Today is the start of my training. My goal for the next couple of years is to gain as much strength and mana as I can, so I need to be ready for whatever challenge the gods throw my way.
Starting off, I need to up my mana pool. I've figured out I don't have the Laplace Factor, which will make my mana growth and magical prowess weaker. So, I can't just rely on magic; I have to get my body in shape for swordsman training.
The best way to increase my mana reserves is to make my magic smaller and smaller. Surprisingly, this has the same effect as making them larger, which the original Rudeus didn't figure out at the start. But I'm getting ahead of myself; I still have to establish a good relationship with Roxy.
"Rudy, it's time for our lessons."
"Huh? Oh, Roxy, you snuck up on me."
"Yeah, you were mumbling to yourself, and I heard my name."
"Oh, that? It's nothing. I was just thinking about our lessons. I'm really excited for them."
"Okay, well, get yourself ready and meet me outside," Roxy said, walking away and closing the door.
Well, that was unexpected. I guess I'll just get ready for my magic practice.
Walking outside, I see Roxy sitting down by the tree she destroyed yesterday. "Roxy, I'm here and ready for your lessons."
Standing up and dusting imaginary dirt off her robe, Roxy said, "Okay, today I will be teaching you how to cast elementary spells in every element."
"Okay, well, let's hurry up and start."
Roxy moved closer and chanted incantations for a fireball. "Here, now try to recreate this."
Studying the fireball she made, I closed my eyes and channeled my mana. I imagined a lighter, a campfire, a fireplace. I tried to feel the sparks in my hand, keeping my mana steady. Without saying a word, I felt a flame envelop in my palm.
"Look, Roxy, I did it!"
Roxy, with a shocked look on her face, examined my fireball. "Wow, I didn't expect you to make one that fast. You really are a prodigy. I guess my time will be well spent here."
Blushing, I bashfully rubbed the back of my head. "Well, it's only because you're such a good teacher."
Roxy, hearing my comment, blushed a bit, but then she smelled something burning. "Is it just me, or do I smell something burning?"
"Yeah, I smell that too. It's so hot outside today; I'm burning up." After saying that, my head set on fire, and I started to panic, running around with my hair blazing.
Panicking, Roxy recited a waterball spell and quickly splashed my head, damping the fire. I fell to the ground, my head having just been on fire.
"You're such an idiot. I guess you're still a kid inside," Roxy said, bonking my head with her staff.
"Hey, my head was just on fire. Couldn't you hit me somewhere else?" I started laughing at the comical scene that had just played out.
Roxy and I spent all day practicing elementary and intermediate spells and learning to control them.
"Okay, now that it's bedtime, we can start our secret training."
Roxy looked at me with determination.
"Yes, I'm ready."
"Okay, silent casting is easy. All you need to do is think of the spell you want to use, then imagine what makes up that spell. If you're trying to cast a water cannon, imagine a water hose."
"A water hose? Oh, right, they don't exist here."
"Um, let's start off simple. If you want to cast a waterball, close your eyes, channel your mana, and feel it in your palm. Think of a water droplet, running water, a waterfall—imagine it all. Use your imagination."
Roxy closed her eyes and focused, but after several minutes, nothing happened. She looked disappointed.
"I'll never be able to do this."
Looking at her, I remembered that it's hard for people who have already used magic with incantations, like adults, to do this because they are so used to incantations. "I have a theory. I think it's easier for kids to do this because of their imagination and because they don't have that mental block of incantationless magic being impossible. You have to get past all the teaching hardwired into your mind and believe."
"That makes sense. I guess we can try more." Roxy spent the next hour trying to conjure a waterball, but the most she got was a droplet of water. Slow progress is still progress.
"Well, it's getting late. I think you should go to bed."
"I don't want to go to my bed. I want to sleep with you. I wonder how I can get you to sleep with me. Wait, I just need to use my child innocence."
"But Roxy, I had a nightmare last night, and I'm scared to sleep by myself. My mom and dad make weird noises at night."
"Hmm, fine. You can sleep with me, but only for tonight. I'm only doing this because you're teaching me something invaluable."
Grinning wildly, I hopped into bed with Roxy and snuggled up next to her. "You're really warm, Roxy. I could fall asleep right now."
Hearing this compliment, Roxy blushed and bonked me on the head. "You know, you should really save all these compliments for the girl you like."
