"Why did you have to accept?" Theodore said, sounding a bit disappointed as we stood in the backyard. "If he wins it'll just boost up his ego."

This yard is even more impressive than the front. I thought as I looked around at the open space, fully paved, with few trees and flowers decorating the place as well as a small patio.

"Don't worry," Hanna said with her hands on her hips as she looked at Theodore. "Arata has fought an entire army of Orcs. So if it's him he'll win."

"Did you really fight an army of Orcs?" Theodore asked, sounding unconvinced as he seemed to hold back a laugh.

"Yup," I answered a bit in embarrassment, noticing his expression. "And I lost miserably to them," I continued, then turned my attention back forward. "Well, it's time."

Walking up to the open area where Alexander was I stood right in front of him. Looking around I noticed the whole family watching along with the butlers and maids. "Get ready," Leon said, standing in between us. "Begin!"

Since Alexander loves being arrogant. I guess I'll be too. I thought as I watched him make his way to me. "I don't need this to beat you," I said with one glance at my wooden blade before tossing it away.

"Are you that stupid!?" he yelled, his brows furrowing in annoyance. He can't use internal mana control so he's as slow as a normal person. Getting within range he then proceeded to throw various slow attacks that I was able to dodge with no difficulty whatsoever. "Damn it! Why can't I land a hit!?" he said to himself out of frustration.

Raising the sword up above his head he swung it straight down. Taking a step back I dodged the attack. Having swung it down with so much force the blade hit the ground. Taking the opportunity I stepped on it causing Alexander to stumble forward.

Bringing my knee up I kicked his face, resulting in him falling back. "Is this pitiful display of swordplay what your so-called elite mentors taught you?" I mocked.

He quickly got up, having the same annoyed expression. "Damn you," he spoke as he conjured fire around himself. "Take this!" before he was able to do anything I activated the runes on my back. They emitted a faint glow which was covered by the shirt I wore so from the outside no one could tell they were active. Raising my hand his way, I began messing around with his mana control causing all those flames to disperse and disappear completely.

"What have you done!?" he said, looking at his palms as he attempted to channel mana. In the blink of an eye, I closed the distance and punched his stomach. "Gah!" he fell to the ground while gripping his stomach.

"This match is over!" Leon announced, looking a bit happy. "Arata is the winner."

Hearing his words I looked down at Alexander. "Is this all a self-proclaimed genius like you can do? Pathetic," I told him, not holding back what was on my mind. "You were right, I'm not like you. I don't want to be as pitiful as you," I said then turned around. "This wasn't even worth calling a duel."

As I began to walk away I could see Hanna, Mia, Nina, and Theodore clapping and cheering for me. "Aha!" Hanna laughed happily. "I knew you'd win."

"That's incredible," Nina said while holding Flare. "I didn't know you were that strong."

"Wow, you actually won," Theodore spoke, sounding shocked as he looked at me. "You didn't even use your elemental affinities."

Leon's Perspective

"I wasn't trying to stop them from quarreling for the fear of my son being injured," I told Dion, my older brother as he stood in front of me. "I knew Arata would win."

It's hard to imagine that this man was once an honest and kind person. He encouraged me to be better. To aim higher. When we were all children he was so energetic and pushed us to play along with his little childish games. When the time came for father to declare a successor, it all changed. He grew arrogant and greedy, he even tried to push us, his own brothers, down for him to rise.

"Yes, I have to admit your son is quite talented in his own right," He replied, looking uninterested as always. "I had heard an incident took place in Canavar. I decided not to look into it, since I thought the problem aroused due to your idiocy. But now I'm curious as to what happened."

"You can obtain that information on your own," I told him as I turned around. I didn't want to spend time talking with him and so I walked away.

"So be it," I heard him mumble from behind me.

"Leon!" My twin brother called out to me along with my younger brother. "That was incredible."

"You should be telling Arata that," I said, brushing away his compliment.

"But you're the one who trained him, no?" he questioned. "What sort of training did you put him through?"

"Yes I'm curious too," Brian said.

"I didn't do much. I just taught him the basics, the rest he did on his own." I replied. Which is true. With his talent, I wish I could teach him more advanced magic techniques along with all four sword styles.

"Wow, your son is the real deal," Creon praised as we looked at him from where we were standing. "Unlike Dion's kid."

"Oh?" Brian let out as we watched the rest of the family go inside. "I think dinner is ready."

"Well, let's go inside. I'm starving," I said.

Arata's Perspective

"Hm!" Hanna hummed excitedly as she sat down. "This looks delicious," she said looking at her plate with a drop of drool.

"Indeed it does," followed Nina as she took her seat.

looking down at the food I saw that we were served a steak plate for dinner. "Is Alexander not joining us for dinner?" I asked, noticing he wasn't here.

"Of course he isn't," Theodore responded as if it were an obvious answer. "After he talked all big and then got beaten by you, he probably feels humiliated."

