-Sylphiette-

  Four years passed by in a flash. Early on, it was clear Aisha was a genius. She managed to learn shortened casting faster than even Roxy. Even more impressive, she managed to cast without incantations at all. The materials we received made it seem as though it was just a common fairy tale, but she could use silent magic. There were severe limitations though, like using more mana than usual and requiring intense focus. While I could replicate the effect when using healing magic, shortening incantations was the most I could manage with all other spells. Despite her best efforts, Roxy couldn't silently cast at all, instead growing content with mastering shortened casting.

  Norn was fine with only learning traditional magic, instead focusing on her swordsmanship. Unsurprisingly, she managed to manifest a perfect battle aura within months of me learning the technique. With that, we had both risen to the rank of Advanced swordswomen. However, while I had only gained the title in North God style, Norn had attained it in all three school. That meant, I stopped holding back.

  “Hyah!” I surged forward, using a gust of wind to increase my speed. At the same time, I began chanting again. Norn was careful, blocking my charging assault while listening for if I would shorten the incantation or use the traditional method. She would need to adapt depending on how quickly she could expect the spell.

  “Nice try!” She kicked me away, knocking the wind out of me. While the normal form of spell casting could maintain itself even after being interrupted, a shortened spell would fail if it couldn't be completed in one go. With that kick, she had canceled my spell. Meanwhile, Norn's stance was firm, solidified by her battle aura. She stepped into the kick smoothly, following it into a dash. I tried to block, restarting my incantation. I barely managed to fend off her attacks when I launched another spell.

  A gust of wind buffeted Norn, but she was prepared. She held her ground, splitting the gale with an upward slash, her aura scattering the mana of my spell. With her sword overhead, she held it in both hands and slashed downwards. I went to block, but the force of the strike slammed my sword down, forcing me to one knee and allowing her blade to strike my shoulder. With a gasp of pain, I yielded.

  “Good work.” Norn held out her hand, which I took. “You shouldn't use shortened casting that close to me. It leaves you wide open.”

  “That's why I thought you wouldn't expect it.” I was on a losing streak, ever since she had become an advanced swordswoman. She wasn't slowing down either. “Still trying to use the Longsword of Light?”

  “Yeah...” Norn was determined to become even stronger than Paul. Right now, they were on even ground, but the way forward was clear. Paul didn't know the specifics of how a Water God or North God became a saint, but the Sword God style required mastering their signature technique. A single overhead strike that would crush any opponent: The Longsword of Light. “I can feel it. I'll master it any day now.”

  “I'm sure you will.” Norn was a hard worker. She had already surpassed me. I was certain she'd surpass Paul next. Looking over to him, I shouted. “How are things going?”

  Paul and Aisha were sparring. Once Roxy was able to help her past any roadblocks she faced while studying magic, Aisha began studying the blade as well. She was still struggling to learn the intermediate techniques, so she wasn't supposed to be using magic while sparring. However...

  A pillar of earth shot up under Paul's foot. Aisha smirked, one hand outstretched at his foot, thinking she had gained the upper hand. Instead, Paul smacked her wrist, disarming her, before tapping her on the head. “We've been over this. No magic yet. You always leave yourself wide open.”

  “Fine...” She healed her hand, then picked her sword up again. “Can I train with Sylphiette some more?”

  With a sigh, Paul scratched his head. “That's up to her. What do you think?” As much as he was strict, he still had trouble flat out telling his daughters no. So, he deflected to me when possible.

  “Sorry, Aisha. Forms first. Then we'll mix in magic.”

  “Boo!” Aisha pouted, but soon focused again. While swordplay wasn't her strong suit, she wanted to follow in my footsteps. She was my clingy little sister.

  “Sylphie!” As I prepared to take my break, Roxy called out to me. “I'm going out to water the fields. Would you mind joining me?”

  “Of course!” I tossed my sword to Norn, who deftly swiped it out of the air. “Sorry, Norn.”

  “You guys have fun.” I saw a glimmer in her eye, as she started approaching Paul. “Daddy, it's my turn!”

  “No fair! You just finished up with Sylphiette! You know daddy's working tonight!”

