Chapter 127: Special Training 17
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 127: Special Training 17
'I feel like I've seen this somewhere before...'
—Cheep! Chirp! Cheep!
The tiny bird perched atop Sepia’s head flapped its small wings as hard as it could, chirping away incessantly.
It seemed to think it was being threatening, but to my eyes, it was just plain adorable.
The reason it was so worked up was likely because I’d just looked at it and asked Sepia if it was her emergency rations.
—Chirrrp!! Cheep! Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!
The bird, flapping its wings and chirping furiously, managed to hover in the air.
'Oh.'
Of course, it only rose about two centimeters, and it couldn't even maintain that for a second before plopping back down onto Sepia’s head.
—Chirp! Cheep! Chirp!
The bird scrambled back up, but it seemed to have exhausted its strength. It stopped the fluttering and settled for just chirping at me.
"Ho-ho? I see! Is that so?"
—Cheep!
"Understood. Thank you for sharing such valuable information."
—Cheep, cheep.
"Yes, please let me know if you come across any more intel like that."
Sepia stared at me with wide eyes as I suddenly started holding a full conversation with the bird.
To be fair, if I saw someone talking to a bird on the street back in my original world, I would’ve thought they were a lunatic too.
But this was a fantasy world filled with swords, magic, and romance. Artifacts that allowed communication with animals were a dime a dozen.
"Pushover, do you actually understand what that bird is saying?"
"No, I’m just winging it."
I never said I had one of those artifacts. If I had an artifact like that—or the innate ability to talk to animals—I would’ve become a veterinarian, not a clown.
"............"
Sepia looked at me with an expression that clearly said, What is wrong with this guy? But I’m sure I just misread her. My sweet Sepia would never look at me with such disdain.
"So, Miss Sepia, when did you start raising this bird?"
It was likely a recent addition. If she’d had it for a long time, it wouldn't be this small, and there would have been no reason to bring it all the way to the Academy.
Sepia looked conflicted for a moment, wondering how to explain, before finally speaking.
"Do you remember what I told you before?"
"Of course I do."
Sepia narrowed her eyes. "I haven't even said which part yet."
"Hey, I remember every single conversation I've ever had with you, Miss Sepia."
My answer seemed to please her, as the corners of her mouth quirked up slightly.
"Ha! Really? Remember when Professor Elicia told us to rest in the morning, the day before the mission at Baron Ashro’s estate?"
"Pardon? Hmm... what was that again...?"
"Hey! Are you messing with me?"
"Haha, just kidding. Of course I remember. You said your spirits were sensing something strange and that you were going to check it out, right?"
"You... you really do remember."
"Naturally."
Sepia must have found it there—one of her Awakening Keys—at the place the spirits led her. But why was she bringing that up now...? Wait, could it be?
'No way.'
In Croaka, what Sepia obtains isn't a yellow bird that looks like emergency rations; it’s a single, brilliantly glowing yellow feather.
A yellow bird... a yellow feather...
"You didn't happen to find that bird while following the spirits, did you?"
"I did. Well, technically, it was an egg."
"......................"
How was I supposed to process this? The reward had changed from a single feather to a whole bird made of feathers. On the surface, it seemed like an upgrade, but...
I leaned in close to Sepia to get a better look at the bird occupying the top of her head.
—Cheep.
The bird glared back at me, refusing to back down.
'I've definitely seen this somewhere.'
I pride myself on having a good memory. If I couldn't recall it despite this feeling, was I just mistaken?
"...Ugh."
To see the bird on her head clearly, I naturally had to get very close to Sepia. Right now, we were close enough to hear each other’s softest breaths.
"U-um... aren't you a bit too close?"
Normally, I would have teased her. Unfortunately, I couldn't do that right now. Because I had finally remembered where I’d seen this bird.
I wanted to deny it at first, but my gut was telling me it was 100% correct.
'That’s the No. 2 most god-awful pattern used by the Necromancer.'
There was a reason I’d forgotten it despite it being the second most annoying pattern. When the Necromancer used it in Croaka, it wasn't yellow, and it was much larger than this. Still, it wouldn't hurt to check.
"Miss Sepia, does this bird happen to emit electricity or anything like that?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. How did you know? It doesn't happen when it's on my head, but when it's elsewhere, it lets out little sparks of electricity."
"Oh."
I was genuinely impressed. Could this be considered winning the lottery?
'Hell yes, it is!'
