Chương 66: Slow Day

"Oh?" Luna let out.

"What?" I asked.

"Dragon girl cleared the second floor." She said.

"Oh?" I had changed my notifications so that when the leaderboard updates, so that I don't get jump scared anymore. Now, I need to open my profile, where I'll see a small red circle—Yeah, just discord notifications basically. When I opened the system screen, the notification finally popped up in the bottom right of my vision. [Floor 2 Leaderboard has been updated!] [Floor 2 Leaderboard] [#1: Anonymous: 0: 02 (Swordsman)] [#2: Thoth: 0: 08 (Mage)] [#3: Samurai: 0: 10 (Samurai)] [#4: Lightning Lord: 0: 12 (Mage)] [#5: Raccoon: 0: 13 (Alchemist)] [#6: Stickman: 0: 16 (Archer)] [#7: Emperor Dragon Queen: 0: 17 (Mage)] [#8: King: 0: 17 (Brawler)] [#9: Loving Buddha: 0: 18 (Monk)] [#10: Flame Queen: 0: 18 (Mage)]"Yeah, look at that." I said, reading through the leaderboard.

"She's gotten faster." Luna nodded.

"Heh, still not as fast as a little alchemist." I giggled, "Let's watch." Luna nodded and we moved side-by-side to watch it together. Only one of us had to actually pay for the watch rights, whoever did could just share their screen. Hehe, saved my 100 points. … The clear wasn't much different than the first. If anything, she just didn't miss her fire breath this time. When Luna closed the screen, I shook my head,"Kinda a pointless watch." I mumbled. There was no excitement or anything to look forward to.

"Well, that's how most early floor leaderboard clears are." Luna said. That was true. When I watched the other leaderboard clears, it was all simple fights and skill usage. For example, Lightning Lord simply raised his hand and a thunderbolt struck the goblins. Stickman knocked 5 arrows and shot, getting a headshot for each arrow. King and Buddha both just punched the goblins heads. And Flame Queen was a little more interesting, she shot several fireballs in succession which caused a small explosion.

Thinking about it, my clears are definitely the most fun. Who wouldn't like big explosions? I smugly nodded in satisfaction. Glancing over, Luna was looking at me with an amused smile.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," She shook her head, "It's just that your thoughts are so obvious." I touched my face a few times before hiding the bottom half of my face with my hands,"Oh yeah? What am I thinking right now?" Hehe, I'm a genius."'I'm a genius.'" She said.

"…" I stared at her incredulously.

"…" She stared back.

"Alright! Round two, back to training." I smoothly(?) changed the topic and picked up the scarf. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. … The next day I found myself with way more freetime. It wasn't that I didn't want to practice or that I was taking a break—it was that I literally couldn't practice any more. My core had reached less than 10%. And I certainly didn't want to experience mana exhaustion again. Now… I'm kind of lost about what to do.

When I was knitting, though I'd get hand cramps some times, there was always something to work on. But with this, this wasn't something that I could tough out. I'll literally pass out if I hit mana exhaustion.

"Mm…" I tapped my cheek in thought. It'd take about 4 hours to refill my core about halfway. So… I guess I'll just take a break? It's not like I'm a workaholic or anything, I just want to get better faster. Oh well, whatever. Not like it's a race anyways. Heading to the bedroom, Luna was playing games on the computer. Today she was playing with Rumi. I sat comfortably on the bed and wrapped the raccoon and mouse blanket—henceforth known as the silverbin blanket—around my shoulders.

Propping my chin up with my palm, I watched as Luna played. When I think about it, she's kind of like my own personal streamer, no? Before I awakened, I'd usually have streams or videos playing while working. After becoming an alchemist, I haven't done much of that. It wasn't that I've gotten bored of those forms of entertainment, it's just that I enjoy alchemy more. Every day is so fun, even these slow days of knitting and mana training. Is it because I have a goal?

While I was lost in these thoughts, Luna suddenly turned towards me,"Hm? Bin? You're not training?" She asked.

"No mana." I sighed.

"Oh! So, you're on break?"

"Mm." I nodded.

"For how long?"

"About 4 hours until I can continue."

"Then…Do you want to play together? I can drive to my place." Luna looked expectant. I guess it has been a while since we've actually played games together.

"What about her?" I pointed to the computer with my chin.

"It's fine, I'll just tell her that I'm going to play with you instead." Mm…The way she worded that reminds me of a particular kink… I quickly shook my head to stop that train of thought and replied,"You don't have to drive anywhere, I have a laptop I can play on." I said.

"You do? Then, why don't I play on the laptop instead and you can use your computer?"

"No, that's alright. I'm only playing for a bit anyways, I'll go get my laptop now."

"Okay." Luna smiled, I could tell she was excited about playing together. …Have I been neglecting her? Pfft, that silly thought crossed my mind but quickly dissipated. While I was finding my laptop, Luna talked with Rumi.

"Hey, I'm gonna go for now." Luna said. [Oh, okay. Did something happen or are you just done for the day?] Rumi asked.

"Ah, nothing's wrong. I'm just gonna play with Bin; It's been a while since we've played together." [Oh! Why don't we all just play together then! Unless you two want some alone time~ Then, don't let me bother you~]"Ahem, hold on, let me ask. Bin, do you want to play with Rumi too?"

