I Use Magic Forever

Kazu awoke to the familiar warmth of Anna nestled against his side, her steady breathing a comforting rhythm. On his other side, Arwain was curled up in one of his oversized shirts, looking small and vulnerable. The early morning light filtered softly through the window, casting a gentle glow on their intertwined forms. As he lay there, Kazu's mind drifted through the whirlwind of changes that had transformed his household over the past five weeks.

The arrival of Petal, Arwain, Orelfa, and Orolfie had brought a vibrant energy to their home. Under Petal and Arwain's patient tutelage, the orc sisters had undergone a remarkable linguistic transformation. Their Vaynish had evolved from halting, broken speech to a fluency that now allowed them to confidently navigate written and verbal communication. The language lessons had been so effective that the twins had nearly eliminated their distinctive Y-inflected speech, with only rare moments of linguistic regression emerging during emotional outbursts or playful attempts at endearment.

Weapon and magic training had become a daily ritual, with Kazu methodically expanding the combat capabilities of Anna, the twins, and the orc sisters. While the sisters displayed an innate prowess in physical combat, their magical abilities remained limited—a characteristic trait of their orcish heritage. Tara had explained that magical aptitude varies dramatically across races, and orcs traditionally possessed minimal magical potential. Orelfa's connection to nature magic and Orolfie's affinity for water magic were modest gifts, likely inherited through their maternal lineage. Their real strength lay in their physical capabilities: raw speed and power that, even before extensive training, would have qualified them for a D-rank Hunter's Card.

The month of intensive training had transformed the sisters from raw, untechnical fighters to potential B-rank hunters. Kazu knew their physical attributes, now honed and refined, would be their primary asset during testing. As he lay there, feeling the warmth of his companions, he recognized the delicate balance of potential and preparation that would soon be tested at the Hunter's Lodge.

Despite the comfort of the moment, Kazu knew it was time to rise. Today marked a significant milestone—Orelfa and Orolfie would test for their Hunter's Cards. His own recent promotion to A-rank, Anna's achievement of a C-rank with her impressive 3200 magic capacity, and the twins' C-rank status all testified to the remarkable progress they had made in such a short time.

Felina's demonstration before the proctor was nothing short of spectacular. With a concentrated effort, she summoned a massive SteelClaw Lion—a rare magical construct known for its razor-sharp metallic claws and incredible precision. The spectral creature materialized with a thunderous roar, its muscular form gleaming with an otherworldly metallic sheen. In two lightning-fast swipes, the lion decimated the training dummy, transforming the sturdy wooden target into splinters and leaving only the reinforced steel core barely recognizable. The proctor's jaw dropped, his professional demeanor momentarily shattered by pure astonishment.

His fascination quickly transformed into intense curiosity. For over an hour, he bombarded Felina with increasingly intricate questions about her unique summoning abilities, her magical lineage, and the precise techniques behind her beast-taming skills. She was, without doubt, the first summoner and beast tamer ever documented in the hunter's lodge's extensive records.

During her defensive combat assessment, Felina's performance was equally mesmerizing. Her lithe body moved with a dancer's grace and a predator's efficiency, dodging and weaving around multiple attackers with supernatural agility. At one breathtaking moment, she employed her shadow magic to literally dissolve into darkness, only to reappear moments later, clinging to an unsuspecting attacker's back. Her finale—a cheeky "wet willie" delivered with impish delight—left the proctor both bewildered and begrudgingly impressed.

Felix's evaluation mirrored his sister's extraordinary display. Combining metal and electrical magic with mathematical precision, he created complex magnetic fields that allowed him to fire metal spikes into the training dummy from seemingly impossible angles. Using pure metal manipulation, he then proceeded to shred the dummy's internal steel core from within, turning the robust training equipment into a mangled heap of twisted metal.

Like Felina, Felix found himself subjected to an exhaustive interrogation. The proctor's questions were relentless, probing every conceivable aspect of his magical abilities and training. In his defensive test, Felix showcased the same lightning-quick reflexes and strategic movement that characterized his sister's performance.

Recognizing the twins' physical limitations, Kazu had strategically trained them to leverage their natural advantages. Rather than focusing on raw strength, he molded them into potential infiltration specialists—teaching them the arts of a thief or assassin, emphasizing speed, stealth, agility, and the nuanced skill of casting magic without telegraphing their intentions.

As a final assessment of their capabilities, Kazu devised a unique test: steal something from a household member without being detected, with the critical caveat that Kazu himself must witness the theft while the target remained fully aware and capable of catching them.

Felina rose to the challenge first, using her shadow magic to ethereally extract Lina's apron while she was actively wearing it. With Petal nearby assisting in cooking, neither woman noticed the magical sleight of hand.

