Unlike Kaijutsu, Shijutsu wasn't going well at all.
It was just about releasing magic power outside my body, yet I couldn't do it.
So, for a whole month, I spent my days concentrating on my palms, even while walking, until my mother scolded me.
"Itsuki, practicing magic is fine, but you need to watch where you're going or you'll hurt yourself."
"...I'm sorry."
"If you understand, go to the dojo. Be careful, okay?"
"Okay! I got it."
Today, my father wasn't around.
He had to work as an exorcist.
Even though I'm a Rank Seven and a target for monsters, my father can't always stay with me.
He has to work as the breadwinner of the family.
In place of my father, the head of the Shimotsuki family came to visit today.
If I had to describe him in one word, he was a tall, handsome man.
He was even taller than my father, who stood at 185 cm. With his messy black hair and youthful face, he could easily pass for a college student.
...If it weren't for the scar running down his face, that is.
Yes, he had a vertical scar across his face.
It's understandable since he's an exorcist, but honestly, it's pretty scary. To someone who doesn't know him, he might easily be mistaken for someone from a rough background.
The head of the Shimotsuki family is apparently named Renji.
I wonder how his name is written in kanji?
"Sōichirō told me that you've already started practicing Shijutsu, Itsuki-kun?"
"Y-Yes! But I'm not very good at it..."
"Well, you see, Shijutsu is a technique learned starting at age five, so it's natural that a three-year-old would struggle with it."
Renji-san said this with a gentle smile, but combined with his scar, it was terrifying. If I weren't already used to my father's stern face, I might have cried.
"Aya, why don't you follow Itsuki-kun's example and practice your magic too?"
"...Mm."
Renji-san wasn't the only one visiting our home today.
Aya-chan, the young lady of the Shimotsuki family, was here as well.
She seemed shy, hiding behind Renji-san the whole time and not coming out.
"Alright, both of you, have a seat here."
"Yes."
"...Mm."
I sat down in front of Renji-san, and Aya-chan sat next to me.
When I glanced at her, she quickly turned her head away in the opposite direction.
...Hmm, am I disliked?
"Okay, let's start with Kaijutsu. Circulate your magic power throughout your body."
I followed his instructions and moved my magic power.
This was essentially a warm-up exercise. When manipulating magic power, suddenly doing something unfamiliar can lead to mistakes, so it's important to get your body used to it.
"...You can really do it."
"Yes!"
Watching me, Renji-san muttered in slight amazement.
I nodded enthusiastically, and he turned his gaze to Aya-chan, who was sitting beside me.
"How about you, Aya?"
"...It's impossible."
Aya-chan had a slightly strained expression, but it was clear from her face that it wasn't going well.
"Aya, start by trying to sense the magic power, just like always. Itsuki-kun, you can move on to practicing Shijutsu."
With that, Renji-san stepped in front of me.
Hmm. Judging by Renji-san's tone, it seemed Aya-chan hadn't yet been able to sense magic power. Is that normal for a three-year-old?
"...Oh boy. What do I do now?"
Renji-san, still in shock, sat down.
While he was still stunned, Aya-chan, who had been sitting beside me, stopped sitting properly and lay down on the ground.
"Nooo!!"
"Aya? What's wrong?"
"I don't want to practice anymore!"
Aya-chan started thrashing around.
I thought she was shy, but she turned out to be quite the spirited child.
"I don't understand anything! This isn't fun! I want to read picture books!"
"Aya, if you don't learn magic, you can't become a princess."
Renji-san tried to calm the flailing Aya-chan.
Well, yeah. I guess this is how a typical three-year-old acts...
"Aya-chan!"
"...Mm."
When I called her name, she stopped thrashing and looked at me.
I owed Renji-san for helping me succeed with Shijutsu.
Now was the time to return the favor!
Based on a certain theory, I spoke to Aya-chan.
"Give me your hand."
"...Mm."
When she extended her hand, I placed mine on top of it and gathered magic power.
"It's hot!"
"It won't be hot for long."
I said that and then drew the heat back.
"Wow! Itsuki, that's amazing!"
"It's cool, right?"
"Do it again!"
Watching Aya-chan's joy, I thought to myself, just as I suspected.
"Hey, Aya-chan, do you feel something hot in your tummy too?"
"Huh? Uh... wow! I do!"
I had a hunch that exorcists took magic power for granted.
They assume it's something kids naturally have, so they don't directly teach them how to sense it.
It's like how most parents don't teach their kids how to walk or stand. They just assume it will happen naturally.
I got that impression from watching my father and Renji-san.
Sure, magic power is like riding a bike or doing a backflip; once you get it, you never forget it.
But at first, you need some help to realize it's there.
So, I figured I could teach her by letting her feel it directly.
It seemed my theory was right because Aya-chan now understood what magic power was.
"That's magic power, right there!"
"Daddy, look! I have magic power!"
Watching the now-smiling Aya-chan, Renji-san had a look that seemed to say, Why didn't I think of that?
Feeling proud of my success, I couldn't help but feel a bit smug.
"Itsuki-kun, you've got a talent for teaching too. You're something else."
Blushing from the praise from someone other than my parents, I was taken by surprise when...
"Itsuki! Do that thing again!"
Aya-chan said, pinning me down.
I thought you were shy!