"Come on, Rudy! You can do better than that!" My father urged me to attack him, but I stood still.
There were too many techniques of the Nort God Style that could be used by attacking your opponent carelessly.
Besides, as much as Paul liked to think only with his sword or his manhood, he had a knack for combat.
Still, I couldn't stay still all day, but his current stance had too many openings.
Which obviously meant it was a trap.
One that I should be able to deal with reasonably efficiently.
I lunged at him, wrapping my body with "power" for greater speed.
I reached him and hit him on the shoulder.
Even so, I wasn't fast enough for Paul not to react.
Of course, he raised his sword and blocked it just before it made contact, but I expected that from the man.
The movement was smooth. Paul was just using the Flow technique of the God of Water style.
He didn't need much more, considering that his strength was mainly based on his creative nature and instincts.
He used his weight to throw my sword aside. Using a quick kick to propel myself off his body, I found myself at a crossroads that I had anticipated.
Now, I was going on the offensive. Exactly as I wanted. His strikes were quick and precise.
At some point, he decided that holding back during our training would only hinder my growth, but he was a good training partner.
His decision to go all out during our sparring sessions was tough on my still-growing body.
Every time a horizontal slash came in, I blocked it.
Whenever an attempt at an upward strike came towards me, I dodged it with wind magic or by using "power."
That's how we trained. At some point,
Paul realized my potential in the Sword God and the North God style, which he said was abysmal;
but he also said that my full potential lay in the Water God style, and we trained mostly in that style even though we were both advanced rank.
Of course now the only thing limiting me is my age, which is why I'm currently focusing on trying to execute a long sword from silence.
Honestly, it wasn't like I could do much in that department; my handling of "power" was still weak and unrefined, but again it's just a matter of age so I only had some form of talent in the Water God Style because it was mainly about defense. I simply didn't fit well with the other two styles for now so we focused completely on the Water God Style for me, which meant our training sessions mainly consisted of blocking anything and everything he could throw at me.
Paul's assault slowed down after a few more strikes and finally stopped.
"Haah, that should be enough for now, Rudy. Let's take a break for now." He waved his hand at me. I wasn't that tired. Most of the time, I wore myself out with magic all day long.
Mainly elemental magic or anything else that I felt would help me; I tried it out.
All I had was a path I could take to strengthen myself.
I wouldn't be satisfied until I could beat up this man whom I have to call father.
"haaa...haa..." I inhaled and exhaled as I caught my breath, it had been a month since Roxy had been gone and it still felt strange not having her home.
After all, she spent half her life in this world with us, it will be difficult to adapt to the change.
(sigh)
"Hmmm? What's up Rudy? Do you miss Roxy?" Paul said and I could see a mocking smile slowly forming on his face.
But still, who am I kidding?
"Yeah, it still feels weird being without her," I muttered as I buried my wooden sword in the ground.
"I understand, it must be hard to adjust to such a sudden change...but hey! You still have little Sylphie that can keep you company!" The man said as he put his arm over my shoulder and bent down to be closer to me.
"I know...but she's still a child...she's different" I murmured.
"Huh? You do realize she's four months older than you, right? You should spend more time with people your own age, my son!"
"..." I remained silent.
It's true that she's physically older than me but she's still a child to me, it felt more natural to be with someone like Roxy.
"And also...don't think I don't notice how she looks at you hehe, but don't let that get your ego up my son! You should treat all the women you take to bed with respect!" Paul's tone sounded unusually serious for the stupid things he was saying.
"You know what Mom would do to you if she heard you saying that, right?" I said, and the man flinched.
"Y-you know it's a j-joke, right?..."
"Yes, yes, whatever you say..." I muttered and Sylphie entered my field of vision as I walked towards the entrance.
"Your mother has been a bit bipolar these days with sudden tastes in food and stuff and the last thing I need is...hey...hey! Look who's here! Sylphie, you can play with Rudy!, Come back before dark!" Paul said as he made a strategic retreat and quickly returned to the house.
"Did something happen?" She murmured in bewilderment.
"It's nothing, you know what my father is like, do you want to go play?" I asked and she nodded.
But besides that I could notice a slight blush on her cheeks.
"..."
"..."
The two of us walked slowly through the town with her slightly behind me, Paul's words made me really uncomfortable but it wasn't a crazy thought so I stopped in my tracks and turned around towards her.
"I-is something wrong?!" She asked in an unusual shrill tone while avoiding my gaze and blushing even more.
I didn't say anything and just walked towards her to stroke her hair.
She didn't say anything either, but she looked down at the ground and her hands began to play with the fabric of her coat.
