Time flew by, and now I was six years old.

For the past three years, most of my time was to understand the native language. Mom helped me all the way. She brought me to the village hall and let me talk with the other children. On some occasions, she took me to the market. It was a busy place and I heard many accents.

I also learned to write letters with a piece of wood on the ground and listen to how they sounded. When I was unsure about it, I asked Rosch or mom. But not every day.

Even though I was busy with the language, I still continued to explore the magic. Water, earth, air, and fire. I could do all of them and no longer felt sluggish in the past few months. It seemed that the energy capacity inside my body had also grown along with my age.

Could it be that the energy pool inside me was growing because I kept practicing it?

A few weeks ago, when my mother took me to the village hall, I witnessed a five-year-old kid who fainted when she used the Water Sphere five times. Meanwhile, I was able to use it forty times without sweat.

Based on that, it was true that the magic capacity within a person could be developed like a muscle.

Speaking of muscles, when I was five years old, I started exercising my legs, arms, and abdomen at Rosch's behest. He said that moving my body would improve the circulation of blood and mana in the body.

Occasionally, I practiced a few martial arts moves such as karate, taekwondo, and boxing. But only to the basic level for safety purposes.

I still kept my martial arts training a secret from them. Because when my mom and Rosch found out that I could use magic, they forbade me from overusing it. They said I could be sucked in by nature itself. Their statement sounded odd. However, I didn't want them to worry. In the end, my magic training schedule was shortened.

Speaking of magic training, sometimes I remembered the moment with Aila. The little girl who opened my eyes to the world and magic. She taught me a lot and there was no way I could forget her.

I had a suffocating emptiness in my chest each time I remembered her. Mom said it was a longing when I questioned what it was. Her answer brought tears to my eyes. It was the same feeling when I wanted to meet my deceased mother.

"You will meet again." Mom's words three years ago compelled me to keep my promise. Therefore, I should not be sad until it is fulfilled.

This morning was so cold. Much colder than usual. To repel it, I threw firewood into the fireplace and burned it with magic. When the flames were burning, I sat down and enjoyed the warmth.

Mom also came here. She brought a blanket for both of us. Then she held me tightly in her arms.

"Isn't it cold today, sweetheart?" she said.

"Should I turn up the heat, Mama?"

"Not necessary, Damna. Hugging you warms me up just fine."

I chuckled. "Mama... is a flirt."

"Huh? Where did you learn that word? Did Rosch teach you?" Mom turned my body around and my face was now in front of her. There was a wrinkle on her forehead.

"F-from Rosch's guest, Ma." I was speaking out of turn. I didn't remember.

However, my answer didn't lessen the wrinkles on her forehead.

"It must be that bearded man! Mama will forbid your dad to bring him here again!" Mom clenched her hands. She threw a fist or two like a boxer.

Ah, I didn't want to be responsible if your partner dies at the hands of your wife, Rosch. It was your fault, you know?

Suddenly, her face looked puzzled. "You still don't refer to Rosch as your dad, my dear?"

Ack! I had been trying so hard not to remind mom about this anymore. I didn't know why it was so difficult to call Rosch father. Maybe the problem was not with Rosch but with the father figure itself.

As far back as I could remember, there was such a figure when I was in middle school, but it completely vanished after that.

What exactly had happened to my past? Was it because I had reincarnated into this world that some of my memories had gone?

Perhaps so. However, as long as I still remembered my mother clearly, I didn't need anything else. That alone was enough.

"Umm... he' s being nosy," I answered as best I could.

Mom grinned as she listened to my response. Then she held me tightly. "It's all right, sweetheart. However, please call him a dad someday."

I returned my mom's hug. My little fingers wrapped around her neck. A smile crossed my face along with a small nod.

The door of the house was knocked on a few times. Mom immediately released her hug and rushed to open the door.

"Haah! It's so cold outside!" complained Rosch. The man came in and brought the cold with him. Then he shivered and shut the door.

Mom brushed off the clumps of snow on Rosch's shoulders and helped him out of his robe.

"So how was it, dear? Did you find it?" asked Sonja as she folded her husband's robe.

