This was his first time arguing with Vania.
Ryan was lying on the bed in his room, grumbling with his mouth sticking out.
“...Aren’t you going to apologize?”
“What are you saying?!”
Ryan jumped up at the words of Revan, who had entered the room cautiously.
“Why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong?”
“Ugh, sorry. I misspoke. This isn’t an apology... So, you don’t want to make up?”
“What is Bunny doing?”
“It looks like Alex went in to comfort her, but the two are talking.”
“...”
“Brother, I told you to think that whatever Bunny does, there must be a reason for it.”
“Oh, but I really don’t understand this issue. Listen.”
Ryan remembered Vania screaming in surprise at the sight of Alex holding a wooden sword.
Alex was surprised by the situation where he was "holding a knife." Judging by the conversation that followed, it seemed Vania was trying to raise Alex so he would never smell blood again.
“Alex died before the return.”
"What?!"
Revan's mouth fell open.
"Bunny told me all sorts of things, but he didn't talk much about Alex. It's strange. Why wouldn't she talk about someone she cares so much about?"
“Because she has nothing to say?”
"Yes. Maybe it's because it's painful to talk. This time, Alec survived because he was left in my care, but what was it like before the regression?"
“Ugh. What kind of crazy father would kick out a kid? He’s incompetent.”
"That's right. If you had chased him gently, I wouldn't know, but seeing Vania desperately begging Alex, that's definitely not the case."
Ryan frowned as he remembered Vania, who was trembling pathologically.
"You trembled at the mere sight of Alex holding a wooden sword? Well, it's obvious. Before the return, his father deliberately made Alex hold a sword... and killed him..."
“Why is your father like that?”
“What’s new?”
"Anyway! If you've figured it out, just follow Bunny's lead. Alex's death seems to be traumatizing her, so we can just keep him from holding a knife."
“Rather, after guessing that, I can’t understand Vania anymore.”
“Oh, why!”
"You must have been happy to see your dead brother again. You want him to live happily this time... Yes, I know. I understand. I like it. But is it right to control a child's life like that?"
“...”
"Vania remembers everything, but Alex doesn't. Of course, sadly, she's the only one with such terrible memories, but how embarrassed would Alex be if she revealed it?"
“That’s true...”
"Alex has his own life. We need to let him choose what he wants to do. He'll face challenges, cry, and grow through them."
Ryan understood Vania's feelings, but there was something he couldn't compromise on.
"Just because you know the future, you're going to raise them so they won't get hurt or cry? What, you're going to give them tests instead? If you arbitrarily shape their lives, how is that any different from playing with dolls?"
“Uhhh. That’s right...”
Then a small knock was heard.
The door opened, and Alex came in.
“Father... I have something to tell you...”
“Hey!”
Ryan woke up in a panic.
Ryan and Alex were climbing the mountain behind the house.
Without Vania's knowledge.
“...So, my older sister said that I could do whatever I wanted, but she just wanted me not hold a knife.”
“You can catch it if you want. What do you want to do?”
“Actually... my older sister showed me the academy application form a little while ago.”
Alex's cheeks flushed. Ryan chuckled at the sudden interest in his expression.
"I've always wanted to go somewhere with lots of friends. But the academy tuition is expensive..."
“Huh? Why are you worried about that?”
“Because my father worked hard to earn money. You even went out and caught monsters and stuff...”
“...”
"Dad, let's not tell Alex that we're selling magic stones and using them to make a living off the Duke of Wassenberg. It's a bit educational... Yes?"
“Oh, of course.”
...you don't have to worry about money, but I can't tell you why.
“Don’t worry. I can raise you at least once.”
“Thank you for saying that. But I don’t feel like doing things all by myself... I thought I should do something that would help my family.”
Alex sighed and walked.
"If I become a knight like my father or Kali, I can earn money. I'll be of much more use to my family than if I studied alone."
“...?”
What the hell is this? Why on earth is the word "useful" coming out of a twelve-year-old's mouth?
Ryan, who was flustered, saw Alex speaking in a very intimidated manner, and soon burst out laughing and realized something.
