(RUDEUS GREYRAT)
I'm 6 years old now. There isn't much change in my lifestyle. I practice sword techniques in the morning. If I'm free in the afternoon, I'll investigate my surroundings or practice magic techniques on the hill where the huge tree is at. Blasting wind to increase the speed of the sword, creating a shockwave to let my body sharply reverse in direction, forming quicksand to hinder the enemy's footsteps......
Some people might think that sword techniques will not improve if they keep thinking of using dirty tricks.
But I do not think of it that way. There are two ways to become good at fighting games.
The first is to consider ways in which the weak can beat the strong.
The second is to raise my abilities and train. Right now I'm thinking of the former.
My goal is to beat Paul.
Paul is very strong. Even though he's not mature enough as a father, he's first class as a swordsman.
If I prioritize the 2nd method and wholeheartedly train my body, it's indeed possible to win sooner or later. I'm 6. After 10 years, I will be 16 and Paul will be 35. And after another 5 years, I will be 21 and Paul will be 40. There is no meaning if I win "sooner or later" in this fashion.
If I beat an opponent past his prime, he would just give an excuse like "Hah, if I was still in active duty..."
There is only meaning if I beat the opponent at his peak condition. Paul is 25 years old right now. Even though he has left active duty, his body is in peak condition. I hope to win at least once in the next 5 years. It will be in sword techniques if possible. Otherwise, I'll mix it up with magic spells and fight in close combat. While I think about it, I train against Paul's image in my mind again today.
As far as Julian is concerned, I think I will consider it a win if I were to land a single hit on him. His talent in sword techniques is downright horrifying. Every time I see him spar against Paul, it sends a shiver down my spine. It's not that he is actively picking up openings and gaps in defenses, but rather, he is making new ones.
What makes Paul so deadly was his experience and his core strength. While Julian can't possibly surpass him in terms of the former, for now, he has found multiple ways to throw Paul off-guard by sabotaging his core. Even the other day, when I saw Julian and Paul spar, I felt it deep in my bones. Like a dagger poking against my very bones.
He could've killed Paul.
(***)
If I go to the huge tree on the hill, I have a high chance of meeting Sylph. Julian tags along sometimes as well, but he prefers staying home or going around the village a lot. Well, who am I kidding, he spends more time outside than at home. I heard he still goes on the same routes that he used to go on before with Roxy. Can't say he misses her, but that can be the case after-all. I mean, they had forfeited their student-master relationship long ago and were quite casual with each other. It was entirely possible that he misses her and is doing what she used to do as a reminder of her.
Ehehe, that's quite cute. Maybe I should tease him later.
Wait... huh? Since when did I got 'getting cucked' fetish, huh? I certainly am not going to give up like that. But then again, without my holy artefact, what are my chances?
I want to cry.
"Sorry, did you wait very long?" I asked with a voice filled with concern as I approached him.
"No, I just arrived too," he replied with a reassuring smile, indicating that he hadn't been waiting for too long. After saying lines that are similar to those when a couple meet up, we start to play together.
In the beginning, the bullies from earlier would come running to us. In the midst of it, there were even upper grade primary school kids joining in, but they were all driven back once Julian started coming over and beat a kid called Somar up. Somar's mother came running to our home to make a huge fuss. But the situation was thwarted with Julian lying. Since the kid already had a blue mark around his eye before even Julian hit him, he capitalised on this moment and presented a statement about visible proof. Since it was enough to hurt him but not enough to leave a deeper mark, they could never prove it.
In moments like these, I sometimes really question his nature. He gives off the vibes of the kid who would grow up into a demon king. The method and time chosen to beat Somar up was in a way that he inflicted so much trauma on to him that he stopped appearing at all.
Pity the poor kid. I was able to drive back the others 5 times. They finally didn't come after one abrupt day as a checkpoint. They occasionally watch us play from afar, but they don't talk to us if we come across each other. They seem to have decided to completely ignore us. With this, the incident appears to be resolved, and the huge tree on the hill has become our territory.
YAYYYYYYY!
