Finally, a full month passed.
It was time for me to prepare for my trip back home to Buena village.
But before that, before Paul sold me off at a cheap price, I visited Philip.
"Uncle, I have a selfish request," I said.
"A selfish request?... What is it?"
"...When I begin to work here in the future, I want my friend to be able to stay in the manor as well."
"Your friend?" Philip looked surprised.
"Yes." I nodded. "She's a girl that I saved from bullies back in the village and began teaching magic."
Philip raised his eyebrows, looking at me. "Why? Is she your girlfriend?"
"No, she's my student," I said. "She's very talented and she managed to learn silent magic using my method."
Philip stared at me with some kind of analytical expression.
I continued, "She's being bullied back in the village because she has green hair like a Superd, but she's only an elf. I want her to be able to stay in the manor, and I also want you to hire her a home tutor, so she could learn things like reading and writing."
"Aren't you asking for a lot?"
I faintly smiled. "I don't think so. I'm a Saint ranked magician, and I'm teaching Eris silent magic. I don't think there's a price you can place on that."
"...But isn't your method just experimental? There isn't a guarantee that Eris would be able to learn it."
"There isn't a guarantee, but one of my students already succeeded. I'm also spending a lot of time training Eris physically and I motivate her to study other subjects. And there is more. Sylphiette herself is very talented. In the future she could become someone useful to the Boreas family. Uncle, please consider it."
After saying what I had to say, I bowed my head and went silent.
I think Philip would be able to judge pros and cons. If not, I'll argue with him until he yields.
In truth, I don't think he would be able to reject me after everything I said.
After being silent for a long while, Philip slowly said, "I could make this happen, as long as you can promise me that you'll keep Eris motivated to keep studying. But to receive permission for someone to stay in the manor, you would still need to convince Father."
"No problem! Thank you, uncle!" I smiled happily like a kid happy that he could see his friend.
'Act more childish!' I reminded myself inwardly.
…
"What?! You want some village brat to stay here in the manor?!" Sauros roared at me when he heard of my request.
"Yes. Sylphiette is a very timid girl, so she won't fight with Eris. Eris doesn't have any friends. Wouldn't you want Eris to have a female friend her age?"
"Hm! Why would I not want that?! Philip, make it happen!"
The meeting with Sauros went smoothly.
Just. As. Planned.
"I am impressed. You even already found out a way to deal with Father," Philip told me afterwards.
"Hehe." I laughed sheepishly.
Yes, it went too smoothly. When dealing with people with simple two-dimensional personalities, having metaknowledge on them is simply too good.
***
In the morning of the next day, I boarded one of the carriages of the Boreas family together with Lia.
Instead of Ghislaine, Gilbert was the one who was supposed to escort me back home this time.
I have already bid my farewells to Ghislaine and Eris yesterday, but the two still got up in the morning to see me off.
"Seraphim! Come back soon!" Eris unrestrainedly waved her hand at me with a bright smile.
Seeing this scene, a small tear rolled around in my eye.
It was such a change compared to the bratty violent girl I was greeted with at first.
I did a good job.
"You have to teach me more magic!" Eris called again.
Okay. She was still the same selfish little girl, but her attitude toward me has changed a little, hasn't it?
As I waved my hand to Ghislaine and Eris, the carriage set off.
Driving back to the Buena village, I began to wonder how Syphy was doing.
I told her before to use my name in case the bullies surround her again, so I think she was fine when it came to that. I was quite infamous and feared among the village brats by now.
Other than that, Sylphy was probably quite lonely with me gone for a whole month. She was that kind of girl.
I hoped she practiced her magic well even without me, but I think she was diligent.
***
[Philip's POV.]
As Seraphim was leaving, I secretly watched the square through one of the windows, observing Eris wave at him with a happy smile.
It has only been a month that he's been here, but the influence that Paul's son had on my daughter was enormous.
First she picked up the sword way more seriously, then suddenly became interested in studying subjects that she earlier avoided like fire, and has been very hard-working ever since. She became somewhat calmer as well.
It was a very sudden transformation that even seemed magical.
During this one month I had many thoughts about this kid called Seraphim.
Initially, before meeting him, I only thought that Paul was overpraising his own son, and that was it. If it was that Paul, then it wouldn't be strange.
It's only later that I understood that what Paul wrote to me in his letter was all an understatement.
