—–
Should I trust this noble man?
…
No. I will not for now, I cannot risk my money. I prefer to not make any profit for now while still having my money than risk it in a complete stranger.
“No, thanks.” I said.
“Eh?! But… I can help out!” He said. “Of course, I will also take a small amount as my payment, but I can guarantee you profits over a few months!”
“No. I don’t trust you enough. We have only met for a few days, I cannot trust you.” I said.
“…So cold.” Sighed Seth, feeling completely heartbroken. “But I understand, I guess I would do the same in your situation… In this day and age, it is hard to trust other people. But I swear I have no malicious intentions, I am a priest, a man of the holy spirits, I would never do anything evil!”
“I don’t care.” I said. “Any person can lie after all.”
“…Sigh.” Seth sighed another time, as he looked defeated. He seemed to want to make some profit out of my investments.
“Hahaha! He’s pretty reserved to himself, isn’t he?” Laughed Jack, mocking Seth.
“Shut up…” Sighed Seth, drinking some beer.
“What’s actions?” Asked Elisabeth.
“Erm, like buying a part of the shop of someone, by doing so, you earn a bit of their profit, if you buy various small parts, you get a lot of profit.” I said.
“Ooooh! Maybe I can spend my savings, Seth!” Said Elisabeth.
“Hm? Elisabeth, you got some savings?” Asked Seth interested, as the little girl took out a small pouch of money, there was only a single gold coin and a few dozen silver coins, and a handful of bronze coins.
“Hehe, how much can I make with this?” She asked happily.
“Ah… That’s… not even 10k Telis…” Sighed Seth. Elisabeth was a little girl and probably didn’t have much savings, also Ellergest took over all her expenses as her adoptive father, so she had small savings that she probably occasionally used on buying food or clothes, ending in such a small capital.
“Here.” I said, taking a small silver coin and putting it inside her pouch. “Here is my investment on you.”
“Oooh! B-Blank! R-Really?” She asked happily.
“Yeah, keep it safe.” I said.
“Y-You’re so nice!” She said, jumping towards me and hugging me.
I guess the mission of earning her affection was rather simple, although having to endure her overly affectionate nature kind of reminds me of Erika, Elisabeth is very similar to her. I better never show Elisabeth to Erika, I don’t know how much Erika can be jealous of other girls, as she seems to be okay with Eleanora, but it is better to not risk it.
I decided to gently pet her head just to make her slightly happier. The moment I did, she got happier as I expected. It worked rather well, I guess I am getting the knack on all of this “affection” thing that humans are so much into.
“Eh? He’s even giving her coins now?” Asked Jack, opening his mouth wide.
“H-He really must love her.” Said Seth.
“Blank, are you interested in her? Well, you’re very talented so I guess I could give her as your bride for the future… Hm, but an arranged marriage with a serf is a bit… Well, you’re talented so you could make up for it!” Said Ellergest.
“Would you three stop messing with me?” I sighed. I glared at all of them until they began to laugh. They laughed at me. Sigh… Perhaps I shouldn’t be so kind to Elisabeth, it is only lowering their impression of me.
“Hahaha! Don’t be so shy!” Said Ellergest.
“You’re such a hard kid to deal with, relax for a bit!” Said Jack.
“Blank, don’t be so closed like this, we are all allies here. We fought together, now we are companions.” Said Seth.
“…”
They were talking nonsense as I expected. Humans really love to talk about friendship and companionship more than anything, they’re an incredibly corny race, and I hate how I am one as well and I am beginning to feel empathy for their own emotions. I feel the same, and I hate it. I hate being human!
Sigh… Complaining won’t get me anywhere- Eh?
Elisabeth looked at me lovingly, with a rather adorable smile, she looked like… an angel.
“Hehe, I am glad you joined us, Blank, we haven’t been this lively in a long time…” She said. “I hope we can become friends!”
“…Sure.” I sighed. I guess I have successfully made her my friend now, it was rather quickly.
“Then we’ll marry when we grow up!” She said.
“…Elisabeth, please stop talking nonsense, we have met for just a day.” I sighed. I wanted to go back home. I hate when children become so stubbornly annoying.
“Hehe, I was joking!” She said. “Come on, relax, let’s eat some more food!” She said happily.
“I suppose I could eat some more…” I said.
And like that, we enjoyed a large dinner and Ellergest paid for all of it. I was actually incredibly hungry, and due to my hastened metabolism thanks to my physique and the power of my Metabolism Acceleration Life Attribute Tier 1 Spell, I was able to digest and absorb a lot of food into energy and mana, quickly recovering my reserves of Qi as well.
“Phew, thanks for the meal.” I said, finishing my twentieth plate of food.
“J-Just how can you fit so much food inside that tiny stomach?!” Asked Jack in surprise.
“H-He’s really a monster.” Said Seth while readjusting his glasses.
“You really eat a lot! I guess kids really got fast metabolisms…” Said Ellergest.
“Eat this sandwich now, Blank!” Said Elisabeth, offering me a sandwich she had saved.
“Thank you.” I said, grabbing it and eating it in a few bites. I felt like I could continue eating for a bit longer, but I decided that it was enough for now.
“You eat a lot, if you come to work with us tomorrow, I’ll prepare you a lunch!” Elisabeth suddenly offered me a lunch made by her.
“Look at her, she’s already practicing how to be a good wife!” Laughed Jack, mocking this misunderstanding.
“Hahaha! Elisabeth is really going for it!” Said Seth.
“My girl has grown up a lot, hasn’t she?” Cried Ellergest.
Sigh…
After today’s arduous work, I moved back home and decided to go straight to bed. Tomorrow and the next day I wanted to practice my magic more in detail. I will probably make preparations to create a Magic Circle inside of my soul, level up several Skills, and probably attempt to learn some more. And also, I want to go hunting with Erika, Eric, and Chris, they’re all quite strong by now, even if only as support, I want them all to gain battle experience, even if we fight demons.
This world is definitely not welcoming for the weak. We must fight and continue fighting, level up, learn skills and magic, and become people that can stand on our own two feet… I also want my father to grow stronger, but I don’t know how hard it will be to teach him some things. And lastly, I want to figure out a way to summon another spirit, waiting just to reach Rank 2 seems exasperating… There must be another way.
—–