Subaru POV:
So, it's been a few months since my first spell casting. I now entered, as I call it, "training arc". Just kidding, no intense training happened. But still, I was treating this seriously. Every day I would exhaust all my mana reserves, trying to make the pool larger. I need more mana to cast more powerful spells.
To make it less obvious of my spell casting, I spent most of my time with my parents, trying to act like a normal child. However, I think Lilia knew exactly what I was doing in my room, so she would always send me a strange look whenever I carried an empty bucket to my room and returned it filled with water. My parents didn't even question where the water came from.
But Lilia remained silent and didn't give me away, so I gotta thank her for that. I am not sure if there is some sort of taboo for children to learn magic this early. Maybe I would get scolded, my book being taken away or something worse. So better safe than sorry.
Speaking of Lilia, I think she kinda warmed up to me. She stopped avoiding me and sometimes we would engage in conversation. Was it because I was helping her with the housework? Or she just stopped being suspicious of me? I dunno, but it was nice, I don't want her having a bad impression of me.
By the way, I started sewing. Yep, sewing. I guess I forgot to mention that I knew how to sew in my old life. This ability could be considered as useless in my past life, but in this world it can come in handy. So, what exactly did I sew you may ask?
Well, dolls. I sewed a few dolls. A doll version of my new self, old self, Zenith, Paul and Lilia. It was pretty hard to find a needle and Zenith wouldn't trust a child needle. And there was a lack of threads so I had to improvise. I used threads out of everything: pillow, carpet, pillowcase, blanket, etc.
Hehe, I was proud of my result. They came pretty good. I hope my mother wouldn't mind the lack of threads in the furniture.
I hid the dolls pretty well, so no one would find them. It would definitely raise some questions about where I got them from.
Maybe in the future I will sew my personal gear, which will be used in my upcoming adventures.
Sometimes my mother would comment on my attachment to the book, I thought she found it out. But no, it was just a simple comment.
"Rudy always carries a magic guidebook with him, he seems to love it, doesn't he?" she said to Paul
"Yeah, a bookworm who can't read nor cast magic spells." Paul replied nonchalantly.
"Darling!"
"What? He is just barely a three years old child, I doubt he knows the content of the book. He just carries it because… Well, because he liked the cover of the book." Paul said as he stared at my book in my hands. "Besides, didn't we agree that if he was a boy he would become a swordsman? If he grows as a swordsman, he'll surely get lots of girls' attention, hehe…" Paul smirked, while Zenith pinched him.
"What are you teaching our innocent Rudy, young man?"
While my mother was scolding Paul, my mind was on a completely different thing.
Swordsmanship. Meanwhile I was invested in magic, I didn't even think about the art of the sword up until now. A prospect of casting magic is more appealing to a shut-in NEET like me.
But at the same time, I didn't want to disappoint my new father like I did with my own in my old life.
"You're definitely his son."
My eyes widened and my hands started slightly trembling as a memory played in my head.
"I don't mind learning swordsmanship as well…" I voiced my opinion as well.
"Oh?" Paul smiled "See? My boy is going to follow in his father's steps." He put a hand under his chin. "But you are still too young for sparring, however I can teach you how to handle a sword at least."
"Only swordsmanship, I don't want you to corrupt our Rudy's mind" Zenith sternly stared at Paul.
"I wasn't planning to! Surely he will grow handsome as his amazing father I can already tell, so he certainly will be the center of the girl's attention. Just remember Rudy, avoid noble girls, they are—"
"Paul!"
Leaving them alone, I went up to the 2nd floor back to my room. I plumped into my bed with a book in my hand. I started flipping the pages as conversation with my father kept repeating in my mind.
Taking a path of swordsmanship doesn't sound bad at all as well. I was just… I'm a bit scared. What if I wasn't fit for a sword? What if Paul would grow disappointed in me? I certainly did not want this to happen. I wanted him to be proud of me, and for people to call me his son.
