"Don't be nervous, Pani. You don't need to do anything. Even if you feel like saying something, don't. Got it?"
I nodded at Kahel's words.
It had been a week since I lost consciousness in the water for the second time. Since then, no more exploding liquids or bouts of suffocation.
I could speak just fine now.
I still didn't understand how, but even though I was trapped inside this tank-like flask, I could hear the voices of people outside, and my own words reached them clearly as well.
They said the reason I couldn't speak or move before was due to a miscalculation in the concentration of the solution.
Several hoses on the outside of the flask were connected to a complex device—supposedly all designed to keep a homunculus alive and well inside the liquid.
Living as a homunculus from a book I had only ever glanced at once.
Worse still, I never even finished the first volume of that book, so I had zero idea of what might happen next.
Anyway, being this creature is very different from being human. I didn't get hungry even without eating, and as a result, there was no urge to use the bathroom, either.
Surprisingly, I didn't feel bored. Becky came in every hour to read me picture books, and Kahel visited often to tell me about the world and its history.
The Lafarme Empire.
It had been less than fifty years since it conquered smaller nations, dark monsters, and the Fellborn's territories through prolonged war. The empire still seemed to be in chaos.
Beastling who'd lost their lands sometimes attacked humans under cover of darkness. The Fellborn had gone underground, but no one knew when they'd strike back. Everyone lived in constant tension.
To make matters worse, the high-ranking mages who had brought the empire victory were now either dead or too old to be useful. That's why the emperor had turned his hopes to the homunculi.
A well-developed homunculus could be more powerful than ten mages combined. The royal family was now pouring resources into alchemists to encourage homunculus production...
But creating a homunculus is incredibly difficult. Even getting one to be "born" is rare, and raising it safely to the point where it can leave the flask is even harder.
And yet the owner of this house, Alchemist Kayton, had succeeded in doing just that—and I was an even rarer case: a female homunculus.
And now...
To witness such a rare being as myself, esteemed guests from across the land had gathered in the parlor. I was about to be introduced to them.
"Let's go."
Kahel gave a nod to a few boys, and they carefully lifted my flask—the tank, with all its attached hoses and machinery.
It was my first time leaving the room. My heart pounded with excitement at the thought of seeing a hallway, another room, anything new. But just then—fwip—a white cloth was thrown over the top of the flask.
Like wrapping a present. Well, I guess if they suddenly pulled the cloth off later, it'd have that dramatic reveal effect.
I felt a few tremors, like we were going down stairs. Even with the cloth on, I could tell the space around me suddenly grew much brighter. At the same time, I heard the bustle of mixed male and female voices.
"Ooooh…!!"
"Good heavens, a homunculus!"
"I never thought I'd live to see a female homunculus."
"Thank you all for coming today. This child is the female homunculus I've raised together with my disciples—her name is Pani."
As Kayton's voice rang out, the cloth was swiftly removed.
And suddenly, I was staring into the eyes of everyone in the room. In a lavish space, finely dressed men and women stood alongside three hooded figures who looked like priests.
I could tell instantly that those three were not particularly fond of me. The oldest, a gray-hooded elder, spoke slowly.
"Impressive, Kayton. His Majesty will surely praise your achievements."
"How lucky that a girl was born. I imagine suitors will be lining up before long. Ha ha."
The man in the purple hood chuckled. A shiver ran down my spine. What? Suitors? Are they seriously arranging political marriages for an artificial human?
"That's a matter for the distant future."
My 'creator' Kayton replied, sounding like a reluctant father talking about marrying off his daughter.
"The distant future? The Grand Homunculus Competition is just around the corner! You should keep an eye out for potential grooms at the event, hohoho!"
The Grand Homunculus Competition? Future husband? Kahel never mentioned any of this.
I mean, political marriage was ridiculous enough—but a selection contest? What the hell is going on???
The man in the red hood stepped forward and began examining me from every angle.
I stared daggers at him.
"After ten years of failure, you've finally succeeded. Congratulations once again. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this child."
Even I, a lowly artificial being, could tell his words were laced with sarcasm. The room fell into an icy silence.
"Thank you. All I wish is to raise her well and repay the grace His Majesty has shown me."
"Yes, you certainly should. We'll be watching with interest."
The man in the purple hood said. Then, a middle-aged man in a worn coat stepped forward.
He wore a monocle, his hair was graying in patches, and his face looked haggard—but his eyes were sharp.
"You said her name is Pani?"
"Yes."
"She might make a fine match for my son, Kar. What do you think? Shall we arrange a meeting?"
Kayton and Kahel both looked shocked. Of course, I was the most shocked. Who the hell is Kar?! I haven't even said a word and I'm being sold off like it's the damn Middle Ages?!
"Isn't that talk a little premature? They could always meet naturally once they're grown."
"Which is why I'm suggesting we arrange a meeting in advance. Next time, I'll send a carriage to escort her properly. How about that?"
