Reborn As Noble

"Huh? Why's everyone so busy today?" Javier muttered, scratching his head as he walked down the corridor.

Javier just finished a quick shower and was dressed, but today felt… different. Usually, Liana would have woken him up with her calm insistence, but she hadn't come by. As a result, Javier had woken up late, and the bustling atmosphere around the manor only added to his curiosity.

"Hmmm… I wonder why all the maids and staff look so stiff today," he mused aloud. Shrugging it off, "Whatever… Better off to see my buddy!"

Whistling a cheerful tune, Javier strolled toward the pekko pen, his carefree nature evident in his steps.

As he walked, his stomach let out a loud growl.

"Oh… I'm hungry," he muttered before grinning mischievously. "Well, I can roast some meat later.... Meat? I've got plenty inside my magic storage."

On his way, Javier noticed something unusual. Two groups of maids in distinct uniforms he didn't recognize were escorting two young girls—one around his age, maybe ten, and the other slightly younger.

He gave them a passing glance, unimpressed. "Like I care," he muttered under his breath, returning to his cheerful humming.

Finally reaching the pekko pen, Javier's face lit up. "Buddy!!!"

The vibrant orange pekko squawked excitedly, flapping its compact wings as it hopped closer to him. Pikko lay lazily on the ground, not bothering to acknowledge Javier's arrival.

"Ehehehe… good to see you both healthy," Javier said, pouring a generous amount of pekko food into the trough and changing the water.

Javier hummed, enjoying the peaceful moment.

Looking at Buddy, he grinned. "After you finish eating, how about some exercise?"

Buddy squawked happily, clearly eager.

Another stomach grumble reminded Javier of his hunger. "Looks like I also need breakfast."

Glancing around to ensure no one was nearby, Javier smirked and activated his magic storage skill. With a small flash, he pulled out a portable grill and some coal, setting them on the ground.

"Perfect!"

Next, he retrieved a slab of high-quality monster meat, already marinated to perfection. Thanks to his magic storage's time-stopping property, it was as fresh as the day he had prepared it.

Rubbing his hands together gleefully, Javier muttered, "Let's start grilling!" and began setting up the grill.

As the delicious aroma of grilled monster meat wafted through the air, Javier happily flipped the meat on his small portable grill. The juices dripped onto the glowing coals, creating a satisfying hiss.

Nearby, Buddy stood with wide eyes and a drooling beak, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Buddy… wait! Wait!" Javier waved his spatula like a warning flag. "It's not ready yet, okay? Patience!"

But Buddy wasn't listening. With a determined squawk, the pekko lunged for the grill.

"Buddy!! No! Don't gobble it all up!!" Javier yelled.

Before he could stop him, Buddy snatched a piece of partially cooked meat and retreated a few steps to devour it with triumphant clucks.
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Javier's eye twitched. "You oversized birds!! That was mine!"

As he scolded Buddy, a lazy squawk from behind caught his attention. Pikko, was now standing, her sharp gaze fixed on the grill.

"Pikko, no… don't even think about it—HEY!! That's not yours!!"

Pikko stretched her long neck and swiftly grabbed another piece of meat off the grill, chewing happily while ignoring Javier's protests.

"Pikko!! That was mine too!"

Buddy, emboldened by Pikko's actions, hopped closer, making another attempt at the grill.

"Buddy!! Noooo!!" Javier wailed, grabbing the remaining piece just in time.

Now, the two pekkos surrounded him like wolves circling prey, their big eyes glued to the meat in his hands. Javier sighed in defeat, his stomach growling in protest.

"Haaa… fine! Lucky for you two freeloaders that I have plenty of meat!"

He opened his magic storage and pulled out a mountain of monster meat—chunks of king boar, wyvern, wolf, and orc meat.

"Feast your eyes, you greedy birds!" Javier grinned.

Buddy squawked excitedly, hopping up and down, while Pikko took a dignified step forward, clearly already picking her next bite.

