In the blink of an eye, four years had passed since Rudy's reincarnation into this new world. His diligent practice had yielded remarkable results, and his relationship with Roxy had also grown closer over time.
At that moment, a low shout echoed through the yard.
Rudy was sparring with Paul, both wielding wooden swords. Janis and Roxy were watching from different spots, while Lilia, who was busy with laundry, occasionally glanced over. Despite no longer being able to wield a sword herself due to an old injury, Lilia's sharp eye remained. In her judgment, Rudy's talent for swordsmanship was remarkable—so much so that she believed he could surpass Paul one day.
The male villagers passing by gave Paul a subtle thumbs-up, while the women gazed at him admiringly. After all, a parent's pride is greatest when their child excels.
"Good strike, Rudy! Keep going!" Paul encouraged, his eyes gleaming with approval as he quickened his footwork.
The wooden swords clashed repeatedly, each strike producing a crisp sound. Paul made sure to keep his strength in check so that Rudy could keep up. If he used his full power, he could disarm Rudy instantly. After all, asking a four-year-old to hold his own in a sparring match was quite a tall order.
The match continued for over ten minutes, and when Rudy was drenched in sweat, Paul decided to stop.
"That's enough for now, Rudy. Take a break," Paul said, stepping back to catch his breath and sipping from the water Zenith handed him.
"Okay," Rudy replied, setting down his sword and sitting down to rest. Despite his fatigue, he had learned a great deal from the sparring session with Paul and had further solidified his beliefs.
The mages in this world are at a great disadvantage compared to warriors, Rudy thought to himself. Warriors could use magic power—referred to as "fighting spirit" or "battle aura"—to enhance their physical attributes, such as speed, strength, and defense. This was similar to how Chakra was used in the ninja world.
Both systems required strong physical bodies to support them. However, there were some key differences. Chakra, for instance, offered little in terms of physical defense, but Rudy knew that he could apply the martial techniques he had learned from his past life. What he needed to focus on now was how to fuse magic and Chakra effectively.
Fortunately, his heightened perception—thanks to his Rinnegan—allowed him to clearly observe Paul's movements during their matches. The physical training wasn't too taxing for him, but Rudy remained lost in thought as four pairs of eyes watched him.
Or perhaps more than four pairs. The rumor that the young master of the Knight family had unusual eyes had spread throughout the village. Adults' whispers and gossip inevitably reached their children, and Rudy's heightened status among the villagers fueled their speculation.
Because of this, Rudy found himself somewhat isolated. His apparent superiority alienated him from the other children in the village, who viewed him with suspicion. Rather than argue with children who couldn't comprehend his situation, Rudy preferred to focus on his training, avoiding unnecessary conflict.
However, not all children treated Rudy with hostility. One exception was a green-haired, long-eared girl, Sylphy, who, like Rudy, was also treated as an outsider by the other children.
"Do you want to play together?" Rudy asked, waving at the girl who had been peeking at him from outside the courtyard. Sylphy hesitated for a moment, then approached shyly.
"Rudy, you still need to practice your swordsmanship," Paul's voice called from behind him.
"But this is the first time Rudy's wanted to play with other kids," Zenith interjected, overriding Paul's objection. As always, she had the final say in family matters.
"Hmm, alright," Paul relented reluctantly. "Rudy, just don't forget to come back in time for dinner."
Zenith gave Rudy an encouraging smile before turning and heading back inside. Meanwhile, Rudy greeted Sylphy with the proper courtesy, even though he already knew her name.
"My name is Rudeus," he said.
"I... I'm Sylphy..." Sylphy stammered, her voice barely audible.
"You've got some dust in your hair," Rudy said, summoning a small water ball to gently wash away the dirt on Sylphy's head. As he finished, he thought she looked much cuter.
"T-thank you..." Sylphy mumbled awkwardly, still unsure of Rudy's intentions.
"Don't worry," Rudy reassured her, stroking her hair softly. "Now that we've exchanged names, we're friends. I'll protect you from those bullies."
From the window, Janis and Paul watched their son, their hearts swelling with pride. Even Paul couldn't help but smile.
"He's a lot like me," Paul remarked with a grin.
"What did you say?!" Zenith shot back with a playful glare, though her smile suggested she was pleased.