The next morning after receiving permission to study letters and practice swordsmanship.
I sat on Da-u’s back as I studied letters.
Though “studying” just meant having a maid read me a picture book.
“Lady Luria, you’re so quick to learn!”
“Mufuu.”
It would be troublesome if I were mistaken for just an average three-year-old.
After all, my educational level is on par with a five-year-old!
After learning letters from the picture book, I also learned basic addition and subtraction, showcasing my brilliance.
“My, to think you can already do single-digit addition.”
“Mufuu.”
I had learned arithmetic from the Spirit King Loa.
I could even do some single-digit multiplication—it’s not something a typical three-year-old can do.
“I’ve shown off my genius.”
“You truly are incredible, young lady!”
“Wafwaf.”
The maid’s praises made me feel great.
Even Da-u seemed to be cheering for me.
In the afternoon, I headed to the courtyard on Da-u’s back to practice swordsmanship.
—Flap, flap, flap.
Suddenly, birds flocked to me. Among them was a prairie dog.
“You’re all such good little ones.”
“Coo-coo.” “Kyui-kyui.”
“Wh-what? Birds…and a squirrel? They really do flock to you, Luria…”
My sister, who came to watch my training, was astonished.
“It’s not a squirrel; it’s a prairie dog.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Kyuu-kyui.”
The prairie dog ran up to my sister’s feet.
“Oh my, how cute.”
The prairie dog seemed quite pleased as my sister petted it.
Afterward, I asked the birds to step away, and sword practice began.
The birds, now at a distance, gathered around my sister, who looked delighted to be surrounded by them.
“Lady Luria, let’s start with basic swings.”
“Yes!”
“Waf!”
“Hold it like this…”
“Okay!”
“Waf!”
Following the teacher’s guidance, I gripped the wooden sword and began swinging it.
The wooden sword I used was about a third of the length and thickness of the one my brother used.
Even so, it felt a little heavy—it couldn’t be helped, as I was only three years old.
“Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!”
“Waf, waf, waf.”
“You’re doing great, Lady Luria.”
“Funnu! Funnu!”
“Waf, waf.”
As I practiced my swings, Da-u held a stick in his mouth and wagged his head, as if trying to join me.
While Da-u and I practiced, my brother sparred with the teacher.
I didn’t fully understand, but he seemed to move skillfully.
“Young master, your right foot is lagging a bit.”
“Yes!”
“Add more variation to your movements!”
“Understood!”
My brother, drenched in sweat, desperately swung his wooden sword, dodged the teacher’s attacks, and tried to land a strike.
While practicing my swings, I carefully observed the teacher’s movements.
It seemed that footwork was crucial to swordsmanship.
“Homu. Like this?”
While swinging, I thought about footwork.
Even when using magic in battle, footwork must be important.
“Funnu! Hmph! Hmph!”
“Waf! Waf! Waf!”
Imagining an enemy, I dodged their attacks and countered with slashes—slice, slice, slice!
The enemy I imagined was one of the weaker monsters I faced in my previous life.
Back then, I fought thousands of them simultaneously.
◇
It happened when I was six in my previous life.
As usual, I was placed in a dark, cramped box without explanation and thrown into a wasteland.
Then came the command: “Stay here and defeat the monsters.”
The one who gave the order fled on horseback at full speed. Before me was a massive swarm of monsters as far as the eye could see.
“Rui-sa, we can’t do this!”
The Spirit King Loa screamed in panic.
“It’s not impossible. We’ll do it.”
I didn’t care about the royal family or the knights who issued orders and then fled.
If I didn’t defeat this swarm, the people would die. The gentle animals would also perish.
I couldn’t let that happen.
“I won’t back down!”
I unleashed magic on the charging monsters, blowing them away.
No matter how many I defeated, the number didn’t seem to decrease.
They swarmed from the sides, behind, and even above, trying to crush me with sheer numbers.
Dodging their attacks desperately, I kept firing magic and blasting them away.
“I really thought I was going to die back then.”
If I had mastered footwork, I could’ve avoided their attacks more easily.
Even a fraction of a second gained would’ve allowed me to cast magic more effectively.
That split-second difference could mean life or death.
Once I grow up and can use magic again, this skill will undoubtedly be invaluable.
Imagining the battle, I became engrossed in my swings, fighting against phantom monsters in my mind.
“Waf?”
Da-u tilted his head, looking concerned.
“I’m okay.”
I gave Da-u a hearty pat.
“…Lady Luria.”
“Mumu? I got too excited. Sorry.”
I thought the swordsmanship teacher might scold me for getting carried away, but instead…
“Your movements are… excellent.”
“Thank you! Really?”
“It’s like there’s a real enemy in front of you. You have talent!”
“Really? Ehehehe.”
“Wafuu.”
Praised by the teacher, I beamed with joy, and Da-u seemed happy too.
The birds and the prairie dog also seemed to share in the excitement.
“Luria, you’re amazing.”
“Mufuu.”
My brother picked me up.
“Even while swinging a sword, you’re adorable, Luria.”
While my brother held me, my sister lovingly stroked my head.
