??Water Bde!?? ［Eliza］

  With Eliza's voice resounding throughout the forest, a thin bde of water shot out from her hand and flew towards a group of slimes in front of her, who were also boung towards her.

  The slimes' bodies which were as soft as jelly were cut without much resistance as the bde of water ruptured through them. Four slimes were killed in a quick sed, dropping mana crystals as their corpses vanished into thin air.

  It was the sed day of Eliza's battle experieraining, and with the amount of experience she has acquired the day before, fighting slimes have bee easier than ever. She could now fight about 6 or 7 slimes simultaneously.

  "Haah... Haah... Haah..." ［Eliza］

  Shh breaths alternately came out of Eliza's mouth as she withe st of her enemies disie. With it, she has now pleted two slime exterminatios by herself.

  Watg over her were Grey and Yuna who were much more wary after the attempt on Eliza's life they experienced yesterday. Yet even with how much caution they were practig, they made sure to not let the young girl notice. They wanted her to train without worry.

  After the slimes were defeated, Eliza approached the locations where they were defeated and collected the dropped mana crystals. The amount she has collected was now enough for her to fill six pouches full.

  "Good job, Liz! You've grown strain!" ［Yuna］

  "R-Really?!" ［Eliza］

  "Yuna's right. With the rate yoing, you should be able to reach G-rank ihan a month." ［Grey］

  "Hehe... It's because Elder Sister Yuna and Elder Brrey are the oeag me! I'm really happy that I became your student!" ［Eliza］

  A rge cheerful smile bloomed on Eliza's face as she expressed her gratitude trey and Yuna. It was a smile which bloomed brighter as bothe Grey and Yuna patter her head.

  "Mmm... It's already this time, huh..." ［Grey］

  Grey pondered as he looked towards the sky, his hand providing shade to his eyes as he measured the position on the sun. Noon has already arrived.

  "Should we have lunow?" ［Grey］

  ""Un!"" ［Yuna and Eliza］

  The two dies raised their hahusiastically towards the sky as they excitedly answered Grey's question.

  Grey had noticed it before, but as he wit once again, he could now fully firm that Eliza was being more and more like Yuna. Even their as are starting to mate another.

  Just like the day befrey took out a piiket from his "Iory" and id it barely to the grass carpeted ground of the forest. The smell of the savoriness and warmth harmonized with the forest's st as Grey took out the dishes one by one. All of which were still hot as they were stored in the "Iory".

  ""Mmm～!!"" ［Yuna and Eliza］

  As they took a bite of their meals, both Yuna and Eliza made a satisfied smile which were identical to one another. It was yet another simirity Eliza has developed after Yuna.

  Grey could only look at the two with warm eyes as they tio wolf down on their meals. Surprisingly, Eliza was now able to catch up to Yuna's speed. Both of them were able to finish a pte in a minute or two.

  "Grey, pudding please～" ［Yuna］

  "Ah, Elder Brrey, I would also like some!" ［Eliza］

  "Okay, okay, just make sure to finish your food first. I won't give you any if there's leftovers on your ptes." ［Grey］

  ""Un!"" ［Yuna and Eliza］

  With Grey's promise secured, Yuna and Eliza tio chow down on their meals with glee. The speeds of their spoons made it look like their life depended on it. They were really fast.

  And as promised, Grey gave a cup of pudding each to Yuna and Eliza as they finished eating their meals. Well, or so Grey had pnned, but in the end, he was defeated by their pleas and gave them three cups each.

  Whe es to Yuna's pleas, Grey bees a total pushover. And bined with Eliza's i puppy-like eyes, it bees a destructive force where Grey didn't have the heart to refuse.

  'Am I spoiling them too much...?' ［Grey］

  Refle and p... That's what Grey did as he witnessed how easily he gave in to their pleas. It's not like he hated it, but he was worried what would bee of the two if he tio spoil them.

  As Grey pondered of such silly things, their hearty lunch resumed with bright expressions painted on their faces. They talked, ughed, and teased one another. It was such a lively sario.

  After their lunch, Eliza's battle training didn't tinue immediately. Grey took the time to teach her about medial herbs and pnts which are helpful iain situations. It ranged from on weeds up until rare magical herbs.

