Part 1: Henry's Specialty
The first two months passed in the blink of an eye. It's starting to snow in the Royal Capital now, and the new year seems to be just around the corner. In this kind of weather, I think I should be in my dorm room, reading some magic book I just swiped from the library while sipping a hot cup of tea with cookies.
But nooooooooooooooooooo.
Instead, I'm walking right behind Henry and Tristina, heading to the city outskirts and into a desolate forest.
We're taking a stroll in the forest. In this freezing cold weather. This is insane!
But this whole situation is my fault.
Let's rewind to three days ago.
I was deep in research on an advanced-rank water magic circle, a type of magic that can create a small rain shower, which I had seen once when I was two. Luckily, this magic circle wasn't the puzzle-type that I had to figure out and recreate. It was drawn right in the book. All I needed to do was copy it. That was my assignment: learn to copy the magic circle, carve its pattern into an item, and at the same time, use it to study the nature of creating rain with mana.
This wasn't a simple task. Carving a magic circle demands meticulousness and skill. I had spent countless hours since I was three carving the beginner to intermediate magic circles available in the books. I also used the practice to create a few magic tools, like a 'magic lamp'—an item that lights up when you channel mana into it, often used by adventurers exploring dungeons. It sounds cool, but the things I made were all defective products. No one would buy them, so I mostly just destroyed them so they wouldn't be an eyesore.
Finally, after more than two years of hard work, I managed to make a lamp that seemed to work properly, except that it consumed mana in a ridiculous way; even if I used all my mana, it would only stay lit for one minute. Because of that, I found a use for it—to help me burn through all my mana quickly without having to get bored spamming beginner-level spells.
But this also made me curious about how the high-quality ones on the market work. Borrowing one was out of the question, so the only way was to buy one.
And buying requires money.
"Is there any way to earn money around here, Henry?" I asked the only person I knew who had the most... miscellaneous experience.
"Maybe betting? Horse racing?"
"No, no. Something else. Something wholesome that doesn't involve losing money." I shook my head vigorously.
"How about grabbing a broom and cleaning?"
"Pilemon would hire an assassin to slit my throat for embarrassing the family."
"Hmm... then I'm out of ideas."
It really seemed hopeless.
"Actually, there is one more way." Suddenly, Henry snapped his fingers.
He flashed a grin so wide it made me instinctively take a step back. He was definitely thinking of something crazy.
And he was. He led me to the Adventurer's Guild. That's right, me (5 years old) and Henry Whitebear (12 years old) became adventurers.
But contrary to my worries, the guild here was pretty relaxed. They didn't object or comment, just took the registration fee, and just like that, I got my F-rank tag.
This is probably one way the Guild stays in business. Every now and then, some rich kid reads a book or hears an adventure story, gets inspired and registers, and the guild would suddenly be four silver coins richer per kid. If they did want to take a quest, based on the starting F-rank, they could only do things like finding a lost cat.
And that's why I, Henry, Tristina, and even Ken are strolling through the forest in this ridiculous weather. The purpose: to find and gather medicinal herbs.
It's obvious why Henry and I are here; we're on a quest. Ken came along to protect me. He's also an adventurer, so he joined the party for the quest, though he also said in advance that he wouldn't need a cut of the money. Finally, there was Tristina. I have no idea what Henry whispered to her to convince a young lady, who was curled up in her warm blankets, to come out into this freezing snow.
Unlike Tristina or me, who were starting to get tired from the long trek in this snowy terrain, Henry still looked fresh and energetic. Even though I've been training since I was a little kid, I guess there's still a big stamina difference when compared to someone six or seven years older.
"Just step in each other's footprints. It'll save energy," Henry said, then bounced off into the forest.
I did as he said, and sure enough, it worked. I momentarily forgot that I was supposed to be the smart one here and hadn't realized this trick. Well, maybe I should rethink my opinion of this masochistic friend of mine.
Along the way, Henry's eyes lit up. He was constantly talking, pointing, and naming various plants and animals in the forest. And not just their names; he also explained their properties, what was edible, what wasn't, and casually picked a bunch of mushrooms, intending for me to cook them. He also quickly found the flower we needed for the quest after just three hours in the forest.
"That was fast. But if it was that easy, why did you drag us all along, Henry?" I raised an eyebrow at the forest expert who had completed the quest all by himself without any help.
"Going alone is boring."
Hearing that, I understood why Tristina was clenching her fists like she was about to punch someone.
"Besides..." Henry tilted his head. "Aren't you the one who needs money?"
