†

So today I once again practiced my swordsmans.h.i.+p and magic. I remembered big bro"s movements that he used to win the spar with me, without even moving from his spot.

The only thing big bro did was observe, react, and attack. On the other hand, While fighting big bro what did I do?... I used my flas.h.i.+est moves... No that"s not what I did.

First I tried to deny him the sense of sight, then I tried to deny him movement. After that I came charging with my strongest attack. Big bro completely read me and countered. How then should I proceed... No, it was not like that, it might have been because of the differences in our basic abilities?... Hm, no use thinking about it, better just keep on practicing. 

†

A few days later news arrived from the capital. A messenger was sent to the three warrior families, Hardy, Rogue, and Regius. The heads of each of the families were to come to the capital. This must be about the true humanity. 

†

Dad left for the capital, about three days have pa.s.sed. It was around that time when mom was summoned next. She didn"t want to go and leave me behind but I told her I"ll be alright with the servants. So now I"m alone with the servants inside this mansion. I wanted them to treat me like family but they wouldn"t do so. They would always put a distance between me and them. 

†

So with that I kept on training and training. Mom and dad couldn"t return because they were given a lot of missions from the kingdom. Being a part of the three warrior families, it was our obligation to devote our sword for the kingdom. 

†

A month has pa.s.sed and I received a letter that mom and dad might not come back this year. Big bro was also out and no one was here to play with me. I felt lonely truly lonely... No I can"t think like that! I must continue my training. As long as I can get stronger I"m sure I won"t be left behind.

†

I took another ranking exam my current rank went like this:

Sword:

Fire style: D cla.s.s

Wind style: D cla.s.s

Void style: C cla.s.s

Water style: C cla.s.s

Overall sword rank: C cla.s.s

Magic:

Wind: E cla.s.s

Earth: C cla.s.s

Water: C cla.s.s

I improved a lot but it"s still far away from the strength I wish to achieve. 

†

What can I do to get stronger faster? What did brother do? If I remember correctly brother went into the forest to fight monsters that was where he met Tsukiyomi-nee-san. But the forest was half gone due to brother and a lot of monsters have disappeared. Hmm... Still, it wouldn"t hurt to take a look. 

†

I decided to enter the forest, and so I told the servants that I will be going to the village for a while. I went to the village and into the forest. I knew some of the battle servants were following me. Yet I can"t do anything about that.

Well, they won"t intervene as long as it"s not that dangerous. I walked in the forest for a while when finally a group of monsters appeared. It was a herd of goblins, probably around twenty or so.

Upon spotting me they started to charge toward me. Their main weapons where clubs and hammers. I shouldn"t use magic on such opponents. I need to prove myself with my sword skills. I dashed forward my twin blades at hand. I jumped upward and dropped at the goblin at the center afterward I slashed the two goblins behind me.

One of them was about to hit me with a hammer I blocked using my left sword and attacked with my right sword. I rolled forward if I stop moving one of them will be able to hit me. I spun my whole body 360 degrees while my sword was extended. I was able to hit three more with that move. It was going pretty well, that was when I got hit from behind. That was the first time I was. .h.i.t so violently. I was about to lose consciousness when I heard one of the battle servant"s screaming, "Princess!"

†

I woke up in my bed disoriented, one of the servants was there looking after me. He was the oldest servant in the house. The head butler, it was said he was here since dad was a child.

"What happened?"

"You were hit by a hammer at the back of your head. Upon contact you fell unconscious. The battle servants went in and saved you. I"m deeply sorry for the inconvenience princess." The head butler bowed his head.

"No there is no need to be sorry. It was I who was pathetic."

"No princess you have done splendidly for someone your age. To be able to kill seven goblins is amazing."

"Really? If it was brother, he would have beaten all of the goblins without a single drop of sweat."

"Well indeed Edge-sama could have done so. Though Edge-sama is an exception among exceptions. Even among geniuses, Edge-sama is someone special." I looked at the head butler dejectedly,

"I see so brother really was special." Seeing me act like this the head butler smiled wryly.

"It is alright princess, even you can be called special it just so happens that Edge-same is.... Extra special. You, yourself princess can be called a genius as well. I remember when Leonard-sama was your age, he too would sneak out to go to the forest. Of course, we battle servants would follow him and when he encountered a goblin you know what he did?"

"He fought and killed it right?" I answered curiously. 

"Half correct, he would indeed fight it but he couldn"t win. The Leonard-sama who was hailed as a genius and got a high rank in his first ranking exam was almost killed by a single goblin. No matter how talented, without real experience, it would be hard to win. Yet you princess were able to do it. So please be proud of your abilities. I"m sure that you would be able to reach Edge-sama"s level someday." I looked at the head butler and nodded happily.

"Hey, can you tell me more stories about dad?"

"Certainly princess." So from that they onward I was less lonely.