Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 56
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
“Da?!”
“Ah yeah, maybe in the future a candidate for a grand sorcerer will emerge.”
While holding Uriko in his arms, Pumpkin talked to her.
He subsequently unleashed magic power in front of Uriko, converged it, or formed it into a sphere before showing it to Uriko by leading her to do it as a game.
The magic power was out of Uriko’s line of sight since she was a Human and a baby, but Pumpkin reckoned that even if she couldn’t see it, she could still sense it acutely.
“I’m sorry, Pumpkin-kun.”
“Not at all.”
And this was when Kimiko called out to him.
Incidentally, Kimiko’s magic power seemed to have risen in comparison to the last time he saw her, possibly as a result of her adaptation to Uriko’s spontaneous emission of magic power.
I wonder if the reason why heroes or hero-like beings flock around other heroes is partly due to the fact that the level of the people around them is elevated to match the level of one prominent being.
In fact, a number of catastrophic issues may develop if the mother, let alone the father, was unable to withstand the magic power that was radiating from their children.
“But still, that’s an extraordinary amount of magic power.”
“What a surprise?(Odoroki)”[i]
“Peach tree?(Momonoki)”
“Sanshonoki?”
“Yes, even Crave-kun who came to the village the other day was taken aback.”
So Crave had met Uriko, too.
Well, I guess he wouldn’t let the news of Uriko’s magic power spread to the wrong person.
No, but there’s a good chance that he’d be smitten by Uriko’s cuteness. If that has already occurred, I’m resolved to blow up the entire Kunukihappy with [Resonance Spell?Atomic Pumpkin]…
“Smash!”
“Daaaaa!”
“Oufu!?”
Uriko started to make a flurry of noise just as Pumpkin’s thoughts were beginning to veer off in an odd direction. and as his body reinforcement was momentarily disrupted by Uriko’s noises, Gorky’s chop landed on the back of his head.
“What are you doing out of the blue…”
“Beware of her charm.”
“Huh? Oh, excuse me.”
And when he tried to question Gorky about what he had done, Reigi told him to be mindful of it.
Uriko’s innate charms were evidently having an effect on Pumpkin.
Hmm. I am horrified to know that at her age, Uriko is already tempting me, her own brother…
“Uriko, see this?”
“Waah, waah!”
“What!? Kakeru!?”
And unknowingly, Kakeru had climbed up on his body and was doing the “peek-a-boo” on Uriko while he was paying attention to Gorky and Reigi.
Furthermore, by involving magical manipulation, Kakeru made it both frightening and amusing.
Well, as long as Uriko is happy, I guess it’s fine.
Or perhaps I should say that Reigi and the others are closer to Uriko mentally than I am… I envy them.
“Ngh. Or rather…”
At this point, Pumpkin came up with the idea that Reigi and the others ought to learn how to manipulate magic power while helping Uriko.
To tell the truth, Spalpkin’s training in wielding magic power consisted of using it as often as possible while engaging in games like hide-and-seek and tag. This concept would not be at all unreasonable as even the youngsters of Kunukihappy seemed to employ magic unconsciously while playing.
By the way, playing hide-and-seek with Spalpkin was a highly advanced game of how to either suppress the flow of magic power or assimilate the released magic power into the plants and the ground.
It goes without saying that the reason for this was the fact that the Spalpkins could observe magic power, but upon reflection, it was only natural for a first-rate hunter in the world of nature to be able to do this.
But enough about that, I should get back to the main topic.
“Alright. The three of you will be Uriko’s playmates and teach her how to manipulate magic power.”
[[[Aye?!]]]
“Oh, will that be fine?”
“They already had a fair amount of ethics training. I’ll keep a close eye on them, so don’t worry.”
“I guess that’s settled then.”
After leaving the three of them to take care of Uriko, Pumpkin watched over them and had a chat with Kimiko.
Come to think of it, I haven’t spoken to Kimiko-san that much…
“But then again, you call Tangosack ‘father,’ but you don’t call me ‘mother’.”
“Oh, about that…”
But well, it might be that it is difficult to talk with Kimiko-san because our connection is not as definite as Tangosack’s after all.
I don’t quite know whether I should call her my mother or my mother-in-law…
And after telling Kimiko about it…
“That is definitely a headache…”
“I know, right?”
Kimiko was also troubled by it.
Well, it’s a tricky subject, I guess. For Kimiko-san, it is almost as if her husband suddenly brought a child out of nowhere and said, “That’s my child.”
“But if you like, you can address me as mother. I would have loved to have a son, too.”
Nevertheless, being the wife of Tangosack, she accepted Pumpkin as her final decision.
“Ah, in that case… um, when I feel inclined to…”
“Yes, I’ll wait patiently.”
But I’m sorry. My feelings haven’t caught up with me yet. So please wait for me to actually call you that.
“Patriach!”
“What’s up?”
Pumpkin turned to Uriko as Kakeru called out to him by this point.
“This kid is amazing.”
“Surprise?”
“A genius.”
“Babudaa.”
“Woah… as expected of my little sister…”
“Oh dear…”
The magic power of Uriko’s… was converged superbly and the amount that leaked out was suppressed, and on top of that, the combined magic power was like a protective barrier, albeit a light one.
I wonder if sensory things are easier for a baby to remember… no, Uriko herself is amazing. I doubt this is a common level. I mean, it would be a problem if this is a widespread occurrence.
“Anyway, I will continue to be her playmate for a long time to come.”
“I guess so. That might be for the best.”
And Pumpkin said that with cold sweat breaking out inwardly.
At any rate, I have to make sure she is well-educated in ethics…
——————
A/N:
Natural charms are a tactical weapon in a sense.
T/N:
[i] The three words (Odoroki, Momonoki, Sanshonoki) are an idiom spoken together. It means surprising but at a more intense level