"But I like you, Roxy."
Roxy blushed harder. "You know, say this to me in ten years, and I'll give you a chance."
After that, Roxy and I fell asleep, my arms around her waist, holding her closely to me, my head resting on her warm back.
The next morning, I woke up to find Roxy already gone. I got up, got dressed, and went downstairs, where I saw Roxy sitting at the table, waiting for breakfast.
"Roxy, that was the best sleep I've ever had. Last night was amazing."
Roxy blushed, remembering waking up cuddling with me in her bed. "Yeah, it was nice."
Zenith, hearing our exchange, started teasing Roxy. "Oh, Roxy, you're already starting to take a liking to our boy here. Don't get too ahead of yourself. He's only three."
Blushing deeply, Roxy considered the implications of what Zenith was saying. "I assure you, we just have a student-teacher relationship. Nothing more."
Zenith grinned and looked at Roxy. "Well, when he's older, I'm okay with welcoming you as my daughter."
Roxy's face turned completely red, and she stammered in her chair, thinking about an adult Rudeus marrying her.
Paul came in after sword practice, hearing the last part, and looked at Rudeus, sending him a wink.
Later, after Roxy and my lessons finished, I approached my father. "Father, can you start teaching me the sword? I think I'm ready."
Paul looked at Rudeus uneasily. "I don't know yet. You're only three. Plus, I don't think your body is ready to handle sword training. Wait until you're four and have gained some muscle."
"But, Father, I've been observing you. I think I'm ready."
Paul looked at his son wearily. "Okay, if you can show me you're at least a beginner in Sword God, I'll start your training early."
Beaming with excitement, I looked at Paul. "Okay, let's go then, Father."
We went outside, and he handed me a practice sword. I had been doing some pushups now and then, but not enough to make a difference. I had been trying to mimic the styles I'd seen Paul do, but I wasn't yet a beginner.
"Okay, son, come at me."
I rushed toward Paul, using some wind magic, though it was weak as I hadn't practiced it much. Paul effortlessly blocked my attack. I bent my sword back and threw another attack, continuously sending attacks and trying to use as much speed as possible, but Paul kept parrying. I jumped back.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to hit him. He's way stronger, and I don't really know how to use a sword. I just have to remember what I've seen Paul do. I have to remember."
Unconsciously sending mana to my eyes, I kept trying to see mana everywhere, in the trees, in the sky, and even coming off the boulder that Paul had cut down in practice.
My head started to hurt. I stopped supplying mana to my eyes and deactivated it. I fell down, my head aching intensely.
"Rudy!" Paul rushed to me and picked me up.
Zenith and Roxy both rushed outside after hearing Paul scream my name in panic.
"Rudy!" Zenith rushed to my side and started to heal me.
"What happened for you to fall like this?" Roxy looked perplexed.
"I don't know. I was trying to remember a Sword God style, and I put mana in my eyes. I started to see mana everywhere."
Zenith and Paul looked at each other, remembering their old party member.
"Does Rudy have a Magic Eye? If so, where is it?" Zenith looked at me, perplexed.
I ended up inside the house, on my bed, with Roxy sitting on
I end up inside the house on my bed Roxy sitting on the edge of it watching over me
"My head is still spinning, Roxy. It's like I could see mana everywhere," trying to play dumb like I don't already know I have a magic demon eye.
"I've heard about this. I think you have a demon eye. I've heard there's many, and the one you have can see mana. Usually, people with this eye wear eye patches because it's too hard for them to handle, so we will probably have to make you an eye patch if it manifests again."
"Well Roxy, tonight can I sleep with you again? It might make me recover faster."
Roxy looks at me with an unimpressed face. "Sigh, my sweet little student taking advantage of my kindness. Whatever will I do?"
"So it's a yes! I'm so glad. I can't wait. I could just hug you right now if I didn't see two of you."
"Well, I think you should get some rest for now. I'll leave you be." Roxy walks out of the room, closing my door.
Well, now that I know I have a demon eye, I have to learn how to control it. This will honestly be very useful for me. Well, no matter. I'll deal with this another day. Let me use all my mana and pass out. I create the smallest water ball I can conjure, it being the size of a grape. I create three of these before passing out.
It's been a whole year. I'm now 4, about to be 5 in a month, and I've mastered all elementary and most intermediate spells. I'm also now intermediate at Water God and a beginner at Sword and North God. I've learned over the past year I'm more proficient in Water God. I find this very useful because most fighters are Sword God practitioners.
