Part 1.

『Calm down. First, let’s confirm the situation.』

「I am calm.」

『You’re too calm.』

This girl is more self-paced than I thought. I have a premonition she’ll be very successful.

『You have now become my wielder.』

「Yes.」

『ーAnyways, I’m a Magic Sword more or less. I should be quite strong…… Or so I believe.』

「Yes.」

『That’s why, I want you to use me as your sword. Even if you want to stow me away, it’s alright. But you… Do you intend to use me? In other words, will you use me to slay Demonic Beasts?』

Indeed, a girl shouldn’t simply be forced to live such a life.

Because I’ve been equipped for the first time, I have the feeling of wanting this girl to use me, but if she says she doesn’t want to, I’ll give up.

「I want to use you. By all means, I want to use you.」

An immediate response. That figure which grasped onto my hilt tightly was as dignified as they come.

「I will become stronger. Absolutely.」

What circ.u.mstances would motivate her to this extent?

『What is your goal?』

「To break through the wall.」

『The wall? What’s that?』

While listening to her story, I discover that Beastmen seem to be a species that evolves, much like Demonic Beasts. There’re various conditions depending on the Race, but all evolved Beastmen receive respect from their people.

However, the vast majority of Beastmen die without being able to evolve. There seems to be a great difference between Beastmen who have evolved, and those who have not too.

The Black Cats, which is the Race of the girl, have had no one who has evolved throughout all of history. Because of this, they’re treated like underlings among the Beastmen. Her parents also pursued evolution, but ran out of strength in the middle of their adventure. The girl caught the eyes of Slave Traders, and was captured.

The girl has inherited the will of her deceased parents, thus her drive for achieving evolution.

『Mh, mh! What a story! A worthy reason! I’ll make certain that you’ll evolve!』

「Really?」

『Of course! I’ll forge you without holding back, right from the start; then, we’ll go into a Dungeon to level up! And then, evolution!』

「Thank you very much.」

『It’s fine! I wouldn’t pick just anyone to equip me! ーEr… That reminds me, what about your name?』

I still haven’t heard her name yet, even though she’s my important wielder. But the answer that the girl gave was unexpected.

「I don’t have one.」

『Eh? You don’t have a name?』

「No.」

Certainly, she had no name in Appraisal, but to really have no name…

『Why?』

「Your name disappears once you enter a Slave contract.」

『Hmm? What do you mean?』

「New masters usually want to decide on a name, so your name is erased.」

I see; so perhaps after using Contract Magic it’s forbidden to use their name? It’s like they’re Chihiro who had their name stolen by Yu**ba. (¹)

「My name was erased when I was 8.」

That means that she’s lived 4 years as a Slave without losing the determination to achieve her goal. It was surely a life wrought with troubles. She’s gained a little of my respect.

『Is that so…… Then, what was your original name?』

「Fran.」

It’s the same name as a dog which I kept a long time ago, but oh well. It’s easy to say, at least.

『Hmーm. Then your name is Fran.』

「Is that alright?」

『Is that no good?』

「No, it’s not no good. I’m Fran.」

She seems to be happy. She nods her head again and again. With this, it’s become easier to call out to her. But, from the words given from Fran next, I became perplexed.

「What’s your name?」

『Eh? Me?』

「Yes.」

In the past month I never talked to anyone, so I didn’t have to worry about it, but… I’ve never had a name, huh. How foolish, to have never noticed.

I have the name that I used during my last life, so I could claim that as my name. But that would be a person’s name, so it would be quite an odd name for a Sword.

But… Looking at my Status, my name is Unknown. s.h.i.+t! If I had thought about it earlier, I would have been able to think of a cool name!

Something like “Cursed Sword Ka**su” or “Derohuri**ga”! (²)

『Well……』

「No name?」

『That’s correct.』

「Then I’ll name you.」

Well, that’s fine too. She is my wielder, after all. If Fran gives me a name she likes, then I will receive that affection. Besides, I’m apathetic towards what name I’m given, so she should call me what she’d like.

「Uuーn……」

『*Dokidoki*』 (³)

「Fuーmu……?」

『*Wakuwaku*』 (⁴)

「Mumuー…… I’ve decided.」

『Oh! I see! So? What is it?』

「Teacher.」(⁵)

『Ha?』

「Teacher.」

『Why?』

「You’ve said that you’ll train me. Therefore: Teacher.」

『Ahー. There’re no other contenders? Just that one?』

「There isn’t. Best regards, Teacher.」

〈 Name has been temporarily set to Teacher 〉

Uwaahー! An announcement came?! It’s a lie, right? My name isn’t seriously Teacher, right?

「Disliked?」(⁶)

She’s as expressionless as before, but there’s a subtle anxiety showing on her face. Just a little. I can’t say that I hate it if you look at me like that!

『It’s not bad! It’s a good nameー!』

「Yes.」

And so, Teacher was decided as my name. I can’t help but think that it’s not a proper name for a sword, but it’s fine so long as Fran likes it. Or so I persuaded myself.

『So, what shall we do from now on? Seeing as the Slave Trader is dead, what happened to the contract? Was it dispelled?』

「It’s not. The collar didn’t fall off.」

Fran points towards her collar.

「The Contract should be at a Slave Firm.」

『So even if a Slave Trader dies, there’s no meaning so long as the contract remains?』

「I’ll be caught if I go to town.」

It seems I’ll have to deal with this collar somehow.

『Is breaking it no good?』

「Mn. If broken: I die.」

『Eh? Seriously?』

「Seriously.」

Ohh. Dangerous. I was thinking of just cutting it off.

『How should I deal with it……?』

Perhaps a Skill of some sort? When I thought so, I found some Skills I wanted to try.

However, because I can’t use Skills in this place, I have to leave the Magic Power absorption zone.

「Then, leaving the forest should be fine.」

I receive something valuable from the carriage, and we start moving. Of course, the Bear was also collected.