The Extra's Evolution Pathway

"Come to think of it, I didn't see any demi-humans in the church."

Were they not allowed in or was the occasion simply too formal for them to attend?

Either way, it only confirmed that demi-humans held little significance in human society.

I took off my clothes, which were stained with dried sweat.

The faint odor drifting from them made me uncomfortable, so I figured it was time for a change.

My eyes drifted to a tall wardrobe on the far side of the room.

It stood open just a crack, and through it, I caught a glimpse of tunics and cloaks made of fine fabrics.

They looked regal, as if woven from the finest silk.

I stepped over and picked out a white shirt and a black pair of trousers.

The shirt was tailored in a nobleman's fashion—its collar high and stiff, lined with subtle golden embroidery that curled like vines along the edges.

The black trousers were sleek and pressed, the fabric smooth like velvet but light to the touch.

Even the shoes were polished to a near mirror-shine.

Everything about the clothes screamed elegance.

Using the meager knowledge I had of medieval fashion, I dressed myself in the perfectly fitting clothes and slipped into the shoes.

A tall mirror with a golden frame stood beside the wardrobe.

I took a moment to admire myself.

"I look like a noble gentleman."

"Isn't it time to step out?"

I activated my [Magic Sense].

I could sense figures cloaked in magical energy beyond the walls of the room.

However, I directed my focus to outside the door.

There seemed to be figures standing still.

Cloaked in mana, they held something that seemed like a long rod and remained fixed in their position like sentinels.

"The royal knights. It seems they are positioned in the corridor."

Just then, a figure entered my magic field of vision. They walked slowly past the sentinels, then positioned themselves in front of my door.

"That will be Fieral."

I deactivated my [Magic Sense] and walked towards the door.

I then knocked quietly and stood at one side.

Answering to my call was Fieral.

She opened the door and stepped in, then beamed brightly at me, her small white canine tooth becoming obvious from the wide grin.

I petted her head gently—I just couldn't resist the urge, and it seemed she was enjoying it.

"Fieral, since you are my personal maid, can you take me outside the castle for a stroll?"

"Anything!"

'Okay, there seems to be no problem.'

Fieral disappeared under my petting hand and trotted quickly to the clothes I had taken off, which were on the floor.

"Master should have told me you have dirty laundry."

She took the dirty clothes and hugged them firmly, as if they were something precious.

"When I take this to the laundry, I will come for master's request."

"I appreciate that."

Just a couple of minutes after she left, Fieral came back—but something was different.

Her maid uniform was strapped with dangerous weapons like small knives.

Her long black stockings were also strapped with two pen knives at both legs.

It gave her some feeling of malevolent aura, like some assassin, each blade glinting as if thirsty for blood.

"W-what is...?"

Cold ran down my spine as I failed to bring out the right words.

"This is my combat maid form. When going out with my master, it is only right to be equipped."

Fieral then had a confused expression on her face, as if she didn't understand why I was surprised.

I quickly composed myself and asked her:

"Is this a common thing here?"

Fieral placed one finger on her lips with a wondering head motion, her eyes rolling as if thinking of something.

She then turned to me with a sharp, determined gaze, one I had never seen on her face since I had met her.

"No, just a thing I thought of.

But since no royal knight volunteered when I asked them, I thought I should take necessary precautions.

The world outside the castle is a perilous one after all."

She looked sideways embarrassingly, her face flushing crimson, signaling a maid that wanted to protect her master at all cost.

My stomach immediately churned when I heard "royal knight."

'So the news of a useless hero had reached them all.'

Once again, I was reminded that I had been abandoned.

I suppressed the feeling of anger welling up in me and smiled at Fieral.

Then a thought wandered into my mind.

'Fieral, as my combat maid, I will make you strong, stronger than any royal knight.'

The thought burned with a flame in my mind as I looked at her. The voice of a protective maid wouldn't be rejected by me.

'System, show me her status.'

[On it]

[Displaying Cat girl status...]

— [Fieral Whispurr] —

MP : [150]

Level : [4]

Exp : [74%———————100%]

Profession : Druid

Physique: [10]

[Ability Count] — 10 —

'Oh... she is a lot stronger than me.'

I chuckled, and my eyes landed on her profession.

"A druid... Is it because she is related to an animal?"

Fieral's ear perked up as she heard this. She immediately looked at me with awe.

"How did master know?"

I cleared my throat once again and found a reasonable thing to say.

"Well, it is part of my ability."

I moved toward her and scratched her furry ears.

A purr escaped her mouth, causing me to stop in surprise.

'It still feels amazing that I'm seeing a cat girl.

That is something I could only see in animes back in my world.'

I then went on to check her abilities. Those evolution fragments would find their usefulness today.

[— Laundry —]

[Sufficient Evolution Fragments, Can be evolved]

[— Cookery —]

[Sufficient Evolution Fragments, Can be evolved]

[— Seamstress —]

[Sufficient Evolution Fragments, Can be evolved]

[— Etiquette Mastery —]

[Sufficient Evolution Fragments, Can be evolved]

[— Tea Ceremony —]

[Sufficient Evolution Fragments, Can be evolved]

[— Bed Making —]

[Sufficient Evolution Fragments, Can be evolved]

'No combat ability?'

Why were all of them about housework?

Was it because she was a maid?