I wasn't planning on dropping the magic, of course not. But would it be possible for me to be a magician and a swordsman at the same time? Magic swordsman? No, I think it was called Paladin in those video games. Who knows, maybe I have a knack for swordsmanship as well.
After closing the book and putting it under my armpit, I decided to take some fresh air. Something that I have never done before in this life. Going outside. Not, going to the porch of the house doesn't count. I want to see the village and villagers and possibly make a couple of new friends.
I quickly went down the stairs and spotted my parents and a maid in the kitchen. Lilia seemed to be cooking dinner and Paul and Zenith were sitting on the dinner table and discussing something.
I went to them and asked. "Mom, can I please go out?"
Zenith widened her eyes before her face turned into a gentle expression. "Sweetie, are you sure? You are still too young—"
"I say it's fine, he seems pretty smart for a kid of his age, he wouldn't get into any trouble." Paul said as he was leaning on the chair. "Besides, there have been no reports of monsters lately and villagers are pretty kind here."
"I would also agree with Lord Paul's remark, young master…" She looked at me and gave me a well-knowing look before continuing. "He is pretty capable of defending himself."
Zenith looked a bit troubled before sighing in defeat. "Fine… But sweetie, please come back for dinner, I don't want you to be hungry all these hours."
"Thank you, mom!" I hugged her which she reciprocated by hugging me tightly.
"Alright Rudy!" Paul said with a mischievous smile. "Don't forget to bring a couple of a—" Before he could finish, Zenith sent a sharp glance into his way. "I-i mean, don't hesitate to bring a couple of friends here, we will welcome them with open arms."
Really? I knew exactly that you were trying to say, you womanizer. You thought I wouldn't notice the lustful gazes the female villagers sent you while you were training?
"I definitely will!"
Waving as I stepped outside, I looked towards the road which led to the heart of the village.
Man. It will be the first time I will be going outside the house.
The village itself wasn't big, however the distance between the houses was noticeable. I kept walking, occasionally stopping to admire the views of nature. The majority of villagers make a living by cultivating crops. Mainly it was wheat and vegetables. Honestly, I have never in my life seen such huge fields of crops.
It was great to finally get out of my house and explore my hometown.
I would stop to greet some of the villagers. Of course, I wanted to leave a good impression so I did this in a polite way. At the mention of my 2nd name, their eyes would widen slightly before nodding in acknowledgement. I guess most of the villagers didn't know of the existence of Paul's son.
I would also occasionally help the workers in the fields giving them water to drink, working there all day can get them thirsty. They would thank me and praise me, not everyday you can see a child casting magic with short incantations. I guess my mana reserves were already big enough to cast numerous elementary magic spells.
Yeah, I completely forgot about the secrecy of my magic. I hope the news of the abnormal child going around the village and helping residents with his magic won't go viral.
Pretty peaceful village. Every villager knows their neighbor, so they always try to help each other. Everyone has been treating me kindly so far.
Well, my main goal was to gather more information regarding the village and its surrounding area. And possibly make a friend or two the same age as me.
While I was thinking, I just realized where I was. It was at the top of the hill, with a huge tree on top of it. Climbing at the top gave me access to the beautiful view of the forest. This place would be amazing to be alone and study or learn something.
I went back to the road and kept walking until I finally heard the yells of the children.
"Noooo! That wasn't fair, Somar! The rules say not to cross this line!"
"I didn't cross it! The line was farther away! You liar!"
"No! You are a stinky liar!"
I spotted 3 children at the age of 3-5 arguing. It seems they were playing tags? Or their own version of it? Alright, Natsuki Subaru— No, Rudeus Greyrat, it's for your first official introduction to the people of the alternative world!
"Yo guys, what are you playing?" I said as I walked closer to them.
They all stopped yelling at each other and looked towards me. Their attention was on me now. The kid whose name was Somar, as I guessed from the previous conversation, asked me. "Huh? Who are you? I haven't seen you before."
Hehe, I am glad that you asked. It's time to shine, my old self. I cleared my throat and then spun on the spot, striking a pose as I thrust my finger into the sky.
