After my mother went out to buy milk—I mean, gather more magic spells to teach, my father and I settled into a perpetual life of training and bonding moments. With Frieren, the light of the family, temporarily out of the picture, the house felt less lively if it weren't for the endless enthusiasm my father kept showering me with.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead! Time to train your swordsmanship!" he announced one morning, brandishing his wooden practice sword like it was Excalibur.
I groggily opened my eyes, still feeling drowsy. "Dad, it's barely morning right now. Could you give me five more minutes? That would be great."
"Nope!" he denied my request, pulling the blanket off me. "Since your mom is not here, I have to crank the training up a notch! So, hop to it, my little warrior!"
Hearing that, I couldn't help but chuckle and get out of bed. Father's eagerness made it hard to stay grumpy with him, so there was no use fussing about it. As we went to the front yard, the atmosphere felt rather soothing despite the early hours.
"Alright, for today's training, I'll teach you some intermediate sword techniques," he declared, tossing a wooden sword toward me.
I caught the weapon and asked, "Intermediate? But I'm still learning the basics, Dad."
"Nonsense! You were already adapting to the techniques I have taught you, so it's about time to move on to the next level!" he explained with a grin that could light up the entire village.
Sighing in resignation, I took my stance and prepared for the onslaught of cheerful spirit that was my father. "Fine, if you say so."
With that confirmation, we engaged in our training session. Father demonstrated a particular kind of breathing technique, which increases the speed and strength of someone's body.
"Feel the power in every breath, Siegfried," Father coached, inhaling a concentrated amount of air before exhaling it into a cloud of steam. "Do it like this!"
I tried to copy his example but ended up coughing and spraying instead of releasing an epic steam breath.
"Urk! I think I inhaled a bug, help!" I stated between coughs.
Father laughed wryly as he aided me to get the insect out. "Careful now, son. You don't need to open your mouth very wide, just enough to let the air in."
"O-okay, I u-understand," I acknowledged his advice, finally spitting out the bug.
Later on, Father told me that, unlike magic, swordsmanship focuses primarily on the person's willpower and battle spirit rather than creativity and imagination.
"Remember, Siegfried, mastering swordsmanship isn't just about understanding techniques—it's about channeling the inner warrior within you," he advised, placing a hand on my chest.
Nodding favorably, I conceded to his wisdom. "That makes perfect sense."
"Also, you should face your enemies head-on and stand fearlessly, especially when there are people who need saving," he added, inspiring me even more.
Feeling the weight of his words, I replied, "Got it, Dad. I'll make sure to protect them."
After that conversation, our training continued, each swing of my wooden sword bringing me one step closer to becoming a true warrior.
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Once our sword training concluded, it was time for me to practice my mana control and spell casting by the creek. But first, I needed to ask permission from Father.
While having breakfast with him, I announced, "Dad, I'll be heading to the creek after this so I can work on my magic."
"Hmm? Ah, sure, go ahead," he responded while chewing his food. "Just remember to return home before the sun's down, or else a dragon will come for you!"
With a grin, I retorted. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll use my secret technique in case they do come."
"And what's that?" Father asked curiously.
Chuckling playfully, I answered, "I'll run away, of course!"
"Well, that sounds like a solid plan! Just don't trip on any tree roots," Father followed up with a hearty laugh, enjoying my childish response.
After that lighthearted conversation, we finished our food, and then I readied myself to leave the house. Grabbing the magic staff bought by my mother, I left the house and made my way to the creek.
Eventually, I reached the familiar spot, so I took a deep breath and sat down near the flowing water. Listening to the gentle sound of the ripples always helped me focus my mana better.
"Alright, time to get serious," I muttered to myself, closing my eyes to control my mana pool.
I recall when I was three years old, my mother taught me how to increase the capacity of my mana while concealing it from the world.
"Try limiting the amount of mana your body emits to one-tenth its usual amount," she used to say to me, her wise words embedded in the back of my mind.
Thinking back on her advice, I tried restricting my mana as if I were bottling up a whole creek of water into an imaginary vase, squeezing every drop until they all fit into place.
"Come on, Siegfried, you got this," I urged myself, setting my imagination into fifth gear.
Eventually, my mana stabilized to a manageable extent, enough to remain hidden from every living being within the creek.
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I stood up and dusted myself before moving on to practicing one of the spells Mother taught me—Zoltraak.
"Hmm, how should I deal with this?" I wondered if I should cast the spell like a normal person or go off the rails and fire it from a long distance.
As I looked around, I noticed a tall rock at the far end of the creek, begging to be obliterated by my magic spell. So, I tightened my grip on my magic staff and aimed at my target, setting my imagination from fifth gear to maximum overdrive.
"Hasta la vista, baby!" I jokingly screamed as I unleashed a Zoltraak from the tip of my staff.
The piercing light traversed through the creek but before it could reach the distant rock, the spell withered into nothingness, making me disappointed and my day was ruined.
"Tch, you win this time, rock, but mark my words, vengeance will be mine!" I screeched at a nonsentient object like a total lunatic.
Just then, I heard a rustle in the bushes behind me. I turned around, staff at the ready, only to see a squirrel staring at me with wide eyes. It seemed to be judging me, silently mocking my failed attempt to hit a simple rock with a spell.
"Oh great, now even nature thinks I'm a weirdo," I told myself, shaking my head. With that out of the way, I faced the rock again. "Anyway, time to meet your maker, bastard! Zol—"
"What are you doing?"
Before I could finish my spell, a voice interrupted my grand proclamation, making me almost drop my magic staff out of surprise.
I shifted to see a young girl around my age with long ash-blonde hair and pinkish-blue eyes, staring at me with innocent curiosity and amusement. But the most bizarre was the comically large hat covering the top of her head, complete with frills and flowers.
Her sudden appearance threw me off, not just physically but mentally. Here I was, channeling my inner mage, ready to take on a distant rock, and this girl just popped out of nowhere like a character from a whimsical fairy tale.
"Um, hi there," I greeted her, trying to sound calm. "Just to let you know, I'm simply practicing my magic, and not screaming like a lunatic."
"Hmm, I see," the girl stroked her chin curiously. "No wonder why it is loud out here."
Smiling wryly, I couldn't help but feel mortified by my actions. Afterward, I shake the disgrace out of my system and introduce myself to the girl.
"My name is Siegfried. And you are?"
She tilted her head slightly, then replied, "I'm Feuer. Nice to meet you, Siegfried."
"Feuer, huh? That's a cool name," I remarked, thinking it fit her fiery spirit.
The girl, still observing me with those wide, inquisitive eyes, seemed to take in every detail of my appearance. The oversized hat on her head bobbed slightly as she nodded in approval.
"Hmm, I like your face," she suddenly declared, tilting her head to the other side.
Taken aback by her remarks, I couldn't help but blush like a tomato. "Well, why thank you. Do you want to be friends?"
"Friends?" Feuer echoed, leaning her head back to its original position.
Chuckling lightly, I explained, "You know, it's when two people bond together."
"I see... Sure, why not," she acknowledged the proposal while smiling widely.
With that, I acquired a brand new friend by my side, and my time at the creek doesn't feel so lonely anymore. Perhaps practicing magic would be more exciting with Feuer around.