5th Birthday and Talks

{Part 1}

Sylphiette is out of breath. Her breath was heavy and her entire body was hot despite the cold winter.

Yes, the season is winter.

Snow had piled up and the temperature is below 0°C. But she's running in the snow like her life depended on it.

Few months ago, she became a servant. Her savior that helped her against the bullies was her master she served.

He told her, "Run until you collapse."

According to her master, he will make her stronger. He didn't have any use of weak servants so that's why she's going to train in this freezing winter.

It didn't took Sylphy much time before she collapsed to her knees and then fell down to the cold snow.

She muttered as her last bit of consciousness faded. "Reinhard-sama..."

"Half an hour in this cold winter, you've grown stronger." Reinhard says while using some Healing Magic to her.

For an weakling like Sylphy, he decided to train her. And first is to build up her Stamina and Endurance.

Running in this harsh weather is a perfect training environment for that. The reason why animals evolve and grow stronger is because they adapt to their harsh environment.

'Survival of the Fittest'

Just like Roxy, Sylphy had a great potential within her. Reinhard could sense her Magic Power waiting to grow and cultivated.

"What a convenient technique."

Reinhard developed a Technique to combat the harsh winter. By circulating the Mana in the body in a certain pattern, your body temperature will rise keeping you warm.

Unexpectedly the side effect made the Magic Power grow stronger. Magical Energy inside him is starting to grow.

He didn't even need a coat anymore and just use this Technique passively.

"Hey you lot, carry her."

"B-but... We're already tired–."

"Fuck that shit, I said you lot carry her. Or you face capital punishment."

The 'soldiers' trembled in their legs hearing those words.

They had seen how harsh Capital punishment is. The 'soldiers' who dare to defy his orders faced the 'King's cruelty.

Though he did heal them afterwards to erase evidences. But the humiliation and fear made them unable to defy him.

"..." The 'soldiers' looked at each other and then decided to obey.

Afterwards, Reinhard had his 'soldiers' carry Sylphy. The kids who became Reinhard's 'soldiers' also trained in the harsh weather, but didn't have the talent to learn the Technique instantly.

"You know what will happen if I don't see you tomorrow on time right?"

An invisible pressure was weighing them. They know that they wouldn't be able to escape his grasp. The fear is planted in their deepest of consciousness.

If they really wanted to disobey him, then they needed to beat him first.

""""Yes King-sama!"""" All of them kneeled while trembling in fear.

"Hmph... Then scram away."

A wise man once said [It is better to be feared than to be respected. If you can't be both.] First he planted fear into their hearts before making himself be respected by them.

"I guess I'll do more extra training."

-*-*-*-

{Part 2}

In the entire winter, Reinhard, Sylphy, and the soldiers continue to train. And due to that, they become fitter and stronger than ever before.

They managed to learn the Technique after a month.

"Amazing, I feel stronger than ever!"

"That's the King for ya!"

"Hail King Reinhard!"

The 'soldiers' can now see the results of their training. Without a doubt, they finally understand how to train their bodies and wear Touki.

With the harsh training environment, harsh training regime, Healing Magic, a strange Technique, and their King, finally their strength improved by leaps and bounds.

Because of Reinhard's carrot and Stick method, no one died in training in the winter. The Risk was great, but the benefits returned are enormous.

But with Reinhard's Healing Magic, the Risk was lowered significantly though. And because of numerous times of using Healing Magic, he made a miracle that he could now do it without incantations.

"Shut your mouth you peasants. There is only a month left before winter ends. We're going to raise our training by a notch starting tomorrow. You hear me?"

"Sure King-sama!"

"If we train like this, won't we become Adventurers in the future?"

"I'm getting excited now!"

Looking at his soldiers who seems to follow his orders without questions now, he really raised them well.

It seems their resentment were all gone now. They were just happy they're growing stronger.

Even the bigger and older kids who held some deep grudges didn't even think about getting revenge anymore. They knew it will be suicide. They could only grit their teeth and endure.

"Sylphy."

A cute girl with Emerald green hair responds to the call. "Yes, Reinhard-sama?"

"Go back home for today. Your mom have something to do for you right?"

"Yes... then see you later Reinhard-sama..." Sylphy bowed her head in respect and then left.

"Sure... Tell Auntie I say hi."

Sylphy starting when she got saved, she wasn't bullied anymore. Her life got easier and more happier. Though she's been subjected to harsh training, it was much better than being ganged by other kids.

The only one left standing in the pile of the snow in the cold winter was Reinhard alone.

His 'soldiers' had some task to do at their home too so they were dismissed.

"Guess my bad self will do some more extra training till I'm beat."

For the nth time, Reinhard once again do some extra training. Somehow in the recent days, he never got fatigued in his current training regime anymore.

Taking full advantage of that, he trained more than ever. He started adding weights and stuff.

Because of using the Technique of circulating Magic Energy in the body, somehow the it also made him practice how to manipulate Mana.

