They Wanted a Hero. They Made a Monster: Born at the Bottom
Copyright© 2026 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 57: What Are They Summoning?
Her silk slippers sank softly into the dark red carpet. Finely wrought brass sconces stood at intervals along the corridor, while valuable paintings in gilded frames adorned the wall to her right.
Had Evan been there, he would undoubtedly have muttered something about the decadent excesses of the nobility. To Elara, it was simply the familiar interior of her home.
She descended from her third-floor bedroom and stopped outside the second-floor study.
Her father had invited her teacher, Julian Daniels, from the Relic Society. According to the steward, his requested payment was permission to browse the family’s collection whenever he was not teaching.
In truth, since arriving at the estate, her teacher had practically moved into the study. Aside from practical lessons held on the training grounds, even Elara’s magic instruction took place there.
Someone seemed to have arrived before her today. Voices came from inside.
Naturally, Elara would never do anything so undignified as lurk outside a door and eavesdrop.
She gently pushed it open.
“You should have seen it, Teacher. They shoved something this thick into my mouth and started pumping in air. They literally inflated me awake...”
The voice stopped the instant the study door opened.
Elara looked toward the desk. She recognized the person who had been gesticulating wildly while describing something outrageous, only to freeze in embarrassment when she entered.
It was Calvin, her teacher’s other student.
He was far too energetic for his own good. At any given moment, he was either being punished for his latest stunt or on his way to attempt another.
“You’re early today, Elara.” Julian smiled and beckoned her over.
With his pair of neat mustaches, anyone meeting him for the first time would mistake him for a pampered, middle-aged nobleman. No one would guess that he was a Diamond-rank mage approaching fifty.
“Good morning, Teacher.”
Once Elara had taken her seat, Julian turned back to Calvin.
“And what does any of that have to do with this failed potion? This is the first time I have ever seen anyone brew a Truth Potion this color.”
He picked up the ink-black potion on the desk and swirled it in its vial.
At the mention of his concoction, Calvin’s face fell.
“After those Puffcaps saved us, they gave us gifts too!
“Teacher, don’t look at me like that. I’m telling the truth!
“Gray’s enchanted longsword came from them. One of the gifts was even a Parasitic Tree seed, so of course I used it to brew a potion.
“How was I supposed to know it had been plucked so long ago that all its medicinal properties were gone? It was a dead seed!”
Julian braced a hand on the desk and massaged the space between his brows.
“Very well. I will set aside the question of whether your Puffcap story is true. Have I ever taught you to use an ingredient before testing all its medicinal properties?”
Calvin opened his mouth. Only after a long pause did he answer in a tiny voice.
“You did teach me that ... but I was in a hurry to finish the assignment...”
“Copy the Potion-Brewing Code thirty times and bring it to me tomorrow.”
There was no arguing with that. Calvin could only hang his head and say, “Yes, Teacher.”
Elara suddenly leaned closer with an inquisitive expression.
“Could you tell me more about those Puffcaps?”
The duke’s daughter’s exquisite face was a little too close. Blushing, Calvin shifted backward. Then he began loudly recounting his dungeon expedition with Gray, embellishing every detail.
He described how Calvin’s wisdom had guided them safely to the Fifth Stratum, how they had fought a long and grueling battle against a Dragonkin who attacked without warning, and how they had narrowly escaped after an unfortunate defeat. Then, while he lay grievously wounded, a group of bioluminescent Puffcaps had found and rescued him.
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