(JULIAN GREYRAT POV)
I strolled in serene silence, my eyes fixed upon the wide, mesmerising canvas of the azure blue evening sky. The vibrant hues mirrored the invigorating atmosphere of the day, casting a rejuvenating spell on my senses. A myriad of hues enveloped everything---the soft, mellow saffron hue mixed in with the light citrus shade as sun continued to submerge beneath the horizon, hiding behind the curtains of the towering mountain.
Each step I took along the rugged, uneven path resonated in peaceful calm, perfectly synchronized with the rhythmic beat of my heart.
As I walked further, the air danced with a brisk and spirited breeze, imparting a lively energy to the surroundings. It playfully tousled my hair and produced a slight susurrating sound, like whispering in my ears. Inhaling deeply, I could taste the subtle scent of freshly turned earth, intermingled with the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers in the near distance, mixed with the even fainter scent of the asura wheat.
The path led me along the periphery of a vast field, where orderly rows of crops stood proudly, reaching towards the sky above our heads. The golden waves of wheat swayed in unison, as if performing a well synchronised dance orchestrated by nature itself. The occasional rustle and gentle sway of leaves added a symphony of subtle sounds, composing a soothing melody. I looked around myself, taking in everything as I felt my nerves relax.
When was the last time I had felt this relaxed? So devoid of any worry. Not a care in the world. Just minding my own tasks and focusing on something because I was interested in it, not because I was forced to. I can't remember when was the last time when I felt like this. Or maybe because I never had a moment like this in my life.
The setting sun bathed the landscape, infusing it with a warm, golden glow. Shadows danced and flickered, offering brief respite from the sun's caress.
The bag of gold jingled in my pocket as I picked up pace.
I was working in the village today, earning some money for later. It was nearing the time I left home and go out to see the rest of the world. Sadly, it doesn't seem like Rudeus would be doing the same as me, given his infatuation with the girl. I took the pouch of gold out from my pocket, and stared at it, remembering the first set of coins I had earned. As I looked around, I noticed, it was around this place where I helped the man.
Roxy was with me as well, naturally.
I used to wonder at that time, still do, why would she go out of her way to help people? For some extra cash? For mending the demon reputation. I could tell, it wasn't for those 2 reasons, primarily that is. Was it because she could satisfy her conscience by using her powers for good purpose?
Roxy was a tad bit weird girl, not that I minded it. It was refreshing to see her like this, a stark contrast to the girls I had came in contact with, in my previous world. I looked down, caressing the pouch she gave me for keeping money in, with my thumb as I enclosed my fingers around it.
I wonder if I will be able to see her again.
On a side note, she did mention that she finally reached her destination where she would teach a prince.
Hmmm, I wonder how she's doing.
(***)
RUDEUS GREYRAT
I began to teach Sylph magic under the pretense of playing. This was a good way for teaching. In my old world, this method was implemented in books, where more illustrations were drawn since kids could perceive and learn more by visually backing up what they read as text. Just like how an art at the end of a chapter in a light-novel helps the readers to immerse themselves deeper by actually having a base to establish the foundation of their imagination on.
If he can control magic, then he should be able to fend off the brats by himself, in extension, he won't be bullied again. In the beginning, Sylph could only release elementary ranked magic 5 or 6 times before running out of breath, but in the span of 1 year, his mana capacity has grown considerably. Even if he practiced magic for half a day, he would have no problems with it. Which is very commendable.
"There's a limit to mana capacity." There's very little truth to this line. It is not entirely discernable to me. But magic spells are a different thing. He is extremely weak in fire magic. He's very skillful in wind and water magic, but he's no good when it comes to fire magic. Why? Is it because of the Elven blood within him?
No.
I learned during Roxy's classes about the [specialized system] and [weak system].
If it's based on these words, everyone has their own specialized and weak systems, or what could be referred to as "having an affinity" in extremely weeb-ish terms.
I once asked him, "Sylph, are you scared of fire?" Even though he replied with a "No.", when he showed me his palm, there was an ugly burn on it. When he was 3 years old and both of his parents were not paying attention, he grabbed a metal rod that was in the fireplace with his hand.
