Chapter 22

The next morning, after receiving permission to study writing and practice swordsmanship.

I sit on Daru’s back and study the letters.

Studying means having the maid read picture books to me.

"Miss Rulia, you have a good memory!"

"Muhu~"

I can’t let them think I’m just an ordinary three-year-old.

After all, my education level is that of a five-year-old.

After studying letters from picture books, I also learn simple addition and subtraction, showing off my prodigious talent.

"Oh, you can do single-digit addition!"

"Muhu~"

The Spirit King Roa taught me arithmetic.

I can even do some single-digit multiplication, which is beyond a three-year-old’s level.

"I’ve revealed my true abilities."

"Really amazing, Miss! Wafu wafu!"

Praised by the maid, I felt good.

I think Daru is also praising me.

In the afternoon, I ride Daru to the courtyard for sword practice.

—Rustle, rustle, rustle

Birds gather immediately.

Among them, there’s a prairie dog.

"You’re all good kids."

"Kuruppo~" "Kyuikyui"

"Really, birds... and a squirrel? gather around Rulia..."

My older sister, who came to watch my sword practice, is surprised.

"Not a squirrel, a prairie dog."

"Oh, I see."

"Kyuukyui"

The prairie dog runs to my sister’s feet.

"Oh, how cute."

The prairie dog seems to enjoy being petted by my sister.

After that, I ask the birds to move away, and the sword practice begins.

The birds that moved away gather around my sister.

My sister looks happy surrounded by the birds.

"Miss Rulia, let’s start with basic swings."

"Yes!" "Wafu!"

"The way to hold it is... "

"Yes!" "Wafu!"

The teacher shows me how to hold and swing the wooden sword, and I practice with it.

The wooden sword I use is about one-third the length and thickness of the one my brother uses.

Even so, it feels a bit heavy. It can’t be helped since I’m three.

"Puff! Puff! Puff!" "Wafu, wafu, wafu"

"You’re doing well, Miss Rulia."

"Puffnu! Puffnu!" "Wafu, wafu"

While I practice my swings, Daru holds a stick in his mouth and shakes his head, probably trying to practice with me.

While I and Daru are practicing, my brother is having a mock battle with the teacher.

I don’t quite understand, but I think his movements are good.

"Young master, your right foot is a bit slow."

"Yes!"

"Add some variation to your movements!"

"Yes!"

My brother, drenched in sweat, swings the wooden sword desperately, dodging and parrying the teacher’s attacks, trying to land a hit.

While practicing my swings, I observe the teacher’s movements closely.

It seems that footwork is crucial in swordsmanship.

"Homu~. Is this effective?"

While practicing, I think about my footwork.

Even if I use magic in battle, footwork must be important.

"Puffnu! Puff! Puffnu!" "Wafu! Wafu! Wafu!"

Imagining an enemy, I dodge its attacks and strike! Strike! Strike!

The enemy I imagine is a weak monster I faced in my previous life.

In my previous life, I fought thousands of them at once.

◇

That was when I was six in my previous life.

As usual, I was put into a dark, narrow box without any explanation and thrown into the wilderness.

Then I was only told, "I command you to stay here and defeat the monsters."

The one who gave the order rode a horse and fled to the rear, leaving me facing a horde of monsters like a cloud of smoke.

‘No way, Luisa!’

The Spirit King Roa screamed in terror.

"...It’s not impossible. I will do it."

I didn’t care about the royal family or the knights who gave orders and fled.

If I didn’t defeat this horde of monsters, the people would die. The gentle animals would die.

I didn’t want that.

"I won’t back down!"

I cast magic at the charging monsters, blowing them away.

Even as I blew them away, it didn’t feel like the number was decreasing.

They tried to overwhelm me with numbers, attacking from the sides, behind, and even from above.

I dodged their attacks desperately, casting magic and blowing them away.

◇

"...I thought I would die."

If I had mastered footwork in swordsmanship, I could have avoided the enemy’s attacks more easily.

Even a second, no, a fraction of a second of leeway would allow me to cast magic.

A fraction of a second can mean the difference between life and death.

When I grow up and can use magic, it will definitely be useful.

While I’m desperately fighting the imaginary monsters with my sword,

"Wafu?"

Daru looks at me worriedly, tilting his head.

"I’m fine."

I pat Daru affectionately.

"...Miss Rulia?"

"Mmm? I got a bit carried away. Sorry."

I thought the swordsmanship teacher would be angry because I did something other than practicing swings,

"Your movements... are good."

"Thank you! Really?"

"It’s as if you’re really fighting an enemy. You have a talent for this!"

"Really? Hehehe" "Wafu"

Praised by the teacher, I’m happy, and Daru is happy too.

The birds and the prairie dog are also happy.

"Rulia is amazing."

"Muhu~"

I’m picked up by my brother.

"Rulia looks cute when she swings the sword."

My sister pets me while I’m in my brother’s arms.