"Wait for it! It's still not fully cooked!" Javier yelled as Buddy tried to grab a wyvern steak from the pile.

The pekkos ignored him entirely, their combined efforts overwhelming his protests. It turned into a chaotic scene of Javier trying to grill while the two pekkos darted around him, stealing pieces and squabbling over the best cuts.

"Buddy!! Pikko!! Leave some for me!!" Javier shouted, desperately holding onto a piece of king boar rib like his life depended on it.

The scene continued with Javier chasing the two pekkos around the pen, while they squawked and flapped in gleeful defiance. Despite the chaos, laughter echoed through the air as Javier enjoyed the moment with his beloved feathered companions.

"Haaa… I give up," he muttered, collapsing onto the ground with a grin, watching Buddy and Pikko happily munch on their stolen loot. "Good thing I packed extra…"

Javier chuckled as he took a big bite of the perfectly grilled meat. The flavors exploded in his mouth—juicy and savory with just the right touch of spice. " Delicious!!" he exclaimed, doing a little happy wiggle.

As he reached for another piece, Buddy suddenly darted forward and snatched a freshly grilled slab off the grill with his beak.

"Hey!! Buddy, that's hot!" Javier shouted in disbelief, watching the pekko munch away happily.

Not to be outdone, Pikko lazily stretched her neck, snagged another piece, and started chewing, her eyes half-closed in contentment.

"Whoa… not hot? How are you two even eating that straight off the grill?!" Javier stared in amazement, then narrowed his eyes. "Wait a second… are you both fire-resistant or something? That's cheating!"

Buddy squawked in response, clearly unfazed by the heat, while Pikko gave a soft coo, as if to mock Javier's question.

"Haaa… I'm surrounded by gluttonous monsters," Javier sighed dramatically, shaking his head. But then his stomach growled loudly again, reminding him of his original goal.

"Alright, enough stealing! I'm cooking this batch for me!" he declared, flipping another piece of meat onto the grill with determination.

Of course, the pekkos didn't care. As soon as Javier looked away, Buddy snuck closer, eyes gleaming with mischief. With lightning speed, he swiped yet another piece from the grill.

"Buddy!!" Javier yelled, trying to chase him off, only for Pikko to seize the opportunity and grab another for herself.

"Pikko, not you too!!"

The chaotic tug-of-war over grilled meat continued, with Javier laughing, scolding, and sneaking bites whenever he could.

By the end, all three of them were sprawled out on the ground, full and satisfied, surrounded by a pile of cleaned-off bones. Javier wiped his mouth with a grin.

"Haaa… you two may be greedy, but at least we ate well," he muttered, patting Buddy and Pikko on their heads.

Both pekkos let out contented squawks, leaning into his touch.

"fluffy!!!" Javier giggled as he leaned against Buddy, who had plopped down on the ground after their hearty meal.

Buddy let out a low, contented squawk, his feathers puffing up slightly as Javier snuggled against his warm, soft side.

"You're like the best giant pillow ever," Javier mumbled, burying his face in Buddy's feathers. "So warm… so comfy…"

Pikko, not wanting to be left out, waddled over and flopped down beside them, nudging Javier's arm with her beak.

"Alright, alright, Pikko," Javier laughed, reaching out to scratch her head. "You're fluffy too. Happy?"

Pikko gave a satisfied coo and closed her eyes, leaning into his hand.

For a moment, everything was peaceful. The warm sun filtered through the clouds, a soft breeze rustled the grass, and the trio basked in their food coma.

"This," Javier murmured, staring up at the sky, "is what life is all about. Good food, fluffy friends, and no one around to ruin it."

Buddy squawked in agreement, and Pikko gave a sleepy chirp.

"Ehehehe… you guys get it," Javier said, grinning. "Best. Day. Ever."

He stayed there a while longer, enjoying the simple comfort of his two loyal companions, content with the world.

( End of Chapter )