Chapter 21

The letter from my mother read as follows:

"Dear Owl ♡

Yah-ho! If you're reading this, you must have just arrived in the capital, right? Well, knowing you, you're probably reading it just before you get there.

How about that? Did I guess right? Anyway, let's get to the main point. To be honest, your talent is a bit too big to be confined to the village of Oren. But I know you love this village. So, as a first step before you come of age, go see the capital. I've already asked the butler of the Duke's family to help you apply to the Luina Magic Academy in the capital.

There will be an exam, but I'm sure you'll be fine. You've earned a lot of money, so I've given some to the butler. Don't worry, I've made sure to keep enough for you here. Actually, the money needed for the magic academy isn't enough, so please work hard to earn it ♡

By the way, the academy is a three-year course, and you'll start in the spring of next year, so you'll graduate when you're 13. After that, spend two years traveling the world. When you come of age, come back once. But if you get lonely, you can always come back!

Also, I'll train Mirei in various ways. I'll make her a perfect bride for you ♡ If you find a nice girl at the academy, you can bring her back, but you must also take care of Mirei! Well, work hard!

P.S. You can stay at the Duke's house until you enroll! After enrollment, you can choose to live in the dormitory or rent a house, whichever you prefer! From your beautiful mother"

I screamed so loudly that I was embarrassed the moment I read it. And, Mother, my head started to hurt so badly...

"Ho ho, it seems you've read the letter. Since that's the case, please take care of me from now on. I am Albus, the butler of the Duke's family."

"Sorry, I'll be in your care until I enroll. My name is Owl."

"Well, when I say 'enroll,' it's still a story for next spring. Oh, the mansion is coming into view. That is the Duke of Adams' mansion in the capital."

The mansion was so luxurious that it made me feel like the word 'mansion' was too mild, and it was incredibly spacious. Despite the capital being crowded with buildings and people, this place felt like a different world.

"To be honest, it's so amazing that my vocabulary is failing me."

"Well, it is the Duke's family. There are things we need to show, you see. Now, we've arrived, so let's go inside."

Even inside, everything was lavish, with paintings, vases, and statues that looked incredibly expensive. The mansion of the Margrave Randolf was impressive, but this was even more so.

"Please wait in this room for a moment."

The room Albus led me to looked like a reception room, but it was larger than my entire home. It made me feel a bit sad...

Someday, I want to have a nice house, even if not as grand as this. A dream home, you know.

After about 30 minutes, Albus returned.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. The bath is ready, so please go in."

"Really, a bath!? I'll go in!"

It was a blessing! After a long journey, I could only wipe off the sweat. I was going to freshen up here.

Albus led me to the bath, and it was... breathtaking.

The bath was about 30 tatami mats in size, filled with plenty of hot water.

They must use a magic tool to fill it. I wonder how much such a magic tool costs. Just thinking about it makes me feel poor.

I washed my body carefully and got into the bath. A large bath is indeed nice. My home had a decent-sized bath, but this was on a different scale.

After warming up my body comfortably, I returned to the changing room, where several maids were waiting.

"Why are you here?!"

I shouldn't panic. I'm naked, but if I panic here, I'll be looked down upon as a man. Poker face, that's it.

"Please calm down, Master Owl. We are here to take care of you. We will dry your body."

Hmm, I need to practice my poker face.

"Excuse me," they dried my body. Or rather, they took care of every inch of my body.

At one point, I thought I heard the maids say, "Oh, impressive..." about my lower half, but maybe I imagined it.

Before I knew it, I was dressed in something decent. It was clearly not my own clothes, but was it okay?

"Here you go."

I followed the maid to a dining room.

"I assume you're hungry, so I'll bring you some food."

After about five minutes, a very luxurious meal was served. The food looked so delicious that my stomach growled.

The meat was medium-rare and perfectly cooked, the bread was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the soup was smooth. It was incredibly delicious...

While I was enjoying my meal, Albus suddenly appeared in front of me.