"How are you feeling, Sylphie? With the teacher leaving and all, you know you can tell me whatever you want."
"..." She didn't say anything for a few seconds but then she forced herself to look me in the eyes.
"I'd be lying if I told you I didn't miss her...it feels weird that she's not here anymore, like there's something that doesn't fit, like something's missing," she murmured weakly.
"Haaa...yes, I feel that way too. It feels a little lonely being the only kid in my house."
"I'm also the only girl in my house!" She said with a smile and we both laughed.
"So what do you want to do?" I asked.
"Well... remember that game we played the day we met?...can we play it again?" She asked and I nodded.
Apparently, basketball is a game that Sylphie has taken to, and she has become better at it, which means I rarely win.
"Wow! I didn't know you wanted to humiliate me more!" I said while putting a hand on my heart dramatically.
"n-no, of course not, Rudy...if you don't want to, then..."
"No, no, just joking, let's go to the tree there I can create a pillar" I said as I started walking again
"Hmm!!!" From a distance I could hear Sylphie's pouting and so I started running until we reached our destination.
That day I was defeated 28-5
...
It was already afternoon and I returned home with Sylphiette with my shoulders drooping in defeat but it was just an act to annoy Sylphie
The girl has become a little addicted to the game since I showed it to her, it was good, after all she is a normal girl and her only concern should be what games she will play.
But still...
(sigh)
"Sylphie, you didn't even let me score ten and you almost scored thirty, when did you get so good?" I asked unhappily but she didn't believe me.
"Don't be a crybaby, Rudy!"
"Look who's saying it!" I said and she pulled my cheek while pouting adorablely.
"Ouch! Sorry!... Hey, do you want me to walk you home?" I asked.
"mmm...can I come to yours?" She asked and I smiled.
"Okay, but I don't know if there's dinner ready," I mumbled and so we headed towards my house.
But something was waiting for us there.
The atmosphere around my house was different. I could hear some loud voices that seemed to be my father's, so I frowned.
"Rudy...is something wrong?" Sylphie asked but I didn't know how to respond.
"I don't know, stay behind me" I said and so we entered my house and the first to greet us was my mother who had a huge smile.
"Mom? Did something happen?" I asked, but she just hugged me tightly.
"Good news, Rudy! You're going to be a big brother!"
My mother said and I was in shock.
"Uh...an older brother?...does that mean..."
"Congratulations on your pregnancy, Miss Zenith!" Sylphie finished my sentence while I was still digesting the information.
"Thank you, dear, and please call me mother."
"Huh?!!, I-I can't do that, miss!" The poor girl said completely blushing and I sighed in exasperation.
But a little brother huh?...I hadn't thought that possibility even existed after so much time.
"This is something to celebrate, Zenith!" Paul said from the kitchen as he ran over to hug Mom.
"Dear..." My mother murmured affectionately "Sylphie, please join us for dinner, we're having a party," my mother said and the girl nodded blushing.
"And how long have you been pregnant, Mom?" I asked.
"Hmm? For how long? I don't know, about three weeks I guess," she mumbled while scratching her chin.
Three weeks...ugh...I remember now
They were especially noisy that night
The dinner went on without any specific problems, even Lilia joined us for dinner.
But it seems my mother was deliberately bothering Sylphie on a few occasions.
Even when I went to drop her off, my mother said goodbye to her using the term daughter-in-law...
Needless to say, the poor girl was blushing all the way home but still She took my hand until we got to her house.
And coincidentally Laws was coming back from his shift and saw us both arriving.
"Don't tell me you were playing until now?" He asked with a slight frown.
"Good evening Mr. Laws and no... Sylphie is having dinner at my house because we just found out my mother is pregnant" I replied
The blond elf blinked several times in puzzlement and then opened his eyes wide.
"Wow! That's great news, Rudeus! Congratulate your mother for me!" The man said with a smile as he entered his house.
"Okay, see you tomorrow Sylphie" I said but the girl was looking at the floor.
"Sylphie? Is something wrong?" I murmured and she looked at me momentarily before hugging me tightly.
"See you tomorrow!" She said almost in a squeal and ran into her house.
"I'll see you tomorrow anyway..." I muttered, bewildered, and something clicked in my head.
Sylphie liked me, this girl likes me...
"uugh..." I let out a groan of frustration at the thought as I started walking back home.
But it would be even worse, I can already hear my mother asking questions about what Sylphie did or what I did.
We're six years old, for God's sake! Is this normal here?
It's most likely just a childhood crush on the girl, and if not...I don't know what I'll do, honestly.