Chapter 39

"Big brother, be careful of that sow. She’s just pretending it’s for training, but in reality, she’s targeting you."

"Is that so? She seems to be taking it seriously, though."

Mother accepted Rina’s request to become her disciple without hesitation. I was surprised because I thought Mother wasn’t the type to take on disciples.

"It’s like gaining a future daughter-in-law. I’ll teach her well."

With a delighted expression, Mother began to teach Rina the basics of housework.

"No! I want to learn swordsmanship! I didn’t come here to train as a bride!"

"Oh? You want to learn that? Hmm… I don’t usually take on that kind of disciple… but it’s fine. I can teach you both housework and swordsmanship."

So, Rina ended up learning not only swordsmanship but also cooking, cleaning, and laundry from Mother.

"Why am I cleaning your toilet…?"

Despite her grumbling, Rina worked hard on the household chores. Incidentally, she’s living with us for some reason, even though her family lives nearby.

"Hehe… It feels like I’ve gained another daughter, and Rina is so bad at housework that it’s fun to teach her."

Mother seems to have taken a real liking to Rina.

"Mira is not happy at all."

On the other hand, Mira is pouting.

"Try to get along."

"Bu."

By the way, I’m currently in the bath with Mira, washing her hair.

"Does anything itch?"

"I’m fine everywhere."

"Everywhere?"

"Yes. So, Big brother, please don’t miss any part of—"

"——Why are you siblings taking a bath together!?"

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and Rina’s angry voice echoed through the small room.

"What’s wrong?"

"Hey, don’t look this way!? If you do, you’ll see down there!?"

Rina hurriedly covered her face with both hands.

"I can see through the gaps between your fingers?"

"Mira, I’m not looking! I’m not looking, okay!? Besides, why are you taking a bath together!?"

"Hmm? I’ve been responsible for washing Mira since she was two years old."

Of course, I couldn’t do it while we were in the city of swords.

"She should be able to bathe alone by now!?"

"I can’t. Mira is scared to bathe alone."

"Don’t suddenly act so young!"

"It’s not about acting. Mira is actually still five years old. There’s no choice."

"That’s right. There’s no choice."

Rina grumbled, unable to come up with a retort, and eventually left the bathroom dejectedly.

"……That sow should swallow her sword and die."

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Nothing, Big brother."

After that, as we were soaking in the bathtub, the door opened again. Who is it now? It was Father.

"Mira… Can Father join you?"

"No."

"Why not, Mira!? You used to let me join you!"

"Mira is already a big girl. It’s been a long time since Father could join me in the bath."

"But it’s fine for Aler!?"

"Of course. Siblings can bathe together no matter how old they are."

…Huh?

I think Mira just said something strange… but maybe I’m imagining it.

"…Impressive, Aler. I didn’t expect you to increase your magic power this much in such a short time…"

Father was wide-eyed with surprise.

"Probably, you’re at the level of a Mage right after receiving a blessing…"

It’s been about half a year since I started training to increase my magic power. Finally, I’ve acquired the minimum necessary magic power.

Compared to the tiny amount I had initially, I think it’s at least twenty times more.

"Father, can I cast magic with this much power?"

"Hmm…"

When I asked, Father seemed a bit hesitant.

"Indeed, this amount of magic power is sufficient to cast basic spells… However, you still have to overcome a tricky problem."

"Tricky problem?"

Father explained.

"To cast a spell, you need a 'ritual' composed of special magical characters. This can be drawn on a special material to activate it, but generally, the user visualizes it in their mind to activate it."

"I see. Then I want you to teach me the ritual. Actually, you should have taught me this earlier."

"Of course, I intended to, but I didn’t expect you to advance to the next step so quickly."

As he spoke, Father took something out of his pocket. It was covered in unfamiliar characters, handwritten, probably by Father.

"This is a guide to magical characters and grammar. Father made it for Aler."

Father said this with a hint of pride, as if he wanted praise.

"I see. Thanks. …Hmm."

After a quick glance, I immediately realized how complex it was.

"Are mages really building such a complicated ritual in their minds every time they use magic?"

"No, that’s not the case. The necessary ritual automatically comes to mind. So, you don’t have to construct a complicated ritual from scratch each time."

I see.

That must be the effect of a magic-related skill.

"But I don’t have a skill."

"Right. So, every time you try to cast a spell, you’ll have to construct the entire ritual on your own."

"…Well, I’ll manage somehow."