My Daughter was an Unsold Slave Elf [Prologue] [Volume 1] (Patreon)

—Lily, did you pack your handkerchief? What about your staff and robe?

—I put them all in my backpack yesterday! As for the handkerchief, uh... well...

—The staff isn't there.

—Huh...? I’ll go look for it!

I glanced sideways as Lily hurried back and forth in the sunlit living room. Then I double-checked her backpack.

She had been so confident last night while packing, but sure enough, the staff wasn’t inside. At this rate, she probably forgot other things too.

—We can’t afford any embarrassment on your first day—how you start at magic school will shape the rest of your time there. You have to make a good impression. No one can look down on you. Forgetting stuff is the absolute worst thing.

—Daddy! I found my staff!

—All right, let’s make sure you don’t forget to pack it this time.

Lily handed me her staff and dashed back to her room. As I watched her go, I held the staff up in the air without thinking. The morning sunlight caught its silver surface, making it sparkle brightly.

—All right, definitely don’t forget to put this in your backpack.

—...It won’t get stolen, right?

This staff was made from the horn of a Crystal Dragon.

A monster rated SSS difficulty for slaying. Normally, such a staff should be kept in a special case. Actually, it shouldn’t be used casually at all; it would be strange if it weren’t displayed in a top-tier magic shop, marked "Not for Sale" If I sold it, I could easily build a mansion in the best part of the imperial city. So yeah, it’s definitely a prime target for thieves.

—Well... whatever. If it does get stolen, I’ll just hunt it down again.

Lily’s long, elf-like ears twitched anxiously. I already knew how to take down a Crystal Dragon from last time. I don’t care if it’s rated SSS or whatever.

Next time, her staff will just have to be hers again.

I shoved the staff roughly into a gap in her already overstuffed backpack and headed toward her room. Peeking in, I saw Lily standing in front of the full-length mirror, putting on her robe. She seemed rushed, her elf ears twitched nervously.

—I’m all ready by myself!

She spun around to face me, arms stretched wide.

The robe, made from the same Crystal Dragon material as the staff, fit her perfectly now. But I had a feeling she’d outgrow it pretty soon.

After all, Lily’s still growing. By the time she’s a middle schooler, this robe might only cover her upper body. No, I actually want it to be that way.

—Lily, are you ready to head to school?

—Yep!

…That’s Lily, who used to be a slave.

But the Lily who once despaired over everything in this world is gone now. A whole lot of happiness is waiting for her from here on out.

—Lily’s excited for school!

She took off running, wobbling a bit as she struggled to carry her stuffed-to-the-brim backpack, but her smile was wide and genuine.

—Daddy, let’s go already!

—Okay, okay, Lily!

I noticed her hat sitting on the sofa and quickly called after her before she could leave. She peeked her head through the door leading to the entrance.

—You forgot your hat.

—Oh! You’re right!

She gasped in surprise, hand flying to her head. I gently put the hat on her, and she grinned cheekily while reaching out her hand.

I grasped her tiny palm firmly, and together we stepped out into the bright sunshine.