.

.

.

I failed...

.

And father wasn't the reason why I could not succeed.

He never caught me. He was sleeping deeply.

.

.

It was my fault...

.

.

This forest is huge and we are, most certainly living in the middle of it.

.

I just didn't have enough time to get to the city.

.

It was around 4 P.M. when I started running in the direction that father always comes from. I took only my clothes with me. I had an appearance of a regular child in medieval ages so I'm sure I wouldn't stand out even without my powers, but I still put a hood on. Father gifted it to me on my fifth birthday. I'm sure it has magical properties, although no idea what exactly they are. But knowing father, it's something for protection.

While running I used Loki's Gift so that monsters don't touch me. Honestly, monsters are often coming to my location. At first, I was scared that my power is not working properly, but then they couldn't find me while looking straight at me. So I guess it's sounds I make while running. I need to be more careful about that. But anyway, I ran a lot, a real lot. Of course, I took breaks from time to time. I'm still a kid after all. Even though I did see monsters becoming weaker and trees becoming smaller as I went further and further ahead. I think it's obvious that there won't be any strong monsters around a city. There should be guards and hunters exterminating them.

.

I calculated the time when I needed to be home before, so when I ran for 3 hours I knew I need to go back. If not, I won't get enough sleep for tomorrow's training.

.

That's how it went...

.

.

.

I need to become faster. Faster enough to run to the city and back in an hour at max.

.

.

But how...

.

That doesn't seem possible even if I train more. Maybe if I train for a few more years then... But what is the point of it! I need results now!

.

.

Maybe magic?

.

Wind magic speciality is speed! That's perfect!

.

But I have too little mana...

.

.

Trying won't hurt.

.

.

.

With the first circle, spell Become One With The Wind I can become twice as fast!

.

.

.

But there is no way I have the mana capacity for even a 30-minute run...

.

Right now I can handle about 10 minutes of it. And there is a big advantage I found. I can float in the air for a brief moment while using the spell.

So as the trees are gradually becoming lower and not higher, I can jump from one tree to another, that way I can go there much faster... Ah, coming back will still take a lot of time... But it's still something!

.

.

Is there a way to improve mana capacity?

.

Elixirs!

I remember reading about them.

.

.

I need to ask father if I can have one.

.

.

"Father, I have a request."

"That's something new... Sure what is it."

"I read in a book about mana elixirs, can I have one?"

"No."

"Why?"

"People with no mana die with 100% rate from a heart burst. And even if you have some mana doesn't mean that the chance of you dying will become much lower."

.

.

.

Is there no way for me to increase my mana other than breathing?

Should I try monster meat?

.

.

How will I even get it?

.

.

"Hmm, do you really want to increase your mana that much?"

Does Father have a way?

"Yes!"

"*Sigh* I know nothing about magic myself, but I have a friend that does. Maybe he will help."

"Will you ask him for me?.. Papa, please?"

I stare at him with a look that can kill a parent.

"Guh, S-Sure, but it will take some time to get there. I will probably be late tomorrow."

"Thank you, Papa!"

.

.

.

He is indeed very late...

.

.

It was the first time I had to do food for myself. Fortunately, father left some ingredients on the table for me. And I have no idea what father thought when he left so much for me... I think there are 3 days worth of meat on the table... And that is only meat. Anyway, I fried an egg. By the way, the stove works just like in my previous world... Brings back memories...

.

.

.

*Thump* 

Father's back!

.

.

"Papa! Did he know a way?"

"Yes, here"

He handed me some sort of a flask.

"Is this..."

"An elixir. Yes."

"But you said..."

"He said elixirs have ranks, just as mana capacity does. And this is an E ranked one."

.

.

"But why did you bring only one then?"

I probably sounded ungrateful... But I honestly don't understand, E ranked ones shouldn't cost much. So why can't I have more so I can increase my overall mana more?

.

...Or?

"Ah, you probably don't know anything about elixirs do you?"

I shake my head.