I couldn't argue with that.
"That's true, but..." I gave a wry smile. "I mean, with you doing everything, I feel kind of useless."
"Useless? Nonsense. You're a swordsman, right? That means you're protecting me right now, isn't that right?"
What do you expect from a 5-year-old at the beginner level? Slaying rabbits?
"Lord Henry is right, Atur." Ken, my 'personal knight', spoke up. "When on a quest, you always need people for support. Even if there's no combat, the role of an escort is very important. Plus, traveling in a large group makes magical beasts or monsters see it as not worth the trouble and back off, avoiding a fight."
Ah... like how if you're walking down the street with a group, you're less likely to be messed with? That makes sense.
"The bald knight is right!" Henry cheered. "If we weren't in a group, we would've been attacked by that pack of 'Assault Dogs'."
"What?! There were magical beasts!?" I immediately looked around.
"They've already left," Ken shrugged.
"So we're safe?"
I breathed a sigh of relief. In any case, I had planned to only start fighting for real when I turned 15 and reached at least the advanced rank before taking on an E-rank magical beast. Yeah, I'm a coward. But that's better than resetting my life for a stupid reason like being bitten to death by a magical beast. That's why I wanted to be a mage from the start... Staying in the back spamming spells and running when needed would be great. Or just staying in the rear and crafting magic tools would be fine too. It's just a shame that my progress on both of those alternative ideas is so slow. Compared to sword practice, it's a world of difference, even though I'm not that great with a sword either.
So I only have one path: live like a coward, hide somewhere and bide my time, then jump out when the opportunity arises, get rich, and kick Pilemon's ass, haha!
But thinking about it, Henry and I had a reason to be out in the forest, that's fine. But for Tristina to come along was a bit surprising. Even though we weren't exactly close, I knew the blonde girl's policy was to avoid troublesome things and just fulfill her duties as a noble. For her to come into the forest in this weather was truly strange.
"Oh right, Sir Ken." I turned to look at my personal knight. "Do you remember your promise about using Battle Aura?"
So, even though we had finished the quest, we didn't head back right away. We wandered around, looking for something. At first, I thought only Henry would be interested in seeing 'Battle Aura' in real life. But it turned out Tristina was also curious. I swear I saw her eyes light up for a fraction of a second before she returned to her usual indifferent expression she wore around Henry.
After about half an hour, Ken stopped.
"This place seems suitable."
It was a fairly large clearing on the edge of the forest, with an adult-sized boulder in the middle. Seeing it, Henry curiously stepped up behind Ken and tilted his head.
"Are you planning to cut that boulder, Sir Ken?"
"No, my 'Battle Aura' isn't strong enough to cut a boulder like that."
When Ken drew his sword, even though it was just a normal sword, it looked strangely majestic and powerful when held in a defensive stance by an advanced-rank swordsman. I shivered slightly and took a step back. Henry did the same, his eyes never leaving Ken.
The swordsman took a deep breath and swung. It wasn't so fast that I couldn't see it, but something strange happened.
Clang!*
Even though Ken was standing about five meters from the boulder, well out of attack range, a clear gash appeared on the rock.
"Is that good enough?" Ken turned his head and asked.
All three of us shook our heads. We had absolutely no idea what just happened.
"So, do you gentlemen and lady want me to cut the boulder in half?" Ken immediately started grumbling.
"No, no. It's not that." Henry was the one to raise a hand. "It's just... I have no idea what just happened, Sir Ken. How the hell did you cut the rock when your sword didn't even touch it?"
"It's because of Battle Aura."
Wow, what a simple and easy-to-understand explanation. Who the hell let this guy be my sword instructor?
Seeing that none of us understood, Ken sighed.
It was then I learned that besides helping swordsmen become superhuman, hitting harder and faster, Battle Aura could, in some cases, also increase their attack and defense range. Ken's technique just now was an advanced-rank skill of the Water God Style that used Battle Aura. I heard it could even be developed into one of the ultimate Secret Arts that the current Water God possesses.
But... you can cut from a distance, huh? Then being a mage isn't as safe as I thought. This world is pretty scary.
"So, your plan to be a safe rear-guard mage is ruined, Atur."
"Thanks for reminding me, Henry." I glared at him.
"Then we'll be adventurers on the front lines together!" Henry clapped me on the shoulder. "You defend with the Water God Style, and I'll use the Sword God Style to cut down all our enemies!"
"I have no intention of becoming an adventurer..."
