Chapter 88 It’s Another Year

So… They glossed over the boss's death as something that could be expected of a Meslatar and never brought it up again.

I think they were just trying to forget the fact that a punch from me could make someone's head explode.

I also noticed that Jerry was now a little more careful around me. By that I meant he was no longer checking me out like before anymore.

Come on, you punch one goblin and now everyone's scared of you…

As for the dungeon clear rewards, I got a normal looking wooden training sword since I technically only cleared two floors before reaching the final boss room.

The others got rather interesting stuff though. Vom got a leather pack, Vick received a steel sword, Varry got a hammer and Jerry… Err… He got a rock.

It wasn't even some special rock either but just a completely normal rock. The sad thing was that he didn't even seem surprised that he got it and simply pocketed the rock.

Seems like life really just hates him in particular.

"Thank you once again for your help Miss Aster, we would never have been able to do it without you," the noble inclined his head. "We've agreed that half of the sales from all the Mana Crystals we've gathered will be yours and I'll pay you an additional fifty Creas on top of it."

I have a feeling that I should be paid more than that but I suspect he doesn't have that much money to begin with, so that was the best he could afford to reward me.

Well, I'm not evil enough to try and extort him out of money he already doesn't have and especially when his life already seems to be pretty sad, so I agreed to the terms.

Returning to the Guild, my total earnings including the award from Jerry totaled to a hundred and two Creas and fifty Decreas, not bad for a day of work to be honest.

We then parted ways amicably with him promising me that if I ever need any help in the future, I just need to find him and he would do his best to help.

Honestly, I'm not even sure if I would meet him again but I guess it doesn't hurt to have a noble indebted to me.

With light steps, I went back home as the sky was starting to darken by myself.

Opening the door to my home, I was entirely unprepared for Mother to immediately run up and hug me to her chest.

"Welcome home my little one!" She squealed.

"Mo… Mommy? What are you doing here?"

"Ara, ara? Can't Mama greet my cutest child when she comes home?"

I didn't have an answer for that since I was wondering how long Mother had been waiting here for me to return.

Mother then pulled back and took me by the hand before leading me into our home.

"How was your day, my dear?" She asked with a cheery smile.

"Umm… It was nice. I met Jerry, the heir of the Treal family I think. He seems quite unfortunate though."

Mother giggled, "Oh, I know the boy~ Is Mama right to assume that my little one went to help him with his arranged marriage problem?"

I nodded, not even surprised that Mother knew about it.

"Ufufufu~ As expected of my little one! Come now, you must be famished! Dinner is ready~"

We went towards the dining room and Mother unexpectedly stepped aside, gesturing towards the door for me to enter first.

I was a little curious why she would do that but I went ahead nevertheless, only to suddenly be assaulted by the popping of streamers.

"Happy birthday Mistress!" All the gathered servants inside cheered.

Mother giggled from behind me, "Happy eleventh birthday, my little one~"

Oh damn, I was so caught up in all the things that was happening that I forgot today was my birthday! No wonder Mother and Mary suggested for me to go out so that they could prepare this surprise for me!

I was already extremely surprised to see all this done for me, especially since this would be my first birthday that I was celebrating outside of the house where I had grown up in and with so many people to boot.

Yet, it seems like there was more as a huge cake was wheeled out on a cart right after that. It had three layers with each layer being a different colour and a different flavour. Not only that, the entire thing was splendidly decorated with other sweets and treats on it as well.

"Is that… For me?" I gasped, pointing at the cake.

"Ufufufu~ It most definitely is, my little one," Mother giggled.

An entire cake for me?! I… I want to eat it right now…

I was still feeling a bit shy since there were so many people here as compared to when I would just celebrate it with Mother.

But Mother guided me towards the cake and Mary even skillfully cut several slices of the cake before letting Katsuki present it to me.

I took a bite of it and…

Well… I got lost in the sweetness.

It was just perfect~ The cream, the chocolate, the sweets, the sponge cake, everything just melted in my mouth~

I also realised they had lined one of the layers with ice cream too and it was so heavenly~

Ahhhh~

…

"Mistress?"

"Huurbbngg… Cake?" I muttered, coming back to my senses.

"Umm… My apologies, Mistress, but there's no cake left," Katsuki bowed.

Whaaaaaat?! No more cake?! Noooooo…

"Umm… There's still one more chocolate cookie from--"

I jumped up from the ground immediately, not even sure how I got there in the first place, "Me want!!"

Katsuki gave me the chocolate chip cookie which I bit into excitedly.

Ahhhh~ Pure bliss!

"I love you, Katsukiiiii~ Nom~"

"E… Eh?! Umm… I… I love Mistress too!"

Ahhh~ this cookie is so sweet! Is it possible to make a giant sized one and let me just nibble on it the entire day?

"Ara, ara? Isn't that cute, little Katsuki? It seems like my little one has feelings for you too~"

"Ye… Yes… Madam…"

Hmm? What are they talking about? Oh whatever, this cookie is the best!

*

That night I was sitting up in bed waiting for the eventual message that would come.

[Happy birthday!]

[Body Mod obtained: Fluffer]

[Boons obtained: Tastes Like Agony]

Awww… I was hoping for a new magic skill but oh well. Maybe this is just a sign that I should be paying more attention to what I have now considering I haven't even increased my proficiency in the four basic elements up to the second tier yet.

[Fluffer: You are able to control where hair grows on your body and what natural style they should be in. You can also alter that style every two weeks.]

Perfect, now I can avoid the problem of worrying about shaving completely and I get to change my hairstyle every other week as well~

Hey, don't look down on this! You have no idea how many people would kill to even have this and I'm one of them!

[Tastes Like Agony: You can recreate anything you are able to consume. You'll know the resources necessary and the proper preparation method to make it all happen."

Hell yeah! This is one of the most important boons I wanted to take and it's here! It's only a shame that I couldn't have it earlier.

Why is it important?

Heh heh heh… After I've eaten all the delicious sweets in the World, I can make them myself and eat them whenever I want, that's why!

If I had this earlier, I would have known the recipe for the cakes, cookies and sweets made for my birthday today!

Ahhhh… What a waste.

Oh well~ At least all the future things I eat will be affected.

Actually, I feel like testing it out right now…

It's in the middle of the night but with my Umbramancy proficiency, I can see in the dark anyway.

Thus, while still dressed in my nightgown, I went out of my room to make my way towards the kitchen.

Since it was already quite late at night, there wasn't anyone around except for the night shift servants who act as night guards.

I didn't meet anyone on the way there although I did see a few patrolling outside the mansion from the window.

When I reached the kitchen however, I was surprised to see people there.

"Now you leave it to cool for a while and it will be ready."

I recognised that voice as Mary's and I peeked inside the kitchen, wondering what she was doing at this late hour.

"This is… The same cookie that Mistress ate, right?"

"Fufu~ That is correct Katsuki. Here, have a small taste."

"Oh! It does taste the same!"

Heeeeh~ Katsuki's taking baking lessons from Mary? But why now in the middle of the night though? And also why specifically learning how to bake cookies?

I mean… Honestly I had intended to come here to see if there were any leftover sweets that I could eat to get the recipe of but… I guess I shouldn't intrude on such a moment between the two.

Especially when Katsuki looked so serious while learning to make those cookies.

Eventually I decided I wasn't in any rush for now so I'll just try the boon tomorrow morning.

Oh wait!! I have some sweets in my Pack of Folding! I can just eat those!

Back to my room it is!