"But I'm not scared of it anymore." Even though he says that he might fear it subconsciously. This experience might affect his weak system. If you consider the dwarves, there are many who have water as their weak system. The dwarves typically stay near the mountainous areas, playing and having earth as their companion. When they grow up, they learn smithing from their fathers and live by digging mineral rocks as a livelihood, so their affinity is with fire and earth. However, their activities on the mountain will frequently be met with sudden hot springs, or floods caused by huge rainfall, so they are especially weak with water.
It's probably something like this, and not directly related to race. Just to add on, I don't have any weak systems. Neither does Julian. But there is something else. He is extremely adept in earth and fire mana. Arguably, he might be at Saint stage but I can't say for sure. When I asked him, he just said that he doesn't have enough mana for fueling a saint tier spell. Of course, yet again, I don't believe him, but his mana reserves sure seem to be much lower than mine.
Anyways, back to the main topic. Both me and Julian had affinity with every element because we were raised up comfortably. You don't really need to use fire to create warm winds and water. But teaching him such concepts are troublesome, so I just let him learn fire magic. There's no disadvantage in being able to use fire anytime. Salmonella will be destroyed if you heat things up. One doesn't want to be poisoned to death from food, so they need to thoroughly cook it.
If you use elementary magic to cure poison, most of the poisons can be neutralized.
Even though Sylph struggles with it, he doesn't complain and keeps on training.
That's because he's the one who asked for it.
Sylph, who's furrowing his forehead as he's using my rod (the one Roxy gave me) and my magic textbook (taken from home), looks really beautiful. Even a male like myself thinks that way. He will definitely be very popular in the future.
(A jealous heart is a father's heart.)
A voice like that suddenly rings in my mind. I quickly shake my head. No, no. Jealousy has no meaning. Plus, it should always be this strategy. Ikemen's fishing bait strategy. With Sylph as the big ikemen and me as the regular dude, women will flock to me, lalala.
I could've capitalised on Julian but that kid doesn't seem to be like the one who would stay at home. Even when we were kids, despite him snuggling a lot to our mom, like any other kid would, he always had this shine in his eyes whenever he looked outside the window. He was like the 'rogue' one, much like Paul, ready to run away from home at any given moment. Although, he won't run away, I am pretty sure he will ask Paul to leave home soon enough.
I mean, his sword skills are enough for him to fend off almost anything.
"Hey, Rudy. How do you read this?" As I was singing in my mind, Sylph used his finger to point at the opened page, looking up at me. That gaze was too powerful. Emergency. It makes people want to hug and kiss him.
Resist!
"That's 『Snow avalanche』."
"What does it mean?"
"It refers to a huge quantity of snow that has been gathered on a slope. When the slope is unable to sustain its own weight, it collapses. During the winter, there's snow that occasionally drops from the rooftop right? This is the bigger sized version."
"Is that so... Amazing. Have you seen it before?"
"Snow Avalanche? Of course... not."
I only saw it on television.
I let Sylph study the text book. At the same time, I can teach him how to read the book and write letters. Studying the language doesn't have any bad points. Even though I don't know what the literacy rate is in this world, it definitely wouldn't be like Japan's near 100% literacy rate. There is no magic spell that allows people to understand words in this world. The lower the literacy rate, the more important it is to know it.
"I got it!!"
Sylph makes a triumphant shout. I watch him succeed at casting the intermediate ranked magic, 『Ice pillar』. A large ice pillar grew out from the earth, glowing under the sunlight.
"You're very familiar with it now, hmm."
"Yup!! ...But this book doesn't have what Rudi used?" Sylph tilts his head and asks.
"He's decent." A voice said as I felt a sudden shiver run down my spine.
"HAWWHH? WHEN DID YOU GET HERE?!????!" I screamed as I saw Julian's face next to me. Sylph took an instinctive step back, his brows furrowed.
He was still scared of her.
"Hm? Oh, I just got here." Julian replied and sat on the ground.
Sylph looked at Julian like a little chihuahua who's mad at someone for invading their space. However, the look disappeared from his face as Julian looked up at him, "Oh, Rudy, your friend seems constipated."
I facepalmed myself. This guy... seriously.
"Eh...heh? ...no, no. I am not!" Sylph squeaked.
"He's messing around Sylph. Don't take it seriously," I comforted him.
"Are you sure? I mean, he looks like he has a bad stomach. Bowels, perhaps?" Julian pressed further.