  As the sisters began bickering over who got to spar with Paul, Roxy and I headed out.

  The storm clouds gathered with the swirl of her staff. The rain began to fall, as fields of plants were quenched. A recent drought was threatening to cause issues for the local farmers, so Roxy stepped in to supply them with rain until the natural storms returned. I had seen it many times over the years, but my teacher's magic was always a beautiful sight.

  “That should do it.” Roxy lowered her staff, turning to me with a bit of a grimace. “You really should take shelter when you join me. I wouldn't want you catching a cold.”

  “I don't want to miss a moment of your casting.” I smiled at her, ignoring how soaked I was. Roxy wore a hat fitting a magician, which protected her from the rain. Meanwhile, I had no such cover. I had outgrown my hooded jacket. When my father offered to replace it, I declined. I didn't need to hide anymore. Although, it would have been useful in these situations.

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  With a sigh, Roxy cast another spell, summoning a small mound of dirt in front of her. “At the very least, let me fix you hair.”

  I flipped my braid over my shoulder to get a better look. It had started to unfurl, very near to becoming a mangled mess. “Yes, teacher.”

  Sitting in front of her, Roxy started unbinding my hair, preparing to re-braid it. “I'm surprised you kept growing this out. When we met, it was so short.”

  “Well, when I saw your hair, I wanted to try it.” I recalled how her twin braids looked so pretty on that day. I wanted something similar, but preferred the single braid. It felt nice to express my femininity. “It makes me feel beautiful.”

  “It's certainly looks fetching on you.” My cheeks blushed. I wasn't used to compliments on my appearance. “Now, let's review. How did I form the clouds?”

  “Yes, teacher.” I began to recite our recent lessons on combined magic. To create greater effects or maintain spells for longer, different schools of magic worked in tandem. All us girls were preparing to learn the Saint tier water magic Cumulonimbus, one of Roxy's greatest spell. A part of me was delighted to be able to reach the same heights as the woman I respected. Another part of me wished that day would never come...

  “Good.” Either in reference to my recital or her finishing my braid, Roxy declared we were done. “Now, I think that's enough time.”

  “Time for what?” I questioned. I couldn't think of a reason we'd need to be buying time.

  “Oh! Umm... Uh...” Roxy must have been keeping a secret and nearly let it slip. She had a habit of making tiny mistakes, and the way she tried to cover for them was always so cute. “Right! Laundry! I had hung it out. It should be dry by now.”

  “Of course.” I giggled, knowing she must have something else in mind. “Then, shall we return.”

  “Yes. Let's go.” She shyly avoided my eyes. I wondered what she was really buying time for?

  When we returned to the Greyrat house, I was surprised to find my mother there. She was helping Zenith and Lilia prepare a large meal. Norn and Aisha were setting up the table, when they noticed our return. Roxy looked a bit bashful, as she scratched her chin. “I guess they needed more time.”

  “What's going on?” I asked, genuinely confused. I thought I would have heard about something this extravagant.

  “I guess the cat's out of the bag.” My mother came over to great us. “Happy Birthday, Sylphiette.” With that, she pulled me into a hug. “You're finally an adult.”

  “Oh!” I had forgotten, since we only celebrate birthdays every five years. Having turned fifteen, this would be my third and final celebration. “Thank you, mother.”

  We all enjoyed the elaborate feast. My previous birthdays had been smaller affairs with my mother and father, but this year the monsters were acting up. Both my father and Paul had been working late, to avoid any midnight raids. When my mother had mentioned the prospect of celebrating with just the two of us, Zenith had insisted they host us. While I still would have liked to have my father and Paul attend, having the company of my mother and the Greyrat women was more than enough.

  As we finished dinner, Lilia put Aisha and Norn to bed, despite their resistance. They wanted to spend more time with me, but everyone could tell they were starting to doze off. I gave them each a hug, before they were herded off. I also expected it would be time for us to leave, but it seemed my mother was settled in for a late night.

  “I'm so grateful to you and Paul.” My mother was talking to Zenith. “You've done so much for our Sylphiette.”

