episode_0003

“Madam, the young master is here again!”

“Master, Kidney Young Master…”

“Miss Young Master really…”

“Stop it. Enough!”

“Sigh… Who do I take after to be causing trouble like this? Lately, I’ve been diligently attending etiquette classes, hoping to escape from being an accident-prone troublemaker, but it seems like my true nature never changes.”

“Madam. Do you not remember when you were around the young master’s age, reading fairy tales and deciding to run away to catch a dragon?”

“..Rebecca. What are you talking about..”

“To be honest, the young master is relatively better. At least he doesn’t go out causing trouble and come back like you do, Madam.”

“Enough! You too, go out. Oh, please bring our little one here.”

“Well, these days, no matter who calls, she doesn’t listen. Unless you go yourself, Madam.”

“Really? She must be at the training ground then? Alright, thank you.”

***

Swish!

As I lower my sword, in my mind, I recall a single leaf.

A leaf falling from above, gently swaying down.

Falling diagonally due to the wind blowing from the northwest.

There was something I saw in the martial arts manual.

Thrusting is a point.

Slashing is a line.

Blocking is a surface.

Within the line that I lower my sword on, there are countless points connected. It’s not just about slashing vertically; it’s about fitting in numerous thrusts within.

To fit in as many thrusts as possible within the line, efficiency is key.

Ensuring the first thrust and the last thrust are on the same line.

Like this.

Strongly, as if a waterfall is descending.

Crack!

The leaf splits exactly into two.

“Kid, are you satisfied now?”

“!”

“Are you coming? Don’t wait, call me..”

“Uh, I called you several times. Are you skipping lessons again?”

“Ugh. Yes..”

“Is the sword really that good?”

“Yes! With just this, can I survive?”

“Without me?”

“That’s!.. No..”

“What about Rebecca and Hanson?”

“That too.. No.”

Aria stretches like a cat getting up, then lightly flicks my nose with her finger.

“Haha. Really? Alright then. Let’s go eat!”

“Are you.. inviting me?”

“How could I scold you. Actually, when I don’t feel like working, I play tag with friends.”

“Friends..?”

“You. Did you think I have no friends?”

“No no, not that! I just haven’t seen you before.”

“True. We’ve both been busy until now.. It worked out well. We plan to come here to visit next week. With the kids. You won’t just stay in the training ground then, right?”

“Yes..”

“Alright then! Come here!”

She spreads her arms and laughs mischievously. If she had been working, tying her hair back makes her look fresh and refreshing.

“I secretly stashed away some leftover drinks for the birthday party, they’re so cool and thrilling!! Am I giving it only to you specially?”

Why does that kid suddenly come to mind?

“My arm is getting tired. Hurry up.”

“Sure, I’m coming.”

“Sigh! I might not be able to do this a few more times? You’re growing so fast.”

She has been teasing me about giving me tasks lately, but to me, it doesn’t feel like punishment. Maybe because she enjoys it.

“Our little one. So kind.”

“I’m not little anymore.”

“Uh, to me, you’ll always be little. Let’s go quickly before Rebecca gets angrier.”

***

Knock knock

“Master, may I come in?”

With no response to the knock, I entered to find a woman leaning on the sofa, seemingly tired and asleep. She seems to have just shed her girlishness, but she looks too mature to be called a girl.

A thick black notebook lies open on the desk. The ink seems fresh, indicating she was in the middle of writing.

As I flip through the first page of the notebook,

——————————

July 21st.

I found a child. Gray hair like a wolf and gray eyes. I found them on my way back home from the mansion, where someone had left them wrapped in a cloth.

Next to the child was a small note and two silver coins with a message asking to take care of the child. This amount could feed a family of four for a month.

The child cries loudly. Seeing them tightly holding their small hands, it makes me think that this child also has nowhere to rely on.

Let’s live together.

July 30th.

I have developed feelings for someone I will have to love one-sidedly for the rest of my life.

Although I have never experienced love before, whenever I see them, laughter spills out, and when I close my eyes, thoughts of them come to mind. Is this what love feels like?

It seems like it’s time for me to learn unconditional love now.

When I look into the child’s gray eyes, I see only myself reflected, and I like it more.

January 2nd.

The child caught a cold for the first time.

I feel guilty for never having had a cold at times like this because I can’t empathize with the child’s pain.

I wish I had caught the cold instead; I’m sorry that my body cannot catch a cold.

March 30th. (Important! Handle with care)

Our little one said spring flowers bloomed and gave me a hyacinth flower woven with clover ring for the first time.

Although the child grows differently each day, there are times when they seem disappointed without expressing it well, making me anticipate receiving rewards. When going to social gatherings, I used to receive expensive jewelry and gifts from other noble children. Today, I received a much more precious gift.

I should ask the family wizard for a permanent preservation spell.

December 25th.

The child, who has grown unrecognizably, suddenly developed a new hobby.

Holding a red hat and a bundle, they distributed gifts that everyone seemed to need, touching everyone present. When I approached the proud child, they became embarrassed and hid the bundle behind them.

I jokingly asked if there was anything for me, and the child, blushing, presented a necklace they had made with hands that had grown bigger. They said it was a token of gratitude as they shyly extended it towards me, making me feel loved as they touched my eyes, nose, and finally kissed me on the lips.

As the child grows taller and reaches my eye level, I decided to wait until then to see how they react when I offer to wear the necklace.

My person. My love.

Did they ever think of me this way?

I vaguely thought that I might not be Aria’s child, but how many people can give such love to a child picked up off the streets?