"Huh? Sure, if that's fine with you." I replied before continuing to search through drawers. Haah, just where did I put my laptop? I know I haven't used it in months, but, did I really just stash it somewhere random? On the other side, Luna kept talking to Rumi. She glanced at the chat on the other monitor and slightly froze. - Rumi's a cuck! - Oh! We're finally playing with Bin? - New character unlocked! - Rumi, Mouse, and Bin, this might just be a legendary stream. - Who's Bin? - Mouse's friend and 'roommate'.

All of her stream appearances have been very brief but she's got gremlin energy and has trolled Rumi a bit. - Key to note that Mouse gets 100% more vocal, vibrant, and excited whenever Bin appears. - Oh? Give me more tea! ~ - Her tone also gets higher-pitched and her personality changes from the cold and cool one we know to a more goofy and playful one. - Hehehe, teetee but real? - Mouse: Just friends. -???: … Is that all we are? - Rumi: Hey guys! Let me join in too!! -???: Go sit in the chair, Rumi.

- LOLOLOL Reading these chat messages Luna opened her mouth slightly, closed it, took a deep breath, and then closed chat. She didn't want to deal with their nonsense.

"Found it!" I said excitedly, approaching Luna I noticed a faint red on her cheeks and tilted my head, "Mouse, I've got it."

"Ah…Ah, okay, where are you going to play?" She said after a few seconds.

"I'll be in the living room." I said and promptly headed there and turned on the laptop. The specs of this thing weren't bad at all. The laptop was actually a birthday gift from my mother back at the start of high school. I had used it nearly every day until I purchased my computer. Looking at the wallpaper brought me memories. It was a drawing of a raccoon lazing on its back, snoozing on a tatami mat. I had drawn it so long ago so the art isn't the best, but, at least it's nostalgic. Smiling, I opened discord.

I quickly joined the server Luna invited me to. There, I got a @Guests role. There were multiple VCs, I assumed they were all different VTubers considering they had their names ending in 'VT'. It wasn't hard to find Luna's call. In it were two people, one named: ElectricTypeMouse, the other: Rumi RumeliaVT.

"Ahem!" I cleared my throat and drank some water before joining the VC.

"Hello!" I greeted. [Hello.] Luna replied. [Hi-hi!] Rumi cheerfully greeted back. While we exchanged a few more greeting messages, I opened up Rumi's stream to have in the background. I also wanted to see what chat was saying. - Bin! - She sounds so cute? - How old is Bin? - She sounds young. - This is the 'roommate'? [Bin, could you introduce yourself?] Rumi asked.

"Of course!" I patted my chest and straightened up, "Ahem, it's nice to meet you everyone! I'm Bin! Mouse and I live together and will live together for a long while, so take what you will from that~" I playfully said, "I'm currently working as an awakener! I like gardening, knitting, and alchemy! Mm, anything else you want to know?" [Oh my-] Rumi let out. [… Ahem.] Luna coughed. - Live together for a long while? - She just comes swinging out the gate. - If Mouse is reserved, Bin is a chaotic mess… I'm in love.

- She's an awakener? She likes alchemy, so is she an alchemist? [Ah! Good question, Bin, you said you're an awakener, would you mind sharing your class?] Rumi asked.

"Of course, I'm the greatest(cutest) alchemist to ever touch the grace of this Earth. People know me as the Goddess of Alchemy, or the savior of alchemy! Of course, I don't claim those myself, I'm way too humble and modest to do such a thing, but, what can I do if my fans all over the world just love me so much?" […] Rumi was speechless. [… Bin…] Luna said, I could hear the sigh in her voice. - … - ….. - I heard 'greatest', but why did my mind think 'cutest'? - Same?? - LOLOL - I'm in love already.

- Goddess of Alchemy!! - First time seeing someone even more chaotic than the streamer lol - I'm a fan and this is true! The savior of alchemy is here!! - LOLOL Rumi is absolutely speechless. Do you see her model? Rumi took a deep breath before speaking, [Wow!! Everyone we have the Alchemy Goddess herself here! Oh, Goddess! I'm ever-so thankful for you have graced us with your presence!] Rumi shouted with spirit.

"Aha, of course! Hehe, but, yes, I'm a production-class alchemist." - I've heard somewhere that all alchemist are a little crazy and I'm starting to see it. [That's so cool! So, you make potions? What kind of potions do you make?] Rumi asked.

"I create just about anything." I said, "Whatever I'm interested in at the moment get made. The highest grade potion I've made is B grade." I said with a smile. [B grade!?] Rumi exclaimed. -??? Why is such an esteemed person here? - Bin is actually a B grade alchemist?? - For those who are unfamiliar, B grade alchemists can make millions off of a single potion. Most of them are taken by guilds and are highly regarded. The trade-off is that they're usually isolated and spend all their time in the workshop.

- Wow, I don't know much but she suddenly sounds so impressive. - What guild is she in? - What does she think about that new alchemist, Raccoon?

"Raccoon? Her?" I said, in thought for a moment, "Heh, I'd like to meet the Little Bomber one day and drag her to a room! There, I'd confront her about her name! Why would she choose Raccoon!? I picked my name 'BinLover' first!! She's stealing my flow!" [Pfft!] Luna chuckled, making noise for the first time in a while. [Bahaha! She stole your flow!] Rumi laughed. - Explanation: Raccoon = Loves trash. BinLover = Loves trash. - Ohhh, ty teacher. - LOL - Idk man, Little Bomber seems more famous…

Could it be that Bin is the one actually stealing her flow? - Heh, come on, Grandma Bin, let's have you take your meds. We continued bantering for a little while before we eventually started playing that awakener's league battle royale game.