Angel Little Sister 377

 

Chapter 377 : Delica’s Gift

 

「Your Gift…? So, you have a Gift, and your parents changed their minds because of that? How?」(Mark)

「Actually, it’s not the only reason. The other reason is the exam itself. This year’s exam is much harder and riskier than usual.」(Delica)

「Is it really that hard?」(Mark)

「Yeah. Normally, you only need to show your combat skills and fight in a mock combat, but this year, you have to go into the forest and exterminate some monsters.」(Delica)

「I see. But, why did they suddenly change the exam?」(Mark)

「I heard that the monsters in this part have become more active lately. Usually, we mostly depend on adventurers to take care of them, but it seems like the town guards will also join the fight this year.」(Delica)

Now that she mentions it, I felt like the density of mana in the forest had increased a little when I passed through there on my way home from the trip.

Normally, the job of hunting monsters in the forest is done by adventurers, while the town guards protect the town from the ones who come to attack. However, it seems that the monsters in the forest have become more furious than usual for some reason that the adventurers alone can no longer handle them.

「I understand why they changed the exam, but isn’t it a bit too risky?」(Mark)

「Well, we don’t have to go deep into the forest and fight strong monsters. We only need to fight the weak ones near the town, so it’s not that dangerous.」(Delica)

Obviously, novice fighters can’t go deep into the forest, meaning that the exam participants will only fight goblins and other weak monsters.

「If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to worry about. You’ve been learning swordsmanship, right? I think you’ll be fine.」(Mark)

「Umm, about that… Honestly, I’m not really confident…」(Delica)

「Eh?」(Mark)

「I don’t have much experience fighting monsters. The only time I’ve ever fought monsters was when I went on a trip to Sadola with you.」(Delica)

I remember she defeated some Tentacles at Lake Secard during the Secard Village festival and some dying grass wolves that we failed to kill on the way to Sadola Town. (ch 115, 128)

But, that seems to be her only experience dealing with monsters. She lacks confidence because she lacks experience.

「There are people who want to be guards at my dojo, and since the exam details were announced, they have been hunting monsters outside the town to practice, including him… I’m probably the only one who hasn’t started yet…」(Delica)

Delica frowned, looking so frustrated.

I don’t know who she meant by “him”, but it’s rare to see her this depressed. I wonder if she was talking about her rival at the dojo.

「And the reason why you haven’t started practicing like them is…」(Mark)

「Yeah… My mom won’t let me train outside.」(Delica)

「…..」(Mark)

Delica used to dream of becoming an adventurer at first, but her mom was against it. She didn’t want her daughter to be away from home for a long time to do a job that would risk her life.

That’s why Delica gave up on that dream and started aiming to become a guard instead.

Her parents were supportive at first, but because of the exam and her Gift, they somehow changed their minds. I can understand her frustration.

That’s right. I still don’t know what her Gift is.

「Delica, would you tell me about your Gift?」(Mark)

「It’s nothing to brag about, but I can show you. Can you pour water on my head? 」(Delica)

「Huh? What are youー」(Mark)

「Don’t ask. Just do it. I won’t be mad.」(Delica)

「Uhh… Alright.」(Mark)

I had no idea what was on her mind, but I did what she asked.

I used water magic to produce water from my palm and poured it on her head. As a result, she was all wet. Her clothes and bag were drenched in water.

「Watch.」(Delica)

However, the water then suddenly began to disappear. Her hair, her clothes, and her bag then became as dry as before.

「Whoa…」(Mark)

「I simply call it ‘Evaporation’. I can remove water from things at will with this ability.」(Delica)

「I see. That’s why you wash the dishes so quickly.」(Mark)

「Yup. However, this ability is not that versatile. I can only remove a small amount of water. If you think I can kill someone by removing all the water inside their body, you’re wrong.」(Delica)

「I see. Still, it’s quite a convenient ability. But, I still can’t understand why your parents forbade you from becoming a guard because of that.」(Mark)

「You know what my dad’s job is, right?」(Delica)

「Hm? …Ah, I see.」(Mark)

Delica’s father, Gauche oji-san, is a woodworker and a carpenter, and Delica’s ability is very useful for such a job.

Wood has to be dried before it can be used either as firewood or timber. With Delica’s Gift, Gauche oji-san can dry wood easily without having to wait for months.

When Delica’s mom found out about her Gift, she told Delica to give up on her dream.

「”If you can’t pass the exam without risking your life outside, then stop aiming to become a guard!”, she said… “You were given such a brilliant Gift for a purpose. You should work at home and help your dad with his work!”, she said… I was too excited when I found out that I had developed this ability and told my mom, but… I shouldn’t have told her…」(Delica)

Delica looked down and lightly kicked a pebble on the ground as she said that. She looked so regretful for telling her mom about her Gift.

It’s not that I don’t understand Delica’s mom’s concern, but Delica has been practicing really hard to pursue her dream. She should at least let her try.

「How about your dad?」(Mark)

「Dad told me to keep pursuing my dream. Well, at first, but… he has been siding with mom recently.」(Delica)

Gauche oji-san used to be an adventurer. He understood why Delica admires such a risky job and chose to support her, but it seems like he changed his mind too.

「Why is he siding with your mom all of a sudden?」(Mark)

「I don’t know the reason, but it seems that he made my mom upset a few days ago.」(Delica)

「Aa…」(Mark)

Gauche oji-san upset his wife…? Don’t tell me… Is it because he tried to go to Iris Bar with me the other day?

「What? Do you know something about it, Mark?」(Delica)

Noticing I had suddenly changed my expression, Delica asked.

「N, no. I don’t know anything.」(Mark)

「You look suspicious… 」(Delica)

「A, anyway, Gauche oji-san is now against you becoming a guard too because of your mom, huh?」(Mark)

「Yeah… I can understand why my mom is against it. She’s worrying about me, but… I still want to be a fighter! I want to be someone who can protect my beloved people! I want to be someone who can protect this town!」(Delica)

Delica clenched her fist.

She has grown up a little, but Delica is still the same person who wants to protect the peace of this town as when she was still the leader of the Moonlight Wolf Gang.

I want to help her somehow, but… I wonder what I can do for her…

Perhaps I can try persuading Gauche oji-san to side with her.

But the problem is… Does he have the courage to disobey his wife…?

 

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