Taming a Munchkin

Story 4 The Alchemist of the Eastern Continent

Regardless of whether it was slime or swords, all of the businesses were a roaring success. Very much so! For that reason, Kynemeia began to become busier.

‘Why?’ kiki says SOS

It felt like her initial plan of being a silent supporter like a Pokemon Master and feasting on the sweet results, was turning futile. Ever since the retainers expanded the smithy, they kept on requesting her approval for everything, even the pattern that would be engraved on the swords.

‘Why…!’ key is kikiphobic

Kynemeia, who’d been pestered by the retainers late into the night yesterday, cuddled her pillow. The autumn sunlight was blazing above her eyelids.

“Euh…”

Kynemeia shut her eyes tightly at the pouring light.

“Please wake up, Young Lady.”

Her nanny, Vanessa, woke her up with a gentle touch.

“Ungg…”

“Would you like to sleep more?”

“Nooo…”

“Our Young Lady, you seem to be more tired than ever today. Why don’t you sleep for the whole day today?”

“I’ll wake uupp…”

“Then please wash up before the water turns cold.”

Vanessa tapped Kynemeia’s bottom.

“Ungg…”

After receiving a kiss on her cheek, she rose up and went to soak her face at the washbasin, her eyes still closed. The maid, Shane, smiled awkwardly as she set the drowsy girl upright and gently wiped and lathered her face. After Vanessa dressed her, she exited her room with her dozy face dipping at an angle.

“Greetings to the wings of Lyonne. Young Lady, are you going to the training hall as well today?”

Baron Romeo bowed as he passed by. When he saw the small young lady who couldn’t even open her eyes, he rubbed her face with his hands, half-worriedly and half-lovingly.

“Our Miss Faaairy, your face seems to be a bit puffy today. You should rest more.”

“Nooo… Mom said to not miss a daaay…”

“You can’t even open your eyes. Then how about I take you to the training hall?”

“Noo… I can gooo…”

She gave a wave of her hand and headed for the training hall, walking in a zigzag motion. Creak.

The hall was a space for her own personal use, so no one else was inside. She walked on unsteady feet towards the wall, where a bunch of wooden swords hung down, increasing incrementally in length in accordance with Kynemia’s growth over the years.

‘Mommyy…’ She once used to come out here with her mom. The corners of her lips drooped, either on account of her exhaustion or the sudden pang of longing. She proceeded to grab the wooden sword on the far right. Then, tottering left and right, she finally reached the centre of the training hall.

‘I’m tired… I’m tired, huwaaah—’

But she shook her head forcefully and started to wordlessly swing the sword around with her eyes closed shut. After approximately ten swings, someone suddenly gripped her wrist, halting her movements.

‘…Ng?’

Her eyes opened wide when both of her cheeks were squeezed. A boy stood before her, smiling blithely. It was Eian.

Eian—who grew bigger as the days rolled by—was holding her face with one large hand and poking her squishy cheeks playfully. He chuckled, his eyes curving into half-moons. With each passing day, his craftiness only multiplied.

“Miss Lady, you should open your eyes. It’s dangerous.”

Kynemeia pulled a face as she glowered at him. ‘Why’s he appearing so early in the morning? It’s bad for my heart.’

“I’m holding a sword.”

“That’s why it’s dangerous.”

“It is. For you.”

As the frowning girl pretended to twirl her wooden sword while her cheeks were being squeezed, Eian huffed a laugh before stealing it away.

“Were you always this frail in the morning?”

“It’s low-blood pressure…”

“Huh?”

“It’s a thinggg… And Mikhaela kept on bothering me last night…”

‘Ah, I keep on feeling sluggish.’ She stretched before plopping down and extending out her legs, bending at her waist. Eian helped her stretch by squeezing her waist from behind.

‘Unnngh…!’

Huu— With an exhale, she straightened her waist. It felt like her mind had finally cleared up.

“Hey, Eian.”

“When will you call me Yan?”

“Um?”

