Chapter 18

I felt a growing sense of frustration, making me want to turn everything upside down.

The problem isn't that the training isn't showing results; I just can't say anything about it.

Still, even so. To gather all the laundry just because I asked for it once...

Moreover, the black clothes were all covered in a fine layer of dust, no matter how they were stored.

"Teacher, about these clothes... Did you keep them here without ever taking them out since you received them?"

"Yes, but—"

"..."

I rubbed my face.

'Ah, which of his subordinates said that Pierre liked cleanliness...?'

If I meet him in this life, I'll kill him. I'll definitely kill him.

We agreed that we don't call someone clean just because they keep their own space, especially the part they use, clean. Damn fish.

I sighed deeply in my heart.

"Teacher, everything else is fine, but what should I do about the water?"

"You still can't summon water?"

It felt as if he was looking at something very strange, or rather, something very foolish.

I was taken aback by the expression that flashed across my father's face.

"Your strength, agility, and stamina are far below what would be expected for your age."

"Then, how can I be compared to my age? I told you, didn't I? I boasted that I could beat an 8-year-old."

"You're not of the direct lineage if you can't even do that."

"…That's why I don't like talking to geniuses."

"What?"

I puffed out my chest confidently. Huhuhu.

"No, listen. I'm considered a complete genius in my class."

Pierre's expression became peculiar.

"You?"

Wow, his words and expressions match perfectly. He's a perfect example of consistency.

"It seems the standards for young whales have dropped quite a bit recently."

...Pierre really seems to be the son of an old woman.

How can he be so similar in his sharp-tongued remarks?

He knows that he's so much of a genius that he can't understand ordinary people or even ordinary geniuses.

Still, there are times when I find it absurd, like now.

'Maybe the reason my brothers never liked Father was because he acted like this.'

When I became the head of the family, my brothers all grumbled about Father or had sour expressions.

In my previous life, I didn't know much because Father had died before I returned.

"Teacher, you need to understand how great I am."

"Why should I?"

"Then, you can feel proud of how well you taught me. You can even boast about it."

"That makes sense."

Right? Whales are basically proud of their own abilities.

Seeing this, I always think that even Pierre, who is always lazy and resigned, is ultimately a whale.

"Anyway, Teacher, it's good that you're doing the laundry... but what about the water?"

Pierre then made a thoughtful expression and slowly moved his hand.

Water flowed from the air, enveloping the mountain of laundry and lifting it gently.

The window opened wide.

I stared blankly as the laundry flew out.

'Wow, using the power of water like this is amazing. A skill.'

Even though I was the strongest in my previous life, Pierre's control of water was very delicate, unlike his personality.

Sometimes, even the me from the third life wonders if I could do that, making me doubt my abilities.

'...I envy him.'

Maybe I was staring too intently.

I didn't see what happened to the laundry after it flew out the window.

"What are you looking at?"

"Huh?"

"Go and wash it."

"So, what, what, ah!"

When I felt my feet getting wet, I realized I was already surrounded by water and floating.

It felt like being inside a giant hamster ball.

Since we are aquatic creatures, we don't suffocate in water, but...

'Wet clothes are still wet!'

Father, who only had a delicate control of his abilities, threw me out the window like that.

I landed in the fountain in front of the building where Pierre lived.

The fountain was filled with clear water, and the laundry was piled high, making its presence known.

Moreover, the water kept floating, and he threw in some soap he had brought from somewhere.

"What are you doing? Without stepping on it."

Looking up, I saw Pierre leaning against the window frame, chin in hand.

"Teacher, are you... treating me like a maid?"

"Are you curious about what a real maid does?"

"..."

I didn't back down.

"Then, are you treating me like a slave?"

"I can let you experience that if you want."

"You told me to step on it, Teacher?"

So, I guess this is the best treatment I'm getting.

I grumbled, lifted my skirt, and prepared to step on the laundry.

'Really strange. Why is he making me do so much housework as part of my training?'

It was bizarre.

I even wondered if he was planning to use this as an opportunity to clean the entire building with my hands.

'No, using a three-year-old to remodel a building? Where's your conscience?'

Of course, based on his past behavior, I doubt he would, but lately, it seems like he might.

What can I do?

'It's not like the training isn't working. If he says to do it, I'll do it.'

I hadn't been in the military, but I felt like a private, following orders and starting to step on the laundry enthusiastically.

The problem was...

'I'm too light!'

To step on the laundry, I needed weight, but I was far too light. How much could a three-year-old weigh, after all?

"Doing it like that won't get the dirt out. You'll have to step on it for three days."

"Ugh...!!"

I'm doing it. I'm doing it.

I ignored the nagging from above and pondered.

If I don't finish this, I can't go home.

Last time, when I didn't complete the assigned cleaning, I was almost kicked out of the building, so I decided to do my best every time.

"Teacher, what should I do if I don't have enough weight? Maybe use my strength?"

"Right. Where else are you going to use your strength?"

I tried pressing down harder with my legs.

Oh, it's going in, it's going in...!

'It's going in!!'

I lifted my head.

"Teacher, it's going in!! Did you see? Did you see? It's going in!!"

I smiled widely.

A little water splashed, but it was fun.

Ah, indeed, the path to becoming stronger is enjoyable!

'If I can apply weight like this, I can overcome my small size in battle too, right?'

Anyway, I was in a body that could only wait for time to pass to grow stronger.

I was thinking about how to overcome this weakness!

"..."

Just focus on the training instead of talking.

I expected some criticism, but when I looked up, Father had turned his head away.

Hey, wasn't he looking at me just now?

Whatever.

"Teacher is right. I'm really the best!"

There you go. Flattery, Father!

I giggled and started stepping on the laundry enthusiastically, so I didn't notice the gaze that started to focus on the top of my head again.

Or the darkening expression on Father's face.

* * *

Calypso wiped the sweat from her forehead.

'Phew, there's more than I thought.'

Despite her efforts, there was still some left.

This was inevitable.

She had overcome the weight issue with strength, but there was one thing Calypso hadn't considered!

'What about my small feet!'

Damn, it's frustrating.

Calypso realized that the only thing she could do was wait for time to make her body grow, and she felt frustrated.

She was deeply committed to becoming stronger, even if she didn't fully realize it herself, due to her third-life experience.

Moreover, she was mentally tough.

She often forgot the basic fact that a three-year-old couldn't endure what a normal three-year-old couldn't.

This was true for Father Pierre, who was making her do all this, as well.

The two of them, father and daughter, created a scene that could be described as a perfect match.

The sun was setting.

Watching the fading sunset, Calypso was lost in thought.

'What should I do with the rest...?'

Should I do it tomorrow?

Or should I finish it now with a little more effort?

If I'm late, the rabbit-like children... no, the sardine-like maids who worry about me will start to cry.

Lost in thought, Calypso didn't notice the shadow approaching her.

'What is that thing doing?'

Pierre, looking at the small back, was lost in a thought he had never had before.

Throughout his life, he had never seen anything or anyone that piqued his interest, no matter where he went.

More accurately, he was always the one who piqued interest wherever he went.

He was too busy to even care about such things.

"Shall we make a bet, young whale? You will surely be flustered by someone like you one day."