"Good morning, brother."
Rose woke up Yanagi, who was sleeping next to her, in a small voice. Come to think of it, Rose thought, this is the first time she's seen Yanagi's sleeping face. He was sleeping with a very calm face and seemed comfortable...
"Good morning, Rose."
Yanagi replied in a small voice. The eyelids hiding the green eyes opened little by little. She could see Yanagi's refreshing smile.
"What a day...When I woke up, I saw you right on me."
Yanagi traced Rose's face with his finger sleepily.
"Today looks like it's going to be a good day."
"Really?"
Rose is smiling and looking at Yanagi's face. She also woke up Moi who was sleeping next to her. Moi has a cute sleeping habit, Rose thought. Sleeping next to Yanagi, Darga also woke up, raised his hands in the air, and yawned.
"Good morning, Moi. Good morning, Mr. Darga too!"
"Good morning. Sorry, I overslept. I'll bring you some hot water."
Moi put away her pillow and blanket and hurried into her room to change her clothes.
"Good morning, everyone. Now, Miss Rose, please get ready quickly. We are going to buy some milk!"
Darga put away his pillow and blanket and went into his room. Rose panicked and tried to fold her blanket, but she struggled. Her blanket was so big that she had trouble folding it. She asked Yanagi to help her put away her blankets in her room. After a while, Moi entered Rose's room with hot water and a towel.
Preparations in the morning are still hectic. When Rose changed into exercise clothes and left the room, Darga and Yanagi had already washed their faces and got ready. Darga holds a cup of flower tea in one hand and is drinking it. Seeing that the shoes were already in, Rose thought that these people worked fast. As expected of top warriors.
"Miss Rose, yes, here is the tea."
"Thank you."
Rose drank the tea that Moi offered. Then she puts on her shoes and runs to the milk shop in the village.
Rose usually runs with Darga, but today she also runs with Yanagi. "I feel so good!", Rose said enthusiastically.
"Rose has gotten faster. She's starting to catch up with our running speed."
Yanagi said as he looked at Rose and laughed.
"Thanks to Instructor Darga."
When Rose answered with a smile, Darga smiled shyly.
"Hahaha, Miss Rose herself has been working hard, so her stamina, strength, and speed have increased."
"You're good!"
Yanagi nodded. Yanagi was interested, saying that she was trying her best.
"Yes, you're doing your best. It was worth being strict."
"Is Mr. Darga really that strict, Rose?"
Yanagi asked Rose in response to Darga's words.
"He's a kind evil instructor."
"Is that strict or not? That doesn't answer."
When Rose answered with a smile, Yanagi rushed in with a shocked look.
"Hahaha."
While having a strange conversation, Rose went to the village to buy milk and returned to the mansion again. This climb was tough, Rose thought. However, recently she has been able to run without being out of breath. Moreover, it turned out to be a good match with Darga. And of course, without spilling the milk.
"She's grown in terms of speed and physical strength. She's very different from the Rose I knew back then."
"You will probably be even more surprised when she sees the training that will take place. Miss Rose has already started training in high-level magic. Her fighting skills have also improved significantly, compared to those who are weak at level 3 or 4. I feel that she is much stronger."
Darga said she was a truly wonderful student, with a smile.
"Has she improved that much?"
"Yes. I'd say talent or genius. She's overflowing with talent that can't be expressed in words. I think she's a person with the divine protection of the Dragon God."
"Oh, I think that's right."
When Darga said that, Yanagi looked at Rose and smiled.
"Mr. Darga, you are praising me too much."
Rose said as she ran past the two. She could see the mansion, so she said it was almost time for breakfast, and ran off, laughing.
"Hahaha."
When Rose heard the two laughing, she entered the mansion first.
After the four had a simple breakfast, they headed to the training center. Miraiya and Rinka also decided to go together. Miraiya, still sleepy, yawns many times as she sits in her carriage, holding her black cat, Rinka. When they arrived at the training center, Miraiya's expression changed. Her face changed from what she usually showed to a very serious one. The black cat Rinka is walking next to Miraiya.
