Chapter 3

As a result of receiving baptism, I was granted the blessing of "Skillful Poverty."

I once heard from Father that blessings are generally not something to be told to others.

However, heroes who are confident in their blessings or have made remarkable achievements sometimes do tell. A Sword Saint would be a good example.

That's why I don't even know what blessings my parents have. Well, if I asked them, they might tell me, but I haven't asked them myself.

For now, since I received the blessing without any issues, I decided to head home.

This village, Oren, has a population of around 400 people, but since most families are farmers, the houses are quite far apart. Still, because the population isn't that large, I know most people's faces.

As I walk and greet the villagers, it seems most of them are growing wheat. Our family also grows wheat, along with potatoes, leeks, and some leafy vegetables like cabbage.

With just two of us growing them and without the convenience of Earth, the area we can cultivate is limited. Still, thanks to our loving care, our vegetables are quite delicious.

When I got home, my parents weren't there yet. I went to the fields and told them I had received the blessing.

"Oh! That's great! How about we celebrate with a feast today? What do you think, dear?"

"Yeah, it's all about how you use it! I don't know what blessing Aul received, but as long as he lives with pride, it'll be fine!"

I almost cried at the kindness of my parents. But, Dad, isn't it a bit harsh to say that without knowing what blessing I received?

Since there was still time before dinner, I went to a clearing in the forest behind the house. It's about 40 square meters. This is the secret base I built when I turned four.

Since I've been practicing magic to increase my mana, I've noticed that my mana doesn't deplete as quickly as it did when I was around three years old.

However, since I don't have many opportunities to go outside, I've been practicing body enhancement by wrapping myself in mana and activating it throughout my body.

Thanks to that, I didn't have any issues with mana consumption, but I wanted to try various spells, so I created a space in the forest behind the house.

I think that practicing magic from a young age might lead to higher growth rates.

"Well, now that the baptism is over, I'll start practicing magic more seriously from today."

I'm considering practicing seven attributes of magic: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Ice, and Space. There are also life magic spells like lighting and light sources, but I can use them without much practice. I still can't properly imagine Clean, so I still ask my mother to do it for me.

I decided to practice by casting spells at targets made with Earth magic.

"Wind Bullet!"

Bang!

A transparent bullet of wind hit the earth wall, and the target flew off, breaking the tree behind it.

"Whoa, maybe I overdid it a bit?"

Next, I solidified an image for Space magic.

"Item Box!"

It's like the pocket on the belly of a certain blue robot from a popular national anime. When I called the spell, a hole opened in space. I cautiously put the broken tree in, and it was sucked in with a swoosh.

"It seems to have worked."

However, it seems I need to remember what I put in. It would be nice to have a window or something, but I'll think about it when I have more mana.

Since we're in the forest, I refrained from using Fire magic and just had Fireballs hover around my body. I also practiced Water Bullet, Rock Bullet, and Ice Bullet on the earth targets. However, I couldn't make a Lightning Bullet, so I tried a laser-like image.

"Thunder Ray!"

Crack!

It didn't destroy the earth target, but the speed from casting to hitting the target was much faster than other spells. This could be quite useful.

While practicing magic, I realized it was getting dark. When I got home, my parents were already back and preparing dinner. I saw meat, which is usually not served often, and it was my favorite Wellbird meat. Wellbirds are relatively weak monsters found everywhere, and their meat is quite tasty, making them perfect for poor farmers.

However, since they are monsters, it takes about three people to attack and defeat one.

"Ah, Aul, welcome back. Dinner will be ready soon, so go wash your hands."

I used magic to get water outside the house and washed my hands before going back in. I haven't told my parents I can use magic yet, so it's still a secret.

"Today we have Wellbird karaage! Eat as much as you like!"

On a large wooden plate, there was a mountain of karaage. There were also boiled potatoes and stir-fried leafy vegetables. As a growing boy, protein is essential, so I piled my plate high and ate. My parents watched happily, and they looked really good.

By the way, karaage is a dish I taught my mother.

Before I knew it, the karaage was gone, and the meal was over. Feeling sleepy from eating so much, I decided to go to bed early.

...

Hmm?

In the middle of the night, I heard my parents talking, so I got up and listened secretly.

"Hey, dear, this year might be a bit tough. It seems a crop disease is spreading in the neighboring village. If it comes to our village..."

"Yeah... But there's nothing we can do. If it comes to it, I'll hunt monsters to earn money."

"But that's dangerous. What if you're gone...?"

"Emilia..."

It seems a crop disease is spreading in the area. If something happens, we won't be able to eat our delicious crops. That would be bad.

I decided to act quickly and went to the fields to cast a spell. I hadn't practiced this, but I felt I could do it now. I imagined a holy magic that would not only prevent the crops from getting sick but also make them healthier. It's a healing spell for plants. Okay.

"Green Heal!"

I went around the fields and cast the spell on all of them. I felt it was working, but I couldn't tell the effect yet. Even if it helps a little, it would be a good thing.

I returned to bed without my parents noticing and slept soundly. Still, the karaage I ate today was delicious. I wonder if I can eat it again if I hunt?