As Reinhard already decided to become a swordsman build in this world, he dedicated all of his training in mastering Touki.

Much stronger, much faster, more accurate, more precise, more refined, he is grinding it day till night. Building fundamentals to the highest level possible.

He still has a very looooooooong way to go, but for a child he is already a monster.

-*-*-*-

{Part 3}

Now, it turned Spring...

""""Happy Birthday! Rudeus! Reinhard!""""

The family thrown a birthday party celebration.

There are plenty of delicious food served in the table. Zenith, Lilia, and even Roxy helped preparing them.

5th, 10th, and 15th birthdays are considered a milestone and throw a celebration.

For a fantasy world that had a middle ages setting. This world's society still hadn't gotten out of the Dark Ages. They didn't have a stable birth rate, and their hygiene and medical knowledge were underdeveloped. On top of that, they were living in these troubled times, so there were probably few people living to the average life expectancy.

Even if this world had Healing Magic, people who could use Healing Magic are very rare. To the point that out of every 1,000 mages, only one is capable of using Elementary Healing Magic. Using Intermediate is already considered a genius and can find work anywhere. And the Advanced rank Healers are the Elites of the Elites, the Cream of the Crop.

"Thank you very much." Rudeus smiled a little bit happy. It's been years since he felt this kind of family love.

"Thanks Dad, Mom." Reinhard answered normally.

And so the party started...

"You know Roxy helped me bake the cake." Zenith cheerfully brought the birthday cake.

Roxy said a little ashamed, "Sorry, it got a little burnt."

Rudeus and Reinhard ate the cake sliced for them.

"Oi Rudy, eat all the scraps in the plate and clean."

"Y-Yes.... I will Rein."

Though they are both brothers, somehow both of them were somehow not bad. We could just say their relationship weren't really in the best terms.

"Here boys. Your present." Paul gave each of them real swords.

"Ahem... My boys, a man must always carry a sword within his heart. In order to protect what's important to you, you..." Paul started a long winded stream of advice that passes from one ear to another. Zenith finally chided him telling he's taking too long. "Just remember to keep it put away when you don't need it."

When he recieved it, Reinhard's eyes sparkled a little and his lips curled a bit into a smile "Thanks Dad, it's just what I wanted."

Next, Zenith gave both of them her gifts. Rudeus had a botanical encyclopedia while Reinhard had new leather boots.

""Thank you/Thanks Mom.""

Both of them have their thanks and Zenith gave them a tight hug them into her bosom.

Next is Roxy, she gave Rudeus a magic wand.

"I crafted it yesterday," Roxy said. "It completely slipped my mind, since you've been using magic this whole time. A master is supposed to create a rod or wand for a pupil who can use elementary magic. My apologies for forgetting."

"Thank you, Master," Rudeus said. "I'll take good care of it."

Roxy grimaced.

Next she gave Reinhard a small dagger that looked it was just recently sharpened by a whetstone. It is a curved blade that is 20 cm long.

It looks old, but Reinhard could tell it is very sturdy.

"It's an all-purpose knife that I've been using for years."

Receiving the gift, he said with a little smile. "Thanks Roxy, you really gave me this huh..."

Roxy and Reinhard once talked to each other. He asked what kinds of monsters are and her journey around the world. Roxy is doing some maintenance on her knife and Reinhard showed interest at it.

He wouldn't have thought Roxy got the idea for the gift from that small exchange.

"Is it really fine?"

"It's okay, I can just buy a new one in the City."

And so the Birthday party continued...

-*-*-*-

{Part 4}

Reinhard was just in front of Rudeus' room and then barged inside.

"Oi Rudy." Reinhard called out to Rudeus.

"W-what do you want Rein?" Rudeus was surprised seeing his little brother.

From the entire 5 years, Reinhard really didn't initiate conversation with him. And besides, he was traumatized with little brothers. Who knew if he will bring a bat and smash his computer again?

"Take it." Reinhard tossed something to Rudeus. "It's a present. Happy Birthday."

Eh? A present?

Unconsciously Rudeus looked at the gift he was given. It seems to be a hand knitted tabi socks.

From the looks of it, he could tell it was made really well that it could be sold in a store. And more importantly, the knitting pattern is a Japanese style!

Rudeus once did a project in middle school in home economics with his girl childhood friend, and one of the joyful memories in his past life.

Rudeus was shocked...

Did this really happen?

What's the chance?

Was the arrogant and prideful looking little brother he had a housewife side to him too?

Is this what they called, [Gap Moe]?

"Take care of it. Then I'll go..." Reinhard was about to go.

"No! Wait Rein!" Rudeus hurriedly stopped him from leaving.

"Ha? What the hell do you want? Not satisfied by the gift you got?" Reinhard glared at him.

Reinhard scratched his head "Then just throw it in the trash or something you greedy bastard... Just to tell you if I see it lying in the floor in a mess, I'll let shove it down to your stomach."