Not to be outdone, Felix executed an even more audacious theft. While Orolfie was carrying a drowsy Arwain, he employed his newly learned light manipulation magic to effectively render himself invisible from her perspective. In a breathtaking display of skill, he deftly removed her skirt, belt, and knife without triggering any alarm.

The aftermath was delightfully comedic. Orolfie remained oblivious to her missing items until Arwain's innocent query about her state of undress triggered her awareness. Blushing and momentarily confused, she caught Kazu's knowing gaze in the hallway. Her playful response and subsequent provocative walk to retrieve clothing turned the moment into a lighthearted, mischievous interaction that perfectly captured her flirtatious personality.

Kazu's thoughts drifted to the transformative events of the past month, small moments that had woven these newcomers more deeply into the fabric of his household. Two weeks after their arrival, a poignant moment of identity and belonging emerged when Orelfa approached him about using his family name for her registration. Arwain, ever creative and affectionate, desired a shared surname that reflected their connection. Kazu's habit of calling her "honey" sparked her imagination, and when he suggested "Hani"—a linguistic equivalent that maintained her dignity—she was delighted. The naming became a gentle ritual of acceptance, with Orolfie soon joining in, requesting her own family name. Kazu playfully offered "Toboe", referencing her spirited battle cry, a nickname that captured her vibrant personality.

His memories then wandered to the celestial observatory, a project born from nostalgia and a desire to share knowledge. Tucked away in his bag, a 356 mm telescope—a cherished family heirloom used for countryside stargazing—found new purpose. The old workshop transformed into a sanctuary of astronomical wonder, its walls now echoing with excited discoveries and learning. Arwain and Lina, in particular, displayed an insatiable curiosity about the cosmos, their eyes wide with wonder as Kazu taught them celestial mathematics and observation techniques.

During movie nights, Kazu carefully navigated discussions about planetary systems, subtly avoiding detailed comparisons to his original solar system. The telescope became a portal of shared exploration; in the weeks since its installation, they had already discovered five new planets. Kazu's digital camera captured these celestial bodies, and evenings were spent huddled together, examining projected images that sparked imagination and scientific curiosity.

Anna's stirring broke his reverie, and as he began dressing, Orolfie and Orelfa burst into the room with characteristic enthusiasm. Orolfie's playful complaint—"Awww, you are already up. Here I was hoping to get you up"—was delivered with a mischievous smirk that showcased her growing comfort with the language and her own burgeoning personality.

Kazu's response was a mix of paternal affection and linguistic humor. "The Vaynish lessons have paid off," he teased, kissing their foreheads. "You can effectively produce innuendos at will now." His gentle guidance about appropriate attire for their Hunter's Card test balanced humor with practical advice.

Orolfie's blushing response—"No need to worry. As uncomfortable as I find them, I am wearing my undercloths. No need to get jealous, there will be no pretty views for the poc... test giver… person"—revealed both her growing linguistic skills and her playful, slightly uncertain approach to social interactions.

Anna pipes up, her voice dripping with playful mischief, "So what you are saying is the views he got during training were on purpose? You dirty girl, we'd give you a spankin' if we thought you would not enjoy it." Her teasing tone is both provocative and lighthearted, revealing the comfortable dynamic within their unconventional household.

Orelfa, quick-witted and equally playful, retorts, "Don't threaten her with a good time. We'll never leave." Her response elicits a ripple of laughter, showcasing the sisters' growing comfort and rapport.

Kazu chuckles to himself, recognizing the evolving social dynamics. "They may be old jokes to me, but they are new jokes to them," he muses internally. A mischievous glint enters his eyes as he contemplates future entertainment. "Wait till I show them a stand-up comedy special."

Within minutes, Kazu is dressed and prepared to depart. The two orc sisters accompany him to town, while the household settles into its morning routine. Petal and Lina begin their meticulous housework, their movements synchronized and efficient. Arwain and Anna head to the fields, their steps light and purposeful as they check on the crops. Felix and Felina patrol the property's perimeter, practicing the advanced skills Kazu has carefully cultivated. In the new workshop, Rask immerses himself in work, surrounded by the innovative tools Kazu has provided.

The journey to town is now a familiar, almost rhythmic experience. At the town gate, the guard acknowledges them with practiced nonchalance. Inside the town, Kazu and the orc sisters move through the streets, largely unremarked upon—a testament to their growing integration. A few townspeople offer subtle nods of recognition, a far cry from their initial wary reception.

At the Hunters' Lodge, Tara greets them warmly, efficiently guiding them through the registration paperwork. Once completed, she summons the proctor.

Mica arrives, his expression a mixture of professional concern and underlying anxiety as he glances at Kazu. The unspoken history between them is palpable.

