Starting the journey

"Dear Rudeus,

How have you been?

It's hard to believe, but I suppose it's been over a year since we parted ways.

Things have calmed down a bit on my end, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to write.

Currently, I'm in the royal capital of the Shirone Kingdom.

In the course of exploring various labyrinths, I seem to have made a name for myself, so I ended up being hired as a tutor to a certain prince.

Teaching him brings back memories of my time at the Greyrat household.

For one thing, the prince bears a striking resemblance to the young man I tutored there.

While not as talented as you, he is a very clever boy and a budding young mage in his own right.

Sadly, he's also prone to stealing my underwear and spying on me when I'm changing, just like anyone else I can name.

His personality is a bit pompous, and he's considerably more energetic, but overall his behavioral patterns are quite perverted, so to speak, unlike you.

Perhaps ambitious men are all sex-crazed animals at heart?

Hmm. Maybe I shouldn't be writing this.

If anyone read it, I'd be thrown in the dungeon for sullying the royal family's honor.

I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. I don't mean any of this in a bad way, really.

In any case, it seems the royal court is planning to appoint me as "court mage" during my stay.

There's still a great deal of magical research I'm looking forward to conducting, so that should work out quite well.

Oh, that reminds me, I've finally gotten the hang of casting King-level water spells.

The royal library here had some useful books on the subject.

When I first mastered Saint-level magic, I thought it was the best I could do, but it seems a little good old-fashioned effort goes a long way.

I wouldn't be surprised if you were already casting Imperial-level water spells, Rudeus.

Or perhaps you've broadened your horizons and reached Saint-level in a different discipline?

I know how voracious your thirst for knowledge is, so I could see you taking up Healing or Summoning as well.

But perhaps you chose to focus on your swordsmanship. I'd be a little disappointed, to be honest, but I'm sure you'd make your mark on the world either way.

Personally, my goal is to become a Divine-level Water mage.

As I mentioned before... if you ever find yourself at a dead end in your magical studies, seek admission to Ranoa Magic University.

Without a letter of recommendation, you'll have to pass an entrance exam.

But I don't think that will be a problem for you.

Well then, until we meet again.

Roxy"

"P.S. It's quite possible I'll have left the royal court by the time your reply arrives, so don't feel obligated to respond"

...

"Tch...talk about a wake-up call..." I muttered as I put the letter back in its envelope.

Yesterday, Sylphiette confessed her feelings to me. Honestly, I already knew it but had deliberately ignored it.

After all, she's only a seven-year-old girl. I don't even know if she truly understands the feelings she has for me.

It could just be her admiration talking, but if she truly feels romantic love for me...

"Uugh!" I wriggled in my bed like a worm.

Fortunately, after my promise of "in eight years," our friendship was salvaged.

But even so, the feeling that I was stagnating grew larger in my small body, and Roxy's letter was the straw that broke my back.

"Now what do I do..." I muttered to myself.

It took me a moment to find the Kingdom of Shirone on the map. It was a small country in the southeast of the Central Continent.

Not as far from here as the crow flies, but the mountain range in between was infested with red dragons, making it completely impassable.

You'd have to take the long way around and approach from the south.

For all intents and purposes, Shirone was a distant land.

And as for Ranoa, home of that magic university... you'd have to take a big loop around the northwest to get there.

"Hmm..."

At least now I knew why Roxy had never said anything to me about magic above the King level.

She didn't know how to pronounce it better at the moment.

I decided to write a short, vague response to the letter. No need to explain the sad truth about my current situation. The girl seemed to have a mental image of me as some kind of genius, and I didn't want to disappoint her.

Anyway... Ranoa Magic University, huh?

Roxy always made it sound like an amazing place. But it wasn't exactly close to home...

If I went there... I could probably expand my magic repertoire, and as for swordplay...

I'd already noticed that Paul was running out of content to teach me, and the final kicks are his teachings in the North God style, but according to him, I could reach an advanced level in that style in less than a year.

Which is why, before I turned ten, my progress would stagnate...

It's something I couldn't let go.

So I waited until dinner so I could talk to my parents better.

Paul had just returned from his tour of the village, and dinner was almost ready, so I sat up straight at the table and began to eat.

My mother noticed my behavior and put on a worried expression.

"Rudy? Is something wrong?" she said, and I nodded.

"Yes..." I mumbled, then looked at Paul, who raised an eyebrow at my gaze.

