The defeated soldiers from another country.
Their armor looks familiar.
Perhaps they’re the survivors of the army that ambushed us from the rear.
“Disposing of corpses is such a hassle.”
“Yes. If I could learn magic, that hassle could be reduced.”
Rikan possesses memories from his past life.
Teaching him magic—an incredibly convenient weapon—would be dangerous.
Though obedient to my orders, his level of trust differs from Darryl, Tina, and the others.
He might someday stab me in the back.
Since they’re my children, all of them can learn magic.
However, mastering it requires acquiring and internalizing the basic skills of Magic Detection and Mana Control.
Rikan’s Magic Detection is still immature, so he can’t perform Mana Control either.
But as he grows, he should become aware of the magic power within himself.
No—encountering monsters or yokai that use magic would make him perceive it through pain and terror much faster.
“…Rikan, are you planning to build a country with magic? ♪”
“Yes, that too. But I also believe magic would be effective for national defense!”
Hmm~…
If he’s going to learn magic sooner or later anyway,
it might be better for him to do so under my supervision.
It’d help him grasp the imagery of different elemental magics and understand the quirks of magical combat.
Knowing your enemy makes battle less dangerous—or at least, it should.
—
Three months after beginning magic training.
In between, we’ve been dealing with defeated soldiers and refugees.
Rikan has mastered Magic Detection, but his Mana Control falters if he loses focus or gets caught off guard.
When his control fails, the magic lashes out at himself and those around him.
“…………”
“…Gaaah!!”
“…………”
“Good. Rikan, your mental focus is solid now. You’re close to being able to use magic. ♪”
“…………”
*Pat pat*
“Am I really close to using magic? ♪”
Only after I signaled the end of training did Rikan finally reply to me.
He’s grown… ♪ I might just tear up.
Before, he would’ve—
“Then you might be able to use it as soon as tomorrow. ♪”
“Really—GYAH!”
A karate chop to the forehead.
Or maybe not. ♪
—
“Ah, it’s Dad! ♪”
“Eh, Dad! ♪”
Darryl and Tina have grown, their speech more refined now.
Pure growth, with no memories of a past life—you could call it that.
Though I didn’t accelerate it with magic.
“Darryl, Tina.”
“Big Bro…”
“Big Bro, welcome back! ♪”
Darryl clearly averted his eyes upon hearing Rikan’s voice.
He must’ve skipped out on his assigned work again today. Haha. ♪
“Da-ri-lu~”
“S-sorry, Big Bro…”
“Big Bro and Darry look like they’re having fun~… Let Tina join too!”
Hahaha, the siblings get along so well.
In five years, Maru will be part of that circle too, right? ♪
“Come on, Darryl.”
“Big Bro… forgive me~”
“Big Bro and Darry, do your best! ♪”
Rikan and Darryl are about to spar with elastic training weapons.
Tina cheers them on.
I remind them not to get seriously injured before heading to the basement. ♪
“Yes!”
“Got it.”
“Okay! ♪”