"What? No! He is just confused around you." I replied as I sat beside him, "so, how did you suddenly come here?"
"Oh yeah. Lilia made these cookies for me. I thought I'd share them with you," he paused and looked at Sylph, "both of you."
"M-Me.... too?"
"What's wrong with you having it?" He asked and placed his hand on my head, "you are my brother's friend."
Oh tears, STAY INSIDE! *sniffle*
".....T-Thank you." Sylph said and his facial expressions softened as he moved towards the basket where the cookies were.
"The round ones are mine. Don't touch them." Julian's voice resounded like a hungry beast.
"Eep.....!" he recoiled.
*sigh*
After a while of back and forth with Julian and Sylph, he was able to eat a few cookies.
"You surely are close to Lilia, Julian," I spoke. We were taking a break with me sitting in the middle while Julian sat on my right and Sylph on my left.
"Yeah. I help her here and there. She makes me food instead." He replied as his blonde hair swayed in the wind. I never noticed it, but his face started maturing much faster. He looks more mature than me, if you were to base this assumption on facial features alone. He had Zenith's natural allure around him, compelling you look at him.
"So, what are you learning today?" He asked.
I suddenly remembered what Sylph had asked before about the spell that I used. It's about the incident with the hot water. I flipped the magic textbook and pointed at two places. "It's written in here. Waterfall and Heat Hands."
"...?"
"Use them together."
"...?"
He tilted his head.
"How do you chant both at the same time?"
"Dork."
Crap. I said it based on my instincts. That's right, it didn't describe how to chant two different words at the same time...
And wait... did Julian just call me a dork?
Now I can't laugh at Paul for being an instinctive type. Damnit! And I'll get back to you after I am done with Sylph, Julian!
I demonstrated the voiceless incantations while casting 2 magic spells at the same time. Sylph's eyes widened. Voiceless incantations is certainly classified as a higher ranked skill in this world. Roxy was unable to do it, and it's also said that only 1 teacher in the magic university is able to do it. So I shouldn't teach voiceless incantation, but Roxy's melded magic spells. I personally don't think it's too difficult, but achieving similar results should be enough.
"Teach me that." Sylph looked up to me.
"'That' refers to?"
"The one where you don't need to speak."
But Sylph doesn't think it that way. Of course, it appears that using 2 different magic spells at the same time is better than casting a single spell.
Hmm... Well, if I really can't teach him, then he will choose melded magic by himself.
"Hmm, sure. Well, just use the same feeling when you're casting a magic spell. Gather the mana from your body to your finger tips and try casting the spell with chanting to replicate the feeling. Once you gather the mana, try to remember what spell you're using and squeeze it out from your hands. Try doing that. Start with water bullet."
"Can h-he do it too?" Sylph asked with a look of determination as he looked at Julian. Might be me overthinking but I think Sylph wants to be better than Julian. I mean, if it's magic, it is somewhat possible. Maybe in a few tens of years. But that doesn't matter. All those years would be needed to reach his current level. And the pace he learns stuff is scary. But eh, if that helps Sylph improve, be it that way.
"Oh? You mean this?" Julian asked and clicked his fingers, summoning spheres of fire, wind, water and earth at the same time as they hovered above Sylph's head.
NICE EXECUTION! Looks like he understood his assignment as well. GoOD BROTHER!
Sylph looked more determined than ever. He was taken aback for a while, but he instantly resolved himself.
He closed his eyes while uttering a hmmm sound, twisting his body like he's doing a funny dance. Trying to do something based on feeling is difficult. Voiceless incantation is processed in the mind, meaning that different people will have their own methods of doing it. I felt that foundations were important, so I let Sylph use incantations to cast magic for the whole year. As expected, it should be harder to use voiceless incantations the more you use chanting. It's like using your right hand to do things till now and then changing to your left. It's an extremely difficult task to suddenly change.
"I succeeded! I succeeded Rudi!!"
But things didn't go the way I imagined. Sylph happily shouted and casts the water bullet spell repeatedly. Though he kept using chanting, perhaps it was only for one year. Just like removing the training wheels from a bicycle. The sensitivity of a youth. Or was it Sylph's innate talent?
"Good. Well then, let's try all the magic that you have learned using voiceless incantation once."
