Getting Serious

After Paulus’s send-off party, I started practicing fencing with a stick. I still remember the moves: advance, feint, lunge, and recover. However, the stick is not enough. I can’t practice with a stick; it doesn’t weigh the same or feel the same as a real weapon.

“Daddy, take me with you to work. I want to see what you do.” I said to Dad one morning, knowing that Mom was coming home soon after adventuring for a few days.

“Baby, you are going to get bored. I will be working all day, and I won’t be able to play with you. Don’t you want to stay and play with Marcus?”

“Daddy, please, Marcus is nice, but…” I said, looking away. Come on, Dad, you don’t want another guy to be the love of your daughter’s life. "I like you better, Daddy. I will help you, I promise not to bother you.”

After seeing mom’s power and how Paulus dared to hold his ground against her, I feel the need to get stronger. I’m thinking that magic won’t be enough. I need to practice swordsmanship. I practiced fencing in middle school and high school, maybe Dad has a foil or epee I can use to practice. A foil should be light enough for me to use.

“Okay, I will let Eugina know you are coming with me.” 

“Yes! I love you, Daddy!” I said with a big smile while hugging him. Paulus is nothing like my Dad from Earth. My whole family is completely different. I feel so loved in this house. I want to protect this place.

…

From time to time, memories of my encounter with that god come to mind. The words of the hero, “Please, protect my people,” or what the god said, “Prepare the way for the hero,” “Help him in his journey to reach the demon lord.”

I can’t let my guard down. I still don’t know much about this world. I haven’t heard Mom or Dad talk about any demon lord. If what the god said is true, then I need to get ready.

As we approached the shop, we greeted the owners of the other shops that were also opening. Everyone seemed very caring towards each other. I helped Dad open up the shop. He went inside to get things ready and take a last look at the work that people would be coming to get today. I stayed behind the counter to greet customers and assist them with their inquiries. Dad really needs some help here.

I was never good with customer service, but as a 7-year-old kid, everyone treated me nicely. I like it.

“Good morning, how can I help you?”

“Oh, hello, are you the owner's daughter?” asked the customer.

“Yes, I’m Cato, the princess of this castle, he he he.” I like throwing customers off. There are so many things you can get away with being a kid.

“Oh, princess, what a pleasure to see you today. I’m the hero, and I’m here to pick the holy sword the king promised to give me.” Said the customer following my game. Itis incredibly hard to hold back a laugh. This guy must be an adventurer. He has a slave bracelet.

“Please, Mr. hero, tell me your name so that I can bring you your sword.”

“My name is Epicletos, my princess, and I also brought an offering.” He said, showing me money.

“I will check on my father, the king. Dad!!! Mr. Hero Eplicletos!! Is his sword ready? It will be one minute, Mr. Hero.”

“I will wait, my princess, do you think there is any hope this humble hero could become your husband once you grow up?”

“You will have to show your strength and valor in battle, Mr. Hero.”

“I think Mr. Hero here is going to get his head chopped if he keeps talking,” said Dad, coming from the back of the shop. “Epicletos, I don’t want any deadbeat slave adventurer close to my princess, did you hear me! Take the weapon and leave,” said Dad with an imposing aura.

“Yes, sir!” he said, running out of the shop.

“Are you having fun, princess?”

“Yes, Daddy!”

“Let’s close the shop and eat, it's noon already. Come to the back.” He told me.

While eating, I ask Dad about his work and his customers. I also asked him about swords.

“Dad, is there any weapon I could learn how to use?” I said, looking at the walls with different weapons.

“Why do you want a weapon, Cato?” He never calls me by my name unless it's something he considers serious.

“Dad, I saw Mom and Paulus fight, and Paulus left for the academy. It made me realize that I’m not going to be a child forever. I need to be strong. I want to be able to protect myself and protect our family. Paulus is not here anymore, that means I’m the oldest child now, and I need to be able to protect Camillus.” I said to Dad, looking him in the eyes.

“Cato, you are seven years old. In two to three years, Mom will train you, and you will be able to use magic. She will help you learn the basics of magic just like she did with Paul. It's too early for you to be learning how to use a weapon. We don’t know your potential yet.”

I understand where Dad is coming from, and I know teaching magic to a kid is illegal. However, I can’t wait any longer. I don’t know what dangers are in this world. And I'm not going to lose my family for it. I’m going to have to talk to Dad seriously. I don’t know how he will react, but I need to be clear.

“Dad, I know I’m seven, but I've been looking at my brother's practice of magic since I was five… I don’t know how you or Mom are going to take this, but I don’t want to keep lying. I have been practicing magic. I know the basics and more.”

Silence. There was absolute silence. In furrowed concentration, my gaze was right into Dad’s eyes.

Dad stood up and stopped looking my way. “Cato, you are talking nonsense. This is not a fantasy world where I’m a king and you a princess. This is real life. Weapons and magic can kill you. You are not of an age to learn magic yet,” said Dad with a strong voice. “We… we don’t even know if you will be capable of using magic…”

I could hear it in Dad’s voice, the feeling of sadness, regret, pain, remorse, shame—the life of someone with no affinity to magic. Someone who has been persecuted his whole life by family, friends, and foes. Someone that society doesn't want and wants to build a wall against. The least of these in this world. However, I want to show him.

“By the Gods bring your presence before me, burning power of fire that keeps us safe and warmth, refine and purify our path and bring judgment upon our foes, come forth and ignite from within, fire.” In an instant, fire in my hand lights up the room. Dad turned around with his eyes and mouth wide open.

“Aagh… Aagh … Aagh …” Dad could not believe it. Tears began running down his cheeks.

I immediately turn the fire off. I never saw my Dad crying like that before. “Daddy, I’m sorry, I will never do it again. I’m your daughter, Daddy, please. I’m sorry.” I started crying too.

The strong man I was hugging was the most wonderful person I have ever met. In these seven years, I have never felt anything but loved by him. And now I have destroyed his trust.

Am I a monster in his eyes? I didn’t want things to change. How Am I, an almost forty-year-old hag, desperately crying for the love of her Dad? F*** the god and the hero, I want my family to be happy. We cried for some time until both calmed down.