Chapter 1: Departure
End of November, 2031
Three years had passed since Ike enrolled in the Lister National academy.
Over these three years, the city of Almeria had achieved phenomenal growth alongside us.
There were no longer any scars remaining from the fierce battle with the ants. The buildings were completely repaired, and the number of Magic Stone Lamps illuminating the streets had more than doubled. Beneath those lights, regardless of day or night, adventurers and residents crowded the streets in numbers far greater than before.
Compared to my distant memories of Almeria from when I was a child, the population had increased dramatically.
There were several factors for this.
First, the Bryant family had moved their residence from Ilgusia to Almeria. That goes without saying, so I’ll omit the details.
Another factor was the construction of large-scale brick apartment complexes, similar to those in Ilgusia. By renting these out cheaply to adventurers authorized by Zeke, we succeeded in securing excellent manpower.
The layout of these large complexes was a one-bedroom apartment style. Compared to cramped inn life, residents got a spacious living room of over thirty square meters and a separate bedroom. There was a kitchen area provided, but nobody used it.
The reason for that was the biggest selling point of these complexes: the food.
To correct the unhealthy dietary habits of adventurers, the meals prepared with great skill by the slaves—led by Misa and Ray—were exquisite. We often ate there ourselves. Incidentally, for those living in the complex, the food was free.
With such a good environment, one might think we should authorize every adventurer, but doing so would deal a massive blow to Almeria’s inns. Considering that, we made it an authorization-based system. However, this led to a happy miscalculation: everyone desperately polished their skills to get authorized, which improved the overall quality of adventurers in the city.
Also, we didn’t provide alcohol.
This was for the same reason as the inns—to prevent the taverns from going out of business. No matter how good the food is, adventurers will always head to the taverns seeking their "gasoline."
However, it wasn't just adventurers living in these complexes.
That leads to the third reason why this town is so bustling: the establishment of the Bryant Knights.
For the Bryant Knights, not only were Misa and Ray’s cooking and rent free, but the pay started at three gold coins a month. Naturally, if you attained the position of Knight Commander or Vice Commander, the pay increased.
The highest earner was Van, the leader of the "Blue Fang" party and Commander of the Bryant Count Family's First Knight Order, who earned thirty gold coins. In Japanese yen, that’s three million yen. Whether you think that’s a lot or a little depends on the person. But unlike adventurers who expose themselves to danger every day, knights receive a salary as long as the Bryant family exists, even into old age. It wouldn't be the full amount, of course, but they wouldn't struggle to survive.
Adventurers who moved from other cities initially hoped to enter the complex as adventurers, but within a few months, it became a set pattern for them to aspire to join the Bryant Knights.
There were two Knight Orders.
The First Knight Order, centered around Van and "Blue Fang," mainly handled public order in Almeria and the management of the Almeria Dungeon.
The Second Knight Order, centered around "Red Wings," handled public order in Ilgusia and the management of the Ilgusia Dungeon.
Supporting these two orders were the beastman slaves led by Guy, the eldest son of the "Black Three-Wolf Stars," who acted as reinforcements for the First Knight Order.
The numbers weren't huge yet: about a hundred in the First Order, fifty in the Second, and about thirty beastman slaves. Incidentally, "Yellow Blade" and Wacoru were also affiliated with the First Knight Order.
I’d like to say the beastmen followed the Bryant family this loyally because Barnes acknowledged me... but the fact that Ellie, a Golden Lion, was under the Bryant family’s protection was the major factor.
Apparently, the Golden Lion is an incredibly rare species, the strongest of the beastmen, born only once every few hundred years. Barnes was chased out by a coup d'état, but Ellie was a different story. Many beastmen considered Ellie the next Duke of Seleance, and rumors of her presence had gathered beastmen to Almeria.
Right now, that very same Ellie had me in a headlock in the mansion’s garden.
We were doing our daily mass sparring.
By the way, it didn’t hurt at all. Far from hurting, Ellie’s bountiful chest was pressing against my cheek, and I was worried about whether I had a stupid grin on my face.
"Mars! Your face! You're grinning, aren't you! Ellie, that's enough, right?!"
Clarice, who had been watching our sparring, pulled Ellie off me while puffing out her cheeks in her usual manner.
I guess I was grinning after all.
"Jeez, you only grapple when it's Mars."
As Clarice said, Ellie only used headlocks and ground techniques on me. When she fought the "Black Three-Wolf Stars" or other beastmen, she completely shut them down without letting them touch her body at all. And when fighting monsters, she usually used daggers. It seemed she had a psychological aversion to touching filthy monsters.