In the square in the center, Miraiya casts a single spell and surrounds her entire training center high up in the sky without any gaps. She said it was so that the inside could not be seen from the outside. Incidentally, she also said that it was to make it impossible to get out from inside.
"I will show you what I'm about to give you. Stand up and get ready."
While saying that, Miraiya took out a piece of paper from her pocket.
"Let's come out! Thunderbird!"
Suddenly, a thunderbird appeared in the sky, and Rose didn't know where it came from. It was the size of a normal thunderbird.
"Yanagi, please defeat that thing quickly. If possible, use long-range, short-range, and whip attacks. I'll leave it to you to finish it off. Rose, please observe it."
"Yes, Teacher."
Yanagi looked at the area where thunderbird was, picked up some dirt with his left hand, and activated a whip. His whip is held and controlled in his right hand. At first, Rose felt a very sinister force. However, that power is gradually weakening. It looks like he's adjusting his power. He's probably will show Rose how to fight a thunderbird, so she knows how to fight it.
Bang!
The dry sound of a whip echoes. The heavy-looking whip moved smoothly. Then he started running at great speed and activated his earth magic. As he threw the soil, the soil that became stepping stones rose one after another. He then uses the raised soil as a springboard to aim for the thunderbird. When he reaches the highest platform, the thunderbird attacks him.
A thunderbird came towards him at great speed. However, the whip in his right hand moved first and hit it in the head. The thunderbird was frightened and cried loudly, then flapped its wings in the sky. A few moments later, thunderbird readied himself and tried to attack him again. Yanagi casts an enchantment spell with two fingers on his left hand, the whip burning red. He created a fire-based whip. Then, he aimed his whip at the thunderbird again.
The thunderbird rose to extinguish the fire that Yanagi had set. Then, flapping its wings, prepared itself and tried to counterattack.
Lightning strikes!
The moment Rose thought, Yanagi activated earth magic in the air. The remaining dirt he was holding in his left hand flew into the sky as a condition for earth magic, and earth magic was created in the air with just those soil particles. So he used the mound of earth as a springboard again and jumped as high as the thunderbird could reach.
With a quick movement, he aimed his whip at the thunderbird's neck, tied the whip around the thunderbird's neck, and then, while pulling the whip, he jumped into its back.
Rose gasped, thinking it was just like that time.
The first time she saw Yanagi in combat, Yanagi was riding on its back. In the past, he could kill it with a dagger, but now it's different. He took the sword on his left hip with his left hand and stabbed it in the neck with tremendous force. Even Rose and the others on the ground could feel his power. Very strong and scary.
The dead thunderbird follows gravity and falls. Yanagi drew his sword and removed the whip from its neck with his right hand. Then, he hooked it to a nearby tree with his whip and jumped in from its back. At the same time that it fell to the ground, Yanagi landed brightly and lightly.
"Wow!"
Rose was excited. Thunderbird is very dangerous and scary for her, but when she sees Yanagi's fight, she thinks it is amazing.
It seemed like he was taking a lot of slack in that fight, but it was a powerful fight. Especially the final moment. The moment that sword hit with all its might, she felt a chill run through her body.
Amazing! Big Brother is amazing! , Rose clapped excitedly.
"Was this good?"
Yanagi called out to Miraiya.
"Yes, good job. Rose will now know how to fight enemies in high places with a whip. Isn't that right, Rose?"
"Yes, Teacher!"
Rose nodded.
"If you attack only with magic, you can reach it from here. But when magic doesn't work properly, you must fight with ordinary weapons."
"There are times like that?"
"Yes. It is when the magic is blocked, or if the opponent's magic defense is high. Also, that woman's day...I guess you can't use magic well."
"Woman's day?"
Rose tilts her head, and wonders if it's that day every month.
"Well, let's ask Moi to explain later."