"Then listen. When a person tries to inject an elixir for a second time... It acts as a strong poison. Each rank of elixirs is made from different materials. So it's okay to inject different ranks at least once, but you have loo small mana amount to even take an F ranked one. Although an elixir from different materials can be made and it won't poison you. But it's very hard to find a recipe that has completely different materials."

I see... 

.

But it is still better than nothing.

"Can I drink it now?"

"Yes, as it is just an E ranked elixir, it should be fine without much precaution."

*Gulp*

I swallowed it without delay.

.

.

Through Sixth Sense I can feel that a bunch of mana was in that liquid... And now that's in me... Do I just wait? No... I should do the same thing I did before. But can I do it with liquid? Let me try.

.

It seems I can.

.

.

It hurts.

.

.

.

*Screak* *Thump*

I fell off the chair.

"Mix!"

Ah, Father is probably worried, but I need to continue injecting it in the heart to get more mana...

"It's... *Cough* Okay..."

I did this before so I know...

.

Honestly, this is worse.

"It is not! I'll get a potion."

No, I'm almost done...

Can't actually say that.

Too painful...

.

.

.

*Boom* *Crack* *Splash*

I think father is wreaking havoc in the basement while trying to find it...

.

.

Well, that's good for me, I'm pretty much done. The pain is mostly gone

.

"Here! Drink it quickly!"

I don't need it already.

I'm not in pain anymore.

.

.

Moreover, I feel great.

"I don't need it Papa. I said it's okay."

"But... You coughed blood..."

"I know but I guess that's just the part of the process."

"I'm sure it isn't"

"But look"

I tried using a second circle spell Wind Cut. It created a visible line of wind that I immediately launched at the table.

*Shiek*

It almost cut in half.

.

.

It seems my magic capacity increased by six! Wow! Elixirs are OP!

.

Do I have a D ranked amount of mana now?

.

.

.

No idea.

"I'm glad you're okay."

Father said that as he went for a hug.

.

.

He feels warm... As always. 

.

.
But we progressed a lot in these years now that I think about it. 

.

From not being able to look me in the eyes and speaking to me formally.

.

.

To hugging me on your own.

"I'm really glad you are alright... But where do you think we will eat now?"

.

.

Oops, didn't think that far.

"Hehe... I'm sorry father."

.

.

Is this what is called being cheeky?

.

.

.

.

I think I'm ready.

.

.

To actually get to the city.

.

Father is sleeping tightly. Time to go.

.

.

.

Going from one branch to another is quite fun. But it is harder than I expected. Leaves were constantly getting in the way, so I cast Barrier of Wind, which is mainly used to fend against insects, to get leaves off my face.

.

.

.

It's been 3 hours again... I think I will be late this time...

.

But I did find something...

.

.

It was a cliff.

.

And the beautiful view of the ocean.

.

For some reason, this is much better than the ocean in our world. And I can't explain the reason.

.

.

I need to return.

.

.

.

After doing my training in a half-dead state, I decided to go in a completely different direction.

.

.

20 minutes is all it took.

.

I can't bring myself to hate Father, but I am mad at him. Why would he even go in that direction... There is nothing there...

.

.

Anyway, I can see a house now. It looks small and old.

.

.

I can guess that this is not a city but a village...

.

Should I go somewhere else?

.

No. Remember Mix, why did you sneak out of the house?

You were bored that's why.

.

.

I'm sure I will find fun here too.

.

.

I hope.

.

I came closer to the house. I am probably near the backyard now,  I can see a woman watching a boy swing his sword.

The woman looked pretty old even from this far, she has blond, ponytail hair and is pretty big in both muscles and height.

And the boy was a bit older than me. I would say 7~8. But the strange part is... He has blue hair! Is he a protagonist or something?

.

.

Or maybe blue is a common hair colour in this world?

"Your stance is good, but you put too much strength in the grip!"

So she is an instructor huh.

"That's enough swinging for today. Now try to do that"

As she said that the boy nodded and took a weird stance.