"If you don't become an adventurer, I'm not sharing the money later."
Why is everyone around me always spinning me around like a top! Aaaaaaaaaaa!
"By the way, how do you use Battle Aura, Sir Ken?" Henry suddenly raised his hand eagerly, a studious look I'd never seen in class. "I want to try!"
"You just have to train long enough, and you'll get it," Ken explained. "I think they mentioned it in swordsmanship class?"
"No, they didn't. They only teach useless stuff." Henry shook his head. "Most of the time in the Sword God Style class, we just mess around. Whoever wants to do whatever, does it."
"Yeah, it's the same for the Water God Style," Tristina nodded.
It's probably like this because it's a school for nobles. My Water God Style sword instructor mostly just comes to class, tells us all to sit and meditate until the period is over. Occasionally, he'll tell us to swing our swords once or twice, and that's it. I've been tempted to speak up and request proper instruction a few times, but I was afraid of being ostracized by the whole class, so I just kept quiet, hugged my knees, and left when it was over.
Basically, for the past two months, I've been training all by myself without any real instruction.
Luckily, Ken had already taught me the fundamentals, so I wasn't too bothered.
"Is that so?" Ken sheathed his sword before continuing. "But it makes sense. No one would dare force the nobles to train too hard. One little slip-up and they might get their hands chopped off."
Whoa, whoa, how can you say that with a straight face, Ken?
"But I heard you're Atur's master, Sir Ken. Can you teach me?"
"One silver coin per session."
"Here." Henry didn't hesitate, placing a silver coin into Ken's outstretched hand.
"Alright, let's begin."
"Hey, hey!" It wasn't me, but Tristina who spoke up. "Did you drag me out here just to watch you practice sword, you idiot!?"
"Ah, if you want, you can join too. Is that okay, Sir Ken?"
"Another silver coin."
"Here." Henry took out another silver coin, placed it in Ken's hand, then motioned to Tristina. "Alright, let's start the lesson."
"Well, since you paid, I guess I have to."
And just like that, my teacher was hijacked by the two people I call 'friends'.
After a brief greeting in the form of a few exchanged blows, Ken grasped Henry's and Tristina's skill levels. According to the assessment of my (traitorous) knight, the blonde girl two years my senior was 'close' to the threshold of the Beginner-rank Water God Style. Meanwhile, Henry, surprisingly, was already a late-stage Intermediate-rank Sword God Style swordsman, only needing Battle Aura to reach the Advanced rank.
Meaning that masochist bastard is stronger than me. By a lot.
You really can't judge a book by its cover, huh?
Afterward, at Henry's request, Ken explained more about the power that all swordsmen strive for: 'Battle Aura'.
"When a swordsman reaches a certain level, they can feel a flow of energy within their body. They call it 'Battle Aura'. By controlling that flow, they can make their bodies stronger, faster, create an invisible protective barrier, and even increase the reach of their sword. But it's very difficult. It took me nearly twenty years just to get a vague grasp of it."
Finished, Ken demonstrated it one more time. This time, he swung his sword and cut a dry branch nearly five meters away.
"A flow of energy in the body, huh?" Henry tilted his head, repeating Ken's words. "Like mana?"
"I'm not sure about that. I'm not a mage," Ken shrugged.
"If that's the case, let me give it a try."
Henry grinned, drew his short sword, and tried to strike the boulder that Ken had chipped earlier.
And *Swoosh!*
The entire boulder split in two.
My buddy here actually grasped Battle Aura on his very first lesson.
I think I need psychological counseling.
Part 2: Tristina Purplehorse Learns Swordsmanship
Winter passed, and spring finally arrived. I officially started attending the most basic classes, which I had already been taught long ago. Contrary to my expectations, it seems all the first-year students came well-prepared with knowledge, so I wasn't some 'super-smart top student' or anything. But thinking about it, I think being in the top 3 isn't so bad.
If there's one class where I'm at the top, it's definitely dance class. Once again, I was praised to the high heavens. I don't want to call it a natural talent, but being praised by one person after another was starting to feel pretty good. Then, before I knew it, I became the assistant instructor for the dance class. Oh, and I get paid, of course, hehe.
In general, everything was going pretty well for me, except for...
"Hey! Little Atur! Come with your big bro!"
Except for this disaster named Henry!
I immediately turned around and tried to run. But it seems the legs of a 5-year-old kid are nothing compared to an Advanced-rank swordsman.