Miraiya smiled. As expected, explaining this in front of men might be a bit embarrassing.
"Yes. I understand what that means."
Rose raised her hand and answered.
"Oh? Then, good."
Miraiya looked at Rose and she laughed. Miraiya was convinced that this small child was an 'adult'.
"Anyway, Yanagi's sword seems to be heavy."
Darga, who was standing next to Rose, called out to Yanagi.
"Ah, this sword is mostly for killing, so I ask the craftsman to make it heavier. I had it sharpened at the tip, so I could kill it with one blow."
While saying that, Yanagi waved the sword covered in blood to clean it up.
"Can I see it?"
"Yeah, here it is."
Yanagi handed his sword to Darga. Darga looked at Yanagi's sword, humming, and then handed it back to him.
"It was a sword that was excellent for both stabbing and cutting. As expected of a master's sword."
"It's easy to use because it matches my power."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Yanagi took the sword from Darga and put it in the sheath.
"Now, let's start the story from here."
Miraiya returned to her serious face once again.
"This was a summoning paper that was made in large quantities. As you can see, anyone with magical power can summon Thunderbirds anywhere. It's pretty hazardous."
When Miraiya said that, Yanagi and Darga's faces became grim.
"That might be bad..."
"You're right, Darga. We're in a risky situation. Even with just a few pieces of paper, they can summon thunderbirds of that class and even higher classes. If it were summoned in a small village, the village would be destroyed in no time."
"..."
Rose looks at Miraiya as if the conversation has suddenly become serious.
"I don't know how much magic paper like this is in this country. But I think it's coming in steadily and systematically. So, Yanagi, I have a request for you."
"Go on."
"When you visit various towns and villages for work, I want you to keep an eye out. This may overlap with Black Ops. Division work, but it's important. Please gather information about thunderbirds and other beast attacks that don't normally appear in the area. Please send information to me regularly."
"Okay."
"Please listen discreetly. It's obvious to think that there are probably enemy agents everywhere."
"Yeah."
"Please use the fastest way for the letter as soon as possible. It doesn't matter if it's expensive or you can ask to pay it on my behalf for delivery. You'll probably send the letter to Rose anyway."
When Miraiya said this, Yanagi nodded.
"That's right. Understood."
"Okay. Darga, when will Rose's armor be ready?"
"Tomorrow. I'm planning to go to Escodria tomorrow to pick it up."
"Good. After receiving the armor, I will give Rose combat training with thunderbirds and various dangerous animals."
"Yes, Miss."
"Unless her life is in danger, there's no need to intervene, and I'll leave that decision to you, Darga."
"Got it."
When Miraiya ordered Darga, Yanagi looked worried.
"Are you okay, are you going to do such dangerous training to Rose?"
"We need this kind of training. I can see why you're worried. But from what I've read, Rose will likely be targeted sooner or later."
"What do you mean?"
"This paper is designed to attack someone with high magical power. The paper I used earlier didn't attack me because I tampered with it."
Miraiya said that while looking at Rose.
"If Darga and I are nearby, Rose will be safe. But if she ends up alone, you can imagine the outcome if she doesn't have a way to protect herself."
Miraiya said with a serious face. "Oh my god,'' Rose gasped, very scared.
"Therefore, I will have you master the advanced combat techniques, how to use magic and weapons, and the flow thereof by the end of the training period. Otherwise, I will be the one to be complained by Lord Dalgodas. So, I'm counting on you, Darga."
"Yes, Miss."
When Miraiya said this to Darga, Darga nodded. His responsibility is big.
"Rose, please do your best. I feel sorry for you, who was born with high magical power, but this may be the path Dragon God has ordained for you."
"Yes, Teacher."
Rose nodded.
"It's okay, Miss Rose. I'll teach you exactly."
"Uh, yes."
In another sense, Darga is scary. It was probably scarier than that beast, Rose thought.
