A week has passed since it was unveiled to my family, and today is the day to unveil it to the nobles and influential people in the Gracia territory.
I haven't created any magic since then, but I've been training in the manipulation of magic power and increasing the amount of magic power without fail. Also, I'm wielding a wooden sword in the garden because the warrior god Tharnos told me to.
''Cain-sama, it's finally being unveiled!
Sylvia will get you some clothes to show off.
'Yes. 'I've only met people from this house and the church so far, and I've only been out and about in the garden, so I'm nervous about meeting all kinds of people.'
"Master Cain will be fine. He's a genius.
Genius is an exaggeration. But thanks.
We've got our clothes and hair done. All that's left is the unveiling.
It's evening and dozens of invited guests gather in the mansion's great hall.
Garum, the host of the event, stands on the podium and gives the first word.
'Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come here today. Our third son, Cain, has successfully turned five years old and we are pleased to unveil him here. The baptism was completed last week and we received God's blessing. Now come on in, Cain.
The door is opened and I walk in.
I stand next to Garum and look around.
Wow. There's a lot of people here.
I take a deep breath and catch my breath.
"My name is Cain von Silford, and I'm here to introduce you. Thanks to you all, I've successfully celebrated my fifth birthday. I'm still young, and I hope to grow up with your guidance. I would like to thank you all for your continued support.
I lowered my head.
Okay, I said it according to the script in my brain, which I conjured up using my knowledge of my previous life beforehand.
That. I didn't hear anything back.
There's a scene all around us.
I look next to him, and Garum is looking at me too, smiling bitterly.
After a few seconds, the applause began to pop up, growing louder and louder and louder and louder.
It's an uncharacteristic greeting for a five-year-old, but it's good to see you all. Here's to you, then.
Garum clinched the end.
「「「「「「「「 cheers」」」」」」」」
He raised the glass in his hand high.
Oh, as expected of a five-year-old, that greeting is impossible.
Well, I can't help what I've done, so I'll just let it pass.
One after another, people are lining up to say hello.
Cain. You should remember this. This is Tris.
Garum introduces me.
'I'm Viscount Tris von Sarabas. Nice to meet you, Cain-kun. I'm the lord of Ramesta, a fortified city on the border with the Byssus Empire, a neighboring country to the east of Gracia territory.
He has blond hair and wears noble clothes, but he has the air of a warrior.
''I'm old acquainted with Viscount Tris. With Viscount Tris guarding Ramesta, the Gracia territory is safe, even though it's in contact with the Empire, remember that well.
Garum explains.
I've been able to have a full complement of soldiers thanks to the assistance of Garum's frontier master in many ways, and he's been very helpful. But even so, just like your earlier greeting, Cain, you are a child prodigy.
'All Cain did was read books. He seems to be able to write and do math already.
'That's great, he's the third son, and I'm sure he'll get a son-in-law as many as he wants. If I had a daughter, I'd love to have a son-in-law.
I'm glad to hear your praise, but I don't want a five-year-old to talk about my son-in-law.
'Thank you. I still have a lot to learn. I'm enjoying reading the books in the home library until I get to school.'
You should come to Ramesta one of these days. I think you'll learn a lot.
'All right. I'll talk to my father and ask him to make it possible for me to visit you. I'll look forward to seeing you then.
It's getting less and less like being five years old. But I'm looking forward to it. Oh, well, I'll see you at the next one.
Then he went back to the crowd.
Next, a civilian-looking man.
''I am Baron Sarai von MacLean. I'm the deputy in charge of this Gracia territory, and I'm in charge of keeping the frontier earl of Garum out of town when he goes to the royal capital.
'Yes, yes. Sarai always brings a pile of papers with her, and it's hard to get her to let him get away with it. I'll give him a mark and he could have it stamped at random.
Garum says so, but that's not good enough.
Sarai chuckles too.
''The documents will have to be looked over, Garum-sama, by you. Because this is also the lord's job.''
I nodded.
''Alright, alright. Cain, it's best to ask Sarai about this territory's capital. If there's anything you don't understand, let me know.''
'Baron Sarai, tell us all about the Gracia estate. It's a pleasure to meet you.
He bows his head honestly.
'Master Cain would be delighted. I'll even train you to be a civilian.
Sarai is getting quite the ride.
'Wait, wait, wait. Cain is only five years old. When he comes of age, I will let him choose for himself. If he wants to be a civilian then, I'll let him choose.
Master Garum, as you wish. I'll leave you to it.
He came next, wiping sweat off his face and shaking his heavy body as he approached. He looked like a merchant, and he wore jeweled bangles and rings on both hands.
I am in a good mood, Master Cain. My name is Matthias, I am the manager of the Gracia territory branch of the Narnis Trading Company, which has its headquarters in the royal capital. If you ask, I can provide you with slaves or whatever you want. You can ask me to take care of your needs.
'I don't know about slaves, but I may ask you to do something for me. I would appreciate your help on that occasion.
This is an intelligent boy.
This merchant smelled like he had too much cologne on.
