I Was Reincarnated As The Brother Of A Villainous Young Lady, But I Couldn't Use Magic, So I Used My Sword To Slash Down The Doom Flag - Chapter 6

Three years have passed since Tilti came to live with the Ranger family. I am now ten years old and Tilti is nine. We live a mostly happy life, though not everything is perfect.

One day in the backyard, I was training as usual. I took my wooden sword and, using a quick draw like in iai, I cut a log in front of me. No one can cut a log with a wooden sword. In my old life, I would have thought it was impossible. Yet, through hard training, I have reached this level.

The log was split in two, and the two pieces rolled on the ground. The cut was so clean that no one would believe I did it with a wooden sword. Still, I have not yet learned how to make the cut freeze completely.

I sighed, “Hmm… I still cannot freeze the cut surface as I wish.”

Under my father—my master—I have learned many things by practicing the basic moves. I learned not to depend on my eyes alone, but also to feel my surroundings with all my senses. I learned to listen to the “voice” of the sword. Because of this, I have improved a bit, but I still cannot master the move called “Ice Wolf Flash.”

I think that move works by swinging the sword very fast. The speed makes a kind of vacuum that makes the water in the air evaporate and turn the cut cold. I have tried to do this, but I cannot make it work well.

I added, “But I cannot stay so slow… I must try harder.”

Tilti, who is a noble girl taken in by the Ranger family, now lives a peaceful life. This is just as the game said, and it is the life I had hoped for. However, our peaceful life may end when the slave traders, called the “Titans,” attack to take revenge for the many purges by the nobles. I try to become strong so I can change that fate. To do this, I must learn “Ice Wolf Flash” at least.

I sighed again, “Hmm…”
My father cannot fight much anymore. He said, with far-away eyes, “I was hurt in battle by an arrow in my knee… I cannot fight in full combat now.” This means that as a teacher, he is good, but as a fighter, we cannot depend on him.

At that moment, I heard a bright voice calling, “Brother!”
I turned and saw Tilti running toward me with a dazzling smile. Her silver hair, which had once been dry and rough, was now clean and shining like moonlight. Her green eyes showed complete trust in me. Her cuteness made me feel very happy.

I ran to her and opened my arms wide, hugging her tight. I worried for a moment if she smelled of sweat from training, but Tilti only wanted to be close to me.

I said, “Tilti! What are you doing here? It is rare for you to come this way.”
Tilti replied, “I did not come because it is rare. It is almost time for lunch, and you have not returned. So I came to see you.”

I smiled and said, “Oh, I did not know it was so late. Thank you, little sister.”
Tilti giggled and teased, “You silly fighter, always busy with your sword.”
I laughed and said, “I am sorry, I am sorry.”

Even though I am one year older, we are almost the same age at school. Sometimes, Tilti acts like a big sister to me. It is very cute.

Tilti then said, “Now, you will take a bath first, right? I have already prepared it. Please go quickly.”
I answered, “I am sorry, thank you.”
Tilti smiled sweetly and said, “I am happy to help you.”

My heart felt warm as I patted her head. In these three years, I have grown not only in sword skill. Tilti has also learned many things. At nine years old, she now acts like a proper noble lady. She has even learned magic. In the game, she was a villainess who fought great battles, and her magic talent is strong. She can change the water in the bath several times a day with her magic. Ordinary people would lose their magic power if they tried that. That is why, in our home, we still use a wood-fired bath.

Tilti’s magic has greatly improved our daily life. Now, our daily life is hard to imagine without her.

I said, “I am very glad that Tilti has become part of our family. But do not push yourself too hard. Your health is the most important.”
Tilti blushed and replied, “I am glad too. But, brother, you seem troubled by your sword training. Is it not going well?”
I answered, “I am a little stuck. I was thinking of asking Master for help.”

I usually call my father “Master” when talking about sword training, but with Tilti, I call him “Father” because she does not like a formal way of speaking. I understand that Tilti cares much about family. After a little talk with her, I went to take a bath alone. Later, I went to the dining hall.

There, the whole family was waiting, ready for a meal.

My father said, “I have good news for you today, Sold.”
I asked, “Good news?”
My father explained with a smile, “You are now ten years old. Your mother and I have decided to buy you your very own sword!”
I cried out in surprise, “Really? Thank you!”

In this world, where magic is common, swords made by a mold are not wanted. Each sword must be made by hand. Swords are expensive works of art and show a noble’s status. A poor baron’s son cannot easily have his own sword.

That is why I have used a wooden sword all this time. But now, the day has come when I can hold a real sword. I felt so happy that I nearly jumped up.

My father continued, “We know that you have trained every day for these three years. Your mother and I have talked, and we have decided to give you your very own sword.”
I replied, “Thank you, Father! I will work even harder now!”

This news made me feel more secure, as I worried about facing real battle. We are one step closer to stopping the fate that the slave traders and the purging nobles bring upon us.

Then my father asked, “Sold, do you want to learn swordsmanship at the town’s dojo? There are other children your age there.”
I answered, “Hmm… No, I do not feel very interested. Your teaching is enough for me.”
My father nodded with a complicated look on his face, and my mother gave me a sharp look. Just then, Tilti raised her hand and said cheerfully,
“Father, may I come with my brother to see the swords?”
My father asked, “Tilti, you too?”
Tilti replied, “Yes! Brother always says that a sword is like part of him. That means we are going to buy a sword that is like your other half. I want to come and see it.”
I could not refuse, and my father agreed with a smile, “Very well, then we will go together—the three of us.”

Thus, for the first time in my life, I set out with my family to the blacksmith to buy my own sword.