I Was Trying to Stream a Slow Life, but It Seems My Golem Partner Started Warming Up. - Chapter 9

—-The previous day. An elf girl calling herself Tarata had suddenly appeared, begging me to take her as my disciple right as I ended my stream. Beta-chan, ever vigilant, had nearly subdued the perceived threat on the spot.

“Okay, okay, Beta-chan, calm down. It’s alright.” I managed to soothe my overprotective golem. Turning back to the elf, I asked, “So, you’re Tarata? The one who sent that direct message asking to see the enchanting process properly?”

“Y-Yes, that is correct!” Tarata straightened up, her pointy ears twitching nervously. “I watched your stream where you crafted the Magical Stove… I was utterly captivated! The complexity of the golem, the instantaneous creation of a magic stone from raw magic… and the enchantment! Though I regrettably missed seeing the enchanting process itself due to… circumstances… your skills are simply astounding! Please, Ms. Alkemy, I wish to learn your alchemy!”

Her eyes shone with an almost desperate sincerity. She spoke with that formal, clipped style I’d noticed in her message.

Ugh, an apprentice? No way. My internal alarms blared. That was the exact opposite of a Slow Life! Alchemy was just my hobby, something I did for fun when I felt like it. I didn’t want the responsibility of teaching someone… especially someone this intense. I glanced at her again. Still, she seemed genuinely passionate, and maybe even skilled in her own right if she could appreciate the nuances she mentioned.

Beside me, Beta-chan shifted slightly. Her usually serene expression held… something. Was it jealousy? Possessiveness? Or just passive observation? Her gaze flickered between me and Tarata. Was she upset someone else was praising my skills? Or maybe she was just analyzing the newcomer? Hard to tell with her sometimes.

“Look, Tarata-san,” I began, trying to let her down gently. “I appreciate the enthusiasm, really. But I came out here to the countryside specifically to live a slow, quiet life. Alchemy is just something I do on the side. I’m not looking for an apprentice, and honestly, I don’t think I’d be a very good teacher anyway.”

“That matters not!” Tarata insisted, taking a step closer, her hands clasped pleadingly. “I do not require formal lessons! I simply wish to be near you, to observe your craft! I can perform chores, assist with material gathering, anything! Please! At my current atelier, despite my efforts, I am given no recognition, no opportunity to practice the enchantments I so adore… Just being allowed to watch you work would be an invaluable experience, indeed!”

Hearing about her struggles at the atelier tugged at my conscience slightly. Must have been tough, being young and talented but overlooked… Still, my peaceful life…

“Master,” Beta-chan suddenly spoke, her voice calm and even. “If you wish it…” Her gaze met mine, unreadable. Was that quiet support? Or a subtle warning about disrupting our routine?

Aaargh! Fine! My resolve crumbled under the combined weight of Tarata’s desperation and my own flicker of sympathy (and maybe a tiny bit of guilt). “Okay, look,” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “You can stay. Temporarily. As an observer, maybe help out with basic stuff sometimes. But not as a formal disciple, understand? I won’t be giving you any special instruction. You just watch from the sidelines.”

Tarata’s face lit up like a solstice sun. “Oh, thank you! Thank you so much, Ms. Alkemy! I shall endeavor to be of utmost utility without being a burden!” She bowed deeply, nearly bumping her forehead on the floor.

What have I done? I immediately regretted my decision. There went my quiet, easygoing Slow Life… down the drain.