It all went by in a flash, didn’t it?
After finding out that I knew Her Majesty the Queen in my past life, and getting involved in the whole mess with Dan and his family—the former Monster Subjugation Unit member—four years flew by in the blink of an eye.
Mr. Abe had a grand wedding, and he’s now the father of a two-year-old girl. While working as head chef at the royal capital mansion, he’s also become a devoted, hands-on dad.
As for me, I’ll be turning ten in just three days.
In those four years, Grandmother's training has gotten even more intense, and now I even regularly participate in the private troops’ drills.
Regarding my connection to Her Majesty, after consulting with Grandfather and Grandmother, it was decided that I would speak to His Majesty and the rest of the family after my tenth birthday.
In the spring season, I’ll be enrolling in the academy. Brother Noel is eighteen and in the final year of the magic department. Brother Gene is sixteen and enrolled in the knight department. Hugo and Lyla are now four, and every day they’ve been running around as they’re able to do more and more things. Their constant chaperones are Megan, now their exclusive maid, and Dai, the newly assigned valet.
My cousin Brother Aran turned twenty and is now busy having joined the Royal Guards after graduating from the academy. I also received a letter from Vee, who’s going to join the knight department starting this spring.
Belle, the friend I met at a café in the royal capital, and I have been exchanging letters ever since. We write about how we spend our time in our respective territories and how far we’ve come with our training—there’s absolutely no talk of romance.
We promised that once I’m enrolled in the academy, we’ll go back to the café and train together, so lately, I’ve been thinking every day about how I can’t wait to start.
Once I turn ten, there’s something I’ve been dying to do… Adventurer registration. Lou and Dennis have already registered and are working hard as G-rank adventurers. Right now, Brother Noel is E-rank, and Brother Gene is D-rank, having stuck to his word.
So, the day after my birthday, I plan to head straight to the Adventurers’ Guild to register.
Snowy, whom I’m contracted with, has found a mate and become a mother of two foals. One of them, to everyone’s surprise, was born as a pegasus and has also formed a contract with me, just like Snowy. He’s a male named Blanc. He’s just as gentle as Snowy—or rather, he’s turned into quite the feminist. He has a handsome horse face. Incidentally, Snowy’s mate is a black bay named Zex, Brother Gene’s beloved steed. Apparently, Zex took care of Snowy and taught her things since she first arrived at the stables, and they fell head over hooves for each other—according to Snowy herself, who gushed all about it. Ugh…
Pearl has become a fully grown beast and can now change her size freely. Normally, she’s about the size of an adult golden retriever. When I ride her, she becomes a bit larger than a lion, and when she wants to snuggle with me, she shrinks down to the puppy size she was when we first met.
She eats the food I cook just like a human would, and she especially loves sweets. When she wants some, she shrinks to her puppy form, gives me big puppy eyes, and begs adorably. No one has ever been able to resist that attack...
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Today, the snow that started falling yesterday is still coming down, and it’s colder than usual.
Even so, I never skip my morning training, which has become a daily routine. It might be cold, but we train in an all-weather practice hall, so the only time I feel the chill is on the way there. And I teleport to the training ground, so I don’t feel cold at all.
I put all my effort into what needs to be done, but if there’s an easier way, I’ll gladly take it. No point wearing yourself out.
As always, I wake up six hours before noon and change into my training outfit.
This training outfit is a custom-made piece I begged Megan to make for me. It’s black and looks like a ninja outfit.
Ideally, I’d prefer a jersey-like material like the grandkids used to wear, but unfortunately, those don’t exist in this other world.
The first version—monpe-style—was nice, but this one is much easier to move in.
Just as I thought, “Alright, time to go,”—knock knock knock—someone knocked on my door.
Huh? Who would be here this early in the morning?
When I answered with a “Yeees,” the door opened and Brother Gene poked his head in.
“Huh? Brother Gene? What’s up?”
“I thought I’d… Wait, what’s with that outfit?”
“Megan made it for me. It’s really easy to move around in.”
“Huh, it does look flexible… Anyway, I was thinking of joining you for morning training today.”
“Then let’s go. Here.”
I held out my hand, and Brother Gene gave it a firm squeeze.
“Let’s go… Teleport.”
Poof…
“Yeah, this really is convenient. No need to walk through the snow.”
“Oh, wait—was that why you came to my room?”
“N-No! I came to invite you to morning training, seriously!”
“Riiight. Well, fine. Brother Gene, please spar with me.”
“Sure. Let me see how strong you’ve gotten.”
“Yes, please.”
I pulled a practice sword from my storage and, going for the initiative, charged at Gene. He blocked it easily. Clicking my tongue, I leapt back to gain distance.
“Did you just click your tongue!? Still too soft! I’ve even got intel on how you fight now!”
He attacked, and I dodged, then threw a kunai Old Tom made for me.
“!! Wind Wall!! Whoa…”
I had expected Brother Gene to block the kunai, so I moved behind him at the same time I threw it. Without making a sound, I jumped and perched myself on his shoulder—in a shoulder-ride position.
“Whoa!! Jo!? Where did you come from!?”
I wrapped my legs around Brother Gene’s neck and choked him—essentially a triangle choke, but standing version.
“Ugh… this is bad… I give up, I give up…!”
Brother Gene tapped frantically on my knee to signal his surrender. I backflipped off his shoulders and landed like a gymnast, arms up in a perfect finish pose.
What do you think about this chapter?
