After the introduction to the family, a week has passed, and today is the day to introduce myself to the nobles and influential people within the Gracia territory.
I haven't created any magic since then, but I've been practicing magic manipulation and increasing my magic power without fail. Also, as Sarnos, the God of War, told me, I've been swinging a wooden sword in the garden.
"Lord Cain, it's finally the introduction day!"
Sylvia prepares the clothes for the introduction.
"Yeah. So far, I've only met the people in this mansion and the church, and I haven't gone out much beyond the garden, so meeting various people makes me nervous."
"You'll be fine, Lord Cain. After all, you're a genius."
"Calling me a genius is an exaggeration. But thank you."
The clothes and hair are all set. All that's left is the introduction.
In the evening, dozens of guests gather in the mansion's grand hall. Garm, the host, stands at the podium and speaks.
"Thank you all for gathering despite your busy schedules. My third son, Cain, has turned five, and we are holding this introduction ceremony. He was baptized last week and received the blessing of the gods. Cain, come in."
The door opens, and I enter.
I stand next to Garm and look around.
Wow, there are so many people.
I take a deep breath and steady myself.
"Thank you for introducing me. I am Cain von Silford. Thanks to everyone, I have turned five. I am still young, but I hope to grow with your guidance. I look forward to your continued support."
I bow.
Good, I managed to say the lines I had rehearsed in my head, using my knowledge from my previous life.
Hmm, there's no response.
The room is silent.
Looking next to me, Garm is smiling wryly at me.
After a few seconds, applause starts, gradually growing louder and becoming a thunderous round of applause.
"Though it was an unusual greeting for a five-year-old, I hope everyone will treat him well. Let's raise a toast."
Garm concludes.
"Cheers!"
Everyone raises their glasses high.
Ah, I guess a five-year-old shouldn't give such a greeting.
Well, what's done is done, so I'll just go with it.
People line up to greet me one by one.
"Cain, remember this. This is Tris."
Garm introduces me.
"Viscount Tris von Sarabas. Nice to meet you, Cain. I am the lord of Lameta, a fortress town on the border with the Vysas Empire, which is our neighboring country to the east of the Gracia territory."
He has blond hair and is dressed in noble attire, but he has a warrior's aura.
"Tris and I are old acquaintances. Thanks to Viscount Tris guarding Lameta, the Gracia territory is safe despite being adjacent to the empire. Remember that well."
Garm explains.
"Thanks to the assistance of the Margrave Garm, I have been able to gather soldiers and am very grateful. Still, that greeting was impressive, Cain. You might be a prodigy."
"Cain has been reading books all the time. He can already read and do calculations."
"That's wonderful. Being the third son, you'll have no shortage of suitors. If I had a daughter, I'd want to marry her to you."
I'm happy to be praised, but it's awkward to talk about marriage at five.
"Thank you. I still have a lot to learn. Until I enter the academy, I enjoy reading books from the family library."
"You should visit Lameta sometime. I think you'll learn a lot."
"I understand. I'll discuss it with my father and try to visit. I look forward to it."
"More and more like an adult. But I'm excited for your future. Ah, the next person is waiting, so I'll talk to you later."
He returns to the crowd.
The next person looks like a civil servant.
"I am Baron Saire von MacLean. I serve as the steward of the Gracia territory and manage the estate when Margrave Garm is in the capital."
"Right. Saire always brings a mountain of documents and doesn't let me escape easily. I could just give him the seal and let him stamp them, but that wouldn't be right."
Garm says, but that wouldn't be good either.
Saire is also smiling wryly.
"The documents need to be reviewed by Lord Garm. That's part of the lord's duties."
I nod in agreement.
"Understood. Cain, if you have any questions about the capital, ask Saire. He can help you."
"Baron Saire, please teach me about the Gracia territory. I look forward to your guidance."
I bow sincerely.
"Of course, Lord Cain. I'd be happy to. I can also provide education for a civil servant position."
Saire seems quite enthusiastic.
"Wait, wait. Cain is only five. Let him choose when he's an adult. If he wants to be a civil servant then, I'll consider it."
"Understood, Lord Garm. I'll take my leave now."
The next person approaches, wiping sweat and wobbling his heavy body. He looks like a merchant, with gemstone bracelets and rings on both hands.
"Lord Cain, how are you? I am Matthias, the branch manager of the Narnis Trading Company, which has its headquarters in the capital and operates in the Gracia territory. If you need anything, even slaves, just let me know."
