Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Volume 2 Chapter 7

Reincarnated Devil’s Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~

Volume 2 Chapter 7   Admiration, Expectation and Wasabi

A few days after the battle between Granbelt and Abel, Ekina, who had returned home with the domesticated scallop, was tasked with taking care of it by her parents while lounging around the town ruled by Viscount Radol as usual.

For some reason, the scallop spirit that had become attached to Ekina had already formed a sort of magical bond with her, as if a magical contract had been established. Kakyu speculated that this happened because the scallop and Ekina exchanged magical energies through its water tendrils and because the spirit was deeply impressed by Ekina’s heartfelt desire to stop Abel from going berserk.

Her mother Elsa, a Dark Elf who was highly attuned to spirits, was delighted that such a high-ranking spirit had chosen to form a contract with her daughter. Despite being only half Dark Elf, Ekina displayed a remarkable affinity for spirits, much to her mother’s pride.

This spirit, with attributes of both earth and water, was ranked second among spirits, following micro, lower, middle, upper, and spirit kings. Typically, such high-ranking spirits wouldn’t become attached to anyone, not even full-blooded Elves with affinities for light, wind, earth, or water.

It was unprecedented for a spirit to attach itself to a half Dark Elf, whose main attributes were darkness and fire. Elsa, whose physical abilities as a Dark Elf often came at the expense of magical aptitude, was so excited that she couldn’t wait to boast about it to her smug, older Elf acquaintances.

“Of course, as the daughter of my husband and me, I always believed she would achieve something remarkable,” was Elsa’s first comment to Ekina after she brought back the scallop spirit. The usually mischievous Ekina was so pleased to be praised by her mother that she showed an unusually bright and genuine smile, an extraordinary event indeed.

Kakyu, as expected, took numerous photos of Ekina’s rare smile, which eventually annoyed her enough to make her pout and kick at his shins.

Today, Ekina, with her friend Fradalia, was holding a viewing session by the backyard pond that her father had painstakingly prepared. The giant scallop had shrunk to a convenient size, and Ekina was watering it with a homemade alchemical watering can.

“Hmm, so if this magical coefficient is… I see, then by substituting it into this formula, the balance of the natural world…” Fradalia mumbled, engrossed in her research.

“Yawn… How do you not keep from getting bored looking at this scallop all morning, Fradalia? Well, it doesn’t bother me,” Ekina said, casually watering the scallop from time to time.

Despite their fieldwork-like gathering, this was typical for the two, given their unique personalities. Fradalia, who considered herself the older sister figure among the three younger friends, had been initially shocked when Ekina suggested studying the spirit she’d captured, fearing her dear friend had strayed into the dark path of crime.

However, it turned out to be a misunderstanding. Now, the scholarly Fradalia was thoroughly analyzing and researching the spirit’s ecology in the backyard of the low-class demon family, having found a new mission to channel her genius intellect.

“By the way, does this little one have a name?”

“A name? Hmm… Let’s see… Wasabi Soy Sauce, maybe? No, just Wasabi sounds better.”

Why Wasabi? Fradalia wondered, but seeing how much her younger friend liked it, happily repeating the newly chosen name, she decided to let it go.

However, something bothered her. She knew that seafood like shellfish, often found by the sea, was commonly enjoyed with butter or wasabi by locals.

She had a sneaking suspicion that the name might have been inspired by this culinary knowledge but quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought as absurd. Surely her beloved little sister wouldn’t name a spirit out of a sense of hunger.

That’s what she chose to believe.

“By the way,” Ekina suddenly said.

“What is it?”

“Shouldn’t you be going to school, Fradalia? You’re a scholarship student at the Royal Magic Academy, right? Skipping school isn’t good, you know.”

Coming from the queen of skipping herself, it was quite hypocritical. But the genius Fradalia wasn’t an elite for nothing.

“Oh, I’ve already graduated from there by skipping several grades. Both King Marsley Rulans and the academy principal personally recognized my achievements. Now, I’m considering whether to work as a court magician or to continue honing my talents as a freelance researcher.”

…That’s what she said. Ekina, with her typically cynical half-demon attitude, was left speechless by Fradaria’s sheer brilliance. She knew her friend was smart, but not to this extent.

The Royal Magic Academy was the most prestigious institution in the Southern Continent, and even the most talented students graduated no earlier than sixteen.

But Fradaria had been so extraordinary that she graduated at ten, personally recommended by the king and the academy principal, skipping six years. To Ekina, who was relatively intelligent among the superhumans, Fradaria appeared as nothing short of a prodigy.

“Fradaria, you’re amazing…”

“Am I? I think it’s more impressive that Ekina, at five, is already more knowledgeable about alchemy than I am, or that Prince Granbelt mastered swordsmanship at the same age, or Abel, who can hold his own against the prince.”

Fradaria said this, blushing slightly as she corrected herself from referring to Granbelt affectionately.

Ekina thought there was some truth to what Fradaria said. Pondering aloud to Wasabi, she mused, “What does it really mean to be amazing?” This philosophical reflection at the age of five demonstrated that Ekina, without realizing it, had indeed inherited the superhuman traits of her lineage.

Fradaria, aware of the mock battle between Granbelt and Abel from a few days ago, had cornered Ekina the day after they returned, demanding an explanation for why she hadn’t been invited. For two hours, she had grilled Ekina with relentless questions.

Even Ekina, usually nonplussed, was taken aback by Fradaria’s intensity and regretted not including her friend. The unwavering glare from behind Fradaria’s glasses during her lecture made Ekina realize how much it had meant to her.

When Ekina recounted the events of the mock battle, Fradaria would lean in closely whenever Granbelt shone, demanding more details. During Abel’s moment of awakening, she mumbled something about the dynamics between Abel and Granbelt, then quickly brushed it off, asking Ekina to continue.

After hearing the full story, Fradaria nonchalantly said, “I have some notes to jot down,” and left. Watching her go, Ekina admired her friend’s maturity and learned the importance of letting go of past grievances, even if she didn’t fully grasp Fradaria’s true intentions.

To Ekina, that was her truth. It was enough for her to believe it.

“Hey, big sister,” Ekina suddenly said.

“Yes, what is it?”

“I want to try becoming an adventurer with Abel. Can you tell me how to become one?”

Her eyes sparkled with the excitement and admiration from their recent adventure, conveying a longing for the unknown world of adventuring. For once, the usually apathetic and cynical Ekina showed a clear and passionate desire.