Later, after hearing a few greetings, the line of people waiting to be greeted settles down.
Cain tells Garum.
'I'm sorry. I will excuse myself once. Please take care of your father.''
All right. I'll be here and you'll be back early.
I left the Great Hall in between people.
As I finished my toilet and headed back to the Great Hall, a girl about my age seemed lost.
'Are you lost?'
The girl turned around and saw that she had something on her head that most people don't have on theirs.
It was cat ears.
I've got cat ears: !!!!
And her face is so cute with her eyes!
I'd read a lot of books and I'd heard of beastmen, but I hadn't met one yet.
I had never been outside of the city, except for the baptism, and the people in the mansion were all human, so I was able to meet them for the first time.
'Yes. I came with my dad, but when I went to the bathroom, I couldn't get back.
He answered anxiously.
'My name is Cain. What's your name?
It's me, Palma.
Well, let's go back to the hall together. Your father will get worried if you don't come back.
Yeah.
Palma replied with a smile.
'When we get back to the Great Hall, I'll go with you to find your father.
Thank you, Mr. Cain.
Oh my God. It's too cute. I want to pet the cat ears. I desperately want to reach out my hand to my head as we walk.
We walked back to the Great Hall together, guiding Palma around.
Here and there in the hall, people were chatting and sipping glasses.
Where are they, father?
He called out to me as we were walking together.
'Oh, Palma. I was worried when you didn't come back.
I turned around and saw a kind looking man with the same cat ears standing there.
'Oh, dad. I got lost, and Cain-kun led me to you.
Thank you so much for that.
I'm in the middle of thanking him when my dad stops.
He asks in a cold sweat.
'Could it be Master Cain, right?'
'Yes. Yes, sir. Nice to meet you. I'm Cain von Silford. Thank you for coming to celebrate with us today.
I bow my head politely.
'No, no. I'm sorry too. My Parma is sorry for the trouble I've had with you.
Next to me, Palma is nodding her head, not seeming to understand.
Ugh. It's so cute ....
"Palma! This is Master Cain, the star of the show today. Didn't you mean no disrespect?
Eh. Cain, you're a nobleman? Come to think of it, I thought you were wearing gorgeous clothes. I didn't recognize everyone here today because they're all wearing gorgeous clothes.
Palma! Don't call me Mr. Cain. You are a nobleman and you must call me Master Cain.
No, no, don't worry about it. We are both still children. I've been holed up in the mansion until now, so I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone my own age. If you'd like, Parma, would you be my friend?
'Yes! Cainku ... would be happy to do so.
Thank you.
I'd love to have those cat ears to pet them someday.
I haven't been able to greet you yet. My name is Sabinos, and I run the Saracarn Trading Company in Gracia territory. I look forward to working with you and Palma.
He bows his head politely.
He seems much nicer than the jewel-strewn merchant from earlier.
''It's my pleasure. I'm still a child and can't do anything about it, but if there's anything I can do for you, I'd appreciate it. I have to get back soon, so I'll go back to my father. Mr. Sabinos, see you again, Parma.
It's nice to meet you too.
He waved to Palma and then returned to Garum.
He introduced me to a few more people after that, but I didn't remember them that well.
I introduced them to the five year old and he didn't know that much about them.
The unveiling went off without a hitch, and the guests have already left.
I was sipping tea in the family living room when Garum walked in.
You're tired today. Did you have a nice day? Your face is smiling.
Garum sat down on the couch facing Cain.
'Yes, Father. For the first time today, I met a cat beastman. There was a girl, and she was lovely.
You're five years old, and you're turning color.
Garum was also in a good mood as Cain's child prodigy attitude was on display and was well received by the visitors who came today.
'If you're going to be s*xy, wait until you're an adult. You can't take over the family because Cain is the third son, so when you come of age you can find your own way. I'll help you if you do anything.
Knowing Cain's status as a Garum, he thinks he'll be successful no matter which position he gets.
'Yes, I know. I think I want to be an adventurer.
He looked at Garum and replied seriously.
Garum looked a little troubled, but he quickly smiled.
'Not a court sorcerer, knight or merchant, but an adventurer? That would be nice too.''
'Yes, I'd like to be an adventurer and tour the royal capital of this country and other parts of the country, preferably other countries as well.
'All right. You can only become an adventurer when you are ten years old, but when you turn ten, Cain needs to go to the school. Until then, I'll get you a tutor in sword and magic. I'll find someone here.
Thank you, Father.
It was getting late, and I said hello to Garum before returning to my room.
He took off his clothes and handed them to Sylvia. I changed into my sleepwear and then crawled into bed.
''Cain-sama, thank you for your hard work today. After all, Cain-sama is a genius! I'm looking forward to the future.
Sylvia seemed to have heard the greeting today and was excited.
'Sylvia, don't lift me up so much. I'm tired, by the way. I'm going to have a good night's rest today. Good night.
Good night, Master Cain.
Sylvia took off my clothes, gathered them up, and left the room.
By the way, cat ears are still the best!
With that in mind, I let go of my consciousness early in the bed.