Rosch chuckled. Then he stepped over here and lifted me high. "Sure. I also got the half price, honey."

Half price? Were they buying something? Maybe it was because we needed more clothes than usual during this winter. However, seeing them smile like this, it felt like they kept something from me.

"Thank goodness! When?" said Sonja enthusiastically.

"As soon as possible. If the snowstorm passes early, maybe in two or three days."

Mom hugged Rosch and kissed him on the lips after hearing his response.

To be honest, I still didn't understand what underlies their happiness on such a cold morning.

After three days, a young woman with glasses and an oversized robe resembling an Eskimo showed up with a suitcase.

"Is this Mr Rosch's residence?" The woman asked.

"It is. I am Rosch," he replied.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Rosch invited her to come in before she could introduce herself. The woman smiled and thanked him. Rosch offered to help hang up her robe. Then he led her to the table where food and drinks were being served.

Before she sat down on a chair, she drew her left leg back, her fingers lifted her dress a bit, and then bowed towards us. "Blessings and peace be upon you. My name is Farida. I am a teacher and used to teach at a small school in Redwall City."

For a brief moment, my parents exchanged glances. The woman by the name of Farida appeared to have quite formal manners.

To avoid an awkward situation, Mom spoke after bowing her head slightly, "Greetings. I got your name earlier from my husband. Before that, I would like to ask you about your expertise, Miss Farida."

Farida straightened her body and then replied in a polite tone. "I can teach reading, writing and arithmetic. I know general geography, basic manners and languages of the Southern Continent, Madam."

"What about magic? Can you teach it?"

"Of course, Madam. I know magic incantations up to the Oracle class even though I can't use them."

Her statement piqued my curiosity. "What does that mean?" I asked spontaneously.

The woman looked into my eyes and smiled. "I was born on New Year's Eve. That's why I got the curse and can't manipulate mana other than at the basic level under certain conditions."

My parents lowered their heads to some degree. It seemed that they felt a little guilty because I asked something quite sensitive.

"Mr and Mrs Rosch do not need to feel guilty. It was a common question to me."

Rosch and Mother let out a long breath, then smiled a bit. They quickly finished their introductions and invited Farida to sit down to enjoy the food on the table. The breakfast this time was more crowded than usual.

At first, I was perplexed by the overwhelming amount of food that Mom cooked. It turned out that an important guest was coming. A teacher they hired to teach me. It was impossible not to smile when I realized they were doing this for me.

Rosch unexpectedly revealed something to us as we were still enjoying breakfast. "In the tiny town of Mona, I was fortunate to meet a teacher like you. Damna, my boy, enjoys reading and writing. He has a strong passion for learning. He is also incredibly committed to mastering magic; at times, he even passes out. Hence, I was happy when you accepted the offer."

"I'm grateful," Farida said after setting her fork down and wiping her lips with a napkin. "When Mr Rosch mentioned that your son was born on New Year’s Eve, but has a passion for learning. I was touched. Because as a fellow person who was born during a tough period, I want to help him live a better life."

Quit making me feel touched and proud of you, Rosch. Honestly, you're better off being a witty guy with a weird sense of humour. I was speechless when you unexpectedly revealed yourself as a nice parent figure.

I understood what Farida just said. About fate and comradeship. Trying to survive even though we were destined to be odd people.

"I will do my best." That sentence slipped out and brought everyone's attention to me. A second later, they chuckled. Then Mom gently stroked my head.

"That's right, sweetheart. You have to try your best."

After breakfast ended, my day filled with study sessions began.

***

The first study session started as noon approached.

Farida took out of her bag a stack of papers, some books, and stationery and arranged them neatly on the dining table. She then took a seat next to me.

"First of all, I would like to know the extent of your literacy and arithmetic skills, Mr Damna."

"No need to use Mr, Damna is fine."

I felt uncomfortable because she was the first person who suddenly say my name with an honorific. Moreover, I was still too young for that.

Farida smiled and repeated her question. "Alright, Damna. May I test your knowledge?"

I nodded and felt ready for the test she was about to give. Farida handed me a quill and ink. On cue, I started the test.

