When I turned five, mom started my education. I learned to write polite sentences, mathematics, and, intermittently, history. I should have started by memorizing letters, but since I already mastered them, I quickly rose in rank. Further inside the study, Anastasia worked quietly.

Anastasia loved studying, that was incredible. She was only nine years old, but she could perform divisions with surprising precision. She carefully observed the numbers and wrote the answers with a fluidity that amazed me.

I find it annoying how her recent growth had made her even more attractive. In the future, there would be many flies around her.

Currently, her popularity among the children and boys in the city was steadily rising. But then I remember that this is a world where marrying early was completely natural.

And the creator of the questions and supervisor is our mother, Adelaide. As an elf, numbers came naturally to her. As she knew the importance of writing and mathematics, she was quite strict with teaching.

—Al, what's wrong? Is it too difficult?

"This is boring... I want to play," I thought to myself.

It wasn't difficult, since I could solve it easily. The problem is that I feared there would be more. I was waiting for the magic words that would awaken a child's motivation.

—I know you want to play, but studying is also important...

«I know. Studying also protects me and makes me better», I knew it very well.

Seeing me fall, Adelaide sighed.

«Huh? This makes me feel like a bad child», I thought with an ironic smile.

No, but if I'm five years old, this is completely natural, isn't it?

—Then if you can solve it, you can go play.

—Alright, yes! —I replied with a broad smile.

The pen felt lighter to me and I quickly filled the paper with numbers.

«Is it quite difficult today...?» mother questioned with a mysterious smile.

I had been found out.

—Really! Today is hard! —It seemed like a lie but it wasn't. Taking into account the previous classes, it certainly was more difficult.

—Finished! —I said with a smile while getting up.

—Young master, haven't we checked the answer yet? —Mel interrupted me.

When I was about to leave the room after handing in the paper, I was caught by Mel, who was standing and waiting.

Lately I felt that the maids treated me roughly.

Last time, Mira grabbed me by the nape of the neck. They returned me to the desk like a cat.

Adelaide checked my answers with a serious expression, got up a few minutes later and let out a big sigh.

—It's okay. You can go.

Her expression was a bit uncomfortable, but I didn't care.

—Yes!

—Eh...! Ars, you going alone, that's unfair!

While listening to Anastasia's cute complaints, I left the study room (prison).

"Ah... I didn't know the air of the world was so sweet. Maybe this was how a person who left prison felt," I reflected.

—Have you finished studying already? —I heard Atlas's voice.

—Yes, I solved them quickly, so I finished early. So I'm going to play now..., —I responded innocently.

—I see. Dad just finished working too. Let's practice now!

After hearing only half of what I said, Atlas took my hand and started walking toward the courtyard.

—Huh? But training is after lunch.

—It's okay. Your body must have become stiff from sitting for so long, right? Let's train together from time to time.

The training field stretched out before us, a vast open space surrounded by a forest of trees. The ground was covered with soft grass, gently swayed by the morning breeze.

In the center of the field, a circle of stones caught my attention. Each one was engraved with symbols that glowed softly under the sunlight.

Well, communication with my parents is also important. My magic training is going well, so why not put some effort into the spear?

There was a time when I thought that.

—Your hand is stiff, relax here and when lowering.

—Yes.

—No. Lower your elbow.

—Yes.

—Don't swing just with your arms.

—Yes.

—Now, strike one hundred times.

—...Yes.

They corrected my posture many times, but somehow I managed to finish it before lunch.

Aah, the meaning of finishing studying early made sense now.

—You're better. I'll go slower at noon, let's do our best.

—So we'll do it at noon too... —I muttered in disbelief.

After lunch I headed back to the courtyard.

Where Anastasia and I would practice our skills.