.

.

Is he dancing?

.

No! That is a sword style!

.

It looks so cool!

.

I want to try doing it too. If I'll be careful they won't hear me.

I took a nearby stick and started imitating him.

.

.

It's harder than it looks.

I can tell that my movement is messy, but if I repeat a few more times...

*Thump*

"Ouch"

Sh*t

"Who's there!"

Oh f*ck, oh f*ck. What do I do, what do I do?

Should I run? 

No, if I ran too quickly she will hear me and cut me down.

I should hide. 

Yes.

With Loki's Gift, there is no way she can find me if I make no external sounds.

I'll sit quietly in a bush here.

.

.

She came here with a sword.

.

.

I'm a bit scared.

"*Siigh* Come out. If you wanted to learn the sword, you could've asked normally. I can teach you..."

"Really!?"

Ah, sh*t, I got too excited for a moment.

Was this a trap?

"You are far smaller than I expected"

"And you are looking far older from this close"

No, what am I doing?

I shouldn't act speak or act like an adult.

I should behave as I behave near my father.

Just put on an innocent smile and act dumb. I can do it.

.

.

But I really am always smiling around father...

.

This is harder.

.

.

She came to me and started pulling my ear.

"I see you are foul-mouthed! Have you never listened to your mother when she taught you how to speak to adults?!"

"Aiaiai I have no mother so how could I?"

She stops.

"*Cough* Anyway, what are you doing here?  You clearly aren't from this village"

What should I tell her?

Ah, who cares just act like a child.

"I was bored so I sneaked out of the house."

"Where do you live?"

I pointed at the forest

"There"

"In the forest?"

"Yes."

"But there are no huts nearby."

"Yes, we live quite far."

It took me 20 minutes with my advanced tactic.

"How can you live there! There are dangerous monsters there! Even I can't kill some of them!"

"Then you are just weak! Father takes them out in one swing!"

She looked confused.

"Just who is your father?"

"I won't tell you!"

I puffed my cheeks.

"If father finds out, he will be mad at me!"

"*Sigh* Anyway, you said you sneaked out of the house, right?"

"What of it?"

"How did monsters not eat you?"

F*ck, I didn't think this far.

.

Should I do this?

.

Fine, I'll do it.

"It's because I have this!"

I put my hood on and activate Loki's Gift.

"Woow!"

It was the boy who all this time listened from the side.

"Is that an Artifact!?"

Is this how magical items are called?

I go behind him.

"I guess so."

"Aaah!"

He jumped away from me.

"Pfft"

It was the woman who laughed.

"Anyway, Granny you told me that you will teach me the sword, will you really do it?"

"Who are you calling granny!? But yeah I will, that idiot needs a sparring partner anyway."

"Yes! Finally!"

"Lance come we will continue. And you..."

So his name was Lance huh... 

And she is asking for my name...

I can't tell her my real name.

Yeah, I will go with this.

"You can call me Darling, and what is your name, Granny?"

No, I am not a fan of that shitty show.

"Who are you calling granny again?! You can call me Gerda, or master if you want."

So Gerda huh.

.

.

Come to think of it...

In one of the books, I read that commoners don't have a last name.

.

.

I'm a prince after all...

.

.

.

After a brief showcase on how to properly do the movements, Gerda handed me her wooden sword and I with Lance started training.

.

I have enough stamina to last long. So when Lance took pauses I continued. We did it for a few hours like that.

.

.

"You're too strong for our age..."

He said that breathing heavily.

"My father makes me do this awful training every morning, and it's mostly training."

.

"Stamina is the most important part for a warrior."

"Hmf, he always says the same."

"Now that I think about it... You said your father was very strong, so why can't he teach you?"

"It's not like he can't, he just won't. He says that my body is not ready yet."

"It must be a Sword Style that puts a toll on your body."

It was Gerda who said that.

.

.

