Another morning arrived. The sun is rising. The birds are singing. A day too beautiful to continue lazing in bed.

I get up from my bed to go brush my teeth and doing basic hygiene. After changing from my pajama, I walk downstair and out of the house to do what I was tasked with.

That is…leaves sweeping!

“What a morning!”

Yes indeed. Leaves sweeping, so cliché. I feel like a retired seventy years old or so old man, but in truth, I’m just a ten years old kid who has to do his own share of houseworks. Though that only counts in my physical age, I guess my mental age at this point is about thirty-ish already.

Well, at least I still have a growing young body so it’s not that bad. The thing I have to think about is what to do in my remaining time here. My destiny, my fate, or something of the likes. Then again, I still have plenty of time to think about that.

For now, I need to concentrate on my current task, that is leaves sweeping!

“Hey kid!”

Suddenly, someone called me from the outside of the fences. It’s the voice of a young girl. She’s a young, blonde beautiful girl, though her freckle face may says otherwise. A country beauty. The blue-eyes girl wears a white sunnydress with a backpack behind her back. Normally, she would wear a more casual outfit beffiting a cowgirl in this countryside town, but you just can’t wear something like that to attend classes, can’t you?

“I have a name you know? And you’re just older than me by two years, stop acting like you’re my boss.”

I answered.

“Fffm. Fine, I don’t want to waste time arguing with you.”

The girl grumpily turns her head away, before gazing back at my face with a sudden blush on her face.

“Do you know where…Ein is…?”

“I do not know.”

I bluntly answered, which prompts the country girl to bat an eye row as she naggingly snaps back at me.

“What do you mean you don’t know? You’re his brother.”

“Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Once again, the freckle girl seems upset.

“Urghh…You’re surprisingly nasty for a ten years old kid.”

“Shut up, Vivi. You’re just a twelve years old kid yourself.”

The girl named Vivi grinds her teeth trying to keep her fury from emerging, before deciding a verbal fight in the morning isn’t worth it and withdraws herself.

“Fine. Fine. I don’t want to ruin my morning with a petty fight. I will forgive you this time, Ein’s brother. Be grateful!”

“Flattering won’t help you be the first one to give my brother his birthday present, you know?”

Vivi bats an eye as I hit the bullseye. She seems upset, again, but still trying to conceal it deep down.

And that’s right, today is my brother’s Ein fourteenth birthday.

“What’s the ruckus?”

Suddenly, another voice joins the conversation. From the doorway of my house, Acht walks out, fully in his scholar attire, along with a backpack containing school books for teaching. For a man with two sons, the guy still looks pretty good. Not many would believe him if he said he’s almost reaches fourty of age.

“Teacher Acht…! Good morning, teacher!”

Vivi shifts her tone voice to that of a good student as she greets Acht. The man closes the door then approachs the girl standing before the fences.

“Do you have any businesses here, Miss Vivi?”

“Err…No, teacher! I was just passing by, really!”

She may not notice, but I’m giving Vivi the “Sure, you are!” look right now.

“Well then, if you’re just passing by, then I guess there’s no reason for you to continue wasting time here. Isn’t it, Miss Vivi?”

“Y-Yes teacher! I will now excuse myself!”

After the cue was dropped, Vivi quickly bows her head to my father before running away, presumly to the direction of our school. The man can only sigh in response. However, with Vivi’s retreat, this left things rather awkward between the two of us.

“Don’t be late.”

The man monologued before he himself takes his leave. There’s no indicate to whom he’s speaking to, but with me as the only listener around, it becomes rather obvious that the man is just a huge tsundere who doesn’t know how to express his emotion.

“Well, it’s a start.”

This is much better than eight years ago. Acht has improved from then…though just a bit. Back in that time, the man doesn’t even want to look at me. But now, at least we can have an indirect conversation. Not to mention that he is my teacher at the town’s community school, so of course he can’t keep silent before me forever.

Though it’s not like I myself want to be best of buds with the guy, but at the very least…I don’t want my current family to ended up like me previous one.

