I am now 12 years old.
　After five years of bullying, my body is bent like steel and filled with magic.
　I've grown especially taller.
　I had to borrow the power of magic to jump into the bosom of Luxor, but now I've come to the point where I'm fully capable of hitting him without magic.

　And today--.

　Luxor's unreserved slash comes flying in from the upper level.
　I cut off my waist, dodged and prepared a side-leave counter.
　Then my father's sword trajectory stops with a snap. I've been read........!
　He undulates like a giant snake and releases it at the child's throat whistle.

　Fast!

　An unexpected surprise attack.
　For a moment, an intense force of will stopped him from sitting down.
　He dives in the opposite direction.
　I suck on the side of Luxor and push him with my shoulder.

　It's a tactic I wasn't able to use when I was young.
　He weighed about one and a half times as much as he did five years ago.

　My father's back wobbles.
　Even though his stance was inadequate, Luxor forced himself to swing out of the way.
　It was easy to receive, such as a sword that wasn't in his hips and whose point of force was shifted.

　It bounces back with ease.
　I completely lost Luxor's stance.
　Still, I'm not going to let my guard down.
　If it were my father in the past, I might have given up here.

　But my father also has his father's pride.

　Luxor was also getting stronger.
　Already, his abilities have easily surpassed those of his active days.
　It's not an exaggeration to say that I made him stronger.

　With a quick pull of his right leg, Luxol regains his stance.
　Furthermore, I focus my [Leg Strengthening] on my right leg.
　The hard trampled sandy ground is blown away.

　It came towards me in a straight line.

　Basic muscles.
　A supple release of magic power.
　Timing without a minute of error.....

　All incomparable to five years ago.

　My father grinned.
　He was sure of victory.
　0 wins and 1213 losses out of 1213 fights.
　A father who has lost 1213 fights in a row is finally going to beat his son.

　That's what I think - it was a brilliant key shot.

　But I smiled, too.

　For a moment as I was about to go forward, I let my posture stand like a stick.
　That's all it took for my body to stop.
　I spun around and rustled my hips.

　I easily dodged my father's best attack.

　Like a fighting bull, Luxor passed in front of me.
　I plunged a chilling slice into his back.

　Huh.........

　I exhale loudly and slump my shoulders in disappointment.

''I lost. I thought I could win today, but........

'It wasn't a bad blow, father. But you still rely too much on speed and power. You have to learn to swing more compactly.

'I'm always aware of slaying demonic beasts. Also, don't be preachy. I'm your father, for one thing.

Okay.

Just one 'yes'.

　Luxor chided.
　He must have been very frustrated.
　He was furious.
　The anger wasn't directed at me.
　It was at my father.

'Isn't it about time you admitted it, father?　I'm (sic) too (sic), I'm 12 years old.

'Huh?　What are you talking about?

The story is that I'm leaving the estate!

'Haha.... Don't be so angry. Don't worry about it. I'll remember it well. And as a reminder, someone I know will be visiting here soon.

　You know your father?

'He was my man when I was in the Order. Now he's an instructor at the Adventurer's School.

　Adventurer's School!

　That's what it was called in my previous life, a school of magic.
　But they do the same thing, apparently.
　In other words, it's a magical education.
　There, students are divided into different professions and learn how to use magic in a practical manner.
　As a rule, anyone over the age of 12 who can use magic can take the test.
　If you are successful, you can get an adventurer's license.

　The adventurer's license is something I would love to have.

　Just by having it, you can go to any country.
　Once you are recognized by the guild and rise in rank, you will be able to investigate dungeons that would normally not be allowed.

''How did that instructor end up in the Stark territory?

'Surprisingly unpredictable, Lacelle. I've called you here to have you assessed to see if you can get into the School for Adventurers.

What?

'There's a test at the Adventurer's School. But you're a [villager]. Even if you're stronger than your father and can use magic, you can't misrepresent the profession you've been given. Even if you leave the territory and knock on their door, you could still be rejected at the door.

　So I'm going to call my former subordinates to see what I can do.
　With the instructor's approval, I'll be able to at least make it to the exam.

　That was Luxor's idea.

'Since when..... Since when did your father think of such a thing?''

What do you think you're taking about?　That day - the day I first crossed swords with you - you promised me that you would allow me to leave the territory. That if you won against me, I would allow you to leave the territory.

Before that, today's day...

　My whole body trembled.
　Something climbed in my face.
　My eyes became hot without a care in the world.

　Hot.....

　I cry.
　I was honestly happy.
　A father's love.
　I've always been alone.
　I've done things alone.

　That's why this was the first time.
　The fact that my folks were so good to me.

"How long has it been since I've seen you cry?

　Luxor laughed teasingly as he looked at my sobbing face.
　He held out a handkerchief.
　I take it and wipe the tears from my eyes.

'Why?'　Why do you treat me so well?

What do you think? I'm your father. Why else would I be here?

　Hearing that, I burst into tears again.