I'm home.

　The one who came in the back door was a man about six feet tall, with black hair.
　It's my dad.

Welcome back, Dad.

Hey, Revel. I saw you on your way home, Anna. She was walking around with a smile on her face, maybe she got a good talent?

Anna is a [dragon knight].

Wow, this is quite a talent we got. How about you?

I'm [trying]

"Pfffft ...... you [effort] are ...... pfft.

　Dad laughed, shaking his shoulders and putting his hand over his mouth.

"That's a hell of a way to treat your own son.

No, because [effort] isn't a talent: ...... pfft.

　He's still laughing.

"Phew, ...... but that's just like you, isn't it?　And this is what it feels like to be your father's son.

　He finally stopped laughing and said.

'That again?　Talent isn't something that is given. Talent is nurtured, you know.

Yeah, that's it. You know what I'm talking about.

　My father's talent is being a swordsman.
　But dad worked his way up to being a swordsman.

　Swordsmanship is an occupation for those who are skilled in the art of swordplay.
　A swordsman has a scale of strength.
　Lowest swordsman, swordsman, highest-ranking swordsman, highest-ranking swordsman, and then the swordsman's saint, in that order.
Only my father knows of anyone who's gone from being a swordsman to a swordsman.

There's no limit to how boring life can be for a talented swordsman. Don't ask God for help in life...decide for yourself. You can become anything you want because it's just hard work. ......

　Oh, he's laughing again.

Can you stop laughing after you say something like that?

'No because, pfft, ......

What?　What's up with all the fun?

　Mom came in when the store was closed.
　She took off her hat and her long blond hair fluttered in the air.

"Mom, listen to me!　He said the talent Revell got was [effort]!

"Pfffft. ...... What are you trying to do!　It's not a talent!　That's an interesting thing you got there, my son.

Right?　Gahahahaha, I knew this was going to be a blast, Revell.

So how many times do I have to tell you not to laugh at my son?

　He let out a sigh.

But that was Rivelle. You've always been a hard worker.

I know.

　I had no idea.

You worked so hard to become a good cook.　I just wanted to see Anna's smiling face.

Oh, I didn't know that was the reason.

　It's a shame.
　She scratches her cheek while looking diagonally upward.

It's great to be young. Hey, Mom.

You're not fooling around anymore.

Hey. So what's Revell trying to do?

　Folding his arms, my father said.

"I want to be strong. That's why I want you to teach me how to use a sword.

It's a boy. It's good, right?　Hey, Dad.

No, Mom. Here's another funny story.

　Dad grinned a little and whispered into her ear.
　And then she said.

Hey, you look great.

　And then he laughed.

'You two are such a pain in the ass.

Oh, you're a rebel, huh?

You're not so mean anymore. So you're going to teach Revell how to use a sword?

Of course it's good, but Revel already has some swordsmanship in him, don't you?

　I've been going to my father's dojo since I was a child and learning fencing techniques while playing, so I'm not much better than an amateur.



Um, then make me stronger than you.

Oh, yeah, 100 years. Dad, you're a genius. You're the best.

"What kind of genius is that when your talent is [swordsman]?

[Swordsman] is a generic one and can't be flattered to say he's talented.

'Shut up!　You're a swordsman, so you're allowed to be a self-proclaimed genius.

　You're absolutely right, it's not normal for a person to climb to the level of a swordsman when their talent is a [swordsman].

'It's not a dimension of genius, it's more like an outsider.

Hey, you're a very nice guy.

Dad, I hope this makes you happy. I'm not a human being, and I don't want a husband.

'Ka, Mom. Revel is talking about a metaphor: ......

Just kidding.

　You're so in love with your mother, you're always in over your head.
　There are only a few sword saints in the world and it's rare for them to be this folksy.

Well, give up trying to surpass my father. That's not for me to tell you.

So how strong can you make me?

It depends on how hard you train.

It's the toughest.

"...... is going to die at worst, right?　Are you ready for that?

　He had such serious eyes.
　That's how hard that training must be.

Don't worry. My talent is [hard work].

　But I answered immediately.
　I think [effort] works by pushing yourself harder.
　Honestly, it's a little scary.
　I think I would regret it.
　But I had confidence that I could do it.

So I'll start training after a week. I'll train you all the way through. Then I'll make sure you're as good as a top-level swordsman.

Thanks, Dad.

Well, it's only a week before we really start practicing, so come to the dojo tomorrow. This time of year, there's a lot of guys who have been given the gift of [swordsmanship].

Okay.


　I'm not just going to spend a week in the dojo before my real training begins.
　I can't waste a minute or a second.

　I can't waste a minute or a second. ...... Well, I think I'll be okay with this.

　After all, I have the wisdom.