"Hey, hey. Don't leave so fast. I know your classes are over," Henry said, grabbing me by the collar and dragging me off with a wide grin. "We're hanging out 'til evening today. After that, we'll cook something together. I already bought the ingredients for you to cook!"
I don't know when I became the 'servant' to the guy who was supposed to be my 'protector' at this school. I'm starting to get a little mad at my brother Luke. Why did he have to ask someone like this?
"Don't you have anything better to do, Henry? Like... hang out with Tristina, for example?"
"Oh, Tristina is joining us."
It's hopeless.
So, I was dragged to the academy's open training ground. And true to the nature of this academy, the training ground was empty, except for Tristina, who was hugging her knees and dozing off in a corner. When she heard our footsteps, she immediately lifted her head and hastily wiped away her drool.
"Ah. So beautiful girls drool too, huh? How cute."
And so, Henry got kicked. Serves him right.
No, wait, seeing that look of enjoyment, I can only hope Tristina ignores him until he's miserable. But a masochist would just like that more, right? Because those people want the feeling of pain and suffering? So, the thing that would make him scream in terror must be a gentle, cute, and sweet Tristina? The thought of that girl smiling kindly made me shiver, even though I do see her act that way with other people sometimes.
"What took you two so long?" Tristina glared at Henry. She still had her usual irritable tone. "Is it your fault Henry?"
That's right, pin all the blame on that guy.
"It's because Atur didn't want to come."
"It's because you didn't ask properly, right? Atur isn't the type to just agree to anything. If you had asked him politely, I'm sure he wouldn't have refused."
So, in Tristina's eyes, I'm just a pushover who does whatever anyone asks? Well, that's true, but I only do it if it benefits me.
"Is that so..." Henry nodded and turned to me. "So, little Atur, practice swords with me, okay? Tonight, I'll eat the food you cook."
"You really know how to make people not want to help you, Henry," I observed honestly.
"Ehehe. Really?" And why the hell did he take that as a compliment?
Ken often said that people with potential for the Sword God Style—the school of swordsmanship focused on speed and power—are all simple-minded idiots who don't think much. But to be an idiot on this level is truly exceptional.
"Atur is being sarcastic, Henry."
"I know. That's why it's fun. Friends have to be sarcastic with each other to be true friends."
I forgot, this guy isn't an idiot; he's an exceptional masochist.
"Anyway... why did you two call your little bro out here? Don't you only need two people to practice swords?"
"If it were that easy, I wouldn't have asked for you," Henry said, wagging his index finger with a *tsk tsk* sound that was extremely punchable. "Lady Tristina wants to learn swordsmanship, but I'm no good at teaching, so I have to rely on you."
In short, he's pushing his responsibility onto me.
"Alright... so what does this little bro get-"
"One large copper coin per session."
"Deal."
I accepted without a second thought. Dammit! This guy knows money is my fatal weakness. It's really my fate as a researcher to be spun around by these capitalists in every life!
But still, one large copper coin per session... if I teach 20 sessions a month, I'll get an extra 2 silver coins, which is almost half a typical royal knight's monthly salary. Not bad. Add in the money from teaching dance and other miscellaneous odd jobs, and I'll have a total of 7 silver coins a month. After subtracting all my research expenses, I'll still have 1 silver coin left over to save.
This is a job I need.
Henry is truly a good brother!
"I paid you two large coppers, Henry."
"I have to get my commission fee, you know."
I take back what I just said. This bastard really deserves to be punched.
A month passed, and I was beginning to understand why Henry threw this hot potato named Tristina at me.
She really doesn't have much talent for the sword. The problem isn't that she's a girl and is weak or anything (though that's a main reason), but also that her personality isn't well-suited for the Water God Style. The blonde girl always acts tough around us and is polite to outsiders, but deep down, her personality is quite complex. I've tried using 'Reading' to analyze her a few times, but I never get a normal result. She's like a chameleon, this way one moment, that way the next. I can't get a read on her at all.
This is clearly the bane of the Water God Style. If you're not calm, humble, and spiritually mature (like me), it's going to be a long, hard road. So, we have to start from the basics.
"How long are we going to play this childish game?" Tristina glared at me. She clearly wasn't happy that I was making her play rock-paper-scissors instead of swinging swords.
"This is a basic lesson in 'Reading'," I explained, my hands still moving in the game. "You have to train your patience and observe your opponent to build a solid foundation. If you don't grasp this, you won't get far."
"I've never seen anyone practice swords this way. It's so unorthodox."