Seraphim is a young prodigy of magic and a bright mind that makes me not believe that he is even a child. When conversing with him I don't feel like I'm talking with a little boy, but a person with age and intellect equal to mine.
This is in fact what made me feel uneasy for quite a while.
Perhaps it's just his rare childish quirks, small lacks in vocabulary and lack of some common knowledge that remind me that he is, in the end, a child with limited knowledge of the world.
Yet despite his limited knowledge, he is still extremely bright and intelligent.
Unfortunately, it was a kind of intelligence that sent shivers down my spine.
His greatest ability is how skilled he is in understanding people and making them do what he wants.
In this short amount of time he completely won over Eris's admiration, earned Ghislaine's respect and Father's sympathy.
He's very observant and he can easily notice what makes people click and how he can manipulate them. It's like he could always grasp the essence of the situation at hand in a flash.
Seraphim's skill at scheming and manipulating people was frightening, to be honest. How could a child who is only 5 years old be so cunning?
For example, before meeting me to have his friend live in the manor, he already prepared a full list of strong reasons to convince me and he seemed as if he expected no other result than me agreeing. He even already came up with a method to easily convince my unreasonable and highly irritable Father, which succeeded as well.
He even made up an elaborate kidnapping plan that in an instance allowed him to win over my selfish and problematic daughter's admiration.
At first I just thought he was only that: intelligent and useful, but it didn't take long before I began to straight out fear him.
I feared of allowing Eris to get close to him, since he might completely wrap her around his finger, manipulate and exploit.
He's in the end still Paul's son, so it isn't impossible he did everything so far just so a cute girl would go crazy for him.
The only incongruity I felt is that I never sensed any malice or perversion in what he does.
He is skilled in manipulating people, but he doesn't seem to have an addiction to that feeling of control over others that corrupt politicians I'm often dealing with would usually have. It sounds too good to be true, but it's as if he uses his scheming ability just to help others.
Logically, there was never a need for Seraphim to go out of his way so much to help Eris.
After the kidnapping incident, he didn't need to do anything more, because he had already done enough to win over Eris and seduce her later if that was his goal.
Yet as the days passed he continued thinking of ways to help her out of his own good will. He always had her best interest in mind.
I thought back and realized that he didn't even need to plan the kidnapping in the first place and was willing to even risk his life to help Eris and obtain her heart. Afterwards, he didn't complain one bit, wasn't overly greedy and seemed even ready to take the blame.
Back when we argued about Eris's schedule, I felt as if he might even fight me, so I would allow Eris to do what he thinks is best for her. He sometimes seems like a parent or an overprotective older brother.
To summarize things, I still think that Seraphim has a dangerous level of intellect, but there were never any signs that he is dangerous himself.
I had Gilbert carefully observe him all these days as well. Even though he had also praised the boy's genius, he didn't notice anything wrong with him that he'd call dangerous.
He said, "The boy is a good kid, and he has a very bright future ahead of him. He must be nurtured well, so he won't go the wrong path and waste his talents. He's probably a Miko, but it would be too wasteful if he was turned into the country's tool."
Gilbert dotes on him heavily. It seems that Seraphim had won over him as well.
I also heard that the Guild Master of Roa's Magicians' Guild apparently is even more fond of the boy, going out of his way to take him as his disciple and tutor him extensively.
As a result, my attitude toward Seraphim is still complicated. He often doesn't seem like a child at all, and that's what bothers me.
I logically excuse Seraphim's accomplishments by believing that he is a Miko with exceptional inborn intelligence and magic talent, but it doesn't stop me from dreading him a little.
I don't know how Paul was raising his child. Was he a proper parent actually, or is he the same Paul I know? Did he raise him as a manipulative womanizer? I really need to have a chat with him one of those days.
But Seraphim is useful, that's for sure.
Perhaps because he is still a little child, he doesn't have the charisma and also lacks experience, but he is the kind of genius that you know would do well in anything he does.
He especially has an incredible talent for politics.
Becoming the next Court Magician of the Asura Kingdom is the least he would accomplish. With his talent for magic it would be a simple matter, actually.
If I guide him in the direction of taking over the Notos family, he'd be able to find a way to become the family head even by himself, I'm sure.
One issue is that his potential and intellect make me slightly worried that if I tried taking advantage of him, it might backfire. I should probably be careful here.
