Gild-san doesn’t say much about his saber. He only tells me that it is an important memento of his late wife. I don’t ask anything more either. Everyone has something they don’t want to talk about or remember.
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Once I get ahold of myself, I make a request of Gild-san.
“Anou, if it’s alright with you, can I keep receiving your guidance until the end of the year?”
“Nn?”
“I don’t think I’ll get a chance to receive instruction from someone as incredible as Gild-san any time soon. That’s why, I want Gild-san to teach me a lot more.”
Even though Old Sleigstar is my master, there is much I can learn from other people.
“Except, I thought you had to go back to Sleigstar-sama’s place?”
“Yes, but it won’t be a problem if I keep coming to Gild-san’s place until the end of the year. That was the time limit I was given from the start and I’ve already received the Dragon’s Gem.”
“I see.”
Gild-san closes his eyes and thinks about it.
“Alright, I shall bequeath what I still have onto the next era’s dragon king.”
Then upon opening his eyes, with a gentle smile that reaches the corners of his eyes, he agrees.
Even though there are only a few days left until the end of the year, everyday starting from when I inherited the Dragon’s Gem, I go to Gild-san’s place for more instruction. In particular, I’m taught how to handle the explosive burst of dragon power contained in Dragon’s Gem. The knowledge and experience I gain from the new techniques I’m taught for controlling this extraordinary dragon spirit are invaluable.
I want to tell Ruiseine about Gild-san, but she seems to be busy preparing for the new year’s rituals. Kiiri and Inea haven’t been coming to school either. As such, even by the time school closes for the new year holiday, I am unable to tell her.
This year’s winter, it’s a bit warmer than usual.
I don’t know if it’s because each day feels more fulfilling or if this really is a mild winter, but this is the first winter since I was born where I’m not secluding myself.
Then, finally, there are two days left for this year.
The next day, I have to return to the moss-covered plaza and report the outcome of my trial to Old Sleigstar, all according to the time frame he gave me.
That’s why this day is the last day I will receive instruction from Gild-san.
Even though it’s the end of the year, my leaving home early in the morning gets a sigh from my mother as she sees me off. However, she seems happy at my slump having cleared away and my getting energetic again.
Thus, I receive my final lesson from Gild-san.
Evening comes and the sun begins to set beyond Dragon’s Peak.
“Even though the time was brief, thank you very much for your guidance.”
I give a deep bow to Gild-san.
“No, you have my gratitude. For being a good successor, thanks.”
Gild-san, standing with his saber in place of a cane, gives a gentle smile.
In the end, I wasn’t able to get a second victory against Gild-san. That I was able to beat Gild-san once absolutely was a miracle. My inheriting the Dragon’s Gem and combining with the spirit girl gave me an unfathomable level of power, but I was still at my wits ends against Gild-san.
Gild-san should have weakened after parting with the Dragon’s Gem, so why?
Even though I wonder that, I realize it after thinking for a bit. Gild-san only ever used sword techniques at the start.
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So,
Gild-san negated the power I received by utilizing dragon techniques. I was left utterly helpless at the clear difference between our abilities and experiences.
Looks like Gild-san has been going easy on me since the start. Even as an ojii-san, Gild-san was a Dragon King. It doesn’t matter how much power a beginner like me has, that I won’t beat him is to be expected.
As Gild-san sees me off with a gentle smile, I once more give him a deep bow and head back home.
But before departing, I turn back towards Gild-san.
“Eetto, would it be okay for me to still come here in the future?”
“Hahaha, except don’t you have to head to Sleigstar-sama’s place everyday from now on?”
“Yes, that is true. Still, there is a lot more I want to learn from Gild-san, too.”
“Fumu, hearing that also makes me happy. I’ll grant you my guidance whenever you come.”
“Thank you very much!”
Having received Gild-san’s permission, I again bow out of delight.
Then, as I finish bowing,
“Well then, it’s already dark. Hurry home.”
“Yes, really, thank you very much. Well then, happy new year.”
“Happy new year.”
With that greeting as a farewell, I hurry and get back home.
Then, on the eve of the new year, I once more set out early in the morning. My mother again sees me off with a sigh.