“On guard!”

Someone shouted. From the roof of our house, a figure jumps down with a big steel sword in both of his hand. As gravity does its job, the figure swings his sword to make a downward slash toward my location.

“Oryaaaaa!”

Shouted the figure. His voice is that of a hot-blooded youth. With his long dark-green hair tied to make a ponytail, there’s no doubt that this figure none other than my naïve older brother Ein.

*Clang*

Using the broomstick in hand, I block Ein’s downward slash. Despite being a normal broomstick, it puts up quite the defense against Ein’s Zweihander-type greatsword without any sign of breaking. If it’s just a mere broomstick, it would surely crack down from the first contact and allow the opponent to tear me in half. But of course, my broomstick isn’t some kind of legendary broomstick you could buy at some legendary broomstick shop either. Then how?

Simple, it’s because I – Zero – am the one wielding it.

“People normally don’t shout…” – I gather my strength as I try to push the opponent out of my range – “…when going for a sneak attack!”

However, my pitiful strength can barely push the guy out of his sword range, which he immediately takes advantage of by swinging his greatsword in wide slashes, pushing me back in the process as I try blocking and retreating backward.

When there’re some distances between us, my brother stops his zweihander and slams it to the ground. A gust of wind flows by, which lets his ponytail ride along with the wind waves.

“I just want to be honourable!”

Eight years had passed, and the now fourteen years old Ein has become more and more of a grown man, though he’s still look (and act) somewhat childish like his age suggests. Ein now spots a face with beauty second only to the Adonis himself. However, under his lean figure is a body full of muscles that greatly constract the face that could charm any country girls. In case it wasn’t obvious, the girl who was previously here has a huge crush on this guy, and she is just one among the legions of unnamed towngirls with names I don’t bother to remember.

If this guy isn’t my blood brother, I would surely plot to murder the guy if he’s living along with me before I died of jelousy.

(Just kidding though, I don’t murder people for petty things like that.)

“Honourable warriors don’t use sneak attacks, you know?”

I point my broomstick toward Ein and speak.

“Well, they don’t know how to adapt like I am!”

As he finishes his sentence, Ein picks up his greatsword and rushes at me in hope for another surprise attack. However, it’s hard for him to do so with a weapon that big. Even if he’s can use it with relative ease, its weight still affect him in one way or another.

“Weight”, however, isn’t a concern for me, as I am carrying a broomstick, not a huge-ass sword made of steel. When Ein once again slams his sword at the ground after another attack, an opening presents itself. Without letting it go to watse, I charge toward Ein and thurst my broomstick like a rapier at Ein’s torso with all of my strength.

However, when the attack connected, it just…made physical contact with him and that’s it. There’s no sign of damage on his torso, even though he’s wearing normal clothing just like me. I’m sure even if it’s just a normal broomstick, a strong thurst in the chest would still hurt somewhat.

Well, this isn’t the first time it happens, no need for me to be so surprise.

“One point.”

I confirmed my point with an announcement. Suddenly, Ein puts up a grin like he just found a hidden treasure. Before I can act, Ein pulls his zweihander out of the ground and uses a diagonal slash aiming at my right side. The element of surprise has catch me off guard, a mistake results in a punishment by the form of getting sent flying toward the nearby fences.

“And one point for me too!”

Ein gleefully shouted. He stands waiting for me to get up and continue the fight, which I do instantly, with no difficulty and without any annoying hindrance like bleeding wounds or stamina deprivation.

Of course, being slashed at an unarmoured side from a real greatsword made of steel usually doesn’t send people flying. No, they made people half the man they used to be instead, which isn’t my case since I got bashed away to the fences with speed rivaling a flying arrow. But even after that, I suffered no wounds or damage. Even the fences I landed on don’t have any visible crack from the impact. You could imagine me as a cotton ball, no matter how hard you throw a cotton ball, it wouldn’t make as much impact as a normal baseball, or in this case, a falling slab of heavy iron.

Before long, I stopped being surprise at this little “power” of mine. The power that was called 「Level Zero」.