Water God, at the highest level, can make a whole area around you where if someone moves, they die. So I'm very pleased with this. But this does kind of set back my idea of mending Sword and Water God together. I guess I'll have to train extra hard in Sword God.
I've also made progress on my demon eye. I can keep it activated for 3 minutes before my head starts to spin. It's very useful with my magic abilities; it helps me understand magic at a deeper level. If I had put all my effort into magic, I could have most likely graduated by now.
Also, Roxy and I have a pretty close bond now. Most nights I sleep with her, but sometimes when she feels "urges," she doesn't let me sleep with her. I know this because I see her sneak out of her room and look at my parents from time to time.
My mana pool is very vast now. I have to make at least 7 grape-sized water balls to pass out. I haven't tried to go smaller because when I go lower than that, I pass out immediately. I tried to make a water balls as small as sand, and I got a strand of grey hair, so I've decided to wait till my mana pool grows more before I go smaller.
"Rudy, it's time for breakfast."
I was so deep in my thoughts; I forgot to get ready. Putting on my clothes, I go downstairs. I see everyone at the table waiting for breakfast. Today I won't be having magic practice, as Roxy is going to be busy helping people in town, so I'll just be doing sword training all day.
"So Dad, will you be helping me in Sword God?"
"Yeah, Rudy, I'm surprised at your growth. You're like a monster. You're always intermediate in Water God and almost in Sword God and North God."
"Well, it's your genes, I guess. They say the younger generation is always stronger than the last."
"Well, after breakfast, meet me outside. We are going to spar, as it seems it's the best way for you to learn stuff."
"Okay, Father."
I've been watching Paul with my magic eye when he practices. I can see the touki coming off his blade. I still don't get how to manifest it. Paul says it will come naturally, but I can't wrap my head around it. But recently, something has clicked in my head: if I can see the touki with my magic eye, that means it's mana.
After figuring that out, it all started to click. I need to figure out a way to wear my mana around my skin. I need to learn how to coat myself with mana.
As I'm thinking and walking, I end up outside. Paul hands me a practice sword, and we get into our stances.
"You know, I'm close to beating you, Paul. You're getting rusty; I can already see the grey hairs forming on your head. You're letting a 4-year-old surpass you. I haven't even had my first birthday."
Paul looks at me, irritated and somewhat sad, knowing that what I'm saying is the truth.
"Tch, as if I'd let a 4-year-old beat me in battle."
"I don't know, Paul. Do you not remember our last battle? I almost got you there."
Paul looking more and more irritated at my responses, "You used magic, you cheater."
"Paul, in a real battle, people will use anything they can to win. Plus, it's basically just North God style."
Paul having enough of my trash talk, rushes at me, even using some touki in his slash.
I use flow to bring his sword down and pass me, using the forward momentum to spin around and slash at his back. Paul quickly responds by quickly moving out of the way, appearing behind me. He goes down for a slash, but I keep using the momentum that I used for my spin to block his blade.
I get sent back flying because Paul had infused his blade with touki. The grip of my sword wavering, feeling all the pain of that block, ringing throughout my body.
"Hey, you used touki on that blow."
"In a real-life battle, people are going to use touki." Paul starts to grin while making me eat my own words.
"Tch, I'm still not out of the battle."
Getting in my stance once more, Paul rushes at me again. This time, I use the flow to make his sword go up, and I blast him with wind magic in his torso.
"Hey, that's not fair. You used magic."
"In a rea-"
"Ahh, I don't wanna hear it. Get ready for my attack."
Paul once again rushes at me. I try to sidestep out of the way, but he quickly redirects his attack to me. I use wind magic to propel me out of the way of his attack. I once again propel myself to Paul, anticipating his overhead strike. I shift my body out of the way, using quagmire to sink his right foot and hit the side of his torso. I get off a clean hit, and Paul uses touki to soften the blow and hits me over the head.
"Ow, that hurt. Did you have to go so hard?"
"If you thought a cheap magic trick could help you beat me, you have a long way to go, son."
"Tch, I get closer and closer to beating you every day."
"I've noticed your sword style is more defensive. You're not going to advance in Sword God style if you don't start being more aggressive."
"Sigh, I know, but being defensive just fits me more."
