Raising the Elf’s Genius Slayer

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Chapter

Name: Eri.

Age: Six years old.

The little spirit in our party thought the humans’ abilities were quite unimpressive.

[At this level, I feel like Dad would have been more impressive when we first met.]

“When was that, I wonder?”

Tsukiyo’s eyes sparkled as she asked.

[That was probably when Dad was thirteen, I’d say?]

“Really?” Zikfrein looked at Enok, who nodded.

“That’s how I remember it too. I was almost at Master level by then.”

[Right? But with such a low level, they say they are the new generation. It’s pathetic how today’s kids fall short.]

“Eri, you’re the most modern one here!”

[That’s just rhetoric.]

While Zikfrein casually surveyed his surroundings, the party followed the guide to their accommodations.

They were given a rather large villa, but it was unclear whether everyone received such lodgings or if it was just because the Demisto Marquis family had some clout.

“Is there an itinerary or something?”

“Well, for the most part, it’s just a series of banquets over a few days, so it isn’t laid out in detail.”

Zikfrein’s words made Enok slump over the table.

“Several days? I’d get tired of it in just a day or two.”

“We can leave early, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, that sounds good.”

I heard that the banquet starts today itself, so we came just in time—an excellent outcome from Enok’s perspective.

‘This is a gathering of humans, who can be considered the kingdom’s later emergence, right?’

It’s like a meeting of potential talents.

I guess it would be best to see their levels roughly, and if there’s something appealing, borrow it for a bit. Just to broaden my horizons.

“Well then, wake me up when it’s time to go.”

Enok collapsed onto the table.

“Just go to your room and sleep, why not?”

“I’m lazy.”

“Well, suit yourself.”

*

When Enok opened his eyes, the sky was beginning to redden ever so slightly.

“Yawn… Is it starting?”

“Yeah. Your clothes… well, you should be fine with those.”

Clothes? As Zikfrein examined his outfit, it seemed he was dressed up differently than usual.

“Why go that far?”

“Because it’s a place that requires some decorum.”

Tsukiyo didn’t want to be at the kids’ play area, so she chose not to join in. Now it was just up to Enok to finish getting ready before they could leave.

“Okay.”

Having hastily cleaned himself up with a shortcut spell, Enok stood up groggily.

He was decked out in what could only be described as armor, or maybe just clothes, gifted by Rionne, complete with pants, shoes, and gloves. After glancing at his outfit, Enok nodded.

“Rionne really knows how to pick them.”

With half the kingdom on him, nobody would dare complain about his attire. Although most wouldn’t recognize it, it was evident this was no ordinary outfit.

“Well then, shall we go?”

He followed Zikfrein’s lead. On the way to the banquet hall, Zikfrein attempted to give a brief rundown of the banquet etiquette.

“Um… thinking about it, you probably won’t need it.”

“Why not?”

“Usually, by the time you’re a Grandmaster, your very presence is etiquette itself… unless the Emperor is around.”

“Oh, that’s a nice tradition.”

They arrived at the banquet hall with light footsteps. It was indeed splendid. They were entirely using a massive building as the banquet hall, and even from outside, its splendor was evident.

“Zikfrein Le Demisto. This is my guest.”

“Oh, yes. I need to take attendance. May I have your name?”

At the guard’s question, Zikfrein gestured to Enok.

“Enok Estor.”

“Enok… Estor… Ah, understood. Thank you.”

After a simple procedure, they entered the banquet hall, which was dazzlingly decorated. The grandeur was nearly blinding.

As Enok squinted at the overwhelming sight, Zikfrein walked ahead and spoke.

“Uh… first, I’ll introduce you to the few kids I know.”

“Friends?”

“Something like that. Most of them are decent kids.”

As Zikfrein casually surveyed the area, he waved at a group.

“Hey!”

“Hmm? Oh, it’s Zikfrein.”

The group that warmly welcomed Zikfrein soon turned their eyes to Enok.

“I heard he’d be bringing a guest, but this is a genuinely new face.”

“That seems accurate.”

Zikfrein first introduced Enok to his friends, listing names from left to right, but frankly, he wasn’t that interested.

“This is… Enok?”

“That’s me.”

As they exchanged vague handshakes, the expressions of the people turned odd. Rather than mind it, Enok grabbed a drink from a server who was passing by.