“What did the Duke of Wassenberg say when you were kicked out of the house?”
“Yes, yes? No...”
Alex was bewildered. His reaction alone was enough to tell.
Ryan recalled the days when he lived with his father. He would visit periodically and harass his trembling young son, asking if he had yet to develop his powers.
By the time it became almost certain that he was incompetent, he had heard all sorts of things, like he was a worthless piece of shit.
You still have that dog-like personality, right?
“Alex.”
Ryan stopped. He turned Alex around, grabbed his shoulder, looked him in the eye, and said.
"Erase whatever that man said from your mind. Everything that comes out of his mouth is garbage, not worth listening to."
“...”
"Now you're living with a sister who loves you and me, who will take care of you. So don't even think of this person you've only met once as family. And don't take to heart whatever he says."
Ryan smiled affectionately, placing his hand on Alex's head.
"You're still young. You don't need to strive for anything. You don't need to prove yourself, and you don't need to make money. Just try whatever you want to do, and discover your talents. And you'll grow and flourish."
"Ah..."
Alex paused. Tears welled up in his eyes for a moment, then he smiled brightly.
"...Yes!"
“Yes! So, are you ready?”
"Yes!"
Alec wiped away the tears that had flowed down his face and bravely... picked up the wooden sword!
The reason why he picked up what Vania had thrown away and climbed up the mountain to avoid her eyes...
"Honestly, my sister is too overprotective of me. I'm taller and bigger than her."
“I’m telling you! If someone saw you, they’d think you were a glass.”
“I’m a man, so no matter what I become when I grow up, I should be able to protect myself at least.”
“Yes, that’s it!”
Yes, he was planning on swinging the wooden sword he had already made.
Do you know?
There must be some great talent...
“Heehee!”
“...”
Alex swung his sword horizontally once, and Ryan's mouth fell open.
He felt it instinctively.
'No.'
What?
'Hey, you don't have any talent!'
Even swinging a single, not-so-heavy wooden stick, he couldn't find his center of gravity. His waist turned with his arms. His legs moved in unison.
'That Vania guy, she knew Alec had no talent...'
The regressor's judgment was wise, after all.
Alex swung his sword a few times in the air, then turned around and smiled bashfully at Ryan's gaping expression.
"Hehe."
I feel like scratching my cheek.
“Am I... doing well?”
“Let’s go to the academy.”
"Yes?!"
"Scholars are the order of the day these days. Why bother with physical labor? Just use your brain and command those who are physically active."
At those words, the twelve-year-old boy immediately realized that his talents had been coldly assessed.
“...”
Alex was depressed, but he pulled himself together and said.
“Still, I’ll try to build up my stamina!”
"Oh! Yes, good. Now, look. When you swing your sword, just swing the sword. Leave your legs and waist still..."
Affectionate Ryan's 1:1 tutoring has begun.
In the middle of it, working hard...
“Yes, one more time across! Whoosh... Huh?”
“Whew... Huh?”
The moment when Ryan stretched out his arm to demonstrate, Alex followed suit and swung his sword in the same pose.
The two people became frozen.
Why?
The exact direction in which the head was turned.
From that far away, the eyes gleam...
Because they found a 'bear'.
“Ugh, ugh!”
“Alec!”
Alex, startled, twisted backwards and fell to the ground.
Ryan looked back at the bear, embarrassed but unable to take his eyes off it.
It's a male, and it's huge.
It's not just a bear.
A bear that has 'awakened from hibernation' and is very hungry.
'No, why is a bear suddenly coming out!'
...Didn't he climb up the mountain to swing his sword while avoiding Vania's eyes? It's his own fault.
The bear ran quickly.
Ryan's head also turned quickly.
The only weapon is a wooden sword. In fact, there is nothing.
Then the bear...
Can you catch it with your bare hands? → X
Should I use this ability? → O
"Dad, I have a favor to ask. Of course, Alex will find out eventually, but for now, please keep the fact that you and I are superpowered from him. He's at a sensitive age right now. Tell him when he's older."
Vania's request comes to mind.
