5. Lifestyle Magic
A month had passed since I first awakened to magic. In that time, our home had undergone some subtle changes. Father was out inspecting the territory. Seria and I were the only ones in the dining hall, eating lunch.
"Young Master."
"Yeah?"
"Wouldn't it be better to do that yourself? You'll get muscle knots like that."
Seria shot me a pitiful look. Next to me, my water glass floated lazily in the air.
"Nah, it's fine. This counts as training, right?"
"Training? You're just lazy."
"Busted."
I grinned shamelessly and took a sip from the levitating glass. When I'd first shown her magic, she'd freaked out yelling "Ghost!" It had been adorable back then. But humans adapt quickly, don't they? Now, not only did Seria not flinch at my spells—she nagged me first thing.
"I just don't get why you're wasting such great talent on this."
Seria grumbled around a mouthful of salad. As she said, over the past month, I'd put my mighty magical powers to very efficient use.
Turning off the lights without getting out of bed. Flipping book pages without touching them. Closing the door without leaving the covers. Behold: "Lifestyle Laziness Magic."
"Come on, even this stuff has its uses. If war breaks out, I could flip an enemy general's cup while he's drinking."
"What a brilliant strategy. He'll retreat because his clothes got wet and he's in a bad mood."
"Ooh, that's a good one?"
"Sigh."
Seria shook her head with a deep sigh.
"Huh? Seria, did you just sigh?"
"No way. You must've misheard."
"Nah, I definitely heard it. A real earth-shaking one."
"You're so persistent."
Seria didn't bat an eye. This girl had gotten way too good at talking back. Where was that innocent, scared little kid? Though honestly, I preferred her like this.
Speaking of which. Now's the time!!
While Seria was focused on her meat, head down! That green demon lurking in the corner of my plate—bell peppers. I flicked my finger under the table.
Whoosh.
The pepper slices floated silently into the air, then landed perfectly on Seria's plate, as if they'd always been there.
Perfect. I feigned innocence and picked up my meat.
"Mmm, the meat's grilled just right today."
"......"
But Seria's fork froze mid-air. She slowly lifted her head and stared at me. Her red eyes gleamed coldly.
"Young Master."
"Yeah? What's up, Seria?"
"The bell peppers on my plate are multiplying on their own."
"Oh yeah? Must be a miracle. Eat up and grow big and strong."
"......"
Instead of replying, Seria lifted her pepper-mounded plate. She stood and marched toward me.
"H-Hey? Seria? Why're you coming over?"
"Open wide. Time for your miracle injection."
"W-Wait! Let's talk this out... Mmph! Mmmph!!"
"Eat it all up to become a great mage. Say ahh~."
In the end, I couldn't resist her strength and had to chew down the green demon. Bitter taste flooded my mouth. Damn, forget magic—physical force wins every time.
Meal over.
"Ugh, bell pepper breath."
I grimaced, rinsed my mouth, and stood before the bathroom mirror.
"Hmm, well then."
The bath supplies were neatly lined up. As nobility, we had some high-end stuff, but honestly, it was crap. The soap was basically laundry detergent. Washing my hair with it left my scalp squeaky clean, but I always wondered if that was right.
At this rate, I'll be bald by my twenties.
Crisis mode. A full head of hair is a man's pride. I had to protect it at all costs.
Might as well try it now that I thought of it. Shampoo time.
I recalled a natural shampoo video from my past life's YouTube algorithm. Something about mixing herbs, oils, and saponaria leaves for suds.
"Alright, let's do this."
I headed to the small greenhouse garden and gathered ingredients: rosemary, lavender, saponaria leaves for bubbles. Added olive oil and honey, then my secret weapon—mana.
Using mana to break down components, extract essences, and fuse them: makeshift alchemy.
Hummm.
Light poured from the bowl. Moments later, I held a bottle of shimmering silver liquid. Fragrant herbs assaulted my nose.
"Success?"
Smell test: pass. Performance? Only one way to find out.
Won't go bald, right?
With grim resolve, I entered the bathroom. Ten minutes later...
"Kyaah......"
I shook my wet hair in awe. Strands slipped smoothly between my fingers. This softness. This shine. This is shampoo!
