I turned six years old.
I’ve developed a few applications, but I lack practical experience, so lately, I’ve been fighting in the depths of the cursed forest.
…However, the magic I’ve developed is too powerful, making it difficult to handle. Ugly creatures like ‘Goblins’ and evil barbarians like ‘Orcs’ appear in the shallow areas, but they’re all weak opponents.
Even a swordsman with moderate skill, like my old man, can handle them. But my magic is just too strong.
With my natural physical abilities, I wouldn’t be able to defeat even a single Goblin.
However, if I use magic even a little, I can instantly kill creatures like ‘Ogres’ or ‘Owlbears,’ which are treated as horrifying entities in the village—like something out of a horror manga.
I don’t have that cheap ramen shop restroom slogan mentality of ‘gratitude, gratitude to others,’ but I genuinely appreciate the existence of magic.
…Just in case I suddenly lose the ability to use magic, I’ve been considering body modifications. I don’t want to resort to swinging sticks like a primitive human, but without magic, that might be my only option.
Being an intellectual worker, I’d prefer not to go down that path.
Well, thanks to the data from Ada’s human experiments, I’ve been gradually making safe modifications.
…Maybe.
Perhaps there are powerful magics being used left and right in the city that I’m unaware of.
There might even be magic to suppress other magic.
I can’t let my guard down.
Also, I’ve started trading with traveling merchants. It’s practice for bargaining.
Don’t underestimate it! In a world where ‘fixed prices’ don’t exist, negotiation is essential for getting discounts.
As part of market research, I’ve started selling things like rabbit or squirrel hides to the merchants…
Honestly, if I put my mind to it, I could sell rare earths, sugar, or anything else. But that would just lead to more trouble.
Someday, I’ll do it.
But not yet.
It’s not the right time.
Now then… six years old.
Our village has around five hundred people, and the number of adults and elderly is roughly equal to the number of children.
In this world, more than half of the children die before reaching adulthood.
The reasons vary: diseases from unsanitary and impoverished conditions, starvation, or attacks by monsters and bandits. In extreme cases, some become sacrificial offerings in religious rituals…
Death is a constant presence.
Also, children here are considered adults by the age of twelve. The concept of being a child is quite narrow.
As a result, about a third of our villagers are children.
It’s quite different from the current situation in Japan, where they talk about an aging population and declining birth rates.
Now, about being six years old…
At this age, self-awareness is clear.
Think of it as being in first grade. Nowadays, elementary school kids are probably more adept at using smartphones than their parents. In other words, they’re smart.
And then there’s Ada. She combines the physical stamina to walk through the forest since the age of four with the ability to engage in clear conversations. She’s likely a genius…
A genius to the point where people might add phrases like ‘once in a lifetime’ or ‘one in a hundred years’ when describing her.
But lately, the other children are catching up.
Not long ago, they were like toddlers learning to walk, but now they’re acting independently with budding self-awareness.
And what happens?
“You two are always together! What are you doing?!”
“Girls are annoying!”
“All the village kids should be my followers! You too! If you don’t listen, I’ll hit you!”
Such sentiments emerge.
While it’s somewhat typical for children to exclude others, it becomes harsher when combined with gender bias and societal disparities.
Gender bias is somewhat expected in this world.
Although female magicians can achieve high positions, the underlying belief is that women are inferior, lowly, and impure.
Oh, apologies to those who like this sort of thing, but it’s not just about women being inferior. In fact, male-male relationships or bestiality are considered serious crimes! It’s all tied to religion!
Well, if you look at the scriptures I read at the village church, they say things like, ‘Women are inferior (so let’s protect the weak women)’ and ‘Women are impure (menstrual blood can spread infections).’ But that’s probably a matter of interpretation.
And then there’s the societal disparity!
Ugh, it’s the worst.
What do I mean?
In simple terms, it’s occupational discrimination.
For example, Ada works at the bakery, which places her in a higher caste. However, being a baker means paying a portion of the earnings to the landlord when baking bread, putting her in a delicate position—almost like a subordinate to the landlord.
Now, these troublesome kids who’ve come into the picture belong to families of free farmers, blacksmiths, or even the village chief—essentially, the upper ranks.
And here’s the amusing part: my family—the Rayvan Knight Baron household—is considered ‘outsiders’ because our predecessor rose to knighthood from humble beginnings.
Being an outsider lord isn’t exactly a walk in the park. While we’re not outright enemies, we don’t receive warm smiles either.
So, these little brats are looking down on us.
Hmm, should I just eliminate them?
Well, that seems a bit crude.
Plus, there are plenty of witnesses around.
Honestly, I’m confident I could survive on my own, but releasing a six-year-old into the wild isn’t ideal.
I’ve heard that the capital city’s academy accepts students as young as twelve, so until then, I’ll quietly stay in this village…
Ignoring them is the best approach.
I try to avoid the brats blocking my way and head home.
“Hey! Wait up!”
What a hassle…
I dodge as they try to grab me.
Well, they’re just kids after all.
They trip and fall, covered in mud.
“You!!”
The one who claims to be the village chief’s kid, noticeably bigger than the rest, clenches his fist and swings at me.
Can’t deal with this, gotta run.
“Ada, you can use ‘Physical Enhancement’.”
“O-Okay.”
And off I sprint.
Inheriting this worthless territory in the middle of nowhere has never been my intention. But this incident further solidifies my decision not to take it over.
It’s like a bunch of thugs barging in, threatening, “Obey or suffer!”—even if they’re kids, it’s still extortion.
No need to rescue them.
Besides, I’m leaving the territory anyway, so forming relationships with the locals isn’t necessary.
In conclusion:
I’ll continue training Ada in secret, infusing her with suitable magic, focusing on app development, and ensuring her growth.
And so, I spent my time in the secret base, training Ada in magic, and gradually stopped bothering with the village kids…
