Chapter 4 of 100

Chapter 4 has been posted.

6 min read1,547 words

"Huff... huff...!"

I perform my daily practice swings.

I'm almost five years old, and I've finally been allowed to participate in the party.

The party, however, is more like a gathering where the nobles living near the capital bring their children for a kind of introduction.

My brother Grindt and I will be attending.

Grindt, who is three years old, is also coming because it's convenient to introduce us together. Father had thought about waiting until Grindt was around five years old, but Mother Alma intervened.

—Of course, there was a reason.

"We have two fine children, especially Grindt, who has the brilliant talent of a Holy Knight. He should be introduced as well, shouldn't he?"

In short, she's using me to highlight my brother's greatness.

Father also agreed, saying it made sense.

Mother later apologized to me, even though it wasn't her fault.

"Phew... 1000 swings done."

I started this training with Father when I was four, and now it has become a daily routine. I do 1000 practice swings, though it might seem impossible for someone my age. That's why I use a specially made, ultra-light wooden sword.

What about the toxin decomposition? I've stopped thinking about it.

I will rise through hard work.

"Oh, you've worked hard today, Ein."

"Mother! Were you watching?"

Mother's presence is the comfort in my life.

That's why I want to get married in the future.

"Yes, I was watching. Your practice swings have become much cleaner, haven't they?"

"I'm glad to see the results of my daily training."

"... Where is Father?"

"Father is... well, Grindt's... training, I suppose."

Father has been showing up less for my training recently, which is why I do my own practice.

Lately, he has started Grindt's training, though Grindt isn't quite ready for it yet, focusing on basics like how to hold a sword and stand properly.

"... Ignoring his eldest son, that man."

But it's okay, Mother. Thanks to that, you and that man aren't getting along, which is my greatest victory.

"I can do my own practice, so Grindt needs to be taught..."

"Really, you're such a good boy, Ein. You're such a good boy."

"Mother... I, I can't breathe..."

It's nice to be pressed against those ample breasts, but I can't breathe, Mother...

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ein... Are you done with your practice today?"

"Yes!"

"That's good. I want to go shopping... Sir Knight, would you escort me?"

"I would be delighted to accompany you, Mother!"

"Hehe... Thank you, dear knight."

If Mother is going shopping, I have to protect her.

Leave it to me; I won't let Father touch her, even if he tries!

"Olivia? Are you going shopping... Oh, you're here too."

"...Mother-in-law."

My second least favorite person.

Father's mother, Isis. She was probably beautiful in her youth, but I can't like her.

Incidentally, she seems to love Grindt so much that she considers me a hindrance. The first one is Alma.

"... Are you going out, Ein? It's strange... Your brother Grindt is working hard, yet you're already done. Since you're less talented, you should work much harder, shouldn't you?"

"I apologize for causing you concern, Grandmother. I started my daily practice early... I thought it would be better to stop before I get injured."

"Oh, I see. I apologize. You and Grindt are at different levels, after all."

She really spits venom every time we meet.

I'll break it down, okay? Don't underestimate my toxin decomposition EX. It has divine detoxification effects.

"No... Thank you for your advice."

"It's fine. Even if you're not as capable, you'll have to assist the heir of our family, so it's only natural."

I've been told this many times, but it seems I won't be the heir.

Well, that makes sense, considering Grindt is a Holy Knight.

"So, Mother-in-law? Is there something you need?"

"Yes, Olivia. Could you look at some tea? A noblewoman is more trustworthy than a merchant."

"I understand. I'll pick out a few."

"Yes, please... Oh, by the way, about the upcoming introduction..."

"Yes?"

"We've officially decided to announce Grindt as our heir."

"... I see."

"Yes. Please keep that in mind. Have a safe trip."

I see, so that's what Father and Alma have been talking about.

It does have its advantages to make it official. It will make it easier to find a wife and clarify his position, though it's sad to see Mother looking so upset.

"Mother, let's go?"

"... Ein, but..."

"I'll do anything to protect you, Mother. Not being able to do that is the most painful thing for me."

