After repeatedly explaining to Paul that I had borrowed Roxy’s wisdom, Paul finally stopped questioning me with a half-believing, half-doubting look.
Then, with my help, he began practicing with the 3D Maneuver Gear.
He was like a boy who had received a new toy, showing great enthusiasm for the equipment.
He even went to the blacksmith to order some reinforcement materials, like steel cables and such.
After all, the steel cables Rudy made with Earth Magic weren’t that sturdy yet.
However, according to him, this kind of equipment could only be used by Advanced Swordsmen who knew how to wrap themselves in Battle Aura, or races with exceptionally strong physical constitutions.
Otherwise, most people would have their waists snapped by the powerful pulling force.
???
I’m seven years old now.
Not long ago, I passed the Intermediate rank in all three sword styles.
Paul was very gratified by this and no longer held prejudices because I was a girl.
He intended to pass on everything he had learned in his life to me.
But given Paul’s ‘instinct-based’ teaching style, it was hard for him to explain things clearly.
It didn’t matter, though; I would just learn slowly, as there was plenty of time.
“Hahaha, darling, a little higher!”
Zenith’s bell-like laughter echoed from the yard.
Ever since the swing was finished, the first person to play on it was naturally Zenith, while Paul pushed her with all his might from behind.
Whenever Zenith flew into the air, she would burst into happy screams.
Even though she was already a mother of three, she still maintained a girl-like innocence.
The slide over there was also finished.
Rudy and I had repeatedly polished the burrs and sharp edges on it to ensure they wouldn’t hurt our younger sisters.
As the tester of the slide, Sylphiette was thoroughly enjoying herself.
It seemed that toys like slides didn’t exist in this world.
Not only that, but Rudy and I also made a set of playground equipment for the children in the village.
Mainly because after we had them at our house, those children would stand outside every day, staring blankly at the toys with envious eyes.
However, they were unwilling to come and play because they feared Paul’s status as a knight and were wary of Sylphiette’s hair color.
So, to prevent a huge crowd of children from crowding around the yard, Rudy suggested that Paul set aside a piece of land in the village specifically for park facilities.
Rudy and I also made several sets of swings and slides there, though they naturally weren’t as exquisite as the ones at our house.
…
One day, just after finishing sword practice, Rudy came to find me.
“Luna, I plan to go to the Magic University with Sylphiette.
Won’t you come along?”
The Magic University, huh?
I heard that Rudy’s magic has hit a bottleneck recently and he can no longer improve himself on his own.
So, he wants to follow Roxy’s advice and go to the Magic University to study.
“Do you plan to go now?”
“No, I’m still too young.
I plan to go after I’m ten.
How about it, will you come too?”
“No, I plan to stay home and accompany Zenith and the others.
When I’m in my teens, I’ll go out and become an Adventurer.
After all, I plan to develop in swordsmanship, using magic as a supplementary combat method.”
“Is that so?
That’s a pity.”
Seeing that I had no intention of going with him, Rudy looked a bit dejected.
It seemed I held a certain place in his heart.
“Then Luna, can you help me make a few more glass sculptures?
I plan to have Father sell them again to raise funds for the Magic University.
Our family is fairly well-off, but Sylphiette’s family conditions aren’t that good.”
“No problem, it’s a piece of cake.
But is Sylphiette sure she’s going with you?
Did her family agree?”
“Uh…
it should be fine.
Mr.
Laws likes me a lot too, and Sylphiette can’t leave my side.
If I went by myself, Sylphiette would be sad.”
To already have a little girlfriend who can’t live without him at this age…
it’s truly enviable.
I hooked my arm around Rudy’s neck and said jokingly, “You guy, how many more girls are you going to mess with before you’re satisfied?”
“Haha, it’s only Sylphiette.”
And so, the two of us headed to the outskirts to make glass while playing around.
???
However, just as Rudeus was joyfully waiting for Paul to sell those glass products for him, he was met with a bucket of cold water.
“No!”
“Why, Father?
Why not?”
Yeah, why?
I wanted to know too.
Didn’t Paul and the others value Rudy’s future development quite a bit?
“Because if you’re a man, don’t always rely on a girl’s help.
You need to earn the school fees for yourself and Sylphiette on your own.”
“Wait a minute, Dad.
Rudy did help me make those glass products.”
I’ve found that Paul is often very chauvinistic.
He believes boys should be independent and learn swordsmanship, while girls should just find a good man to marry later on.
His requirements for me weren’t high; if I hadn’t truly shown talent in swordsmanship, Paul wouldn’t have taught me seriously at all.
“Even if Rudy helped you, the most important part was actually done by you.
Don’t think I don’t know that Rudy begged you to make that kind of glass for him and Sylphiette several times.”
“But Dad, firing the glass raw materials is also very important…”
However, before I could continue explaining to Paul, Rudy interrupted me.