I've heard many people say that, so my skin has gotten a bit thicker. At times like this, I can only flash a bright smile. "Hehe, as long as this 'unorthodox' method can help you, Lady Tristina, that's all that matters."
"What did you say?"
And Tristina looked at me with that same incomprehensible, judgmental expression, as if I were crazy. Shouldn't she be surprised and reflect on my sincerity or something? Tch, those anime lied to me again.
Oh well... time to deflect and change the subject.
"Anyway, why do you want to learn swordsmanship?" I asked. "I usually find that girls aren't very interested in this stuff."
"For self-defense."
Now it was my turn to look at Tristina like she was possessed.
"From what?"
"You don't need to know."
"Right..."
Is it to defend herself from some future husband? She's a noble, after all. She must be afraid of being married off to some abusive bastard. To be honest, I'm also terrified of that Philip guy from the Boreas family forcing me to marry his daughter. I've had nightmares about that scenario several times. I'd rather stay single than have a turbulent marriage; my past life taught me that lesson well.
But anyway, that's her business. My business is to make money.
And so, I became Tristina's private swordsmanship tutor.
To be honest, I don't think we can even pass the first week. At first, I thought she was just on a whim, that she'd train for a while and then quit. You know, like a kid. She sees her friend Henry suddenly become a genius with Battle Aura at the age of 12, feels 'peer pressure', and thinks she can do it too. Then, after a few days or weeks, she'll get discouraged and give up.
I'd seen this plenty of times in my past life, so I had no intention of stopping her. Just take advantage and reap some benefits before she gets bored and quits, hehe.
But in the end, two months had passed, and Tristina not only didn't quit, but she showed clear determination. I started to get a little worried, wondering what motivation could make a girl not even 8 years old willing to let me smack her on the head with a wooden sword every day.
"Hey, don't go easy on me."
"I know..."
Even if I say that, what kind of person do you think I am, going all out against a girl? I may be getting paid for this, but with a basic code of ethics that Ken never had, I will not hit a kid, especially a girl.
Thwack!*
Or at least, not with all my strength.
"Ow..."
The sword was knocked from Tristina's hand. The match was over again.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It just hurts a little." I was about to check her hand, but Tristina took a step back, maintaining her distance.
There she goes with that stupid "I'm strong" act again.
Even though I held back, based on my experience, that last hit could have sprained her wrist, or worse, strained it. If it's not treated properly, it could get bad.
"Just give it here." Even though I might get yelled at, I stepped forward and grabbed Tristina's sword hand. "Let this divine power be a satisfying nourishment, bringing strength to the one who has lost it, strength to rise once more."
I chanted the spell. A green light began to glow from my palm and envelop Tristina's wrist. After just a minute, the young lady's wrist looked as good as new. As for me, I lost half my mana. Healing magic really is a mana incinerator.
"You... know healing magic?" Once healed, Tristina couldn't hide her surprise.
"Ah, I just learned it," I replied nonchalantly.
"Just learned it? You say it like it's easy."
"Huh? Ah... it's pretty normal. You just have to try a little."
"So you just have to 'try', huh?"
I suddenly looked up at Tristina. Her voice had suddenly become so soft, it was unfamiliar. And what's with that exhausted look? Is she having a mental breakdown from peer pressure?
Sigh, kids these days.
"Yeah, you just have to 'try'," I clicked my tongue, dissatisfied. "Everyone has a hard time, but if you don't give up, you'll get it sooner or later. It took me two years of getting my head bashed in by Ken just to reach 'Beginner-rank'. You think you can get it in two months of serious practice? Don't think you're a genius. Stop whining and keep practicing."
Though, in reality, I've been trying to learn this spell for nearly three years and only just now managed to use it. But I didn't dare say it, fearing that if I looked down on her, I might accidentally create the image of being some kind of genius.
"It's easy for you to say..."
"Talking is always easy," I nodded in agreement. "But you know what's easier than talking? Giving up. Do you want to do the easier thing?"
"Hmph..."
Seeing that grumpy face, it was clear my reverse psychology had worked. Hehe, looks like I'll be milking this little lady for money for a long time.
"Wait... two years?" Tristina suddenly realized something and looked back at me. "When did you start learning swordsmanship?"
"Three years old."
"THREE YEARS OLD!?" Tristina shouted. This was the first time I'd seen her react so strongly, other than when Henry was teasing her. "Why would you start training so early?"
"Ah..."
I suddenly remembered the day Pilemon first appeared in my room and how the two of us 'exchanged words of endearment'. It's already been two years since that day? How nostalgic.
