For the next few days, Rayne maintained a very regular routine.
He got up at dawn to meditate, trained his strength and practiced warhammer techniques at Basil Inn in the morning, then went to Violet House in the afternoon to practice the keyboard organ with Viola. At night, he returned to the inn and stayed in Zoltan's Mechanical Workshop until late, rarely going back to his own apartment.
Zoltan worked efficiently. Within a few days, he had gathered the materials he needed and begun his research.
During this time, Rayne gradually displayed his skill with the keyboard organ. His progress was astonishingly fast, leaving Viola numb with surprise. The two also became increasingly familiar with each other, somewhere beyond friends but not quite lovers.
Rayne probed Viola's true intentions several times, but gained nothing. She seemed to have become guarded, or perhaps she had made another decision. Their relationship could go no further.
He was in no hurry. If anything, he rather enjoyed their current state.
One thing did come as a surprise. Phyllis had not come to Violet House to make trouble. Rayne did not know whether she had failed to notice that the Mountain Giant's Demon Soul was fake, or whether she knew she could not get compensation.
Since the trade fair, Viola had not seen either her or the instigator, Gallowayna.
Both Rayne and Viola found that very unexpected.
In Zoltan's yard, the sound of something cutting through the air rang out without pause.
Rayne wore only a white shirt. The Fine Iron Warhammer whirled so quickly it seemed impenetrable, his steps swift and steady. The heavy hammer appeared light in his hands, yet carried the weight of a mountain. There was not the slightest hesitation in his movements, and every swing sent out a dull, terrifying