Chapter 17

Another two years have passed.

I am now thirteen years old, and Giselle is eleven.

Perhaps because every day is a repetition of magic training, time seems to pass quickly.

At this rate, I might surpass the age I was in my previous life before I know it.

I let out a breath, blowing away the wood shavings from Oathem.

Today, as usual, I was carving Oathem in the garden.

What I am making now is a four-armed Oathem.

It uses ball joints, so the arms move with a clunking sound.

When completed, it will probably be able to punch and defeat medium-sized magical beasts.

I believe Oathem has infinite potential.

Giselle is always by my side, as always.

A few months ago, Giselle also started making Oathem seriously.

As her older brother, I am worried that she might cut her hand with a knife.

Of course, I am also a little happy to see my sister grow.

However, there is something I have started to feel is a bit problematic recently.

Perhaps because we have been sequestered in our training, I feel like we are starting to stand out in the village.

Apart from my family, the only people I talk to are the chief's family.

Somehow, memories of my previous life come back.

Back then, I was also a loner because I was obsessed with black magic, but I didn't expect that the same reason would make me a loner in a world with magic.

Still, I am a recognized magic enthusiast, so being looked at with suspicion by society is not a big issue.

What worries me is that Giselle, who is always attached to me, cannot play with children her own age.

Giselle still cannot sleep properly unless I sleep next to her.

If this continues, it will be a problem in the future.

I stop carving the Oathem and look at Giselle.

Giselle is about to graduate from elementary school if we compare it to Japan.

Isn't it time for her to start becoming more independent from her brother?

No, it's already too late.

"What's the matter, brother? It's a bit embarrassing to be stared at like this suddenly."

"Ah, sorry. I was thinking of using you as a model for Oathem again..."

I try to brush it off with a casual remark.

It's not something I should tell her.

I just need to guide her in the right direction behind the scenes.

"That... That's a bit..."

Giselle furrows her brow and gives a wry smile.

She used to be delighted when I said that, but now she finds it unpleasant.

I guess that makes sense.

Oathem often have rather ugly faces.

It's a kind of culture, I suppose.

Well, if I made this cylindrical figure handsome, it might be even more unsettling.

"You used to be so excited when I said that."

When I tease her like this, Giselle giggles.

I thought she wouldn't remember since she was only two at the time, but it seems she does.

"That's not true, brother."

"Huh?"

Giselle stands up from the chair-like Oathem and looks at my face closely.

"...If you were going to use me as a model, I thought you would look at me. I remember thinking that back then."

I have to admit, I was outsmarted by a two-year-old.

Giselle is a smart girl. I look forward to her future.

"You were really only interested in Oathem back then."

"Have you improved now?"

Giselle puts her hand to her mouth, tilts her head, and thinks for a few seconds before breaking into a smile.

"You've gotten worse. But you do look at me now. For me, that's enough."

Perhaps because of my reincarnation, I feel less attached to my parents, or maybe because I couldn't build a normal family relationship in my previous life, I have always kept a distance from my parents and sister.

However, because I have more contact with Giselle, we quickly became close... but I still hide from or avoid my father and mother.

...No, that's mostly because of magic.

"...I haven't gone hunting in a long time. Maybe I'll go with Father tomorrow."

I can't keep rebelling.

In this life, Zeleroot is definitely my father.

At thirteen, I am one of the few men in the village who hasn't gone hunting and just eats the food provided.

Of course, I help with farming using Oathem... and if they allowed me to use Oathem for hunting, I could contribute a lot, but I won't say that.

Maybe it's just a whim, but I'll go hunting tomorrow.

"Really... After Father finally started to give up on you... That's not like you, brother."

Giselle pouts.

She doesn't like being left behind and is sulking.

She is such a cute sister.

"It's fine, really. I like the brother who is obsessed with magic. I used to be a bit jealous of Oathem, though."

As she speaks, Giselle pokes the Oathem she is holding with the tip of her knife.

Come on, if you say things like that, I might waver.

Don't shake my resolve.

The knife Giselle holds pierces the eye of the Oathem she is carving.

It makes a creaking sound, and the eye peels off.

You were jealous of Oathem in the past, right?

"Brother, you had a strength of 4 when we measured it last time, right? It's pointless to go hunting now. But that's fine. You don't need such a barbaric thing. I've been watching you for a long time, so I know for sure."

Giselle leans in closer.

Our noses touch slightly.

She sticks out her tongue playfully.

"A, ah... Yeah, maybe you're right."

When I give a half-hearted response, Giselle pulls back, looking satisfied.

"I carved too much. It's difficult. I'll have to shave it down and carve the face again."

As she speaks, Giselle rubs the eye of the Oathem she is holding with her thumb.

...Giselle really needs to become more independent from her brother.

I strongly realized this again just now.

I'll go hunting tomorrow and let Giselle stay home for a while.

I put down the Oathem I was holding and pick up a small staff.

I wave the staff at the red Oathem at the edge of the garden.

The red Oathem glows and topples over.

At the same time, the surrounding space wobbles.

That red Oathem is a special Oathem used for barriers.

During my training, I place barrier Oathem at the four corners of the garden and set up a barrier that hinders recognition.

The reason Father has given up on my rehabilitation is largely due to the existence of this recognition-hindering barrier.