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Chapter 206: I Guess I Turned Six
In the year 1205 of the Holy Calendar, June.
I, Alto Cranput, officially turned six years old.
Man, that took forever.
Compared to my previous life, the memories I’ve made are way more intense.
Going from five to six years old is like transitioning from kindergarten to elementary school. I barely remember that age from back on earth.
Maybe just stuff like getting a new backpack and being excited, or the fun of picking out a desk. Or promising to meet up with kindergarten friends and never actually seeing them again.
Just random fragments like that.
In my previous life, elementary school was when we started learning letters and doing physical activities. In this life, I’ve started sword and spear training at six.
Luckily, all the sled pulling and horseback riding I’ve been doing have built up my stamina.
Way more than I had at this age in my past life.
The problem is, no matter how much stamina you build, if you use more than you have, you’re obviously gonna collapse.
“Ugh—”
I groaned pitifully and flopped face-first onto the grass.
“What’s wrong?! Where’s all your energy!? You were way more agile when you sparred with the Progenitor of Blaance!”
Yantina scolded, holding a practice spear.
She’s got a point. When it’s just physical training, I can’t seem to get into it. I move a lot better when I can mix in a bit of magic.
Since last year, I’ve been running laps and doing other drills, so I’ve been practicing swings too, but now we’ve suddenly made the jump to full-on spars.
Even though it’s not an actual match, Tina goes all-out when she swings her spear under the pretence of training me.
She knocks aside my swings easily, leaving me exhausted with throbbing hands.
And so, I end up collapsing like this.
“No! Bullying Niita is unforgivable! Phe will fight you!”
My little sister stood protectively in front of Tina, pointing a tiny gardening shovel at the Elf knight.
It’s kind of sad that I’m being defended by a three-year-old…
I didn’t have time to think about that when sparring with the one of Balance, though.
“Al, you’re wasting too much energy on useless moves. You keep trying to do things you can’t. You have the talent to adapt when using magic, but with swords and spears, the basics are everything.”
Abel said as she healed my cuts and bruises.
Now that I’m on the receiving end, I really appreciate how amazing the potion with the sign of the progenitor is.
It’s way better than any disinfectant back on Earth.
Even muscle pain vanishes in an instant.
“Alright, get back up! You’ll never be a proper knight like this!”
I’m not aiming to be a knight, though.
I want to avoid any job or place where my life’s at risk.
Still, Tina has a point.
It’s clear that her spear skills aren’t from natural talent but from hard work and practice.
Instead of thinking, “Wow, she’s strong!” what comes to mind first is:
“She really put in a lot of effort…”
That’s the impression her spear technique gives.
I’m just guessing, but her raw skills probably don’t match up to the Lizardman warrior Ragach or the Snow Knight Chereg.
Even the Leneurian Magician who died in the Ice Cavern probably didn’t have better sword skills.
And yet Tina is part of the association’s security team.
I’ve heard she’s strong enough to handle most knights and adventurers without using magic.
I have no intention of becoming a warrior or knight, but seeing someone who got strong through effort rather than talent makes me think, “Maybe I should try a bit harder too.”
“Hup…”
I used the spear as a crutch to stand back up.
Alright, time for round two of getting beaten up.
“Niisama, Phe will try to massage Niisama!”
“Woah… please do…”
Just being able to respond feels like an achievement.
I want to give myself a pat on the back.
My stamina’s completely drained.
I can’t even turn my head.
Yet Phe looks super happy as she works.
Touching me seems to be what makes her happiest.
Abel watched us quietly from the side.
Does she think it’s pointless to give a massage after using a potion?
But this isn’t about healing the body—it’s about soothing the heart.
(Or… maybe she just wants to join in?)
Nah, no way.
“Hehehe…! Phe loves Niita!”
Halfway through the massage, Phe decided to cuddle up to me.
I’m covered in sweat and dirt right now, so I’d really prefer if she didn’t cling to me.
“It’s okay! Phe loves the smell of Niita’s sweat!”
“Huuuh...?”
I thought it’d just stink.
“Hehe—! Phe’s favorite smell…!”
Stop! Don’t sniff me like that, it’s embarrassing!
“Al-chan, sweetie, good job out there~”
My dear mother showed up in the courtyard with Mia.
She looks like she’s in a great mood. Did something good happen?
“Here you go.”
Mia, almost like an actual capable maid, smoothly handed me a towel and a drink.
“Oh, yeah… thanks.”
I wiped off my sweat and took a sip.
It’s hard to drink while holding the towel, so I handed it back to Mia.
“—Wait!”
That’s when I realized Mia’s trick.
I should’ve seen it coming, especially after watching Phe.
“Kuhuhu…! I got the sacred towel soaked in Alto’s sweat!”
This sneaky maid…!
She acted humble, offering the drink and towel together just to lower my guard!
“Nyehehe. I’ll treasure this as an heirloom of the Wenink family!”
“Gah…! Give it back!”
“Nope~ It’s mine now~”
I’m too exhausted to take it back.
As I tried to step forward, I collapsed to my knees.
Mia hugged the towel tight, looking blissful.
Your uniform’s gonna stink, so please stop!
“No! Wrong! Niita, Don’t play with Mia, play with Phe!”
“I’m not playing with her!”
“Now, now, Phe-chan. Don’t get upset. You too Al-chan, calm down, okay? Mommy’s got some great news for you.”
My dear mother scooped us both up gently.
“You do realize you’re gonna end up stinking like us, right?”
“It’s fine~ A child’s sweat doesn’t smell as bad as an adult’s.”
“Kuhuhu… You have great taste, mistress. Alto-kyun’s sweat could never smell bad.”
Ugh, we’re getting off track. I might have to give up on getting the towel back…
“So, Mom, what’s the good news?”
“Yes! Lsiten here! I’ve got great news for you and Phe!”
Her smile was bright.
It must really be good news.
But knowing my dear mother, it could also be something only she thinks is good.
“Actually, we got a letter from dad!”
By “dad,” I’m guessing she doesn’t mean Stephanus, my father, but Shark-san from Cerro, right?
I mean, why would they send a letter when they live in the same estate?
(Oh, maybe he wanted to contact her secretly?)
I’m not sure.
But no reason to think about it too hard, I’ll find out soon enough from what Mom says next.
“Dad wrote saying he wants us to visit again and bring the grandkids.”
Ah, so it’s Grandpa.
And if it’s good news, that must mean…
“We have permission to go out?”
“Yes! Stephanus managed to get approval! So after your Rank 4 exam, we can visit the family home in Sero!”
The last time we went to Sero was in June.
The Rank 4 exam is next month, so that’s July.
Meaning a year has passed.
I’m excited for the trip. I wonder if I’ll get to see my cousins again?
I’ve made an accessory for Sistine-chan, and although Brev’s sword isn’t finished, I did prepare a unique substitute…
I hope they like it.
“Ah!”
I suddenly realized.
If it’s after the exam, won’t it be embarrassing if I fail?!