If I can't control him, then perhaps the best thing I can do for now is continue playing the role of good and kind uncle, so he'd owe me a debt. I feel Seraphim is that kind of person, a person who repays kindness.
I look forward to seeing what the boy will accomplish in the future.
Hopefully, I'll be able to use him well.
If it will cost me Eris to become the family head, then it's a price I'm willing to pay.
***
[Ghislaine's POV.]
After staying in a manor for a month, Seraphim is eventually returning home for a while.
Ever since our first meeting, this youth constantly made me feel astonished.
After hearing Philip describe to me Seraphim based on Paul's letter before I set off for the Buena village. From what I heard, I thought that it's just Paul being overconfident and overly proud of his child.
When I first met Seraphim in person, I only thought that the child was just as overconfident as his father, challenging a Sword King with his little magic tricks and with no idea of what it means.
That's when he shocked me for the first time.
I always felt that a magician was useless during duels against people, but I have changed my mind completely after meeting Seraphim.
With the special magic technique he created, he suspended me in the air, practically crippling me as a swordsman.
Just that alone was a frightening technique.
Truth be told, as long as I was close enough, let's say around 10 meters, as a Sword King I could still use [Longsword of Light] and cut off his head even at range. At high-level experts of the Sword God Style can slash apart at their enemies even at a distance.
Granted, because I could not brace my feet against the ground, only my upper body would be active when executing my move, so it would significantly reduce the strength of my Longsword of Light. When attacking from such an unstable position, even an average Water Saint might be able to block my technique.
But the important point here was that Seraphim was only 5 years old!
If our fight started at more than 20 meters, the likely outcome is my defeat.
Using that move, he can already bully most opponents in this world when paired with his other powerful and versatile magic, or he can be an outstanding support in a party.
Just how powerful could he grow up to be in the future?
Besides, it wasn't Seraphim's only special magic.
He also developed his own technique to improve his speed and strength.
I don't know how he does that, but it is clearly not Battle Aura. I observed it with my Demon Eye, and it is magic; it's a layer of magic wrapped around his body, bright golden-colored just like the color of his mana.
If one day he manages to manifest Battle Aura and pair it with his strengthening magic, he could become a frightening Sword God Style user.
Apart from that, he also has his third and final special magic technique that he showed me.
Assaulting me with strange magical power, he can put pressure on me, make my body feel incredibly heavy and slow.
Sword-God-sama had once made me train under the pressure of a heavy waterfall, and this move gave me a similar feeling to trying to move under a waterfall.
In that state my speed and my Longsword of Light are both severely weakened.
It's a powerful technique that weakens all melee-fighters and monsters that would try to attack him.
When used against magicians', I feel it would probably immediately crush their weak bodies. I could only endure the pressure thanks to my strong Battle Aura. Seraphim made it clear that Eris Ojou-sama shouldn't come anywhere close when he's using that move, probably because of that reason.
The downside of this technique is that Seraphim seems to be unable to quickly change the location he wants to affect, making him practically only able to stand in one place while he's using it, otherwise he might probably affect himself once he steps into the area by accident, breaking his own bones.
Still, this move is very strong and would be perfectly paired with the Water God Style in a situation when he would stand in place and wait for his weakened enemies to attack him.
And in case his opponents don't attack him, he might simply assault them with magic from range.
These were just his three special and unique magic techniques he made up himself.
Apart from this, there was still his more ordinary 'silent casting'.
His stone bullets are incredibly quick, his quagmire is quite annoying and his wind magic you cannot help but have to cut apart otherwise you would be flung back. These were just some of his spells that he could cast without chanting.
Moving at high speeds while using magic spells to attack and hinder the enemy, having all kinds of magical techniques that a swordsman cannot avoid, this kind of opponent is an unimaginably tricky foe for a swordsman, it is an ideal North God style user.
I heard that Seraphim was always facing Paul as an opponent, and that immature Paul definitely went after him with his full strength during training to knock him down.
As a result, the boy has obtained perfect experience in handling a swordsman. It's a fluke, but Paul sometimes would do something useful.
Unlike Ojou-sama who has a clear predisposition for the offensive Sword God Style, Seraphim is more all-rounded and has all the tools and qualifications to excel in all: the Sword God Style, Water God Style and also the North God style.