"Well, that's all for now. I'm going back to the mansion. If I don't return the carriage to Moi soon, tonight's dinner will be in jeopardy."
"Indeed", Darga nodded. Miraiya released her magic and walked towards the carriage with Rinka.
"Ah, one moment, Yanagi. The shape and performance of a whip can be changed by magical power, right?"
Miraiya turned around and said to Yanagi.
"Yes, you can."
"Then please tell Rose that."
"Okay."
"Ah, I almost forgot to mention one more thing. If you want to eat the remains of that thunderbird, you can roast them as you like. If you don't have any use for them, just leave them as they are. They'll disappear by tomorrow."
Miraiya said as he got on the carriage. Then she shook her hand and went home. Rose and the others saw a dead thunderbird lying on the ground and looked at each other.
"Will anyone eat?"
When Rose asked, the two men shook their heads and said in unison.
"That's bad."
"I do not need it."
They've eaten it before... Well then, they decided to leave it alone. Rose thought and laughed.
The next practice was by noon, and Rose was training hard on grapple combat training and close combat techniques. A worried look appeared on Yanagi's face, but Darga didn't care and kicked Rose multiple times. Still, Yanagi sometimes cheered for Rose, seeing how she did her best to get back on her feet.
After the training, it was time for lunch. Rose was able to listen to various stories while recovering. Yanagi said that many magicians don't do this kind of training. However, Rose thinks that what Miraiya is saying is correct. When she thinks that Miraiya can also fight like this, Rose realizes that she is an amazing person.
"Miraiya is a level S magician. It's no exaggeration to say she's the strongest in the country. Her martial arts are level 10, by the way. She's a talented person."
Yanagi told it while eating lunch with Rose and Darga.
"Is she really that amazing? Brother Yanagi knows her a lot."
"What to say? She has come to stay at the mansion often since she was little."
"Really? Did she teach you some magic?"
"No way. I worked hard with the book she gave me."
"Surprising..."
"Isn't it the same with you now? She just taught you the basics. After that, she told you to do your best, on your own!"
"Yeah."
"Well, that’s the kind of person she is."
"Is she close to Father or Mother?"
"Well, she's Father's sister's child, so from my standpoint, she's my cousin."
Rose and Darga froze in an instant. Rose felt like she understood the connection between them, and that there were some things in this world that people were happier not knowing about.
"She's older, smarter, mighty with magic, and above all, geniuses like that are extremely rare, so I'd be grateful if she could be on my side."
Yanagi laughed and said to Rose.
"Surely··."
"Also, she likes being called 'Teacher'. She thinks it's cool. When I was little, she always forced me to call her 'Teacher'. But she didn't teach me anything, so why should I call her that? When I complained, she gave me a magic book useful in battle. After giving it, she told me to call her 'Teacher' again.''
She is a strange person after all, Rose said, staring at Yanagi with an astonished expression. But, Yanagi says that's why she's reliable.
When she finished eating, she asked Yanagi to teach her the form of the whip. Yanagi said he was very interested when he saw Rose's whip was full of thorns. Unlike an ordinary whip made by a weapon craftsman, this whip is a weapon formed from magical power because it is inside her body. It is the strongest weapon given to her children by their mother, a tree spirit.
Rose has a rose seed inside her body, so her form becomes a whip full of thorns like a rose tree. Then, she learned she could change the colors and shapes in various ways. Once she recognizes it, she can immediately take it out of the palm of her hand. This whip fits her hand perfectly and is very easy to use. She also learned how to use it suddenly.
When she put her hand on the ground and recognized it, whips, branches, and vines appeared from beneath the ground several meters away. Yanagi said that he could tie down any enemy on the ground. By keeping the distance, you can easily use magic and long-range attacks.
Just like a whip, she can also set the strength and softness of branches and vines, as well as the condition and number of thorns. Yanagi said that of course, it consumes a lot of magic power.
She must master the characteristics of each technique one by one while managing her magical power. That is also a challenge for Rose. The only answer is to get used to it.