  Yuna also joined in si was the topic of herbs. Being a Tier 6 alchemist herself, she was quite knowledgeable in the aspect of herbalism and botany in general. She evehings which Grey didn't know from them and using them in experiments.

  "Look here, Liz. This is Kalkia Grass. It's the most basic grass you should learn about. It is used as a base in many types of potions." ［Yuna］

  "Waah～ They're very pretty... So green too!" ［Eliza］

  "Aren't they? Now, in order to collect these, you should....." ［Yuna］

  As Eliza showed i in herbs, Yuna took the ce to expin thhly to her how to deal with them. From colle to usage, Yuna didn't miss out on aail as Eliza listeo her attentively.

  After Yuna's demonstration, it was time for Eliza to collect the herb herself. While it wasn't quite perfect, she did pretty well sidering that it was her first time doing it. Yuna was very proud of her.

  The session of forest exploration and herb colle tinued for more than an hour and it was a very fruitful experience for Eliza. The only reason why they have stopped was because...

  Grruukkk Gurriikkk

  .... Just as they were expl the forest, they ced upon a stray goblin who has yet to notice their presence.

  Fear started to engulf Eliza's heart the moment she saw the goblin. While she was alright with fighting slimes, goblins who had a very threatening appearance made shivers run down her spine.

  Even if Eliza was strohan most people her age, she was still a 10-year old child. It was already endable that she hasn't cried yet like how children her age would normally react.

  "I'll hahisー" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, stop. This will be a part of Liz's training." ［Grey］

  Yuna was about to draw out her daggers, but before she could even think of equipping them, Grey had already stopped her oracks.

  She was a bit hesitant at first, but after careful sideration, Yuna decided to trust Grey's decision. She knew full well that it would be best for Eliza to experience a fight against a stronger enemy.

  It wasn't only about fighting stronger monsters. It was a ce for Eliza to be able to overe her fears and fight against humanoid creatures. It was something she will have to experience sooner or ter.

  As fear encroached her heart, Eliza didn't catch a single word of Grey and Yuna's versation. Her body was still trembling as she looked at the horrific goblin in front of her.

  "Liz..." ［Grey］

  "Y-Yes!?" ［Eliza］

  Grey only wao get Eliza's attention, but as soon as he pced his hand on her shoulder, the tter jolted in surprise. She was so surprised that she replied with her former way of speaking.

  In order to calm her down, Grey held her small hands as he squatted on the ground. He did it just like how he did with Yuna's whenever she was nervous. Yuna also joined in and patted her head.

  "Liz, this might sound unreasonable, but... we need you to defeat the goblin. I know you're scared, but you o do this so that you overe your fears. It will prove to be useful iure." ［Grey］

  Word for word, Eliza listened carefully as Grey gently told her what she o do. She didn't make any pints even though she was still trembling at the sight of the goblin.

  Eliza is a smart and kind girl. She khat Grey was only tellio fight the goblins because it will help fuel her growth and make her stronger. She khat it was all for her good.

  "Don't worry, me and Yuna will always be here for you." ［Grey］

  "That's right. If ever something goes wrong, your Elder Sister and Elder Brother will protect you!" ［Yuna］

  Through their words of encement, the emotion of fear inside Eliza's heart slowly turned into that of ce. While she was still trembling slightly, her ce had mao quer her fear.

  'I do this! For everyone proteg me, I o get stronger!' ［Eliza］

  A newfouermination bloomed in Eliza's heart as she remembered the reason why she wao learn from Grey and Yuna.

  She didn't want to burden others anymore in proteg her. She didn't want someoo experiehe pain her maid, Rosa, went through to protect her. She wants to be strong enough to protect herself.

  "Hooh... I'll do it!" ［Eliza］

  A strong burst of determination gleamed in Eliza's eyes along with her decration. Her eyes were now like fire which devour everything in its path.

  Silently, Eliza approached the goblin which was located about 10 meters away from her previous position. She has learo move without making muoise from listening to Yuna's lectures.

