It helps you stand out."

"I'm fine," Vivi said. "I already look more than excessive enough."

"Very well," Lortel said. "Let's move to measurements. Stand for me, please."

She wrapped a piece of measuring tape around different parts of Vivi's body. Lortel did it swiftly, requiring under a minute. Every one of Lortel's movements was swift and precise. Even something as ordinary as taking measurements looked masterful when Lortel did it.

"Then, I will tailor the outfit," Lortel said. "Feel free to watch."

"You'll tailor an outfit? Right now?"

"It won't take long," Lortel said. "I work a bit differently from regular tailors."

Vivi tilted her head slightly, but watched as Lortel brought in her workstation. On it was an assortment of different fabrics, threads, needles, scissors, a seam ripper, and half a dozen other sewing tools Vivi hadn't seen before. Lortel sat and closed her eyes, facing her tools.

She didn't open her eyes. She picked up her needle and pushed ether into it. The needle glowed green. Lortel arranged her tools and fabrics, pushing aside what she didn't need. Black and purple pieces of fabric, some soft and some thicker, filled the table.

Suddenly, Lortel flowed to work. Vivi flinched from the sheer speed of her movements. Lortel started by cutting fabric—a step which she completed in under ten seconds and without the need for markers. Then she picked up her thread and needle, sewing fabric together at inhuman precision faster than the naked eye could keep up with.

Vivi added ether to her eyes to follow Lortel's hand. Even still, Vivi quickly lost track of what Lortel was currently on. The cloth moved so fast, Vivi didn't even know what part of the outfit Lortel was currently working on.

Lucius's eyes were open the entire time. "This woman is dangerous. She's insane."

That's an… interesting way to use ether, for sure, Vivi thought. She had never even thought of using ether for something like this. Ether was famous for fighting, not for use as tools. But when Vivi thought about it, it made sense. She, too, had started occasionally using ether to better concentrate during her runesmithing sessions.

Even with Lortel's insane speed and precision, the process lasted for thirty minutes. Throughout that, Lortel opened her eyes a total of three times to examine her work before shutting them to continue. The haphazard pieces of fabric started to resemble a dress, until eventually, Lortel opened her eyes, and examined her work.

Vivi struggled to read her expression. Was she displeased? She didn't look happy, at least, but that could have been due to her face.

Lortel nodded. "It's ready. Stand, please."

Vivi did so, and Lortel helped put the dress on. Good thing she did—Vivi would have struggled to figure out which hole she was supposed to slide what through.

With the dress on, Lortel opened the curtain, letting Senith and Lucas back in the room. Vivi faced a mirror.

The black dress with a purple hemline felt more like a uniform with a skirt. Chains hung from the light corset. Long sleeves covered arms up to the start of her fingers. Most of Vivi's skin was covered, though the upper part of the dress was smooth against her skin. The fit was perfect, though she couldn't hide her chin under her collar like she could with her raincoat.

Her makeup matched the dark dress. Lortel had made her lips darker and her eyelashes more striking. Her skin seemed a lot more detailed, brighter, even without a coating of ether. Her nails were painted a dark purple, and her hair was tied to a pigtail on one side and adorned with a lone black rose.

It's a bit showy… Vivi thought.

"Perfectly acceptable," Lucius said. "It fits well with Abyss Destroyer. I like this. I don't think you'll be recognized. Lortel styled you well."

Abyss Destroyer… Vivi bit her lip, hearing that. She wasn't sure if she ever wanted to use the sword again. But she kept silent.

And it was true that she was styled well. Vivi looked like a different person, even more so than when she wore her white dress. Her fingers were still stubbornly blemished with metals and black aspen, but that was the only indication about her being a runesmith.

She looked very much like an ether hunter.

Lortel nodded. "For the time restraint, this is as close to perfection as we will get."

"Yes, this is good," Vivi said. "Thank you." She turned to Senith and Lucas. "Does it fit?"

Senith was grinning wide. "It's amazing!"

"It looks good," Lucas said. "Lortel will turn anything into a stunning outfit."

"It looks odd on me," Vivi said, changing her pose. "Something just feels weird about dresses."

"You stand like a blacksmith, miss," Lortel said. "Confidence in an outfit is as important as the fit of the clothes themselves. You, if I am allowed to be blunt, are as confident in the dress as a child is around a wild horse."

Vivi sighed. "I don't have time for noble training. This will do. Thank you again."

Lortel bowed.

"Vivi, may I ask again…" Lucas said. "Why exactly did you request this outfit on such short notice? Are you going to do something?"

"Yes," Vivi said. She grabbed her blanket and collapsed down to her silk-smooth mattress. "I'm heading to sleep."

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