"His dad isn't here either," I pointed out, noticing that the only members of his family that were present were his mom and sister. "Hey, you're Alexader's sister, right?" I asked, looking at the serious girl. "Do you know why he acts like that?"

"That's how he was raised," she spoke, her tone as serious as her expression. "Father spent all his time focused on him. Making him think he was above everyone. But I'm glad he was beaten in something."

I can't tell if she's actually glad or not. I wonder? Did Dion toss her aside?

"Hey Arata!" my attention shifted to Theodore as he called my name. "I'm guessing you're around my age," Theodore said. "So how did you get so strong?"

I don't think he's seen me at my full power. But I guess since he saw me easily taking down Alexander, along with my display of speed, he came to that conclusion. "How old are you?" I decided to ask.

"I recently turned ten," he answered. Ten, huh? That means he's older than me. In this world that is. I still have the consciousness of the thirty-year-old man whom I was in my past life.

"Well, I recently turned nine," I pointed out.

"Nine?!" the first one to react was Nina. "That means you're younger than me," she said, looking a bit shocked. "With the way you act and talk, I thought you were older."

"How old are you?" I asked.

"I recently turned ten," she answered. Their siblings and their both ten? That makes no sense. Perhaps they are... Once she noticed my confused expression she spoke again. "We're twins," she said, showing a smile. "So I'm guessing Mia is the youngest one of you three. What about you, Hanna?"

"I'm eleven years old," Hanna replied. "While Mia is seven.

"You were so fast back there," Theodore pointed out, leaning closer as he asked, "Just how old were you when you learned internal mana control?" His eyes wide with curiosity.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I said in all seriousness, taking in his expression.

"Try me," He continued, his expression unchanging.

I stayed silent for a second. Before I was able to reply Hanna did so in my place. "Arata learned internal mana control when he was six. Then a year after that he learned lightning magic," Hanna said excitedly, all in one breath, almost like a proud parent.

"Yes, Arata is so cool," Mia added, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

Everyone looks totally unconvinced. So embarrassing! I thought as I felt my cheeks grow red. "You don't believe me," Hanna said. "Go on Arata, show them your lightning."

"Looks like I don't have a choice," I said as I raised my hand and focused my mana. Charging up my electricity until dark blue lightning started crackling on the surface of my palm.

"Oh wow, she wasn't lying," Theodore said while staring at it, almost in praise. "First internal mana control then lightning. What else can you do?"

following his words I stayed silent, thinking if I should reveal to them my gravity magic. "So you are hiding something else!" Theodore concluded given my hesitation. "Come on show us what you're hiding!"

"Arata?" Hanna let out, confused as everyone stared at me, waiting for me to show what I was hiding.

"Why not," I replied, letting out a sigh of defeat. "I can also manipulate gravity," without another word, I focused my mana and lifted a cup off the surface of the table.

Everyone let out a gasp in surprise as they saw the cup moving by itself without me having to physically touch it. "Wait!" Theodore interrupted. "I thought you said your elemental affinities were fire and wind."

"Those were my original attributes," I answered. "Before I learned lightning and gravity."

"Okay, I guess that makes sense," he spoke, looking confused. "So is there anything more you're hiding?"

"I'm afraid that's all I can do," I said. I'm not sure I'm comfortable enough to undress and show them my runes. "But enough about me. I want to know more about you guys."

"Our stories aren't as interesting," Theodore said as both he and Nina showed a small smile.

"It doesn't matter," I said, shaking off his words. "I just want to get to know you guys better."

"O-Okay," He spoke, taken aback by my words. Throughout our conversation, I mostly asked them personal questions. I learned that Theodore and Nina are Creon's kids, Leon's twin brother, and their mom is a woman named Tina who was sitting with the adults.

Ada and Alexander are siblings. Ada is ten years old and Alexander is eleven. They are Dion's kids and their mom is a woman named Lilly. She was also sitting with the adults.

Then there's Brian and Lena's kid, Atticus who is four years old. He wasn't sitting with us because he is too young. They were all sitting together with the adults happily chatting with the rest.

Our conversation came to an end when it was time to go to bed. Since our rooms were in the same hall, we decided to walk back together. After we said goodnight to each other I walked into my room and laid in bed.

I took a nap earlier so I'm not that sleepy. I thought as I saw Flare lying beside me. Hearing my door creek open I raised my head and saw a small girl peeking her head through the door. "Mia?" I called out, recognizing the hair. "Is that you?"

"Um... I'm sorry," she said, hiding behind the door so I wouldn't see her. "It's just so dark, and, I..."

"Come here," I said with a loud sigh, cutting her off. Watching her peek her head through the door once more I raised my bed sheets and patted my mattress.

"Hehe," She let out a small giggle as she happily made her way to me. I Watched her hop onto my bed and accommodate herself into a comfortable position beside me.

"Why don't you go with mom and dad?" I asked as we both stared at each other. We are now living in a new environment it's only natural she's on edge. This place doesn't have the same air of comfort as our previous home.