  ??Water Bde!?? ［Eliza］

  As soon as the goblin was in her range, she took the golden opportunity and quickly casted a spell towards the unsuspeg goblin.

  Kihieekkkk

  A loud screech echoed throughout the forest as the bde of water struck the goblin's body. While it did not kill the goblin immediately, it left a rge and grave shing wound on its back.

  Its eyes full e, the goblin blindly charged towards Eliza with the goal of teario shreds the moment it could y its hands on her. Even with the wound on its back, it was still agile and approached Eliza at a rapid rate.

  But Eliza did not falter. Even with fear still lingering in her heart, Eliza gripped her sword tightly and heaved out a lengthy sigh to calm herself.

  g

  The goblin tried to strike Eliza with its sharp cws, but the tter was able to parry its attack with her sword. Eliza then swung her sword, successfully pushing back the wounded goblin.

  Eliza did not let her momentum die out. Even before the goblin could get back up again, she dashed towards it and swung her sword towards the goblins chest, leavi ane wound on its body.

  Having received a sed wound, the goblin's movement became even more erratic. It attacked Eliza with a fury of strikes which the tter successfully blocked every siime.

  The goblin tis barrage of furious strikes towards Eliza, but after she found a gap, she was able to deflect the goblins' arms towards the air, giving her an opportunity to strike once again.

  ??Heavy Ssh!?? ［Eliza］

  A powerful vertical ssh came down upon the goblin's body as its guard was broken. Unfortunately, with the gobliients, Eliza only mao cut down one of its arms and not the head.

  Kihieeekkkk

  The goblin screeched loudly with the loss of its arm. It terattacked Eliza with its remaining arm aiming towards her chest. Its strike fueled by rage came doidly towards Eliza's dire.

  Eliza tried to block the strike but she was too te by a moment. While the goblin wasn't able to nd a strike to her chest, the force of its strike forced Eliza quite a few steps back.

  "No! I do this!" ［Eliza］

  Grey and Yuna were about to interfere, but Eliza stopped them before they could even take even a siep. Her eyes were full of determination as she told them to stop.

  It didn't even take a few seds for Eliza to recover. As soon as she was standing on her foot again, she immediately rushed towards the goblin with the iion to finish the fight ond for all.

  The goblin tried to strike Eliza once again, but by twisting her body to the right, she was able to avoid it skillfully. The goblin was now wide open as its arms were still reag out away from its body.

  ??Heavy Ssh!?? ［Eliza］

  Eliza poured all of her strength into her final strike. The horizontal ssh headed towards the goblin's neck at unpreted speeds.

  The moment the ssh ected, the goblin's head was sent flying to the air, decapitated from its body, and its body fell to the ground helplessly. It was Eliza's victory.

  As soon as she saw her enemy fall, Eliza lost all the strength in her legs and fell ft towards the ground. Her breathing was rough as she tried to recover from her ret right.

  Grey and Yuna then quickly rushed towards her and gave her water to drink. Grey also checked if Eliza sustained any injuries, thankfully, there wasn't much other than the scratches she got when she fell on the ground.

  "It was scary, wasn't it?" ［Yuna］

  To Yuna's question, Eliza could only nod quietly as her body trembled slightly. Now that the goblin was defeated, her pent up nervousness and fear has started to flood out of her body.

  "You did well, Liz. We're proud of you." ［Yuna］

  "Uuu... hic... hic..." ［Eliza］

  Tears trickled down Eliza's face as soon as she heard Yuna's words. She was so relieved that she couldn't stop herself fr. She was letting out all the ive emotions through g.

  Yuna gave the g Eliza a warm embrace as she gently stroked her head. She was like a mother who was trying to fort and sole her g child. It was a se which emanated warmth to the surroundings.

  After the fight with the goblin, Grey and Yuna spent all their time soling Eliza and making sure that she was alright, not just physically but mentally as well. They didn't want Eliza to develop a trauma from their selfishness.

  From the moment Yuna embraced her up until they had arrived home, Eliza didn't let go of Yuna and stuck closely towards her without uttering a single word. She was ag like a child who didn't want to leave her mother's side.

