Chapter 102

Spartan Course
Since I had already received permission from my Grandmother, I told them about the attribute assessment and how I thought I might be able to join the merit-based Monster Subjugation Corps even with a Null attribute.

Of course, I decided to keep quiet about my past-life memories and my out-of-the-ordinary skills. My Grandmother had also warned me that if I ever mentioned my skills, I should limit it to three at most.

"I see. Even though you're only six, you've been thinking about all this in your own way. I'm sorry for asking something so difficult.”

Said Emma.

"It's fine. This way, you can understand that I'm not just interested in joining on a whim, right?"

"Yes, of course. By the way, how much training are you doing now?"

Sophia asked.

"Umm, since last month, I've been running ten laps around our training ground, doing 100 push-ups, 100 leg raises, three sets of sit-ups, 50 swings on each side, and sparring with Nancy. It's still only two or three times a week, though."

[Haaah!?]

"Is it still not enough?"

"No, no, that's absolutely brutal for a six-year-old..."

Olivia muttered.

"The training ground you’re talking about... that's where the private soldiers train, right? You're running ten laps around that...?"

Isabella added in disbelief.

"Hey, Nancy, you're the one training her, right? This is going way too far.”

Emma said, exasperated.

"No, no, I still have a long way to go. Young lady finished my training course long ago. Her progress was so fast... That’s actually the training regimen set by the Old Madam since last month."

[Lady Lindsay's—!?]

"Even the men of the First to Fourth Knight Orders reportedly gave up on that course..."

"That's the regimen of Lady Lindsay, who was once called the strongest among all the knights..."

"... It's practically a Spartan course."

What? That sounds like a dangerous name...

Wait, was my Grandmother really that powerful?

"Little Joan, if you keep up with this training, you'll be fine. Not only will you qualify for the Monster Subjugation Corps, but you'd be capable of joining any department. You could even become one of the Queen's personal guards, just like Lady Lindsay.”

Sophia remarked.

"The Queen’s personal guard?"

"Yes. They wear knight uniforms of white with gold embroidery. Even as a woman, you'd find them breathtaking.”

Isabella explained.

"Oh, absolutely. They're so cool! Plus, working in the royal capital means it's less dangerous, the food is delicious, there’s plenty of shopping, and, most importantly, it increases your chances of a better marriage.”

Olivia added.

Personally, I can cook whatever I want to eat, so that doesn’t matter. I also have no particular interest in dresses... Marriage, hmm... More importantly, I just want to hunt monsters.

Monsters > Cooking > The Royal Capital > Marriage.

I mean, since I’ve come to another world, it would be a waste not to hunt real monsters.

"Hmm, but don’t the Queen’s guards require an attribute? Also, I’m more interested in monsters than the royal capital. If I can’t join the Monster Subjugation Corps, I was thinking about becoming an adventurer."

[......]

"More interested in monsters than the capital... I didn’t expect it to be to this extent. Alright, if you’re that determined, we have to train you properly. Right, everyone?"

Emma said.

"Yes, of course. First, just continue following Lady Lindsay’s training program. (Honestly, just being able to keep up with the Spartan course is already impressive.).”

Olivia said.

"Then, when you enroll at the academy, choose the knight course. There aren’t many women in it, but if you can’t handle that, then there’s no way you’d make it into the Monster Subjugation Corps.”

Emma added.

"Also... Little Joan, what skills do you have?"

Sophia asked.

Ah, I knew that question was coming. What would be considered normal?

"Um... S-Search, Storage, and Dry."

That should be normal... right?

Nancy gave a small nod, so it should be fine.

"Oh? Storage is a very convenient skill. It’ll be useful during expeditions.”

Emma remarked.

"Search is great for identifying monsters. I have that one, too.”

Olivia added.

"What is Dry?"

Sophia tilted her head.

"Um... it’s, uh, drying things?"

"Oh, that’s wonderful! On rainy expeditions, being soaked drains your stamina. If there’s no one with a Wind attribute around, it can be tough.”

Isabella said.

"Also—oh, Little Joan, you should learn at least a little cooking. If you're worse than the men during expeditions, they’ll give you painful looks. And if you mess up the seasoning, they’ll never let you live it down... Like Nancy. Ahaha.”

Emma teased.

"Hey! What are you talking about?! Emma, you were the same way!"

Nancy protested, her face red.

"That’s true. Emma and Nancy were equally bad.”

Olivia said.

""Olivia—!? You too?!""

"Alright, calm down. You’re startling Little Joan.”

Isabella interrupted.

"Little Joan, just make sure you don’t end up like these two. Learn to cook little by little.”

Sophia advised.

"What the heck!? Isabella and Sophia, just because you could do a little better— And for the record, my lady’s cooking is fabulously delicious!... Oh."

Oh, Nancy, you went and said it...

Noble girls at six years old usually don’t cook, you know?

[What!? You can cook!?]

See? Everyone’s shocked.

"Ah, um, just a little. I was interested, so Mr. Abe has been teaching me."

"Mr. Abe? You mean *that* Captain Abe!?"

Emma's eyes widened.

Oh, right. He was part of the Monster Subjugation Corps... and a captain, at that.

"Yes, I think it's that Abe. He’s been teaching me a lot, so I think I can manage some basic dishes. Oh, if you’d like..."

I took out some snowball cookies from my Storage.

"Huh? Little Joan, you made these?"

Olivia asked.

"Um... Uh, you can ask Mr. Abe about it."

"Huh~ So Captain Abe can even make sweets... With that face of his. Ahaha."

Isabella chuckled.

"Oh, but he was kind in his own way. Even with that face.”

Sophia added.

Crunch.

[Mmm~ Delicious~]

"These are so light and crisp. Lovely.”

Emma said.

"Really. If you can bake sweets like this, I think you'll be just fine.”

Sophia reassured me.

Phew, looks like I passed.

Well, with an S-rank Storage, I can always pull out pre-prepared meals during expeditions.
But... would that make me stand out too much?