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The power which returns damage to zero, both receiving…and delivering.

“Shall we continue?” 

Said by an eager Ein who wants to continue the fight. Well, let’s not let him wait.

Due to the nature of my “powers”, I was asked to be Ein’s sparring partner, since his peers at combat training ground are no longer able to keep up with his growth. Which was why mom asked me to do the job instead. Well, the rest is history. We usually spar while both of us are free, though surprise attacks from Ein aren’t that uncommon.

Since I cannot be harmed nor harm others, both of us have devised a set of rules for our sparring fights. An attack that hits a part of the torso counts as one point. The first one reaches five points win. Beside those two basic rules, anything else is fine, be it traps, dirty tricks, or even using real weapons like Ein did. Well, I was a bit scarred at first ever since he decided to take things up to eleven with real weapons, but before long that become normal for the both of us.

Our fights from the view of outsiders must be pretty bizzare. But for me, it’s like a daily exercise as of this point, a time to practice fighting techniques mother taught me, and also a way for me to test out my “invulnerability”. As of now, I have kinda give up on trying to find a way to harm myself. No matter what I tried, I can’t harm myself. Not hunger, not thirst, not the lack of oxygen, not wounds.

Maybe a mistletoe would do the job then?

…

…

…

“Phew…that was a good exercise.”

“Indeed. Though mom would probably be extremely mad if she finds out about this mess.”

After a five minutes showdown, our house’s little yard has been tore apart, mostly thanks to Ein’s flashy attacks. I lost that fight by a thin margin, with five to four points in our scores. He’s older, has more experience in fighting and uses a real greatsword, so I shouldn’t feel too sad. But being picked on by a fourteen years old kid is still kinda hurt…since my mental age at this point is probably in the thirties already.

“Ahhh…I remembered that I have something I need to do. Gottta g…”

“OH NO YOU DON’T!”

I succesfully grab my brother back before he can bail out of this whole mess.

“Stay where you are, Ein. Don’t you dare leave your brother alone after this mess!”

Ein still wants to find some excuses, but my continous glare has give him no opening window to escape. With his help, after several minutes, our little yard has turn from a mess to…something passable. Well, it’s not like both of us possess the job 「Gardener」, so something like this is acceptable. Beside, like people always said: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

“Fuaahaaaa. That was tiring.”

After chugging down some water down his throat, Ein loudly shouts when he sits down for a rest. As Ein spends some time goffing off, I let my curiousity takes a hold of me and approach his zweihander for a more detail look.

“Come on, Ein. You’re training to be a warrior, how can you be tired so quickly after a bit work out?”

“Now now. At first, I spent my stamina fighting you all out while holding that greatsword. And then after exhausting my strength, you forced me to stay and fix the garden. Cut me some slack, will ya?”

I try using Ein’s greatsword for a bit. Despite its thin appearance, the steel used to forge the sword is denser and heavier than normal. It’s taller than its user himself, and probably weight just as much. This isn’t something designed to fight humanoid opponents, it was created to battle giant monsters instead.

“Where did you get this sword?”

I asked.

“Mom’s birthday present.”

Ein answered with a gleeful smile.

“She gave it to you already?”

“Nope, I snucked it out of her warehouse last night!”

Then how could he call that a birthday present?

“Mom said she’ll give me one of the weapons stored in her warehouse.”

“That’s not a present. That’s just plain robbery.”

I responsed.

“Nah! I took it because she’ll eventally give it to me anyway. I just can’t wait to test this baby out ever since it catches my eyes!”

“Ha ha…”

I muttered a pitiful laugh.

“Why greatsword, though? I thought guys like you would prefer straight, more “heroic” swords.”

He sure have that “heroic” build, “heroic” aura and “heroic” luck. The only thing he need is the job 「Hero」 itself.

“Well, the day before I overheard from some old adventurers in the tavern. They said ‘A man’s worth lies in the size of his sword!’.” – Said Ein – “And I prefer mine’s BIG!”