  It garnered quite the amount of attention iown, but they couldn't do anything about it. No matter what they told her, Eliza didn't want to let go of Yuna. Grey even had to process the quest's pletion by himself due to their circumstances.

  When they arrived at the mansion, it gradually got better. Well, eve got better, Eliza was still closer to Yuna than usual. She followed closely behind Yuna as if she was a tail of some sort.

  "Yuna, Liz, why don't the two of you head to the dining room first. I'll cook something the both of you will enjoy." ［Grey］

  "Have I tasted it before?" ［Yuna］

  "Unfortunately, yes. But don't worry, I'm sure you'll like it." ［Grey］

  "Then I'm looking forward to it." ［Yuna］

  When Eliza heard that Grey was going to cook something, her ears perched up as her attention was caught. Even when she was sulking, she still took i in the food Grey was going to make.

  As Yuna and Eliza headed to the dining hall, Grey headed towards the kit where he was greeted by Rhodes and the other chefs who were cooking a few dishes for dinner.

  "Mister Rhodes, I'll be borrowing the kit once again." ［Grey］

  "Oh, are you going to cook something again, Lrey?" ［Rhodes］

  "Yeah. I'm trying to cheer Liz up so I'm making a rice dish called 'Fried Rice'. It's quite tasty so I'm sure she'll like it." ［Grey］

  "I see... Then could I watch you as you cook?" ［Rhodes］

  "Sure. You even take notes if you want." ［Grey］

  "Oh! Then I'll be intruding in your kindness!" ［Rhodes］

  As soon as Grey stated his words, Rhodes quickly got a pencil and notepad from inside his apron. It was the notes he always carried around just in case an idea popped inside his head.

  Grey then started cooking by heating up a wok aing butter on it. Soon after he cracked a handful of eggs and fried them in the wok, making sure to cook them in scrambled style and small pieces.

  He the aside the freshly cooked scrambled eggs, and started sautéing the vegetables he had chopped into very small pieces. After the vegetables, the ones which were fried in the pa were the bite-sized meat pieces.

  After all were stir fried, Grey then added another portion of butter and added the already cooked rice soon after. He stirred gently from time to time as he added the ents. He then added back the vegetables, meat, and eggs when the rice had turned slightly golden brown.

  With the mixture of rice, vegetables, meat, and eggs beautifully mixed, it was time to add the seasoning. Grey added a little bit of salt, pepper, and a bit of oils and ents into the mix.

  "And... Done!" ［Grey］

  A wonderful aromatic st filled the kit as soon as Grey finished cooking the fried rice which looked like a mix of grains of gold and tasty ingredients. Just a look at it and one would bee hungry.

  tally, just as the fried rice finished cooking, the time for dinner had also arrived. It was the time to serve the dishes to the dining hall.

  "Waah～ It's fried rice!" ［Yuna］

  The first to react to Grey's dish was Yuna. Following her enthusiasm, Eliza's eyes were also drawn towards the said dish.

  """""Thank you for the meal!"""""

  Without further ado, everyoook out their spoons and had a taste of the dishes which were served. Yuna was especially excited si has been quite a while since she had a taste of fried rice.

  "It's still delicious as ever!" ［Yuna］

  "Yet another exquisite dish" ［Fritz］

  "You never fail to amaze, Lrey!" ［Rhodes］

  Everybody's faces shone brightly as they ate the fried rice Grey had cooked. Of course, the dishes the chefs made were also delicious.

  But there were two people whose reas Grey aying atteo. One was Yuna whom Grey wao be happy, and the other was Eliza whom he wao cheer up.

  Throughout the whole time, Eliza still didn't utter a sihing. Rather, she only tio eat silently. Grey started to bee very worried, but those worries were blown away by just a few words.

  "Umm... Elder Brrey... I want seds..." ［Eliza］

  Eliza meekly requested Grey as her pte had bee pletely empty. She had thhly ehe dish Grey had cooked and wao eat more. Her appetite and energy has started to return.

  Not only Grey, Yuna has also bee relieved once Eliza had started to speak again. They were happy that Eliza had returo normal.

  "Alright, just make sure you finish it, okay?" ［Grey］

  "U-Un!" ［Eliza］

  CHAPTER 44 END