"No need to fret, Mica," Kazu reassures him with a calm smile. "I am not testing today; Orolfie and Orelfa are."

Mica exhales, relief washing over his features. "Excellent. I am guessing fighters, not magic users?"

Orelfa, her linguistic skills now sharp and playful, replies, "Correct, we… what did Kazu call it… 'Hulk Smash' things."

Kazu grins, demonstrating the progress of their training. "That was only when you began training. You two have more grace and control now, so less Hulkie Smashie and more dismantle with grace and flair." He punctuates his statement with an elegant, almost theatrical flourish of his wrist.

Mica shakes his head, a mixture of exasperation and grudging respect crossing his face. He then takes Orolfie to the testing area. Half an hour later, she returns, laughter bubbling from her, and directs Orelfa to undergo her assessment.

"So how did it go?" Kazu inquires, his curiosity piqued.

She smiles at him, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "He got mad at me for destroying the dummy."

"Oh… How did that happen?" Kazu inquires, raising an eyebrow with a mixture of curiosity and anticipated amusement.

Orolfie leans forward, her muscular frame vibrating with excitement as she recounts the tale. "Well, I used the body-strengthening magic you taught us and punched it in its chest. The wood splintered like kindling, and the metal core in the middle bent so violently it looked like a twisted sculpture. It flew across the room and crashed into the wall with such force that the entire training area echoed with the impact. Speaking of the wall, can you fix the big crack I put in it after we are done testing?" Her tone is part inquiry, part playful challenge.

Kazu quietly laughs, a deep rumble of genuine humor. "Yeah, I can do that. I really should offer to make them some new dummies. I feel kind of bad that we keep destroying their training equipment like it's made of paper."

Her eyes sparkle with unbridled enthusiasm as she continues, "What really upset him was when his friends tried to attack me. I used the strengthening magic to make my skin harder than steel—just like you taught me—and caught their swords bare-handed, then casually took them away. He told me to give them back and 'act like they could hurt me.'" She mimics the proctor's frustrated tone, then grins. "I then spent the next few minutes effortlessly slapping their swings away until they were too exhausted to even lift their weapons."

"Mica is going to hate all of us," Kazu says, laughing heartily. "We are going to be the first team in history to get all Rank-S endorsements."

Orolfie smiles at Kazu with a provocative edge, leaning slightly closer. "That's because we all have the best teacher, and when you finally allow me to, I'll give you a well-deserved reward." She finishes her statement with an exaggerated wink, ungracefully licking her lips in what she presumably thinks is a seductive manner.

Her attempt at sensuality reminded Kazu of a drunk trying to lick sauce off their nose—clumsy, slightly endearing, but decidedly not sexy. He smiles back at her, his amusement stemming from an entirely different place than she intended.

A while later, Orelfa returns, and Mica hands the paperwork to Tara. Kazu reaches out and pulls the sisters into a warm, protective embrace. He kisses each of them tenderly on the cheek, and just as he's about to speak, Tara interrupts. "Ladies, care to join me over at the crystal to get your cards made?" she asks with professional efficiency.

The orc sisters follow Tara to the crystal, and a few minutes later, they return, proudly displaying their newly minted Hunter's Cards to Kazu. He takes a look at Orelfa's card first, his eyes scanning the details with careful attention.

Orelfa's card reads: 

Name: Hani Orelfa ________ Age: 6 ________ DOB: 14-5-537

Affinity: Nat, Bod ___ Capacity: 1050 ____Blood Type: Orc+

Jobs: Tap for details

Kills: 131 ____________________________ Plants Gathered: 180

Helped: 6 ___________________________ Thieves Captured: 1

Endorsements: None _______________ Rank: B

Next, he inspects Orolfie's card.

Orolfie's card reads: 

Name: Toboe Orolfie _______ Age: 6 _______ DOB: 21-9-537

Affinity: Wat, Bod ___Capacity: 1200 ____ Blood Type: Orc+

Jobs: Tap for details

Kills: 158 _____________________________ Plants Gathered: 28

Helped: 4 ____________________________ Thieves Captured: 3

Endorsements: None ________________ Rank: B

Kazu hugs the girls again, his voice warm with pride and affection. "I'm proud of you two. Orolfie is now the youngest B-rank member ever and, I believe, the youngest to join. Also, we now officially know which of you two is the oldest." His eyes sparkle with a mixture of paternal joy and genuine admiration for their rapid progress.

Tara's eyebrows raise, her professional demeanor softening with genuine surprise. "That is correct… I never thought I'd see a card list the age of 6 years old on it… but today, I have two. You like to shake things up, don't you, Kazu?" Her tone is a blend of exasperation and reluctant respect.

