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nEvan D. Sherden | Anyway, Let’s Devote Together (1)

nEven though it is slow, the level of existence constantly increases by repeated action.

nIt is a life-based training, so it can be done anywhere, anytime.

nAside from cooking, cleaning, and such, there is this.

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n“Oh, it’s really noisy!”

nEvan grinds his teeth to the endless rhythm of the screams.

nIt didn’t take much effort to kill the slime. He only suffers from their sound.

nThese things scream from the moment they are born until they die!

nIt would be nice if I could kill them before they scream, he thought.

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nSurely, one day, it will be possible.

nAlready, he had succeeded in reducing it to three seconds.

nIt seemed that the moment he summoned his first slime was not too long ago.

nHe can’t feel the changes day after day, but if he compares it to the first time, three months ago, is the progress not clear?

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nAlthough he wondered how high his level has already risen, his growth was evident when the slimes he could summon continued to increase even though his training time remained at two hours.

nHis power is surely growing steadily. Compared to the growth of physical strength, it was much slower, but it is still growing.

nPerhaps the reason why the growth of his magic power was slower is not only due to my aptitude. No, he must repeat his actions tens of thousands of times over and over again, so he could acquire a skill.

nHe was really feeling the presence of the skill forming with his actions as he grasped his hands.

nStronger, more effective.

n“Maybe the skill level will grow more than the existence level.”

nBesides the slime training, Evan is also performing weight training after every two hours, when his mana has run out.

nIf he continued doing this, it might also develop into a skill.

nAs Shine and Belois are learning skills instructions from the chief maid and the butler, along with ‘Evan-style physical training’, his hopes were getting up.

n“With the grip strength and my strong physical body… maybe the sword that Maybell will stab me with one day could not penetrate my abs.”

n“You called me, Master?”

n“No! I didn’t call you! Don’t come in without knocking!”

nLuckily, he has already killed the slime.

nEvan was shocked to see Maybell’s head at his door.

nBut he noticed something. Her cheeks seemed to be a little thinner.

nIs she growing up?

nPretty.

n“Maybell, are you losing weight?”

n“Actually, Master, I am receiving intensive training from the chief maid whenever I have time! With Belois!”

nEvan looked confused. Then, he remembered. Three months ago, when the chief maid took Belois, Maybell followed them.

n“Oh no, why are you-“

n“I cried and told the chief maid that I don’t want to the Master’s exclusive maid position get taken away, so she accepted me. I’ve been trying hard.”

n“No, you need to let it go.”

nIt’s too scary. Evan wanted to fire her!

nBut if the chief maid accepted her, there must have been some reason.

nPutting a rival nearby to inspire and motivate Belois, or let Belois have contact through other maids in the mansion through Maybell.

nIf Maybell was a really evil child, she would have rejected Belois.

nIf Maybell was such a vicious character, Evan would have no reason to keep her.

nAlthough Maybell was misadjusted, she was a child who was good at work and loved by everyone.

nEven now, behold, she did not hate Belois, and instead trained herself under the chief maid, too.

nIt’s so difficult, Evan clenched his fists.

n“Why do you want to be my exclusive maid?”

n“I’d like to have the cute Master Evan by my side! So, I’m going to make you look at me and smile at me again!”

n“I didn’t say that so you’d have such a secret determination… ugh. Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll smile now.”

nIt didn’t work! Maybell shook her tongue and snapped her fingers.

n“I can’t be satisfied with such a fake smile. One day, I must see the smile that comes from your heart! I’ll stand next to you, Master!”

nEvan’s experienced his first proposal from a very passionate confession of his maid.

n“Maybell, the object you are fighting for is very strong and stubborn. Are you still going to fight?”

n“That’s right!”

n“Okay, if so, devote yourself in the future. I won’t stop you anymore…”

n“Okay!”

nTo be honest, Evan was just tired of arguing.

nBesides, he was worried that she might start bothering Belois.

nHe’ll simply ask the Marquis later for armor to protect his chest and abdomen.

n“Oh, and Master. The Marquis is calling you.”

n“What? You should have told me that first!”

n“Because I enjoyed talking to you…”

nEverything he thought about her was canceled.

nIt was very, very deadly to overlook Maybell! He should fire her soon!

nAs soon as he saw Evan, the Marquis hugged him and sat him on his knees.

n“Evan, it seems that you don’t play a lot outside these days. I am getting worried.”

nEvan innocently laughed and replied.

n“I’m playing a lot, Father.”

n“Is it because of the Necklace of Miraseul?”

