I've Inherited the Summoning Skill, So I'm Going to Try to Master It! - Episode 16: In Other Words, Mother Is Scary

Episode 16: In Other Words, Mother Is Scary  

Just to be safe, I explained about Cayenne. I told them that it was a type of Salamander in the form of a lizard. I also mentioned that Cayenne had the power to control fire.  

“I see. So, you’re planning to use Cayenne-chan’s power as a fire source. That’s quite clever, Rufus. If that’s the case, does that mean you might be able to use any kind of magic?”  

“I believe it’s possible. Of course, it depends on whether I can summon a magical creature that corresponds to the specific magic.”  

“That’s amazing! The Summoning Skill is truly an incredible ability! No, the skill itself is amazing, but Rufus, you’re even more amazing!”  

“Guheh!”  

Overcome with emotion, Mother hugged me tightly. I was completely enveloped in her embrace. My head was sinking right into her cleavage. I didn’t even have time to resist; the only sound I could make was something like a squashed frog’s croak.  

This is bad… I-I can’t breathe… I’m going to die…  

“Master!” 

“Pii-chan!” 

At that moment, my reliable companions, Lagios and Pii-chan, rushed in to intervene between me and Mother. Snapping back to reality, Mother quickly released me from her chest. That was close. I nearly crossed over to the afterlife. I could even see my parents from my past life waving to me from the other side of the river.  

If I were a little older, I would have appreciated the moment more. But since I’m still a child, my Cerberus remains a mere Chihuahua.  

I patted my two worried companions to reassure them. Cayenne was still waiting obediently on the table, following my instructions.  

However, it was leaning forward as if it was about to jump over at any moment.  

You really wanted to come over with them, didn’t you? You held back well, Cayenne. I’ll have to give you a good pat later.  

“Ahem. Rufus, bring that child over here. I’m fine now.”  

“Understood.”  

I picked up Cayenne. It was on the verge of falling off the table. I carefully brought it over to Mother. This time, I made sure not to startle her by wrapping both hands around Cayenne. I was keeping it out of sight.  

“Mother, this is Cayenne.”  

“I deeply apologize for startling you earlier, dear Mother. In light of this, I shall now commit seppuku…” 

“You absolutely don’t have to do that!”  

“Oh, um… Cayenne-chan, could I see your face?”  

Cayenne hesitantly peeked out from between my fingers. Seppuku? What are you, a samurai?!  

For a moment, Mother and Cayenne simply stared at each other.  

What’s going to happen? Is she actually going to order it to commit seppuku?  

“Oh my, now that I look closely, you have such a cute face. I had never taken the time to properly observe you before, so I mistakenly thought you were a frightening creature.”  

Safe! Looks like Cayenne won’t have to be executed. That was a close one. If things go well, maybe even Lala will warm up to Cayenne…….. though that might be a bit of a stretch.  

Since Mother and Cayenne had reached an understanding, I decided it was time to show her its power. If Cayenne could successfully demonstrate its role as a fire starter, it would surely ease Mother’s worries.  

And if that happened, everyone here—including Mother, the servants, and the knight guards—would come to understand how incredible, useful, and adorable summoned creatures and the Summoning Skill truly were.  

Once the Summoning Skill was recognized as an outstanding ability, its reputation would naturally increase. Oh, this is turning into a great development!  

“Mother, please come over here. I will now show you Cayenne’s incredible power.”  

“Alright. Let’s see this ‘incredible power’ of Cayenne-chan.”  

I led Mother to the table. On it, a sheet of paper had already been placed in a container. Judging by the way Balt was smiling while Ray looked aloof, it seemed Ray was the one who had prepared it.  

Ray is a classic tsundere. When he acts indifferent, it’s a sure sign that he was the one who did something behind the scenes.

Watching Ray’s expression, I made sure to acknowledge his efforts. This was an essential ritual for building trust with him. A bit tedious?  

“As expected of you, Ray. Thanks to you, we didn’t have to keep Mother waiting.”  

“Ray, Rufus is always in your care, isn’t he?”  

“Your words are too generous.”  

Ray bowed deeply. His shoulders were trembling slightly. Wait… is he crying? Ray, are you that overwhelmed?  

However, knowing full well that Ray was a tsundere, Mother didn’t break her smile. As expected of her.  

“Now then, I’m going to set fire to the paper placed on top of this container. Cayenne, could you ignite it just like before?”  

“By your command!” 

With a loud Whoosh!, Cayenne spewed out flames. And just like that—oh, what a surprise—the container and part of the table turned to ash.  

Great job, Cayenne! Your firepower has increased! ……….…Wait, WHY!? 

“Rufus?”  

“Uh, please wait a moment, Mother. This isn’t what it looks like. Cayenne-san!?”  

“I deeply apologize. It seems that ever since I received my name, my status has risen…” 

“Risen in status!?”  

“Yes. I appear to have been promoted from foot soldier to samurai general…” 

“Is that… true?”  

Cayenne quickly averted its gaze. Yeah, that’s definitely a lie.  

But it was probably just trying to cover for me in its own way. If we claimed that its rank had somehow increased without my knowledge, then it wouldn’t seem like this disaster was my fault.  

I had no choice—I had to roll with it. I had to ride this wave.  

Because ever since this mess started, Mother had been narrowing her eyes at me. And—honestly? She looked terrifying.

I was *this close* to wetting myself.