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

Chapter 32 As a boy

(Him? Who could she be referring to by “him”?)

For a moment, Dia pondered this question but quickly had a realization.

If they had a mutual acquaintance with Amethyst, and it was someone they might discuss in this context, it could only be “that boy.”

“Could it be about Rust-san?”

“…Y-yeah. So, what’s your relationship like with him?”

“W-Well, even if you ask what kind of relationship… it’s just normal.”

Faced with this somewhat abstract question, Dia couldn’t figure out how to respond. No matter how she was asked about the nature of their relationship, all she could say was “normal.” What kind of answer did Amethyst expect?

“With Rust-san, we form a party normally, work on requests together normally, and he’s just a normal, important companion…”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m asking about how you feel about him, in that sense…”

“…?”

What do I think?

Dia remained momentarily stunned, silently contemplating the intent behind the question. Eventually, she had an epiphany.

“Um, do you… perhaps, like Rust-san?”

“Huh? Me?”

Amethyst let out a rather bewildered sound, her eyes widening like saucers. The air seemed to have taken an unexpectedly offbeat turn.

As Dia had feared, Amethyst’s expression revealed genuine distaste.

“Come on, cut it out with that terrible joke. Why on earth would I like such a ‘wishy-washy’ guy? He’s the complete opposite of my taste.”

“Oh, uh, really?”

Dia had thought Amethyst was asking about Rust because she might have liked him. The dramatic turn of events during the exam, where Rust swooped in to help at the last moment, led Dia to believe there might be some affection towards him.

However, Dia’s assumption turned out to be completely mistaken.

“I prefer someone more manly and a bit forceful. I would never like someone like him, who is the exact opposite of my taste.”

“Oh, is that so…”

Dia felt a somewhat complex emotion.

What was this indescribable feeling? Besides, even though it might not be apparent, Rust did have some masculine qualities. There were assertive moments during the exam, and to say he was entirely unmanly…

Dia wanted to express this, but before she could, Amethyst muttered in an almost inaudible voice.

“Well, I’m grateful that he helped us make up.”

“…?”

“No, that’s not it! What I mean is, since you’re in a party alone, just the two of you, I wondered if you liked him or if there was something going on between you two…”

“Huh? No, not at all. We’re just regular party members. But why would you think that?”

Dia questioned why Amethyst brought up such matters if she wasn’t interested in Rust. As she tilted her head in confusion, Amethyst once again mumbled something in a voice too soft to be heard clearly.

“Because you’re my rival, I guess… I just didn’t want to be surpassed as a woman…”

“…?”

Again, Dia couldn’t hear that voice clearly, and her head filled with question marks.

“An-anyway! If there’s nothing going on, then that’s fine!”

“Umm…”

Amethyst, seemingly frustrated, finished her juice in a desperate manner, earning a skeptical look from Dia. What was truly happening?

At that moment, someone rushed towards them.

“Hey, Am-!”

“Oh, you’re finally back.”

The ponytailed sisters, slightly shorter in stature, ran towards them. With a large scythe slung over their backs, it was clear even from a distance that they were Spinel and Lapis. They approached Amethyst, their red and blue ponytails flailing, and spoke with agitation.

“Listen, Amethyst! During the artifact maintenance, Lapis cut in line and went ahead!”

“It was actually Spinel who cut in first! I was already in line! The one at fault is Spinel!”

“Alright, alright, both of you, cut it out.”

Amethyst, looking exasperated, intervened in the quarrel between the sisters. It seemed like a well-practiced routine. Was it a common sight for Spinel and Lapis to argue and for Amethyst to mediate? As Dia silently pondered, Amethyst distanced herself from the pillar.

“Then, see you later, Dia.”

“Oh, yes. Goodbye…”

With that farewell at her back, Amethyst swiftly left with the ponytailed sisters. The conversation seemed to be concluded, with nothing more to discuss. Was that truly the case? Dia couldn’t help but feel a bit lonely as she watched Amethyst’s retreating figure.

“Could it be that the real reason Amethyst approached me was to ask that question from earlier?”

What did she think of Rust, her party companion? If that was the reason for Amethyst’s conversation starter, it would make sense. She first confirmed that Rust wasn’t present, and it was indeed a difficult question to ask with Rust around. Dia wasn’t even sure about her own feelings on the matter.

“Ugh, sorry for keeping you waiting, Dia~…”

“Ru-Rust-san!?”

Dia suddenly noticed Rust on the other side of the pillar. He looked completely exhausted, leaning against it. Startled by his sudden appearance, Dia quickly regained her composure and asked.

“What’s the matter, Rust-san? You seem really tired…”

“I met Spinel and Lapis at the temple, and they kept bothering me while waiting for the artifact maintenance. Stuff like, ‘Don’t get carried away just because you won in the exam,’ and ‘Next time, Amethyst will definitely win.'”

“Ah, ahaha…”

Dia could easily imagine that scene. Dealing with those two during the entire wait for the artifact maintenance was undoubtedly exhausting. However, Rust quickly regained his composure and straightened up.

“Well then, let’s report to the guild. Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“N-no, shall we go then?”

Dia followed a bit behind as Rust walked ahead. While gazing at his back, she found herself lost in thought.

“What do I think of Rust?”

Until Amethyst posed that question, Dia hadn’t given it much thought. What did she feel about this innocent boy carrying the rusty sword, not just as a party member or a dear companion, but as a boy…

“Hmm…”

Naturally, the answer wouldn’t come immediately. After all, they had only been together for about a week. There was still much they didn’t know about each other. Dia decided to put this question on hold for now. By doing so, she managed to settle the indescribable feelings within her.