nIndeed, the title of a ‘Marquis’ is not given to a foolish person.

nEvan couldn’t tell a lie to the Marquis who saw through him, so he thought hard to draw up an answer enough to convince himself and the Marquis.

n“I am exploring the power of a necklace. I don’t know it well, so I’m trying it out in many ways.”

n“Yes, do as much as you want on the line as long as you don’t put your body in danger. Moreover, did you know? This artifact is a growth type.”

n“… … Uh, really?”

nEvan, a child, obviously wouldn’t know about it. The Marquis smiled and gently stroked his head.

n“Do you know about growth artifacts, Evan?”

n“Yes, so… … do they grow like a person?”

nAccurate. He’s really my son, the Marquis thought and laughed, satisfied at Evan’s answer.

nEvan also laughed.

nOf course, he knew about growth artifacts.

nGrowth-type artifacts were one of the hottest items of the game.

nWeapons, armor, and accessories that can grow, and don’t need to be replaced.

nIt’s fun to have items that don’t need replacing as you level up!

nIn the Yo-ma Great War series, there were several artifacts such as these.

nIn the beginning, only a few understood them, but surprisingly, they found that the items have a level bar.

nThe level bar attached to humans, monsters, and other creatures could be found in some items!

nAnd every time you use it, every time it meets a special condition, the level bar gets filled up.

n“But by the way, the necklace of Miraseul…”

n“Yes. I didn’t know until you have been recognized as its owner. But look at this. The jewel at the center, can you see it shining?”

n“Yes.”

n“The other gems are not shining yet. But one of them, this…”

nThe Marquis pointed at one of the green gems.

n“Here, I can feel mana faintly. What does this mean? Soon, this gem would shine, too.”

n“Then…”

n“Right. The artifact is growing. It’s already showing signs, so it won’t take long.”

nWith the Marquis’ words, Evan realized that the mana pattern of the necklace was indeed slightly different from when he first wore it.

nIn the game, no one wore the necklace, so he didn’t know

n“right. Artifacts are growing. It’s already showing signs, so it won’t take long in the future.”

nWhen I heard Marquis’ words, I felt that the manna pattern of the necklace was slightly different from that of Evan when he first wore it on his neck.

nThen, in the game, there was no one wearing this necklace, so he didn’t know if it was a growth-type r not.

nWhat happens when this grows?

nEvan frowned as he thought about it.

nIf it would make mana recovery faster, then he would welcome it with open arms.

nBut what if the slime summoned gets stronger? What if he can’t kill them anymore with his grasp?

nThen, it’s a big problem. It’s a big problem.

nThat’s why I can’t stop training.

nIf he didn’t learn that the artifact was a growth-type, he might not be able to deal with it.

nBut, if he continued to practice as he is doing now, he can explore it again when the artifact grew.

nEven if something goes wrong, Evan’s life will never be in danger.

nWhen the artifact levels up, he will try it with Shine and Belois, and…

n“Evan.”

nThe Marquis spoke as if he had read his thoughts.

n“I was busy these days, so I didn’t have time to speak with you about it. But I heard you brought new servants to the mansion? And you also spent all your money.”

n“Yes, Father. I spent all my money on getting people who would protect me.”

n“What did you think as you looked at them. Was it pity?”

nIf Evan said yes, even if he couldn’t hit him even with a flower, he was going to scold him.

nIt was the will of a nobleman, so no one questioned him, but the servants of the Marquis can’t just be anyone. He heard that Evan assigned them to the butler and the chief maid.

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nNevertheless, if there were no results, this would obviously be wasted time and resources from Evan’s negligence.

nIn addition, it was unfair for the two children to be burdened by heavy expectations.

n“No, when I saw them, I was sure. They will definitely be strong and protect me. So, I asked the butler and the chief maid to teach them.”

n“Hmm… if you think so, then I will trust your decision. However, you are responsible for them.”

nNobles rule over common people. They can call many people with a flick of their finger. Therefore, the welfare of the people receiving the orders is the responsibility of the noble who gave the orders. There are always serious responsibilities that come with powerful rights.

nHowever, Evan replied bravely, dispelling the concerns of the Marquis.

n“Yes, I know. The two are already my people, my responsibility.”

n“Yes, then, it should work. My youngest child is growing up without his father knowing!”

nThe Marquis was so pleased with Evan’s answer that he hugged him tightly and stroked his head repeatedly.

nEvan had to be held tightly against the Marquis until he was rescued by a maid who came to report that dinner was ready.

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