Half a year had passed since Tundra learned how to stack enchantments.
Now, he walked toward his new ship. It had taken longer than expected to complete due to minor complications during testing.
Tundra laid his eyes on the gigantic spacecraft and smiled. He liked that he finally had a proper vehicle instead of simply flying through space.
Sure, the spacecraft might be slower—but it was far more comfortable. He could even bring others along with him.
Without another thought, he handed each of the engineers standing around the ship a small box filled with pol, each containing one billion. Then he held out a larger box and gave it to the supervisor—this one containing twenty billion.
Without saying a word, Tundra turned and walked into the spacecraft with his crew.
The engineers nearly jumped with joy. Even a fraction of that money could satisfy all their needs and wants. Safe to say, several of them wouldn't be returning to work.
---
Tundra walked through the ship with his crew, inspecting the various rooms. He found it somewhat amusing how small everyone seemed compared to the massive spacecraft.
When he found his throne room, he smiled again. The throne looked comfortable.
"All of you can go check the ship out—unless you have something to ask."
Tundra settled into the throne, getting comfortable as most of his crew left.
A few moments passed before he turned to the two who remained.
"And what questions do you two have for me?"
Shitaki gestured for Kukki to speak first.
"Well… Tundra—Lord Tundra," she corrected herself. "I'm sorry if this is rude, but could I have more unique ingredients? Don't get me wrong—the ones I have now are great, really—but I'd like to see what I can do with things I've never worked with before."
She spoke quietly, unsure if she had crossed a line.
Tundra tapped his fingers against the armrest, thinking. "I can grant that. Not right now, though—this planet doesn't have anything new to offer."
Kukki nodded. "I understand. Thank you, sir."
Tundra nodded back, then turned to Shitaki. "And you?"
Shitaki clasped his hands together. "I'd like to know where you intend to go."
Tundra paused. Of course that would be the question.
"Planet Zettai. The new one."
Planet Zettai was in the same star system as Makura's. He was interested in the planets there… though he could visit her again. It had been a while.
Shitaki nodded and left for the flight deck to chart the course and pilot the spacecraft.
---
Tundra sighed as the throne room became empty. He looked at his nails, then had a thought.
Snapping his fingers, he called for Cherry.
A few minutes later, she came scurrying in. "Yes, sir?"
Tundra glanced at her empty hands. "Go grab a tray and come back."
He knew she knew where they were. Honestly, he was surprised she hadn't brought one already.
Cherry nodded and hurried off.
A minute later, she returned, flying as she held a large metal tray by one side and presenting it to him.
Tundra took it in one hand, holding it in front of him as he focused. He enchanted his nails, sharpening them.
He didn't know if this would work—enchanting living targets seemed impossible—but technically, nails weren't living.
To his surprise, it worked. His mana didn't resist it at all, likely because there was so little of it in his nails to begin with.
Without hesitation, he pressed his nails into the tray.
They sank into the metal more easily than expected. He dragged them through it, tearing five claw-like holes across its surface—to Cherry's quiet dismay.
Tundra looked down at her, amused, then handed the tray back and patted her head in an attempt to cheer her up.
Cherry sighed, took the tray, and crushed it into a compact metal ball before flying off. She didn't particularly care for the head pats, though she appreciated the attempt.
Tundra watched her leave, still amused, before looking back at his nails. He inspected them carefully for any damage.
There shouldn't have been any—steel was nothing—but it didn't hurt to check.
Satisfied, he rested his hands on the armrests as the spacecraft began to move.