“Ho…”

I’m not sure if he’s stupid or just naïve, maybe both. And what’s he doing at the tavern in the first place?

“And so…the moment I snucked into Mom’s warehouse, I have a hunch that this baby was made just for me!”

Ein loudly laughs as he caresses his greatsword like it is his lovely girlfriend. The guy doesn’t seem to understand the gravity of  his action, or maybe he’s just naïve? Probably both. It’s hard to give him a lecture on this problem with a ten years old body like mine, but I don’t have to do it myself. Karma will always find a way, and in this time, it takes the form of our mother who’s slowly approaching from behind.

“EINNNNNNN!”

My mom shouted, which frighten Ein immediately. Before he could run away (again), my mom pinches his ear to prevent that from happens.

“Ouch ouch, Mom! You’re dealing damage to my ear!”

“Who told you you could sneak into my warehouse just like that!?”

“You told me I can take anything from there for my birthday present, Mommmmm!”

“Not behind my back!!!”

She seems angry, like, real angry. As much as I want to save my brother from punishment, he kinda…deserve it so I’d back out for now.

“And did you two mess up the yard yet again?”

My mom suddenly turns her gaze to my direction. Of course, I try my best not to make eye contacts since it’s partly my fault as well, but I guess even that couldn’t hide the truth from mom.

After all, both of us are her sons.

“Geez. The older you two get, the more troubles you two cause…”

My mom facepalmed, while her other hand is still pinching Ein’s ear. Seems like the guy has accustomed to the pain at this point.

“Isn’t it good for children to be hyperactive, mom?”

“The problem is the HYPER part!”

My mom pinches harder, which of course makes Ein scream in pain yet again.

“You’re almost sixteen, you know? Be more responsible, won’t you?”

Oh by the way, sixteen is the age where one is recognized as an adult in this world.

“I got it I got it. So please let me go, mom!!!”

Said Ein. It’s more like a plea of mercy than an earnest apology. Well, he’s just a fourteen years old kid. Can’t blame him for his immaturity.

“You forgot the magic word, Ein.”

I muttered.

“Ahhh right. I’m sorry, mom! So sorry! I’m really really really sorry!”

Surprisingly, Ein takes my cue pretty well. His apology is accepted by our mom, and she lets her hand go.

“If only you are as understanding as your younger brother…”

My mom Nana sighed, before glaring at me again.

“That doesn’t make you an innocent kid, you know?”

“A ha ha…”

I sarcastically laughed.

“Anyway, now that you stole my sword, I will have revoke that present back from you!”

Our mom shouted. Well, this certainly isn’t good news for Ein.

“Arghhhh! Please don’t, mom!”

“A no is a no! Think of this as an important lesson for you!”

Mom glares Ein down. Even though he tries using puppy eyes to sway our Mom’s opinion, that proves to be futile when she still hold firms to her descision. With just one hand, Nana lifts the zweihander off the ground with little effort, a sword which is taller than her. Even Ein needs to use both hand just to swing that thing, yet our mom casually lifts it up just by her left hand…And let’s not forget the time she punched a hole in the wall in an argument.

My brother is right, Mom is indeed the man of the house…

“If you behave well maybe I’ll rethink about giving you this by the time you turn sixteen!”

“I’ll have to wait two years!!!??”

Ein holds his head in denial as he screams the sound of despair. Well, it’s just karma brother.

“And you, Zero! Remember that you still got to go to school!”

“Oops. I forgot!”

Shit, all the fighting have make me forgot I still got classes to attend.

“Breakfast is ready inside. Having a quick feast then hurry and go! And remember you still have combat training by the evening!”

“Yes mom!”

I answered. Ein is still frozen after hearing the verdict bestowed by our mom. The guy had it coming though, so I don’t exactly feels sorry for him. And beside, I’m in a bit hurry right now to care about random stuff.

After getting myself ready, I munch a toast in my mouth as I ran toward our town’s central plaza – the place where my school is located.

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Sorry for the late release. Been in a writer's block lately :D.