Chapter 21: Winter Preparations(4)

“It’s… warm…”

Avalli wore winter clothes for the first time in this world. It was a tunic made from the green wool yarn Arsene had brought from the city, which Envel had sewn in her spare time.

Until now, she had layered several old clothes given to her by the village women.
It wasn’t bad for warmth, but it had been uncomfortable.
This tunic, however, was soft and warm, seemingly enough to withstand even the harshest cold.

“How is it? Do you like it?”
“I love it. Thank you, Envel unnie. I never imagined I would receive something like this.” (TL Note: Unnie is an honorific used by younger females to address older females.)

She truly hadn’t imagined it. Even while watching Envel knit for several days, it hadn’t occurred to her that it was a gift for Avalli.

After all, Avalli was just a guest.
On days when there wasn’t much she could help with, she would eat her meals, subtly mindful of the village chief couple’s presence.

‘I should have some shame.’

In reality, Avalli had no reason to feel self-conscious.
The reason Asha Village, once filled with daily anxieties, was now thriving was because Avalli had eradicated the nearby demonic beasts two months ago.

This contribution was not something that could be repaid by the villagers’ efforts alone.
If Avalli’s true nature were revealed, she could easily be appointed a noble of the Eastern Kingdom, though proving it would be an arduous and complex process.

But right now, Avalli believed she was indebted to Asha Village for saving her life.
Even if she were to learn the true magnitude of her actions, that belief wouldn’t change much.

If Arsene hadn’t found her that day, she might have actually died.

“Thank Arsene, not me. Knitting is something I always do, but it was him who bought the yarn for you.”
“…That’s true. But thank you too, Envel unnie. After all, it was you who made these beautiful clothes.”
“My, Avalli, you have such a way with words.”

Envel pinched Avalli’s cheek playfully, then relaxed onto the chair.

“Still, this winter should be manageable. They say demonic beasts have all but disappeared, and we’ve prepared several times more than usual.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Last year, just getting food and firewood was a struggle. But this year, Arsene brought back a cart full of supplies. Who knows where he got the money.”

The source of that money was Kyle, the Insight Knight.
He had given Arsene nearly 90% of his life savings, earnestly asking him to take good care of Avalli.

It would have been more efficient to simply take Avalli to the city and have clothes made for her.
But Arsene had decided to endure his wife’s nagging and take the slightly more troublesome route, rather than risk causing unnecessary problems. Envel, far from complaining, was delighted to finally be able to make Avalli proper clothes.

“By the way, Avalli, aren’t you going to watch the training today?”
“I teased Hans too much, and he’s sulking. He told me not to come anymore.”

Avalli chuckled, and Envel smiled as well.

“Don’t tease him too much. Hans is still a child compared to you, Avalli.”
“But I’m younger than him.”
“You know what I mean. Girls mature faster than boys.”
“…That’s true.”

It was true.
Girls usually hit puberty and matured faster than boys at school.

‘But I’m a bit different.’

Avalli’s maturity wasn’t due to natural development, but simply because the soul inside her was that of an adult man.

‘Even the innocent act I put on is all fake.’

Contrary to Avalli’s belief, she was actually becoming more and more like the innocent girl everyone perceived her to be.

People change through relationships with others.

If everyone around her treated her as a ‘cute and innocent girl’, Avalli would gradually conform to their expectations, even if she didn’t intend to.
No matter how much unrealistic magic power Avalli possessed, this basic principle of sociology remained unchanged.

“Still, I’m surprised. I never thought Hans would change so much.”
“Me neither. He used to be so lazy and playful.”
“Not only has he become diligent, but his strength has increased tremendously.”

That was something Avalli also wondered about.

A month ago, when Hans, provoked by Avalli, had challenged her to a fight, his strength had been pathetic.
She felt like the other children who whined for her to play with them had stronger arms.

‘…It was quite funny back then.’

Hans, easily subdued and pounding the ground, yelling ‘Let go of me!’
Recalling that scene made Avalli shudder slightly.

But the strength Hans had displayed during the past few days of winter preparations had been enough to make the other adults gasp.
What could have possibly caused such a dramatic change?

“It must be a Gift.”

“A Gift?”
“Sometimes, ordinary people suddenly become masters in a specific field. A woman who has never touched a hammer becomes a master blacksmith, or a village idiot suddenly becomes a sage.”

