Chapter 73

In order to cultivate a spirit mage, I came to the slums to scout for orphans. Currently, I am discussing with them inside and outside the dilapidated shack. The silence has been long, and I'm starting to feel uneasy.

"How do you prove that you're safe?"

That's a good question. And it's a very difficult one to answer.

"Hmm. I guess you just have to trust me. What would make you believe me? Power? Money? I don't think I have a good reputation because people don't like me."

It's really sad to say that.

"Show me your power and money."

"Alright, I'll show you. First, the money. I have a lot of valuable things besides this, so you don't need to worry about funds."

I took out the money with a jingle, and also displayed the gold and silver treasures I obtained from the dungeon. It feels really embarrassing to show money to a child, but money is powerful.

"Next is power."

I don't want to cause trouble for the surroundings... If I summoned a Fire Dragon, it would certainly show my strength, but they might be too scared to come out.

(Sylph, can you lift me a little?)

"Sure."

"Can you see? I'm floating a little now. I can fly in the sky."

"Can I fly too?"

It seems I've captured the child's heart. Being able to fly is quite attractive, isn't it?

"I'm not sure. It depends on which spirit you contract with. To fly, you need the power of a wind spirit, but if the spirit you can contract with is limited, you might only be able to float a little."

"That's no use at all."

For a moment, curiosity overcame caution, but now it seems that caution has returned. It's quite a challenge.

"Even if flying is difficult, they can still attack, so you can do well as an adventurer."

"………………"

Another long silence. Am I bad at persuasion?

"I have a sister. I don't want to leave her."

"I know. I'll take care of both of you, so you can relax."

I want to see their faces and talk.

"Why do you know that!"

Oops? Did I make them more cautious? This is getting more and more troublesome. Why am I doing this? ...Ah, it's because spirit mages are looked down upon, and it's the guild master's fault. Thinking of the guild master's face, I get motivated, which is strange.

"I said I asked the spirits. I know you have a sister, and that she can also become a spirit mage, so there's no problem."

"Alright. I'll talk to my sister. Give us some time. Don't come near us."

"Understood. Take your time."

(Bell, you must be bored. Go play. I'll summon you if I need you.)

I called out to Bell, who was playfully floating around. They flew off with a "Hai," so they must have been really bored.

"Yuta, those siblings seem to be in a dilemma. They're afraid to trust, but staying here is also painful. They're most worried about being sold somewhere. But the money and treasures you showed them prove that you're not a petty criminal who would sell them for a small profit."

If I could emit an aura that would instantly gain a child's trust, that would be great, but unfortunately, I can't. Even if I say I won't engage in human trafficking, they won't believe me.

(There's no helping it. No matter what I say, there will be doubts. It's up to those kids to decide.)

"That's right. Also, I'm blocking the people trying to pass by. Is that okay?"

That's what you were doing. But getting involved here would be troublesome, so I nodded. After a while, a question came.

"Hey, big brother. If I follow you, will I have enough to eat? Both me and my sister."

"I don't plan to skimp on food, so I promise you can eat your fill every day."

"………………Alright. I'll follow you. But if you bully my sister, I won't forgive you."

"Don't worry. I don't have a habit of bullying children."

But I really want to bully the guild master. I didn't realize I could hold a grudge for so long. I never noticed in Japan.

It seems they've come to a decision, either because they're convinced or because they realize staying in the slums is hopeless. The brother cautiously came out of the shack. ...He's a beastman. I didn't even ask about his race.

His attempt to look intimidating is kind of cute. His hair is gray, he's small and thin. Of course, they don't have a proper nutritional environment.

"What should we do?"

"I have one more person to invite, so gather your things and come with me. We'll leave right away."

"Understood."

The boy went back into the shack and came out with a small, tattered bag, holding his sister's hand. They look a lot alike. The sister seems more scared than intimidating.

"Is that all you have? You can bring anything, no matter how big, if it's necessary."

"We don't have anything else, so it's fine."

"Alright. By the way, my name is Yuta Morin. What are your names?"

"I'm Marco. My sister is Kikka."

"Got it. Marco, Kikka. Nice to meet you. Call me... Master."

For some reason, I want to be called Master. Since I'm taking them as disciples, it's not wrong.

"Understood."

"Alright, Sylph. Please guide us to the next place."

