She was an elf.
Her apparent age was around twelve or thirteen—somewhere between a precocious elementary student and a youthful middle schooler. Petite and fragile, with cold, inorganic green eyes, flowing pale blonde hair, and long ears. She looked exactly like the elves from stories.
(But her outfit is pure mage…)
Elves were typically depicted in green, skimpy clothing, but this girl defied expectations. She wore a clean, light-blue robe, a dark cloak, and a wide-brimmed pointed hat indoors. A rapier hung at her waist, but she carried no staff or bow. This had to be Eibel, Mother's friend.
(If so, she's much older than she looks.)
My brain insisted on labeling her a "girl" due to her delicate, ethereal beauty.
"..."
As I stared, Eibel (presumably) gazed at the garden and spoke.
"…Multiple sand golems without cores, controlled via mana… and enhanced vision. Abnormal abilities for an eleven-month-old infant."
"!?"
She'd seen my "training"—and noticed the vision enhancement!
"…Given your reaction, you've hidden this from Luscica and the others. If so, your cognitive development is also aberrant…"
The elf gently lifted me, her expressionless eyes locking onto mine.
(What's with this woman?! Is she dangerous…?!)
"…Luscica's claims of your 'genius' weren't delusions, then?"
Mother called me a genius—half doting parent, half genuine awe at my ability to communicate clearly. I'd allowed this to gather intel, never imagining she'd brag to her friend.
"…I am Eibel. You are Alto Kleinpütt…?"
"..."
Dangerous. How had she discovered my magic? To others, I was just staring at the garden.
"…I sense mana wavelengths. That's how I discerned your actions. Ordinary humans cannot. Rest assured—no one else has noticed."
Her matter-of-fact tone radiated competence.
"…I won't expose your magic. I understand your need for secrecy. Prudent."
(She's reading my concerns…!)
Undeniably sharp. Not someone to antagonize.
"…I'll examine your body."
"Hweh!?"
In a flash, Eibel stripped off my onesie, leaving me fully exposed.
(Embarrassing! Is she a pervert?!)
I sucked in a breath to wail.
"…Calling others would be unwise. It could endanger your life."
(Is she threatening me?!)
"…No. I act for your safety. Luscica's child—my dear friend's child—is precious to me."
"M…Mama's…?"
Her words silenced me. Though eccentric, her eyes held unexpected warmth.
(Calm down. She hasn't shown hostility—I'm overreacting.)
I took a deep breath. Eibel's expression softened slightly, whether from understanding or acting the part.
"…You're a good child."
For a fleeting moment, she smiled. That smile convinced me she wasn't an enemy.
(Still embarrassing!!)
Fully naked, I endured her meticulous inspection—every inch scrutinized.
"…No crest…"
She exhaled, equal parts relieved and puzzled.
"Cwest…?"
A crest, she explained, was a holy mark bestowed upon those with exceptional destinies—heroes, saints, or even demon kings. Its absence spared me a turbulent fate. Her "don't call for help" warning made sense now: had I borne a crest, the Beilefelds' discovery would've been catastrophic.
"…Yet your mana and intellect defy logic for a crestless infant. What are you…?"
(A burnt-out salaryman, okay?!)
Of course, I couldn't say that.
"..."
"..."
My silence wore her down. "…Never mind," she sighed.
"…Self-taught magic?"
(Abrupt topic shift.)
I nodded.
"…Can you manipulate the four elements?"
Fire, water, wind, earth? I shook my head—my sand puppets relied on raw telekinesis, not earth magic.
"…Remarkable. You may be a true prodigy."
Confused, I shrugged. My "talent" stemmed from past-life memories, not genius. Without elemental knowledge, I'd brute-forced raw mana.
Eibel sighed. "…It's a miracle you're alive."
"…Want to learn magic?"
"Yes!"
I answered too eagerly.
"…Then I'll teach you."
"Weally?"
"…Magic mishandled kills. I can't abandon an untrained child. Plus, guiding you eases Luscica's burden."
A godsend. Trusting Mother's friend, I accepted.
"Pwease!"
"…Mm."
Eibel nodded, patting my head—a pact of trust.
That day, I gained a magic tutor—and my life changed irrevocably.
Another change followed months later: Mother's pregnancy.
"…Impressive, conceiving a second child as a shunned concubine."
"Jealous? You've never even touched a man, virgin."
The two friends bantered freely, their bond unshakable.