Ch.99 Heading to The Technological Capital to Investigate The Progress.

"By the way, what's going on? You've been using casual language with me all this time, and now you're adding '-san' all of a sudden."

Even though she spoke to me informally at the beginning, Cern-san suddenly started speaking to me using polite language for some reason.

I was curious about the reason for the change, so I decided to ask.

"Ah, um, well... I thought you were younger than me based on your voice and appearance, but thinking back, your behavior and overall vibe are a little different from a younger child... I was just assuming that, and now I'm wondering if you might actually be older than me..."

I see, that's why she added "-san" to my name. She wasn't far off the mark.

I may look like a child, but I have the mind of an adult. That's why my words and actions seem so different from a normal child.

Either way, my age should be perceived based on my actual age and current physical body. Mental age should not count

In other words, my age is not determined by adding my mental age, but by the age I've lived in this physical body...

"No, you're right, I'm younger than you. I'm only three months old."

"Three months old?! You're basically a baby?!"

"That's right. So please don't worry about it and continue to speak to me casually, in a way that's comfortable for you."

"To be able talk like that at just three months old... Fairies are amazing..."

I think this was the second or third person i've given this explanation to. Everyone was surprised.

It's understandable, since I'm like a toddler who can speak so fluently.

"If that's the case, I'll go back to being casual...is that okay?"

"Why answer with a question? You could be casual without asking."

Actually, she's been using casual language again since earlier.

"Because it's like I'm talking to an adult."

Well, as for me, it doesn't really matter whether you use polite language or casual language.

I don't like it when people speak in a commanding tone that gives off an obvious sense of pressure, but otherwise, I don't mind if someone uses casual language with me on our first meeting. In fact, I'm in favor of them using casual language from the start.

In my previous life, my friends would say I was unusual and that I'd get underestimated, but I found it easier and I could become friends with them faster when they spoke to me informally.

Actually, the friend who said that to me had been using informal language from the start, and despite that, they were a very responsible and decent person.

"It feels really strange and makes me feel uncomfortable when people start using polite language with me now."

I look like a child, but inside I'm an adult (again). Things don't go as smoothly as with a real child.

I decided to match my appearance and dismiss my past life as irrelevant, starting my second life by fully embodying the character. A childlike voice and cute behavior... As if I could do all that?!

I mean, I could, but it would be way too embarrassing!

I have a sense of self and memories that I inherited from my past life, so there's no way I can just completely become a little girl and live like that from scratch.

"Well... Hmm... Onee-chan, polite words? You use that when you are talking to teachers or adults, right? It feels weird since I am a kid."

I tried acting like a toddler just once to get her to understand, but it felt really weird.

I just can't do it.

I was so embarrassed I covered my face with both hands.

"...Yeah, I get it. So that's how it feels. It doesn't feel out of place, but somehow...yeah. Your appearance and that way of speaking should match, but because I've seen you act like an adult first, it feels like you're forcing herself to talk like that, which is weird. Are all fairy children as mature as Ves-chan?"

"Ves-chan!?"

"Oh, sorry. Did you not like it...?"

"...No, well...it's fine. Call me whatever's easiest for you."

It has the same name as the dog my parents had, so it feels familiar.

"I don't know about other fairies, but this is just how I am."

"You don't know the other kids... Ah... I see. It's okay, it's okay, you'll make friends eventually."

"That's not it. It's not that I don't understand because I don't have any friends, but rather..."

I thought she was mistaken, and I denied it, saying that I didn't grow up in some fairy town and I'd never met any other fairies, when I heard a tinkling sound.

I instinctively stopped talking, but all that happened was a sound; no window or anything appeared.

In other words, this is a signal that a message has arrived.

"Please wait a moment."

"...? Yes."

"Menu."

I open the menu screen and check the message box.

This is from Sakidori Midori-san.

I touch the massage.

================================================

<Subject>: Meeting date and time notification

<Sender>: Sakidori Midori

<Main text>:

The property search we talked about the other day has been decided, two days from now, on the 5th.

You did say you'd be available anytime, but let me know if it's not possible.

================================================

"Hmm, two days from now?"

"Is something wrong?"

"I got a message from a frie... No, it's nothing."

"Hmm."

I almost answered reflexively, but then I realized it was irrelevant to Cern-san so I stopped myself.

I looked at the message again and replied with my acceptance.

However, two days from now is rather sudden. I suppose that was the only time everyone was free, so I don't have any objections.

Or was there something that made her want to quickly establish a clan?

By the way, I wonder how old Takemaru-san and Sakidori Midori-san are. Are they students or working adults in real life?

In terms of the release date, it's currently summer vacation.

If they were students, even if they joined the same clan, after summer vacation they would only have time to play together on weekday evenings or on weekends.

