> Ellie PoV

*Su* *Su*

*Su su*

*Su*

*Su su SU*

*Su* *Su*

*Su su su su*

*Su*

…

*Su SU*

*SU*

The sharp sounds are good, there’s progress.

A dutifully performed kata.

“Ooooh!” (Kelly, Lara, Sophie)

*Clap clap clap clap*

The others were impressed enough to start applauding.

Well, perhaps it’s as expected.

Right, let's offer some praise.

"Better than yesterday." (Ellie)

“*Haaah haaah haaah* Really? *Haaah*” (Kira)

A heavily panting and sweaty Kira.

This appearance is one I’ve seen many times.

But the presence of clothes and being outside makes it somehow more exciting…

Ah, no good, I must be strict here.

Since I’m the teacher.

“Considering Kira only just started, it’s very good. But there are still places to improve!

Concentration is good, but balance is unsteady! Speed is still lacking!” (Ellie)

“*Haah* My br- chest keeps *Haah* Throwing me off!” (Kira)

As expected, the chest is a problem.

Even after binding it completely, the weight and size get in the way.

Kira is formidable as ever!

Kira only recently started training this way.

Ever since we came back from the box hunt, actually.

We had to take a break with the construction, which was bad.

It’s important to practice these movements regularly.

Still, Kira’s progress is amazing.

Kira already knows all the moves and steps.

She said it’s because she’s always watching me practice until now.

But, knowing and doing are different after all.

Because it’s not just the chest that’s the problem.

Kira’s chest aside, her lower body is a bit weak and needs more strength.

Stamina is good since Kira is an active adventurer.

Long treks across uneven terrain will do that naturally.

But because her soft body isn’t strong enough, it doesn’t behave exactly like she wants.

Kira’s punches and hand strikes are sharp and accurate, the form there is okay.

But when it comes to kicks and legwork, she’s unsteady.

As expected, it’s the chest.

But, with enough practice it is not something that can’t be overcome!

If Kira trains her long smooth legs a bit, then even that splendid bouncing chest can be overcome...

“*Haaah haaah*” (Kira)

{Kelly, situation H! Get the kids inside, quickly!}

She’s still breathing heavily since she’s tired…

“Aaaaaalright then. Girls, let’s go see what we can do about lunch, okay?” (Kelly)

“Huh? Is it over? But...” (Lara)

Her vulnerable position and disheveled appearance…

“Mommy was so cool! I want to see moooore!” (Sophie)

Her flushed cheeks and sweaty body…

“No, trust me on this kiddo, this isn’t something you want to see. Come on, let’s help out Nano.” (Kelly)

““Okay Aunt Kelly...”” (Lara and Sophie)

I crouch down next to Kira who’s sitting down on the ground.

“Kira…” (Ellie)

I soak in every part of her being.

*Haaah haaah*

The sound of her breathing...

*Sniff sniff*

The smell of her hair...

“... Ellie?” (Kira)

*Lick*

The taste of her cheeks...

“Kya! Ellie ~♡!” (Kira)

*Fondle fondle*

The feel of her skin…

“We shouldn’t ~♡! We’re outside ~♡!” (Kira)

* * *

That was close.

Me and Kira completely forgot about the girls.

“No fair! I wanted to see mommy’s dancing!” (Sophie)

“Yeah! Mom and mom kept going after we left right?!” (Lara)

“There’s no such thing!” (Kira)

Kira protests with a red face.

It’s true that, technically, we didn’t keep going with the training.

“But we could hear Mom's happy voice all the way in the kitchen!” (Lara)

“Yea yea! It sounded like fun! I wanted to seee!” (Sophie)

Thankfully Nano and Kelly were there.

So a worst case scenario was averted.

Nano, good job!

Right now we’re back inside, enjoying lunch.

“Oh… they definitely kept going alright…” (Kelly)

Somehow Kelly’s eyes seem to be staring beyond the wall.

“This is a secret technique that’s far too dangerous to show you two, complaining won’t help.” (Nano)

Oh, well said!

The girls seem to accept Nano’s strict words.

Everyone resumes eating with zeal.

Kelly and Lara as usual perform a combined assault on the meat.

Sophie focuses more on the fresh vegetables and fruits.

I’m with her, boar meat is tasty but it’s a bit difficult to chew.