"My name is Rudeus Greyrat, the son of the knight of the village and a magic caster!"
The kids were silent before their eyes widened and they gasped in amazement.
"Th-that was cool!"
"That's amazing!"
"Wow!"
I kinda exaggerated the part of me being a magic caster, but I wanted to boast about my ability to cast magic so early on. And judging by their expression it seemed to work.
Soon after my introduction, they introduced themselves as well. One of them even tried to copy my pose. Ha. Nice try. No one can imitate the legendary introduction of Natsuki's bloodline.
Speaking of them. They looked like your average villagers kids. Somar seems to be the leader of the group and the other two would follow him everywhere he goes.
Of course, they asked me to cast a magic spell so I could prove my words. I casted a few WaterBalls and Stone Bullets and choose my target as a nearby tree, all of them hit their target successfully. The tree was slightly damaged by Stone Bullets afterwards.
Their expressions were priceless. They asked me to cast more spells. It caused me to proudly smile. Heh. I can't wait to learn intermediate and advanced spells.
They also asked me to teach them how to do it, but I had to decline. As the reason I said it was hard work and it would take a long time before casting a first spell. But the real reason was because I wasn't ready to teach people magic, I barely knew how it actually works.
It causes them to "Awww" in disappointment and pout. But after I said that I knew new exciting games, which were from my old world, they all eagerly agreed to play with me.
So this is how I made my first friends in this alternative world.
So it's been a few months since I finally started going outside. I turned 3 years old recently. I kept practicing my magic, and I would say that I completely mastered the elementary spells of air, fire, earth and water magic.
Speaking of swordsmanship. Paul started to train me. Nothing too intense. A bunch of pushups, swinging vertically sword a hundred times, running around the house for 10-30 minutes every morning and evening. The exercises took a toll on my body, but I knew they would worth it.
I kept hanging out with my new friends. Showcasing my magic, playing various games from tags to hide and seek and more. I even climbed a tree and hopped to another one to keep their attention on me. I had to make them laugh. Or they would abandon me as well. I could not fail.
After climbing a tree it left me with a few bruises and small cuts, which my mother healed with her healing magic. I wanted to learn healing magic as well. I could nicely ask Zenith to teach me, but I was still afraid. My hidden activities with magic have yet to be revealed.
Also I told them about my new friends, which they were happy about. They asked me to invite them over which I declined saying their parents don't allow it. Honestly, I just didn't want them here. They always leave a mess behind them.
Things were going smoothly so far, until one unfortunate day.
It was an average day. I was practicing my magic outside in the courtyard. But I decided this time to take it a step further.
Flipping through a magic guidebook, I tried to find an intermediate spell which wouldn't give me away.
So I picked Earth Lance, which would summon an earthen spike which would rise from the ground. I thought the spike would be rather small and if something happens I would quickly disrupt the flow of Mana canceling the spell.
Then with a book in my hand, I extended my arm and uttered the name of the magic spell.
"Earth Lance!"
However, something unexpected happened.
Instead of a stone spike rising from the ground in front of me, the ground beneath me started shaking. A stone pillar rose from the ground, propelling me upwards.
"Woah!" I screamed, almost dropping a book from my hand. The pillar ascended a bit higher than the height of our house.
Damn it. I did not expect this. I hope no one heard me—
Unfortunately, it seems like my parents and maid heard my cry and quickly exited the house.
"Rudy? What happe— Woa!" First one to see me was Paul, his eyes widened as he saw me high in the sky on a stone pillar. "How did you —"
"Paul? What's wrong? Where is Ru—" The last one to leave were Zenith and Lilia, having the same expression as Paul.
Crap. I messed up. Literally in front of everyone. There is no way I am getting out of his completely dry.
"Uhhh… I can explain…" As I said, I stopped the flow of mana and the pillar descended back to the ground.
Soon enough Zenith saw a book in my hand and started collecting the dots together, until her smile widened in a creepy way. "Rudy, did you read that book out loud?"