Apart from having potential, he thinks rationally about his fights, yet is still able to decide things in a heartbeat. His combat instincts are good.
He still makes mistakes and has signs of a newbie when he easily flinches at feints and at any attacks coming at him, but that's something that has to be fixed with training.
Seraphim once said that he wants to become the strongest.
If it was anyone else who had said that, I might have laughed.
God-rank is not something that mortals can understand.
But when Seraphim said it, I was only silent.
If it was him, I think he could do it. He could be 'the strongest'.
If not a child prodigy like him, then just who would have the qualifications? Even if not with the sword, he might succeed just with his magic.
The magician named Roxy must have agonized over how to educate him for the future.
Even though I think it's quite embarrassing that she ran away from him, I can't blame her.
Instead I should probably even thank her. Because of her, I began learning magic.
Being taught by Seraphim, even I, as someone with a terrible memory, became able to reliably cast magic.
I could not yet fully cast a Fireball, but just the spark I'm able to consistently make now would have helped me greatly in making a bonfire if I had to travel by myself again.
After teaching Ojou-sama Fireball, Seraphim didn't move on to teach her other spells, but started lessons to teach her silent casting.
Under the situation of not being able to use both hands, one can still use simple magic. Even if you forget the incantation completely, you can still cast the magic this way.
It's quite logical.
My Master who's the reigning Sword God has told me countless times to be 'logical'.
"Being 'logical' refers to the foundations."
This is the golden advice from Sword-God-sama: "training in the foundations after a long period of time will logically allow you to attain the essence of the sword."
The young me hated training in the foundations, but my Master tirelessly trained me. He kept repeating lessons to let me practice.
Eventually, I attained a Sword King's strength that I don't deserve.
Seraphim's training closely resembles Sword-God-sama's training.
Unlike the foolish young me, he understands it already and always seeks rationality in his training.
Without a doubt, he has a mind like none other.
In general, it is difficult to imagine that he is just a child.
Even for this highly problematic Eris Ojou-sama, he gained her trust and sympathy in record time. Not by beating her up like me, but with patience, wit and kindness.
He even made a learning schedule or something for her, and thought of all kinds of ways to motivate her to attend the classes.
The kidnapping incident was also planned by Seraphim alone.
Although it turned out that the butler was greedy and made use of this incident, Seraphim by himself had dealt with the two men who were hired by the butler and tried to kidnap them.
After investigation it later turned out that one of the kidnappers was indeed a known Advanced rank North God Style swordsman, while the other was an Intermediate one. No matter if they underestimated him or not because he was a child, I was not surprised he could deal with them.
Before I went out to receive Seraphim, Philip told me: "He's Paul's son, so even if he's so young, the fact that he likes pretty girls won't change."
At that moment, I thought it would probably be something like that.
But I couldn't believe Seraphim is Paul's son after seeing how gentlemanly and kind he is.
It is true that he is only five, but there was no reason for him to do so much for Ojou-sama's sake who was so rude to him at first.
Apart from being kind, he's a hardworking person that Paul can never match.
He's a diligent person that Paul can never match.
And he's an astute person that Paul can never match.
I think he might not be Paul's son, that's the truth.
"What's wrong, Ghyslaine?"
When I was thinking about this, Eris ojou-sama asked me.
She had changed a lot during this past month.
The first time I saw her was just over a year ago. At first I thought she's an uncontrollable willful girl.
The first time she attended sword lessons, I gave her so much [painful love] that she couldn't even stand up.
She then took a wooden sword and attacked me in the middle of the night.
Even though she didn't get her revenge and was more obedient afterwards, she was still waiting with sharp eyes for the next few months for her chance at vengeance.
I was a bad apple back in the past, and I felt an affinity for her actions.
I was like that too.
At first when Eris Ojou-sama practiced the sword, she always complained about this and that, but she's become more diligent and calm recently.
Rather than saying that she's learning it from the tutors, I think it's fair to say she's imitating Seraphim.
"I'm thinking about Seraphim," I answered.
"Why?"
"No reason."
"Hm! No point thinking about Seraphim! He'll be back soon enough! It's time for our magic practice!"
These few days Eris ojou-sama has been fully dedicated to her sword and magic training.
I think it is especially so ever since Seraphim said he won't take her on an adventure if she's too weak. It was another clever trick he used to motivate her.
