15. Picnic, Hunt a Wild Boar, and BBQ
"The air up here's so clear. You really ought to feel this freshness, Young Master."
"Hey."
"Is the air density different down there? Kinda murky below, huh?"
"You wanna get in trouble?"
I shot up from my seat in a huff. But even standing, Seria's eye level was right at my forehead. Talk about a hit to the pride. Back in my past life, I'd cleared 175cm at least!
"Just you wait. Guys keep growing even after the army... nah, even into adulthood."
"I see."
"Anyway! Once my growth plates open up, you'll be the little one!"
"Yes, yes. I'll look forward to it. Until then, I'll just admire the top of your head."
Seria giggled and patted my hair. An escort knight petting her lord's head? Utterly irreverent. But between us, formalities like that had vanished ages ago.
"Cut it out. You're messing up my hair."
I swatted her hand away and changed the subject. "So, has your skill improved any?"
"Of course. I won't lose to Captain Mason in a spar anymore."
"No kidding?"
Guard Captain Mason was the territory's one and only formal knight. A 12-year-old beating a veteran like that?
"Liar."
"It's true. Yesterday, I made him drop his sword."
Seria shrugged. Fair enough—with training like that every day, it'd be weirder if she hadn't improved. Plus, she was getting my magic crash courses too.
"Wanna go a round then?"
Her eyes lit up at my suggestion.
"Using magic?"
"Duh. Like I'd beat you with a sword."
"Deal. But no holding back this time."
Seria gripped her wooden sword tighter and backed off. I pulled my hands from my pockets and got into position. Since turning 10, my magic had come a long way. No more just levitating cups or snuffing candles from bed.
"Go!"
Seria kicked off the ground and charged. Fast. Worlds apart from when she'd sent Veron flying four years back. Her wooden blade was at my nose in a blink.
But I wasn't slacking.
Shield.
Hummm!
A transparent mana barrier unfurled in front of me. Thwack! Seria's sword bounced off.
"Your reaction time's gotten quicker."
Without flinching, she spun and attacked my side.
Wind Blast.
I thrust out my palm, unleashing a gale. The fierce gust shoved her back, but Seria rode the wind into a backflip, landing lightly.
"Tch, squirrel much?"
"Thanks for the compliment."
She charged again. We dashed around the inner courtyard, trading blows. I iced the ground slippery, blinded her with fire bursts. Seria dodged every trick with animal instinct, slicing through them all.
"Hah... hah..."
Ten minutes later, I sprawled flat on the ground. Mana depleted. Stamina gone.
"Already tired, Young Master?"
Seria loomed over me, fresh as ever. Backlit, her face was shadowed, but that smug lip curl was clear.
"I surrender. Surrender."
"Aw, couldn't last ten minutes. You need stamina training."
"Quiet. Mages are glass cannons. You handle the heavy lifting."
"What if you have to run and I catch you?"
"You can carry me."
"Too heavy—I'd ditch you."
"Harsh!"
We burst out laughing. She offered a hand; I grabbed it and stood. How does someone who swings a sword all day have such soft hands? Cheat code?
"Thirsty. Let's head in."
"Sure. Oh, Young Master."
"What."
Seria draped an arm over my shoulder. The height difference made it natural. Cocky punk.
"Have some milk inside. Gotta grow tall so I can look up at you."
"...No snack for you today."
"Nooo! Joking! Take it back!"
Seria clung to my arm in panic. Yeah, I knew how to handle her best. I smirked and walked on. Sure, she was taller, but this peaceful daily life? Perfect. Seeing her laugh so brightly by my side made the last four years worth it.
Of course, if I could grow faster... pretty please.
"Nice weather."
I flung open the window and stretched. Bright spring day. Holing up with magic books on a day like this? Criminal to youth.
My body was still a 10-year-old kid, but my mind was prime of life.
"Seria."
"Yes, Young Master."
She was wiping down her wooden sword behind me.
"You look extra pretty today."
"...Pardon?"
Sunlight hit just right—her beauty was off the charts. Seria flushed, puffing her cheeks.
"...Teasing me again!?"
"Nah. Anyway, wanna go on a picnic?"
"Don't change the subject!"
"So, yes or no?"
My shamelessness earned a deep sigh.
"Sigh... A picnic? The backyard?"
"Nope. Farther. The forest beyond the back hills."
Her hands froze. She frowned and shook her head.
"No way. Too dangerous. Wild boars, and wolves if you're unlucky."
"Pfft, it's our territory's hills—what's the worst? Besides, I need some meat on these bones."
I rubbed my belly dramatically.
"Bet it's protein deficiency stunting my growth. Fresh game! Wild mushrooms! Gotta eat that to shoot up."
"...It's picky eating, not protein."
"Whatever! I'm going. You wanna go too, right?"
"..."
"C'mon~"
"Fine. My body's itching for action anyway."
She pondered, then strapped her wooden sword resolutely to her waist.
"But stay within an arm's reach. No farther."
"Roger. Let's roll!"
We left the Lord's Castle lightly packed. I had a small backpack; Seria carried a lunch basket in one hand, my gifted wooden sword in the other.
The forest was serene. Birds chirped, sunlight danced through leaves. We hummed along the path.
"Young Master, what's that?"
"Fiddleheads. Edible."
"That?"
"Poison shroom. Deadly."
"That?"
"Mountain hare. Meat if we catch it."
"Shall I?"