"Alex was already stressed out about being incompetent. But it was okay when he came here because he thought you both were incompetent. If he found out we both had powers, he'd be devastated..."
Alex has just been kicked out of his home and is in the sensitive stage of his growth.
Ryan also thought it would be better to hide it for Alex's sake for the time being...
'Fuck.'
The bear is getting closer.
How to get out of this situation?
The use of this ability was inevitable.
And luckily Ryan...
'It's step 2.'
Last time, while subduing the demon, he succeeded in raising the power of <Instant Death> to another level.
Growth Stage 2: Can instantly kill all targets within a 10m radius of the holder and within sight.
You can catch a bear without using your hands.
Then.
'Going to the bear heart attack issue.'
Within a 10m radius, casting a specific target for instant death is not possible. Anyone who enters the field of vision will be instantly killed.
So, Alec was sent back out of sight.
Quickly take two steps forward towards the bear.
“Oh, Father!”
Instant Death
The charging bear suddenly stopped breathing and collapsed.
Ryan started acting.
“What, what is it?”
He approached the bear hesitantly, then poked it and was shocked.
“He’s dead?!”
“...”
Alex blinked and looked at Ryan and the bear.
Ryan approached Alex, his chest clearing as if in relief.
"I think it's a heart attack! Normally, animals that wake up from hibernation can't adjust to the warmer weather. The temperature difference is so great that their hearts suddenly stop beating like this."
Ryan doesn't know about that. He's just talking nonsense.
“Haa, that was a close call. Right?”
“...”
Alex sat down and looked up at Ryan in silence.
Ryan prayed inwardly.
'Please, please, please.'
On the subject of human beings, his father has an extraordinary brain. The first, second, third, and fourth children, like their father, have brains that work well.
Moreover, the eleventh one is smart and is even an ecosystem disruptor.
Then, the cute youngest twelfth child can be like other kids of that age, right?
'Please...'
Please pass.
Don't show any sense of humor.
After a moment of tense silence.
Alex asked.
“...Are you a person with special abilities?”
“...”
Ryan squeezed his eyes shut.
Ryan was lying on the bed in his room, grumbling with his mouth sticking out.
“...Aren’t you going to apologize?”
“What are you saying?!”
Ryan jumped up at the words of Revan, who had entered the room cautiously.
“Why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong?”
“Ugh, sorry. I misspoke. This isn’t an apology... So, you don’t want to make up?”
“What is Bunny doing?”
“It looks like Alex went in to comfort her, but the two are talking.”
“...”
“Brother, I told you to think that whatever Bunny does, there must be a reason for it.”
“Oh, but I really don’t understand this issue. Listen.”
Ryan remembered Vania screaming in surprise at the sight of Alex holding a wooden sword.
Alex was surprised by the situation where he was "holding a knife." Judging by the conversation that followed, it seemed Vania was trying to raise Alex so he would never smell blood again.
“Alex died before the return.”
"What?!"
Revan's mouth fell open.
"Bunny told me all sorts of things, but he didn't talk much about Alex. It's strange. Why wouldn't she talk about someone she cares so much about?"
“Because she has nothing to say?”
"Yes. Maybe it's because it's painful to talk. This time, Alec survived because he was left in my care, but what was it like before the regression?"
“Ugh. What kind of crazy father would kick out a kid? He’s incompetent.”
"That's right. If you had chased him gently, I wouldn't know, but seeing Vania desperately begging Alex, that's definitely not the case."
Ryan frowned as he remembered Vania, who was trembling pathologically.
"You trembled at the mere sight of Alex holding a wooden sword? Well, it's obvious. Before the return, his father deliberately made Alex hold a sword... and killed him..."
“Why is your father like that?”
“What’s new?”
"Anyway! If you've figured it out, just follow Bunny's lead. Alex's death seems to be traumatizing her, so we can just keep him from holding a knife."
“Rather, after guessing that, I can’t understand Vania anymore.”
“Oh, why!”
"You must have been happy to see your dead brother again. You want him to live happily this time... Yes, I know. I understand. I like it. But is it right to control a child's life like that?"
“...”
