It had been a few days since I began what could be vaguely called training with my mother, studying the anatomy book together. I could feel myself becoming smarter, absorbing all the previously vague or completely unknown knowledge about the human body.
However, I still hadn't been allowed to practice "Shijutsu" for healing.
The reason was simple: if I messed up using "Shijutsu" for healing magic, the recovery would be challenging. So, the plan was to gain more knowledge before attempting it.
Of course, I continued my close-combat training with my father without fail during this period.
My daily routine, which involved physical training with my father in the morning, lunch, and studying with my mother in the afternoon, had settled into place over the past two weeks.
"Where's Dad?" I asked.
It was unusual for my father not to be around when I woke up in the morning.
When I asked my mother, who was carrying a load of laundry, she told me, "Your father left early this morning. He said he had work."
"Oh, I see..."
Now that I thought about it, he had taken quite a long break recently to train with me. He must have made time for me despite being busy. I was truly grateful to him and hoped I could repay his kindness soon.
But it was strange, wasn't it?
He said he would take a month off to teach me close combat, but it had only been two weeks. Maybe he ran out of leave time. Do exorcists even have paid leave?
"Your father went to work crying, saying he was breaking his promise to you," my mother said.
"Wait, really...?"
I hoped that my mother was exaggerating. I didn't want to imagine my father, with his imposing appearance, crying as he went off to work. I loved my father, but the image of him sobbing on the way to work was not something I wanted in my head.
But our household relies on my father's efforts alone. It's thanks to his work that we have food on the table. Even if he had to break a promise due to sudden work, I could only feel sorry for him, knowing how hard work can be. There was no way I could blame him.
"Don't be too mad at him; he's been very busy," my mother advised.
"I'm not mad!" I replied.
I wasn't angry; in fact, I was just grateful that he had spent two weeks training with me.
Feeling appreciative of the family's breadwinner, I grabbed my child-sized practice sword and went out to the garden.
Even without my father, the training must continue.
In fact, training alone is my specialty. From the time I was a baby, I started with the "Magic Power Increase Training", the "Unmentionable Training", then moved on to solo practice with "Kaijutsu" and "Shijutsu." Those memories are still fresh in my mind.
Though, to be fair, I owe learning "Shijutsu" to Renji-san.
As I thought about these things, I looked at the wooden mannequins my father had set up. Practicing sword techniques on these stationary dummies was fine, but it left me unsure about my readiness for actual combat.
After all, my father always said that close-combat training only mattered when done in real combat. That's why he went through the trouble of using "Silvate" to move the dummies, making the training more realistic.
If that's the case, then I also need my opponent to move, even when training alone.
...Let's give it a try.
I extended my "Silvate" and wrapped it around the mannequin. I knew exactly how to make it move, having watched my father's magic.
All that was left was to try.
Sure enough, I made the mannequin take a step forward while it was suspended by "Silvate." The movement was awkward, to say the least, but it moved forward.
"...Oh!"
If I could move its feet, then I should be able to make it charge at me. Elated by my first successful attempt at puppet manipulation, I decided to move the mannequin's arms next.
I made it bring the sword down in a straight vertical slash.
"Alright, one more time...!"
I moved the mannequin's foot again.
Step forward, accelerate, and slash upward from a diagonal angle!
"...!"
Even though I was the one controlling it, I was surprised by how well the movement turned out. I quickly brought up my practice sword to parry.
Clash! The heavy sound of wooden swords striking echoed as I collided with the mannequin. But the mannequin used its large frame to press down on me and then suddenly released its strength. No, I was the one who made it release the pressure, but since I had been fully focused on defense, I lost my balance and stumbled forward.
"Whoa!?"
I didn't let the opening go to waste.
The mannequin pivoted on its left foot and delivered a roundhouse kick to my chest!!!
"Gah!"
I was blown backward, bounced off the ground, and ended up lying flat on my back.
...I overdid it. Totally.
I wasn't expecting my close-combat skills to be this weak, so my magic ended up overwhelming me. I don't quite understand what I'm saying, but I do know that my image training was successful.
And I must say, this training is excellent at revealing my weaknesses...
You might wonder how I can see my own weaknesses when I'm attacking myself with my magic. But the truth is that the difference in skill between "me the magician" and "me the close-combat fighter" is so vast that when "Magician Me" looks at "Close-Combat Me," countless weaknesses become apparent.
"...Let's do it again."
Which means...
If I systematically address these weaknesses one by one, I can become stronger.
The foundation my father taught me is in place.
...Now, it's just a matter of repeating the process.
I stood up and faced the mannequin.
And just as I was about to engage in another round with the puppet I was controlling, my mother called out to me.
"Itsuki! That's enough for today."
"Huh? Why?"
It was the first time she had ever stopped me from training, so I couldn't help but look at her in surprise. My mother wasn't the type to say such things.
But she continued.
"Why? Today's the day we're going to buy that thing, remember?"
"That thing?"
"A school backpack."
A school backpack...?
Oh, right! A school backpack!!!
I completely forgot!
I'm starting elementary school next year!!!