That bird might have been the second most annoying pattern, but among the Necromancer’s summons, it was the strongest. I could never forget the sheer power and frustration of that thing flying through the air, constantly raining down lightning bolts.
Later on, I could clear it with my eyes closed, but when I first encountered that bird, I had to write down every single lightning pattern in a notebook just to survive. I’d been so stressed while studying those patterns. I used to relieve that stress by bullying newbies.
'But that’s not what’s important right now.'
Snatching that bird away before even fighting the Necromancer? It was like a villain stealing a magical girl’s transformation item before the battle even started.
'Not that we’re the villains, of course.'
—Grab.
I took both of Sepia’s hands in mine. In this moment, Sepia was my light, my goddess.
"...W-what is this all of a sudden?!"
I felt like giving her a kiss, but if I actually did that, it wouldn't end with just a smack on the back like earlier. To an outsider, I might look like I was overreacting, but I could confidently say this was a restrained response.
If you imagine someone had already filled in the answers to the hardest math problems on your college entrance exam before it even started, you’d understand how I felt.
—Squeeze.
Feeling a surge of gratitude toward Sepia, I inadvertently squeezed her hands harder.
"E-eek."
Ah, she broke. Well, I suppose anyone would be startled if someone suddenly grabbed their hands and squeezed.
'I should probably be grateful I didn't get slapped.'
Of course, her reaction was amusing, so I didn't let go just yet.
* * *
Fortunately, it didn't take long for Sepia to snap out of it, though she was still fanning her face, which was practically steaming.
"So, Miss Sepia, what’s this bird’s name?"
It was getting awkward calling it "this bird" or "that bird."
"Huh? I haven't given it one yet."
According to Sepia, the bird had hatched from its egg yesterday while she was exhausted from training and dealing with the mask.
'She wouldn't have had the mental energy to name it.'
The bird that looked like emergency rations just moments ago now looked like an angel. Its wings, which had looked like chicken wings, now seemed like pure white pinions.
"Is that so? If you don't have a name in mind, would you mind if I named it?"
Sepia didn't seem to have any ideas, so she said she didn't care.
I believe a name is the true first impression. Basically, it’s very important. And I was famous for being good at naming things. You could tell just by looking at the name of the club I was going to form: the Clown Union Club.
When naming something, it’s often a good idea to draw from its image. I stared intently at the bird, and the nameless creature stared right back at me.
'Bird... yellow... electricity...'
Flash.
As I was combining the keywords, a great name flashed through my mind. It was a name that suited all three perfectly.
"Roasted Electric Chicken."
—Chirrrp!! Cheep! Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!
"I don't know what that means, but it seems angry."
Is "chicken" not to its liking? What a picky fellow.
"Steamed Chicken?"
—Cheep!
"Spicy Braised Chicken?"
—Cheep!
"Seasoned Fried Chicken?"
—Cheep!
"Bburin-K?"
—Chirrrrp!!!
"I don't know what any of those are, but they all sound weird. Maybe I should just name it?"
"Ahaha. I was just joking until now. Let’s get serious. Let’s see..."
Of course, I had no intention of actually giving it a joke name. You shouldn't overthink names. Just like how I came up with the simple nickname "Loki" based on my original name.
My real name...
"Ugh!"
"W-what?! Are you hurt?"
When I suddenly clutched my head and dropped to my knees, Sepia called out, her voice full of worry.
"It’s nothing. Just a sudden headache."
To be precise, the headache came from trying to remember my original name. It’s not that I have amnesia and can't remember it. Actually, I’d prefer it if I did have amnesia. Then I could forget that name entirely.
When I think about how much I was teased because of my name... ugh. That was when I decided. I had to give this bird a proper name.
"Pushover?"
If I spaced out for too long, Sepia would get worried, so I spoke up quickly.
"Actually, I was joking before. I’ve had a name in mind from the start."
—Cheep.
Sepia looked at me with eyes that said she was giving me one last chance. I spoke the name I’d been thinking of ever since Sepia gave me permission to name it.
"Chirpy."
—...............
".............."
What was with this cold reception? It’s intuitive, cute, and cool.
* * *
After all the classes at the Academy had ended, in the middle of the forest.
Today, as usual, Loki and Sepia met after school and secretly entered the forest for their special training.
"Well then, shall we begin today’s delightful training? A month passes by faster than you’d think, Miss Sepia."
—Cheep.
And that went for their new companion, Chirpy, as well.