Winners and Losers

Now that I’m 4 years old I have a little bit more independence. I think that Ash doesn’t really care enough about me to go looking whenever I wander off, so as long as I don’t kill myself it works out for the both of us. I feel like there is something seriously wrong with that maid.

My past life knowledge was actually useful recently. I was planning on becoming a doctor when I grew up, so I learned a bit of anatomy and biology. Using my past life knowledge I’ve been able to successfully augment my muscles enough to jump over two feet in the air. Not bad for a toddler if I say so myself. It seems that medicine isn’t that advanced in this world so I’m sure that I’ll be a prodigy or something at this rate.

My old world huh… I don’t know if I miss it. I did chose to leave it myself so I don’t really have the right to complain.

I guess.

I do miss that woman in the white sundress though. Something about her was so comforting. There was always a warm numbing feeling around whenever I saw her.

I wonder if I’ll ever see her again…

Currently I’m watching the soldiers spar at the training grounds. All of them are Augmenters, so its a good reference for me.

Interestingly, some of the soldiers have furry ears and tails. It seems that demi-humans are fairly common here. A man and a fox-demihuman faced each other with wooden swords in hand. The man was significantly larger than the fox, but the fox didn’t appear fazed at all.

???: It looks like the Young Master decided to watch us today, so you’d better have a good clean duel today boys!

The announcement from Captain Johnson was followed by cheers from the surrounding soldiers.

And so, the duel began.

The larger one charged in with an overhead strike to which the smaller soldier responded with a graceful parry. As the larger one continued his onslaught, the smaller one continued parrying all of the attacks with apparent ease. Suddenly the smaller one disappeared for a moment, only to reappear behind the larger one with a heavy sword swing coming towards the larger one. However, just when it looked like the fight was over, the larger one responded with a block. Thus, the larger one was pushed back several feet and the fighting paused for a moment.

Even I could tell that had the larger solder not managed to block that strike, his head would have flown off his body even though only a wooden sword was being used.

Larger soldier: heavy is the burden we share - Lion’s Strike

Smaller soldier: sky shattering swing - Pelugia

The two soldiers collided head on and the arena was covered in a cloud of dust.

Larger soldier: It appears to be my loss again Pedro.

Holding up his now broken wooden sword, the larger soldier admitted defeat.

???: Amateurs. The whole lot of them.

It appeared that a not-very-pleased maid had joined the audience at some point during the duel – Or perhaps she had been following me since the beginning.

Either way, I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not Ash was strong enough to be making such as comment. On the surface, she appeared to be more of a beauty than a fighter with her large breasts, fair skin, and slim waist.

Ash: I have nothing to prove to a brat

Not noticing that brat’s lustful gaze, which was unbecoming of his age, Ash adamantly refused to show off her skills. This, of course, only served to spur Pax’s interest.

Adam: Show em’ what you’re made of Ash!

Captain: Well, I wouldn’t want to force a lady to fight. But, I’ve always wondered how strong the personal maid to the next head of House Witherton was.

Ash: …

Captain: Or maybe Phoenixes have always been weak?

Apparently that really pissed her off because Ash and the Captain are facing off against one another now. With real blades.

Circling one another with an intense focus, the tension was palpable. Ash was wielding a single dagger against the Captain’s longsword.

Ash: Ballad of the Golden Phoenix. Crimson Raindance

In instant the entire arena was engulfed with a raging fire. Fiery rain fell down upon both fighters and loud clangs marked that the “sparring” had begun. Ash, wielding both her blade and the surrounding flames skillfully, seemed to have the advantage and was pushing the Captain back. The Captain, however, was somehow avoiding all of the flames and was parrying all of Ash’s strikes.

Captain: Unmoving wave. Sound Cancel

Ash jumped back in that moment and all of the flames in the battlefield were put out by a sharp gust of wind. And the standstill was regained.

Ash: looks like I can up turn up the heat without killing you too quickly.

Ash grinned for once and the two readied themselves for the next exchange.

Ash: On —Raindance form i

A flaming blade appeared in her formerly empty right hand as she charged in.

Captain: Shield true –Unseen Armaments

Ash: —Horizontal Cut

Captain: Reinforce Parry –Siege Bank

Ash: —Blitz Field. —Scorched Power. —Spiral Kick.

The Captain was simply getting overwhelmed. For every single spell that he would cast, Ash would cast two or three. There was no escaping her onslaught and she showed no signs of getting tired or letting up. Like a cat playing with her prey, Ash wanted to see the captain struggle for his life. Soon enough, the Captain’s sword was flung from his hand and he was forced to surrender.

The whole audience was rendered speechless in awe of such a spectacle.

Ash: Know that your place is alongside the dumpsters.

With that last comment towards the captain, Ash briskly turned back towards me and began walking back up. Naturally, the rest of the soldiers did not take too kindly to the comment towards their captain and were glaring daggers into Ash’s back. She clearly knew of such but didn’t pay any mind to it. I would not have been surprised if the soldiers had tried attacking Ash, but it seems like they let her walk away either out of fear or respect. Then, when she finally got to me she scoffed, saying:

Ash: This much is nothing. You shouldn’t be trying to learn anything from losers like them.

With that, we began walking back towards the mansion. To me, all of those soldiers had appeared pretty strong. Though, I guess I don’t really have a good reference for what’s considered strong in this world. Maybe some people have enough power to blow up mountains? …Nah that’d be a lil bit too crazy.

Adam: Could you teach me magic then?

Ash: hmph. Calm down kiddo, you haven’t even had your divination ceremony yet.

Adam: huh? What’s that?

Ash: Seriously? Its the ceremony that lets you know which Familia your magic is. All nobles go through this process when they turn five. Shouldn’t your guardian have told you about this by now? …Wait that would me. My bad I guess, kid.

Adam: But I already know my Familia?

Honestly, I know that I’m taking a risk right now, but my magic hasn’t been getting stronger for a while now. Ash doesn’t suspect anything wrong with me yet, so I think I can get away with this much without causing any suspicion.

Picking up a rock off the side of the pathway we were walking, I poured mana into my fist and shattered it with my bare hand.

Ash: Eh! How the hell are you able to do that at your age?

Ash seemed genuinely shocked– This is also the first time I’ve seen this. Maybe I was a little hasty with this decision.

But then Ash’s gaping mouth twisted into a smile.

Ash: So you’re something of a prodigy. I’d expect nothing less from my first student. Rejoice! I will turn you into the strongest mage in all of Artenia!