The next morning, after eating with my parents, I helped in the fields while casting Green Heal.

"Aul, you've done enough helping today. You can go play around if you want. Just don't do anything dangerous, okay?"

With my mother's permission, I went to the forest about 15 minutes from home. The forest near Oren Village has monsters, but they are quite low-level, with the highest being a Tree Deer, a deer-like monster. It's a beginner-friendly forest.

"Okay, I'll practice magic and hunt monsters. I'm sure my mother will be happy if I bring back some meat."

My head was full of meat.

As I walked through the forest, I saw many herbs, edible mushrooms, and delicious fruits.

While gathering them, I saw a Forest Boar in the distance. It was about 2 meters long, so it was an adult.

Forest Boars have delicious meat, but what's special is the mushrooms that grow on their heads and backs. These are rare delicacies and high-end items.

Forest Boars are common monsters, but the mushrooms on the Forest Boars in the Oren Village forest are incredibly delicious. This is a secret known only to a few people in the village.

"Wind Cutter!"

The wind blade severed the Forest Boar's head. The meat was undamaged because it was cut cleanly. I used an advanced water magic to quickly drain the blood. I thought I might feel squeamish about killing a monster, but I adapted to this world and didn't have any issues.

"Hmm, it's probably around 400 kg... But it'll fit in the Item Box, so it's fine."

After that, I hunted two Horn Rabbits and decided to go home.

When I got home, my mother was there, but my father wasn't. He was probably still working.

"Mom, I'm back."

"Welcome back, Aul. Where did you go?"

"Nearby forest. I got hungry and hunted this! I want karaage or steak!"

On the floor was a giant Forest Boar.

"...Eh?"

...? Ah...! I was supposed to keep my magic a secret. I guess I got carried away by the meat and the fact that I used magic to hunt it. This feels like a mistake.

"Aul, can you use magic...?"

"Um, yeah. A little."

I shouldn't tell her that I can use various attributes and have a lot of mana for her mental health...

"When did you start being able to use magic?"

"Um, around when I received the blessing, I guess."

My mother seemed to understand. She probably thought it was a blessing I received.

"Even if you can use magic, it's still dangerous, so don't go too deep into the forest, okay?"

So, I got permission to go into the forest as long as it's not too deep. I'll go again.

"Still, we can't eat all this meat. Should we share it with the neighbors? Is that okay, Aul?"

"Yeah, it's a lot."

If I put it in the Item Box, it won't rot, and I can go hunting again when I want to eat. Plus, defeating monsters will make me stronger, so it's a win-win.

My mother quickly butchered the meat, keeping the best parts and mushrooms for our family and dividing the rest into baskets to distribute to the neighbors.

...How will she explain it? She can't say I hunted it with magic. ...Eh, she won't, right, Mom?

After about 30 minutes, my mother came back. She said she told everyone it was my father who hunted it. With his muscles, it's not hard to believe. Anyway, it's good. I don't want any trouble.

By the way, dinner was stir-fried mushrooms and belly meat, boiled potatoes, and vegetable soup.

The good smell brought my father home.

"Oh, today's dinner looks fancy. Is this Forest Boar meat? What happened?"

As soon as my father came home, he saw the large amount of Forest Boar meat and was surprised. It's understandable, considering I hunted a 2-meter-long Forest Boar. Even after butchering and sharing, there was still a lot left. My mother said she would make jerky with the rest, so we could eat it later.

"Actually..."

While my mother explained, I added some details, and my father looked at me intently.

"Hey, Aul, do you like magic?"

"Um, yeah, I do."

"What do you use magic for?"

"Um, I haven't thought about it deeply, but I want to use magic to make life more prosperous and convenient."

"Is that so? Hahaha, that's good! That's good! Then it's fine! Aul, power can be just violence if used incorrectly. But it's interesting that you, my son, have such a mature and enlightened view at your age! Let's eat before it gets cold!"

The way to use power... My father's words stuck in my mind. I might have been a bit carried away with my magic. I need to be more careful in the future.

By the way, the crop disease from the neighboring village is starting to spread to Oren Village, but our crops seem to be fine. My parents were surprised, but I shouldn't tell them. If I told them and helped other people's crops, it would be endless. Besides, it's not like all the crops will be destroyed, so for now, I'll pretend I don't know.

Still, I want to help Mirei's family's field. Actually, I already cast Green Heal on it.

Mirei is my childhood friend, a beautiful young girl with beautiful blonde hair. We sometimes play together, and she has a good personality and is close to me, so I couldn't just leave her.

By the way, she's a year older but like a younger sister. When my mother took the Forest Boar meat to one of the houses, the whole family was very happy.

...I want Mirei to grow up well. I have no ulterior motives. None at all.

Still, the lack of seasonings is a problem. Basically, we only have salt. Rock salt is available in this area, so it's easy to get, but there are few other seasonings. If we have any, it's jam from fruits and alcohol.

My future goals are to secure seasonings, practice magic, and defeat monsters to level up. If I have time, I want a small personal field to grow my own vegetables.

Ah, I miss miso, soy sauce, and sugar.

I'll update this bit by bit.