  “Mother...” My parents had tried their best, but they could only do so much on their own. I could see how their lives improved once I started relying on the Greyrats. I had always held some guilt over how selfishly I'd taken their time, especially once they had two daughters of their own.

  “Don't worry about it.” Zenith broke me out of my thoughts, her shinning smile as radiant as ever. “She needed the help and we had the time to spare. She's been such a good friend to Aisha and Norn. Everyone here considers her family.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Zenith.” I could feel tears start to sting my eyes. I didn't think I deserved her compassion.

  “Hey, no crying on your big day.” Zenith playfully scolded me for getting emotional, when Lilia came back into the kitchen. She was carrying a wooden crate. Reaching in, Zenith pulled out a bottle. “Let's lighten up the mood a bit.”

  Five cups were pulled out, each filled to the brim with a sweet smelling wine. When I realized one was meant for me, I tried to decline. “I've never had alcohol before, and this seems expensive. I shouldn't.”

  “Now, don't be rude.” My mother teased, taking a drink from her cup. “You should accept when offered a drink.”

  “Plus, you're an adult now. No better time to start.” Zenith raised her cup for a toast. Roxy followed adventurer convention and joined her.

  Realizing I wasn't going to be allowed to back down, I tapped my cups to theirs. “Well then, Cheers!”

  -Roxy-

  I took my time drinking my wine, not wanting to risk intoxication in uncharted territory. I knew what to expect of Zenith, as we'd shared a few cups over the last couple of years. Lilia was also reserved, never drinking more than a single cup in a night. Sylphie's mother managed to keep her composure, even as she began to sway. The wild card was Sylpie. Being her first night drinking, I needed to be prepared for whatever state she might end up in after a few cups.

  “Teacher!” My caution was well warranted. Sylphie had taken my arm for herself, clinging to me in a drunken stupor. “Do you think my hair is pretty?”

  “Yes. You take very good care of it. It looks lovely.” I prepared myself for a long night, slowly sipping my drink in attempt to avoid being topped off.

  “I love your hair too!” Syphie stroked one of my braids. Despite her inebriation, she was careful never to tug or pull in an uncomfortable way. “It's pretty! Just like you!”

  “Keep flirting like that and you'll make me jealous.” Zenith leaned over, snickering as she filled Sylphie's cup once again. She had taken up the seat on her other side. It seemed she had always planned to liqueur up the inexperienced girl.

  “But Teacher is the best!” Sylphie held me tighter, a bit more-so than I found comfortable. “She's my favorite teacher!”

  “Boo!” Zenith stuck out her tongue, pretending to pout. “I was your teacher too. What does that make me?”

  Sylphie gave this question serious thought, then blurted out. “Mrs. Zenith is my favorite second mom!”

  “Oh, Sylphiette!” Zenith began hugging her, despite the odd specificity of her praise. I appreciated the short reprieve from being smothered by my drunken pupil.

  Lilia chirped in. “What about Paul?”

  Without missing a beat, Sylphie spat out with a wide grin. “Mr. Paul is my favorite scumbag!”

  This caused Zenith to burst out laughing. Lilia similarly smirked at the comment. Sylphie's mother might have reprimanded her daughter, but she was starting to fall asleep in her seat.

  Meanwhile, something started to bother me. “Sylphie?”

  “Yes, teacher?”

  “Why don't you use my name?” It had struck me as odd. Even though she was polite while addressing them, she still used Paul and Zenith's names. I was the only one she addressed solely by title.

  “Because it would be embarrassing...” Sylphie became oddly quiet, in spite of her intoxication.

  “Come now. It will be easy once you try it.” My drink must have been getting to me, because I felt like joining in on the teasing. “Go ahead. Say it. R-o-x-y.”

  “R-” Sylphie started to blush, but forced herself through. In a whisper, she called my name. “...roxy...”

  “Good girl.” I began patting her head, which seemed to set her off.

  “Roxy!” She squeezed me so tight. I sometimes forgot she had well trained muscles on her small frame. As I struggled to escape her clutches, she kept squealing. “Roxy! Roxy! Roxy! You're my favorite, Roxy!”