Language Class
Yesterday I did body strengthening and then two laps of the obstacle course, took a break, and then two more laps—pretty harsh training, and I ended up completely worn out. I’m Vio, 5 years old.
After training, we went to the guild to deliver materials, but on both the way there and back, I was in Dad’s arms. Since we ate at the food stalls in the plaza before heading out, it was no surprise I fell asleep in his arms on the way back. Honestly, I think he chose the food stalls on purpose, knowing that’d happen.
In the end, I couldn’t practice mana control that night, but Dad apparently did. When I complained about it, he told me that since I’d already Lun out of mana once during the day, doing it twice in one day would put too much strain on my body, so it was better this way. Thinking about it, maybe that tough training was all arranged so I wouldn’t push myself too far. Makes me feel like I’m dancing in the palm of his hand.
Today is reading and magic day, so I decided to use body strengthening magic on the way to school. Just gathering on weekends earned me 10 points, so this week I want to finish the playing cards and the karuta set. I even packed the wooden cards for karuta in my bag. Since the cards only need one letter and a picture, it’ll work for practice even with just two people. Plus, if I make them myself, I’ll probably take the game more seriously when we play. I’m even a little excited, hoping I can get the teacher’s advice on good words for the reading cards.
“Sounds like fun, don’t it?”
“Ehehe, it’s fun! I can’t wait to finish the karuta. I wonder how many cards I’ll get done today. I hope Hachi and Len will like them.”
“They’ll be mighty pleased, I reckon. ’Specially when they find out ya went and made ’em with ’em in mind. I bet they’ll respect ya even more, Vio.”
We left a little early since I was walking on my own, but thanks to body strengthening I didn’t arrive much later than usual at the guild.
“See you at lunch, Dad.”
“Ya sure ’bout them stairs?”
“They’re lower than the logs from yesterday’s training, so I’ll be fine.”
Dad worried for me, but compared to the high logs in the obstacle course, the even steps of stairs are nothing. He seemed convinced, saying, “Well, that true enough,” and watched me until I reached the bottom. When I looked up and waved, he waved back just the same.
Come to think of it, he knew I struggled with these stairs before, and yet he went and built that obstacle course? Without strengthening, the tall logs were fine, but once I used magic he kept saying, “Ya can do it!” nonstop. Dad really does turn into a Spartan when it comes to training.
Thinking about that, I headed to class. Looks like I was first today, so I sat in the front row, middle seat to get ready. I’d be moving there anyway once the others arrived.
“Oh-hoh~? Vio, you’re sitting there today?”
“Good morning, Vio! We thought we’d be first today, but you’re early.”
“Morning, Lun, Len. I left early since I wanted the walk to count as training, so I got here fast. And Len, since I’d move seats anyway, I figured I’d just sit here from the start. I’ve got something I want to do with you guys today.”
The black cat brothers arrived. Since they always have their little brother to wrangle, they usually leave early. Maybe today he didn’t fuss, or maybe the catnip tactic worked…
“Something you wanna do!? What is it? Something fun?”
“I’ll explain once Hachi gets here.”
He looked like he was bursting with excitement, bouncing in his chair and repeating, “What, what?” But when I told him to wait since I wanted to include Hachi, he actually obeyed like a well-trained puppy. Way too cute.
The sheep triplets, Kathe, and the Nachi–Hachi brothers came in one after another, and right with the bell, Tony showed up. Same as always.
“Well then, let’s begin class. The three of you will continue from last week with everyone’s names. Do you remember them?”
“Ummm…”
“Pretty sure I do.”
The teacher’s words got some shaky replies. She handed out the usual papers for the older students to study on their own while the younger two started writing their names on their little slates. I took the chance to approach the teacher.
“Teacher, I want to make something, and it’ll help us practice writing too. Can we do that today with the others?”
“Oh? Something you want to make that helps with writing? Tell me more.”
I quickly explained karuta.
It’s a game with two types of cards:
Picture cards with one character and a drawing.
Reading cards that match the picture cards.
By listening to the reading cards, players first remember the picture. By connecting the picture with its letter, they learn basic characters. Repeated listening builds memory, and if some cards look similar, it trains judgment. Competing to grab cards builds concentration and fighting spirit. And if the cards are spread far apart, running to get them even trains reflexes.
“Also, oh! If there are fewer cards left, you’ll have to Lun farther for them, so it even trains quickness… Teacher?”
I finished explaining, but he just froze. Usually, our mature teacher kneels down to meet our eyes when talking, so I waved my hand in front of him to bring him back.
“Maybe he fell asleep?”
“Huh? But his eyes are open. Weird.”
The little ones misunderstood completely. Was the teacher okay?
“Ah! Oh dear me! I was so astonished I went completely blank! Vio, this karuta is truly wonderful. Not just a toy at all. As you said, you can start with simple words and pictures, and if we make cards with monsters or guild materials, even young adventurers can learn from them. If we use it in the school, it would be excellent practice. Let’s make it! I’ll help too! Ah—but since this could have a big impact, we should run it by the Guildmaster and the village chief first.”
The teacher finally snapped out of it and started talking a mile a minute. Poor Hachi, who had been checking if he’d fallen asleep, fluffed his tail out in shock. Ah, I hadn’t explained much beyond the basics when I asked about registering karuta, so I guess this was a surprise.
“Teacher! In that case, can we spend today thinking about the words and pictures to use?”
“Yes, good idea. We have time, so let’s do that. Oh?”
She was about to rush off to the Guildmaster, but when I stopped her and suggested we brainstorm first, he agreed. Then she looked toward the back and froze again.
“Teacher, can I join Vio and the others in coming up with ideas?”
“I’m good at drawing, you know?”
“Oh my, I’d like to join too.”
“Well then, why don’t we write the reading cards?”
“That’s perfect. I’m good at writing.”
“Hachi and Len still need practice with their letters. They can write the characters on the picture cards.”
“Then we’ll take care of the drawings and help think up ideas.”
Turning around, I saw all the older students raising their hands to join. The teacher nodded firmly, then declared this self-study time and left.
What do you think about this chapter?