"There's something there. Is it a spirit? I've felt it many times in the city, but only I, Kikka, and one other person could sense it."

I'm glad you're talking, but I wish you'd be a little less cautious. It might take a while, though. It's sad that I haven't even heard the sister's voice.

"Spirits are everywhere. Being able to sense them means you have the potential to be a spirit mage."

I think. I don't know much, but Sylph nodded, so it must be true. We walked with Sylph for about five minutes and arrived at another shack.

"This is Sara's house. Are you inviting Sara?"

"Huh? You know her?"

"Yeah. She sometimes shares her food and helps us."

Wow. She lives here, and she still helps others. She's a good kid. I could never do that.

"Marco, what's going on?"

A girl came out when she heard the voice. She flinched when she saw me. It's quite a blow to the ego. She has blonde hair and is very thin. I don't think she should be sharing her food with others.

"Who... who is that?"

"My name is Yuta Morin. I came to invite you to become a spirit mage. What do you think?"

"A spirit mage? I don't really understand."

"Um... it's a profession with the worst reputation. I want to raise you to show them. I promise you can eat your fill every day. What do you think?"

"I... I don't know..."

Of course, you'd be confused if someone suddenly said that. Another long explanation is about to start. Wait, Sara is looking at Marco and Kikka.

"Are you... taking Marco and Kikka with you?"

"Yeah. Marco and Kikka are my disciples now."

"...Then, I'll go too."

That's a sudden development. But I can guess the reason. She's probably worried about Marco and Kikka.

"You didn't hear the explanation, are you sure?"

"Are Marco and Kikka okay with it?"

"Yeah."

"If Marco and Kikka, who are so cautious, decided to go, you must trust me. Marco, Kikka, can I ask why you decided to go?"

"Sara, I don't trust him. But he has money, and if we stay here, we'll die if we get sick, so I decided to go."

...That's a more serious judgment than I imagined. It's a blow to the ego to be told you're not trusted, even if you understand why.

"Right. We can't survive here alone forever. ...I understand. I'll go too."

It seems this girl is more worried about Marco and Kikka than herself. It's a bit risky, but it's fine. At least I don't have to persuade her.

"Alright. So, Sara, you're my disciple from today. Call me Master."

"Okay."

"Alright, gather your things. I have a magic bag, so if you have anything big you want to bring, just let me know."

"I'm fine."

Sara went into the house and came out with a small bag. She says she's ready. They have too little stuff.

"Do any of you want to say goodbye to anyone?"

Sara and Marco shook their heads. Kikka is hiding behind Marco, so I can't see her. Is it okay not to say goodbye to anyone? While walking, I learned that these three refused to commit crimes, so they stood out in the slums.

When I asked how they lived, they said they received food from communal meals and leftovers from inns. They said there was no reason to commit crimes when they could survive. I would probably choose the easier path, so it's a bit painful to hear.

Well, next... Since these kids have so little, we need to buy a lot. I also need to talk to Marie, so let's go to the general store first.

* * *

"Excuse me, is Marie here?"

I called out to the clerk who helped me shop last time, and she immediately went to call Marie, remembering me.

"Yuta. If it's about that, it's going well."

Marie greeted me with a big smile. I'm glad it's going well. This will make it easier to talk about the dungeon.

"That's good. I also have something else to talk about. Do you have a moment?"

"Of course, Yuta. I'd love to hear what you have to say. Please come to the reception room."

She's pulling me by the hand, thinking it's a business deal. I need to ask about Sara and the others first.

"Wait a moment. Before that, I have a request. I've taken these three as disciples, and I need some things for their daily life. Three sets of clothes and underwear, dishes for these kids, and anything else they need. Can you assign a clerk to help them choose while we talk?"

"Sure, I'll take care of it."

Marie signaled with one hand, and a clerk appeared. The employee training in this store is a bit strange.

"Sara, Marco, Kikka, we'll get the things you need here. Make sure to express your opinions about what you'll use."

They nodded hesitantly. I'm a bit worried. I should tell the clerk too.

"Clerk, these kids aren't used to shopping, so please help them choose what they need for daily life."

"Understood. I'll take care of it."

When I tried to thank her, Marie took me to the reception room. She couldn't wait. This is a big talk, so I'm a bit worried about her reaction.

Thank you for reading.