"Dad... I want to make a request of you, please," I murmured.

He gulped audibly, and his posture tightened as well.

"What's wrong? You're feeling a little strange tonight. Is it because of the letter?"

"...actually, yes. It was from my teacher Roxy, and she says she's already achieved King-rank Water Magician..." I muttered, then clenched my fists. "And now my own progress... I've been stagnating since Roxy left in the realm of magic, and according to you, my skill with the North God style will be advanced in less than a year, right?"

Paul looked at me indecisively, then sighed.

"Yeah, actually, I was wondering when you'd ask me something like that," he muttered, scratching his chin.

I smiled slightly.

"So, Rudy? Do you want me to get you a sword instructor or something? If that's what you want, I'd have to look for someone Saint-rank or higher, and there's hardly anyone in that field. In fact, you're much stronger than the average warrior," he said seriously, and I pursed my lips. "Besides, money doesn't grow on trees, my son. I know what you're thinking. You want to go to Sharia, right? That's too far away, and no matter how powerful you are, you're still a child and my son," the man said in a serious tone.

If he behaved like that all the time, I'd respect him more.

"I understand..." I murmured softly as I played with my food.

(Sigh)

"But maybe I know someone who can train you nearby, but that would be much more complicated for you," he said, and I stared at him.

"Darling... are you sure?" My mother asked, and Paul nodded.

"If you let me fix things, I could get you a Sword King as your next sword master," Paul said, and I stared at him in shock.

A Sword King? That's more than I could ask for!

"A-and what should I do?" I asked, feeling emotion building in my small body.

"Slow down, son... I still have to plant the idea, and I'll tell you.

The conditions will be up to you to decide if it's right for you or not."

"Thanks, Dad!" I said excitedly at the idea.

I just needed to know what I should do. After all, nothing in this life is free, and I already knew that.

...

The wind howled endlessly outside my house.

The winter was terrible, but the days passed.

Before anyone in the village realized it, it subsided, and spring arrived, and I turned eight.

No one went hungry, or cold, or even starved.

I don't think any of us doubted our survival. Not after those supplies were sent to our village.

It wasn't long before Buena felt profoundly at peace.

The memories of the assassination plot had long since faded from everyone's minds, replaced by an exaggerated sense that everything would turn out all right in the end.

Everyone continued to live and at peace with the situation.

Paul kept his promise and contacted an old acquaintance of hers, Ghislaine Dedoldia, as she called herself.

A somewhat clumsy beastwoman, but a sword king, I must apply for a job as a private tutor to a young noblewoman from Roa. I was honestly surprised that Pau agreed to let an eight-year-old work, but this is a different world, so there's nothing I can do.

It will be a five-year job, and when I finish, my employer will pay for my tuition at Sharia Magical University, and, surprisingly, for Sylphie as well.

In short, while teaching the young noblewoman, I will also train with Ghislaine, improving my fencing, and then I can continue improving my magic. It's a win-win situation, in a way.

(Clap!)

Both wooden swords collided with each other. I was able to make Paul step back slightly and quickly throw a stone bullet at his shoulder.

"Ugh!" The man forced himself to repel the projectile, which left him vulnerable for a split second, but that was enough for me.

"Haaa!" I threw my wooden sword at Paul with tremendous speed.

He repelled it with effort, but again, it left him vulnerable. I quickly created a Quagmire, and his feet were swallowed by the ground. I lunged at him.

I could see the man close his eyes in resignation, and my sword slammed into his shoulder, sending him flying a meter away. But this time I held back.

"Ugh...that's how many?" he asked as he sat down on the ground.

"Three to zero," I muttered with a mocking smile.

Paul just clicked his tongue in frustration, remained silent for a few seconds, and then smiled.

"Rudy...haha! You're now an advanced rank in the North God style," he said as he got up from the ground.

"It's about time," I murmured with a smile. In fact, I feel like I'd been slightly stuck in winter, but I was able to overcome this problem simply by letting my creativity flow.

"Hmm," Paul suddenly looked toward the front of the house, and we could both hear the sound of a carriage approaching.

"Here you are, huh? Maybe he's finally learned how to manage his time properly?" Paul said, realizing in a low voice as I looked at him in confusion.

In front of our house, a carriage pulled up.

It actually looked more like a stagecoach. The back door opened, and a tall, muscular woman stepped out. Tanned skin, cat ears, a tail, and a revealing top that left no room for the imagination.