"Umm, I have a question Master"

"Sure Darling, ask away"

"Isn't Sword Style something that is as precious as one's life? Is it okay to teach it to a stranger?"

She stared at me with a strange look.

"Hahahaha, to think you would ask that question after you already started learning it already! You cheeky brat!"

S-Shut up!

I was excited so I didn't think about it.

"It is precious but mine is self-taught anyway. It's not as good as those passed in noble families. But it's enough for kids like you!"

I bowed my head.

"Thank you, Granny!"

She hit me on the head.

"Who are you calling granny again!"

We all laughed.

.

.

"Ah, it's late already, I need to go home"

"Your father will come home soon?"

"No? He's at home. He is just sleeping."

"Wait, didn't you come here at like 5?"

"He always sleeps 12 hours a day, and we need to wake up at 4 a. m. for training."

"Isn't that like... Too early?"

"It is, but I can't refute father... Okay I really need to go"

"Okay, Bye Darling!"

.

.

"Oh, and... Master..."

"What?"

"Can I come here tomorrow?"

She smiled.

.

.

It felt warm.

Just like fathers does.

"You sure can, stupid disciple №2"

"Thank you granny! Then I'm off."

I put the hood on and activated Loki's Gift.

.

.

Then I ran.

.

.

.

I'm home, father is still sleeping. Great.

I'm very exhausted from all this running and sword swinging... 

But I am happy

Very happy.

.

.

.

The next day I came to them again.

.

Gerda and Lance were training there.

Then they noticed me.

“H-Hi Darling. How are you today?”

Something is wrong.

Why is she acting so stiff?

.

.

Lance on the other hand…

“Darling! Glad to have you here!”

I am too glad you’re acting normally.

He gave me a wooden sword.

“Hi Lance! Hi Granny!”

She quickly came up to me and started pulling my ear.

“Who are you calling a granny?”

But quickly let go and made a face of regret.

.

.

Did something happen?

“Is something wrong Master?”

.

.

“*Sigh* No. It’s nothing. Let us start!”

That is what I’ve been waiting for!

“Yes!”

.

.

.

Gerda stopped us in the middle of training.

“Stop. I think Darling got the hang of it. Now we can start sparring”

“Yes”

It wasn’t me who said that.

.

.

“Master is it not too soon to be starting actual sparring? I started holding a sword only 2 days ago.”

I don’t think I am ready.

“It’s okay. I saw your moves, you can spar freely. And there is nothing to be ashamed of if you’ll lose.”

Well, that’s true.

And there is no point in my training if I get no actual fighting experience.

Lance went to the other side of the backyard and took a stance.

“I’m ready!”

Okay then, I have some knowledge about fist fighting from my previous world.

.

.

I just hope they are similar in at least something.

I took a stance.

“Ready!”

Okay Mix remember, play defensively and seek openings to counter-attack

.

.

“Start!”

.

.

.

I lost…

.

.

But I don’t feel too bad about it.

I can feel that I am improving even in the middle of the fight.

Lance came to me and sat nearby.

“That was great! Your blows were so hard for my peer! If you started training in sword earlier, then I would lose for sure!”

“Who are you calling your peer? You are clearly older than me!”

“Eeeh!? I thought you were just short!”

“What!? I have the perfect height for my age! I’m just 5!”

“You’re just 5!?”

It was Gerda who yelled in surprise.

“So you’re stronger than me even though we have a 3-year gap?! Gerda! Prepare the hardest training for me!”

Competitive huh?

“You’ll feel like dying”

“I don’t care!”

.

.

While those two were talking I decided to look at the village with my Sixth Sense.

.

.

It’s small. About 16 houses in total. All houses are small except for one, probably the chief’s house.

.

.

Now that I look at it… Are only monsters living in this village?! Why everyone who has mana has so much of it? I don’t have even 1/100th of some…

Speaking of whom, that person is in the house nearby… Maybe Lance’s mother?

.

.

Someone’s coming.

“Brother! Food is ready!”