Seria's eyes gleamed as she grabbed a rock. The rabbit bolted, sensing doom.
"Let it go. Skip the tiny ones—aim bigger."
We settled in a wide clearing deep in the woods. Spread the mat, sat down—pure bliss.
"Ahh, perfect."
I flopped onto the grass, sky-gazing. Seria scanned surroundings while unpacking lunch. Her munching cheeks on that sandwich? Adorable.
Then.
Rustle.
Rough breathing from the bushes. Seria's chewing stopped dead. She set down her sandwich, silently gripped her sword.
"Young Master. Behind me."
"Hm?"
I sat up. Bad vibes. Ground trembling faintly.
Grrrrooo...
Bushes parted. A massive beast emerged. House-sized bulk. Blood-red eyes. Jagged tusks.
"Wild boar...?"
Twice normal size? Red mane on its back. Oh, right—from the magic beast guide. Red-Maned Wild Boar. Low-grade magic beast.
"Grrrrr..."
It scraped the earth, glaring. Each snort kicked up dust. Normal kids would've wet themselves.
But.
"Ooh."
My eyes sparkled.
"Seria, check it out."
"Yes. Big. Dangerous."
"Nah, that thigh meat. Marbling's insane."
"...Pardon?"
Seria stared, baffled. But her gaze locked on those hefty haunches too.
Gulp.
"Can you take it?"
"Of course. If you say so."
"Sweet. BBQ party tonight."
No sooner said, the boar charged.
BOOM!
Earth shook. Hitting that was like a tank.
Seria didn't budge. She lowered her stance, gripped tight.
"Seria, no head-on! I'll bind its feet!"
Time to test Basics of Earth Magic. I extended my hand.
"Soil hydraulics, ya punk!"
Boost pore water pressure between soil particles to kill friction—solid ground turns liquid. Liquefaction.
I pumped mana underground, vibrating particles. Firm earth went swampy.
Earth Bind.
Hummm!
The boar's footing turned to muck. Legs sank.
"Squeee?!"
It wobbled, speed dropping.
"Now!"
"Hah!"
Seria leaped. Mid-air twist for spin power. Don't underestimate wooden swords—mine, mana-compressed to steel-hard.
THUD!
Dull, heavy impact echoed. Her blade cracked its skull dead-on.
"Squeeeak!"
No death cry—it just collapsed.
BOOM!
Dust rose from the massive fall. One-shot. Clean.
"Whew."
Seria landed lightly, flipping her hair.
"Got it, Young Master."
"Nice shot."
I thumbs-upped over. Eyes rolled back, out cold—maybe dead. One wooden smack on that bulk? Don't mess with Seria.
"Now for the important part."
"Butchering?"
"Nah. Fire first."
I readied a finger snap. The Orthodoxy of Fire Magic, page one: [Fire's essence is 'acceleration.' Infuse mana into air particles, ramp vibration to extremes—kinetic becomes thermal.]
Acceleration and conversion. Thermodynamics. Opposite of chill magic.
Complex on paper, but it's combustion's trio: fuel, oxygen, ignition heat.
Firewood here for fuel, forest air for oxygen. Just accelerate particles past ignition.
Air molecules, rub!
I bound nearby air with mana, vibrated it wildly. Friction spiked—flash heat.
Snap!
Whoosh!
Red flames roared up from the wood.
"Impressive as always."
"This? Piece of cake. Handle the prep."
"Leave it to me!"
Seria whipped out a dagger, carving prime cuts like a pro. Where'd she learn that?
"Salt and pepper?"
"Here."
I pulled spice jars from my pack. Prepared for this.
Sizzle.
Meat aroma filled the woods. Golden-brown boar, fat dripping—mouthwatering.
"Dig in!"
We shoveled it onto stone slabs, devouring. Juices burst on the tongue. Fresh kill's the best.
"Mmm~! Young Master, this is delicious!"
"Right? Melts in your mouth."
Seria beamed, meat in both hands, grease on her lips. Made me happy too.
Then, mid-feast.
"Y-Young Master!! Seria!!"
Panting voice from the entrance. Captain Mason and Dad, sweat-drenched, sprinting over.
"Huff, huff! You okay?! Got a report of a wild boar...!"
Dad arrived pale. Mason drew his sword, scanning.
"Magic beast! Red-Maned traces... Huh?"
They froze. Scene before them: huge boar corpse, two kids chowing down peacefully.
"..."
"..."
Silence. We paused mid-chew, staring blankly.
"Oh? Dad, you're here?"
I waved my skewer in greeting.
"Perfect timing. Meat? Fresh off the fire."
"Nom nom... Lord, this is heaven."
Seria chimed in, cheeks bulging.
Mason gaped at the skull dent. Dad's jaw dropped, eyeing boar then us.
"D-Did... you two take this down?"
"Yep. Seria one-shotted it. I just tripped the feet."
"Good lord..."
Mason dropped his sword. Low-grade or not, takes three adult knights. And these kids BBQ'd it?
Dad sank to the ground, legs giving out.
"Haha... hahaha..."
Defeated laugh.
"My son's a magic prodigy, Seria a sword genius... My heart can't take it."
"Dad, you sure? Gets gross cold."
"...If you're offering."
In the end, Dad and Mason joined us. That day, a bizarre BBQ party lit up Martel woods. Lord, knight, two genius kids devouring a boar. Heartwarming? Sure.
Of course, the Head Maid's wallop back home was the cherry on top.