I wake up in the morning.
Sylphie is asleep with her head on my arm.
White hair, white nape of her neck.
Looking closely, long eyelashes.
Such a cute girl, wearing nothing but her panties, sleeping defenselessly with her head on my arm.
Showing me that peaceful, completely unguarded sleeping face.
That alone is enough to get me going first thing in the morning.
I peek under the blanket and catch a glimpse of Sylphie's cherry blossoms.
Just above them, a small bruise remains.
A hickey, in other words.
The one I gave her last night.
Back when I was alive, I never understood what was so fun about giving someone a hickey.
But waking up in the morning and seeing one you made yourself? Absolutely delightful.
Is this the same feeling a delinquent gets when they brand or pierce their girlfriend?
A sense of conquest wells up inside me.
Sylphie is my woman.
I won't let anyone else have her.
Just as I'm having these thoughts, my son starts his morning radio calisthenics.
He's so energetic despite all that intense exercise yesterday.
Back when I was alive, he only did solo training, and for the past few years he'd been a shut-in — but ever since he found a stage to perform on recently, he's been bursting with energy.
No, no, getting riled up first thing in the morning won't do.
Sylphie has work today too.
I'll sublimate my energy through sports.
I slip Sylphie's head out from under my arm and slide the pillow under.
"Mm… Rudy, that's not a drink…"
Sylphie stirs slightly, curling up tighter.
Her sleep-talk is adorable. What's she making me drink in her dreams?
I feel like I could drink as much of Sylphie's mineral water as she'd give me.
Almost without thinking, I give Sylphie's chest a light stroke.
Don't want to rouse her too much this early, so gentle, gentle.
Like touching silken tofu.
A modest sensation.
Getting to touch something this nice first thing in the morning — I might be the happiest man in the world.
Is this true fulfillment?
"Mm… Rudy…"
Sylphie's eyes flutter open slightly, looking at me.
Then she grabs my hand, gives me a bleary-eyed, dopey smile, and says:
"…Have a good day."
"See you later."
I leave the room.
Next time we'll sleep together is in three days.
Can't wait.
---
Lately, things have been remarkably peaceful.
No real incidents to speak of.
If anything, it was just Linia and Pursena introducing me to some boy.
Apparently, this boy was a first-year delinquent who beat up all the other delinquents in his year within two months.
Then, getting cocky, he tried to take on the top boss group — and got completely obliterated by the First Assassin.
As a result, after various things unfolded, he ended up joining under my wing.
It all came completely out of the blue.
From what I heard, this school is supposedly ruled by a "Four Heavenly Kings"-type group called the "Six Demon Chain."
And apparently I sit at the very top.
If you defeat all six of them, you earn the right to challenge me, the boss.
It's straight out of a delinquent manga.
I hope it doesn't have some melodramatic name like "Festival of Grievances" or something.
For reference, those six are Zanoba, Cliff, Linia, Pursena, Fitz, and Badigadi.
Having to face all of them means I'd need someone capable of defeating a Demon Lord, doesn't it?
No thanks.
In any case, this year's top first-year got the miserable fate of being taken down by the very first person he encountered.
When he showed up at my place, tail between his legs, head bowed — meek as could be.
This first-year, Zanoba, apparently put up a decent fight by keeping his distance and using magic.
Zanoba barely held on, and when his opponent ran out of mana and closed in, he finished him with a single punch.
Somehow, whenever it comes to long-range combat, Zanoba really struggles.
Next time I ought to teach him the Chinese technique of hitting a boulder with a golf swing straight into the opponent's face.
Still, I've somehow ended up being treated as an actual boss.
But hey, it has its perks — the delinquents actually do what they're told.
Like the other day, when I found some guys ganging up on someone behind the school building.
I said one word, fully prepared for a fight, and they turned pale and backed off.
Just one word to a bully, and the bullying stops.
Not a bad position to be in.
As long as my eyes are open, I will not tolerate anyone bullying the weak.
Even if the victim has problems of their own.
---
One day, a letter arrived.
From Paul.
It seemed the letter I'd sent about a year ago had finally made the round trip.
