Chapter 510: Commemorative Day

About a month has passed since I woke up. Based on the calendar, we’ve passed the middle of the second month and are approaching its end.

And today was a special day for us too.

『It seems that our coordination is now sufficient and we were able to understand each other’s abilities well. We’ve tested our skills, and we’ve allocated some self-evolution points we’ve obtained to gain new skills』

「Nn」

『We’ll end our training tomorrow』

I declare that to Fran and Urushi, who are eating around the fire next to the pedestal.

Actually, I wanted to continue our training here in the plains. I’ll gain more power by hunting the magic beast around here after all.

But I must not. Fran’s wishes would not be fulfilled by staying and training here for too long. In the first place, it would not be good for Fran’s education to remain holed up in this magical area. A child needs to be exposed to a variety of people in a human environment to help them grow.

『Amanda too, thank you for staying here with her』

「Thank you」

「Woof!」

「It’s fine isn’t it, we’re friends, aren’t we. Besides, it was fun and this could be considered as training for me as well」

In fact, Amanda’s level had gone up, and so had several of her skill levels. Even so, the supposedly busy Rank A adventurer had come to this place at least once a week, while adamantly refusing to accept any rewards.

I guess you could say that we owe her a lot. Well, Amanda would probably tell us not to worry about it, so we just keep that thinking to ourselves.

「Alistair too, you’ve been a great help for us」

「Well, it was an exchange for information about the Fanatics sword. Besides, I can get a lot of experience by examining Master」

『But, are you sure you don’t want us to pay you?』

「Don’t worry about it, Amanda was the one who gathered the materials after all」

Amanda had asked Alistair to make new claws and a collar for Urushi. She asked her to do it so that not only Fran but also Urushi would become stronger too.

「Urushi too, you’ve worked so hard」

「Woof!」

Come to think of it, Urushi has been together with us since he was summoned by me.

「If you’re interested, I’d like you to take care of that request」

「Nn」

『We’ll take care of it』

The request was for us to go to a magic academy in a neighboring country. She said that they were looking for a partner for a mock battle, but we might be asked to do something else as well.

The High Elf who was the director of the magic academy seems to be a person that even Alistair could not handle, so she has eagerly accepted this request of her.

『…Well then, I wonder when the date would change?』

「Hmm? You’re probably right」

Alistair heard me muttering and pulled out a pocket watch from her robe. I’d like to have it too, but I hear it’s really expensive.

In particular, a pocket watch made by Alistair would be worth millions.

『Well, Fran. Do you know what day today is?』

「Nn?」

She doesn’t seem to know huh. Well, she’s been training in this magical area for a long time, so she probably doesn’t know what days today is.

『Today marks the day of the first time Fran and I met one year ago』

「Oooh, really?」

『Yeah. It all happened so fast』

I couldn’t be with her half the time though, but I was still close to her for almost half a year in total. We had sad, angry, and happy memories together. And it was a terribly intense time for us.

『…And we’ve got stronger』

「Nn」

Fran was a powerless slave girl when I met her. She had endured fear and intense pain continued to fight without running away even from strong enemies and continued to walk in a straight line to the new height of her race she was aiming for.

I’m deeply moved when I think about it. Fran is probably the same. She nodded her head with a shy smile.

However, when I appraised Fran, I was surprised by something.

『Eh? Fran’s… age is… Come to think of it, you’ve always been 12 years old huh?』

To my surprise, Fran’s age had changed from 12 to 13.

「What’s wrong, Master?」

『Hey, Fran. Do you remember your birthday?』

「Nn? Nn…?」

She didn’t seem to remember. But what a miracle for today happened to be her birthday too. If that were the case, would the world’s logic have recognized the day when she changed her name to Fran as her new birthday? The day she changed her name from nameless to Fran.

『Not only today is the day that Fran and I met, but it’s also her birthday! It’s a double anniversary then!』

「Nn. I’m happy」

『Fufufu, I’ve also got something good for you! You know what that is?』

「Something good… Pancakes?」

『That’s right!』

「Oooh!」

Fran clapped her hands happily when she heard my words.

She seems to see pancakes as a commemoration treat. Pancakes were Fran’s favorite food in a different way than curry was.

『Fufufu, this is the batter for the special pancakes I’ve been secretly preparing while Fran was sleeping!』

「Special pancakes!」

Fran’s eyes lit up at my words. But I will not betray her expectations.

For the past week, Amanda had been buying all the ingredients and preparing them in secret. The cream for the topping was ready, and all I had to do was cook the pancakes right here and it would be ready.

『Let’s start with Fran’s share! Now I can make 10 at the same time!』

「Master, so amazing!」

『Haha! Of course!』

I poured the batter into ten pans on the fire created with flame magic at the same time. It was all done with my telekinesis. It was like there were dozens of invisible hands. But it was a piece of cake for me now that I had the help of Announcer-san.

