Chapter 3

Ferus came to eat lunch and sat on the floor.

"I can't sit at the same table as my master and eat."

"No... I'm in a bind if you don't sit."

Besides, how could I sit while making a girl, who is a head shorter than me, sit on the floor? The gazes of the other customers are also intimidating.

Ferus had escaped from the slave trader because the master she was to be sold to had a reputation for killing slaves, and she didn't want to die. She also said that she didn't know anything else about herself except that she was an elf slave. It made her seem pitiful.

Ferus was deeply ingrained with the slave mentality. It was the same as when I was in the party. Once it seeps in, it doesn't wash off easily.

"But..."

"Technically, I'm your master now, right? So, listen to me."

"I, I understand..."

I gave her a firm instruction. She sat uncomfortably, fidgeting because she wasn't used to it. When the food arrived, she stared at it and asked me.

"What is this? Is it food?"

"It's a hamburger, but do you dislike it?"

"N, no... Is it for me?"

"...Don't you want it?"

"I, I'll eat it!"

I had heard that slaves were treated quite harshly. Her thin limbs and scarred body told the story. I had healed all the scars, though.

"Delicious... sniff..."

In the future, I'll try to listen to any opinions Ferus might have without dismissing them. That way, her slave mentality might gradually fade.

I was thinking of taking a quest at the Adventurer's Guild, but it might be a bit dangerous to bring Ferus along. My rank is now D because I left the S-rank party. Ferus is too young to accompany me on a quest, but doing nothing isn't an option either.

"Um, what will happen to me from now on...?"

"Tell me honestly. Can Ferus use swords or magic?"

"I have never used either..."

The appraisal skill showed that she had an SS aptitude for swordsmanship. This means she could become monstrously strong in the future. There's a possibility she could create a legend no one has ever heard of.

To gain her trust, I should tell her about myself.

"Actually, I have an appraisal skill. I found out that Ferus is cursed. Do you know anything about it?"

"A curse? I'm sorry... I don't really understand myself."

Even Ferus didn't know.

I was puzzled. Why was Ferus cursed?

My healing magic needs to delve deeper into a person's body the more severe their wounds are, so I sometimes see their memories. It's not a pleasant experience for them, but it's necessary to heal them.

"Ferus, give me your hand."

"Yes, master."

...Her hand.

What's this, I can see a tail.

Is it just my imagination?

"It seems Ferus is cursed, and it's suppressing her magic power."

First, I'll try to remove the curse. I used the appraisal skill to identify the nature of the curse.

There are basically two types of curses: natural and artificial. Dragons and cursed gems are natural, while dark magic is artificial.

"Am I a natural one?"

"It seems to be an artificial one."

Who, why, and for what purpose. Thinking about these things won't lead to an answer. How could I know something even the person herself doesn't know? The appraisal skill can't reveal that much.

The curse that seals magic power, but it's not a problem.

Healing

"Um... Is the curse gone?"

"Huh? Yeah, it's done."

It was a strong curse, but it didn't reach the point where I saw her memories.

"Huh... Huh?"

"Curses are dark magic. They have good synergy with holy healing magic."

"It feels like a different dimension... Who are you, master...?"

"A solo adventurer skilled in healing magic."

It's not difficult to heal Ferus to a normal state. I also healed her scars, but I'll keep that a secret.

"Anyway, it's not a good place to use magic here."

I want to see her SS aptitude for swordsmanship, but first, I want to check her A aptitude for magic.

*

I came to a forest a little away from the capital and instructed Ferus to cast magic at a tree.

"To be honest, I'm not very knowledgeable about magic."

"J, just kidding, right...? To be able to use such magic and not be knowledgeable..."

"It's not a lie. I'm terrible at everything except healing. All I know is that you need to put your feelings into it. Try to imagine it."

"I understand."

Ferus extended her hands forward and said, "Huff!" and the area was illuminated.

───BOOOOM

The explosion and the deafening noise overwhelmed my senses. I had only told her to knock down a tree, but she created a crater-like hole.

"...W, what? I've never done anything like this before."

It was an incredible amount of power. It must have been because she had an image of magic being flashy.

The explosion felt like a pure release of magic power.

The surprise didn't end there.

"Master! Did you see it? I did it! I knocked down the tree!"

"You didn't just knock down the tree, you obliterated the terrain... – Uh!?"

"Is something wrong?"

"F, Ferus... Your body is growing!?"

She wasn't the small 12-year-old anymore but had a body similar to mine. Her previously flat chest had developed.

Her golden hair had grown longer and shone more beautifully.

"R, really!?"

Why is she so happy?

The original clothes were torn from the inside, leaving Ferus almost naked. I let her wear my jacket.

"I heard once! An elf with high magic power can sometimes use magic to grow their body to protect it!"

"I see..."

Indeed, using such powerful magic with a child's body would put a lot of strain on her. It must be a defensive instinct to prevent death by magic power. That's why there was no change when the curse was removed. The magic power only started to flow when she cast the spell.

Elves have such convenient bodies.

I sat on a nearby rock and used the appraisal skill to check Ferus.

Appraisal

【Race】Elf

Ferus 12 years old ♀ Status: Relieved

Magic Power: Maximum

Swordsmanship: D / SS

Magic: A / A

Dexterity: D / A

Loyalty: 40

Her aptitudes haven't changed much, but there's something to note.

Her magic power had changed from low to maximum. I've never seen this before... Is this how normal elves are?

I've heard that elves are good at magic. And her magic is already maxed out from the start.

It's as if she can't improve her magic any further.

Her loyalty has increased, but I don't know the standard.

At least, her body growing has taken some pressure off my shoulders.

"Ferus, you have two choices."

"Choices?"

"One, continue adventuring with me. Two, stop being a slave and leave to live on your own."

We've only known each other for a few hours, but I can tell that Ferus is a pure and good person. I'll speak honestly.

"I didn't help Ferus because of her talent. I would have helped any child who was about to die in that situation."

Healers, in general, are all hypocrites.

I help people because I want to help them and don't want them to die. This self-satisfaction is what has led to my current misfortune.

To avoid self-satisfaction, I need to hear her will.

Without any hesitation, Ferus said,

"Of course, I'll go with Master!"

"Right, freedom... Huh?"

"I'm alive because Master saved me. I will spend my life repaying this debt!"

Wait... What? This isn't the scenario I was expecting.

I didn't think it would go so smoothly.

If Ferus has decided to follow me, I need to take action.

"Then, Ferus is no longer a slave. You're my companion."

"Yes... Master!"

I welcomed the golden-haired elf as my first companion.

"Stop calling me Master. Call me Nigris."

"Understood! Nigris-sama!"

"...Alright."

If she gets used to it, she'll eventually stop using the honorific.

Next, I'll check her swordsmanship, which is the main attraction.