Volume 1 Chapter 18 New Year's Eve in Another World
The day after finishing his 'Mana Control' training was the last day of the year. That means New Year's Eve. In this country? In this world? The calendar has 30 days in January, December exists, and a year is 360 days. A week is 6 days, with 5 weeks. Shorter than Earth a bit. Only different by 73 years, so I guess it's not a big deal.
There are seasons, but summer's long and others are shorter.
Seems like the longer summer helps crops grow well.
The year-end in Viscount Sanroze's land is short winter but pretty cold.
It doesn't snow much in the plains where the town is, but still gets about 5-10 cm of snow every year.
In this harsh other world, about 2-3 people freeze to death each year because of this snow.
Back to the main point, today is New Year's Eve.
No big yearly events like big cleanings, New Year's soba, or singing contests like in Japan.
No holiday break at all, actually.
Just to say, the people working for the Sanroze family take turns to rest, so it's not a super harsh or 'black' household.
He'll say that.
Still, on the last day of the year, it's not like nothing happens.
Every year, the villagers get some alcohol and a little food from Luke.
They bring it home, share it, and celebrate the New Year.
On this day only, the Sanroze family all gather in the big hall for dinner.
It's way more fancy than usual, with not just bread, soup, and salad, but also pasta-like noodles and meat dishes.
They also serve some alcohol, even if just a little, so everyone's really excited.
This year, Benjamin went hunting during training, so the maids were all noisy about it.
Cain was all torn up from training, so he didn't know what they caught.
Sister Alice was excited too, so it must've been something really awesome.
* * *
Dinner was ready, and when he went to the big hall, a huge table was packed with food.
The first thing that caught his eye was the roasted Wileyboar (some pig or what?) that's about 2 meters long.
Around it, there was a whole roasted guinea fowl too.
The head chefs really outdid themselves this time.
Not just meat, but pasta with Wileyboar bacon and greens like spinach.
A hearty soup like minestrone and creamy rabbit soup.
A chef's whimsical salad?
Even a pound cake with dried fruits for dessert.
The young maids were giggling at the spread of dishes.
Among them, the butler Randolph was going around pouring wine.
The servants were respectfully receiving their wine.
Just when the wine made its rounds, Luke showed up with Lydia.
"Thank you all for another year. This year, Benjamin and the head chef worked hard, so we have a fancy dinner. Enjoy the food and drink. Cheers!"
With Luke's toast, the New Year's banquet began.
Cain grabbed some partridge with Alice and bit in wholeheartedly.
Tonight, anything goes, so even Randolph, who usually insists on table manners, let things slide.
He ate soup, pasta, and chatted with maids and servants he usually never spoke to.
"Cain."
Lydia and Luke were calling him over.
Cain took some pound cake and sat at their table.
"I heard from Benjamin that you've been training hard every day. Good job."
Luke honestly praised him.
"Benjamin doesn't say much, but he really loves you, Cain, so he taught you kindly, right?"
Lydia, knowing nothing, chimed in.
"..." Cain felt the painful memories resurface, and he froze.
"What's wrong, Cain?"
"N-no, Elder Brother Ben taught me carefully. Thanks to that, I was able to acquire the [Mana Control] skill yesterday."
Cain answered as brightly as he could manage.
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