Of course, my magic was still novice-level, and ingredients weren't top-tier, so it was maybe toe-level compared to modern stuff.
Still, beggars can't be choosers.
"Young Master? What're you doing in the bathroom?"
Seria approached with a towel, right on cue.
"Seria! Come here!"
"Pardon? What's... Huh?"
Her eyes widened. She stared, mesmerized, at my hair sparkling in the sunlight.
"Y-Young Master. Why's your hair... shining like that?"
"Wanna touch?"
Seria reached out tentatively. Her fingers slid right off.
"Oh my god......"
She gasped.
"Is it silk? No, softer than silk?"
"Heh heh heh. Thanks to my special shampoo I just made."
"Sham... poo?"
"This."
I shook the silver bottle.
"Wash with this, and you'll have silky hair too. No more painful tangles when brushing."
Seria's eyes changed. Girls gonna girl—even sword prodigies care about beauty.
"C-Can I... try it too?"
"Of course. Here."
She took the bottle like treasure and dashed to the bathroom. Moments later...
"Kyaaaaah!"
A cheer erupted. Seria burst out, wet black hair flying, posing in the mirror all excited.
"Young Master! This is amazing! My hair's dancing alive!"
"Kyaah, Seria. Your hair's got total elastin now?"
"Ela... what? Anyway, thank you! You're incredible, Young Master!"
She swung her wet hair, shampoo scent wafting gently.
"You're a genius, Young Master."
"Told ya. I'm kinda awesome."
"Yes, I admit it. This shampoo gets my seal of approval."
Seria beamed happily. But...
"Uh, Young Master. The water glass."
"Yeah?"
"Drink it with your hands."
She snatched my floating glass and slammed it on the table.
"Shampoo's great, but no laziness. You'll stiffen up."
"Hey, you just praised me. Weren't we having a nice moment?"
"Business and pleasure are separate. Now, chug it. With your hands."
"......Tch."
I pouted and grabbed the cup. Still, seeing Seria so happy made the shampoo worth it.
Half a year since Seria joined us. The year changed; I turned six, she eight. Calendar said spring, but northern winters clung stubbornly. Snow still poured outside.
"So annoying."
But after six years here, I knew: this was probably the last snow of winter. Temps would rise soon, melting it all.
Meaning today was our last chance to enjoy it.
"Seria."
"Yes, Young Master? Reading time?"
She polished her wooden sword by the fireplace. She looked the part of a knight now—posture straight, gaze calm. Minus the cookie crumbs on her mouth.
"Nah. Let's go out."
"Pardon? It's snowing hard."
"That's why. Snowball fight before spring!"
I bundled into my coat. But Seria wasn't budging.
"No. You'll catch a cold. You're still young; immunity's weak."
"I'm six now? And a mage. This won't faze me."
"Liar. I saw you freak out last time your foot slipped from the covers."
"......Tch."
Good memory. But I had a trump card: magic words. I acted nonchalant, side-eyeing her.
"Hmm, fair enough. I get it."
"......Get what?"
"You're scared. Afraid you'll lose to me."
Seria's hands stopped.
"That's why you're dodging? Pfft, scaredy-cat."
"......"
"Or, chicken?"
Twitch. Her shoulders shook. She turned slowly. Hooked.
"......Young Master."
"Yeah?"
"What did you just say?"
"Chicken? Bawk bawk?"
Pop. A vein throbbed on her forehead. Competitive fire: innate.
All sword geniuses like this? Did I go too far? Scary as hell. Maybe say it was a joke...
"Fine. Let's go."
She was already up, wooden sword at her waist.
"F-For real?"
"But if you catch cold, not my problem. No crying to me."
That lit my fire too.
"Ha! Look who's talking."
We rushed to the courtyard. Fat snowflakes poured down. We faced off at a distance.
"Simple rules: get hit and surrender, you lose."
"Got it. You strike first."
Seria crossed her arms, all smug. I grinned.
Heh, you underestimated me, Seria.
I raised my gloved hand high. Hand-packed snowballs? Amateur hour. I'm a mage.
Which means...
"Snowball, full barrage!"
Whatever~ Winning's all that matters!