Kazu's lips curl into a mischievous smile. "You know you like my surprises… especially when you barge…" The playful glint in his eyes suggests a long-standing, comfortable rapport between them.

Tara, recognizing his potential for workplace mischief, swiftly interrupts by loudly detailing the lodge rules and ranking information to the orc sisters. Her vigilant gaze remains fixed on Kazu, ensuring he won't seize an opportunity to embarrass her professionally.

Once the information is comprehensively relayed, Kazu, realizing Tara hasn't visited the house since her teaching stint, extends a warm invitation. "Would you like to see the completed workshop, our new observatory, and the house renovations? We could even have a family movie night if you're interested." Tara's curiosity is piqued, and they agree she'll visit the following evening after completing a lodge quest, briefly discussing the mission's details and expected completion time.

After exchanging farewells, they exit the lodge. Noting the midday sun, Kazu turns to the sisters. "What would you like to do?"

Without hesitation, they declare in unison, "We need a hunter outfit and everyday clothes." Their synchronized response makes Kazu chuckle as they head to the shops.

At the clothing store, they select a heavy winter dress reminiscent of Anna's style, along with fitted slacks and snug shirts. A spirited debate ensues over undergarments, with Orelfa finally convincing Orolfie to make a purchase. Orolfie, true to her defiant nature, selects provocative options: six mesh pieces and six minimal triangle-and-string designs. After another animated discussion—which Kazu diplomatically avoids—Orelfa concedes to her sister's choices, selecting more modest underwear, including what Orolfie playfully calls "Mellon Mashers".

The weapons shop proves a more meticulous expedition. The sisters methodically examine each item, with Kazu scanning for novel equipment. Hours later, they've selected matching leather ensembles: low-slung pants and midriff-baring vests with minimal closure. Orolfie chooses a basic left-hand gauntlet and a familiar sword, while Orelfa opts for a gauntlet with an integrated small shield and her preferred training knives.

Returning home as the sun sets, they enjoy dinner, take baths, and gather in the living room for movie night. Seeking to broaden their cultural understanding before sharing his own origin story, Kazu introduces them to Isekai anime. After searching his collection, he selects a straightforward narrative about an orphaned boy adopted by a wise mentor, who becomes extraordinarily powerful, falls in love, and battles demonic forces.

Their viewing becomes an interactive experience, with passionate discussions erupting after each episode. They critique the magical mechanics, comparing the anime's representation to their own training. During the second episode, memories of their initial magical ineptitude trigger uncontrollable laughter, forcing Kazu to pause the playback as they good-naturedly mock their past selves before resuming their viewing.

After the third episode, Anna's curiosity sparked a deeper conversation. "Is this where you got the idea to enchant clothing and weapons and other things?" she asked, her fingers tracing the intricate magical patterns on her own enchanted garments.

Kazu leaned back, his eyes distant with memories of countless stories and technological marvels. "No, enchantment has been a concept in storytelling long before this anime. Remember that classic fairy tale about the girl who falls into a deep slumber after eating an enchanted apple? That story was told nearly 80 years before this show was created. In my original world, written references to magic and enchantment date back nearly 4,000 years—a testament to humanity's fascination with transformative and supernatural powers."

Arwain's emerald eyes widened, her delicate elven features etched with surprise and wonder. "Our historical records are so much shorter," she said softly. "Our written history spans merely 543 years. Before that, it was as if our people emerged fully formed—learning to read, write, and build simultaneously. My Great-Grandmother speaks of a pivotal moment when a mysterious holy being appeared in our village, guiding our elders in harmonious interaction with nature. He taught sustainable practices that transformed our understanding of the natural world. Even now, decades later, the elders speak of him with reverence, describing him as a luminous, wise figure who fundamentally altered our civilization's trajectory."

Anna nodded, her scholarly background evident in her thoughtful response. "That sounds remarkably similar to the historical records in the mayor's archives. If I recall correctly, there's a prophecy suggesting this holy being will return before 600 years have passed." Her gaze swept across the room, seeking confirmation.

A chorus of agreement rose from most of the group, punctuated by a contemplative silence from the orc sisters, who possessed no inherited narratives to contribute to the discussion.

As their animated conversation gradually subsided, they returned to the anime. What was initially planned as a two-hour viewing stretched into a three-hour exploration of storytelling, cultural exchange, and shared imagination.

Internally, Kazu reflected on the evening's dynamics. "I'm glad I introduced a straightforward narrative," he mused. "These deeper, more complex series can wait. Perhaps a romance series might be a gentler next step in expanding their cultural understanding."

As the night wound down, the group dispersed to their respective bedrooms. Arwain, seeking companionship, joined Lina in her room, while the others retreated to their usual sleeping spaces, the echoes of their shared storytelling lingering in the quiet household.