Even if they don't play together every day, there might be times when they can only play together once or twice a week because of other commitments.

For someone like me who has plenty of free time on my hands, the time I don't spend playing with them is my own free time.

However, having too much free time means I have nothing to do and therefore I'd be bored.

It's the epitome of a slow-paced, laid-back life, but not being able to play together is also incredibly lonely.

Maybe I should go to a school somewhere while everyone else is on their own school...

I can learn magic and sorcery, and I can enjoy a slower pace of life, which will motivate me to pursue my goals.

In addition to the regular entrance examination held in February, transfer examinations are held twice a year, in August and April.

There are no age restrictions for entering the school, and there is also a system for skipping grades.

Based on my physical age, I'm still young, but if I use the accelerated learning program and take the exam, I might be able to skip grades all the way to high school.

I probably can't do college. I don't remember that much of what I studied. ...Wait, even high school is questionable...?

Anyway, while Takemaru-san and Sakidori Midori-san are at school, I can use that time productively to learn various magic at a school somewhere.

Assuming they're both students, that is.

We're meeting in 2 days, so maybe then...it would be bad if an NPC started talking about the real world or something. I'll have to ask about it subtly.

"Well then, I have an errand to run, so I'm going to head into the city for a bit."

I close the message window and fly up to her eye level.

"I-I'm going too!"

"I'm not going to Canadil, you know?"

"O-okay... I'll wait then. I need to figure out how to retrieve my own bones."

When I told Cern-san that I'm not going to Canadil, she backed down easily.

It's clear that she wants to go back to her family right now.

"Yes, please. And please share this meat between Cern-san and Nabla-kun."

"Okay, thank you."

Nabla-kun is still asleep. He's breathing softly in his sleep and sleeping soundly.

I imprinted his adorable image in my mind and then turned to face Cern-san.

"Okay, I'm off."

"H-Have a good day..."

As Cern-san, looking embarrassed, saw me off, I ascended into the sky, flying towards the city.

◇◆◇

I lied to her.

My destination is Canadil, and my purpose is to check the progress of the event quest.

If I were to be honest, as you can see from her words and actions, I'm sure she would have followed me.

That's not a problem. The reason for lying is related to what might happen afterward.

It's only natural that Cern-san would come along because she wants to return to her parents. Inevitably, her destination is her inn.

Upon their reunion, the parents will undoubtedly be shocked and then bombard the child with questions, asking how things could have turned out this way.

There was no reason for her not to answer the question, so she blabbed on, and as a result, a hunting party for the sparrow lookalike would form and advance into the fairy forest.

If he is killed, then their next target would be Nabla-kun, determined to retrieve their daughter's remains.

It's clear that this is what will happen.

There might be some idiot in the hunting party who uses fire to attack, and there's a worst-case scenario where they end up burning down all the trees and getting me killed too in the process.

You could say I'm overreacting, but since the possibility isn't zero, I must remain vigilant.

I cannot forgive anyone who tries to kill Nabla-kun, who is my own kind and comrade, and I will rot such people myself.

I feel sorry for Cern-san, but even if her parents were among the extermination squad, that wouldn't change. I'll attack regardless.

Anyone who attacks Nabla-kun will become a target of my attack. I feel the same way about him as she does about her family.

I left Cern-san behind to prevent that kind of tragic ending.

It would be best for her to return home with her remains.

I thought that again to myself.

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〘Titles that Vester should have originally earned ②〙

〘Title: Level Up〙

A title given to those who level up for the first time.

From 1 to 2, from 3 to 4, these small steps add up to a big one. Let's steadily become stronger, one step at a time.

〘Title: Guild Member for the First Time〙

A title bestowed upon those who join a guild for the first time.

Once you obtain your guild card, which serves as your identification, you officially become a resident of that town.

The guild always prays for your safe return.

〘Title: The Journey of a Novice Wizard〙

A title bestowed upon those who join the Mage Guild and become mages for the first time.

Even a newly hatched, apprentice chick is still a chick.

Toddle along! To become a great wizard!

Having this title equipped gives +10 Max MP

〘Title: Welcome to Nemor!〙

A title bestowed upon those who visit the town of Nemor in the Area 3 for the first time.

Welcome to Nemor! We welcome you!

〘Title: First Quest Created〙

A title bestowed upon the first time someone issues a quest to a demigod.

Show us the power we have bestowed upon you.

God is always by your side.

〘Title: First Cash-Out〙

A title awarded to those who cash in an item for the first time.

When you sell things and your pockets fill up, memories fade away.

Make sure you double-check before cashing it in.

〘Title: First Friend〙

A title given to those who make a friend for the first time.

What makes someone a friend?

Please check your friend list. You should see their name there.

Let's deepen our friendship from now on.

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