Rudeus was intimidated, but stood his ground. After all he decided to do his best in this 2nd chance in life. Not only in magic, but also his interpersonal relationships.

He was thinking that because he didn't really get along with Reinhard, there is nothing he could do about it. Not to mention he had trauma about little brothers.

Still, he found it a little funny how Reinhard was always minding order and proper of things.

"Why... did you give me this? I thought you hated me? Why would you give a gift to someone you hated?"

"Ha? What kind of childish reason is that?" Reinhard looked at him with a 'what the fuck?' kind of face. "It's your birthday and I give you a present. Wether I hated you or not doesn't matter any shit. Just keep it to use or throw it away goddammit."

"..." Rudeus was a little speechless.

He didn't know if he's being a Tsundere or not...

Normally a stereotypical Tsundere would say 'Hmph, if you don't want it then just throw it away you baka!'

But this...

"Do you have anything to say?"

"Ah yes!" Rudeus was a little dazed there.

"(This knitting pattern, you should be a Japanese right?)" Rudeus says in Japanese.

"(What? Did you really just realize this now fatass?)"

Shock...

"(Eh! What the...)"

After thinking deeply about it, the possibility of he's the only reincarnation doesn't seem to be 0%. If it was possible for him, then why not others?

It's just a little surprising that someone is the same with him, and it was a person he's very close with.

"(I see, so your a Japanese huh...)" Rudeus said accepting the circumstances. "(Then, you should be the athlete riaju that was run over like me by the truck right?)"

"(Yeah, you sure catch on fast. So you still got brains after all.)"

-*-*-*-

{Part 5}

Reinhard and Rudeus, for the first time in forever looked each other in the eye and had a proper conversation.

"Well, I'm sorry about this. Even though it's also your birthday, I've got nothing prepared." Rudeus was a little bit scared, but he mustered his courage.

Im fine... You can do it Rudeus... He's your brother, your family.

He's thinking such things internally.

"Nahh... If you give gifts, you shouldn't expect something in return." Reinhard says. Somehow, he wasn't being arrogant and looking down at him. It's just Reinhard wasn't in his combat mode mindset right now.

"I'll prepare something quick, I promise." Rudeus said.

"No, don't bother." those words made Rudeus was dejected.

Reinhard then glared at Rudeus which made him timid. "Hey Rudeus."

Rudeus straightened his back and give a proper sitting posture on his knees. "Y-Yes!"

"You see... Umm... I want to ask you." Reinhard says not sure how to word it out. He's currently thinking how to construct his thoughts into words. "What is your goal in this life...?"

"...Well."

Rudeus then shared his story about his previous life.

About how he is a naive kid trying to fight against the injustice of a delinquent who cut in the line on the cafeteria. How he was bullied and stripped where his dick will be displayed and laughed at. How he became a shut-in. And then he died but got a 2nd chance at life once again.

"So I have decided, to do my best in this life!"

"Hmm... doing your best huh... so you've been scared of me since your little brother smashed your computer with a wooden bat. What kind of lame ass reason was that?"

"Gugh..." An invisible arrow hit Rudeus. "And here I am telling you about myself. I trusted you!" Rudeus complained.

"Still talking this out to you who I am scared off a while ago, it made me feel better."

"Since you say all that lame shit backstory you have, then to be fair I'll tell you mine."

Reinhard was super talented at everything. One day he was introduced to soccer and quickly became good with it. Playing with kids his age, he was unstoppable. He crushed his enemies one after another and became a super genius who bring a ragtag team to Nationals and won the championship. In Highschool he was a popular scholarship athlete. He dreamt of becoming the world's best striker and lead the Japanese National Football team and win the World Cup. But he died by Truck-kun.

"So that's it. I decided to make myself a legend where everyone will know my name and become the main actor of the world."

"...That's, really ambitious of you." Rudeus was a little surprised by his goal in life.

Rudeus then bowed slightly to Reinhard "Thank you Rein for talking with me like this. I was wrong about you for everything. You are a much better person than I thought."

"Hmph, I hate it... And besides the reason why I took my time getting to know you better is... So I can beat you to a pulp and make you a stepping stone for my goals... If you're thanking the King, then that means you just admit you've already lost."

"But..."

"Remember Rudy, you are a genius magician capable of using Magic without incantations. I heard that you can already use Advanced level magic and already mastered every spell Roxy knows at that level... A once in a hundred years genius." Reinhard says fully complimenting him. "But I'm going to beat you in a fight. Once you graduate from Roxy's lessons..."

"I the Great King-sama, will challenge you to a fight and make you a stepping stone for my goals." Reinhard pointed at his face full of confidence.

"..."

Reinhard then glared as he exuded a strong mental pressure to Rudeus. "Don't you dare run away. If all your words about doing your BEST in this life is just all lies... then I'll never acknowledge you as my brother. I have no brother that isn't a man of his word."

Rudeus gulped down his saliva from all the pressure. Thanks to his strong Magic Power, he was able to resist the pressure to a certain extent.

"Alright..."