"... I'm sorry. I'm really... sorry."

But that's the truth.

I can't deny that I'm becoming more and more of a mother's boy, but I don't intend to change that.

Thanks to this, Father hasn't been getting along with Alma at night, which is a good thing. Mother, let's go?

I'm really looking forward to shopping with you, even if the knight will be nearby.

"Hey, Ein! The thing I ordered has arrived!"

"The thing you ordered?"

"Yes! Look... weren't you looking forward to receiving this?"

"This... Mother!"

Ein Roundheart

[Job] None, Eldest Son of the Roundheart Family

[Level] 2

[HP] 55

[MP] 41

[Attack] 22

[Defense] 21

[Agility] 25

[Skills] Toxin Decomposition EX, HP Auto Recovery, Gift of Training

"Wow! It's my status! Yes!"

"Hehe, congratulations, Ein. I had it sent quickly. Sorry, but it took some time because noble items are strict, even fakes."

"No, thank you! Wow... I didn't know I had HP Auto Recovery..."

"I think you inherited it from me. You can inherit one skill from each parent."

"Really? I thought I only had Toxin Decomposition. I'm surprised."

"Some things aren't apparent until you grow a bit. HP Auto Recovery recovers about 1% every 5 minutes."

I see, so that's the trick.

I thought it was a cheat, but 1% every 5 minutes is... well, it's still strong.

I don't know what the average is for a five-year-old, but how does this compare? I'm not really sure about the numbers.

Mother seemed to understand my thoughts.

"Listen, HP is your life force. If it's gone, you die. For a five-year-old... I think the average for HP and MP is around 10."

"So, I'm..."

"Yes, you're much stronger than average. Congratulations, Ein."

"Thank you!"

I see, I see. Being praised by Mother made me feel great.

So, as I thought, my potential is higher than average.

I'm relieved.

"What's this? Training's Gift... What is it?"

"That's something I'm very proud of."

"Huh?"

"A skill that someone who has sincerely and persistently continued one thing for a long time can receive, recognized by the world... Your daily practice swings, even as a child, have been recognized by the gods."

"I did continue them every day... Is this skill really that great?"

"Yes, it makes your body less prone to fatigue during training. Some people think it's mundane, but they don't understand its true power."

I agree, it's great. Being less prone to fatigue during practice means I can do more repetitions, which is a good thing!

But can a kid my age get this? Maybe the gods...?

No, that's too pessimistic.

I should be happy to have received it.

But if the gods were watching, thank you.

I'm doing my best to be happy.

"Mother, Mother! Hurry up!"

"Okay, okay, wait a moment, Ein."

Shopping with Mother.

The Roundheart family manages a port town near the capital, so the stores are filled with a variety of items from different places.

"The tea Mother-in-law asked for was good... What are you looking at, Ein?"

"What's this? It's a crystal that sparkles inside."

"That's a magic stone."

"A magic stone?"

"It's like the heart of a monster... It's used to power baths and purify water."

Wow, I knew they existed, but I didn't expect to see one in real life... and they're sold openly.

Since they're essential in every household, I guess that makes sense.

"Are they not expensive?"

"It depends. Stones from powerful monsters can be used in large-scale rituals... and if the country is invaded, they can be used to cast powerful spells."

"Wow... So, how much for boiling water?"

"For a month... about 3000G should be enough."

By the way, I'm grateful for the currency value.

1 yen = 1G, which is pretty accurate. It's very convenient.

Boiling water for a month costs 3000 yen... not much different from my gas bill when I lived alone!

"I see, that's about right. What's that sweet smell...?"

"Oh, it's getting late... Let's go home, Ein."

"Ah... Yes, Mother! ...So sweet!?"

The magic stone had a sweet smell, so I secretly licked it, and it tasted like caramel.

It might make a good snack.

"... Huh? What's this, hey, mister!"

"Yes, sir, what is it?"

"What's this magic stone? It's empty... just a crystal now."

"Hmm...? Oh, it's a 500G magic stone. I apologize. But that's strange... I inspected it properly."