I received five pieces of paper in total. It was a test of reading, word pronunciation, sentence construction, and basic math.

About thirty minutes passed and the results were out. I failed at sentence construction. Then on the reading test, I could do half of it. And for the arithmetic test, I had great success as it only contained simple addition and subtraction.

I considered myself a failure, but Farida didn't. Instead, the woman with the glasses said, "Good job, Damna, you've got the capabilities of a ten-year-old who attends primary school in Redwall city."

My lips curled upwards at her praise. "Thank you. However, I am not that good, Miss Farida."

Her gorgeous face flashed another smile. "Since you've already passed the elementary stage, we'd better start from the intermediate stage."

Eh? seriously? Then all my hard work had not been in vain. Perhaps, I would be smarter than Rosch.

Then, my expectations did not come true.

Lessons for the intermediate level turned out to be very difficult. Even though I could read the words, when I arranged them in phrases, they sounded odd. If I may use an example, it sounds like an engine stuttering.

These intermediate reading and writing sessions were taxing. The amount of exhaustion was the same as casting forty Water Splashes Spell in a row. I didn't expect learning essential skills to be so challenging.

I rested my head on the desk when the lesson was over. Meanwhile, Farida organized every paper, and book, and then tidied up the desk as before. To be honest, I wanted to help, but I had no energy left.

The door opened and Mom came back after finishing her business. She immediately came over and caressed my head several times.

"How did his study go, Miss Farida?"

"He's doing his best. I'm sure within a year he will be proficient in reading and writing."

Eh? A year? I thought learning to write would only take about three months. Wait a second. If I compared it to elementary school on Earth, a year was fairly short. Yet, I had a hunch that each day would be exhausting.

Mom held me after listening to Farida's answer. "My son is a genius," she said, her lips immediately kissing my face wildly.

After she was satisfied with invading my face, she put me back down. Then someone else came over.

"Oh, have you finished studying, Damna?" he asked.

I nodded and a smile spread across his face.

Mom immediately hugged him and started telling him how great I was. Honestly, my ears turned red. I was not used to being praised like this.

"Oh, about your bed," Mom asked suddenly. "Do you mind sleeping in the living room, Miss Farida?"

"I don't mind, Mrs Rosch. I've brought a thick mat for my bed."

This house only had two bedrooms, one for Mother and Rosch, and one for me. So it was only natural for Farida to sleep in the living room. However, it didn't feel very nice. Because to me, Farida looked much younger than me in terms of age. Then I suggested something.

"Mama, what if Ms Farida sleeps in my room?"

Everyone was surprised. The room fell silent in no time.

"Uh, you don't mind?" Mom asked.

I shook my head. "No problem, Mama. Besides, my room is still spacious."

My parents seemed perplexed. And suddenly, Rosch's face turned ugly, flashing an absurd smile.

"Oh, it turns out my son is precocious."

Hey, Rosch? You seriously said that in front of a six-year-old? The respect I had for you this morning vanished.

"Shut up!" Mom punched Rosch in the stomach and made him take a few steps back.

Hehehe. You deserved that, Rosch.

Instead of dropping my suggestion, Mom threw the final decision to Farida. "I have no problem as long as you don't share a bed with Damna. What do you think, Miss Farida?"

Farida remained confused. She glanced at me as if she needed to be reassured. I threw a smile. Whatever she chose, I agreed with it.

After she took a few times, her attention returned to Mother and Rosch.

"I will take this offer, Mrs Rosch. If it isn't too burdensome for you."

I was relieved.

I used to be a person who found it difficult to feel empathy, but I always had a high respect for my teachers. It was the reason why I agreed with sharing my private place with someone like her.

Yet, It seemed that my decision was a bit of a mistake. I overlook Farida as a mature woman. Thus, for the first time, I heard an erotic moan from a woman in person. This was truly a shocking experience.

On this night, my parents were making out like crazy. Usually, there were only faint moans from behind the wooden wall. This time, though, was very different. They were quite passionate for no reason.

Maybe that was what drove Farida to do it.

I had no choice but to cover my ears. I hope sleepiness took me away from their moaning competition.