“I’ll be back just past noon.”
My mother responds with a light, “Yes, yes,” to my words.
As expected, I have to be at home for the last day of the year. The great cleaning hasn’t even been done yet…
For now, since I planned to be free today, I’m going to report to Old Sleigstar.
I also want to meet Mistral and Priscilla-chan, but those two are no doubt busy with end of the year preparations, too. I’ll properly report to them once the new year starts and everything is settled. With such thoughts in mind, I head to the moss-covered plaza.
The scenery created by the long since fallen leaves of the Dragon Forest is eye catching as always. Overcome with nostalgia, I breath in deep. The cold winter air calms me down.
All right, I’ll take a walk.
Since I still can’t get to the moss-covered plaza by my own will, all I can do is walk around. While doing so, I take in the scenery I haven’t seen in a long time.
Along the way, I meet the large, grey wolf, demon beast. That’s alright though, that guy won’t attack me anymore. On the contrary, we get along enough that I’m allowed to ride on his back. This is all thanks to Priscilla-chan.
Afterwards, I meet the large rabbit demon beast.
Arere.
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As I continue walking, I meet the deer demon beasts.
Oi.
I meet the bear demon beast too.
Eetto…
You guys, why haven’t you gone back to Dragon’s Peak even though the decaying dragon is no longer around!?
While I’m thinking that, my surroundings change. It’s as if this was waiting for me to meet the demon beasts first.
The air clears and the sight of the deep forest calms my heart.
I’ve returned. I take in the deeply moving ancient forest.
The air clears and the sight of the deep forest calms my heart.
I’ve returned. I take in the deeply moving ancient forest.
Yeah, nothing’s changed. Even though it’s winter, a lush green ceiling is being created by the various trees of the ancient forest. The cries and chirps of the animals and birds are the same as ever. Do they not hibernate?
While satisfying my nostalgia, I continue forward. It’s then my field of view spreads open.
A deep verdant carpet. The branches of the massive spirit tree spreading like an umbrella. And in the center of the moss-covered plaza, just like always, rests Old Sleigstar.
“Nntto, welcome back!”
“Uwaoh.”
I catch Priscilla-chan in a fluster as she space jumps into my chest.
So, Priscilla-chan is here.
“I’m back.”
I greet Priscilla-chan who is happily clinging to me. Priscilla-chan is here.
“Welcome back.”
A bit of a distance away stands Mistral
“I- I’m back.”
Mistral.
It’s Mistral!
I haven’t been able to meet her all this time. I wanted and wanted to meet her, but it couldn’t be helped.
Tears reflectively come to my eyes as I rush up to her.
“It’s been so long!”
I’m already waving at Mistral with one hand as I hold Priscilla-chan with my other arm.
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Mistral also happily raises her hand,
and swings it down.
“Gya funn.”
Mistral’s iron fist strikes me straight in the head. It’s so painful, I’m crouched down holding my head with both hands. Priscilla-chan, worried, rubs my head.
“We finally get to meet after such a long time. What was that for?”
I, with a different sort of tears in my eyes, look up at Mistral.
Ah, she’s furious about something.
What happened to her smile just now? Her glare is sharp.
“Eetto,”
Is Mistral angry like this because of something I did?
“No, not eetto. Why didn’t you come back sooner?”
Mistral releases her anger at me with both her hands on her hips.
“What do you mean why…?”
“You inherited the Dragon’s Gem of Gild-sama’s long ago. Despite that, why didn’t you come back?”
“Eeeh, how do you know about that?”
I’m shocked.
Mistral, with a, “Haa,” turns away from me.
“Haa haa haa.”
The ancient forest sways as Old Sleigstar bursts with laughter.
“Thou didn’t notice Mistral, but she was worried about thee. Every few days, it seems she would head to Gild’s dwelling.”
“Nnah.”
Mistral’s face turns bright red, and she turns her body away from me.
“Ha haan, it was like that?”
I stand up and stare at Mistral.
So, Mistral was earnestly worried about me. Despite what Ruiseine said, she actually went to Gild-san’s house just to see me. I never even noticed. Gild-san probably did, he just didn’t tell me for some reason.
