I finally turned ten.
I spent most of the last two years studying languages.
In addition to the Beast God's language and the Demon God's language, I also learned the Fighting God's language.
It was very close to the human language, so it was easy.
Something like the similarity between German and English.
The basics of grammar were the same as those of the human language; the only differences were the expressions and vocabulary.
Languages in this world weren't that difficult.
Once you learned one, you could use it as a foundation for learning the others.
Probably a side effect of all the wars between the races.
As for swordsmanship, my skills were still at the Saint level in the God Sword style and advanced in the other two styles.
In just two years, Eris had gone from beginner to advanced, but I was still superior.
You could really feel the gap in our skills, even though I spent a lot of my free time learning languages, but she must be learning pretty hard too, after all.
As for magic, I only practiced making figurines.
I was able to make them more and more detailed, which probably meant I was improving.
However, it was true that I had hit a wall. Of course, that would be resolved once I started learning at the Magic University.
There was no point in being impatient. Besides, I made sure to increase my mana capacity now that it doesn't seem to increase no matter how much I drain it.
It had been ten years since I came to this world, huh? The thought made me feel a little excited.
"Happy birthday, Rudeus!"
Usually, that day would be followed by an apprenticeship or the start of small farm jobs, but since I was already employed and earning a good salary, I didn't have to go through all that.
"Thank you all. It looks fantastic!"
Beaming at the feast being laid out for me, I felt my sides being pressed by two bodies as Paul and Mom gave me a hug.
"Well, it's your special day, darling. So enjoy it!" Mom said. "Oh, wait! Presents first!"
I had returned home for my birthday, much to Eris's annoyance, but at least the girl quickly understood that my family would want to see me on such an important day.
Unfortunately, she couldn't come with us, but oddly enough, she didn't seem to mind this fact.
Instead, she insisted on staying at the mansion.
Strange.
Then Mom returned from her room holding a very exquisite-looking book.
"Since we could buy anything small on our own, we decided to buy something big as a family. So here you go, Rudeus!"
Taking the book, I let my hands slide over the leather-bound spine, as well as the metal latch that kept it closed.
...It was of very high quality, and if the outside was so amazing, the inside must be even more so.
Slowly opening the book, I felt my jaw drop instantly when I read the title.
"Advanced Healing and Detox Magic: A Textbook for Prestigious Healers"
"Th-this-"
"You deserve it, Rudeus," Lilia interrupted. "Don't worry. With your constant support, your sister already has enough money for her future. You should have good things too."
I looked down at the book and gently ran my fingers over the pages before closing it and hugging my mother and maid.
"Thank you!"
"Sure," Mom said, hugging me back. "Maybe when you learn it, you can show it to your old mom."
"You're not old, Mom," I replied.
"Fufu, how charming my little Rudy is... Don't say things like that so often, okay?" Her hand stroking my hair tightened.
"U-Understood!" I replied hastily.
I let go of her and looked at my little sister, who was standing next to my seat.
"Oh, yeah? Will you get me something too?" I asked jokingly.
Norn's eyes widened in concern, and tears started to well up in her eyes.
"Oh! Just kidding! The only gift I need from you is hugs, so what? Are you going to give me a gift?" I said, opening my arms.
She gave a relieved smile before jumping into my arms.
"B-Brother...happy birthday..."
Ahhh~ Pure happiness~
My little sister was already three years old, and because we were separated during important times, she still acts awkward around me.
I hoped to fix that in the future, especially at a time like this.
I was always in a constant state of debate with myself, wondering if I'd rather keep her that little and cute forever, or watch her grow into the beautiful woman I was sure she would become.
It was a question I still hadn't found the answer to.
For now, however, I decided to simply enjoy the moment.
"Rudy?" Sylphy asked. "Can you extend your arm, please?"
A guest who couldn't be missed was obviously Sylphie. When she arrived, the poor girl jumped into my arms and cried for a long time. It was clear she missed me, and so did I.
Complying with her request, I arranged Norn so she rested against my chest while I extended my left arm.
"I got you this..." she murmured.
Then Sylphy wrapped a small bracelet around my wrist. The cord was made of braided thread with a small green gem in the center.
"Oooh!"
"Zenith, please. You'll embarrass the kid," Paul said, silencing Mom's antics.
"But it's so cute!"
Sylphy, her cheeks flushed, finished tying the ends. "Th-there! It's not much compared to a book, but..."
"It's wonderful, Sylphy..." I said, interrupting her ramblings.
I didn't know what the future held for us, but I knew I deeply appreciated her gift, and I also knew I wanted her to know it.
"I'll be sure to cherish it."
Examining the bracelet, I couldn't help but notice how the green gemstone sparkled in the candlelight.
"But how did you get this?" I asked, pointing at the gem.
"I, uh... did some chores around town, just like Miss Roxy, and then a merchant showed it to me after seeing my necklace, so—"
I see. She really put a lot of effort into this.
"I love it. Thank you," I said, hugging her.
"Y-you're welcome!" she squealed as she hugged me tightly.
Then Lilia leaned over and kissed my forehead.
"Lilia?" I said, confused.
"Although I don't know what results my personal donation will yield, I apologize because it will take a while to see what comes of it," she said.
