Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Morning Plans and Playtime
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Morning training sessions with Billy had become routine, giving us more time to chat than before.
I casually suggested taking Ed to the Magic Tower's magic item shop. He'd mentioned wanting to go once it got busier, and sure enough, business had picked up lately.
"Let's check with Ed and set a date."
Billy nodded agreeably, accepting my proposal. After wrapping up the refreshingly brisk morning workout, I was heading back to my room when I spotted a familiar silhouette.
Anna, who usually wore her hair in a single braid, had it pinned up today for some reason. I called out to her and started walking over.
"Ann...!"
But as I opened my mouth, I caught a glimpse of her profile—it looked gloomier than usual. She didn't seem to hear me, her shoulders slumped as she disappeared around the corner.
Something going on?
Maybe working by my side lately had worn her out somehow?
Deciding she might need a day off, I headed lightly to Ed's room.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
I'd figured he was sleeping in since he hadn't shown up at the training grounds today, and sure enough, a groggy voice answered from beyond the door.
I opened Ed's door and stepped inside. He was just sitting up in bed, still rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"Ed, sleep well?"
He looked so adorable rubbing his eyes with those delicate, fern-like hands that my voice came out all gooey-sweet. Spotting me, Ed jolted awake, frantically rubbing his eyes and flattening his tousled bedhead with both hands.
"Ah, did you finish your lessons already?"
"Yeah. Sleeping in today, huh?"
"I went to bed a bit late last night."
Glancing around his bed as he spoke, I noticed newspapers and newsletters scattered on the floor.
I didn't pick any up, just scanned the headlines from afar—and quickly spotted the common thread.
Every one featured stories about a surge in beastkin using the magic circles linked to the Magic Tower. Turning to Ed, I saw him grinning sheepishly, scratching his cheek.
"Heh heh, I've been getting really curious about heading to the Magic Tower now."
His bright, beaming laugh drew a pleased smile from me. Perfect timing—I'd come to talk about exactly that, and he was on the same page.
Excited, I was about to suggest the three of us—me, Ed, and Billy—go together. 🎮 CHOICE SYSTEM 🎮 1. You're dying to go? Fine, I'll make an exception and take you. 2. If you wanted to go that bad, why waste time reading that stuff instead of telling me? 3. Let's drag your uncle along and check the place out. Of all the oblivious timing, the choice window popped up right then. I furrowed my brow for a split second but smoothed it out, mindful of Ed.
"You're dying to go? Fine, I'll make an exception and take you."
Opting for the safest choice, out came a tone like I was granting some grand favor. Not ideal, but it could've been worse. Checking Ed's reaction, I let out a relieved smile.
No need for close inspection—his grin stretched nearly to his ears.
Beaming ear to ear, Ed pestered me to pick a day soon.
"We'll go when Billy's free—all three of us."
Ed bobbed his head eagerly in agreement.
Since I'd come all this way, I settled at the table to play with him a bit. Last time we'd stayed up late, I'd taught him a simple game.
"Doing Cham Cham again today?!"
Ed asked in an excited voice. I'd taught him rock-paper-scissors, and we'd played it for almost an hour straight.
Ed got fixated on one thing and stuck to it, so I hadn't been able to introduce many games. Just rock-paper-scissors and Cham Cham so far.
I wagged my index finger side to side in a "nope" gesture. His eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Today, we're playing gonggi."
This world had kids' games too, of course, but with no one at the mansion to teach or play them with Ed, I'd been sharing ones from my childhood.
Nostalgic memories of playing gonggi as a kid prompted the idea, and to my delight, Ed took to it even more than I'd hoped.
Tossing and snatching those little stones seemed to captivate him.
"My turn now!"
Without even watching my demos a few times, Ed shot his hand up. I handed him the stones with a fond smile and watched.
That smile faded in under a minute.
The floor... it's getting gouged?
Each time Ed snatched a stone from the floor, his claws scraped it a little.
"Whoa! I got them all in one go! Look, Lami!"
I stared in shock as he nailed the final step triumphantly, thrusting his fist toward me with a thrilled grin.
I flinched back instinctively but quickly steadied myself.
My eyes were glued to the scratched-up floor. Forcing my gaze back to Ed, I tried to focus on him and enjoy our short playtime. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After Ed headed down for his lessons, I took Mimo out for a walk for the first time in ages.
"Your fur looks so fluffy and warm."
"Baa-."
You're a sheep too, his look said plainly enough.
"My identity's human."
"Neigh-."
"Because you're talking...?"
Mimo snorted at my words. It sounded just like a horse, drawing a chuckle from me.
I was chattering away to Mimo as we strolled the garden when he suddenly froze, whipped around, and bolted.
"Huh? Where to?!"
I ended up chasing after him on impulse. Glancing back while running, I saw Jack charging toward us at full speed from the other side.
Mimo must've panicked at the sight and fled on pure survival instinct.
"Mimo, hold up! He won't eat you!"
If he even heard me, it didn't show—his legs kept pumping.
Chasing Mimo, I glanced back again and had to stop dead.
Jack, who'd probably been happily running to greet me, now stood with his tail drooping sadly. After staring at me a moment, he hung his head and turned away, trudging off elsewhere.
No way! I finally got close to Jack...!
Caught awkwardly between Mimo and Jack, I hesitated before pursuing Mimo first. Catching up, I grabbed him and brought him to a halt.
"Baaack!"
Mimo thrashed to escape my grip, but I held firm.
"Mimo! You can't run forever!"
I raised my voice firmer than usual. I didn't know how long I'd be here, but I wanted Mimo to at least get along with Jack during that time.
Just as I was overcoming my fear of wolf beastkin, I hoped Mimo could shake off his terror of wolves and relax a bit.
"Jack! Wait there a sec!"
Stopping Jack as he headed to a garden corner, I clutched Mimo and launched into persuasion mode.
Luckily, he seemed to get it—his struggling stopped, and he stayed put.
I called Jack over next. He'd waited obediently, and at my summons, he came bounding with his tail wagging.
Whew, still kinda scary...
A small, cute pup would be one thing, but a big, sharp-featured wolf charging like that was intimidating.
Forcing myself not to back away, I orchestrated their meeting.
"Baaaaack!"
"Woof...?"
Mimo went on high alert the instant Jack approached, rearing his head and bleating loudly as if to threaten him.
Jack's pupils shook in confusion at Mimo's sudden hostility.
"He's not an enemy. Not food either."
I firmly calmed them both, doing my best to help them warm up. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Anna watched Lami force Mimo and Jack together from her room window.
Her cramped room had two beds against opposite walls and a small desk each.
She'd been taking a brief rest while Lami walked Mimo. Then someone opened the door and entered.
"Looks like you don't have much on your plate right now."
The head maid spoke to Anna, who sat on her bed gazing out the window. There was one reason the head maid had come: to check on Lami's first dedicated maid.
If Anna quit, they'd need to gauge Lami's preferences to assign a replacement.
"How's serving Lady Lami?"
Anna opened her mouth at the head maid's question.