*'To Rudeus.*
*I got your letter. You're enrolling in the magic university — congrats.*
*Lots of things happened, but I'm glad you're walking your own path.*
*You probably heard from Elinalise, but it looks like things are going to work out with Zenith.*
*Thanks to Roxy, Talhand, and Elinalise.*
*Tell Elinalise I said thanks too.*
*Well, she'll probably just make a face about it.*
*Anyway, we're currently in East Port.*
*We're about to head to the Begaritt Continent.*
*I've never been there, but it's the second most brutal land after the Demon Continent.*
*Not ideal for traveling with children.*
*Norn and Aisha are still nine.*
*So the idea came up to send just the kids over to your place.*
*That said, obviously sending kids off alone is dangerous.*
*Ginger says she'll act as their escort, but who knows what could happen.*
*It's risky, but if the alternative is being apart and worrying myself sick again, it's better to bring them along.*
*That's what I was thinking when I ran into someone.*
*Someone you know too.*
*That person offered to take on the role of escort for the kids, so I accepted.*
*I think even you'll be surprised when you meet them.*
*They're reliable.*
*Honestly, it's an agonizing choice.*
*If something happens on the road, if I look away and something terrible happens…*
*When I think about that, I really want to keep them close.*
*But I want the kids to be somewhere safe.*
*You included.*
*When Norn and Aisha arrive, even if it's small, please find them a place to live and put them in school.*
*I've left money to cover enrollment fees and living expenses for the time being.*
*It's a decent sum.*
*Don't go spending it on women?*
*…Just kidding. You'll manage fine, I'm sure.*
*Though really, this is something I should be doing myself… Sorry for being a failure of a father.*
*I hate to ask, but please.*
*Come to think of it, you're already fifteen — by the time this letter arrives, sixteen?*
*You're an adult.*
*I'm sorry I can't be there to celebrate your birthday.*
*And I can't celebrate Aisha and Norn turning ten either.*
*But we'll do it up big when we're reunited.*
*As a whole family.*
*Over here, you don't need to worry.*
*The Fittoa Region Search Party is effectively disbanded, but with me, Lillia, Talhand, Roxy, Vera, and Schera — we've got enough fighting power to make it to the Begaritt Continent and back.*
*If things go well, we'll catch up in a year or two.*
*At first, I thought about having Lillia travel with the kids,*
*but apparently, Lillia is more worried about me than the kids.*
*Kind of embarrassing, huh?*
*That said, Lillia trusts Aisha. She says she's taught her everything she needs to know.*
*Aisha is a prodigy.*
*Between you and Aisha, I'm starting to get scared of my own genes.*
*But Norn is an ordinary kid.*
*She's a bit different from you and Aisha.*
*I'm sure there will be a lot of frustrating moments, but please look out for her in the long run.*
*Also, because I spoiled her too much, she can be pretty selfish.*
*She doesn't like you, and she doesn't get along well with Aisha either.*
*She might end up isolated over there, so… as her big brother, I hope you'll look after her without letting her drive you away.*
*Just in case, I've given both of them copies of this letter.*
*I think that person will keep them safe, but*
*if six months pass after this letter arrives and they haven't shown up,*
*I'd like you to go looking for them.*
*Anyway, that's about it.*
*I feel terrible dumping everything on you like this.*
*Thanks, and sorry.*
*—Paul Greyrat'*
A letter brimming with guilt.
Paul, honestly…
It sounds like Norn and Aisha are coming here first.
I'm a little worried, but being here is still better than dragging them to the Begaritt Continent.
Then again, wouldn't it have worked to send them to Zenith's parents' place?
Well, that might have its own problems.
Setting Norn aside, Aisha doesn't have Zenith's blood, after all.
The journey should be fine, though.
The Central Continent is nowhere near as dangerous as the Demon Continent.
My worry about this world is the human traffickers, but they basically only target the weak.
With two competent escorts, they wouldn't dare try to snatch them.
The letter says they have escorts.
Ginger was the female knight from Zanoba's personal guard.
I don't remember how skilled she was, but the Sharia knights are trained in the Water God Style, so she should be useful as an escort.
And then there's one more.
The letter says they're "someone you can trust."
Who could that be? Geese?
It couldn't be Eris, could it?
Someone reliable that both Paul and I know… Oh, maybe it's that person?
They said they'd be searching the Central Continent, so maybe they got lucky and crossed paths.
If it's that person, I can rest easy.
We wouldn't even need Ginger.
Still, I can feel Paul's trust in me from the way he wrote.
I have to live up to that trust.
I'm the eldest son, after all!
On the other hand, buying this house turned out to be a stroke of luck.
We have spare rooms.
Taking them in won't be a problem.
The only issue is that my two sisters are still young.
Sylphie and me, making love — not exactly appropriate for impressionable kids.
Well, I'll just put them in a room far from the bedroom.
I'm excited.
When will they get here?
Maybe in about two months.
Oh, but before that —
"This is something I should properly discuss."
I go looking for Sylphie.
This time of day, she's in the kitchen cooking.
