Aitthor Note:
My mood was absolutely ruined in in the middle of writing this. Well, enjoy the chapter!
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Part 1
"Remember, a sword is a dangerous tool. It can be used to injure or even kill others. However, you can use it to protect others."
Should you say that to your children who are not even in their 4, Paul? Well, this is another world that's quite dangerous, but still.
Huh.
Well, he adds something good in it though. So maybe it's not that bad.
In the afternoon, Rudy and I are training swordsmanship under Paul's guidance. It's been a few hours since noon, so the sun is already falling to another side of the world. Though it's quite red yet.
In the yard, Rudy and I are sitting on the ground, hands holding swords. Paul is explaining something with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Roxy and Zenith are watching from a distance, eyes warm with expectation.
As for Rudy and I ourselves...well, Rudy is a bit enthusiastic. He pays attention to whatever Paul is explaining. I, meanwhile, am more enthusiastic than him.
Come on, it's swordsmanship! The art of sword! Would it be cool to wield a sword, swinging it to deflect any incoming attack?!
What kind of swordsmanship in this world anyway? Is it the same as on earth? Or different? Is there any technique that's identical to earth one? Mordschlag? Or something?
Maybe I can invent it here?
Well, my knowledge of such thing is limited, as I only saw them occasionally in Y*utube. Particularly from that channel of those two guys....
Shaking my head, I try to refocus on what Paul's explaining.
"Sword styles are typically divided to three major schools: Sword God style, North God style, and finally Water God style." Maybe because explaining isn't his strong forte, Paul takes a breath before explaining further, seemingly struggling doing so. "All three have their specialties. Sword God for speed and offense, North God for adaptability and unpredictability, and Water God for defense and counter attack..."
Interesting. So there are three schools of them. I'm curious, which one are we going to learn? Maybe Water God style to learn to defend ourselves better?
"Well," Paul looks quite smug and happy about what he's about to say. "This father of yours has mastered all three styles to advanced level. So, I will teach you both all three if them!"
What?
Huh?
He has mastered three of them? To an advanced level? Don't tell me that Paul is actually a genius?
"All three of them?"
Rudy suddenly asked. Seems like he's as surprised as me huh.
"Yep! Any questions?"
I quickly raised my hand, and Paul swiftly allowed me to ask.
"Is there any ranking in mastery level, like in magic?"
"Yes, and it's generally the same ranking, exactly from beginner, all the way to god!"
So the same, no thing different huh. I wonder what kind of indication for reaching a rank in swordsmanship?
Maybe I can discover it while training.
"Which one is the strongest among them?"
This time, it's Rudy who asked a question.
"Interesting question. Well, in a straight fight, especially in a one on one duel, Sword God is undoubtedly the strongest. But," he puts an emphasis on it. "Many nobles prefer Water God and North God swordsmen as they're perfect for body guard and assassination jobs.
"Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of each style have put them in a rather interesting relationship against each other. Sword God is fast and swift, rendering North God useless against them as Sword God techniques are too fast for North God practitioners to adapt. Yet, North God has advantages against Water God style as they're too unpredictable for Water God practitioners to defend and counter.
"Yet again, Water God is very good against Sword God as Sword God is too focused on attack which makes it terrible against Water God practitioner that specializes in defense and counter. So, never underestimate either of them!"
I see. So it's quite similar to paper-rock-scissors then. Is that why he wants to teach us all three? So we can excel at all three, and become more adaptable at any situation?
That's very wise coming from you, Paul.
After that, we asked several more questions, which Paul answered excitedly.
I also asked him about the techniques he showed in the past, which surprised him.
"Oh? You still remember that? Well, the swift and silent attack technique is from Sword God style, while the other two are from North God style!"
Oh, okay.
So...I will learn them in the future right?
Paul shakes his head, muttering something under his breath. I can't catch the whole voice, but I heard something like 'smart girl', or something.
"Well, since there's no further question, let's get to it! Kids, follow my lead!"
With that, began our training in magic.
Part 2
In a dimly lit room, there are three people. One boy, two girls.
They're...Rudy, Miss Roxy, and finally, me.
It's already night, sun had disappeared long ago, leaving a sky illuminated by the moon and countless constellations of stars.
Constant growl of nocturnal predators, low voices of insects, and rare but noticeable conversations of people, making sure that the night will never truly be soundless.
I and Rudy are now in a night study session, led by Miss Roxy. She has been teaching us some basics regarding magic, up to half an hour till now.
It's been several months since we've been learning under her guidance. During that time, we've been learning a lot of things.
