Another world, Celeste

Chapter Seven, pt 2

"Something the matter, Iris?"

Chief breaks my inner dilemma.

I change the topic as a diversion. "Chief, can you take a photo of me and Bane?"

I teach him how to hold the phone and to tap the screen very gently. While Chief is admiring the mechanism of my phone and muttering incomprehensive words which sound to me like sequences of magi formula, I instruct Bane where to stand while looking through the phone screen. Adjust the angle so that Maya's house can be seen on the back then I sit on the patio and pose with one hand touching Bane's fur.

"Just a light touch, alright." I remind Chief again.

Chief nods his head with a nervous expression. 

"Then, I will start counting. 3, 2, 1. Smile."

Click.

Chief let out a long breath. He doesn't have to be nervous about it. I check the photo. It looks good. I show it to Bane and Chief. They look very happy with it. Then the three of us take a selfie; Chief squeezing his face to make sure all of him can be seen and Bane with his head standing above us. Too bad there's no way for me to share the photo; Chief wide smile and Bane's poker face and me laughing. It looks like a good moment to be shared. The only time I receive a message is from Selene.

Wait a second. Why not?

And so, I select the three pictures taken from today and send it to her via text message. The double tick confirming it's been delivered to her. A big smile plaster on my face. Seeing my happy face, Chief breaks another news to me.

"My stay has been prolonged. While I'm here, I will teach you dwarves magic. You like to create things right Iris, especially with magic. When you have learned my knowledge, you will be able to create magi devices as you please, say a genuine item bag."

My hands stop moving. Chief is looking at me with a teasing face.

My eyes blink. "What?"

Chief exposes while raising his bushy eyebrows. 

"I heard you possess dimensional space magic. The others do not notice, but don't think you can fool a dwarf's eyes with the bag you carry around posing as an item bag."

I'm stunned silent.

When my mind reboots, I shout at him. "Seriously?! I've been caught already."

"Don't fret." Chief tries to cheer me up.

"Since when did you found out?"

"Elder Spirit told me all about you."

"I guessed that. I mean, the bag."

"I saw you stuffing your things into that small bag like it was nothing. I've never seen anyone acting carelessly with dimensional space magic. You know a regular item bag cannot fit that many things. If a thief sees you, he would make you his target. Made me want to burst out laughing."

Chief's already bursting out in a laughing fit.

I cover my face in my hands in embarrassment. "Alright, stop."

Chief takes out a beef jerky from his belt pocket and gives them to me as consolation. I constantly see him taking things out from that belt pocket. To satisfy my curiosity, I appraise it.

"Item bag."

I tear off a jerky with my teeth.

Chief notice me looking at his belt. "You finally notice. I too, wield dimensional space magic. This one is where I keep the little tools. Mine hammer is in the dimensional space when I do not need it."

As he said that, Chief pulls out his hammer from nothing until it stomps on the ground. I must admit his action looks cool. So far, I'm only in the habit of using the dimensional space magic when I want to use my phone or deposit money I receive as my share of making healing potions with Maya despite my attempt to decline her offer since I'm already living in her house for free. It's the safest vault there is as only I can access it.

"Dwarves chooses their Chief by not only the craftsmanship skill but also if they are a wielder of dimensional space magic. If you are a dwarf, I would make you my successor."

Chief makes an indirect suggestion towards me. Instead of ignoring it, I give him my response.

"I refuse."

As Chief stands with both hands holding the handle of his magnificently ostentatious hammer, he doesn't look affected by my instant refusal.

"When you are in need of help, dwarves and gnomes will always welcome you to Kiln Mountain," Chief says in a serious voice.

I bow my head in respect to the dwarves' chieftain.

"Thank you."

With that short-lived moment of solemnness, Chief return his hammer to the dimensional space and sit back down on the patio. After a moment of tranquil silence, I remember what Chief says earlier.

"What's dwarves magic?" I ask.

Chief entices me with an invitation.

"Come to the kiln tomorrow. I will show you."