“Oh.”

Is this wine?

It didn’t taste bad, so he tapped his chest and called for Eri.

[Dad?]

“Try this.”

As Eri sipped the wine with her front paws, the noise in the banquet came to life all at once.

The reason being… a young man who had just entered.

[He must be someone famous.]

“Seems so.”

From the aura he exuded, it looked like he just became a Master. Though not particularly impressive, within this banquet hall, he stood out significantly.

“Karten Di Pearson…”

“Do you know him?”

Zikfrein shook his head.

“I don’t know him personally, but there are people who would. I heard he recently became a Master.”

“Is that so?”

Master or not, the food here is surprisingly tasty. I mindlessly popped a small cake or muffin into my mouth and realized I had already consumed quite a bit.

‘Makes me think of Capri.’

I met that B-class mercenary near Rionne’s forest. They had set up a restaurant, pushing the Giant Clan work aside; I wonder how they are doing these days.

Since they had helped me out a few times when I wanted to give gifts to Rionne, I’d like to visit them…

“A Master at twenty-four is impressive. Well, he probably can’t compare to me, though.”

Zikfrein smirked, and the surrounding friends burst into laughter.

“Ha ha! Yeah, go give him a reality check.”

“Isn’t he eighteen? Six years could make a difference?”

“Hey, hey, lower your voice. People are staring.”

True to the words of one of his friends, people did glance their way, but the looks weren’t particularly mocking.

How could they, when Zikfrein was just as famous?

Achieving such a level under twenty was nothing short of impressive—a near top-level Expert. And to top it off, he was the head of the Demisto family, Nibeiron Le Demisto.

Could Zikfrein actually surpass Karten?

While the topic heated up the banquet hall,

[Eighteen as a Master? Hmm… I don’t see any talents here. Isn’t it time someone told him the truth?]

With the mischievous words of the spirit, the hall fell silent.

But only for a moment. Since it was a naïve spirit, the atmosphere quickly turned to laughter.

“Ha ha! It seems the little one is confusing Master with something else.”

“Well, being a spirit, that could happen.”

Of course, Eri was dead serious.

[Humans need to be a bit more vigilant. Living such brief lives, they seem to lack ambition. Getting happy over just being a Master at twenty-four is foolish. I suggest finding something else to excel in, even at this point.]

“…That little one speaks quite harshly.”

Several furrowed brows turned towards Eri’s master.

“It’s the owner’s responsibility to take care of their spirit. Don’t make a fuss and just rescind her.”

As Enok blinked while stacking desserts on his plate, he thought, ‘What is she saying?’

Eri was smart. She didn’t always filter her words, but she very much understood the consequences of what she said.

But why would she suddenly throw out something so provocative?

‘Well, I guess she’ll handle it.’

The conclusion settled in Enok’s mind as he waved his hand casually. Eri smiled while others cringed.

“Hey, what are you planning?”

Zikfrein, having gathered a load of snacks, joined Enok at his side.

“What! We’re all set to watch this.”

“That’s because… it looks fun.”

Chuckling softly, Zikfrein gestured apologetically to his friends.

And just as you’d expect from those surrounding Zikfrein, most couldn’t resist the allure of fun, so there were no real issues.

In fact, one of the men even stepped forward to challenge.

“Isn’t there one rule to this gathering?”

While it wasn’t called that anymore, this gathering once had a name.

“Since it’s the Dragon’s Sword Society, why not compete in a duel?”

“Who on earth is bringing up such an old topic?”

In response to someone’s dissent, the man shook his head.

“That spirit makes a valid point. It’s undeniable that the kingdom has become too complacent lately.”

“Hmm….”

Perfect! Eri seized the opportunity to bait the situation.

[Sounds good, a duel.]

The little fox bared her teeth and spun around in midair.

Zzzzt—

With a flash of Ki, Eri transformed into a massive fox with six tails, holding a sword in her mouth.

“Seems like you’ve been keeping that hidden, huh?”

“You can store a sword as Ki?”

Zikfrein asked in wonder while Enok nodded.

“Must have because she can do it.”

In fact, I had never tried it myself, so I wasn’t too sure.

“Go, Eri!”

Enok waved a muffin he had been holding.