Likes the history of magic, how it began with high elves facing numerous enemies forcing them to make a contract with spirits, gaining the first magic, and how today's magic is just the imitation created by humans....
So that's how magic is formed?
"No one really knows. However, that's the exact belief among common people and many scholars."
At that, Miss Roxy answered truthfully.
During this, I've noticed that Rudy is currently leaning to his right, grinning all the while. What's up with him?
"So," Rudy decided to voice his opinion. "There are some races besides humans huh. Wow, this world is truly vast."
"Of course, there's elf, demon, beastmen..."
What's up with him?
Wait.
WAIT!
I quickly grabbed his head and yanked him up to be up right again. Teeth bared, I glare at him ferociously.
What do you think you're doing, brother? Do you have no shame? Perhaps, you've lost it completely?
Rudeus only sighs regretfully. Tho, I can sense a tingle of shame in him.
"Ah, by the way, I'm a demon. That's why I have this hair color. That's also why your parents were surprised when they first met me."
After that, she explained a few things regarding demons, their numerous tribes, and so on.
"Ah, there's also a tribe that you should be wary of, Superd tribe."
She also gives us a warning about a certain tribe among demons. Apparently, that tribe is so famous for being savage and evil that they even killed their own comrades during the Laplace war. That tribe is so infamous that even fellow demons despise them.
Green hair and gem on their forehead, noted.
Part 3
Some time have passed in this world, in this life, since we got our first magic tutor. Not much change, except a few things.
Fir example, our family began to regard Miss Roxy as our family member, or at least close to it. We interact daily in a warm, friendly manner. All of her needs are provided by us. Not to mention, many villagers seem to adore her as well. What with her willingness to help them to call rain for their crops and more.
And besides that, her lesson has significantly improved Rudy and I regarding our magic capability. We can now cast quite numerous magic, a lot of them are attack magic!
And it seems that our mana capacities have improved significantly as well. Even Miss Roxy is baffled. She even said that we would be able to cast saint, or even possibly king ranked magic without issue!
Though, Miss Roxy seems to still be reluctant to teach us saint or king ranked magic.
I wonder why?
"Thank you for your help this time, Nila."
"It's Silvia, Granma."
"Okay, here's the candy, Fana."
Shaking my head, I receive the candy from Granma Lany, one of tge villagers who I encounter during my exploration in the village.
Yeah, that's right. For the past months, I have encouraged myself to go explore the village. To get outside, beyond the confines of my house.
Exploring many farms, rice fields, even abandoned buildings, all the while interacting with many people. From young to old, child and adult. Though it's just a superficial greeting. I don't intend to play with children, and it would be weird fir an adult befriending someone they saw as a child.
Though, I o ass help villagers in menial tasks. Mainly just carrying thing fir the elderly. I just love helping people.
It's not like I want candy or anything.
Well, it's certainly a nice bonus...
Wait, no, stop.
Well, this village is a bit large, though with a quite small population. With the population possibly not reaching one thousand people.
I wonder if this village will ever develop into a city? Will it ever happen? With population growth,and many more factors...
Shaking my head, seems like I have let my mind wander a bit.
"That adopted brother of mine....is still afraid of the outside huh."
Which is a shame. I have convinced him that it's going to be okay, but he's still adamant to stay at home. I even tried to drag him outside, but Zenith stopped me, saying to give him some time.
Huh...
Yeah, give him sometime. I won't press any further. He's technically still child, albeit only physically. He has a lot of time before being cobsidered adult.
An adult, in this world, is when you reach fifteen years old. Weird, that's not the age of adults in my book. Even twenty is just barely an adult. That's not counting the mind. Physics is one thing, mind is another matter.
Well, this is another world after all. I can't exactly apply any value from my previous life to this.
"Still...."
However, I was interrupted by the sight before my eyes. Of the person--child who seems to walk unsteadily,
A child of the same age as me, wearing a white t-shirt and jacket.
But what strikes me the most is their green hair and long ears! Are they demons? A...Superd? No, right?
But the sad thing is, their clothes are wet and dirty. Completely ruined their cute appearance!
Are they being targeted? Bullied?
With that, I quickly approached them, and checked on their condition.
"E-eh?"
"Are you alright? Why are you wet? Dirty?"
They're confused as heck, but still cute! Their slightly long hairs swayed a bit, and their feet took a step back.
"Ah, n-no. I just fell to the river."
"Is that so...?"
I don't believe it a bit. It might be because they don't want to admit to being bullied. Judging from their hesitant reaction, my hunch of them experiencing bullying might be right.
"My name is Silvia! Why not come to my house and clean yourself here? I can help!"
"E-eh? EHH?!"