Here is Ellie’s status:
[Name] Ellie Leo
[Title] —
[Status] Beastman Tribe - Head of the Leo Baronet Family
[Condition] Good
[Age] 11
[Level] 29 (+14)
[HP] 198 / 198
[MP] 68 / 68
[Strength] 94 (+48) | [Agility] 119 (+63)
[Magic] 24 (+11) | [Dexterity] 67 (+38)
[Endurance] 74 (+38) | [Luck] 10
[Unique Ability] Sound Magic G (Lv 1/5)
[Special Ability] Dagger Arts C (Lv 7/15) (2→7)
[Special Ability] Taijutsu (Martial Arts) A (Lv 10/19) (4→10)
[Special Ability] Wind Magic F (Lv 2/8) (1→2)
[Equipment] Wind Short Sword (Sylph Dagger)
[Equipment] Wind Mantle
[Equipment] Wind Boots
The way the status appears is slightly different because my Heavenly Eye leveled up, allowing me to change the display freely. Please, no guessing why I did that.
Over these three years, Ellie’s level had surpassed mine. Even though she mostly used daggers in the dungeon, her Taijutsu leveling up faster was undoubtedly due to the power of Talent Rank A.
Also, Zeke made Ellie the head of a Baronet family because, in front of other beastmen, keeping her as a commoner wouldn't look right. Well, a Baronet is basically still a commoner, but the Appraisal result doesn't say "Commoner" anymore.
Next, Clarice, who was holding a wooden sword in front of me.
[Name] Clarice Lampard
[Title] Saintess
[Status] Human - Eldest Daughter of the Lampard Baron Family
[Condition] Good
[Age] 11
[Level] 34 (+5)
[HP] 171 / 171
[MP] 1862 / 1862
[Strength] 86 (+26) | [Agility] 90 (+25)
[Magic] 118 (+29) | [Dexterity] 129 (+32)
[Endurance] 73 (+15) | [Luck] 20
[Unique Ability] Barrier Magic G (Lv 1/5)
[Special Ability] Swordsmanship C (Lv 8/15) (5→8)
[Special Ability] Archery B (Lv 10/17) (8→10)
[Special Ability] Water Magic C (Lv 6/15) (3→6)
[Special Ability] Wind Magic G (Lv 2/5) (1→2)
[Special Ability] Holy Magic A (Lv 11/19) (9→11)
[Equipment] Defender
[Equipment] Magic Bow (Magic Arrow)
[Equipment] Saintess’s Robe (Saint Robe)
[Equipment] Mysterious Anklet
[Equipment] Vow of Love Hairpin
[Equipment] Bracelet of Disguise
Clarice had engaged in mock battles with me almost every day after returning from the dungeon, striving to strengthen her close-quarters combat and Water Magic for the upcoming enrollment. Her efforts had not betrayed her; they were clearly reflected in her status.
She depleted her MP every day, and even now that she was over ten years old, her MP continued to rise by 1 daily. Perhaps this was a bonus for being a reincarnated individual.
[Name] Mars Bryant
[Title] Thunder God / Wind King / Goblin Slayer
[Status] Human - Second Son of the Bryant Count Family
[Condition] Good
[Age] 11
[Level] 27 (+3)
[HP] 192 / 192
[MP] 10203 / 10203
[Strength] 122 (+22) | [Agility] 129 (+21)
[Magic] 178 (+26) | [Dexterity] 156 (+20)
[Endurance] 118 (+21) | [Luck] 30
[Unique Ability] Heavenly Gift (Lv MAX)
[Unique Ability] Heavenly Eye (Lv 10) (8→10)
[Unique Ability] Lightning Magic S (Lv 6/20) (3→6)
[Special Ability] Swordsmanship B (Lv 11/17) (8→11)
[Special Ability] Taijutsu G (Lv 2/5) (1→2)
[Special Ability] Fire Magic F (Lv 7/8) (6→7)
[Special Ability] Water Magic F (Lv 5/8) (G→F) (3→5)
[Special Ability] Earth Magic F (Lv 7/8) (G→F) (4→7)
[Special Ability] Wind Magic A (Lv 16/19) (15→16)
[Special Ability] Holy Magic C (Lv 8/15) (7→8)
[Equipment] Fire Spirit Sword (Salamander Sword)
[Equipment] Bracelet of Disguise
To explain in order: first, my level. Ever since I passed level 25, leveling up became incredibly difficult. It felt like no matter how many Threat Level D monsters I defeated, I wouldn't level up.
