"Not half bad. That was actually quite impressive. I've never seen a five-year-old pull that off before—heck, even the twelve-year-old freshmen at the Royal Academy would've struggled with that."
"Oopsie, silly me! I almost forgot to fix the surroundings. Your dad would've killed me, ehehe~."
The air bent to her will, the wind nearly knocking Azrael off his feet before he finally lost his footing.
What the hell?! Why is she whipping up a tornado?!
An invisible hand, formed of air, caught him before he could float any further. Drawing him back toward her until he landed softly in her arms like a cat.
She landed them gently on the ground, a soft cushion guiding Azrael safely beside her. The grass and surroundings had been restored perfectly, as if the battle had never happened.
They lay side by side, staring up at the sky. It was a clear blue, and the warmth of the noon sun settled softly on his skin. White clouds drifted above, slow and pretty, like brushstrokes across a canvas.
This world is really beautiful. I have to live this life diligently.
Azrael reached up toward the sky with his right hand, slowly curling his fingers as if trying to grasp the stars.
"There are a few things you'll need to take note of and improve on."
His daydream ended, pulled back to reality by his aunt's voice as she began lecturing him about his magic usage.
"Your mana control is inefficient, and your application of magic is still surface level."
"Instead of using wind to propel a small ball of fire, why not integrate the two?"
"You could've shaped the fire into a beam by incorporating a rotational force with air magic."
"That would've created a continuous stream of flame, not just a single fireball."
"Lighten up! That was just a thought, my cute little nephew. Your final attack was great!"
She's relentless. Seriously, there's no way an actual five-year-old could handle this drill sergeant training.
I hate to admit it, but she has a point. That attack was pretty pitiful.
Sucks that magic in this world is physics-based. I was never exactly a science guy.
"Excellent work, young master. That final spell was truly impressive."
"As per Count Sonnenfall's request, I've come with refreshments for you both."
Toma spoke gently from the front entrance of the estate, a silver tray in hand with two glasses of iced lemonade balanced carefully in her hand.
I was so focused on the fight, I didn't even notice her.
She had grown into quite the woman. Her figure was slender, but curved in all the right places.
Azrael tried not to stare. He really did.
"Quick, come sit with us over here~"
Azrael narrowed his eyes suspiciously. That mischievous look on his aunt's face? Yeah, it was never a good sign.
Once Toma was within reach, Persephone snatched her up without warning. The tray slipped from her hands, but the drinks never hit the ground. A soft gust of wind cradled them mid-fall, placing them neatly on the ground.
In the blink of an eye, Toma ended up sprawled on top of Persephone, who was already shamelessly grabbing her chest with both hands like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The virgin Azrael stood no chance. One look at the shameless display, and his brain short-circuited. Nosebleed. Collapse. Game over.
"Ahh, that was a nice break! Now then, let's get back to training."
With one final, shameless squeeze, Persephone released Toma and hopped to her feet, chugging the iced tea like she'd just been given.
"Could you place this cloth over Azrael's eyes? I need it as a blindfold."
"Right away, Lady Persephone."
Oh great, blindfold training. Wonderful. Just what I needed.
"There we go. It's nice and secure, so it won't come off no matter what."
"Don't move. Keep your eyes closed and sharpen the rest of your senses. Listen closely. Feel the air, the pressure, even the smallest shift around you"
"Especially your hearing. Think about bats. They're blind, but they still manage to navigate the world around them."
Echolocation. I didn't realize magic could be used that way.
He let out a breath, then snapped his fingers.
Something shifted. The world felt… alive. The wind scraped the leaves. A beetle ticked across the wood. A distant drip—water, maybe.
It's strange. I can see more clearly now than I could with my eyes.
If this is what I can do with just my ears, then I should be able to amplify my sense of sight, smell, or touch as well.
"Amazing, Azrael! You learn way faster than the students at the academy. Honestly, if only they were more like you… I can't believe you're only five."
Ahaha… well, you know, maybe that's because I'm not exactly five…
"Thank you auntie! Is there any more? Teach me please! Please!"
He pouted, eyes wide and pleading like a puppy, begging her to teach him more.
"You've done well. Take off the blindfold, and I'll show you one last thing for today."
"Can you help me, please? I can't reach it…"
He fumbled with the blindfold, arms too short to reach. Before his aunt could even respond, Toma rushed over and untied it for him.
"Do your best to touch me. If you manage even once, I'll count it as your win."
"Ready? Then go."
His feet dug into the earth, propelling him forward. But just before he reached her, Azrael's hand only met air.
Ten tries. Fifteen. Twenty.
I can see it—her eyes are tracking every movement I make. It's giving her reaction time like a fly.
"We'll have to put this lesson on hold. Have you felt it yet? There's an intruder."
"An intruder? Where is he?"
Azrael spoke between breaths, his heart practically pounding out of his chest.
"Don't tell me you already forgot. Silly."
Azrael caught his breath, then activated his newly learned echolocation. There—hidden in the woods, a suspicious looking hooded figure crept closer.