"Vania remembers everything, but Alex doesn't. Of course, sadly, she's the only one with such terrible memories, but how embarrassed would Alex be if she revealed it?"
“That’s true...”
"Alex has his own life. We need to let him choose what he wants to do. He'll face challenges, cry, and grow through them."
Ryan understood Vania's feelings, but there was something he couldn't compromise on.
"Just because you know the future, you're going to raise them so they won't get hurt or cry? What, you're going to give them tests instead? If you arbitrarily shape their lives, how is that any different from playing with dolls?"
“Uhhh. That’s right...”
Then a small knock was heard.
The door opened, and Alex came in.
“Father... I have something to tell you...”
“Hey!”
Ryan woke up in a panic.
***
Ryan and Alex were climbing the mountain behind the house.
Without Vania's knowledge.
“...So, my older sister said that I could do whatever I wanted, but she just wanted me not hold a knife.”
“You can catch it if you want. What do you want to do?”
“Actually... my older sister showed me the academy application form a little while ago.”
Alex's cheeks flushed. Ryan chuckled at the sudden interest in his expression.
"I've always wanted to go somewhere with lots of friends. But the academy tuition is expensive..."
“Huh? Why are you worried about that?”
“Because my father worked hard to earn money. You even went out and caught monsters and stuff...”
“...”
"Dad, let's not tell Alex that we're selling magic stones and using them to make a living off the Duke of Wassenberg. It's a bit educational... Yes?"
“Oh, of course.”
...you don't have to worry about money, but I can't tell you why.
“Don’t worry. I can raise you at least once.”
“Thank you for saying that. But I don’t feel like doing things all by myself... I thought I should do something that would help my family.”
Alex sighed and walked.
"If I become a knight like my father or Kali, I can earn money. I'll be of much more use to my family than if I studied alone."
“...?”
What the hell is this? Why on earth is the word "useful" coming out of a twelve-year-old's mouth?
Ryan, who was flustered, saw Alex speaking in a very intimidated manner, and soon burst out laughing and realized something.
“What did the Duke of Wassenberg say when you were kicked out of the house?”
“Yes, yes? No...”
Alex was bewildered. His reaction alone was enough to tell.
Ryan recalled the days when he lived with his father. He would visit periodically and harass his trembling young son, asking if he had yet to develop his powers.
By the time it became almost certain that he was incompetent, he had heard all sorts of things, like he was a worthless piece of shit.
You still have that dog-like personality, right?
“Alex.”
Ryan stopped. He turned Alex around, grabbed his shoulder, looked him in the eye, and said.
"Erase whatever that man said from your mind. Everything that comes out of his mouth is garbage, not worth listening to."
“...”
"Now you're living with a sister who loves you and me, who will take care of you. So don't even think of this person you've only met once as family. And don't take to heart whatever he says."
Ryan smiled affectionately, placing his hand on Alex's head.
"You're still young. You don't need to strive for anything. You don't need to prove yourself, and you don't need to make money. Just try whatever you want to do, and discover your talents. And you'll grow and flourish."
"Ah..."
Alex paused. Tears welled up in his eyes for a moment, then he smiled brightly.
"...Yes!"
“Yes! So, are you ready?”
"Yes!"
Alec wiped away the tears that had flowed down his face and bravely... picked up the wooden sword!
The reason why he picked up what Vania had thrown away and climbed up the mountain to avoid her eyes...
"Honestly, my sister is too overprotective of me. I'm taller and bigger than her."
“I’m telling you! If someone saw you, they’d think you were a glass.”
“I’m a man, so no matter what I become when I grow up, I should be able to protect myself at least.”
“Yes, that’s it!”
Yes, he was planning on swinging the wooden sword he had already made.
Do you know?
There must be some great talent...
“Heehee!”
“...”
Alex swung his sword horizontally once, and Ryan's mouth fell open.
He felt it instinctively.
'No.'
What?
'Hey, you don't have any talent!'
Even swinging a single, not-so-heavy wooden stick, he couldn't find his center of gravity. His waist turned with his arms. His legs moved in unison.