"Letting a homunculus out before she's even fully grown… that's…"
Kayton tried to object, but the man cut him off.
"There's no harm if it's done safely. It's educational. My son Kar has done it many times, and it's always been beneficial."
"Well... we'll think about it. Kahel, take Pani back now."
"Yes, Master."
The 'presentation' was over.
I finally returned to my... room? I've never even known how to swim, but here I am—doing all the swimming I'll ever do in this lifetime, inside this damned flask. I stared at my reflection in the large mirror on the far wall.
Short, seaweed-like green hair. Big, sparkly golden eyes. A small, cute nose. Long limbs, golden fur covering my body, and a tail. Less human, more beast or fairy-like. My ears, long and pointed like an elf's, definitely weren't human.
So this is what a homunculus looks like... The raw materials were human, but my head was that of an elf, and my body resembled an animal. Probably the result of being alchemically grown.
Well, the body's still a beast, but at least the face—looks prettier than when I was Jessica. Will this animal-like body change over time?
Did I die drowning in the ocean and reincarnate here? But usually, reincarnation wipes your past memories, right?
What kind of glitch in the system let me remember everything from my past life?
Or maybe that ocean was some alchemical liquid, and my soul just... drifted into this weird little creature's body...
Who knows. Either way, I have to adapt to this life now.
Whether reincarnation or possession, based on my last memories as Jessica, I probably died. I still missed the memories, the family, the friends—but...
I had to let it go. And honestly? This life might actually be better. As Jessica, everything was just... meh. A plain face that barely avoided being ugly. Below-average grades. Unemployed, failed every job interview. Always crushing on people who didn't like me back.
But now? I had beauty (well, potentially) and talent (maybe—I'm told I have innate abilities, so I'll take their word for it).
Okay. This time, I'll grow up to be a magical beauty and a national idol. I'll charm whoever I like, show off my skills, and live life to the fullest!
"Hey, Pie!"
The door burst open and Becky dashed in, shattering my train of thought.
"Tiny fairy Pie, did you make a good impression?"
"I didn't even do anything."
Becky sometimes calls me 'fairy Pie.'
"So? What was it like going outside for the first time?"
"'Outside'? It was still inside the house."
"Still, it wasn't this room. That counts!"
Sometimes I felt like Becky was pretending to play with me but secretly teasing me. Not because she saw me as a rival or anything—more like a kid gleefully pulling wings off a bug.
"I had high hopes, but it wasn't anything special. Oh, right. They said something about marrying me off someday."
Becky's eyes went wide.
"Marriage? You?!"
"Not right away. But it sounded like they're planning on it eventually."
"Wow... I didn't think they'd arrange a political marriage for a fairy. I need to ask Kahel about this right now!!"
"There's no need, Becky. I'm already here."
"!?!?"
Kahel strode in just as Becky spun around in shock.
"Kahel! How long were you standing there?!"
"I was on my way to see Pani. The door was wide open—I couldn't not hear you."
"Hello, Kahel."
"Pani, were you nervous earlier? How are you feeling now?"
Kahel's visits were always something to look forward to. His long brown hair was braided neatly beneath his red turban, and his warm smile and sharp nose were just... charming.
Whenever he greeted me with those kind brown eyes or showed me magical crystals, I couldn't help but think of Ed. Not that they looked alike—but still...
"I'm okay."
I didn't even try to hide my smile as I answered. I wondered—once I left this flask, could things work out with Kahel? He did seem to like me. I had a chance.
Alright. Once I'm free, I'll seduce Kahel first. Mwahaha!
"Good, good. Hurry up and grow up so we can have fun together, okay? Until then, make sure you grow up pretty."
Kahel winked. I nodded with all the strength I could muster. Please. Let me out. Please, please, please.
"I have a question."
As I spoke, Kahel leaned closer to the flask.
"About what we heard earlier..."
"What part?"
"The marriage talk."
"Ah, that."
I felt a little nervous, but Kahel looked surprisingly unconcerned.
"Don't worry about it. Just focus on growing up healthy."
His cheerful tone made me feel uneasy. (Because most homunculi die before growing up?) Was this his way of saying just try to survive first?
"Still, I want to know. When I grow up, will I really have to get married?"
"That's not something anyone can decide yet. Maybe those people want that."
"Those people...?"
"Hmm. Do you remember the three in hooded robes?"
"Yes."
"They're the board members of the Royal Academy of Magic and Alchemy. They also serve as judges for the Grand Homunculus Competition. They're shady in a lot of ways—I don't like them."
"Oh..."
"Right now, you're the only newly born female homunculus, so you're getting all the attention. One of them has a son named Kar, born around the same time as you. He's the child of Alchemist Raphael."
"You mean that monocle guy?"
"That's the one."
Nope. Not happening. I refuse to grow up into some beautiful magical girl only to get married off in a political scheme.