13 – Toddler Period – Misfit Student and Teacher
It was an embarrassing ss. Because I panicked, my body's instincts took over and I blubbered like a child. Devolved into hysterics like an insane person.
What was wrong with ?
Ah, right. I was still just a kid, and kids weren't good at controlling emotions.
Also, seems like bottling up all of that regret and self-loathing really wasn't a good idea.
Whoda' thunk?
Maybe I should start a journal... Play it off like, "I've been having these weird thoughts lately. Like, is any of this for real? Or not?"
Anyway, it sohow worked out. I didn't really an to force them to change the way they treated , and I also didn't care *that* much if they treated
differently.
...Well. That was what I *said* but it seed like my emotions were different.
Stupid kid body.
Right. Mom and Dad.
They didn't put any high expectations on . They couldn't get around the fact that it was clear I wasn't a normal kid now, but they weren't pushing
to go be a world-class swordsman or magician. Instead, they were supporting
in whatever I wanted to do.
Good parents. Definitely not like so other parents that I knew. Not that it was a bad thing either way. It was just... that had been a lot of stress. It also caused a lot of ntal problems that I apparently never worked out.
Great.
Let's hope I don't have a ntal breakdown again in the future.
Anyway... Because they knew that I was a 'prodigy' now, my parents treated
a bit more formally. It was a bit more rigid. But at the sa ti, it was also more relaxed.
...It was hard to explain. They were a bit more hesitant now in expecting
to do things. But at the sa ti, they were more relaxed in how they treated
and didn't seem as worried as much.
But overall, it was clear that they still loved .
I had to thank Miss Lilia for that. It seed like she had a conversation with my parents at so point, causing them to relax.
She was really nice like that... In fact, it was almost like I had two moms.
If Zenith was the kind and bubbly supportive mother who wanted the best for her kid, Miss Lilia was the quiet and unconditionally supportive mother. The sort who would still love her child even if he turned out to be a criminal, probably.
...And also a lot like my previous mom. Maybe that was why I gravitated towards her a bit.
Still, I loved both of them equally.
In any case, since I asked nicely, it was decided to get a magic tutor for .
I was a bit worried at first considering how far out in the rural area we were. Also because I didn't know how to react to my tutor.
If he was soone who wanted
to walk a certain path, if he wanted to push
to be sothing I didn't want to be... that would be bad.
I didn't think my parents would allow that, but I also didn't want them to waste their money...
Eventually though, we found one. Soone accepted the job offer as an in-house tutor.
My parents said they would receive her. And since I was nervous, I decided to go calm down like how I always did: with magic.
So, while my parents grabbed my tutor, I walked out to the back of our house and practiced.
Maybe I could figure out why the heck
was so different from ...
-LIV-
Roxy Migurdia had found a job offer. Because she was running low on funds, and because it was a secure job, she decided to take it.
A simple task. Beco an in-house tutor for a low-ranked knight's child.
It was out in the countryside and while it paid decently well, it wasn't enough to entice too many adventurers or proper magicians other than the old ones.
But it was perfect for her. She had just graduated from the Ranoa Magic Academy and had trouble finding a job. She was also tired of adventuring, so she wanted to try her hand at teaching for a while. And the job seed like an easy one, so she decided to take it.
So, wearing her brown magician robe and gathering up her belongings in her bag, she set off to the village.
But the parents were strange. A handso young man with built muscles. A beautiful young woman with a kind and sweet smile. And both coming out to et her like they were out for war... before becoming shocked when they saw her. They quickly got over that though and started laying out so ground rules.
But those rules were even stranger then they were.
"First of all," the mother said. "You shouldn't push Rudy. He's very smart, but he's self-conscious about his talent. Teach him the basics and what he wants to learn, but please be patient and don't rush him, even if he picks it up right away."
From that, Roxy thought that the child might be slow. Or that this might be a pair of parents who didn't know how to spend their money. Especially after the father talked.
"On paper, you're a tutor. But think of this as more of being a resource for Rudy. Even if you're just here to answer his questions, that's enough. Ah, and we'll be training swordsmanship in the afternoon, so try not to exhaust him too much."
Paul and Zenith Greyrat.
Roxy thought they were a bit too ambitious. Hiring a magic tutor for a child who might not even have a talent for magic...
Well, it was their money. And if it was just teaching theory or answering questions, she didn't mind. It was a bit disappointing, but a job was a job.