'That Vania guy, she knew Alec had no talent...'
The regressor's judgment was wise, after all.
Alex swung his sword a few times in the air, then turned around and smiled bashfully at Ryan's gaping expression.
"Hehe."
I feel like scratching my cheek.
“Am I... doing well?”
“Let’s go to the academy.”
"Yes?!"
"Scholars are the order of the day these days. Why bother with physical labor? Just use your brain and command those who are physically active."
At those words, the twelve-year-old boy immediately realized that his talents had been coldly assessed.
“...”
Alex was depressed, but he pulled himself together and said.
“Still, I’ll try to build up my stamina!”
"Oh! Yes, good. Now, look. When you swing your sword, just swing the sword. Leave your legs and waist still..."
Affectionate Ryan's 1:1 tutoring has begun.
In the middle of it, working hard...
“Yes, one more time across! Whoosh... Huh?”
“Whew... Huh?”
The moment when Ryan stretched out his arm to demonstrate, Alex followed suit and swung his sword in the same pose.
The two people became frozen.
Why?
The exact direction in which the head was turned.
From that far away, the eyes gleam...
Because they found a 'bear'.
“Ugh, ugh!”
“Alec!”
Alex, startled, twisted backwards and fell to the ground.
Ryan looked back at the bear, embarrassed but unable to take his eyes off it.
It's a male, and it's huge.
It's not just a bear.
A bear that has 'awakened from hibernation' and is very hungry.
'No, why is a bear suddenly coming out!'
...Didn't he climb up the mountain to swing his sword while avoiding Vania's eyes? It's his own fault.
The bear ran quickly.
Ryan's head also turned quickly.
The only weapon is a wooden sword. In fact, there is nothing.
Then the bear...
Can you catch it with your bare hands? → X
Should I use this ability? → O
"Dad, I have a favor to ask. Of course, Alex will find out eventually, but for now, please keep the fact that you and I are superpowered from him. He's at a sensitive age right now. Tell him when he's older."
Vania's request comes to mind.
"Alex was already stressed out about being incompetent. But it was okay when he came here because he thought you both were incompetent. If he found out we both had powers, he'd be devastated..."
Alex has just been kicked out of his home and is in the sensitive stage of his growth.
Ryan also thought it would be better to hide it for Alex's sake for the time being...
'Fuck.'
The bear is getting closer.
How to get out of this situation?
The use of this ability was inevitable.
And luckily Ryan...
'It's step 2.'
Last time, while subduing the demon, he succeeded in raising the power of <Instant Death> to another level.
Growth Stage 2: Can instantly kill all targets within a 10m radius of the holder and within sight.
You can catch a bear without using your hands.
Then.
'Going to the bear heart attack issue.'
Within a 10m radius, casting a specific target for instant death is not possible. Anyone who enters the field of vision will be instantly killed.
So, Alec was sent back out of sight.
Quickly take two steps forward towards the bear.
“Oh, Father!”
Instant Death
The charging bear suddenly stopped breathing and collapsed.
Ryan started acting.
“What, what is it?”
He approached the bear hesitantly, then poked it and was shocked.
“He’s dead?!”
“...”
Alex blinked and looked at Ryan and the bear.
Ryan approached Alex, his chest clearing as if in relief.
"I think it's a heart attack! Normally, animals that wake up from hibernation can't adjust to the warmer weather. The temperature difference is so great that their hearts suddenly stop beating like this."
Ryan doesn't know about that. He's just talking nonsense.
“Haa, that was a close call. Right?”
“...”
Alex sat down and looked up at Ryan in silence.
Ryan prayed inwardly.
'Please, please, please.'
On the subject of human beings, his father has an extraordinary brain. The first, second, third, and fourth children, like their father, have brains that work well.
Moreover, the eleventh one is smart and is even an ecosystem disruptor.
Then, the cute youngest twelfth child can be like other kids of that age, right?
'Please...'
Please pass.
Don't show any sense of humor.
After a moment of tense silence.
Alex asked.
“...Are you a person with special abilities?”
“...”
Ryan squeezed his eyes shut.
'It's over.'
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