Part 1
It's still morning. The air is so chilly, and a fragrance of fresh air hit my nostrils. Very comfortable, if I say so myself.
Right now, I'm in the backyard of the house, where flowers are scarce. Instead, it's filled with wild plants and grass. Though, it seems that Lilia or Zenith are constantly trimmed and even get rid of them occasionally.
But, of course, such things will constantly grow endlessly. Well, unless we have a way to make it permanent.
Well, maybe there's away. Maybe there's a magic that makes soil barrens from any wild grass and unnecessary weeds. Maybe not grass,but the overgrown weeds.
Well, maybe that kind of magic isn't common. Maybe there's magic that can do it,but it's not intended to be used for something like that. Maybe it's not necessary....
Ugh, okay. What am I supposed to do right now?
Oh yeah.
With firm steps, I carry a bucket of water. A bucket of water with something diluted in it. A yellowish, murky water with a bit of an unpleasant smell.
Seriously, what is this? Paul, who's walking besides me, isn't disturbed by the smell a bit.
Well, it's not that bad. But it's still unpleasant.
Paul right now is carrying a bag full of grass. Fresh and still green, some of them are from the weeds he got from the backyard here.
Huh. Maybe we're going to feed our horse? I know my family has a horse, a rather healthy and good natured horse that never made a scene from what I observe.
"Are we going to feed the horse?"
"Yep."
So it's confirmed then. Though, I'm still curious about the content of the bucket I carry. Some kind of supplement?
"What's with this water? It smells bad!"
I protested a bit, and at that, he answered amusedly.
"Haha! I mixed it with eggs and varangel! It's supposed to make animal healthy."
Oh, so that's why it smells unpleasant.
Verangel, a plant that's harvested for it's root. I saw it several times, when Zenith gives a herbal drink to Rudy, Paul, or me.
It has both the characteristics of galangal and ginger, but with quite a bad smell. Zenith gives us that drink containing it, saying that it will give us a boost during training.
It's taste isn't the best, its smell is even worse. But we can't exactly go against her. Zenith can be terrifying when she needs to be. It tastes spicy, a bit of bitter and sweet mixed, and tangy. Not my cup of coffee, not at all. The first time I tasted it, I almost puked, my guts felt funny wanting to throw it out.
Apparently, puking after tasting it fir the first time is normal, according to Zenith. She even mentioned that it's normal to feel like puking the first two or three time drinking it.
What? Does it have any chemical components that cause nausea and vomiting? Is it even safe? Is it proven to have a good effect, or just a myth?
Huh.
And now, it's mixed with egg? Damn. I may be curious about its taste a bit, but sure as hell I would never take a lick out of something like this.
I might even puke if I ever taste it. No, I might even puke right now just thinking about it.
No, bad. Let's not dive into that thought anymore. Forget it.
Well, now that we're walking towards the stable, I can see a rather neat and clean stable, well, rather clean fir an animal stable that is. And a tall, imposing horse can be seen in it.
That horse has grayish white body, and a bit blackish hair covering sone of his body's parts. All in all, it is a majestic creature.
"Silvia, pour it here."
I complied, and poured the contents of the bucket in a small container besides the other one intended for food.
It goes fir the food first, the grass that Paul brings. Tho, it occasionally wanders to the water...and it actually just give it a bit of sniff and frowned, only to be back to eating.
"Hey, drink it too, before I force you!"
Heh, looks like it's not just me who doesn't like it.
That aside, I wonder if this horse has a name? Does Paul actually name his horse? It has a name, right? No way he wouldn't give this majestic creature a name.
"Dues this horse have a name? Is it Oguri Cap? Haru Urara?"
"Huh? No, it's Caravaggio."
Part 2
It's still morning. The temperature is still a bit breezy, and the sun isn't that high in the sky yet.
Right now is the time for Miss Roxy's lesson. A lesson where I learn magic and all of its intricacies. Everything in it, the history, the spells, the mechanism behind them, etc.
This lesson, made possible by Zenith and Paul, is usually attended by Rudeus and I, and mentored by Miss Roxy. We usually conduct lesson in the outside, only at the outside we can learn and even experiment casting spell safely. Though, we sometimes conduct lessons inside, usually in the night for night lessons that are often used to learn small, easy to digest knowledge.
We usually would bring three chairs with us, two smalls fir Rudy and I, and a big one for Miss Roxy. Though, Rudy and I are the ones to use the chairs most of the time, while Miss Roxy would stand a lot of time while the chair would only be used if she feels like it, or when she's tired standing.
Yeah, normally, it would only be the two of us.
But...
Beside me, sitting and leaning her body forward a bit, is Sylphiette tentatively paying attention to Miss Roxy.
Yes, that's right. Starting today, Sylphiette, or simply Sylphy, is joining us in studying magic!
My new friend, after I saved her, decided to join me in studying magic! Well, not exactly joining voluntarily on her own, rather, it's because I invited her!
Well, a few days ago, I introduced her to my family, to Zenith, to Paul, Lilia, Miss Roxy, and Rudy. Miss Roxy didn't react that much, while the others, particularly Lilia, Zenith, and Paul were a bit surprised but pleased. I even have a feeling that they knew her.