Or so she thought.
The parents brought her around into the courtyard. As they did, the mother, Zenith, looked at Roxy and said, "Now rember. Don't treat him any differently than a normal child, okay? And try not to have too high of expectations for him."
"Yes, Miss." Roxy bowed her head. "I will keep that in mind."
In other words, treat him like an idiot child and be patient. Or rather, be a babysitter.
...It was a bit frustrating, but again, a job was a job.
And then they walked into the courtyard and she saw the child she was supposed to be tutoring.
They called him a child, but in truth, he was more of a baby. Short, a bit chubby. Perhaps no more than three years old.
Objectively, it seed like it really was just a babysitting job.
...If not for the ridiculous sight before her eyes.
A hundred floating orbs of water, floating all around him. A pudgy and cute face fixed in concentration. Fingers spinning like a conductor, moving the orbs here and there. And making so orbs freeze and shatter while others turned into snowballs.
Then the child brought his hands together, spinning the balls as one.
A swirling mass of water. Not just a giant water ball, but a water cannon. No, . But wasn't that an interdiate spell...?
The child aid it at the sky and then swung his hands out. With that, the water shot into the sky with a loud bang. But before it went too far, the water cannon dispersed, turning into droplets of water. Like rain.
But before the rain reached the earth, they dissolved, turning into a faint mist.
Impossible. A level of mastery and control that Roxy had never seen before.
Not only voiceless incantation, but the sheer mana required for such a feat...
And the child was only three years old...?! No, the kid was insecure about his talent?!
What did that make her then!?
"Rudy!" Zenith called out and waved. "We brought your new tutor!"
As she did that, Paul walked to Roxy and said, "Rember. Treat him normally."
Casual words. Even so, it was said with a sharp tone. Not a threat, but a severe reminder.
With that, Roxy cald down.
Right.
Even if he was like this, he was still a child. And that's why Mister Paul and Miss Zenith were like that.
He was a talented, god-blessed talent... but he was also a child.
And it was her duty to teach him properly.
When she thought about it like that... Roxy relaxed.
The child, Rudy turned around and tilted his head.
Roxy froze when she saw his gaze.
Sharp and clear green eyes. A gaze with focus and analysis that seed like it was taking apart everything in front of his eyes.
An expression that didn't belong on a three year old.
But that expression quickly faded, turning into pure childish excitent. He ran over and then held out his hand, smiling. "Hello! I'm Rudy!"
Ah.
Roxy realized it then.
It was like that.
Seeing that uncharacteristic expression switching over to such a childish one...
It was like her. A child born different from his parents and surroundings. But one who wanted to be accepted and get along regardless.
Roxy adjusted her hat and let out a soft smile. Holding out her hand, she said, "It's a pleasure to et you, Rudy. My na is Roxy."
"Nice to et you, Miss Roxy!" He grinned and shook her hand. After that, his eyes widened and he said, "Are we starting right now?"
Paul laughed and said, "Excited to start already, huh?" He waved Rudy off and said, "Go learn your magic, Rudy. Dad will just go out to work then."
Zenith smiled and then patted Roxy's shoulders. "We'll leave you two to get to know each other." She waved at Rudy and then left. "Bye Rudy! Have fun!"
"Bye Mom! Bye Dad!"
And then they were alone.
Roxy stared at Rudy, unsure of what to say.
Rudy stared back, his eyes sparkling with expectation.
"So." Roxy eventually spoke up and said, "...What would you like to know?"
Rudy nodded. "Miss Roxy's a really great magician, right? Could you go over the basics with ? I have an old textbook, but I think it might be outdated."
Roxy let out an internal sigh of relief.
Good. The basics. That was fine.
"Also, is it true that mana pools don't increase? Mine keeps growing. At the beginning, I could only make a few water balls, but the more I practice the more I can make. And it's not just
being more efficient. I can feel myself using the sa amount for each water ball, so there's definitely more in . Ah, and why do magic circles and incantations do the sa thing with different thods? And why does no one overlap the two? Oh! And do you know any of the magical theory behind the magic circles? I was curious about the pieces and..."
...Okay. Maybe this job wouldn't be so simple...
"...Miss Roxy?"
Roxy laughed and then stood up. "Let's go inside first. This might take a while."
Reviews
All reviews (0)