“You’re saying I’m your disciple, Pamon?”
The book took the words right from .
“Would I joke about sothing like this?”
“I suppose so. Which is why I’m sorry, Risir, because you have no choice but to accept.”
Pamon’s expression and tone remained unchanged, as she spoke calmly in her typical lively manner. Her attitude confused . How was I to take her statent?
Well for starters, I was curious.
The aning of a master-disciple relationship in this world was by no ans light. I wanted to know why this extraordinary woman suddenly wanted to take as her disciple.
“Er... Is it because of my constitution?”
I’m not usually this kind of bastard, but right now I’m bathing in wishful thinking.
Could the constitution Pamon ntioned be even more remarkable than I imagined? Remarkable enough to make soone as extraordinary as her suddenly put dibs on ?
Am I gonna witness a regret-angst-obsession arc from those Bendel jerks?
“Well, should I call that the reason? Or should I say that’s what makes this conversation possible?”
“Wat’s that supposed to an...?”
“I’ll explain. You do have the right to know, Risir.”
***Pamon’s story was shocking.
Long ago, Radola, the ancestor of Bendel, made a certain deal with Pamon’s master.
Radola gained power through that deal and promised to repay with the most precious treasure Bendel would possess in its prosperous future.
“...So, you’re saying that’s ?”
“Yup.”
“...Maybe you should reconsider?”
Okay, I admit I’m a pretty cool, sexy guy for a bastard child. But being the most precious treasure of Bendel? This right here is highly debatable. If it were announced to Bendel right now, there’d be a truckload of people ready to draw blades.
Or is this constitution of mine really that special?
“Do you dislike the idea of becoming my disciple that much?”
Pamon retained her cheery expression as she asked this question.
Do I dislike it? For a penniless bastard like , finding a master ain’t no easy task. Especially an outstanding one like Pamon.
Now normally, I would’ve started slamming low bows before she could change her mind, forcing her to reflect on whether she’d made a hasty judgnt.
But you know, there are situations like this. Sotis things need to escalate to the right scale.
Bendel Radola, she’s pretty much the founder of Bendel. You know, the na engraved on that big statue in the center of the manor.
I’m the price of the contract she signed? , the sha of the family? I’m the family’s greatest treasure!?
Do you think the world’s a joke? You think the world’s a light novel?
If things go wrong, I can’t even imagine what consequences it might bring.
I’ll be in trouble, that’s a given, and it might even bring great calamity to the Bendel family.
“What the hell, let’s give it a try.”
I especially liked that part, so I accepted the proposal.
One little slip and I might bring Bendel down with ? For realsies? This isn’t a dream, right?
I’m 18 years old this year, and I’m ‘boutta show you the hatred of a bastard pent up over a lifeti.
In a world that’s set right, soone who cocks around and jizzes a ss should pay the price for it. So we share the sa fate now. If I’m fucked, we’re all fucked. Isn’t this what true family is about?
Bendel always felt so distant to , but not anymore. I’d learned the warmth of blood ties.
“Really!?”
Pamon clapped loudly in excitent.
“Oh my. I’m so happy, so relieved that I won’t be dragging you away with .”
Did I hear right? Feels like my new master said sothing real scary...
“...Was my answer not really that important in the first place?”
“Of course not. I’m this happy, aren’t I? Because you’re becoming my disciple of your own will and not by coercion.”
“Well, by the way, Master. It’s kind of late to say this but I’m a bit worried. Will I be able to live up to your expectations?”
My master was clearly no ordinary individual, and she was a magician to boot.
I might have learned so swordsmanship through observation, but I’m completely ignorant about magic. Can I live up to the expectations of soone like her?
“Oh but of course. Worry not, my disciple Risir. Do you know what your greatest strength is?”
“Well I am pretty smart for a bastard. And brave.”
“How cute.”
“...Sorry?”
Master kneaded my cheeks with both hands.
“You’re doing well enough. Just keep being yourself.”
Am I... actually a pet, not a disciple?
My master seed to have an unconventional interpretation of the master-disciple relationship. A belated sense of unease swept over .
***“Say, how about we go out for a walk?”
Master and I left the library and walked the streets. Thanks to her cognitive disruption magic, people didn’t get surprised seeing a talking book and a beautiful dark elf.
Now that looks quite convenient. Wonder if I could learn it too?
“Hm...”
Master had been making sounds to herself for a while, as if deeply pondering sothing. With her leaning on , arms linked with mine, I could directly feel the vibration.
“What a pickle... A real pickle...”
“What’s bothering you so much?”
“Risir, my disciple.”
“Yes, Master.”
“This might be a bit disappointing, but I’d like you to hear out.”
“I’m ntally prepared, Master.”
“Regrettably, I don’t have much expertise in swordsmanship.”
The book told the legend of Master’s demonic sword. Truly fascinating.
So, it’s saying my master’s terrible at swordsmanship?