What's up with that smile? It creeps me out. Would they kick me away because I learned magic without permission? Or would they cut off my tongue so I couldn't utter that chant? Or something worse?
"Y-yes I did… I am sor—" but before I could apologize, Zenith let out a happy scream. "Ahh! Honey, did you see that? I knew our son was a genius!"
"H-huh? But that's an intermediate spell! Besides, no one has taught him how to read." Paul, bewildered, tried to find a logical explanation to what he just saw. Zenith meanwhile continued jumping in excitement, like she just won something.
"Darling, we need to hire a magic tutor! Now! He will be a great magician! I am so happy!"
I clearly didn't expect that reaction. I thought I would get scolded and my book taken away. But seeing my mom being so happy and enthusiastic surely put me into confusion.
Paul, unlike Zenith who quickly accepted everything, was still trying to comprehend it. A 3 year old child casting an intermediate spell? He knew that his child was smart for his age, but to accomplish something like that? "But wait! Didn't we agree that if the child was a boy he would become a swordsman?"
"No! You go to Roa right now and announce that you need magic to turn as soon as possible! Rudy needs a magic tutor to hone his skills even more!"
So I guess I will be a magician. I would not mind being a swordsman to make my father proud, but I guess it's settled.
"Promises are promises!"
"Don't talk about the promises, darling. You are the one who keeps breaking them."
My parents continued arguing until a third voice who was silent and listening all this time voiced their opinion. "What if he studied magic in the mornings and practiced sword in the evenings?"
Lila's suggestion silenced them instantly. They both were thinking about this suggestion until Zenith nodded. "That's a great idea!" she said before hugging Paul. "And darling, we shouldn't argue in front of Rudy"
So I guess everything was decided without my opinion. Honestly, I don't really mind this outcome, I get to learn magic and practice swordsmanship. A win-win situation. But this would also mean that I would have less free time… But still, I was excited for the future.
I thought it would take a while before we would find a suitable magic tutor for me, but it took only a day before the reveal of my magic capabilities. I was surprised when I was informed that they found a magic tutor for me and that he would be arriving soon to our house.
We lived far away from the town, so it surprised me even more that he would be arriving so soon. I was thinking about who my parents hired to train me. Was it an old wise man with white hair in his 60s who would help me to train me? I could only wait to see him…
After a few hours he finally arrived, I prepared and braced myself for whoever was standing behind the front door. And…
"My name is Roxy Migurdia, it's a pleasure to meet you."
In front of us was standing a blue-haired girl in her 16s? She looked like she could be from my high school where I was studying. I don't want to judge her yet but it seems like my parents were a bit disappointed.
The moment she appeared, my entire family was at the door, with the exception of Lilia, who was still inside the house.
"So… Are you our private magic tutor?" Zenith asked.
"Aren't you a little… uh…" Paul awkwardly said.
Roxy was dressed which meets the stereotypes of a magician. Wearing a brown cloak, her blue hair was in braids. Her two hands were occupied, one with a suitcase, the other with a magic staff, or so as I believe. Everything suited her perfectly well. No, she wasn't sexy in that outfit or something, she was rather…
"Cute."
Roxy blushed for some reason and my father mischievously smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up.
Huh? Did I say it outloud?
Roxy quickly composed herself. "So, who is my student?"
"Ah, it's our son Ru-" But before Zenith could introduce myself to her, I interrupted her.
I spun on the spot, striking a pose as I thrust my finger into the sky. "My name is Rudeus Greyrat, a promising beginner magician!"
Zenith's eyes widened at my sudden introduction while Paul gave a short laugh and patted my back.
Roxy just stared at me with a deadpan expression before sighing and rolling her eyes. "That always happens… that there are idiot parents who think their child has talent after growing so slightly…" she muttered.
That was pretty loud, Roxy. And pretty harsh…
"What was that?" My mother smiled, however one of her eyes was twitching.
"N-no, it was nothing… however, I doubt that your child can understand the concept of magic."
