Black Summoner – Chapter 106

On the morning after returning to Kelvin’s Mansion, I gathered everyone in the dining hall to discuss the promotion notification over breakfast.

“So, that means we’ll be having a mock battle with an S-Rank adventurer in three days.”

“Oh, isn’t that a great opportunity to fight a strong opponent without any regrets? That’s good news, King.”

“Don’t say it so casually. I don’t even know who they are or how strong they are.”

“Master, your mouth is curved upwards, despite what you’re saying.”

Melfina glared at me.

“That’s not true. I’m perfectly serious.”

The battle with Clive in the Forest of Emblems ended with regret, even if it was interrupted. I couldn’t show such a pathetic display again. For that, I needed to gain the power to fully control S-Rank magic. I didn’t have time to be distracted by a mock battle with an S-Rank adventurer. So, everyone, please don’t look at me like that.

“No, Older Kel, you’re not persuasive when you say that with such a relaxed expression while polishing your staff.”

“…Huh? When did I do that!?”

Unconsciously, I had started polishing my equipment with a cloth in hand.

“Judging by your expression, you couldn’t sleep last night due to excitement, right? Hmph, how childish!”

“That’s not true. I slept soundly.”

I don’t want to hear that from Sera, who recently self-destructed after just one drink.

“You went to sleep about 30 minutes later than usual last night. I see, so that’s why.”

“Efil!?”

I was flustered by Efil’s unexpected betrayal.

“Huh? Older Sister Efil, you know that much?”

“It’s unacceptable for a servant to fall asleep before their master. Managing the Master’s health is also a maid’s duty. I can’t leave this to Ellie or Ryuka…”

Efil, I’m happy you admire me, but I’d also be happier if you’d occasionally let me see your sleeping face. No, that’s not the point.

“You were right after all! Consider Efil’s burden!”

“Efil, I can’t let you do all the work. I’ll take on that role too!”

“B-but Melfina, you have trouble falling asleep…”

“I’m good with my sleeping posture! Right, Alex?”

“Woof!”

“Mom, what are Master and the others talking about?”

“It’s a bit early for you, Ryuka. Just ignore it.”

“I get it, but let’s put that aside for now! Let’s get to the main topic!”

What are you all going on about so early in the morning?

“Sigh… Well, about the main topic, I want to become as proficient with S-Rank magic as possible within these three days. In other words, it’s a training period.”

“Hmm, training, you say. What specifically will you be doing?”

“What’s most lacking in handling the Great Wind Demon God Scythe is strength!”

Strength is the stat with the slowest growth for me. My base stat is 189. Even with the recent boost from the acquired Skill, Mighty Strength (B-Rank), I’m weaker than Efil, who is the most frail among my companions. While it’s sufficient for a general adventurer on the front lines, it’s inadequate for wielding the Great Wind Demon God Scythe, which concentrates S-Rank magic into a single point. The immense magic power would deviate from its trajectory midway.

“Isn’t that a bit late?”

“Indeed. Wouldn’t it have been fine to just use that tornado-like magic from the start? Did you really need to acquire the Scythe Arts skill just to handle it?”

“Yes, there’s no one who can match Master in weeding anymore!”

Efil, that’s not something to be proud of.

“If it were a magic that could be applied to weapons, like Older Kel’s Roaring Overlord Sword or my Roaring Thunder Sword, it could be used more widely. I can’t use a great scythe, of course…”

“S-Rank magic is rarely handled by many, so it doesn’t have a foundational magic. In other words, the Great Wind Demon God Scythe is your original magic. Why did you create such magic?”

I feel like I’m being bashed today. I might cry.

“Well, great scythes are romantic, you know… And according to my statistics, it’s easier to learn new magic with things that are easier to visualize. This took quite a bit of effort, you know.”

“Ah, I understand that feeling. When I create original things, I picture my ideal, and motivation is important!”

“Normally, it’s not something you can create so easily like Kelvin or Rion…”

“I understand the reason. So, how do you plan to supplement that strength?”

“Well, strength isn’t everything, but here’s the solution.”

*Plonk.* I placed Kuroto on the dining table.

“Kuroto is the solution?”

“Yes. I’ll borrow Kuroto’s Unique Skill, ‘Gluttony’.”

Gluttony is a skill that incorporates part of the stats of a consumed target into one’s own stats. I’ve had Kuroto consume various things, and it seems more efficient to cook food than to eat it raw, and the higher the target’s stats, the greater the effect. Conversely, consuming something with stats lower than my current ones has little effect.

“I see, so you’ll be using the Gauntlet of Gluttony.”

“Precisely. Compared to my strength, there are many monsters with higher stats, aren’t there?”

I felt a bit sad saying that!

“Efil. How much A-Rank monster ingredients do we have stored?”

“Yes. As for A-Rank ingredients, we have three Calamity Rabbits that Sera-san hunted in the Forest of Emblems, one Gel Prince, and two Blood Bears. I’m not sure if they can be cooked, but we have the King of Giants that Lion-sama defeated as an S-Rank.”

Ugh, I really don’t want to eat a humanoid King of Giants. It might give me a strange title like “man-eater.” The Calamity Rabbits and Blood Bears seem fine. Then there’s the Gel Prince…

“Let’s skip the King of Giants. More importantly, is the Gel Prince that squishy liquid-like thing?”

“Yes.”

That’s right, squishy. Not the jiggly kind like Kuroto, but squishy.

“Is that considered a cookable ingredient?”

“I found a recipe in a book I saw at Traage Castle. It seems to be a high-class ingredient that is rarely obtained.”

“What kind of dish will it be…?”

“Leave it to me. I’ve memorized the recipe.”

“Haha, good luck, Older Kel.”

“Master, please give me some too.”

No, I believe in Efil. I truly do. I believe Efil will surely turn any ingredient into the best dish!

***

Kelvin’s Residence – Underground Training Hall

“I never expected it to be served as dessert so soon…”

Efil disappeared into the kitchen immediately after, but a few minutes after we finished breakfast, she brought out desserts for everyone. On the plates were agar-agar cut into uniform squares. They were so transparent you could see through them, and black honey was drizzled on top.

First, I was surprised by how normal, no, how delicious it looked, and even more astounded when I put it in my mouth. It was delicious, incredibly delicious. The refreshing sensation of the agar-agar combined perfectly with the exquisite sweetness of the black honey. Was this really the Gel Prince? Before I could even question it, we had already finished our portions.

“I’m grateful for Efil’s skill, but this feeling of power overflowing from within… it seems to have worked.”

I checked my status screen. Yes, I couldn’t help but grin.

I’ll keep increasing my strength at this pace, and then it’s time to tackle the next challenge.

“Great Wind Demon God Scythe.”

My new partner, the ‘Black Staff Disaster,’ replaced the Wicked Old Treant’s staff and transformed into a great scythe, imbued with magic power.

“Hmm, it’s still not quite perfect.”

Looking at the scythe blade, I could see magic power leaking out unnecessarily. At this rate, it would likely lose its effect after just a few attacks.

“I need to work on the fuel efficiency first. Magic construction, reconstruction―――”