Chapter 172

CHAPTER 172: LAKE ENCOUNTER

Chapter 171: Demonstrating Functions of Remembered Technology

I had learned how to breathe underwater and wanted to go under the surface of the lake .

「I want to practice underwater breathing a bit . 」
「Yes, go ahead . I will be on standby just in case . 」
「Then, I will support you, too . 」

I was thankful for the Dragon Kings’ support . With the lecture from the two of them I decided to give this a shot .

「M’kay, 《Coating》」

After wrapping the magical layer around my body and moved to the center of the lake, placing my face underwater .

I checked that I could breathe, then…

「Ok…!」

I started swimming for the bottom of the lake .

As I swam I realized that Coating also worked like goggles . It allowed me to swim without closing my eyes .

「n, good progress . 」

I got the stamp of approval from Hesty who was following me . But,

「But, you can breathe, you know?」
「Oh yeah . I can… . 」

I had unintentionally held my breath from habit .
The need to hold my breath underwater was ingrained in my mind .

If I had experience with diving then it might be different though .

「I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this . 」

I said looking around at the water all around me .

「Well, coating is, that kind of magic……actually I’m, realizing again how strong and stable, your coating is . It can even, push the water aside, it’s surprising . 」

Looking at Hesty, her coating was more like a membrane while mine leaned towards being thick . Well, either way we were both able to breathe and move .

I thought and looked upwards .

「Ooohhh, this is pretty amazing . 」

I could see straight through the crystal clear water . The sunlight filtered through the shimmering liquid and I could see Sakura and Manaril swimming around .

Seeing everything from the bottom was a different type of experience . It was really interesting .

「Certainly doing this in a deep lake with fish and various things around would be good . 」
「n, you can, probably do that, in the Fort City’s lake . 」

Is that so? In that case then I should get more used to breathing underwater, then when another hot day comes around I might go take a look at that lake .

……… . well at that time I might invite some other people .

Going alone would be a little lonely for a long awaited recreation . Going with several people would be good .

I thought and started to want to rise back to the surface, when…

—gogo—

I saw a small hole appear in the bottom of the lake .

「Huh? What’s that?」
「… . . a small, magical reaction? This is………」

That hole got larger and larger until I saw a person’s hand appear . Then a face popped out…

「Pu, puwa! F-finally we got out, but there’s more water . —Eh? Daichi-oniisan!? Wh-why are you here!?」

Athena appeared with only her head covered in Coating . Furthermore,

「If you wish, then it comes true…… . 」

Karen followed with a happy and vigorous look in her eyes .

I didn’t know why the two of them were dirty and popping out of a hole in the lake but,

「…… . for now, why don’t we go up?」
「Ah, yes . Ok Daichi-oniisan . 」

My underwater breathing training was done for now . We rose to the surface to talk calmly .