"Do not worry about that! Our Rudy is full of surprises, he is brilliant!" My mom said while beaming with confidence.
Roxy however just sighed again.
"Alright… I'll see what I can do."
Her tractor is quite understandable. Teaching a 3 year old child magic sounds ridiculous, but oh boy, I will prove you wrong.
After Roxy was properly accepted as my tutor, we went outside into the courtyard where she would teach me the basics of the magic. She thought that I was total newbie so she explained from the very start. Most of the things she said was alter in the book I read, sometimes I would leave a comment or ask a question regarding various subjects.
She told me much more information about magic than it was in the book. I didn't mention where and how I learned some of the basic concepts of magic, but she didn't ask it either.
She asked me what type of magic I knew and I was ready to chant an intermediate magic spell but was stopped right there. She thought I was joking and decided to start with an elementary water spell.
"Alright, let me demonstrate. Let the vast and blessed waters swirl where you will and emit a single pure stream from you, WaterBall!" Roxy muttered the whole incantation and soon a waterball formed at the end of her staff and shot towards the tree. That tree was my mom's favourite…
But yeah, that waterball was definitely much stronger than my average ones. Was it because of her stuff? Or she just has more experience with it?
"So, how was it? " Roxy asked me.
"It was incredible, teacher! But… My mom would be pretty sad if she knew that her favorite sapling is gone." I said as Roxy's eyes widened.
"W-what? Wait, let me fix this!" Roxy, startled, ran towards the tree and uttered another chant. "May this divine power be of satisfying nourishment, giving those who have lost their strength the strength to get back on their feet, healing."
I watched as the tree grew back in amazement. I didn't know that you could heal non living being as well. "That was amazing! You know the healing magic?"
"Oh, no. With the right training, anyone can do it." Roxy's tone was still a little disinterested, but after being praised by me, she was quite proud of herself. "You will be able to do it as well."
She is quite easy to please, after displaying her magic abilities, I couldn't help but say. "RMT!"
"What was that?" Roxy confused
"Roxy is a major teacher!" I said as I striked a pose.
Roxy sighed but I noticed corner of her lips were turned upwards. "Alright, Rudy, it's your turn now."
"Okay! Watch this!" I said as I extended my arm. I am sure it won't be as powerful as Roxy's waterball, but I am sure my next move would at least surprise her.
The same feeling of the flow of the mana began to move towards my extended arm and to my fingers. And then I utter the spell.
"Waterball!" A waterball formed in front of my palm and shot straight to the fence's wall. It ended up hitting the spot, it wasn't as amazing as Roxy's one, but still good enough.
Roxy dumbfounded looked at me. "Did you just shorten your incantation?" She asked while keeping an eye contact with me.
"Well, yeah. I always do for all types of spells." I nonchalantly said, while enjoying her reaction.
"A-always?! I see then… I guess it will be worth teaching you then…" Roxy turned away but I could see a smile on her face. She was now full of confidence. She turned back to me
"The spell was amazing, Rudy. The speed and size of it were good and you controlled it well." She said as she stared at the spot where my waterball hit.
Yeah, a smile fits her a lot better. If she was in my high school, I would probably fall in love with her. Even though my preferences were the girls with silver hair… I wonder if this world has people with silver hair.
"Right, let's move into the next spell." It seems like she was now excited teaching me as she was flipping tha pages through the magic book.
"Hey, Rudy and RoxyI brought some juice for you!" my mom showed up with 2 cups of juices in her hands, which we eargely took.
Damn man, I guess it will be a long day… An exciting day nonetheless.
After the evening's training, my parents decided to throw a party to celebrate Roxy's arrival.
I have never seen this much food on the table before. All sorts of meat and vegetables.
Roxy didn't expect it and of course was shocked to see it. She appreciated it and everyone was focused on food now while I was spacing out.
Honestly, right now I am happy. Happy for having such loving parents, for all of those encounters I made. It all just feels like a dream.
A dream which I don't want to wake up from.