“Duran. How could you say that in front of my disciple? You can’t even hold a sword~”
As expected of a talking book, its logic was terrifyingly coherent.
“Master, you’re a magician, right? Is it a problem that you’re not proficient in swordsmanship?”
“Oh but it is. I’m now a master to soone, aren’t I?”
Master tapped the sword hanging at my waist. It was sothing I wore just because I’m a Bendel.
“As a master, I should be able to teach my disciple who walks the path of the sword. Such a troubling matter, really. It’s why I’m pondering how to integrate my knowledge with swordsmanship.”
“Master. I don’t particularly intend to stick to the path of the sword. If you’re willing, I’ll obediently follow your teachings.”
“...”
Just now, I saw my bubbly master looking seriously troubled for the first ti.
“Master? Is there so problem?”
“Well, you see...”
“Don’t tell ?”
“Flinch.”
“Are you in a situation where you can’t imagine how a muscle-brain who’s never known a single letter of magic in their life could reach the realm of intelligence called magic!?”
“N-no. Probably not.”
Master couldn’t bring herself to et my eyes.
I shook off her arm, and she fell to the ground wailing.
“Risir~”
“Cognitive disruption magic... How powerful. I can no longer hear her voice.”
“My disciple~”
It would be a lie to say I wasn’t disappointed at all, but the feeling wasn’t big.
A bastard child from a swordsmanship family who’s actually a magic genius?
I wasn’t naive enough to expect such a developnt.
“Yes, Mr. Duran.”
“I’m not sure.”
“What?”
“How long do you think it’ll take ?”
“I may not look it, but I am a Bendel.”
“What a bloody accursed starting line.”
Duran wasn’t finished yet.
“... How about a one-week miracle? If I study magic for 20 hours a day from now, can I pass the academy entrance exam?”
While we conversed, Master was still on the ground, gazing at like a puppy who’d been hit on the nose.
“...Master? Is it true? That we don’t have much ti left together?”
“I’m sorry, Risir. To be honest, I was only focused on solving the howork my master left behind. I didn’t really think about what would happen after that.”
“Don’t tell my Master is such a ssed-up person that she’s not cut out to have a disciple?”
“Risir, I’m sorry. Are you disappointed?”
“Cognitive disruption magic... How powerful. I can no longer hear her voice.”
“No~”
The book and the dark elf were under cognitive disruption magic.
A crowd of onlookers gathered in the street, as the one-man show of one grief-stricken bastard continued for a while.
***The disillusioned illegitimate child trudged back to the Bendel manor. Back to the annex again.
A daily schedule of only going to the library, manor, and annex. Isn’t this the life of a star?
“So, what do you think about this? During our remaining ti, I’ll give him experience focused on practical skills rather than theory.”
“My disciple won’t listen to .”
The talking book and dark elf followed along.
Go away. Didn’t you say you were busy? Isn’t it a big deal?
Before returning to my room, I stopped by the small training ground set up in the backyard.
It’s my usual routine.
After returning from the library, I’d carry out training combined with exercise. Since Bendel didn’t teach swordsmanship or spar with , this was all I could do.
But as I was about to draw the sword at my belt and start with a casual swing...
“Wait.”
Pamon called out urgently.
“Please, Risir. Let help.”
“...Hah. Well. So what’s your plan, Miss Pamon?”
“Miss Pamon? But you were calling Master until just now.”
“Why is it past tense~”
Pamon said she’d be my sparring partner. That’s how she’d give practical experience.
“Didn’t you say earlier? That holding a sword turns you into a foxtail swaying in the wind.”
“Ah, don’t worry about that. I won’t be fighting. This little one will be your opponent.”
Pamon clapped her hands lightly as if summoning a servant. The dirt of the training ground split and vines sprouted up, forming a human shape.
“...Pamon, is this right? It looks a bit too dangerous.”
It was a plant zombie.
Now, the na sounds all eco-friendly and nice, but its appearance was no joke. It resembled a human who died tangled in vines and had their body taken over by mushrooms.
“Oh my, but isn’t it cute?”
“...”
Cute? Didn’t you call cute too?
So does that an I belong in the sa category as that thing?
Regardless, I did grab my sword and take a stance. But only a stance. I had no idea what to do.
I’d swung the sword countless tis, but never had I aid it at sothing moving. Literally.
No one in Bendel would cross swords with a bastard. And no one would allow a bastard to cross swords with anyone.
I wasn’t allowed to learn swordsmanship. Though, if I wanted to join the military, maybe they would’ve deigned to teach the basics.
“This is my first ti sparring, so please watch with a kind eye.”
“You can do it, Risir.”
“You’d understand if you were born a Bendel, Mr. Duran.”
“Ah.”
Scary appearance aside, the zombie didn’t seem to have what you’d call presence or spirit. I had a feeling I could beat it.
Entrusting myself to such baseless confidence, I took a step forward.
Even the book let out a sigh at the unsightly strike that reached the plant zombie.
My sword landed weakly.
And the zombie exploded.
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