It’s different whenever we have proper pork or beef, but those are expensive.

Kira has a nice balance of both.

Nano’s butler-mode android is acting as a waiter.

I prefer this to construction drones carrying the dishes with kinetic tethers.

It’s also easier on the girls who can’t hear Nano otherwise.

As expected, the ear communicators would be too much for kids.

But my bad habit kept upsetting Lara, so Nano and Kelly made them hairclips instead.

Sophie’s hairclip is three silver-ish marigolds.

It’s cute and suits her very well.

Lara’s hairclip is a small replica of Scrappy’s helmet profile, in a deep red.

What is this, it’s way too cool!

It reminds me of Scrappy’s gallant form when we assaulted Fishface’s base!

I wanted a Scrappy accessory too, but Nano declined, something about redundant features.

Nano doesn’t understand - it’s not about function, it’s about fashion!

I’ve never had the chance before, so putting in effort to be cute is hard!

And I want to be as cute as possible for Kira’s sake!

Thankfully, Clara from the guild helps me out a lot with advice.

She’s younger than me, but she’s already a veteran of the battlefield called shopping!

* * *

I really should thank Fishface.

Just a little though.

I think I’ll only break one of his arms next time we meet.

His weapon really hurt me and Nano, so this much should be enough.

It was the first time both of us were completely out.

Kira acted fast and we avoided a dangerous situation.

I’m so glad... if I’m gone then Kira will be sad.

I cannot allow that to happen.

Since I’m the wife.

But when I woke up afterwards I felt a bit strange.

Like something was pushing down on me and my body was heavier.

Even though I wasn’t tired and my injuries had healed.

It got better after a few days, which was good.

Nano thought it was a side-effect of that psionic feedback pulse.

But Nano was unsure, which was rare.

I explained it to Kira.

Where Nano is lacking, Kira fills in, and vice versa.

Truly a dream team!

Kira had an idea, but we had to wait until we got home to verify it.

When we did, she handed me a small stick with a crystal ball on the end.

I remember this, it’s used to measure how good a mage someone can be.

You grab the wooden bit and the crystal ball lights up.

Something about measuring mana in the body.

If it shines a cold color like blue or green, it's not enough to use spells.

If it shines a warm color like yellow or red, you have enough to be a mage.

Those who go into red color can be called prodigies and geniuses.

Kira was like that when she was 10 years old.

Nothing less from the amazing Kira!

That’s how she got into the Magic Academy so easily.

Incidentally, when Kelly tried it, it was a color that was between yellow and orange.

Apparently that’s average.

Kira bought one of these measuring tools during our first visit to Runetap.

She was curious if I could be a mage.

When I tried it, it didn’t even light up.

It was a bit sad, but not a big deal since I didn’t need magic anyway.

I didn’t need it okay?!

But after I was knocked out, I tried it again by Kira’s request.

The crystal ball still didn’t light up.

Because it exploded instantly.

It seems when Nano was asleep, I had “found” my mana.

That heavy feeling I described is what mana exhaustion feels like to Kira.

Nano and Kira explained it with words like ‘resonance’ and ‘interference’ but I was far too excited to pay attention.

My secret dream of using actual magic was not impossible!

And today, after weeks of intense study and practice!

“-- [Illuminate]” (Ellie)

A small ball of light appeared from Kira’s staff.

The staff I was holding.

“Ooooh!” (Kelly, Lara, Sophie)

*Clap clap clap clap*

“I did it! I did actual magic! YEAAAAAAAAH!” (Ellie)

I jumped up and down while shouting, unable to contain my excitement!

“Very good Ellie! I’m so proud!” (Kira)

Kira had me practice at every chance since that day.

Somehow, the feeling of magic is very similar to using [Telekinesis].

But at the same time, very different.

Like learning to write with my left hand instead of my right.

“Now then, come here ~♡! It’s reward time ~♡!” (Kira)

I bounce over to where Kira is sitting and put my head on her lap.

*Scritch scritch*

“Nyaaa…” (Ellie)

It’s strange, it should be dinner soon yet I’m already so full...

I'm thinking of adding a new male character to the party soon. I'm not sure what personality to go with, so I made a poll to help me out a bit. I'd appreciate the readers' input on this!

P.S. A bit of trivia - Ellie didn't refer to Kira as "her" or "she" until a very important event in the story, in Chapter 20.