Feeling grateful, I put the diary back where it belongs.

“Um… Kid.. I love you too.”

But maybe it’s okay to have a little adventure before that.

September 2nd.

I have a new goal now.

To protect a girl, a family, and a woman.

Until I can hide them secretly in the sky above, where no one can touch them recklessly.

“Aria. Have sweet dreams.”

***

“And the kid living here also wields a sword!”

“So?”

“It’s not about that!! Don’t you want to see who’s stronger?”

“But this kid has never professionally learned swordsmanship.”

“But our mom bragged that she’s an incredible genius, right? We should let her try!”

“David.. we’re 11 years old.. it’s childish.”

“Anyway! We’ll meet often from now on, so we should figure out who’s stronger!”

“Why are boys at this age all so childish..”

“Come on! Let’s hurry and start!!”

“Yes sir! Let’s go as fast as possible!”

***

While taking a break from training at the martial arts hall, Rebecca says to the young master,

“Sir, today is the day when Madam’s friends and their children are coming. You need to wash up and get ready quickly.”

“Oh, is that today? Got it. Aqua? Can you use your cleaning magic?”

“Sure thing!”

One of the most convenient points is spirit magic. When there’s no water or you’re too lazy to shower, if you ask, it quickly finishes like running a washing machine.

“Oh! Master!! Don’t ask the spirits, leave it to us!!”

A little girl with pink hair runs from afar. It is said that our family creates someone who can be entrusted with anything by growing up with a peer servant from an early age.

“Anna. Isn’t this much more comfortable and faster?”

“Really!”

Taking a deep breath, the girl starts wiping her body with a towel.

She especially focuses on rubbing her face vigorously.

“Hey Anna? Can I ask Sylphy for help?”

“No! What if the spirits make a mistake in controlling their power and you get hurt, Master!”

“Tsk!”

A wind spirit seems to complain as if it doesn’t understand.

It seems like Anna was the winner of the short staring contest with the spirit.

“Anyway, let’s go change clothes now!”

“Okay..”

***

“You dress so well. Always wearing dull clothes,”

“You can’t wear these clothes every time you train.”

“Yes yes.”

“We’ll arrive soon.”

The strange ability gained while training made his senses sharp like Spider-Man he saw in his past life.

According to Hanson, it doesn’t seem like training gives you that, but it’s a strange thing.

In the distance, children chattering softly and a harmonious couple chatting in another carriage can be heard.

Thud. Thud.

Clunk! Squeak.

Tadadadak!

“Aria! How long has it been!!”

“Indeed, Esil, it’s been several years since I’ve seen you, and you’re the same.”

“You, too! You seem much brighter than the last time I saw you!”

“Hehe. Come in. Please come in, Viscount.”

“Yes. Let’s go inside, kids.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Phew. Yes, please come in.”

Among the siblings, the boy runs towards me sticking out his tongue. Perhaps some nostalgic memories came to mind.

“Kid? You should go inside too.”

“Oh. Yes.”

***

“So our Kidney gave me a flower ring…”

“Haha… You’ve become quite cheeky in the meantime.”

“Oh no, did I talk too much about the kids?”

“No no, isn’t it nice to see a bright side? But the kids might get bored, so should we let them play together?”

“Should we? Kidney, will you guide them?”

“Yes, sir.”

Feeling embarrassed by Aria’s praise, when his cheeks turned red, he turned around and led the children away, feeling grateful to Lady Esil, who helped him.

“So this is the training ground, and a little further…”

“Enough! Let’s have a match quickly!”

“Ha.. David, you were still explaining, weren’t you?”

“But since we’re at the training ground, it’s better to do it now!”

“True, but… Youngshik Kidney, may I ask you to spar with my brother?”

“Um.. I haven’t sparred before..”

“Be humble, it’s okay! Let this brother teach you a lesson!”

Was it the competitive spirit of the boy called Youngshik that triggered the sparring? He quickly found two wooden swords and drew a big circle while muttering.

“Alright! If you step outside first or surrender, it’s a defeat! Are you scared and trying to run away?”

Provoking a bit childishly is like

‘Let’s see who can hold their breath longer in the valley! If you win by cheating while everyone is watching, you know you’re a loser, right?’

Laughing because he’s just like those kids.

“Okay, will Selina Youngae be the referee?”

“Three, two, one!”

As soon as the signal was given, David rushed forward. Was he determined to crush with the strength coming from physical superiority?

Swish!

“Huh. Is this all you can react to?”

“Haha.. He’s fast.”

“Next, I’ll go even stronger!”

As David’s movements became faster than before and…

‘A faint blue on the tip of the sword?’

“Wait, David! I never said to use aura!”

“Come on, until when are you going to dodge like a fly! Face me properly!”

Childish indeed.

“Childish.”

“!?”

I wonder if I blurted it out without knowing, Selina says with a sigh beside me.

“I’m sorry for pulling you in suddenly. But don’t worry too much because I’ll end it without hurting the pride of a knight.”

A girl with red hair, apologizing while scratching her head with an apple scent.

“I’ll try my best until I can do it.”

“End of small talk? This time, it’s your turn to come in!”

Taking a step, she adjusts her sword with a deep breath.

“A line made up of dots and dots.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

What comes to mind is an apple falling from a tree.

An apple-like dot shakes and falls down.

In a straight line.

Crash!

Thud!!

“Huh?”

David looks at the broken sword in his hand with an expression that says it can’t be like this.

A neatly cut sword with a clean diagonal line.

Moist blue eyes.

Yes, it was summer.