I head to the kitchen and find the petite girl chopping vegetables with a steady tap-tap-tap.
Small shoulders beneath a short stature, a slender body.
Watching her from behind like this gets me all riled up.
"Sylphie…!"
I hug her from behind, slipping my hands under the apron to cup her soft chest.
"Ow!"
"Oh."
Looking down, Sylphie's finger has been sliced clean.
A bead of red blood forms and drips onto the cutting board.
My sudden hug made her cut herself.
"…Really. Rudy, be careful when I'm holding a knife."
Sylphie speaks in a rare, reproachful tone.
The cut on her finger heals in an instant.
Almost unconsciously, she's been using healing magic without a chant.
"Sorry. I won't hug you while you're cooking."
"Okay. Just hold off for now. It'll be done soon."
I retreat from the kitchen and wait in the dining room.
A little restless.
I hurt her.
Maybe I got too carried away.
I sit in a chair and wait.
When Sylphie comes out of the kitchen, I bow my head.
"I'm sorry about earlier."
"I'm not that mad. If you're going to apologize, just apologize normally."
"Okay. Sorry."
"Alright. Just be more careful next time."
We sit down together and start eating.
Sylphie sits close.
She doesn't seem angry.
Lately, I've been loved so much that I'm afraid of the backlash if she ever gets tired of it.
"So, what happened? It's rare for you to get that excited."
"Yeah, I got a letter from my dad."
"From Paul!?"
I hand the letter to the surprised Sylphie.
She reads the beginning with a tense expression, then looks a little disappointed.
"Oh, so they still haven't heard about our marriage yet."
She'd apparently wanted to know how my family would react to the news.
But as she reads on, her expression turns serious.
In the end, she murmured, "I see."
"That's great, Rudy. Everyone's safe."
"Yeah."
Come to think of it, I'd said it offhandedly, but Sylphie had lost both her parents.
I may have been a bit insensitive.
Looking at my face, Sylphie gave a wry smile.
"Rudy, don't make that face.
Sure, Mom and Dad are gone,
but I've got you and Elinalise now, so I'm not lonely."
Sylphie said this, took my hand, and gave a little laugh.
Lately, Sylphie has gotten even cuter.
Her pixie cut has grown out to a short bob, making her look more feminine.
Her white hair is silky smooth, and her long ears peeking through are adorable.
This girl is my wife.
It still feels like a dream.
"Sylphie…"
I want to start a new family with this wonderful girl.
The desire wells up naturally.
When you're together almost every night, even more so.
That said, if it comes to childbirth, Sylphie's the one who bears the burden.
Her hips are small and cute — far from the ideal frame for easy delivery.
This world has healing magic, so birth-related deaths are apparently rare.
But surviving and having it be easy are two different things.
No, the real question is whether the two of us can actually raise a child.
Honestly, we're both still immature as people.
Of course, by this world's standards we're adults, and we can earn money.
But as actual parents — can we pull it off?
…It'll be fine. Every living creature in the world manages it somehow.
Surely I can too.
And even if I can't, Sylphie will be with me.
We just do our best together.
Paul and the others will be back in a couple of years.
Lillia has strong opinions about child-rearing, so there's nothing to worry about there.
The real problem is the mother-in-law.
I want to believe that since Zenith and Sylphie get along well, there won't be any stomach-churning drama.
Paul… he'd probably just be thrilled to see his grandkids.
Oh, wait. Let's put that aside for now.
"After you read the letter, you'll see — two of my sisters are coming.
I'm thinking of having them stay here. Is that okay?"
"Of course. The house will be livelier."
Sylphie smiled with a little bashful grin.
No problems at all.
---
After dinner, we move to the living room.
Time for magic study.
As always, I still can't use chantless healing magic.
But memorizing incantations and building theoretical knowledge will pay off later.
Chantless casting isn't the only skill that matters.
There's no need to fixate on it, and it's better not to expect to master it in one leap.
I might have talent in this world, but I'll never reach the pinnacle.
If that's the case, I need to solidify my foundation and make sure I don't fall.
"Hmphn…!"
Currently, Sylphie is trying to dissolve the water ball I created with Disturb Magic.
She's pointing her fingertips at my hand, face bright red, growling with effort.
I use my own mana to keep the water ball from dispersing.
It's like resistance training.
If the wobbling water ball pops, Sylphie wins.
She earns the right to do as she pleases with me in bed.
Not that I need that right — if she just asked, I'd do it anyway.
Conversely, if I can hold it together, I win.
I earn the right to dote on Sylphie in bed as much as I want.
I already have that, though.