"If I didn't train, my old man said he'd sell me into slavery," I replied with a deadpan expression.
"What kind of parent threatens their child like that!?"
That's right, Pilemon is that kind of parent. Judge him! See him as the scum of the earth, Tristina. Your contempt is my lifeblood!
"But... Come to think of it..." But contrary to my thoughts, the girl rubbing her wrist in front of me looked a little dejected. "It seems... our fathers are similar, aren't they?"
"Huh?"
And I began to learn a shocking secret.
The Purplehorse family—a upper-mid-level noble house in the Asura Royal Capital. They hold a few positions in the administration, have no fief, and have had major financial problems for generations. However, instead of reducing their extravagant lifestyle, they found... unconventional ways to solve their difficulties. From small bribes to embezzlement, they gradually fell in with various factions to maintain their status and source of income. When it came to Lord Freitas Purplehorse's generation as the head of the family, he began to find an even more deviant way to 'make money'—profiteering through 'marriage alliances'.
That's why Tristina Purplehorse, the girl sitting next to me, had a childhood not so different from mine. From the age of three, Tristina was forced into hellish training for etiquette and academics. From her posture, hairstyle, to her way of speaking, Tristina was meticulously trained without a single flaw. All for the purpose of creating a 'perfect wife' to suit the tastes of the wealthy, high-ranking nobles.
"That's how my older sister was 'sold' off as a concubine," Tristina said with an indignant look in her eyes. "Not long after, she was abused to the point where her life was worse than death."
"And that's why you want to learn swordsmanship? To protect yourself from your future husband?"
So my theory about defending against an abusive husband was right?
"No." However, Tristina shook her head. "I want to get strong enough to escape the fate of being sold off like merchandise. I want to become a knight or... if not, an adventurer who can take care of herself."
"Oh..."
How cool is that? I'm getting goosebumps.
I'm an adult, so it's not strange for me to have a clear goal. But hearing an 8-year-old child think so maturely, I felt a strange sense of pride. Maybe it's because I've started to form a teacher-student relationship? That feeling you get when you see someone younger, whom you've guided (even though Tristina is 2 or 3 years older than me but oh well), gradually becomes more mature and stronger. Thinking back, I was a teacher in my past life, but I never saw a high school student as mature as Tristina. Most of them just wanted to play and didn't think about the future at all.
Ah, no... there was one, but never mind. No point in talking about natural-born geniuses.
As for the problem at hand, to sum it up, both Tristina and I have the same problem: we're being trained to become commodities for a marriage alliance for some family purpose, and more importantly, we have fathers so wonderful they'd make Anakin look like a saint. Ah, wait, my brother's name is Luke. This is clearly a ridiculous, ironic coincidence.
However, unlike me, Tristina has no intention of fighting her father; she just wants to live in peace, or better yet, to serve Princess Ariel.
Sometimes I wonder if my life would be easier if I just ran away. After all, I'm a very valuable child. If I escaped Pilemon's grasp, plenty of people would want to snatch me up. But with the way nobles are all such weirdos, I don't dare entrust my future or my life to a complete stranger. Pilemon may be a terrible father, but at least he hasn't directly harmed me or openly tried to sell me off like this.
Did I just feel glad that Pilemon is my father? Tch... No, no, I still hope that bastard gets trampled to death by a horse.
Now, back to Tristina's problem. I've grasped most of her story, past, background, and goals. However, knowing this doesn't make things any easier, because I don't seem to be a very good teacher. Taking Tristina out of school to be taught by Ken isn't feasible because she doesn't want her family to find out she's training. Being seen sparring with a 5-year-old kid is more likely to be seen as playing than serious training.
That must be why Henry tried to push this responsibility onto me, huh? He looks the part, but he's smarter than I thought.
"So... how long until I can defend myself?"
Tristina suddenly spoke up, cutting off my useless train of thought.
"Um... maybe three years. Or four, or five," I said honestly.
"That's too late."
"Probably."
I nodded. Although the age of adulthood in this world is 15, it's clear that many people get married earlier than that. Pilemon is a prime example.
"If there's any way..." Tristina clenched her fists and muttered wearily. "Any way at all... I want to get stronger."
"Any way at all, huh..."
I repeated what Tristina had just said and looked up at the sky, which was gradually turning dark.
And suddenly, I had an idea.
"Tristina." I grabbed the small friend sitting next to me by the shoulders, a wide grin spreading across my face. "How about I teach you the North God Style?"