015: Six Years Old

“Huh” Al

“Mmmhh…” Eleanora

“…” Silvio

Since I’m six-years-old now, I’ve started my education. At the moment, that’s etiquette, arithmetic, and some history. Most children start with learning to read, but I had been reading for a few years, so I got to skip ahead.

Next to me, my sister Eleanora is attempting her arithmetic work, it’s not going well for her. Her sword talent is prodigious, to the point that our father Nord thinks she could easily join the country’s military as a Knight. Around here, the only one who she can’t consistently defeat is Nord. She’s growing more and more powerful.

Looking at her academic studies, and you’ll get a different picture. She often says things like “Why does that work that way?” during arithmetic lessons. It’s like she has a problem grasping the basic theory of arithmetic.

Behind us, Silvio is working diligently. Silvio is the sibling that specializes in academics. He’s nine, but already used to division. Awesome. Write any arithmetic problem and he can solve it. He’s growing up and getting more appealing to the other sex. When I mentioned the rumors to him, he said “There’s no such thing.” I’m hearing those rumors from the girls and women of the village. You might think they’re a bit odd, but marriage can and does happen at the age of 15. Many people are interested in Silvio…

The teacher for us siblings is our mother Elna. Since Elna’s parents run a sizable merchant company, she received a good education that she is passing down to us. I already understand the basics of letters and numbers, so I don’t need to spend that much time studying.

“Al, what’s wrong? Are you having trouble?” Elna

“It’s a little boring… I want to go play.” Al

I’ve got an idea. If I solve this sheet of problems quickly, I’ll just get assigned another sheet of problems. I think I might be able to get out with just this sheet with some strategy.

“I know you want to play, but your studies are important too, right?” Elna

“I know, studying can also protect people and improve myself.” Al

Elna sighs at my response. What? It’s not like I’m being naughty. This should be normal for a six-year-old child, right?

“Ok, once you solve all the problems on your current sheet, you can play.” Elna

“Ok” Al

My plan worked! I hurry up and fill out the sheet with numbers. This level of problem is a simple affair.

“Is today’s problems difficult?” Elna

“Really! Today is all difficult problems.” Eleanora

“Isn’t Eleanora working on the same set of problems from last week?” Elna

“Eh….” Eleanora

Next to me, Elna and Eleanora are discussing her schoolwork.

“Done!” Al

“Alfred? Have you finished?” Sarah

“Here” Al

“Alfred, don’t leave. I haven’t checked your answers yet.” Elna

When I handed the paper in and tried to leave, I was caught by Sarah, one of the maids. Recently, I’ve been feeling like the maids aren’t treating me nicely. Recently, I was caught by Mel by her grabbing my shirt collar. For the moment, I’ll go back and sit at the desk. Elna looks over my answers with a serious expression, and a few minutes later she sighs exaggeratedly.

“All answers are correct, you can leave.” Elna

The tone of her response worries me, but I’ll leave any problems to future me.

“Yay” Al

“Huh, Al is sly!” Eleanora

“Yes Eleanora. However you need to review the basics a bit more, right?” Elna

I left the study room/prison while Elna was starting to work one-on-one with Eleanora. The air of the outside tastes so good. I can understand the feelings of a person who was just released from prison.

“Have you finished studying?” Nord

As I walked down the hall, a wild Nord appeared.

“Yeah, I was able to get my arithmetic finished for today, so I got to leave early! Now I can go out and play some.” Al

“Oh, yeah? Well, Dad just finished his duties too, so let’s go and practice swords now!” Nord

It’s like Nord only heard the first sentence of my response… Anyway, I was pulled along out to the courtyard.

“Huh? I thought sword training was only in the afternoon?” Al

“It’s fine. We’ve both been sitting and getting stiff, let’s move around and do some sword practice.” Nord

Hmm, I guess parent-child activities are important. My magic practice is doing well, so I guess I can put some work into the sword.

“Your grip is too tight here, shift down some and loosen up.” Nord

“Yes” Al

“Now your arms are too close to your chest, push them out some.” Nord

“Yes” Al

“Don’t just shake your arms around” Nord

“Yes” Al

“Ok, that looks fine. Give me a hundred swings” Nord

“… yes” Al

I had some spent some time playing at kendo with a wooden sword in my past life. Nord spent a bunch of time correcting my form during the practice, but I was able to get 100 swings in by noon. Does this mean I’m done for today?

“You’re getting better. Next time let’s do it a little quicker, so keep doing your best.” Nord

Soon, we’ll have lunch…

“Ah! Only Al was getting to practice swords? I wanted to do it too!” Eleanora

Elna looks to have completed her study time for today and come to get Nord and I for lunch.

After lunch, I was called back to the courtyard.

Eleanora and Silvio are already facing each other in dueling stances holding swords. Eleanora looks like a hunter who had pinpointed her prey, while Silvio looks pretty reluctant to be there. If you look at his feet, they might be quivering a bit. How many times has Silvio lost to Eleanora at this point?

“Start!” Nord

At the moment Nord spoke, Eleanora quickly closed the distance. Eleanora tried to confuse him with a feint, but he saw through it and blocked her swing. After four or five exchanges, Silvio took a chance on a larger swing, which Eleanora dodged and whacked him on his head.

Even if she hadn’t used her full strength, Silvio was given a good blow and was moaning on the ground. It seems Silvio’s big attack was a bit silly, as Eleanora and Nord are laughing. Elna and the maids also see it as funny as they’re not trying to cover their smiles. I guess this is peaceful?

“Do you want to try, Al?” Eleanora

“That’s not for me” Al

Eleanora’s proposal was denied by my immediately. After that Nord told me to do some practice versus Eleanora. When I reluctantly followed his direction to “Push in as much as I can” I found myself in the same position as Silvio.

Translation

Good Job!

Do Better!

Chapter

Love It!

What?

FFS!

Really?