Chapter 11

The clan leader was sitting in a chair, reading a book in a room surrounded by Otem.

His hair had lost its luster, and deep wrinkles were etched on his face.

Even so, considering that he was 150 years old, he still looked far too young.

His large build suggested that his muscles had not deteriorated much.

Despite living a life where he rarely left the mansion, he had managed to maintain his muscle strength remarkably well.

From my perspective, as someone with a frail constitution who had been making excuses to avoid hunting and instead focused on magic training, this was something I wanted to emulate.

The clan leader was 150 years old, but the Maren people were not particularly long-lived.

He was using magic and curses to slow down the aging process.

Maintaining muscle strength was also part of this.

The average lifespan of the Maren people was about 80 years.

Not much different from the average human in my previous life.

Although the civilization in this village was underdeveloped, simple magic could maintain a certain level of health, raising the standard for aging.

However, there were still diseases that magic couldn't fully address, as well as damage from monsters and disasters.

When compared in terms of average lifespan, it was significantly lower than Japan.

The clan leader raised his face from the thick book, pressing the top of his monocle with his finger and glaring at me.

"...Philo, and who was it again?"

The clan leader narrowed his eyes and said this with a puzzled look.

We had only exchanged formal greetings at events, so it seemed he didn't remember me.

It had been about half a year since we last met at a ceremony, so this was understandable.

"It's Abel Barek. This is my sister, Giselle. Please forgive our sudden visit. There is something I desperately need to ask of you."

As I bowed slightly, Giselle hurriedly followed my lead.

"Hmph, Zere's son. I've heard a lot from Philo. You and your granddaughter seem to be quite close..."

"Gr-Grandfather!"

Philo interrupted the clan leader, who was about to say something, with a raised voice.

The clan leader narrowed his eyes in annoyance and glared at Philo.

When Philo took a half-step back, looking intimidated by the gaze, the clan leader said, "Well, never mind," and changed the subject.

"So, Abel. What do you want from me?"

"To be honest, I'm stuck in my magic training. I was hoping you could teach me when you have the time..."

"Hmph, you seem to think I have a lot of free time."

The clan leader said this with a hateful tone and slowly shook his head.

Why does he have to interpret things so maliciously with a child...

Maybe, I was already in a bad impression from the start.

I knew that my reclusive lifestyle had led to bad rumors about me.

And it wouldn't be surprising if Philo had twisted things and told the clan leader.

"Hah! I thought you wanted to see Grandfather for something important, but you just wanted to learn magic. You hardly know Grandfather, yet you come in and demand to be taught. You're quite presumptuous, aren't you? I could learn from Grandfather and then teach Abel, but... well, it depends on your attitude and sincerity..."

Who do you think you are?

But indeed, looking at this, I might have rushed and made a mistake.

My mother, who was more gentle, would have said "Of course" immediately, so I got carried away. I should have informed him in advance and asked for a convenient time to visit.

I still hadn't quite grasped the sense of distance among the Maren people.

"Philo."

The clan leader spoke.

"Y-Yes, Grandfather!"

"Leave the room for a moment."

Philo almost fell forward.

He managed to steady himself and tried to argue with the clan leader.

"But... but... Abel might... do something disrespectful to Grandfather! And... and Abel... Abel..."

"Leave."

"......Yes."

Philo hung his head and left the room dejectedly.

He looked back a few times, but when the clan leader frowned, he quickened his pace.

Well, with Philo around, the conversation wouldn't have progressed...

It was a natural decision.

From the looks of it, he was completely useless in trying to soften the clan leader's attitude.

"Hmph... So you want to learn magic from me. I'm not so easily swayed by a mere boy."

"Is it... not possible?"

"Your eagerness is a waste of time. I don't think you have the determination. I, too, am an old man with little time left."

Ugh... such open hostility.

Frankly, I'm at a loss when my age is brought up.

You'd think he'd understand that after living for 150 years.

If our positions were closer, it might be different, but he's the clan leader and I'm just a kid.

He's talking about his remaining lifespan, not his age. Should I say that it's not the case?

But if I try to smooth things over, he might interpret it as a backhanded compliment.

Is this old man deliberately trying to corner me?

No, I'm probably overthinking it.

I'm just on edge because he looks a bit intimidating and the rumors aren't good.

"No, no, Clan Leader, you are still very energetic."

I answered with a cheerful smile.

Yes, this should work. Perfect.

I managed to avoid mentioning his age.

But then,

"Hmph, you're being considerate because you think I'm old."

I swallowed the words that almost slipped out: "You're the one making me considerate."

What was that? I thought I had dodged it, but he came back with a forceful attack.

If I respond normally, I'll come off as rude, and if I dodge, it ends up like this.

What kind of response was he expecting?

I thought he might be considering it because he had sent Philo away...

But at this rate, it doesn't look promising.

He might have just wanted to avoid being seen bullying a child by his grandson.

Maybe I should look for another master.

"So... um, is this request... not possible...?"

"Hmph, you're an impatient one. I didn't say it was impossible."

You did.

Your attitude says it all.

"Then, will you teach me?"

"I didn't say I would teach you either. Don't rush, boy."

What is this flip-flopping?

So which is it?

"...Well, let's see how serious you are first. Come back tomorrow morning."

...Is that essentially an acceptance of me as a disciple?

If he just teaches me normally and cuts me off if I'm not serious, that's all there is to it.

I don't know.

Even though my goal is achieved and I'll be the clan leader's disciple from tomorrow, I feel a strange sense of dissatisfaction.

For now, I'll consider this settled and go home today.

I left the clan leader's mansion and walked back with Giselle.

"Um, big brother..."

"Maybe the clan leader's lineage has a lot of tsundere types."

"Tsundere?"

"Never mind."

It's probably not a concept that exists here.

Incidentally, the clan leader, who is a tsundere old man, started teaching me magic the next day as if nothing had happened.

I was surprised by how well-prepared he was when I visited the mansion.

Maybe the clan leader really wanted a disciple.