Rudy, however, was a bit apprehensive and nervous at first. But after more meetings, he finally opened up to her, even began casual conversation with her.
And, after I got an idea, I begged Sylphy to join the session! Well, Paul said that she needed to get her father's approval before learning magic, but fortunately, the next day, Sylphy's father, Laws, came and gave the approval.
And here she is, learning together with us!
She's now listening to Miss Roxy's lesson, listening with excited eyes.
She's now able to follow the lesson with no problem, unlike a few days ago. She's our junior, so to speak. That's why, for a few days, Rudy and I taught her a lot of things, especially some basic magic ourselves, since we felt it would be wrong and burdensome to rely too much on Miss Roxy. And finally, after gruelling days, she has now able to catch up to us!
Amazing right?
"Teacher, what if we teach chantless magic to Sylphy?"
Huh, what? What did my brother say? Teaching Sylphy chantless magic?
Wait, that's not a bad idea, actually.
"Huh? Is it learned--no, of course it is. Though not all people might have that talent."
"Yeah, I know. That's why I want to test it!"
Test it? On Sylphy?
"That's not a bad idea, Rudy!"
"Right, sis?!"
"A-ah, um..."
Rudy, for all the perverseness and faults he has, still possesses brilliant mind sometimes. He would occasionally bring an idea out of nowhere. For example, like this!
Though, his idea can be stupid, and even downright rusky sometimes.
"I'm sure it might be easier for her, since she's already mastered water ball! Not to mention, chantless magic might just be a learnable skill that's most effective learned during childhood!"
I said it with noticeable excitement, my eyes are practically glowing! Who knows, maybe with this, we three can be famous in the future. Maybe we can firm an adventurer party in the future!
"Since childhood huh....," she slumped her shoulders, her mood seems to be dampening? "Sure, go ahead. Not like I can stop you anyway. Just be careful, don't use fireballs, and cast water balls instead."
Earning her approval, we--Rudy and I, began teaching Sylphy chantless magic.
"Ah...uhm..."
Sylphy, naturally, just shrinks on her chair.
Sylphy, you're so cute! But it won't save you! I'm going to turn you into a future great mage or something!
And with that, we began to teach her chantless magic. We explained it to her, how we do it, and about little tidbits about it.
And after that....
"I did it! I did it, Rudy! Via! Miss Roxy! I did it!"
And with that, the yard is filled with laughter and joy.
Part 3
Swish swish!
On the yard, two children could be seen sparring with an adult, in a seemingly sword fight. Though, none of them used steel swords, but instead wooden ones.
It's already afternoon, time for sword training for the children. The two children were fighting seriously, as if it's an actual battle. The adult, however, wasn't as serious. Blow after blow, was all deflected easily.
The goal was to give them an experience in a battle, no matter if it's not a real one.
"Ah, come on! You just need to swing swisss! And then brrrrrm!"
Though, it seemed that the adult, Mister Paul, wasn't that skilled at explaining, from what Roxy observed.
A family full of prodigy, she could say this regarding this particular family. It seemed, to her, that this family was destined for greatness in the future.
All children are skilled at magic, and all of them are strong, extremely so.
Though....
It seemed like the two children had their own weaknesses.
Rudy was skilled at magic, absorbing her lesson like a sponge. With enormous mana capacity, and flawlessly turning almost every single magic taught to him into chantless magic. However, he seemed to struggle in close quarter combat, in sword fight. Terrible physical strength, and terrible at learning sword technique.
Even though he's a genius at magic.
Even though he had an easier time learning magic.
On the other hand, his sister was a bit different. Talented at magic, sure, but a bit behind her brother. A mind that loved to wander everywhere , unlike her brother who had an easier time concentrating. And her mana capacity isn't as big as her brother's, though Roxy was sure her capacity surpassed hers.
However, she's a beast at swordsmanship. All techniques from her father were all absorbed flawlessly. Despite her father's terrible explanation. Despite her father's many blunders at teaching.
All easily digested by her.
Observe, investigate, imitate.
All flawlessly.
Meanwhile, her new student, Sylphiete...
She only knew her fir a few days. Too early to judge. But she could confidently say that she's very talented.
Maybe, just maybe, not talented. Just lucky to learn at a young age.
She shook her head, just before Sylphiette, who previously just sat observing the sparring tentatively, got approached by the two children.
Two children who looked at the little girl excitedly.
"Sylphy, would you like to try learning swordsmanship with us?"
"Hm hm! You can quit anytime!"
"E-eh?"
Did they get carried away, after successfully roping the poor child to learn magic with them?
She decided to leave the yard, alone to her room provided by the family. A cozy place, that she used occasionally as a place to sleep, to contemplate, to learn, to experiment.
In the upstairs, empty, locked rooms surrounded the room.
With a creak, she closed the door, and with that, she sighed tiredly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
She then, suddenly, reached her hand forward. Concentrating, calling something, imagining...grunting...
And nothing happened.
Still nothing.
Still nothing, nothing at all. She thought, complaining to no one but herself.