SIAW Vol. 2 Chapter 31

Full title: I Became the Strongest in Another World in the Tutorial During My Lifetime.

Note: If you found any typos/mistakes, pls write them in the comment. Thanks.

Translator: Dario

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Chapter 31 - Zizi’s Past

When I, Zizi, was nine years old, my father — a Human adventurer — was killed by thieves while escorting a convoy belonging to the Elbis trading company.

My mother, a Rabbit Beastkin, endured the grief and did all she could to support me and my little sister. Her health had always been frail, however, and because of all the hard work she had to go through, she ended up following our father in heaven just one year later.

We had an uncle, but he was a cold man who always spoke badly of mother; he didn’t have the slightest intention of taking care of us.

We were thus left on our own, and were eventually picked up by an orphanage.

I was ten years old at the time, while Pipi was only four. I decided that I had to protect my little sister, like mom and dad had done to us.

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Time passed, and I turned twelve years old.

While being raised in the orphanage, I joined the Adventurers’ Guild to look for a place that would take us in, and did odd jobs around town every day.

The orphanage had limited resources, so they had kids older than twelve do chores and errands in town, using part of the earnings for the orphanage’s sustainment.

Because of my lack of stamina and clumsiness, however, I rarely had the chance to take on such jobs. When I managed to undertake requests, it happened often that people refused to acknowledge them as complete or even refused to pay. There were less and less jobs I could take, so my position in the orphanage grew worse day by day.

Even so Miss Ruka, the guild receptionist, always treated me kindly, and did all she could to look for jobs for me. That was because my father was well known and trusted by the guild and other adventurers.

I was proud of my father: it was also for his sake that I wanted Pipi to have a happy life. Even if I had to endure terrible things for that to happen — it didn’t matter.

Someone as clumsy as me can’t expect to live a normal life, anyway…

～

As soon as I turned thirteen years old, the Elbis company — a powerful presence in this town — said they wanted to hire me.

That trading company, however, had all sorts of nasty rumors about them. I had heard that Tanya, an older girl at the orphanage, had been hired by them two years ago, just to be sold to a brothel.

As expected, the company representative who came to see me stared at my chest, which had been starting to grow lately, with a disgusting look on his face.

I endured that nasty look, though. If it meant being able to take care of my little sister, I didn't mind working even in a brothel.

When I said that I wanted to bring my sister with me and take care of her as I worked, however, the Elbis company man said no. I asked if I could at least work for them in Ronda, but he said no to that too.

If I didn’t find a place to work before I turned fourteen years old and came of age, however, I would be forced to go to work for the first company that contacted the orphanage to hire me.

When I had just one last month I could stay at the orphanage, I went to talk with a woman who grew up in the orphanage, like me, and now worked in a brothel in Ronda. I then decided to go to work there too.

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That day, like many other days, some orphanage boys were saying horrible things to me. I was hurt, but I was resigned to the fact that my life was destined to be like that. I was really sad that Pipi had to be hurt and scared too, though, all because of my clumsiness.

The boys, however, suddenly ran off somewhere.

It happened when a boy I didn’t know pointed at me. He was talking with a sister: apparently, he wanted to hire one of us orphans.

I recalled something that the brothel worker said: sometimes people hire orphans instead of going to the brothel, since it’s cheaper.

～

Later that day, I was called to the guest room.

The boy from before and the director were talking.

The director seemed to be suspicious of the boy, whose name was Tenma, but I felt a little hope in his words.

Even if he wanted to do lewd things to me, as long as I could be with Pipi, then it was fine.

The reality, however, was more than I could ever expect.

He asked the director how much the market price was for hiring an orphan like me; the director answered with a number twice the normal salary, and the boy said he would pay even more. I said that I wasn’t going to go unless my sister came too, and he said he’d hire her too, as if it was nothing.

Right at that moment, Lady Dorothea, one of this country’s heroes, came into the room — and I was surprised again.

Not only did the boy know Lady Dorothea, but he even scolded her.

And that was how I was hired by Master Tenma, before I could check to see if I was dreaming or not.