〈All telekinetic output is well within the margin of error〉

『Yosh! Here it is!』

「Master, so cool!」

『Hahaha!』

Fran claps her hands even faster than before when she sees my strange move of flipping the pancake by shaking the pan all at once. But aren’t you going to wipe away the drool that is flowing down from the edge of your mouth?

『And now it’s done!』

「Oooohh!」

『A ten-tier tower of pancakes with 20 toppings of your choice!』

The pancakes were piled up on a large plate in front of Fran with a thud. Currently, there was only butter and maple syrup on them.

On a separate plate, I prepared small bowls of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, nuts, and various kinds of jams. Then she used a spoon to pour them on as she wished.

『How was it!』

「Amazing! Master is super amazing! Can I eat it now?」

『Ou! Enjoy!』

「Nn! Thanks for the meal!」

Fran then cut off the top pancake and first popped it straight into her mouth.

「Mogu mogu」

「How is it?」

「Nn!」

She just nodded, but I could tell the truth from the big smile on her face. A perfect score, I guess. Fran continued to fill her stomach with pancakes at a tremendous pace. Amanda, who was watching her smiling, suddenly raised a question.

「Hey, Fran-chan?」

「Mogu mogu?」

「Between curry and pancakes, which one is more delicious?」

「Nn…?」

Oh? Fran stopped eating and tilted her head.

「Curry is fulfilling!」

「Then, do you like curry the most?」

「Pancakes make me happy! Both are delicious. But a different kind of delicious」

When Fran said so while trying to put more pancakes in her mouth again――.

Growl――.

Her stomach growled, even though she had eaten a lot of pancakes. Well, it was probably because she mentioned curry to her. As evidence, Fran is staring at me right now.

「Master…」

『Yes yes. I’ll serve you curry too. But it’s only because today is special okay?』

「Nn!」

Fran, who usually doesn’t show much emotion, smiled so much when she ate the food I made. I couldn’t be happier. I have to limit what she eats so that she doesn’t become fat though. It’s okay if it only happens once in a while, right?

===== Fran Status =====

Name: Fran

Age: 13 Years old

Race: Beastman, Black Cat Kin, Black Heavenly Tiger Kin

Job: Sword King

Status Level: 61/99

HP: 669

MP: 531

STR: 430

VIT: 295

AGI: 497

INT: 249

DEX: 255

Magic: 310

[Skill]

Sole Sense: Lv3, Intimidation: Lv3, Stealth: Lv7, Evasion: Lv2, Fire Resistance: Lv4, Wind Magic: Lv6, Court Etiquette: Lv4, Vigilance: Lv2, Presence Detection: Lv8, Sword Technique: LvMax, Sword Saint Skill: Lv2, Swordsmanship: LvMax, Sword Saint Technique: Lv2, Evil Resistance: Lv4, Instantaneous: Lv8, Silencing: Lv2, Mental Resistance: Lv3, Survival Technique: Lv2, Attribute Sword: Lv1, Sea Resistance: Lv1, Earth Resistance: Lv2, Provocation: Lv4, Intuition: Lv3, Poison Resistance: Lv4, Fire Magic: Lv8, Physical Barrier: Lv2, Windstorm Resistance: Lv2, Paralysis Resistance: Lv2, Magic Detection: Lv4, Burn Resistance: Lv3, Thunder Magic: lv7, Cooking: lv3, Trap Disarm: lv2, Trap Detection: Lv3

Undead Killer, Evil Killer, Insect Killer, Orc Killer, Energy Manipulation, Sword Technique Enhancement, Sword Skill Enhancement, Goblin Killer, Mental Stability, Demon Killer, Adept Skinning, Determination, Split Thinking, Directional Sense, Magic Manipulation, Night eye.

[Unique Skill]

Blessings of the Sword God

[Inherent Skill]

Awakening, Sword God Transformation, Brilliant Lightning Rush

[Special Skill]

Blessing of the Black Heavenly Tiger

[Title]

Undead Killer, A Match for A Thousand, Evil Killer, Insect Killer, Orc Killer, Big Game Hunter, Dismantling King, Healer, Sword King, Goblin Killer, Slaughterer, Evil Killer, Skill Collector, Skill Mania, Attribute Master, Dungeon Conqueror, Super Big Game Devourer, Demon Killer, Earth Magic-User, Fire Magic-User, Wind Magic-User, Annihilator of Magic Beast, Lightning Magic-User. King of Cooking.

[Equipment]

Heavy Magic Steel Sword

Black Heavenly Tiger Series (Name: Black Heavenly Tiger’s Fighting Robe, Black Heavenly Tiger’s Gloves, Black Heavenly Tiger’s Light Shoes, Black Heavenly Tiger’s Ear Ring, Black Heavenly Tiger’s Cloak, Black Heavenly Tiger’s Leather Belt) Herculean Strength Bracelet, Magician Necklace.