Next, MP. Until I was ten, my MP increased every time I depleted it, but once I turned ten, it only increased by 1 per day. Well, I had somewhat expected that, but it seems there’s no upper limit, as it has surpassed 10,000.
For the reconstruction after the battle with the ants, I continued making bricks every day. Thanks to that, my Earth Magic leveled up rapidly, reaching the same level as my Fire Magic. I also actively used Water Magic, so now all four major elements have reached a Talent Rank of F or higher.
However, I couldn't train Lightning Magic much. The reason was that Ellie was always with me. I tried asking Ellie to touch monsters I had electrocuted multiple times to test if she had resistance. There was a possibility, however astronomical, that when Ellie reincarnated, she died by being struck by lightning just like us.
But just thinking about it stopped me from doing it. Still, my Lightning Magic level went up thanks to waking up early for secret training.
And the unexpected development was Taijutsu. Since my talent for it was G, I thought it wouldn't level up anymore. Unlike magic, there’s no advantage gained from a massive amount of MP. Yet, it rose to level 2.
Ike actively sparred with the "Black Three-Wolf Stars" before enrolling, but his talent for Taijutsu never blossomed. Even at level 2, I still can't beat Ellie in hand-to-hand combat, though. If I deployed Wind Clad: Sylphid, I think I could win, but winning isn't the objective.
My body has also grown significantly over these three years. Before turning twelve, I’ve exceeded 170 centimeters in height. Since I started strength training at ten, I have a considerable amount of muscle despite being slim. I was taller in my previous life, but I weigh more now.
But the growth of Clarice and Ellie was far more intense than mine. Places that should stick out stuck out, and places that should curve in curved in. When we passed people, everyone—men and women alike—turned to look. According to Clarice, she already had a better figure than in her previous life.
Moreover, our skin age hasn't changed at all from the past. Regarding skin, I’m the same; I don’t get any blemishes or acne. Maria says this is a characteristic of Holy Magic users.
Ellie had grown even more than Clarice. When she got me in a headlock or groundwork like earlier, if I struggled poorly, an "accident" seemed likely to occur, so when that happened, I went non-resistant. Ellie just wanted to touch me and didn't do anything beyond that, so unfortunately—I mean, fortunately—it was safe.
Above all, the biggest change was our relationship.
Zeke decided that Clarice would formally be my fiancée, and after I married Clarice, I would take Ellie as a concubine. Regarding this matter, it wasn't just the Bryant family's will; Clarice’s will was included as well.
Ellie is very cute and adores me. It’s a fact that I hold affection for Ellie myself. However, I couldn't betray Clarice’s feelings.
I discussed this with Clarice, but surprisingly, she accepted Ellie becoming a concubine quite easily. She agreed so readily that I was tormented by the thought, Does she not actually like me? But that wasn't the case.
Actually, before leaving Granzam, Clarice had been told about the concubine matter by her parents, Gray and Elna. They said that sons of influential nobles or those with promising futures are often assigned multiple fiancées. Gray and Elna apparently told her that I would likely have several concubines added. So Clarice knew about the concubine system in detail and was prepared for it.
Clarice also said she could tell that Ellie truly loved me. She pushed my hesitating back, saying that if I were to be assigned someone through a political marriage as a concubine, she would much prefer Ellie, who would likely support me alongside her.
Those two spend a lot of time together. Even in the mansion at Almeria, they share a room. Originally, they were separate, but Ellie knocked on Clarice's door saying that if she couldn't sleep with me, she would at least sleep with Clarice.
From my perspective, seeing them get along makes me happy. I hope it stays like this forever.
"All three of you, wrap it up. Go take a bath. Since this is our last day spending time like this, let's all eat together."
Maria called out to us while I was training with Clarice.
Yes, tomorrow we leave Almeria and head for the capital of the Regan Duchy, the Academic City of Regan. For the entrance exams, of course.
The exams start in late December. Apparently, the quick ones get their acceptance notification on the same day. Incidentally, Ike seemed to have received his acceptance that very day; a letter of joy arrived faster than Zeke, who had accompanied him, could return. Fast horses really do run day and night, huh.
"Knowing you three, I'm not worried about the exams. But for better or worse, you will attract attention. Mars, take care of Clarice and Ellie. Clarice and Ellie, take care of Mars."
We ended a dinner that was longer than usual with Zeke's words, and I crawled into bed while recalling the events in Almeria.
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