"Damn..." I muttered, eyes wide open, before Paul slapped me on the back of the head as I glanced sideways at Mom. Oh yeah, I got carried away.

"Hi, long time no see, Ghislaine." My father waved to the woman.

She didn't move or even blink at the man as she looked at us. "Yes."

I heard a noise inside the house behind us, and a moment later, Zenith and Lilia came out, my mother cradling Norn.

My little sister was still little.

Which meant she wasn't speaking a coherent word.

"It's been a while, Ghislaine! Is everything okay?" my mother asked, and the beastwoman gave my mother a small smile.

"Is she your daughter?" Ghislaine brushed Norn's hair, receiving what must have been a gurgle of happiness from the little girl. "She looks like she'll take after you more than Paul. That's good." A dry laugh came from my father.

"I take it everything's set and ready to go?" my father asked, and the beastwoman nodded.

"Please look after Rudeus for us?" My mother seemed puzzled by what was happening.

To be fair, even though I knew what was going to happen, I don't worry too much about the circumstances.

Paul looked at me. "Rudy, what would you do if I told you you wouldn't be able to see Sylphiette for a while?" His expression was strangely gentle as he asked that question.

"Honestly, I wouldn't mind too much. I'm sure she could manage without me," I answered truthfully.

"I figured as much." Paul's sword didn't move, nor did he try to react in a shocking way. "You see, Laws and I talked about this a bit. At first, I thought you'd take after your old man and try to seduce the poor girl." He ran his hand over his face. "After all, your old man is a jerk who couldn't even stand having his dick in his pants more than a month before the incident with the North King..." A couple of nods were affirmed by the women at his side. "I'm not a good role model, so I thought the worst." He looked at me. "That's why I'm proud of you."

The moment was sweet. So sweet that I almost forgot I was talking to Paul.

A blush crept onto his cheeks as I punched the air in front of his face.

"Anyway, uh… Laws and I talked, and we concluded that you weren't a bad influence on Sylphie. Not at all. I mean, after all, you're the one who stood up for her and became her first friend. So we figured she'd rely on you too much in the future, and well…" His voice trailed off as he looked toward the door. I followed him and was met with a sight I couldn't say I expected.

Laws, Cecilia, and Sylphie were there...

"Sorry for doubting you, Rudeus!" The elf bowed, and his wife followed him while Sylphie stood awkwardly beside them, looking at me and her parents.

"Sorry for making you do my father work!" His face was filled with dismay.

"That's not what I meant by doing all this..." I was interrupted by the man's rising hand.

"I know it's not. You're a good boy. I was just worried about my daughter." He placed a hand on her head, and she blushed slightly as she looked up at me.

"Of course, if I had acted like her father, I could have stopped the bullying myself..." He bowed again. "So thank you for everything you've done for us, Rudeus! I mean it!" The man kept his head down, not looking at me until Sylphie forced him back up.

Mom intervened when the man stopped. "You've had your share of troubles, but I'm sure you'll be able to pull through. After all, you're my little one." She sauntered over to me and kissed me on the forehead.

Norn held out her hands to me, and I gave her my finger. "Ha ha!" "Beee!" She tugged on my finger and let out a mocking laugh.

"I'll miss you, Rudy." Zenith's voice lowered. She was on the verge of tears, I noticed. "Your mother loves you."

"Thank you..." I murmured, and I could see Lilia putting my already packed bags into the carriage.

And so. I finally turned to the person who hadn't spoken yet.

"So, are you really leaving, Rudy?" Sylphie asked, on the verge of tears.

"Yes, but I'll only go to Roa and back for seven days each month... Don't you want me to?" Sylphiette shook her head.

"If it's something Rudy wants to do, I can't tell you otherwise." The girl patted me on the head, but I could see she was holding back.

"So, from now on, do whatever you want..." she murmured.

"Even though it's not a goodbye forever...I'm going to miss you, Sylphie," I said, and She couldn't take it anymore.

The poor girl hugged me tightly, crying.

"Me too... I love you, Rudy!" the girl said, and I froze in place, but I could see from Laws's sad smile that this was okay, so I hugged her back until she realized what she'd said and pulled away from me, blushing bright red before glancing sideways at my mother and shrieking in embarrassment.

"Poor girl, they're going to eat her alive..."

"Okay, see you in a month," I said, looking at the people around me.

With one last smile, I got into the carriage and headed for Roa.