"Huh?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
She shook her head. "It's a secret. But I'll give you a hint: it has to do with my father."
Huh? Her father?
"Okay? Thanks?"
She simply smiled in response.
How strange!
"So you're already a sword saint, huh?" Paul's voice pulled me out of my pleasant moment with my friend, and I looked at the man.
He had a conflicted expression as he scratched his chin until my mother karate-chopped him across the head.
"Ouch! Ahem, Rudy! I know I don't have to tell you again, but still, I'm proud of you, my son! To think you'd become so powerful in such a short time!" the man said suddenly, and from inside a small box, he pulled out a black coat with a brown fur collar.
"This type of attire is specifically reserved to indicate that a swordsman has reached the level of Sword Saint. I knew you'd achieve it sooner or later, so here you go," the man said as he handed me the garment.
Now that he said it, the coat was identical to the one Ghislaine wore.
"Thank you, Father. When I finish my tutoring with Lady Eris, I'll be sure to teach you the longsword of light," I said with a mocking smile.
He just grunted in response but then nodded.
I put on the coat. It was a little too big for me. It was clearly only meant for adults. No one would expect a child my age to already have my strength, so I simply folded it and kept it in my arm.
It was a pleasant celebration. I was finally reunited with my family after two years. I hadn't realized it, but I truly missed them a lot.
I would make sure to send letters more often, I promised myself, and so I returned to Roa the next day.
...
The next day, during my horseback ride back to Roa, I was greeted with a grand banquet, worthy of a noble feast, but without the guests, much to my pleasure.
Throughout my time as a guard and healer, I met many nobles and their associates.
Suffice it to say, I didn't like them much.
It made me appreciate in a new way how carefree and pleasant the nobles I had met so far were, to a certain extent.
But I suppose that must have been why Eris was so eager to get me out of the mansion... how strangely kind of her.
"Rudeus!"
Sauros's booming voice echoed throughout the hallway as I perched on the man's shoulder.
"Let this celebration be a thank you for your constant good work! Enjoy it to the fullest!"
"Thank you, Lord Sauros," I said politely.
"Good boy!"
After placing me back on the ground and patting my head, the party began in earnest, though it was more appropriate to simply call it dinner.
As I made my way through some ducks, Eris's mother, Hilda, approached me.
During the few years I'd been at the mansion, she seemed to have started to warm to me, if only a little.
This was probably due to the fact that I had somehow made up for her daughter's behavior, as well as all the time we spent reading together in the library.
"Happy birthday, Rudeus," she said, hugging me.
I had grown enough that my face reached Mom's shoulder instead of her chest when we hugged, but because of Hilda's… attributes…
I only felt suffocated.
I was so glad Paul wasn't here right now; he'd definitely do something stupid if he were.
"Thank you, Miss Hilda," I said cheerfully.
"Call me Hilda, dear. Anyway, I'm not the one presenting you with the gift. Eris?" she said.
Turning my head, I saw Eris standing with her feet wide apart and her hands behind her back.
I guess she was hiding this gift, huh?
"You look good with that hair, Eris," I said.
It was true.
Normally, she wore her hair down and loose, but today she decided to pull it back into a bun with strands resting on each shoulder, much like her mother did.
It was very cute; it made her look like a normal girl instead of the red demon I hate so much.
"I-is that so? Thank you, I guess," she said, looking away.
"Eris?" Hilda asked.
"Oh! Of course!" Eris turned to me. "Ahem! This! I brought it for you! Take it gracefully!"
She seemed to have somehow reverted to her old way of speaking, but with her flushed cheeks and her chest puffed out with pride, I could only find her extremely adorable.
She then pulled the gift from behind her back, revealing a sheathed sword, which she then passed to me.
Taking it in my hands, I grasped the handle, instantly noticing how comfortable it felt as I looked at the ornate design of the guard, which had a large red gem in the center.
I slowly unsheathed it to reveal an elegant, straight, double-edged blade, and as I gave it a light tap, I instantly felt the sword's perfect balance.
Well... a near-perfect balance.
It was still a bit big for me, but considering I was going to keep growing, that was more of a good thing than a bad thing.
But, while I noticed the sword's balance and overall quality, I also felt something else.
My mana… felt freer to use, especially around the sword, much like a wand.
Wow…
"Eris, this… this is amazing," I said, my lips splitting into a smile.
"I-Is that so? Fine then! Few artisans could make a magic sword, after all!" she said proudly.
A magic sword… was more of a gimmick than a practical weapon, as few people would learn both swordsmanship and magic, and if they did, they wouldn't use them interchangeably in battle.
But I wasn't exactly ordinary.
But to be able to make something like this… and with such quality…
I could tell Eris wasn't spending a lot of money, but thinking she was saving up to buy something to give me…
"Thank you," I said.
"H-Hmph! It's just nat-"
Her words caught in her throat as I sheathed my new sword before wrapping my arms around her in a swift motion.
Was it rude of me to do this to a noble lady?
Probably.
But it was my birthday, so I didn't really care.
"Thank you, Eris. I promise to use it well to protect you," I whispered.
"W-who said I needed protection?!" she yelled angrily.
But even though she looked angry, she hugged me gently and rested her chin on my shoulder.
And that's how I celebrated my tenth birthday.