The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Talent (3)

[Quest completed!]

[Sione Sianella's favor toward you has increased.]

The quest completed the moment my words ended.

I thought only the favor increase notification would appear.

I was about to check it quickly and move on, but this time there was another reward besides favor.

[You have become sufficiently intimate with Sione Sianella]

[Through resonance with her, a small portion of your original power has been unlocked.]

'This is...!'

As that tiny amount of mana recovered, my pathetically small total capacity increased slightly.

While more mana was always welcome, the total amount wasn't what mattered to me right now.

'I thought spirit magic would never be within my reach again.'

Though incomparably weaker than before, the sensation of being able to use spirit magic once again coursed through my body.

The element was wind... even used minimally, spirit magic lived up to its name by consuming significant mana.

Even with my increased mana, I could probably only use it twice before running empty.

'Still, it's better than nothing.'

When shooting, even simple spirit magic of the wind element could be a huge help.

This unexpected gift wasn't unwelcome. No, I was actually pleased.

...I'd ignored it thinking increased favor might at most earn me a piece of cookie. Who knew it would repay me like this?

Since grinning and showing my happiness would probably make Sione look at me like I was crazy.

I suppressed my joy and spoke:

"From now on, I'll wake you at the same time as today."

Sione nodded readily at my words.

She tried to raise her bow to shoot again, but her arm dropped halfway up.

Wondering why she suddenly acted that way, I watched carefully.

Why was she suddenly staring at me so intently?

She seemed to have something she wanted to say as she gazed at me.

Her stare was so persistent, as if she'd keep looking until I met her eyes and asked.

Her gaze was too piercing to ignore, so I had no choice but to respond.

"Is there something you wish to ask me?"

At that, Sione spoke as if she'd been waiting:

"After shooting, I'm even more curious. How did you reach that level of archery skill? Can you tell me?"

"Lady Ainel said I was skilled enough to serve as an attendant, at least at the level of common warriors."

"Why bring that up now?"

"My archery skill is merely a means to assist your training, Lady Sione. It's not significant enough to warrant your interest."

Saying this, I bowed my head so low it nearly touched the ground.

If I told the truth about reincarnation and such, I'd obviously be treated as insane.

Yet simply calling it talent wouldn't explain the experience evident in my every movement with the bow.

Rather than risk suspicion either way, better to bow my head and keep my mouth shut.

An unusual slave showing impressive archery skills.

Creating an air of mystery...

Wouldn't it make me seem like someone with a special past?

If I kept quiet, Sione might imagine her own version of my past and move on.

"Has Mother ever witnessed you handling a bow?"

"Lady Ainel has only seen me handle short blades."

"Hmm, short blades..."

Why was she looking at me like some fascinating creature?

Hoping to end this interrogative atmosphere, I straightened my posture even more formally.

"I won't pry further. I'll expect you to tell me everything when the time comes. However, ensure your blade never points toward me."

"I will serve you with utmost dedication."

Sione seemed pleased with that response, radiating satisfaction.

Then, looking at the bow in her hand, she spoke:

"But a bow... my fate is quite peculiar."

"...May I ask what you mean?"

"High-ranking knights break arrows before being pierced, and mages neutralize all arrows. You could say it's a weapon with clear limitations on its potential."

Having just shot a bow a few times, it was rather pathetic.

I simply drew another arrow in response to Sione's words.

"Then wouldn't shooting faster than the knight or mage can react solve the problem?"

"That means—"

"If it's hard to believe, why not confirm it with your own eyes?"

"Yes, I'd like to see that with my own eyes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Really."

You definitely gave permission. No complaints afterward.

I immediately drew the bowstring.

My eyes fixed on the target.

Sione Sianella.

She was my target, centered in my vision.

I gathered power while drawing for a sliding release.

I channeled mana to imbue my arrow with spirit magic.

As the magic manifested, a weak whirlwind began spreading from me.