In this world, such cases were collectively called ‘Gifts’.
…Come to think of it, the proper name for Avalli’s ‘traits’ might have been Gifts.
She couldn’t quite remember since she hadn’t read the descriptions carefully, having an abundance of points in Very Easy mode.

“…I hope nothing bad happens to Hans.”
“What could possibly happen?”
“A Gift is a raw talent. And outstanding talent always attracts trouble.”

Envel’s expression looked somewhat uneasy.
As if she had personally experienced such an event.

“If something like that happens, I’ll protect the village.”

Avalli straightened her shoulders and said this to dispel Envel’s needless anxiety.
The transcendental magic power within her naturally interacted with reality according to her will.

Simply put, Envel was deeply reassured by the little girl’s words.

“I feel so safe with you here, Avalli.”
“Just leave it to me.”
“Heehee, alright.”

Envel stood up and gently stroked Avalli’s head.
Avalli leaned into the warm touch like a puppy.
The charcoal baked in the newly built kiln burned brightly in the stove, warming the room comfortably.

Just as Avalli was about to fully relax into the cozy atmosphere, a commotion could be heard from outside.
The voices… were mostly familiar to Avalli.

“What are the children doing outside in this weather?”
“I’ll go check, Envel unnie.”

Avalli stood up, straightened her new clothes, and flung open the door.
The cold winter wind of the Great Forest brushed against her face, turning her cheeks red instantly.

She quickly closed the door before the cold air could fill the house and headed towards the source of the noise.
Although her face was cold, her body was warm thanks to the wool tunic Envel had made.

Actually, with her magic power, Avalli could probably survive outside naked right now, but… there was no need to be naked when she had clothes.

“Oh!”

Finally reaching the center of the commotion, Avalli saw someone surrounded by children and exclaimed.

“Lucy!”
“H…Hello. Madam Avalli!”

Lucy froze upon seeing Avalli and then bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
The children started whispering at the strange sight.

“Did she just call her ‘Madam’?”
“Isn’t Lucy unnie older?”
“Mages are higher ranked. Is Avalli noona a mage too?”
“Lucy unnie, call me Camelia-nim too!” (TL Note: -nim is a more formal/respectful honorific.)

Ignoring all the questions, Lucy straightened up stiffly.
Avalli was looking at Lucy with the same bewildered expression as last time.

‘…Is she upset? Why?’

It was simply because Lucy had addressed Avalli with an awkward level of politeness.
But Lucy was too nervous to realize that, and her mind raced, searching for something to flatter Avalli with.

“Th…That outfit!”
“Ah, yes.”
“It suits you! It really does!”

It was the kind of compliment an old bachelor with no dating experience would give. If this were a date, it would have instantly tanked her chances—

“She’s right! It’s so pretty.”
“Avalli unnie is wearing new clothes! She looks like a lady.”
“For Avalli noona? Hmph, it does look good on her.”

—but seeing the surrounding children complimenting her, Avalli couldn’t help but smile, despite her embarrassment.

“Did you buy it? When? Who?”
“Envel unnie made it for me.”

Camelia’s eyes widened at Avalli’s answer.

“I should ask her to make me one too.”
“Envel unnie is busy. She made this by sacrificing sleep.”
“…Then Camelia can’t have new clothes?”

Camelia’s eyes started to water.
Avalli, despite knowing the little girl’s intentions, couldn’t help but feel her heart soften at this display of expertly wielded cuteness.

“I’ll learn how to make clothes and make one for you. How about that?”
“Yay! Promise?”
“U…Um…”

Lucy, cautiously watching Avalli, interrupted their cheerful conversation.

“I, um…, have some business with Bern, so I should be going.”
“Mister Bern?”
“Yes, I need to pay him for the magic stone I received last time.”

At the word ‘magic stone’, Avalli’s eyes sparkled.

‘It sold!’

It seemed the magic stone she had extracted from the demonic beast had been sold.
She wondered how much it had sold for.
Curiosity piqued, Avalli suddenly reached out and grabbed Lucy’s hand.

“Then let’s go together!”
“…Huh?”

Lucy’s expression contorted strangely, like a condemned prisoner facing the gallows.