Chapter 37: A Ring of Unexpected Creation

“…It worked?”

Bai Zhi’s eyes widened, a hint of disbelief in her gaze.

“From the looks of it… it seems to have succeeded.”

Rena cautiously touched the ring Bai Zhi had just created a few times.

Only after confirming there were no unusual reactions did she pluck up the courage to pick it up.

“Indeed, I don’t feel my extraordinary power being siphoned away like before, so it truly appears to be a success.”

“Don’t use that as your sole criterion…”

Bai Zhi muttered, then looked at her own hair with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

“So, it turns out my hair is actually inferior to a mere pull tab… I’m suddenly feeling quite demoralized.”

“Perhaps it’s just an issue of adaptability? For instance… your hair might not be suited for transmuting into container-type magical artifacts?” Rena offered, attempting to comfort her.

“But a pull tab is suitable?” Bai Zhi quipped, a playful glint in her eyes. “That’s just trash, isn’t it?”

“Yet, shed hair… can hardly be considered a ‘good thing’ either,” Rena stated calmly.

“In the eyes of the general public, both would likely be categorized together—as things that need to be swept away or disposed of.”

Rena explained, all the while gazing with interest at the silver ring in her hand.

“Still, this item’s design is rather pleasing. Is this truly the container that will be consumed during future battles? I already feel a little reluctant to part with it.”

“Ah, actually…” Bai Zhi’s expression instantly turned awkward. “This… if I’m not mistaken, this thing shouldn’t possess the function of a container.”

“What do you mean?”

Noticing Rena’s bewildered expression, Bai Zhi scratched the back of her head, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

“Because I initially assumed this attempt would also fail, I got lazy during the final step and didn’t imagine it in the shape of a container as I usually would.”

Rena: “…Then what exactly is its effect?”

“…I don’t know either.”

Bai Zhi offered a slightly sheepish smile.

“During the very last stage, I didn’t think of anything at all… To be honest, I don’t even understand why it turned into a ring.”

“…”

Rena looked at Bai Zhi, utterly speechless.

“No way… it actually succeeded like this?”

“Perhaps I truly am a genius?”

Bai Zhi declared shamelessly, completely forgetting her earlier pronouncements about having ‘no talent in this area.’

“…Never mind, at least its appearance is rather pleasant,” Rena said, handing the ring back to Bai Zhi.

“This is, after all, the first magical artifact you’ve successfully transmuted. You should keep it as a memento.”

Bai Zhi took the ring from Rena’s hand, staring at it with a complex mix of emotions for a long moment before sighing and gently declining Rena’s suggestion.

“No, it’s better if you keep it.”

Upon hearing this, Rena paused in confusion before her expression shifted to one of bewilderment.

“Why?… You should keep it yourself; I think it holds significant commemorative value.”

“You know how I am, I’m not very good at organizing things… If I keep a small item like this close, I’ll only lose it eventually.”

A shy smile graced Bai Zhi’s pretty face as she leaned in to whisper to Rena, gently pressing the ring back into her hand.

“Besides, you seem to really like its appearance.”

“Please don’t make me sound like some kind of trash can, where you just toss anything you find troublesome.”

Rena puffed out her cheeks, feigning indignation, yet her gaze involuntarily clung to the ring nestled in her palm.

“Ahem, though I do admit I’m quite fond of its design…”

“And then… there’s actually another reason.”

Bai Zhi suddenly grew a little hesitant.

“Rena, if I’m not mistaken, you’ve been staying at my place for quite some time now, haven’t you?”

“Yes, it has been a while. Why bring it up so suddenly? Are you trying to kick me out?”

Rena responded playfully, but Bai Zhi’s expression was remarkably serious. She took a deep breath, then slowly and firmly shook her head.

“How could I?… I merely wish to express my gratitude to you.”

Rena pointed to herself in surprise.

“Gratitude?”

“Yes, back when I lived alone, this place was an absolute disaster! You must remember how it was then.”

Bai Zhi recalled the chaotic state of her home, a complex smile gracing her lips.

“Of course I remember,” Rena nodded, her brow furrowed. “It hardly looked like a place fit for humans. I was quite startled when I first arrived.”

“I don’t think it was quite that exaggerated… No, perhaps it really was that exaggerated.”

Bai Zhi sighed, her face etched with distress and exasperation.

“Back then, the frequent appearance of transmigrators left me utterly vexed, and I had no inclination whatsoever to deal with everyday chores. Over time, I became somewhat… unhinged.”

As she spoke, Bai Zhi glanced around the room.

“And then, to transform this place back into a home, to pull me back from the brink—that is entirely your doing, Rena.”

At this, Bai Zhi turned to Rena, speaking with earnestness:

“Therefore, I’ve always wanted to give you something to show my appreciation, but I never knew what would be appropriate.”

“You really don’t have to…”

Bai Zhi’s straightforward declaration made Rena feel uncomfortably shy, yet Bai Zhi’s gaze was far too earnest at that moment.

“That’s why it suddenly occurred to me… Perhaps it was precisely because of this heartfelt intention that the first magical artifact I ever transmuted transformed from a mere pull tab into this ring. In that case, this ring’s sole owner could only be you, Rena.”

“Moreover, a first-ever transmuted magical artifact, imbued with such commemorative significance, makes for a perfectly suitable gift, wouldn’t you agree?”

Bai Zhi smiled, extending her hand towards Rena.

Rena watched her silently, her face burning as if engulfed in flames. She knew she must be blushing furiously, a truly unbecoming sight for a knight.

‘All of this is Bai Zhi’s fault, for suddenly spouting so many strange things,’ Rena complained inwardly.

Yet, she uttered not a word, merely extending her right hand, allowing Bai Zhi to take the ring from her palm and slide it onto her ring finger.

“Look! It’s a perfect fit, as if it were meant for you all along!” Bai Zhi teased.

“…It’s just your sudden whim, don’t think I’ll be fooled so easily.”

Though Rena spoke these words, her face was still beaming with a smile.

“By the way, this is actually the first time… I’ve ever received a gift from someone else.”

Bai Zhi let out a soft gasp, clearly unprepared for Rena’s revelation.

“Really? I always thought you’d be the type with many friends, Rena. Could it be you’re more reclusive than I imagined?”

“It’s just that there’s no such custom in the kingdom. Within the Radiant Knights, everyone is like family; it’s a very harmonious and close-knit relationship.”

Rena said, then suddenly seemed to recall something.

“Speaking of which, this thing was made from a pull tab, wasn’t it? Now that I think about it, I’m just grinning foolishly while wearing a pull tab… I feel a bit swindled.”

“Don’t, don’t say that!” Bai Zhi quickly waved her hands. “This is magic, do you understand magic?”

Rena hummed in acknowledgement, continuing to admire the silver ring on her ring finger.

“Let’s just pretend that’s the case then.”

“By the way… Rena, you originally came to find me because you wanted to discuss something, didn’t you?”

Bai Zhi abruptly changed the subject. Rena paused, momentarily stunned, before an expression of sudden realization dawned upon her face moments later.

“It seems I did… How did you even know that!?”

“Even though you softened your footsteps, I noticed you immediately,” Bai Zhi said with a smile. “Your hesitant expression back then looked as if you were trying to say something.”

“…If you noticed from the start, then you should have said something sooner! You made me look like an idiot,” Rena grumbled, a hint of complaint in her voice. “And with your interruption, I almost forgot what I originally wanted to talk to you about.”

As Rena spoke, her expression suddenly grew exceptionally serious.

“What I wanted to discuss with you pertains to the battle scheduled for a few days from now.”