“Thou was not there to be pampered.”
Old Sleigstar reads my mind. I really did miss everything.
“I- I was worried.”
Mistral, with a, “Funn, looks the other way and walks towards Old Sleigstar.
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“Ah, wait.”
I hurry after her in a fluster.
“So then, up to what point do you know?”
I get closer to Mistral with a grin on my face.
“I- I don’t know.”
Mistral, blushing bright red from embarrassment, is really cute.
“This one knows everything; reports of thou have been received. Still, this one would hear thine’s honest report from thine’s own mouth.”
I head up to Old Sleigstar and inform him that I safely competed my objective. Then, as he quietly listens to me, he narrows his eyes, giving me the impression that he is gazing inside of my body.
“Certainly, the power of the Dragon’s Gem can be sensed from inside of your body. Thou did well accomplishing this with thine’s own power.”
Old Sleigstar nods in satisfaction.
Mumumu, I didn’t accomplish this with my power alone. Maybe he doesn’t know about the spirit-san?
“A spirit?”
Old Sleigstar looks at me with great interest.
“Yes, that’s right.”
With those words, I call the spirit girl of the spirit tree. Countless grains of light appear and take form.
Then, as a blond haired little girl materializes, Priscilla-chan’s eyes go round with shock.
“Owaa.”
Mistral, who turned away from Old Sleigstar, also stares in amazement.
“Priscilla can occasionally see me. Nice to meet you, I am the spirit of the spirit tree.”
The young girl introduces herself as she rotates in the air.
“Nntto, spirit-san.”
Priscilla-chan happily takes the girl’s hand and dances around.
She too dance jumps along with her. Looks like they immediately became good friends.
“Hohoo, how surprising.”
Old Sleigstar, opens his rarely seen eyes as he stares at the little girl prancing with Priscilla-chan.
“Did Mistral not know either?”
“I only knew about what was happening on the surface. Gild-sama didn’t tell me about this either.”
“Heee, you didn’t just watch when you came, but you also met with Gild-san?”
“Ugh.”
Mistral once more turns red and looks away at my quip.
Gild-san doesn’t say much about his saber. He only tells me that it is an important memento of his late wife. I don’t ask anything more either. Everyone has something they don’t want to talk about or remember.
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Once I get ahold of myself, I make a request of Gild-san.
“Anou, if it’s alright with you, can I keep receiving your guidance until the end of the year?”
“Nn?”
“I don’t think I’ll get a chance to receive instruction from someone as incredible as Gild-san any time soon. That’s why, I want Gild-san to teach me a lot more.”
Even though Old Sleigstar is my master, there is much I can learn from other people.
“Except, I thought you had to go back to Sleigstar-sama’s place?”
“Yes, but it won’t be a problem if I keep coming to Gild-san’s place until the end of the year. That was the time limit I was given from the start and I’ve already received the Dragon’s Gem.”
“I see.”
Gild-san closes his eyes and thinks about it.
“Alright, I shall bequeath what I still have onto the next era’s dragon king.”
Then upon opening his eyes, with a gentle smile that reaches the corners of his eyes, he agrees.
Even though there are only a few days left until the end of the year, everyday starting from when I inherited the Dragon’s Gem, I go to Gild-san’s place for more instruction. In particular, I’m taught how to handle the explosive burst of dragon power contained in Dragon’s Gem. The knowledge and experience I gain from the new techniques I’m taught for controlling this extraordinary dragon spirit are invaluable.
I want to tell Ruiseine about Gild-san, but she seems to be busy preparing for the new year’s rituals. Kiiri and Inea haven’t been coming to school either. As such, even by the time school closes for the new year holiday, I am unable to tell her.
This year’s winter, it’s a bit warmer than usual.
I don’t know if it’s because each day feels more fulfilling or if this really is a mild winter, but this is the first winter since I was born where I’m not secluding myself.
Then, finally, there are two days left for this year.
The next day, I have to return to the moss-covered plaza and report the outcome of my trial to Old Sleigstar, all according to the time frame he gave me.
That’s why this day is the last day I will receive instruction from Gild-san.