"Yeah!!"
"Wait," Julian spoke as he held Sylph by both shoulders and jerked him.
His eyes were glowing in a deeper shade of blue, resembling the sky just before a thunderstorm. "Do it, again."
Sylph looked scared. His nervous eyes looked at me. "Help", they screamed.
"Julian, you're scaring him, again."
"Tell him to do the spell again."
What's wrong with him.
"Uh, Sylph, why don-, hm?" Suddenly, rain started to drizzle down. I turned my head upwards. The skies had already been covered with dark clouds, thunder booming in the distance. The next moment, heavy rain started to fall---loud violent plops everywhere. Usually, I pay close attention to the weather to ensure that we could reach home before it rains, but I was careless when Sylph managed to use voiceless incantation.
"Ah---- ah, this rain is really heavy."
"Rudi, you can make rain, so can't you stop it?"
"Even though I can do that, we're already wet. Besides, the crops won't grow if they don't receive rainwater. I won't interfere with the weather unless there are complaints about the weather being terrible."
I looked back to call for Julian but he was already gone.
Curses!
We ran towards the Greyrat household while we talked along with being drenched. It wasn't entirely a bad experience. For once in a while. We were going to my home because Sylph's home is very far away.
(JULIAN GREYRAT POV)
I knew there was something wrong.
The moment I saw the girl.
She had something inside him. And when she started using voiceless spell-casting, I saw an element awaken in her. On the surface level, it can be deemed as her innate talent and most probably it is that way.
But it is being aided by something. It's like it has integrated with her essence.
Weird.
Yet interesting.
Should I dissect her?
The possibility of doing so and getting away with it exists, but Rudy would be devastated if I did that to his first friend. I personally don't really care what happens to her. Since the element that I observed inside her is integrated with her essence, I can't really extract it.
Maybe I should just keep an eye on her?
(***)
"I'm back"
"S-sorry for disturbing..." As I entered the gate, I saw the maid Lilia with a big towel standing at the door.
"Welcome back, Master Rudeus... and your friend. Hot water has been prepared. Before you catch a cold, please go up to the 2nd floor and dry your bodies. Master and Madam will be back soon, and I need to help them prepare. Are you fine by yourself?"
"Is Julian back?"
"Ju- Master Julian arrived a few moments ago."
"I see. Thanks."
Lilia probably predicted that we would come back wet from the heavy rain. Even though she doesn't speak much, especially towards me, she's definitely a capable maid. Even if I don't tell her, she still takes another big towel out as she sees Sylph. We took off our shoes and walk barefooted, drying our hair and feet while climbing to the 2nd floor.
As soon as I enter the room, I see a huge barrel containing hot water. In this world, never mind showers, there isn't even the culture of bathtubs, only using this to rub and wash the body.
According to Roxy, there seem to be hot springs.
Well, for me, who doesn't like to shower, this is enough.
"Hm?"
As I strip naked, Sylph seems to be fidgeting around while blushing.
"What's wrong? If you don't take off your clothes, you will catch a cold, right?"
"EH? Mmm, mm..."
But Sylph still doesn't move. Is he shy when taking his clothes off in front of others...
Or does he not know how to take off his clothes by himself? It can't be helped since he's only 6 years old.
"Here, raise up your hands."
"But... Erm..."
I let Sylph raise both of his hands and take his shirt off.
His white skin without any muscle tone is revealed before me. When I try taking his pants off, he grabs my hands.
"N-no..."
Is he feeling bashful of being seen by others?
I was the same when I was young. During kindergarten, I felt really embarrassed being seen by other kids of the same age when showering naked after swimming lessons.
But Sylph's hands are cold. If this drags on, he will really catch a cold.
I forcefully take hold and pull on his pants.
"S...Stop..."
As I reach for his underwear, he hits me on the head.
Sylph glares at me in tears as I look up.
"I won't laugh at you..."
"N-not about that... N-NO...,!!"
He is refusing earnestly. This is the first time I have seen him rejecting so much.
I feel a little shocked.
Is it something like that, a rule where elves cannot be seen naked?
If it's something like that, then it's not good to forcefully strip him...
