When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 19 Clumsy

Amethyst’s “Purple Lightning Bracelet” is B-rank, while Dia’s “Immortal Great Shield” is A-rank. With this information, it’s easy to imagine the reason for their conflict.

“Could it be that Amethyst has a grudge against Dia because she lost in terms of ‘Sacred Treasure Rank’?”

“W-Well, to put it bluntly, yeah…”

With a wry smile, Dia gave an ambiguous response.

If that’s the case, Dia isn’t at fault. You can’t choose the artifact you receive during the Blessing Ceremony, so it’s not Dia’s responsibility to have received an A-rank artifact. In fact, being criticized for receiving an A-rank artifact is quite absurd. Normally, it would be a result worthy of praise.

“But I guess, if Amethyst, who excels in both academics and athletics and is admired by everyone, lost in the artifact rank, she would be quite frustrated, huh?”

“…If it were someone like me, a crybaby who used to be bullied, it’s only natural to get angry, right?”

Such self-deprecating remarks weren’t really necessary…

However, Dia continued in a more self-mocking tone.

“Even though Amethyst’s artifact is more beautiful, cool, and fashionable, she wouldn’t accept it even if everyone around her said so… I must have really upset Amethyst.”

…Well, it’s not like Dia is at fault. No one, other than the gods, knows what kind of artifact you’ll receive during the Blessing Ceremony.

As I listened to the story, a bad premonition crossed my mind.

“S-So, does that mean, after angering the admired Amethyst, did the bullying get worse after receiving the Blessing Ceremony?”

“N-No, not at all. In fact, thanks to ‘Immortal Great Shield,’ I didn’t feel any physical bullying, and there were even times when I turned the tables on bullies who tried to shoulder-charge me.”

“…R-Really?”

With the benefits of the artifact, Dia, reinforced to the max, collided shoulders with a bully, and the sight of the bully writhing in agony flashed before my eyes. Anyway, it’s a relief that there wasn’t an increase in bullying.

“But how could you, in such a relationship, ask Amethyst ‘to join her party’ at the beginning of the exam? Normally, you’d be too scared to approach her. Was there any special reason for that?”

“As Amethyst mentioned, there wasn’t anyone else to rely on… or rather, no one to approach, that’s the main reason. But maybe I thought we could go back to how things were in the past.”

“The past?”

I wonder what she means. Going back to how things were in the past—what exactly?

“Surprisingly, we used to get along quite well. Amethyst and I.”

“Huh!?”

“When we were around four years old, before we met Spinel and Lapis, I used to play with Amethyst all the time. She taught me a lot, even though I was always clumsy. I sometimes thought, ‘Is this what it’s like to have an older sister?'”

…It’s quite an unexpected revelation.

That Amethyst and Dia used to play together alone.

Moreover, thinking of Amethyst as a kind of ‘big sister.’

But hearing it again, it strangely feels like it fits.

I can easily imagine Amethyst saying things like, ‘Let me show you how it’s done,’ and proudly teaching Dia.

“As we grew up, more and more people gathered around Amethyst. Gradually, we grew apart. But even now, I still respect Amethyst.”

Dia looks up at the sky as if recalling pleasant memories. It seems she genuinely respects Amethyst. Considering how insulted she was by Amethyst and yet hasn’t said anything back, it’s likely that Dia still sees Amethyst as a reliable big sister.

“So, you thought of taking the adventurer’s exam together?”

“Y-yes. I thought that if we took the adventurer’s exam together, I might be able to follow Amethyst like I used to. It’s a very dependent way of thinking, but I believed it was the only opportunity to reconcile.”

There was no one else to rely on.

Rather, Amethyst might have been the person Dia most wanted to depend on.

Given the nature of a shield-type artifact, having a companion is essential. Even though Dia didn’t need to choose Amethyst as her partner, she still approached her. It’s not dependence; it’s a sincere admiration.

“Can’t you become friends with Amethyst again? Can’t things go back to how they used to be?”

Gradually hearing Dia’s voice become hoarse, it became evident that she was on the verge of tears.

After such a clear rejection, it’s natural to harbor such thoughts.

Being hit with such powerful magic, clashing as adversaries – it might be difficult to go back to the way things were.

So…

“There’s probably no need to go back to how things used to be.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t think what Dia did was wrong. Reconciliation might have been possible if you both participated in the adventurer’s exam together. However, it’s not about following like before; this time, you have to stand side by side and fight together. Not as the ‘little sister’ following the ‘big sister’ but as ‘friends’ this time.”

“F-friends…”

More like comrades in arms. Instead of following as a ‘little sister’ chasing after a ‘big sister,’ create a new relationship where you fight together as ‘comrades.’ With the incredible ‘defensive power’ Dia possesses, she can surely be a valuable asset to Amethyst. Though it might sound hypocritical coming from me, Dia should have more ‘confidence.’

The mindset of wanting to be ‘accepted into the party’ won’t convey her feelings. This time, she should express the determination to ‘fight together.’

“Well, I can’t give you specific advice on what to do, but if you can come to Amethyst’s aid when she’s really in trouble, I think it will communicate your desire to be friends. Reconciliation might not happen right away, but if you can gradually approach each other, that would be good.”

“…”

It was vague advice without a hint of specificity. Moreover, coming from someone like me, who hardly has any friends, it lacks persuasiveness. I thought it wouldn’t be much of a comfort. However, surprisingly, Dia seemed to accept it, nodding with a somewhat satisfied expression.

“Indeed, I might have been a bit too impatient. As you said, I’ll try to approach little by little. Then, next time, with more confidence, I’ll show that I have the ‘power to protect’!”

“Yeah, that’s the spirit, Dia. If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know. Well, even though I don’t have many friends, there might not be much I can do.”

“No, I’ve already received plenty of help from you. Thank you very much.”

With a continued “thank you,” Dia smiled warmly.