Yanagi also gave detailed instructions on how to use the vines for protection. Four green balls of light are always floating around Yanagi's head. In Rose, the color is pink. This was something their mother, Frey, had given them for self-defense. It always appears automatically when receiving a physical attack. However the vines will stop appearing, if she puts her will during close combat training. But if you're suddenly attacked, they'll automatically jump out. It has such excellent performance that it can block attacks from 360 degrees. However, since this also relies on magical power, Yanagi said that when it comes to a battle that requires a lot of magical power, he switches from defense to attack. Rose nodded, thinking that the opinion of someone used to actual battles was valuable. Darga is also listening with interest.
After Rose finished practicing with the whip, she practiced the magic Yanagi had shown her earlier to create a stepping stone. Surprisingly, this is quite challenging. It looked like Yanagi used it easily, but it requires awareness of space and speed. On the contrary, it turns out that earth magic is hard to use in the air. Creating a stepping stone in the air is hard by pouring magical power into each grain of soil. Check the enemy's movements, dodge attacks, and activate magic at the same time. The magic is performed by recognizing the soil particles that are the conditions for activating the magic, and moving while checking the position and height. These tasks are difficult. Rose felt Yanagi's ability was high as he showed a vivid flow.
"You'll get better at it if you practice more. Good luck, Rose."
"Yes, Brother."
"Now that I know this is the situation, I think I have to become even stronger than I am now."
"That's right. I have to get stronger, too."
Rose came to the same understanding as Yanagi. The situation is such that it would not be strange if a war broke out at any time. She has no clue yet how the Morgs will move, but she thinks attacks using summoning magic will increase from now on.
"Mr. Darga, once again, thank you for supporting Rose!"
Yanagi bowed his head. It looks like he wishes this from the bottom of his heart. Rose also imitated Yanagi and bowed her head towards Darga.
"Please leave it to me. Both of you, please keep your heads up."
Darga nodded and said.
"Rose may be small, but I learned today that she is a tough child. I can go out to work and gather information with peace of mind. I'm looking forward to seeing how Rose has grown the next time I see her.''
"Yes. And I'm also curious about how much height she'll grow. Hahaha."
Yanagi couldn't help but laugh at Darga's words.
"Come to think of it, she's getting higher a bit. I make sure her to drink milk every day."
"Yes, it's inconvenient to be this small. I can't stand the inconvenience of not being able to even wash my hair."
When Rose complained, Darga laughed.
"Ah, I see. It seems Miss Moi does it for you every day."
When Darga said this, Yanagi tilted his head.
"Why don't you try manipulating the vines?"
"Huh? Can you do that?"
"I can do that. When I have an itchy back, I use a vine to scratch it..."
"Huh?"
"Like this··."
Yanagi was shown deftly contemplating and manipulating a single vine. He skillfully uses a vine to scratch his back.
"Oh··."
"You know, it's difficult for Keyaki to do detailed work with his big body. He uses vines to do the work."
Seriously? Rose's mouth dropped open in surprise. She thought the tree spirit children had a surprisingly good relationship with their vines.
"We'll practice later. Thank you, Brother. But I think I'll let Moi spoil me for a while. When we bathe together, we talk about all sorts of things, so it's fun. It's like hanging out naked."
"I’m jealous."
When Rose said this, Darga couldn't help but say what he thought. Darga's face suddenly turned red as he realized what he had said. Rose and Yanagi couldn't help but laugh, wondering what on earth this person was imagining.
"Go on! Now, let's run to the mansion! Miss Moi's homemade dinner is waiting for us!"
When Darga shouted, Rose and Yanagi raised their hands.
"Let's race!"
"I won't lose, Rose!"
Rose and the others ran home laughing.
After that, Rose decided to bath, eat a delicious dinner, and ask Yanagi to teach her how to read and write. And tonight we'll all be sleeping together! , Rose thought and smiled happily.