"Ah—"

With Sione's brief reaction, the arrow flew.

Thump.

Sione collapsed in place.

The arrow that had instantly grazed past her head seemed to have frightened the strength from her legs.

I put down the bow, approached her, and lowered myself to meet her eyes.

Her pupils kept trembling, unable to focus.

"Even someone like me just killed a former Sword User, so Lady Sione could surely shoot arrows threatening even to Sword Experts."

"..."

"Don't cage yourself within self-imposed limits. The bow is a far more threatening weapon than you imagine."

"I... see—"

"Huh...?"

My body tilted forward, ending up leaning against Sione.

"...Why are you suddenly...?"

"...I think I'm mana exhausted."

"Could you... please move away?"

I tried desperately to move away, but...

Using too much mana for spirit magic had left me completely drained.

I should have used it gradually...

Suddenly using all my mana at once had apparently shocked my body.

I probably couldn't move until some mana recovered.

"...I apologize. I can't move my body."

"T-then I'll move back—"

"Oof."

When Sione tried to move back, my body tilted further forward, ending in a complete embrace.

"W-what should I do now...?"

"Please calm down and help me sit down somewhere."

"Right, I'll do that...!"

Hurriedly setting me down properly on the ground, Sione stood up.

The whole series of events must have been quite troubling—her face had turned as red as a radish.

Seeing such an extreme reaction made me feel somewhat sorry.

I tried several times to stand up, but...

Ngh... it wasn't working.

Maybe because this was a weak male body with the worst mana affinity.

The mana exhaustion seemed to hit even harder than it would for women.

"Um... can you stand?"

Looking like this, it'd be hard to get up right away.

Quite some time had passed, so people might start showing up... no choice now.

I spread my arms and said:

"...I think you'll need to carry me back to the room."

"...Huh?"

"Or could you lend me your back?"

"Ugh..."

She couldn't just leave me here and run away.

She wouldn't abandon me, right?

Abandon her servant? Her archery teacher?

Looking up at her with the most innocent expression I could manage, Sione, her face now about to burst from redness, spoke in a small voice:

"A-alright..."

And so I was able to return to the room on Sione's back.

***

[Rehabilitation]

[Your master, Sione, has recently developed her most positive and energetic attitude yet. Moreover, her hidden archery talent has begun to sprout, taking root like a delicate seedling in soil. Help transform her obesity into a robust feminine physique so her talent can bloom more brilliantly.]

[Reward: Increase in Sione Sianella's talent development speed, Increase in bond with Sione Sianella]

[Failure: Decrease in Sione Sianella's talent development speed]

It hadn't been long since clearing the last quest this morning.

Yet another quest appeared at lunch, after her first time shooting.

I wondered just how much of a lost cause my master was for quests to appear asking me to fix her through support, but...

With rewards like favor, bonds, and increased talent development speed, I was starting to think it fortunate that Sione was such a lost cause.

I refilled the empty water pitcher in Sione's room.

Thanks to her help, I could not only reach her room but also sit in a chair and rest comfortably.

Which is why I could now walk properly.

I looked at her bed.

They say people die if they change too suddenly, but Sione was definitely in no danger of that...

Despite experiencing so much through archery this morning, she showed no effort to change, sprawled on her bed as usual—proof of that.

So you think you're done as long as you can shoot? With that body?

With the quest cleared and Sione's favor likely increased significantly, I boldly approached her and said:

"Lady Sione, the sun is high—let's start exercising."

Peek.

She poked just her face out from under the blanket and looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

"I was suspicious when you suddenly shot at me and then embraced me... Have you finally gone mad...?"

"...I assure you I'm completely sane."

"That's a relief. Then hurry and bring me some refreshments."

Wave wave.

Sione even gestured at the empty cookie plate on the table.

"Fill it up. Ah, you can take a few for yourself too."

"...Sigh."

Really, what am I going to do with this one?

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