“I asked when you’re going to start calling me Yan.”

Somehow, this brat began to complain about wanting her to call him by his nickname.

“I will never call you that in this lifetime.”

‘Do we have that kind of relationship anyway?’

“Can I call you Mia?”

Even after receiving the scornful reply, Eian repeated his plea in a cutesy tone.

‘So this is why.’ She remembered him watching on in silence when she’d read her uncle’s letter which bore her nickname.

“No!”

She turned her head sharply, and Eian once again adopted a morose expression. He had been getting better at it, and now he totally resembled a pitiful pretty boy about to dissolve into tears.

“I can’t?”

Eek! At the sudden attack of his pitiful look, she pushed his face away with both hands and shut her eyes tightly. The fact that a man who looks pleasing to the eyes would be perilous for one’s body, heart, and wealth, was something she had already experienced through her dad, after all.

“Y-You’re going to do as you please anyway, why ask?”

“Oh my, busted.”

After spending time together with him so far, she’d discovered that this brat only heard what he wanted to hear. Eian laughed softly, then bit on the fingers pushing at his face.

Shrieek! Kynemeia scuttled backwards on her butt.

“W-W-What.”

He merely grinned, his face propped on both of his hands. Kynemeia placed her bitten hand against her chest. ‘Ah, that gave me a shock. My heart’s pounding.’

“You… Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“That.”

“That what?”

“Ah, I don’t know. Anyway, THAT!”

Eian cocked his head.

‘No. This can’t do. I need to chase him out quickly.’

“Eian.”

“Yeah.”

“When will you get better?”

“What is?”

“Your sides.”

She gestured at the general area of his sides. ‘We first met in April, which means it’s been five months since then! This sneaky guy! He’s seriously scary.’

“It’s been five months.”

“It still hurts, though.”

“What?”

“Wanna see?”

“Let me see.”

Seeing her approach him from afar like a squirrel, he smiled subtly.

“See?”

The bandage still heavily drenched in blood only corroborated his earlier confession.

“What the. Why is it still like this? Isn’t there something wrong?”

“Maybe?”

“Can I undo the wrapping? Let’s check it.”

She made a grab for him to look for the ends of the dressing, but then he called her in a voice laden with laughter.

“Mia.”

As expected, he would still call her that even if she refused.

“What.”

Since she answered so curtly, Eian asked in a cute tone,

“Are you that worried about me?”

‘Out of nowhere?’ Frowning, she lifted her head and her gaze collided with his as he wore a sweet smile.

“Nooo!”

Eian tilted his head as he noted the loaded annoyance in her voice—she was clearly worried. But just as she couldn’t hide her dislike, she couldn’t abandon such a pitiful boy either.

“Ah!” MY DICK FELL OFF

Eian grimaced when she abruptly touched his injury.

“It’s weird. You’ve been injured for a long time. What if the wound got infected…”

“It’s because it’s an injury caused by a high-ranking mage. It’s been implanted with a curse, so no matter what you do, it will heal in its own time. Time is medicine.”

“Hm…”

Kynemeia nodded as if convinced.

‘Cute little lady.’ Eian gazed at her gently while she inspected his sides.

‘Would this be enough?’ To use mental magic, first of all, the target needed to lower their guard against the spellcaster. She was worn out from yesterday and couldn’t conceal her concern for him at this moment. Right now, Kynemeia was in the most optimum condition to cast mental magic on.

‘If it’s now…’ He concentrated his mana and opened his mouth.

“Mia.”

“What again—”

SNAP!

The moment their eyes met, he flicked his hand. Then she slowly closed and opened her eyes. The ocean-like, clear blue eyes stared back at Eian.

Now it was time to ask. What she was hiding, what was so special about her. This would put an end to his lingering curiosities. Whether she was truly just sensitive to magic, or whether she was hiding something from him. However, he never got the opportunity to ask anything. Because before he could even begin, she spoke up, blinking as she did so.

“What did you do just now?”

“…?”

His expression hardened.

‘It doesn’t work?’