I've Inherited the Summoning Skill, So I'm Going to Try to Master It! - Episode 23: In Other Words, We’re All Friends

Episode 23: In Other Words, We’re All Friends  

A lone treasure chest. It was deliberately placed as if begging for suspicion. It was shady—too shady. Even without Lagios pointing it out, anyone would assume it was a trap.  

“Brother Leonard, that treasure chest looks incredibly suspicious.”  

“You’re right. But… I don’t sense any hostility.”  

It seemed that Brother Leonard’s Sword Saint Skill allowed him to detect hostility from others. I should probably make sure never to direct any ill intentions toward him—he’d see right through it.  

But a *non-hostile* trap box? Then what was its purpose?  

“What should we do, Brother?”  

“Hmm… for now, I’ll try approaching it. Rufus, stay back.”  

“Understood.”  

Brother Leonard cautiously advanced toward the suspicious treasure chest. While I hugged Lagios and hid behind Beartolt.  

Now that I think about it, is it really okay for the second prince to be handling such a dangerous task himself? Maybe that’s just how powerful the Sword Saint Skill is.  

The royal guards already had their swords drawn. They were ready to attack at a moment’s notice. In contrast, Brother Leonard hadn’t even reached for his weapon yet. That sheer confidence alone highlighted the overwhelming difference in skill level.  

Sure, skill mastery could bridge the gap to some extent. But against an opponent with superior abilities, some differences might just be insurmountable.  

Just as Brother Leonard closed in on the treasure chest, it suddenly started trembling.  

“I-I’m not a bad trap box!”

“Whoa! It talks?!”  

Even Brother Leonard was taken aback. He momentarily stopped in his tracks with his hand on his sword’s hilt.  

But seriously… what does it mean by ‘not a bad trap box’? Aren’t trap boxes *supposed* to be all about setting up nasty tricks and laughing villainously? That’s like… their whole thing.  

“It seems to be a magical creature. I’ve never seen anything like it in any encyclopedia. How about you, Brother?”  

“I haven’t either.”  

Brother Leonard scratched his head, looking puzzled.  

Meanwhile, my curiosity toward this trap box only grew. If it was truly a summoned magical creature, then that meant someone in the royal family had the Summoning Skill in the past.  

“Trap Box-san, would you like to chat? I brought lots of friends with me.”  

I stepped forward with Lagios and the others.  

Cautiously, the trap box’s lid cracked open ever so slightly. Its interior was pitch black, making it impossible to see inside. But I could feel something watching us.  

“I-It’s true! So many…! Wait, are you my new Master?”

“Master? What do you mean?”  

Brother Leonard and I exchanged glances. We were both equally confused. He even raised his hands in a gesture of surrender—so he had no clue either.  

This was getting complicated. I had no choice but to ask directly.  

“Trap Box-san, are you looking for a Master?”  

“Yes. I’ve been searching for someone to be my Master.” 

“Can you tell me how someone becomes your Master?”  

“If someone gives me a name, that person becomes my Master.” 

“I see. Lagios, is it possible to take control of a magical creature summoned by someone else?”  

“If the original summoner no longer exists in this world, then it may be possible.” 

This chamber had been forgotten for who knows how long. Chances were, the person who summoned this trap box had already passed away.  

If that was the case, then this little one had been waiting here all alone all this time.  

That thought… made me kind of sad.  

I was going to save this poor thing.  

“Alright, then! I’ll give you a name.”  

I thought for a moment. “Since you’re a Trap Box, how about… *Toraemon*? Wait, no, that might be bad. Uh… let’s go with *Tora-chan*!”  

“Master registration complete. From today onward, I am Master’s servant.”  

“Servant…? No, no, I don’t think of magical creatures as servants!”  

Sure, I might’ve called Lagios a familiar when I first summoned it just to sound cool. But I didn’t feel that way anymore!  

To prove my point, I hugged Lagios tightly.  

Honestly, at this point, I’m probably more like Lagios’ servant. I’d do anything for this fluffy creature.  

“Right now, we’re all friends. That includes you, Tora-chan.”

“Yeah! Friends!” 

Tora-chan skillfully tilted its boxy body from side to side as it ran toward us. So *that’s* how a Trap Box moves. Its lid flapped open and shut excitedly. It made it clear just how happy it was.  

Summoning Skills can even call forth intangible magical creatures? That means summoning not just stone golems but even giant robots might be possible. Whoa, the possibilities are endless!  

As I got carried away with my thoughts, Brother Leonard and the others watched over us.  

“I never would’ve guessed this hidden room existed just to conceal a magical creature. I wonder if there’s some secret about Tora-chan?”  

Brother Leonard tilted his head in thought. That was a good point. Hiding an important magical creature made sense, but the level of security here seemed excessive.  

Could it be… that something *inside* the Trap Box was valuable?  

“Hey, Tora-chan, what can you do?”  

“I can store lots and lots of items!”  

“I see, so you’re basically a magic box replacement.”  

“A magic box?”  

“Ah—just something on my mind. Never mind that. So, does that mean there are already things stored inside you, Tora-chan?”  

“Yep! Lots and lots of things!”  

It cheerfully flapped its lid open and shut.  

Hmm… there’s a very high chance that whatever’s inside is something troublesome. I can practically smell the potential for a headache. But still, my curiosity was getting the better of me.  

Even Brother Leonard’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.  

“What do you think, Brother?”  

“Let’s see………. Try to make it bring out the best sword inside you.”  

“Got it!”  

Now that I think about it, Brother Leonard’s hobby is collecting swords.  

If Tora-chan pulls out a legendary, historically significant blade, he’s definitely going to lose his mind with excitement.  

“Tora-chan, can you bring out your best sword?”  

“Understood!”