Magi Craft Meister

Chapter 707 21-18 New Year’s Eve in Kaina Village

21-18 New Year in Kaina Village

“Wooow, we’re going so fast!”

“Kyaa—!”

“Here we gooo!”

Children’s cheers rang across the forecourt of Nidou Castle.

While grown-ups were still feeling the effects of last night’s year-end party, the youngsters, fresh into the new year, were bursting with energy.

“Pwaa—!”

“It’s cooold!”

“Uwaa, snow went down my back!”

They were sledding.

Jin had gathered snow in the square to make an impromptu slope, then set out a variety of sleds he had prepared: one-seaters, two-seaters, even ones that held five children.

Different colors, different designs—each child picked whatever sled caught their fancy and threw themselves into the fun.

“Aah, I’m thirsty.”

“I’m hunnngry.”

For thirst there were warm teas and pleasantly cool juices; for hunger, skewered roasted apururu fruit or sweet red-bean soup.

If anyone got sweaty they could soak in Nidou Castle’s subterranean hot spring while golem maids washed their clothes—truly a playland where nothing was lacking.

“Big brooo-ther!”

Hannah raced over, wearing the red jacket Jin had given her.

“Come ride too!”

“All right, let’s go!”

“Elsa, Reiko—come on!”

“Yes, Hannah.”

“Mhmm, let’s.”

The four of them climbed onto the large sled made for five kids.

The slope started 20 meters up and ran down at an average 30-degree grade—a fairly steep chute.

“Ready—go!”

The sled—a flexible board of GS Grand Spider-P resin about thirty centimeters wide—took off as soon as everyone lifted their feet.

Lowering a foot was the brake, but none of them bothered.

“Kyaa, so fast!”

“Whoa—faster than I thought!”

Because the resin picked up little dirt, its coefficient of friction was tiny; it fairly flew over the snow.

After the 50-meter slope, the sled coasted another 30 meters before stopping.

“Again, big brother!”

“Okay!”

Carrying the sled, Jin climbed the stairs built on the back of the mound. Lately he had built up enough stamina to do it without body-strengthening.

(Reiko, give us a little push with your force generator.)

(Understood, Father.)

Jin placed the sled, whispered the request, and the second run was about thirty percent faster.

“Wheee, even faster!”

Hannah squealed in delight.

This time they slid a full 60 meters beyond the slope and—

“Whoa—close one!”

They stopped just short of falling into the Elme River—Reiko had cut in with the force generator.

Had they gone in, a plunge into mid-winter water would have been no joke.

“That was close…”

“Mm.”

“But it was fun!”

Jin and Elsa patted their chests in relief; Hannah, utterly unfazed, already wanted another go.

Afterward the children all agreed on a snowball fight.

Teams were chosen by the “rock-paper” game Jin had taught them—his call was “Guu-Paa-Jan!”

By chance Jin ended up on the opposing side from Elsa and Hannah.

Reiko, of course, served as referee rather than player.

The rules were simple: each side had a flag (hastily made by Jin); first team to seize the enemy flag won.

Ten golem maids per side made perfectly soft—but not too soft—child-sized snowballs.

Every child wore gloves Jin supplied, made of rock-ice rabbit leather imported from the demon lands, fur-side in, wonderfully warm.

“Begin!”

At Reiko’s call snowballs flew in every direction.

“Blah!”

“Cold!”

Kurt, the most boisterous boy on Jin’s team, charged straight for the flag and was promptly buried under ten kids’ worth of snowballs.

“Rats—next time!”

Quick tactical retreat.

A moment later Mario from Rock’s family zig-zagged forward, trying to be a harder target, but—

“Too bad,” Jin said, pelting him. The closer you get to a fixed target, the narrower your dodging space.

“Pwah! I’ll be back!”

Then—Elsa.

For some reason she simply rushed straight in, instantly becoming the easiest target on the field. Snowballs pelted her hair, face, chest, stomach, arms, legs; within seconds she was a moving snowman.

“A-haha-ha!”

The children showed no mercy. As Elsa stalled under the barrage, Jin noticed a flash of red—

“Hannah!”

Elsa was the decoy. While all attention was on her, Hannah had sprinted the long way around and was now only five meters from the flag.

Jin’s side reacted too late. His desperate snowball missed; the kids realized the danger, but Hannah, even slowed, plunged the last meter, slid across the snow, and seized the flag.

“Got it!”

“Aww, we lost!”

The match was decided—Jin’s team defeated.

“…We won,” Elsa murmured through her snowy disguise.

“Alive again…”

After the battle everyone warmed up in Nidou Castle’s bathhouse.

Snow had gotten down Elsa’s back and even inside her clothes; soaking in the hot water she let out a tiny sigh of relief.

“It feels nice, doesn’t it, big sis?”

Hannah paddled over.

“Yes, very nice.”

“Teacher Elsa, your skin’s so white!”

Elsa still tutored some of the children, who called her “teacher.” Compared with them—tanned from play and field work—Elsa’s fair skin was something to admire.

“Hey, teacher, guess what? I’ll be a big sister soon!”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Mm-hmm!”

Thanks to all the improvements Jin had brought, this village’s baby boom would continue into the new year.

“Babies…”

Elsa stroked her own belly for a moment.

“…”

Naturally it was still flat.

“Someday—”

Thinking of children yet unseen, she turned bright red—though in the steamy water, no one noticed her flush.