"I'm not sure about slaves, but I might need something. I'll contact you if I do."
"What a smart young master."
This merchant is using too much cologne.
After a few more greetings, the line of people waiting to greet me calms down.
I tell Garm.
"Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment. Please take care of things, Father."
"Understood. I'll be here, so come back soon."
I slip out of the grand hall through the crowd.
After using the restroom, I head back to the grand hall and notice a girl around my age who seems lost.
"Are you lost?"
The girl turns around, and I see something unusual on her head.
Cat ears.
Cat ears! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
And her face is cute with big, round eyes!
I've read many books and heard about beastmen, but I've never met one. I haven't been outside the city except for my baptism, and everyone in the mansion is human, so this is my first encounter.
"Yes. I came with my father, but I got lost after going to the restroom."
She answers, looking worried.
"My name is Cain. What's yours?"
"My name is Palma."
"Let's go back to the grand hall together. If you don't return soon, your father will worry."
"Okay."
Palma smiles.
"Once we're back in the grand hall, I'll help you find your father."
"Thank you, Cain."
Oh no. She's too cute. I want to pet her cat ears. I restrain myself and walk with her.
We return to the grand hall, where people are chatting and sipping their drinks.
"Where is your father?"
As we walk, someone calls out.
"Ah, Palma. I was worried when you didn't come back."
Turning around, I see a kind-looking man with cat ears.
"Father, I got lost, but Cain helped me."
The man stops mid-thank you, wiping cold sweat.
"Are you Lord Cain?"
"Yes, that's me. Nice to meet you. I'm Cain von Silford. Thank you for coming to the celebration today."
I bow politely.
"No, no. I'm the one who should apologize. Palma caused you trouble."
Palma, standing next to me, tilts her head, not understanding.
Wow, so cute...
"Palma! This is Lord Cain, today's guest of honor. Did you offend him?"
"Ah, Lord Cain is a noble? I thought his clothes were fancy, but everyone here is dressed nicely, so I didn't realize."
"Palma! You should call him Lord Cain, not Cain."
"No, no, it's fine. We're both children. I've been cooped up in the mansion, so I haven't had many opportunities to talk to people my age. Would you like to be friends, Palma?"
"Sure! I'd be happy to, Lord Cain."
"Thank you."
I hope I can pet those cat ears someday.
"By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I run the Salakhan Trading Company in the Gracia territory. My name is Sabinos. I look forward to working with you and Palma."
He bows politely.
He seems much better than the gemstone-encrusted merchant from earlier.
"Likewise. I'm still a child and can't do much, but please let me know if you need anything. I need to return to my father soon. Sabinos, Palma, I look forward to seeing you again."
"Likewise."
I wave goodbye to Palma and return to Garm.
After that, I was introduced to a few more people, but I don't remember them well.
Introducing a five-year-old doesn't leave much of an impression.
The introduction ceremony ends successfully, and the guests have already left.
I'm drinking tea in the family living room when Garm comes in.
"You must be tired. Did you have any fun? You look smug."
Garm sits on the sofa opposite me.
"Yes, Father. Today, I met a cat beastman for the first time. It was a girl, and she was very cute."
"Already noticing girls at five, huh? Really."
Garm is in a good mood because of Cain's prodigious abilities and the positive feedback from today's guests.
"If you're going to notice girls, wait until you're an adult. As the third son, you can't inherit the estate, so find your own path when you grow up. I'll help you if you decide to do something."
Garm, knowing Cain's status, believes he will succeed in any profession.
"Yes, I understand. I want to become an adventurer."
Cain answers seriously, looking at Garm.
Garm shows a slightly troubled expression but quickly smiles.
"A court magician, knight, or merchant, but an adventurer? That could be interesting."
"Yes, I want to become an adventurer and travel to the capital and other regions of this country, and if possible, other countries."
"Understood. You can become an adventurer at ten, but you'll need to attend the academy. I'll arrange a sword and magic tutor for you until then. I'll find someone suitable."
"Thank you, Father."
It's getting late, so I say goodbye to Garm and return to my room.
I hand my clothes to Sylvia as I change into my pajamas and get into bed.
"Lord Cain, you did a great job today. You are truly a genius! I look forward to your future."
Sylvia, who heard my greeting today, is excited.
"Sylvia, don't flatter me so much. I'm really tired. I'll rest well today. Good night."