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I suppose that's all I can take from Ruby.

Though… Her necklace always seems quite mysterious to me.

For once, I tried to analyze it.

And as I looked at it and used the System Unique Skill.

Something happened.

<Critical Error>

<The item cannot be identified; your Realm is too low compared to it>

What?!

What do you mean my Realm is too low?

I didn't know items had realms…

<This item seems to be a treasure of this world, similar to people's mana core, treasures crafted using divine materials have special realms that cannot be used by those lower than them. This pendant is special as it is permanently locked into those of a certain bloodline… those that dare touch it might be a curse by a power even above immortals…>

How strong is it?

<Cannot be detected with clarity… But it could even be a treasure above Rank 9…>

Above Rank 9?!

And this girl, has it?

Wait… could it be the inheritance of her Venerable of blood and this little girl doesn't know?

<That's a possibility, but rushing to conclusions is not recommended. Taking it by force might trigger some side effects of the pendant as well…>

I see… We better not try anything rashly.

"Ruby, that necklace you have… Does it have something within it? Is it… magical?" I asked.

"Huh? I don't know… Maybe it makes me better at magic?" wondered Ruby.

She doesn't know…

"Have you never wondered what it could truly be?" I asked her.

"Eh… Not really." She said.

"Hmm… I guess that's that. Anyways, sorry to bother you."

"Don't worry uncle!"

Ruby went back to join with the kids.

Maybe I shouldn't have been too pressuring with her. She's just a child.

Anyways, after this, we spent the day leisurely drinking and chatting, Rakasha got to know about the tournament and told me that he would assist.

"No, better don't come…" I said.

"Eh?! Why?" he asked.

"It's… Well, it's better if you take care of Ruby while that happens, don't leave her alone." I said.

"Oh… I feel like you're hiding me something. But who am I to ask about such things? Fine, I won't go..." Said Rakasha

"Thanks. We'll explain things to you after everything is done." I said.

"Hmm… A-Alright… I hope it is nothing like conquering the sect or something crazy." He said while laughing.

We laughed back, pretending that it wasn't exactly what he predicted.

"Anyways, have you guys heard? One of the Elders' houses was assaulted and destroyed by someone mysterious. She was named Cassiopeia and used to run a business in the city… they didn't find her body tough, as if she was taken away completely." Said Rakasha.

"What? Really? That's awful… I think I used to visit her shop or something." I said.

"Those are very sad news; now where will we sell our things?" wondered Benladann

"They said that someone else from her family replaced her shop ownership, I think… they're looking for the culprits, but it has been hard, there's zero evidence of them." Said Rakasha.

"Oh, phew, what a relief! I hope they can catch that evildoer." I said.

"Yeah… whoever it is, for doing such a thing, it deserves the worst." Said Benladann.

"Indeed… Though they said that they caught her doing witchcraft many times in the past. It was said she had the power of phantom magic with her, but no one ever found it out."

"I see…"

"Must be tough."

We pretended to just not know about this mysterious woman as we finished the day rather leisurely.

After having dinner with Rakasha and Ruby, we decided to make our way back home.

But suddenly, Hansel wanted to tell something to Ruby. It shocked us. Did he wanted to do it right away?! It might not end well!

However, it was too late.

"Hansel?" asked Ruby curiously.

"R-Ruby… I… This… Ah… H-Here!"

"Huh?"

Hansel suddenly gave Ruby a very shiny and red jewel.

"A red jewel? It's pretty… where did you get it?" asked Ruby.

"It's… I made it with magic… Ore Creation… I concentrated my mana for months to make it as pretty as… y-your eyes…" said Hansel.

Ruby suddenly got red like a tomato, and even steam came out of her pointy ears.

"I-Is that so…? T-Thanks… I will keep it as a good luck charm…" she said.

Hansel smiled cutely and innocently, making Ruby look at him a bit differently.

"Thank you for accepting the gift… N-Now I am going… See you next time… Please, take care." Said Hansel.

"Hm, sure…" said Ruby, as she looked at us move back home.

Everyone looked at Hansel with cheeky smiles.

"D-Don't look at me like that!" he cried.

"So you had a gift planned for her this whole time, huh?" asked Benladann.

"it was a pretty jewel!" said Flayr.

"Yeah, she liked it." Said Noirenn.

"Did you see her expression; I think you nailed it," I said.

"I-I did?" asked Hansel.

"Perhaps, but you gotta still keep trying. While also being polite and good. Girls don't like pushy guys," said Benladann.

"I-I see… I will try to be gentle and nice…" said Hansel.

He's a good kid. It makes me remember when I first met Benladann.

It feels like so long ago, yet it really wasn't that long…

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Ruby POV

…

Drake asked me several questions… Perhaps he had some doubts about my pendant…

I wish I could tell him more, but the item itself doesn't let me reveal its information, it is like a curse I cannot break…

Sigh…

Maybe he wants to help me, but… my own problems won't let him.

It is all… pointless in the end.

Yet…

For some reason, I don't know why.

When Hansel gave me this little and shiny red jewel… It felt different than ever before.

It was like a sparkle that reached my dark mind.

The innocence and cuteness of this boy… it soothed my heart.

If this was his plan all along, he did it nicely… He had indeed charmed me a bit.

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