Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

After recalling the medallion hanging by his throat, Zach naturally let his curiosity take the reins and temporarily forgot about Upgrade.

"Vidiri, what does this necklace do?" He asked while peeling off the layer of light blue metal he had slapped onto it.

Vidri was silent for a moment.

"Master…That necklace doesn't do anything, I'm afraid. It's a failure. Well, not a complete failure. But I tried to make something before I was ready, and that was the result."

Zach looked at her. He had an urge to punch the Imperial Palace. But at least when it came to the necklace, it wasn't the Imperial Palace's fault. It was he who chose it based on a gut feeling.

"So, it's useless?"

"Not at all, Master." Vidri shook her head, replacing Zach's disappointment with hope.

"It's as useful as a pretty rock." Only to dash his hopes to the ground again.

Zach slumped his shoulders. If it was useless, what was the point in Upgrading it?

"Fortunately, Master, I can do something about that," Vidri offered.

"You can?"

"Of course. I was arrogant and ambitious when I made it the first time. I tried to make something beyond my current capabilities. But that was a long time ago. Now, I can probably salvage it into something useful."

"Sure." Zach handed the medallion to Vidri. She took it and the alloy sample.

"What was it supposed to be when you first made it?" Alzara asked curiously, peeking over Vidri's shoulder as the Automaton started inspecting the medallion.

"It was supposed to be the first prototype in a line of artifacts. It was something I wanted to do at the time because all the renowned craftsmen had their most prized creations in an arrangement of sorts. I wanted something similar," Vidri answered with a shrug without looking away from the medallion.

"I see. Your magnum opus, so to speak," Alzara nodded in understanding. She was also a craftswoman. She understood the desire to leave behind a legacy. She had done that with the Nyamsa Desert Guild. It wasn't perfect, and the recipes she had created were far from enough to make her think of them as her greatest creations. But she sympathized with Vidri's desire to make something that everyone would think of as her greatest creations.

"Something like that."

Zach pursed his lips in thought.

"I haven't heard anything about something like that, though?" Vidri was famous in the Empire. The Imperial Family liked her and all her creations. If she had made something like that, he was pretty sure the Empress Dowager would have mentioned it at least once.

"I didn't get very far while I was still in Lambraz, Master. I made this thing, got into a slump, and then decided to break out of that slump by exploring the world. On my way across the ocean, I encountered a storm that tore apart the fabric of space and launched me into the universe. I was lucky enough to end up in another world, where I could continue my work. The Soleium Series included."

Zach and the others' eyes widened at that sudden and nonchalant revelation. Vidri had made it seem like no big deal. But traveling across the ocean was apparently pretty dangerous. And there was no way it was as simple as what Vidri made it sound like.

Zach wanted to ask for more information, but if Vidri had wanted to tell them more, she would have. She was also pretty focused on the medallion.

Zach didn't know if it was part of her abilities as an Automaton, but she had a laser coming out from her fingertip, and she was using it to engrave something on the medallion's insides. Zach found it fascinating. It was unlike other forms of craftsmanship he had seen before.

However, they had arrived at Zoe's place, so he had to divert his attention to where it needed to be. Julius was sitting by Zoe's bed, which was a slab of inky black stone.

"Zach. Is everything alright upstairs?" Julius asked. He had been informed yesterday of the plan and the meeting today. But he hadn't gotten the news yet. He was also worried since Zach's presence wasn't part of the plan. Maybe he had come to evacuate Zoe.

"It's proceeding accordingly. Violina chose to go with the Order of Vatar. She and Anerias kissed about it. Pretty big deal."

"Finally! They have been dancing around each other since our first year at the Academy!"

"I know. It almost makes you wonder why they were so scared." Zach sat down on the other side of Zoe's sleeping figure. She was paler than usual. But she was bigger than the last time Zach saw her. She had grown up and restored her strength. However, he could tell that most of that strength was being suppressed by the injuries left behind by Bartuk.

There were open wounds that, while they weren't bleeding, refused to heal. It was a strange sight to see, especially on Zoe, who could recover in a matter of moments after getting her body torn in half. It was even stranger since she could do that before she took the cornerstone into her body, which shoul dhave amplified her strength.

Julius looked on as Zach took Zoe's hand.

"So, any progress between you and Nessa?" He asked. He already knew the answer, but he couldn't resist. They were already on the topic of romance, after all.

"Huh?" Zach tilted his head, confused.

"Suspected as much." Julius sighed.

"Nessa and I aren't like that. We're just friends."

"I don't know, man, you always looked pretty close."

"Close friends. Besides, didn't she have a thing for Violina a while ago? I thought she played for our team."

"Did that thing happen when I was…"

"Right. Yup. After the break between our second and third years, the way Nessa looked at Violina reminded me a little of how Anerias looked at Violina."

"I see…Well, I think she's moved past that. I know the way she looks at you is different from the way she looks at everyone else—"

"No, I don't think that's in the cards for us." Zach shot down the topic with a harsh voice and focused on Zoe again. He closed his eyes.