"I got it, I got it. Then you must promise. You need to change afterwards. Wet underwear is really uncomfortable, and if you get too cold, you might hurt your stomach."
"Okay..."
I let my hand go, and Sylph nods in tears.
He's really cute. I really want to be in good terms with this cute kid.
Suddenly, I feel like playing a prank on him in my heart.
Isn't it unfair that I'm completely nude?
"An opening!"
I pull down his underwear in one stroke.
Go!! The naked pendulum!
"E......i. Nooo!"
"......... Eh?"
Sylph screams.
The next instant, he covers his body.
At that moment, what entered into my eyes wasn't the commonly seen pure short sword.
Of course, it's not some ominously patterned dark blade.
What was there,
No, what wasn't there is ----------
............ That's right. Nothing.
There isn't the thing that should be there.
I have seen it countless time in my past.
Sometimes there's mosaic, and sometimes there's none. That one day I would want to taste the real thing and let a black last white cannon paper handkerchief meet one day ----------- that is something that I just saw.
Sylph is.
He... is a she.
My mind goes blank.
Did I just do something that I can't laugh away...?
"Rudeus, what are you doing..."
I vigorously snap my head back. Paul's standing there. When did he come back? Did he run after he heard the scream?
I don't move a muscle. Paul doesn't move either.
Sylph collapses into a heap at the side, completely naked.
And my hands are holding onto her underwear.
My cute baby boy is exerting its ferocious youth. I have already gone into a situation beyond justification.
The underwear from my hand drops onto the floor.
There's heavy rain outside, but I can only hear the underwear quietly falling.
(JULIAN GREYRAT POV)
I sat inside my room after drying myself and taking a quick dip in the tub that Lilia had arranged for me. It was finally time that I could concentrate on my magic techniques.
Gravity.
First, I need have enough control over landmass. Next steps would be polarising. I don't think it has much impact since I can do it with mana, but just in case, I need to figure these things out.
I've experimented with a few things to figure it out. For starters, I experimented by throwing rock from a certain height. Generally, to calculate the time it takes for a rock to reach the ground from a certain height under a given gravitational force, we can use the equations of motion. Long story short, the time taken by a rock to hit a ground from 6 feet height under the normal earth's gravitational force should be around 0.193 seconds.
Meanwhile, it took much less to hit the ground when I did it in this world. It was a clear indication that the force of gravity was just a bit higher than that of earth. The next step was to manipulate gravity. While I was able to learn things quickly, I am not very capable of making new things.
The core of my theory lies in concept of mana attunement. Through a deep connection and better control with the earth, theoretically, I should be able to attune myself to the subtle gravitational currents that permeate the cosmos. By harmonising my own mana with the earth's essence, I can gain access to its innate powers over gravity.
I placed my hand over the floor.
The first step in this intricate process involves gathering and channeling earth mana, drawing it from the earth's crust and the ley lines that flow beneath its surface. This influx of mana establishes a temporary and short timed metaphysical link between me and the gravitational forces.
I closed my eyes next.
I needed to concentrate.
Imbue all of my will into this.
Intricately weaving my will and intentions into spells, I visualised it, manipulating the gravitational field around the earth by subtly altering its influence and direction. This delicate seesaw of balance between mana and gravity required a keen understanding of both natural laws and metaphysical principles. However, I wasn't fully aware of this world's laws.
I had to base everything off of assumptions.
Suddenly, I felt it. The shift in gravity. Opening my eyes, I saw that I was a few centimeters above the floor, my body pulsing with localised gravitational anomaly, altering the weight and trajectory of objects within their vicinity. The book that Zenith gifted me, the tub in which I took a bath, the water inside it... everything.
It felt like I was in zero gravity right now, floating like a balloon.
"Alright, let's try to increase it."
As soon as I focused on increasing the gravity, my chin collided with the ground followed by the water falling on my head. It didn't feel like water. It felt like I was hit my a concrete block at the back of head. My vision blurred in and out. The tub fell by my side, puncturing a hole into the floor.
Zenith would be angry.
I'm scared.
(AUTHOR'S NOTE)
I am planning on sending Julian out for adventuring. Would love to hear what you all have to say. Comment or join discord from the link in the comment to this paragraph.
I'll see you all next time.