Volume 1 Chapter 8 To The Academy
The orc was no longer there.
Elk checked the area from the air and slowly descended... He landed near the entrance of the village where the Militia had gathered.
The Militia was trying to tie up the orc with ropes to carry it away.
A man who seemed to be the leader noticed Elk and paused his work.
"Whoa!! It's you!"
"Thanks for your hard work. Um, there are no orcs around, so that's a relief."
"Yeah. Really appreciate it... So, what skill do you have?"
"Telekinesis."
"...Haha, you're good at jokes, huh? Well, it's not polite to pry into other people's skills. More importantly, this orc is yours since you defeated it. What do you want to do?"
Elk thought.
If he disassembled the orc, he could get meat. The bones would make good broth, and if the organs were processed properly, they could be a delicacy. Elk nodded.
"Then, let's have everyone in the village eat it. Um, can I leave the disassembly to you?"
"Ah, uh, are you sure? The meat could sell for a good amount of money."
"I'm fine with it. Okay, I'll carry it."
"Huh?"
Elk pointed his right hand at the orc, and it floated up gently.
"Where should I take it?"
"Um, to the center of the village..."
"Got it. Oh, I just thought of a good idea."
Elk pointed his left hand towards Emma's house and raised his index finger.
Then, a huge tree stump flew in an arc and stopped right in front of Elk.
He placed the orc down, moved his left hand to spin the stump, and wiggled his right fingers. The stump began to spin rapidly, making a "Vrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!" sound as wood shavings fell off.
What he created was a 'bowl' made from the giant stump.
The leader was astonished.
"Now, with this..."
Elk raised his left hand towards the orc, holding it right above the container.
"I'll borrow this for a bit."
"Huh?"
With a quick motion of his right fingers, the sword that was at the leader's waist came out and floated gently.
As Elk moved his fingers again, the sword sliced through the orc's belly.
Its insides spilled out, filling the container.
"Blood, come out~... like this."
When Elk wiggled his 5 fingers, the orc's body twitched and blood gushed out, filling the container.
The orc, completely drained of blood, floated there empty.
"Alright. Now, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Uh, okay."
Elk hummed a tune as he started walking with the floating orc.
The leader couldn't help but speak up.
"Um, what kind of skill do you have?"
"Well, it's Telekinesis."
Elk smiled brightly and carried the orc to the center of the village.
The leader muttered quietly.
"By the way, where's that guy from?"
* * *
After bringing the orc to the center of the village, Elk returned to Emma's house.
As soon as he got home, Emma shouted.
"Mr. Elk!! Um, the stump got blown away!! No, I mean, the orc!! Um, um!"
"Calm down. I took care of the orc. We can eat orc meat tonight."
"Um, okay. *Breathe in, breathe out...* Yes, I'm calm now."
Emma took a deep breath.
Then, a woman came out from the back of the house.
"Sir Elk, it's been a while... though you probably don't remember me."
"Um..."
"Mom! Don't bother Mr. Elk!!"
"Ahaha. Sorry, sorry."
Emma's mother, Yuma, appeared.
Yuma lifted her skirt and bowed, smiling softly.
Elk also bowed.
"Um, do you know me?"
"Yes. When I was younger, I served the Duke Kinesis family."
"I see... So, it was you and Emma who helped me."
"That's right. I was surprised when Emma brought you here. We have a reason to take you in, saying my nephew is sick and needs to rest, so don't worry."
"...Really, thank you."
Elk lowered his head.
He could only feel gratitude towards Emma and Yuma.
But then, Yuma bowed her head.
"We are also grateful. I never expected Emma would get financial support to attend school."
"That's nothing. Compared to saving a life, money is just a small thing."
"That's not true. This girl dreams of becoming a designer... and her sewing skills have improved a lot."
"I know. If Emma works hard, she will surely succeed. I will support her no matter what."
"Thank you. Thank you so much..."
At that moment, Emma interrupted.
"Um, Mr. Elk and Mom! Let's stop the thank-you exchange for now!"
"O-Okay."
"Ahaha. You're right... Alright, how about some tea, Sir Elk?"
"Yeah! I'll help!"
Elk was seated and drank the tea that Emma made.
Emma and Yuma also sat down, and Yuma said.
"Sir Elk, what will you do from now on?"
"I'm going to Galatine Royal Academy. I'll be enrolling as a commoner."
"I see. There should be an application at the village head's house... I'll go get it."
Yuma went out.
Inevitably, it became just Emma and Elk.
"Um, Mr. Elk."
"Hm?"
"Um... is it really okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"About entering the academy. Someone like me, can I really get in?"
"No problem. As long as you pay, you can enter the academy. You need to pay for 3 years of tuition all at once, so even if some wealthy commoners enroll together, the academy won't get overwhelmed."
"Three years' worth..."
"It's the same as merchants, knights' families, or lower nobles. Just submit the application and pay the entrance fee, and you're good."
Emma suddenly bowed her head deeply.
Caught off guard, Elk almost spit out the tea he was drinking.
"Mr. Elk!! Thank you so much!! I will do my best!!"
"Cough cough... o-okay."
"Um, let me thank you!!"
"Eh, no. I should be the one thanking you... for saving my life. 'Let me thank you!!' ...O-okay, I understand."
Emma seems to be the type who pushes forward.
* * *
After that, Elk wrote the application and paid their entrance fee.
A month later, they received an invitation to the entrance ceremony from Galatine Royal Academy.
Elk and Emma prepared to head to the Galatine Kingdom.
And before they knew it, the departure day arrived.
"Mom... I'm off."
"Make sure to study hard."
"Yeah..."
As they loaded their bags onto the carriage heading to the Galatine Kingdom, Elk watched the warm embrace between mother and daughter.
Then, Yuma whispered to Emma.
"Listen, if you get the chance, go for it."
"W-what, Mom!? What are you saying!?"
"Haha, being young is great, isn't it?"
"Geez, Mom, you're so silly!!"
Emma was puffing up in anger.
Elk tilted his head but bowed to Yuma.
"Thank you so much for everything."
"It's okay. This is already your hometown, Sir Elk... no, just Elk. You can always come back."
"...Is that really okay?"
"Yeah. No mother wants her son to not come home. Elk... please take care of Emma."
"...Yes."
A warm feeling rose in Elk's chest... but he held it back, not wanting to let it spill out, and replied strongly.
It was time to leave, and Elk and Emma got into the carriage.
"I'm off!!"
Emma waved goodbye to Yuma.
Elk also waved back, not wanting to lose.
"I'm off!! ───Mom!!"
Elk and Emma waved until the village was out of sight.
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