Even though it’s the end of the year, my leaving home early in the morning gets a sigh from my mother as she sees me off. However, she seems happy at my slump having cleared away and my getting energetic again.
Thus, I receive my final lesson from Gild-san.
Evening comes and the sun begins to set beyond Dragon’s Peak.
“Even though the time was brief, thank you very much for your guidance.”
I give a deep bow to Gild-san.
“No, you have my gratitude. For being a good successor, thanks.”
Gild-san, standing with his saber in place of a cane, gives a gentle smile.
In the end, I wasn’t able to get a second victory against Gild-san. That I was able to beat Gild-san once absolutely was a miracle. My inheriting the Dragon’s Gem and combining with the spirit girl gave me an unfathomable level of power, but I was still at my wits ends against Gild-san.
Gild-san should have weakened after parting with the Dragon’s Gem, so why?
Even though I wonder that, I realize it after thinking for a bit. Gild-san only ever used sword techniques at the start.
Sponsored Content
So,
Gild-san negated the power I received by utilizing dragon techniques. I was left utterly helpless at the clear difference between our abilities and experiences.
Looks like Gild-san has been going easy on me since the start. Even as an ojii-san, Gild-san was a Dragon King. It doesn’t matter how much power a beginner like me has, that I won’t beat him is to be expected.
As Gild-san sees me off with a gentle smile, I once more give him a deep bow and head back home.
But before departing, I turn back towards Gild-san.
“Eetto, would it be okay for me to still come here in the future?”
“Hahaha, except don’t you have to head to Sleigstar-sama’s place everyday from now on?”
“Yes, that is true. Still, there is a lot more I want to learn from Gild-san, too.”
“Fumu, hearing that also makes me happy. I’ll grant you my guidance whenever you come.”
“Thank you very much!”
Having received Gild-san’s permission, I again bow out of delight.
Then, as I finish bowing,
“Well then, it’s already dark. Hurry home.”
“Yes, really, thank you very much. Well then, happy new year.”
“Happy new year.”
With that greeting as a farewell, I hurry and get back home.
Then, on the eve of the new year, I once more set out early in the morning. My mother again sees me off with a sigh.
“I’ll be back just past noon.”
My mother responds with a light, “Yes, yes,” to my words.
As expected, I have to be at home for the last day of the year. The great cleaning hasn’t even been done yet…
For now, since I planned to be free today, I’m going to report to Old Sleigstar.
I also want to meet Mistral and Priscilla-chan, but those two are no doubt busy with end of the year preparations, too. I’ll properly report to them once the new year starts and everything is settled. With such thoughts in mind, I head to the moss-covered plaza.
The scenery created by the long since fallen leaves of the Dragon Forest is eye catching as always. Overcome with nostalgia, I breath in deep. The cold winter air calms me down.
All right, I’ll take a walk.
Since I still can’t get to the moss-covered plaza by my own will, all I can do is walk around. While doing so, I take in the scenery I haven’t seen in a long time.
Along the way, I meet the large, grey wolf, demon beast. That’s alright though, that guy won’t attack me anymore. On the contrary, we get along enough that I’m allowed to ride on his back. This is all thanks to Priscilla-chan.
Afterwards, I meet the large rabbit demon beast.
Arere.
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As I continue walking, I meet the deer demon beasts.
Oi.
I meet the bear demon beast too.
Eetto…
You guys, why haven’t you gone back to Dragon’s Peak even though the decaying dragon is no longer around!?
While I’m thinking that, my surroundings change. It’s as if this was waiting for me to meet the demon beasts first.
The air clears and the sight of the deep forest calms my heart.
I’ve returned. I take in the deeply moving ancient forest.
The air clears and the sight of the deep forest calms my heart.
I’ve returned. I take in the deeply moving ancient forest.
Yeah, nothing’s changed. Even though it’s winter, a lush green ceiling is being created by the various trees of the ancient forest. The cries and chirps of the animals and birds are the same as ever. Do they not hibernate?
While satisfying my nostalgia, I continue forward. It’s then my field of view spreads open.
A deep verdant carpet. The branches of the massive spirit tree spreading like an umbrella. And in the center of the moss-covered plaza, just like always, rests Old Sleigstar.