It was a small girl with blonde hair to her shoulders… Her hair is too yellow to be called blonde…

.

.

She looked at me.

“What is that?”

“It’s not what! It’s who! I am a person!”

“It’s not my fault that you looked like a log!”

“How do you mistake a person for a log!?”

“You looked like one!”

A young lady came out of the house.

“Ara~ You kids sure are lovely. But there is no need to argue over little things. But I am indeed intrigued about who you are.”

She looked identical to the little girl, but a bit older.

.

.

Probably her sister.

“You must be the older sister. I will introduce myself properly. My name is Darling. I live in a forest with my father. Oh, but don’t tell me that I came here, he’ll get mad at me.”

The little girl had a confused look on her face.

“Oh my, Oh my. You must be the reason why Lance was so excited yesterday… Why don’t you stay with us for supper? I’m sure Lance and Naty wouldn’t mind.”

So her name was Naty.

.

.

I’m glad I’m not the only one with a weird name.

“But I do mind!”

Hey! You were the one who called me a log!

“Ara~ It so happens that I heard the whoole argument. So what should you say, Naty?”

Naty looked defeated.

She faced me and while looking down said in a low tone.

“I’m sorry for mistaking you for a log…”

She looks cute right now.

“I’m not angry anymore! And I hope we can be friends! But… Sister, I don’t think I can stay… It’s late already so I need to go home.”

“That’s unfortunate… I’ll be sure to prepare food sooner next time so that you can eat as well.”

“Thanks, Sister!”

Her smile seems very genuine for some reason.

“Oh, and… Don’t call me Sister, I’m their mother after all. You can call me Aunt Mary if you want.”

.

.

What?

I didn’t want to flatter her. I really thought that way.

.

.

Just how early did she give birth?

“Wow, you look great Aunty. But I really need to go now. Bye!”

I started running, put my hood on and activated my power.

“Where did he..?”

“Oh, I’ll explain, I’ll explain!”

I heard some ruckus behind me.

But I continued running and soon came home.

.

.

.

.

Day after day I improved.

I trained with Father in the morning, read books and explored magic in the day and practised in the sword till evening.

Lance’s family is lovely. I sometimes eat with them and it’s fun.

.

.

But one day was a bit different.

.

.

.

“Hey, Darling let’s play!”

Huh? Play? Instead of training?

“Why so suddenly?”

“Well… Naty keeps whining that she is bored while we are training. So I thought why don’t we play with her a little.”

.

.

So I should waste my time entertaining that rude girl?!

.

.

But…

.

I do know how hard are days spent in boredom…

.

.

Fine.

“Sure, why not.”

“Yey! Let’s play tag!”

Naty was eavesdropping huh?

“Lance is it!”

She started running away.

“Hey! That’s not fair!”

I too started running.

.

.

But I think I need to slow down a little.

As there is no way they can catch me if I go all out.

Naty tagged me.

“You’re it!”

.

.

This brings back memories…

.

“Here I come!”

.

.

.

All three of us lay on the ground laughing.

“It was fun.”

“Yeah, but I feel that Darling wasn’t giving it his all! He was it the most of the time!”

Was it that obvious?

“Well… Yes… Because if I went all out both of you together wouldn’t be able to catch me.”

“Liar-liar pants on fire! I’m sure if I and Naty really try, you will have no chance! Right, Naty?”

Lance will never acknowledge that he’ll lose… Till he actually does.

“I don’t feel like he’s lying though.”

“Why are you taking his side!? Anyway, let’s do it!”

He stood up and tried to tag me.

So I quickly used magic to slip from him.

“Hey! That’s cheating!”

“Who says that?”

I won’t fall without a fight.

.

.

.

I think we did it for far too long. I felt like after training with Father. Naty left a long time ago. And Lance… Well… Let’s say he won’t be able to train tomorrow.

“I… Give up… For now…”

For now huh?

“You’re free to try anytime”

.

.

.

“Kids! The food is almost cold! Come and eat already, or mother will get mad at me.”

