Please, Make Me Your Disciple

“Please, make me your disciple.”

“............”

I don't know how many times I've asked now, but Grandpa completely ignored my request to be his disciple, without so much as a nod or a shake of the head.

He sat with his back to me, filing down and polishing an Electrideer antler for some reason.

It was a dark and quiet night; the starry sky was covered in clouds, and not even the moonlight could reach us.

The warm glow of the candle and the hearth (or something like it) lit up Grandpa's outline.

Ever since I accompanied him on the hunt, my desire to have Grandpa teach me his techniques had only grown stronger.

They're techniques that would definitely help me get stronger, and above all, Grandpa looked so incredibly cool fighting that deer.

But Grandpa wouldn't even listen to my request......

<Why won't he accept you? Could his school have some kind of rule against it?>

Hmm, I wonder why......?

Well, thinking about the reason won't get me anywhere.

The important thing is to get Grandpa to nod his head!

If asking him head-on doesn't work, I'll have to resort to some slightly underhanded methods!

“............”

Grandpa was working away in silence, so I went around in front of him and sat down formally on my knees, seiza-style.

Then, I slowly...... held out the small pouch I've been using for a while.

The pouch was swollen to the size of a softball.

“............”

Grandpa paused his work, his eyes asking, What's this?

“............”

My eyes answered: Open it and you'll see.

“............”

Grandpa opened the mouth of the pouch and took out the contents.

And rolling out of the bag was a giant pill bug!

This was one I'd caught this morning, thinking I'd have it for a snack!

It's probably quite meaty and delicious!

“............”

Ah! Wait, Grandpa, don't throw it away! Don't just silently toss the pill bug away!

Roast it and it'll definitely be delicious, you know!?

I bet it tastes like something in the shrimp or crab family!?

Dammit! So the bribery plan failed!

<You should have at least cooked it before offering it......!>

Yeah, you're right, Omake-sama......

But for now, I'll keep asking.

“Please, make me your disciple.”

“............”

Grandpa remained silent and let out a single sigh.

“............Why?”

And then, he muttered.

!! Th...... this is the pill-bug effect!?

The negotiations have progressed!?

I must not let this chance slip away!!

“Because, I want to get strong.”

“............”

“I don't want to die. I want to get strong.”

“............It need not be me, surely.”

“I want Grandpa.”

“Why.”

“Because Grandpa is, kind and cool.”

“............”

“I want Grandpa, to teach me.”

““............””

And then, silence.

Illuminated by the flickering candle flame, Grandpa didn't move a muscle.

With his arms crossed and his eyes closed, he kept his head bowed.

The silence stretched on.

Every so often, the firewood in the hearth popped with a pachiri.

“............”

About an hour must have passed like that.

Grandpa suddenly snapped his eyes open, stared intently at me, and then slowly stood up.

He walked straight toward the wall.

<......What's happening?>

He's trying to do something.

That much I could sense, so I focused hard, determined not to miss a single move Grandpa made.

【Magic Perception】 activate.

Having reached the wall, Grandpa placed the soles of his feet against it, and then......

Eh?

Huh?

Grandpa simply began walking vertically up the wall, with the same ease as if he were walking on the floor.

And then, when he put his feet on the ceiling, he began walking across it while upside down.

Eh? What? What's happening? What on earth am I watching right now?

After doing a “lap” of the room in that unheard-of way, Grandpa came back to where I sat frozen in front of him, and said just one thing.

“............【Silverfish】.”

He muttered only that, and began polishing the Electrideer's antler again.

Omake-sama, just now......

<Does that mean...... he showed you a technique......?>

Silverfish...... 【Silverfish】, huh.

He showed me a technique.

I see.

......In other words, he's saying he accepts me as his disciple.

<Huh?>

However, first, he wants me to reproduce this 【Silverfish】.

<Eh?>

And that if I can't even do that, there's no value in training me from here on.

<Wait, Emi?>

......I understand. I'll show him I can do it.

<Heeey, wait a minute?>

I will definitely clear this task.

<What are you talking about!?>

I'll prove that I'm worthy of being your disciple!

<............>

Once more, I humbly ask for your guidance...... Master!!

<Um, did he really accept you as his disciple? Are you sure you're reading this right?>

No mistake! Master's and my hearts are connected, so I can tell!

<Like I said, please talk using words!!>