"Well, it's either you become more aggressive or you go all in on Water God."
Paul left after giving me that choice.
I don't know. I want to be good at both, but I'm just so naturally more suited to Water God. Maybe if I can put Sword God into my Water God by using flow, then using a burst of speed to catch them off guard.
I need to practice my speed. I can't even dodge Paul's attacks without magic. Maybe that's what's holding me back in Sword God as well. I'm not very fast. I'm going to spend this next month until my 5th birthday practicing my speed..
Fifth Birthday
I wake up early and do my laps, pushups, and sit-ups, trying to condition my body and improve my physical fitness. I continue this routine until I can't do any more. I spend the entire day outside, with Roxy taking me out to the village. She seems hesitant to take me back home, but I can't figure out why. Maybe my dad had already done something to Lilia, but I shake that thought out of my head because he'd have no reason to right now.
We stay out for a long time, until the sun starts to set. Roxy begins guiding me back home, and she seems to have an excited look on her face. I don't know what could possibly be happening. We arrive back at the house, and as I'm contemplating it finally clicks, but I'm too late as everyone jumps out.
"Happy Birthday, Rudeus!" everyone says in unison.
I sit there frozen, not knowing how to respond to everyone's kindness. I think about how everyone played their part and how everyone I love is here for me on my special day. They are all here for me, and I shed a few tears.
Roxy brings me in for a hug and plants a kiss on my cheek.
"It's your birthday, Rudeus. Celebrate, be happy. We are all here for you," she says warmly.
Rubbing the spot where I was kissed, I reply, "You're right, Roxy. I'm so grateful for everyone here. I'm happy you all love me so much."
Later on, as the party winds down, everyone presents me with their gifts.
"Here, Rudeus, it's a sword I had made for you. It's pretty big right now, but you can always grow into it. A man is always supposed to hold a sword in his heart to protect everyone he loves," Dad says proudly.
Eyeing the sword, I can't help but smile and chuckle. "Thank you, Father. I will take your words to heart. I'll always hold a sword in my heart and protect everyone I love."
Paul is visibly pleased and steps aside to let Lilia give me her gift.
"Here, Master Rudeus. I know it's not much, but it's a cool book. I've seen you take an interest in cooking, watching me cook from time to time, and I want you to be able to cook for yourself when you're out and about," Lilia says warmly.
"Thank you, Lilia. I will read everything in here and try to be as good a chef as you are. I love you, Lilia. I see you as a second mother," I reply sincerely.
Lilia smiles contentedly upon hearing my words.
Zenith hands me a book on healing magic up to the saint rank.
"I had my sister in Millis get this for me. High-tier healing magic is hard to come by, as Millis keeps it locked away. But because I'm the daughter of royalty, I have some leeway."
"WOW, MOM, this is really going to be useful in battle. Thank you, mommy, for this." I plant a kiss on her cheek, and she backs away with a big smile on her face.
"Here you go, Rudy. I was supposed to give it to you when you mastered elementary magic, but it slipped my mind, so I'll give it to you now."
"Thank you, Master. I'll always treasure it and keep it close to my heart just for you." I wink at her after my speech.
Roxy blushes a bit but recomposes herself.
"I want to thank everyone who's here for caring about me so much. I'll keep and treasure everyone's gifts here. You don't know how much this means to me."
After the party, I ask Roxy if I can sleep with her. She agrees as usual, and I sleep spooned in between her. I turn around and hug Roxy, holding her tightly, knowing that tomorrow our teacher and student relationship will be ending.
"You know, Rudy, we will meet again when you're older, and I'm fine with waiting for you. The last year or so, you've been showing me all this love, so honestly, if you still feel the same in 10 years, I'll still be there and single, waiting for you."
Hearing this, I smile in happiness, knowing that Roxy is willing to wait for me.
"Roxy, can I have one birthday request?"
"Sure, what do you want?"
"A kiss"
Roxy looks a me blushing but thinks it through. She slowly inches her face towards mind I do the same our face inches apart. We both get closer our lips now intersecting I feel the soft lips of Roxy her lips tasting like heaven I don't want to break the kiss. We stay like that for a couple of seconds but to me it felt like hours.
"That's enough. The next time we kiss, it will be more special than this. So remember this moment. This is our contract of love. I will be leaving soon, so keep me in your mind and never forget me."
After that, Roxy and I both fall asleep me in her arms.