"I don't know where their room is," she replied.

"Okay, why didn't you go with Hanna then?"

"I did," she answered, then looked away from me in embarrassment. "But she fell asleep quickly and I... Got scared."

"I guess you can sleep here," I said as I looked back up at the ceiling. "Take your time I'm not that sleepy."

"Thanks," was the last thing I heard her say before my room went silent.

Why would Leon and Emma leave Mia by herself? she's still a little girl. Just what were they thinking? I know that in this type of era, kids are expected to take care of themselves from an early age. But still, leaving Mia all alone is just unforgivable. I thought as I watched her laying down... Ugh... Maybe I'm just an overprotective big brother.

Wait! Is it... Perhaps because of me... Since I earned Leon and Emma's trust I've been running around by myself from an early age... Granted I am in my thirties. But they still view me as a little kid. Maybe due to watching my behavior all these years, they expected Mia to turn out the same.

The movement of Mia's figure shuffling caught my eye. She turned her body and faced me, "Arata?" she mumbled, her wide eyes staring deep into me.

"I'm here, don't worry," I spoke softly, showing a warm smile. Returning the smile she inched closer to me and once again closed her eyes.

After reassuring her that I was awake she seemed to have relaxed and quickly fell asleep. Soon enough I did as well.

***

It's been a week since we moved into this house. I've become a lot closer to the family. Every day we hang out together doing all sorts of stuff. It's mostly me, my sisters along with Nina and Theodore.

While Alexander doesn't hang out with us at all. We just see him walking around or training by himself in the afternoon. As for his sister, Ada, we've invited her several times but she declined most of the time.

And today I'm starting my morning sparing with Leon again. I've been looking forward to this for a while now. And finally, we have time for a match. Before breakfast time, we went out to the spacious backyard.

"You ready," Leon said, swinging his wooden sword around before getting into a stance. "Let's see how much you've improved."

"Let's go," I said getting myself ready.

He gave no indication nor warning. But I could tell by the way he looked at me and the way he stood, that he was coming. My body shivered. He took a step, closing the small distance between us in a short moment. I quickly pushed my upper body to the side, dodging his attack.

Following that, he then threw various attacks which I was barely able to dodge. Then repositioned himself to throw a kick. Bringing up my sword I block the kick with the flat side of the blade. But it still knocked me back. Stumbling back a few steps, I noticed he didn't follow.

"You're not going easy on me this time, huh?" I pointed out.

"I want to see what you're really capable of," he responded.

We both charged forward locking swords for a second. With the help of gravity, I was able to overpower him and pushed him back, knocking him off balance.

I dashed to him as fast as I could. But he still managed to regain his footing and blocked my attack. He then threw several attacks which I successfully blocked. And as I was about to throw an attack of my own he pulled back.

Which caused me to stumble forward. Taking the opportunity he immediately dashed forward again. With a low blow, he kicked me off my feet. Watching as Leon swung down at me I rolled to my side, his blade smacking against the hard floor only inches away from me.

Quickly getting up off the floor, I pulled back again. Dammit, he's just pushing me around. He has a greater advantage in speed. I need to find a way to slow him down or keep him in place.

As Leon made his way to me I charged up my lighting while evading his every move. Then I was ready and charged straight for him. He must be known I was up to something as he seemed more on guard.

Once he was within my range I let my spell loose, outburst. At my command lightning erupted all around me. Leon, knowing what was coming, jumped. Dodging my attack as he continued making his way to me.

But that's what I wanted. Making his way to me while being in the air meant he had no ground to stand on. Raising my arm I used gravity and pulled him closer to me.

Once we were in close range he tried to swing his sword at me but I jumped up and spread my arms out, wrapping them around him in a big tight hug. And now... Discharge! Once again lightning shoot out of me engulfing everything that was in my surroundings.

I didn't use that strong of an attack so Leon wiggled his way out of my arms and pulled back. From where he stood I could see his body lightly twitching as he lowered his guard, seemingly with something in mind. "What are you doing?" I asked, noticing his weird behavior. "We're not done."

"Listen, Arata," he spoke, his tone serious, laced with a tinge of sadness. "I've been thinking that with your level of talent, you deserve better teachings. And I'm afraid that there's nothing more I can teach you. So I'm getting you a more experienced mentor."

I stayed silent for a moment, taking in his words. That expression he has. He won't back down no matter what I say. And he's right. From an early age, Leon neglected a lot of his training. So it is true that there's nothing more he can offer me. But... it is kind of sad.

"Fine. But on two conditions," I began, putting up two fingers. "You have to continue your own training and we have to continue to spar at least a few times a month."

"That's fine," He said, showing a smile. "Of course, I can't let my son leave me behind."

"Then that's that," I spoke as I let my body relax. "I'm not feeling like continuing this match. Let's go see if breakfast is ready," I told him as I turned around and walked back inside the house. Without another word, he followed behind me.