New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (6/10 chapters)

 

 

The Value of the Skill

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

I made ten grass dumplings by kneading them. These grass dumplings had the sensation of heat passing through my body while making them.

Sure enough, when you knead them carefully over time, this sensation activates. The skill [Dryad’s Power] activated, so the Rainbow Fish should eat them. Probably, if what Tetetoka said is correct…

“This grass dumpling making uses a fair amount of stamina…” (Elt)

“Yes, it’s surprisingly hard work.” (Tetetoka)

“It’s just kneading repeatedly…” (Elt)

However, that kneading is difficult. You have to keep kneading until the skill activates.

While I made one grass dumpling, Tetetoka made three.

I still can’t catch up in that regard… Apparently, Tetetoka is the fastest among the Dryads at making them. As expected of her.

Looking out the window, the sun was starting to set. I was absorbed in this, but quite some time had passed.

I’ll call it a day for now.

“For now, this number of grass dumplings should be enough. Thank you, Tetetoka.” (Elt)

“You’re welcome! Let’s make more again sometime!” (Tetetoka)

“Yes, please teach me again.” (Elt)

I wrapped the grass dumplings in leaves like bamboo grass, completing them.

For now, I’ll try taking these to the fish tank. I need to confirm if the Rainbow Fish will eat them. There are other things related to the skill I want to investigate, but I’ll leave those for later. First is this feed for the Rainbow Fish. If this goes well, it’s more than enough. I also took a few scales to keep. If others eat them, they might be able to acquire the skill.

When parting from Tetetoka, I suddenly touched the top of my head. It was fluffy.

…Hmm, there’s no particular change. So, no change like that happens.

“What’s wrong?” (Tetetoka)

“Ah… nothing… I just wondered if maybe a flower bloomed on my head.” (Elt)

“That flower only grows if you are born a Dryad… so it’s unfortunate.” (Tetetoka)

“…Ah, yeah, that makes sense…” (Elt)

If a flower bloomed on my head as a skill, others might dislike it. Well, it seems there’s no such risk.

 

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The next day. I brought grass dumplings and scales to the fish tank again. Anaria and Naru were with me. When I explained that I had awakened the skill, both of them were very surprised. I kept the acquisition conditions to myself for now.

If I said I ate scales, they might think I’m weird… I’ll confirm the results of the grass dumplings first.

“I can’t believe it…! I’ve heard that even nobles rarely obtain skills…” (Anaria)

“That’s right, nya. Without a great reason, new skills can’t usually be acquired, nya.” (Naru)

“So, that’s how they treat it…” (Elt)

At home, skills were treated the same way. Some people have them naturally from birth, but most have none. Skills are something you obtain through unbelievable luck or effort. Or you learn them from nobles.

According to Anaria and Naru, commoners employed by nobles tend to have some skills. Well, that kind of information is power. It would be monopolized.

“Still, just entering a soil bath doesn’t seem to have any effect. Whether the grass dumplings work depends on if they are eaten…” (Elt)

“Yes, exactly… gulp.” (Anaria)

Rainbow Fish were swimming in the fish tank. I took out a grass dumpling, tore a small piece, and gently placed it in the tank. But the Rainbow Fish didn’t rush for it. If it were a grass dumpling made by a Dryad, they would charge at it immediately. However, one Rainbow Fish turned its head and took a bite of the grass dumpling.

“Oh, it ate it…!” (Anaria)

“It ate it! It’s definitely eating!” (Naru)

“Yes! For the first time, a Rainbow Fish ate a grass dumpling made by someone other than a Dryad!” (Naru)

Good, it ate it.

Other Rainbow Fish also seemed attracted by the smell of the grass dumplings and gathered around. They appeared genuinely interested. I tore more grass dumplings and put them into the fish tank. The Rainbow Fish eagerly ate every piece.

“It looks like it’s fine…” (Elt)

“Yes, all the Rainbow Fish are eating!” (Anaria)

“This is a great success, nya!” (Naru)

Hmm… these dumplings aren’t like those made by Dryads, but they ate them all. I can call this a success. The difference from Dryad-made grass dumplings is probably the skill level [Dryad’s Power Lv.1].

Skill growth conditions vary. A common one is continued use. This time, it’s likely about how much kneading has been done. Tetetoka makes grass dumplings three times faster than I do. I just have to keep kneading…

Still, the Rainbow Fish’s feeding problem has found a clue for a solution. The next step is to have others acquire the skill… If this skill unbalances the world, I would be cautious about who to give it to. However, so far, [Dryad’s Power] seems to only affect grass dumplings. Even if the skill grows, the effect is only to promote surrounding plant growth when buried in soil.

No, it’s not that it isn’t impressive… The two in front of me are the ones I trust the most. I believe they won’t abuse it or let it leak. Yes, I think it’s okay for them to acquire this skill.

“It seems the experiment succeeded. I have something to discuss with you two…” (Elt)

I took scales of the Rainbow Fish from my pocket.

“Would you eat these scales and acquire the skill?” (Elt)

““Eh…?”” (Anaria/Naru)

They answered in unison.

That’s understandable. Even I needed courage to eat the scales. In my previous life, I would have laughed it off. Actually, the scales are spicy and tasty… However, that’s not the real issue. In this world, forcing residents to eat scales would make history remember you. As a monstrous, cruel noble with strange fetishes. They probably wouldn’t want that…

When I thought that, Anaria and Naru exchanged looks for a moment…

“Is that alright…? Such an honor…” (Anaria)

“It’s a great honor, nya…” (Naru)

Hmm? Their reaction isn’t what I expected.

“To have a chance to acquire a skill…” (Anaria)

After watching their reactions a bit, I understood.

Being taught skills by nobles is a special reward. It seems they won’t teach you even if you serve them for years without trust. I see. The initial “Eh…?” was surprise.

“So, will you eat them?” (Elt)

“Of course. We gratefully accept!” (Anaria)

“I will too, nya. I swear not to tell anyone even if I die, nya!” (Naru)

“Me too!” (Anaria)

So, both of them agreed to eat the scales. Good. If they acquire the skill, the feeding problem will truly be solved. And skill acquisition will become my great weapon.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)