Eris Ojou-sama is definitely talented in the Sword God style. I noticed it during this one month. If she earnestly continues the path of the sword, she might surpass me one day.
In the future I hope to bring Seraphim and Ojou-sama to meet the Sword-God-sama. I wonder what he'd think after meeting them.
Ah, I'm really glad I have a chance to teach these two kids.
I'm grateful to Geese for giving me his advice in the past, that I should become a sword tutor given a chance. Sometimes it seems that he has clairvoyant abilities. He often made eerily accurate predictions.
If not for Geese, I would have probably not had the confidence to pick up the job of teaching Eris Ojou-sama the sword.
***
[Eris's POV.]
Seraphim is amazing!
He's small, but he can do all kinds of cool things!
He's really strong too! He can even kill Advanced rank thugs!
But he isn't arrogant like the other kids in the school for nobles! It's probably because he's from a village!
Sometimes I want to punch him, but he's nice to me, so I'll forgive him!
At the start I thought that if I only tried harder, I could beat him, but it's impossible!
Everyone says that I'm talented, but they're all liars! Why do I have to do things I'm not good at?!!!
Seraphim said that he wants to become the strongest!
He's a genius, so I can't beat him!
But it doesn't matter because I don't care about becoming the strongest!
So I decided to try becoming the second strongest!
It's because I want to go on an adventure with Seraphim! If I'm too useless, he won't take me!
When Seraphim is away, I'll train hard to surprise him! I hope we'll go on an adventure soon!
If it's with Seraphim, I'm sure it will be an amazing adventure!
***
***
***
[Buana village. One month ago.]
[Paul's POV.]
I watched as the carriage of the Boreas family was disappearing into the distance. There were complicated feelings in my heart.
'That's my son, all right. Even making a Sword King lose their composure. I guess you could expect that much from the prodigy who developed a new kind of magic and gave a Water Saint-ranked magician an inferiority complex…'
Apart from this, I will never forget when after his 5th birthday, Seraphim had tested a special move on me that put heavy pressure on my entire body. I was not prepared for it, one of my legs instantly broke and I folded to the ground like a house of cards.
The boy is downright terrifying. When it comes to his combat ability, he's a monster.
But for some reason, that made me happy.
Up until now, I'd been jealous of anyone more talented than me, but when my son was concerned, all I felt was pride.
Hm. Wait a second though.
Seraphim is about to start special accelerated training under a Sword King.
Once he begins training under Ghislaine, would he have any respect left for my strength as a swordsman and a man? How long will it be until he can beat me with the sword alone?
'Oh, man. My paternal dignity is on the line.'
"Zenith, dear? Now that Seraph is gone, I think I'll have to start training a bit seriously as well."
Zenith glanced at me with a disinterested expression.
"You'll never put in a bit of effort unless your pride feels challenged, won't you? You've always been like that."
As Zenith said this, I felt as if I was already somewhat lacking in the paternal dignity department.
'Ah, well. What's dignity good for, anyway? My old man was a walking lump of pride and nobility, and I was never exactly fond of him. I want to be a friendly, fun and lovable kind of father, not a dignified one. I think that's what Seraphim would need the most.'
So for now, I'd planned to just keep pretending to be a goofy good-for-nothing guy with a weakness for women. Until my son grows up, at least…
Thinking this, I glanced at Zenith out of the corner of my eye.
'Damn, that's a nice body. She shouldn't change with one more kid, or even with a few. That's one way to earn myself an extension, so I can keep pretending, I guess. Nhehehe.'
My eyes slowly wandered toward Lilia at the side.
'Lilia's figure is sexy as well. She pretends to be disinterested, but I can see the fire in her eyes. I've seen this look too many times. Hehehe.'
"Dear, you're scaring Sylphy-chan with your perverted grin."
I suddenly got back to my senses at Zenith's cold voice.
Crap. Did she notice I was looking next to her? I hope not.
I looked down and saw the green-haired little girl nearby.
Right, Law's kid was still there.
Seraph had asked me to train Sylphy with the sword, and I accepted without thinking.
On second thought, why would I need to spend my time teaching some foreign kid the sword?
'But I think that if I didn't do it, Seraph would look down on me when he gets back. Well, let's get started with it. He said that Law's kid is talented with magic, so it shouldn't be a waste!'