“It’s okay, Luna, no need to say more.
Father won’t listen to your explanation.
In that case, Father, please help me find a job.”
Rudy seemed to have made up his mind.
Anyway, with his abilities from a second life, he should be able to handle any job with ease.
Hearing him say this, Paul also showed a gratified smile, feeling that his son was very responsible.
“Very well.
Since you have such determination, I’ll help you find a suitable job in the next few days.”
After finishing the meal, Paul patted Rudy on the shoulder, then mounted his horse and rode away.
Judging by the direction, he was probably going to Roa.
“Rudy, I believe you can handle any job with ease.”
To my consolation, Rudy only responded with a bitter smile.
“Haha, I don’t even know what the job is yet.
Do you have that much confidence in me?”
“Yeah, because I believe in you.”
“Believe in me?
I’m just a former NEET, there’s nothing worth your belief.”
Rudy laughed self-deprecatingly at this point, that deep-seated sense of inferiority surfacing again.
“That’s because I believe in the ‘me’ that believes in you.”
“Believe in the ‘me’ that believes in you?
Haha, isn’t that a line from ‘Tengen Toppa’?”
“Right.
You’re different from who you were in the past now.
Have some confidence.”
I patted his back and left Rudy there staring blankly as I went to look after Norn and Aisha.
His problems could only be solved by himself; I couldn’t help too much.
My current plan is to reach the rank of Advanced Swordsman, and then wait for Norn and Aisha to grow up a bit more before heading out to be an Adventurer.
There are still many things in this world I don’t know.
The world is so big, I want to go out and see it.
???
Two days later, Paul returned from Roa.
I heard he had found a suitable job for Rudy through an acquaintance.
I couldn’t imagine what kind of work a seven-year-old could do.
Sweeping chimneys?
That’s for three-year-olds.
Maybe he’d have Rudy do some accounting work.
After all, any reincarnator who has received primary education would definitely have better accounting skills than the people of this world.
However, Paul gathered me, Zenith, and Lilia together and told us with a serious expression that Rudy would be leaving home for five years.
Furthermore, he wouldn’t be allowed to come home or send letters.
“Dad, isn’t that a bit too much for Rudy?”
“Luna, as a girl, you wouldn’t understand.
A man must learn to be independent.
Rudy is too dependent on you and Sylphiette right now.
That’s not a good thing for him.”
“But there’s no need to exile Rudy, is there?”
The atmosphere became a bit tense.
Zenith and Lilia both looked at Paul and me with concern, afraid the two of us would start an argument.
“Haha, the place isn’t that far.
It’s only about six or seven hours by public carriage.
Besides, Rudy’s job is very simple.
Moreover, I can’t teach him swordsmanship well; it just so happens there’s someone over there who can teach him better.”
“Is it someone stronger than you?”
“Uh…” Paul’s expression changed, looking very embarrassed.
It seemed Paul had suffered quite a bit at that person’s hands.
“In any case, Rudy will set off tomorrow.
I will take him away by force; don’t you interfere.”
“By force?
Didn’t you tell Rudy specifically what he’d be doing?”
“No.
If I told him he’d be separated from you and Sylphiette, that kid would definitely be a hundred percent unwilling.
And since he’s so eloquent, I wouldn’t be able to win an argument with him.
I can only take him away by force like this.”
What kind of values do the people of this world have?
In short, I don’t quite understand.
Maybe this is the so-called ‘eagle pushing the fledgling off the cliff to make it fly’?
In short, Paul truly cared for Rudy, but for Rudy’s growth, he felt he had to do this.
He and Zenith could only harden their hearts and let the young Rudy grow up independently.
But the problem is, isn’t he a bit too young?
Rudy is only seven.
Even if his internal mental age is high, he might not be able to withstand the various pressures of leaving home.
Not to mention that Rudy had severe psychological trauma before.
“That…”
“Don’t worry, Luna.
There are very close acquaintances over there to look after Rudy.
You don’t need to worry about that.
If he really can’t take it, he’ll come back on his own.”
That’s true.
Paul is a lower-tier noble, after all.
It’s normal for him to ask a few noble friends to look after his son.
At least there wouldn’t be any problems with Rudy’s daily life.
“Then can I go see him?”
“This…”
Paul looked conflicted, not knowing whether he should allow it.
“Only once a year, and you have to go alone.”
“Ahem, darling, Luna-chan is only seven.
Are you really comfortable letting her go alone?”
My perceived maturity in their eyes is really far below Rudy’s.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve acted too well normally; they treat me as a talented but otherwise normal little girl.
“Forget it, Luna shouldn’t go.
I’m afraid if you go, that kid Rudy will get homesick, hahaha.”
Paul laughed with a look of triumph, seemingly fantasizing about Rudy coming home and begging him not to make him go to work anymore.
I hope you’re enjoying the fanfiction so far!