"?! Albus, please don't hide your presence. You scared me to death."

"Ho ho ho, it's a butler's manner, so please forgive me. Now, it seems you've finished your meal. Would you like to meet the young lady now?"

Finally, the moment has come... I'm nervous, but there's no choice. That's why I came here.

"Yes, I'm fine."

Albus led me back to the reception room where I first entered. After about 10 minutes, there was a knock on the door.

The person who entered looked to be around 12 years old. What caught my eye was her curly hair and chest that was too large for a child, as well as her appearance. She was so beautiful and well-featured that I almost lost myself in her, and I could even smell a pleasant scent.

However, the moment she entered the room, she stopped and looked back and forth between Albus and me.

When Albus nodded, she stood in front of the sofa and looked at me with a scrutinizing gaze.

"My name is Alice Adams. I am the eldest daughter of the Duke of Adams. Excuse me, but are you really the maker of the cookies?"

"I am a commoner, so my speech may be a bit informal, but please forgive me. I am indeed the maker of the cookies. Here, please try them."

I didn't need to show my item box, so I had prepared a basket of cookies in advance, which turned out to be a good decision.

I gave the cookies to Albus, who tasted them to ensure they were safe.

"Very delicious."

The young lady took the cookies silently and ate them.

*Crunch*

"Is this it!! Are you really the one? I couldn't believe it at first because you're a child... I'm so happy to meet you."

"Yes, I'm also happy to meet the young lady of the Duke's family."

"You can call me Alice. My close friends call me Alice. So, I'll give you special permission to do the same."

"Then, Alice, I'm glad you like the cookies."

"You don't need to use formal language. Since I called you here, you are a guest. Our family doesn't look down on commoners, so please feel at ease. You can speak more casually."

I glanced at Albus, who nodded, so it seemed to be okay.

"Then, I'll take you up on that. My name is Owl, and I'm 10 years old. I'll be staying here until spring. Nice to meet you, Alice."

"Hehe, you can be even more casual, but this is a good start. By the way, you don't need to use 'sama' either. I'm also 10 this year, so we're classmates?"

?! She looks 12, but she's 10? The world is indeed vast... I'm surprised she's 10 with that development. It's really outrageous.

"Then, Alice, I have one question. Why did you call me here?"

"Hehe, you're curious, aren't you? Actually, these cookies are a popular treat in the capital right now. One reason is my curiosity to meet the person who makes these delicious cookies, and the second reason is that I want you to make the treats for my 10th birthday party, which is in 14 days."

"A birthday party, huh."

"Of course, I'll pay you, and I'll provide the materials. You can teach me the recipe, but I doubt I can perfect it in two weeks, so I'd like you to make them. Oh, I won't reveal the recipe, and I'll make the reward very generous! I won't profit from it, so you can rest assured."

For a birthday party, a cake is a must. I haven't researched what sweets are available in the capital, but if they're impressed by cookies, there's probably no cake in this world.

Also, I can probably get milk here, and with some effort, I can make whipped cream. If I buy a lot of milk and store it, I can use it whenever I want.

Not just sweets, but the range of dishes will also expand. Gratin, stew, pasta, anything is possible.

Since I'll be staying here until spring, it might be a good idea to do a favor here.

"Understood. I'll accept the request. We can discuss the details later, but can I confirm if we can get milk, eggs, and other ingredients?"

Alice glanced at Albus, who seemed unsure.

"Yes, of course. We can also get sugar if needed."

"Oh, no, I have my own sugar, so that's fine."

The atmosphere suddenly froze. ...What's going on?

"A, A, Master Owl, if I may, the white sugar that is only available in small quantities in the capital... is it made by you...?"

...Oh. Right, I kept it a secret.

"Um, please keep it a secret?"

"I can't talk about it. That sugar is something that every merchant and noble is desperate to get."

"Owl, who are you?"

"Ahaha, I'm just a poor farmer."

And so, it was decided that I would be in charge of making the sweets for Alice's birthday party.

I'll update this bit by bit.

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