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The surprises continued after we left the orphanage with Master Tenma.

We met his admirable companion, the Fox Beastkin Misha, and his fluffy and adorable familiar, Sil. Suddenly, we could not stay at the inn anymore and ended up staying at Lady Dorothea’s mansion…many things happened.

That night we were going to sleep together with Misha and Sil, so I told her my thoughts about what happened during the day. Her response was—

“If you get surprised about every little thing Tenma does, it’ll never end!!”

So she said, with absolute confidence.

I had only known Tenma for one day, but I already lost count how many times he surprised me.

Misha doesn’t talk much, but is very kind, so we could get along quickly.

Early morning the next day, she said she wanted to take a bath in the “bathhouse”, so she was going to Tenma’s room.

Was it really okay to go so early? I’m not sure what she meant by “bathhouse” either.

I was too curious to stay, however, so I followed her.

When we arrived, Master Tenma gave us presents.

“Look, this is proof we’re family. Try to pour magic power in this face part here.”

Master Tenma then showed chokers he had made for Pipi and me.

When Pipi turned around so he could put it around her neck, he patted her head with a wonderful smile on his face.

I was so happy to hear Master Tenma say Pipi was family too, so happy that he was caring for her, that tears started trickling down my eyes.

Oh goddess Teras, can I really receive so much happiness!?

I couldn’t help but give thanks to our creator goddess.

Master Tenma then put the choker around my neck.

“This is proof we’re family. Try to pour magic power in this face part here.”

So he said, a bit awkwardly.

I couldn’t hold the urge, and put my arms around him.

“I will serve you all my life, Master Tenma.”

Yes, I will serve him until I die! I will live my life for Master Tenma’s sake!

～

Misha then took us to the bathhouse.

All this hot water and foam are produced by a magic tool!?

I recalled what Misha said about Master Tenma and surprises.

Could he be an envoy of the goddess…?

After we came out of the bathtub, Misha explained how to use the choker.

I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t just an accessory, but a magic tool that could not only store items, but also allowed us to have mental conversations. Afterwards, I wore my new clothes the wrong way and was a bit embarrassed, but I was so happy to wear such nice clothes, soft and fluffy like I had never worn before.

“But it’d be even better if you had rabbit ears like Pipi…”

I obliged and put on a set of bunny ears, and Master Tenma smiled…well, actually, it was more of a grin…

He might have some…well…unusual preferences…

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After the bath, during breakfast, Master Tenma said that he was going to entrust us to Lady Dorothea for a while.

Hearing that, I couldn’t hold back.

“Master Tenma! We want to go with you! Family has to stay together always!”

Also thanks to Misha saying it wouldn’t be a problem, we could go to Master Tenma’s home base that same day, but…honestly, I kind of stopped trying to understand everything that happened around me.

By the time of the guinea fowl banquet, I was getting exhausted from the surprises.

This new life is not all fun and joy, though. Master Tenma’s training is really strict and harsh.

I could feel my senses almost leave me, but then I remembered something Misha said the night before.

“When training, Tenma isn’t a human being anymore! He becomes a demon!”

It’s really tough, but I have to do my best, for Master Tenma’s sake! Thus I hardened my resolve, as I desperately moved my shaking legs forward.

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After we finished training, I noticed that the house had become bigger.

We now had separate beds and a large mirror in the bedroom. Lady Arlene was surprised to see it.

“I have never seen such a splendid mirror, not even in the royal capital…”

After that, us four girls (and Sil) talked for a bit, but we were all tired, so we turned in early.

Relishing in the softness of the bed, I reflected on the day’s events.

Training was hard, but I could see my weaknesses disappear before my eyes. It made it all feel worth it.

Master Tenma had saved us from a future of sadness and misfortune! It was only natural that, in order to serve him all my life, I had to pour a great amount of effort. I cannot possibly disappoint him…I have to do my very best!

At the same time, another memory surfaced in my mind…when we were walking with Master Tenma in town, someone from the Elbis company was staring at me.

I hope that doesn’t mean they’re going to cause trouble to Master Tenma…

Exhausted from the training, I drifted off to sleep…

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