For the record, I usually win.
Sylphie can apparently use all magic types up to advanced level, except fire.
On top of that, healing magic: advanced. Detoxification: advanced.
She's stacked like this:
---
Fire magic: Intermediate
Water magic: Advanced
Earth magic: Advanced
Wind magic: Advanced
Healing magic: Advanced
Detoxification magic: Advanced
---
Extremely high specs.
I recently learned that these six types are called the "Six Basic Types" at the magic university.
The six most frequently used types.
The goal during the first two to three years at the university is to bring all six to the beginner level.
Once those are acquired,
you spend the remaining years choosing a specialization and studying it up to advanced.
That's the basic course of flow.
Devote yourself to one type, and without talent, you'll plateau at intermediate.
You might not have enough total mana, stumble on combined magic…
Very few people can reach advanced in multiple types, or even attain saint level.
That said, prodigies like Sylphie or Cliff appear about once a decade.
One prodigy per decade.
Which means one every year, really.
I suppose they're geniuses in the general sense,
but they can't hold a candle to the real monsters — the ones called gods or whatever.
What about me?
Putting together what Badigadi and Kishirika told me,
my total mana apparently falls in the god-tier range.
But that doesn't mean I can actually reach god level myself.
In my case, it's like strapping a passenger jet's fuel tank onto a regular car.
No matter how far you drive, the fuel never runs out — but you're not going fast.
If you mount a jet engine worthy of that tank, the car body won't hold up.
The whole design is fundamentally flawed.
Still, having fuel that never runs out is a huge advantage.
"Oh, by the way, Sylphie."
"W-what? I'm concentrating right now…"
"Do you think our kids will have talent for magic?"
"Fwah!?"
Sylphie's concentration breaks.
Her fledgling Disturb Magic scatters, and the water ball forms a perfect sphere.
I freeze it and plop it into the glass in front of me.
"Th-that's something we won't know until they're born…"
Sylphie's face turns bright red as she rubs her thighs together.
"To, to make them, well, the husband's effort is also important, isn't it?"
She laughs it off, but her hand wanders over to stroke my thigh.
Sylphie's slender fingers are ticklish.
In return, I pat her around the shoulders.
These little touches have been making me happy lately.
The living room instantly turns pink.
Sylphie buries her face against my shoulder and hugs me.
Adorable.
Hubby wants to get to work right now.
Well, it's still too early to talk about kids who haven't even been conceived.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
First, I need to catch the chicken.
"Oh. But, um, the long-eared blood is strong in me, so it might be harder to conceive… I mean, I know you want kids, Rudy, but Elinalise-san told me that for people like me, it can take a long time. The, um, possibility of it not happening right away is actually pretty high…"
Sylphie lifts her head from my shoulder and looks down with a somewhat anxious expression.
We've been married for a few months.
Sylphie and I have been progressing nicely in our physical relationship.
This is a bit TMI, but at the moment I pull the trigger on my Magnum, I sometimes spout lines straight out of an eroge.
There's no deep meaning behind them — I just wanted to say them, plain and simple.
I'm fully aware how cringeworthy they are, but the mood carries me away.
Sylphie might be taking those lines seriously.
It's probably not at the level where she's tormented by thoughts of infertility,
but she might be a little worried in her own way.
"I-if, um, I can't have children, you're welcome to take a concubine, you know?"
"I don't have any plans for that right now."
"But Rudy… you want kids, don't you?"
Let me put myself in her shoes.
What if I found out I was sterile, and Sylphie desperately wanted a child?
What if she brought another man home and had a baby with him?
I might kill myself.
I can't let Sylphie go through that.
"Don't be ridiculous, Sylphie. What I want isn't just a child — it's the crystallization of love with the person I love."
"Rudy…"
"I love you, Sylphie. My princess."
Even I can hear how corny that sounds.
My spine tingles.
But Sylphie — or rather, people in this world — are weak to these kinds of lines.
The other day, I jokingly said "A toast to your eyes," and Sylphie turned beet red.
The effect is devastating.
If she's too embarrassed, we can't move forward.
"…I love you too."
Sylphie clings to my arm with glistening eyes.
Her face is flushed, her lips pressed together in embarrassment.
Perfect communication.
Now, let's move this upstairs while we're still fired up.
I scoop Sylphie up into a princess carry.
She wraps her arms around the back of my neck, letting me do as I please.
Her dewy eyes reflect my image as I try my best to look cool, and her heart pounds faster and faster.
I'm glad she's just as excited.
This sort of thing is all about how both people feel.
Tonight is going to be a hot one.