That is Lance’s father Natan. You can tell from one glance at this family who is the head of the house.

Mary has a pharmacy. You can call her a local doctor. And Natan helps her by gathering the herbs.

.

.

Come to think of it… Mary and Naty both have Light affinities. Can they use spells like Advanced Healing?

.

.

Probably.

“Darling why are you spacing out? It’s almost night, so it’s cold outside. Come inside.”

Almost night?

.

Oh, sh*t!

“I’m sorry Mr Natan but I need to run before it’s too late!”

I wanted to run right away but… I’m really exhausted.

.

.

But I need to. Father will be worried.

“Can’t you stay?”

Naty suddenly peeked from the door.

“It’s dark outside so you won’t see where you are going… You can hurt yourself.”

That’s true…

Should I stay…

.

.

I guess I’ll have to wake up early and run quickly.

“Fine, but I’ll go very early.”

“Yeeeah! Sleepover time!”

Lance looks as if he just forgot about his fatigue.

“Natan! Why kids aren’t here!? Should I come out myself?!”

“No sweety! Kids quickly! Or I’ll get punished!”

Not we but him?

.

But sounded like a scared rabbit.

.

.

Poor Mr Natan…

.

.

.

Right now I am lying in the bed with Lance. 

We are still kids so there is enough space for both of us.

“Darling… Can I ask a question?”

For some reason, he sounds slightly depressed.

“Sure.”

“Can you tell me about your father?”

Why so suddenly?

“He is tall and big, and very strong. At first, it may seem that he is scary, but he is actually very kind. When he holds me I always feel very warm and safe…”

.

.

.

“So you know your father well… I wish It was the same for me… My parents never answer the questions I ask. They just evade them… I always feel like they are keeping secrets and don’t want to tell them to me.”

.

.

.

“And that’s all? And here I thought it was something serious like wondering if you are adopted or something.”

His father has black hair after all.

“What!? Well… You might’ve thought like that. But I saw a photo of my grandparents that passed away… My grandmother had blue hair. ”

I see, but…

“Oh, how lucky you are. You know how your grandparents looked and even if they are dead or not.”

I might’ve sounded a little irritated.

.

.

But I am so.

“Huh? You don’t?”

I calmed myself

“I don’t even know the name of my mother Lance.”

“That’s… Aren’t you curious?”

“Hell yeah, I am!”

“Then why won’t you ask your father that question”

“Why? Because I know that it would hurt him if even thinks about it.”

“Hurt him..?”

“Yes, there are things that hurt even if they are in the past. Memories still can hurt you.”

.

.

.

“Father and Mother too looked hurt when I tried to ask those questions… But what do you do in this case?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Yes. I believe that father will tell me everything when the right time comes.”

.

.

.

“I… see…”

.

.

It seems he fell asleep.

.

Well, I too feel a bit sl…

.

.

.

I need to wake up.

.

I’m not sure if I overslept or not.

.

So I need to hurry.

.

I quietly took my stuff and left so that nobody wakes up.

And interesting fact. It seems that Loki’s gift does muffle the sounds from my body. But not from external sources. I had this theory before, but couldn’t test it. I do any sound when breathing, but my voice is still loud, but I also have no footstep sounds. The only sound you can hear coming from me is the sound of planks creaking…

Anyway, I started running in the forest.

.

.

It’s very dark though.

.

.

*Thump*

I hit a tree…

It hurts…

.

.

I still need to go… I will try using Sixth Sense while moving.

.

.

For now, I’ll walk with it.

.

.

It’s hard but possible.

It requires a lot of concentration, but if I shorten the overall radius of it it becomes possible to run.

.

.

So I did.

.

.

.

I can see my house.

.

.

I just hope Father is asleep.

.

.

Please…

.

.

I quietly open the door.

It didn’t squick.

Yes!

.

.

.

Father is standing there and looking at the doorway.

“Where have you been?”

.

.

.

I’m f*cked.