Chapter 61 – First Magical Beast Subjugation
Chapter 61 – First Magical Beast Subjugation
Today, I accepted a request to gather wild bird feathers, so Ted and I walked together along the beautifully paved road leading to the mountains.
“……Silver Wolf is an A-rank magical beast, huh……”
I’d spotted the Silver Wolf subjugation request on the bulletin board, and it came as a bit of a shock.
Gain and the others had wiped out the whole pack in seconds flat, and that’s supposed to be A-rank?
I figured it was C-rank at best. Or even lower.
“Yeah. Their fangs fetch a high price since they’re used in weapons.”
“If one attacks, do you think I could take it down with a sword?”
I couldn’t help feeling anxious about my own abilities.
I knew my level was high and my magic was powerful.
But could I really use it in actual combat? It wasn’t like practice, and it scared me…
“Hmm. I don’t know how you fight, Marie, so wanna spar sometime?”
“Sure. But if possible, I’d like your help in real combat too.”
Maybe I should get a look at Ted’s fighting style?
Gain had suddenly told me to team up with him, but we barely knew each other.
“No problem. It’s natural to feel uneasy without real battle experience.”
“Yeah.”
Well, it could wait until Gain and the others get back.
Hmm. Wild bird feathers, though…
Wandering blindly through the mountains just turned up piles of dead leaves.
“What do the birds from the request eat?”
“Keel fruits, probably. They go for the ripe ones.”
Ah, those sour red fruits. Yup, yup.
They even worked to reduce fevers.
“Then maybe their feathers are scattered around sunny high spots.”
“Marie makes this a breeze.”
“Hehe. Ditto.”
We finally crested the high ground, panting and drenched in sweat.
Ted handed me some water with ice in it.
“Cold and delicious.”
“Right? Hot one today.”
A low shrub heavy with bright red Keel fruits was surrounded by freshly molted feathers.
“Yes! They’re gorgeous. Shimmering with rainbow colors!”
“Never seen any?”
Ted picked up a single feather and let it catch the sunlight, sparkling brilliantly.
“I hadn’t even heard of Jiles birds before.”
“Makes sense. When they migrate in flocks, the sun turns them into a dazzling spectacle.”
“Whoa. That sounds beautiful.”
“Might catch ’em in autumn. Ask Gain next time.”
Hehe. Gain did seem like the type who’d know.
Surprisingly romantic, too. Pfft. Oh, gotta stop—rude to laugh.
The request only needed five, but there were over twenty, so we gathered them all.
Wondered what they’re for—turns out, decorations.
Probably someone in the clothing trade.
On the way back, we swung by the water’s edge to pick those herbs before heading home.
Not just for the money, but so folks who needed them wouldn’t go short.
And my momentous first magical beast? That brown, fluffy little Horned Rabbit… baby.
“Tey!”
It dropped with one shot right between the eyes.
So cute. Guilt trip. Sorry, sorry.
Small and adorable or not, it’s a violent little thing that attacks people. Gotta toughen up.
“Good work today.”
“Huge haul.”
We left the guild beaming with satisfaction when Grandfather came walking up from the other end of the street.
I lit up with joy and dashed over, leaping straight into his arms.
“Grandfather! I took down a Horned Rabbit on my very first magical beast subjugation!”
“Whoa there, Marie. Congrats! So, requests all done?”
“Yes!”
“Well done,” he said, hugging me tight with a happy grin.
Ufufu. I just couldn’t help spoiling a bit—first beast kill had me all giddy.
“Thanks for looking after her, Ted.”
“My pleasure.”
Grandfather had a meetup with Master and said he’d be out drinking late.
I must’ve looked disappointed because Ted stepped up and offered, “Wanna grab dinner outside?”
Hehe. Kinda like having a big brother?
“It’s a milestone, so let me treat you!”
Ted suggested our usual Public Eatery, but… was that okay?
We went in, and at the counter, he held up two fingers, pointed at a nearby customer’s dish, and bellowed, “This!”
The owner gave a thumbs-up and nodded.
Ted was clearly a first-timer in a joint like this—totally stunned.
“Hahaha. Kinda lame, huh?”
“I used to sit on Heart’s lap while he ordered everything for me willy-nilly.”
Talking about old times made Ted’s eyes go wide. “On his lap?”
“Ahaha. I was five. Even sitting in a chair, my face barely cleared the table.”
“Oh, gotcha. Fuhaha. Heart playing babysitter? Can’t picture it.”
That’s how it looks from the outside, huh?
He was actually super good with kids.
The food arrived, filling the table, and when I paid the owner, he said, “Little Marie’s out on a date with a handsome guy like you? Here’s an extra,” tossing in a side.
Hey!
“It’s not a date! First magical beast subjugation celebration!”
I puffed out my chest proudly, and he just laughed. “No sex appeal.”
In a place like this where personal info leaks like a sieve, weird rumors would mean endless teasing.
Terrifying.
“Then extra for your first beast kill! Congrats!”
The tables around us who’d overheard chimed in too: “First beast subjugation, eh!” “Congrats!”
Ehehehe. Kinda embarrassing.
“Thank you!!”
And sure enough, Ted ate like a refined noble.
Good thing we were tucked away in the back, out of sight.
I matched his style and ate the same way.
In this case, should I tell him like Gain taught me? Overstepping?
Nah, better say something.
“Ted. Watching folks around you and eating the same way? That’s training too. Straight from Gain, though…”
I shrugged, hiding my embarrassment.
Ted glanced around and made a bit of a face.
I get it.
Hate matching those sloppy eaters.
“You can do it, Marie?”
“If I try,” I said, hunching over and dipping my mouth to the plate.
Ted’s eyes bugged out for a second, then he hunched over and did the same.
I-it doesn’t suit him… Like, pfft. Way too awkward.
“Doesn’t suit you.”
“Hehe. That’s my line.”
We both cracked up, then went back to eating normally.
Takeout next time, he said. Hehe.
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thanks for the chapter