“Nntto, welcome back!”
“Uwaoh.”
I catch Priscilla-chan in a fluster as she space jumps into my chest.
So, Priscilla-chan is here.
“I’m back.”
I greet Priscilla-chan who is happily clinging to me. Priscilla-chan is here.
“Welcome back.”
A bit of a distance away stands Mistral
“I- I’m back.”
Mistral.
It’s Mistral!
I haven’t been able to meet her all this time. I wanted and wanted to meet her, but it couldn’t be helped.
Tears reflectively come to my eyes as I rush up to her.
“It’s been so long!”
I’m already waving at Mistral with one hand as I hold Priscilla-chan with my other arm.
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Mistral also happily raises her hand,
and swings it down.
“Gya funn.”
Mistral’s iron fist strikes me straight in the head. It’s so painful, I’m crouched down holding my head with both hands. Priscilla-chan, worried, rubs my head.
“We finally get to meet after such a long time. What was that for?”
I, with a different sort of tears in my eyes, look up at Mistral.
Ah, she’s furious about something.
What happened to her smile just now? Her glare is sharp.
“Eetto,”
Is Mistral angry like this because of something I did?
“No, not eetto. Why didn’t you come back sooner?”
Mistral releases her anger at me with both her hands on her hips.
“What do you mean why…?”
“You inherited the Dragon’s Gem of Gild-sama’s long ago. Despite that, why didn’t you come back?”
“Eeeh, how do you know about that?”
I’m shocked.
Mistral, with a, “Haa,” turns away from me.
“Haa haa haa.”
The ancient forest sways as Old Sleigstar bursts with laughter.
“Thou didn’t notice Mistral, but she was worried about thee. Every few days, it seems she would head to Gild’s dwelling.”
“Nnah.”
Mistral’s face turns bright red, and she turns her body away from me.
“Ha haan, it was like that?”
I stand up and stare at Mistral.
So, Mistral was earnestly worried about me. Despite what Ruiseine said, she actually went to Gild-san’s house just to see me. I never even noticed. Gild-san probably did, he just didn’t tell me for some reason.
“Thou was not there to be pampered.”
Old Sleigstar reads my mind. I really did miss everything.
“I- I was worried.”
Mistral, with a, “Funn, looks the other way and walks towards Old Sleigstar.
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“Ah, wait.”
I hurry after her in a fluster.
“So then, up to what point do you know?”
I get closer to Mistral with a grin on my face.
“I- I don’t know.”
Mistral, blushing bright red from embarrassment, is really cute.
“This one knows everything; reports of thou have been received. Still, this one would hear thine’s honest report from thine’s own mouth.”
I head up to Old Sleigstar and inform him that I safely competed my objective. Then, as he quietly listens to me, he narrows his eyes, giving me the impression that he is gazing inside of my body.
“Certainly, the power of the Dragon’s Gem can be sensed from inside of your body. Thou did well accomplishing this with thine’s own power.”
Old Sleigstar nods in satisfaction.
Mumumu, I didn’t accomplish this with my power alone. Maybe he doesn’t know about the spirit-san?
“A spirit?”
Old Sleigstar looks at me with great interest.
“Yes, that’s right.”
With those words, I call the spirit girl of the spirit tree. Countless grains of light appear and take form.
Then, as a blond haired little girl materializes, Priscilla-chan’s eyes go round with shock.
“Owaa.”
Mistral, who turned away from Old Sleigstar, also stares in amazement.
“Priscilla can occasionally see me. Nice to meet you, I am the spirit of the spirit tree.”
The young girl introduces herself as she rotates in the air.
“Nntto, spirit-san.”
Priscilla-chan happily takes the girl’s hand and dances around.
She too dance jumps along with her. Looks like they immediately became good friends.
“Hohoo, how surprising.”
Old Sleigstar, opens his rarely seen eyes as he stares at the little girl prancing with Priscilla-chan.
“Did Mistral not know either?”
“I only knew about what was happening on the surface. Gild-sama didn’t tell me about this either.”
“Heee, you didn’t just watch when you came, but you also met with Gild-san?”
“Ugh.”
Mistral once more turns red and looks away at my quip.
