Vol. 1 - Ch. 1 - Reminiscence

These tiny flowers, named Suzuran, were blooming in clusters and making a white carpet...I forgot that a sword was pointed at me, as I was gazing at the flowers. I have always loved this flower, they don't have an air of being in full bloom but, I find it hard to put into words the beauty of these flowers and how they have a certain presence, even when they are all lying face down. 

I looked at the tip of the sword pointed at me and noticed a small tremor in his blade. I guess he knew the difference in power between us. Ignoring the trembling sword, I turned my attention back to the Suzuran. 

As I recall, you can also plant them in pots. I really should pot a few of them and take them back home with me.

A big man with a pitch-black sword, holding a pot of white flowers to his chest. I know that he would laugh, saying it doesn't suit me at all. I want to see that face.

And as I looked around again, I thought about how out of place I am on the battlefield. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ ɴøᴠel Fɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

As I come to think of it, that day, on this very hill, I was also surrounded by Suzuran. 

"I can't believe it! Rolf is really amazing!" Emily made a noise, her bright blue eyes wide open, looking towards me.

On the hill of the Suzuran, her flaxen-coloured hair was catching the sun's rays, a big smile resting on her well-toned face. It really was something to behold. Something truly beautiful.

"No... Well... I guess I just got lucky. Besides, Simon-san wasn't even being serious." I replied, a little overwhelmed by Emily's vigor. 

Today, I won a sword fight with the adult who was my instructor. In terms of technique, there was still absolutely no way I could beat him and, it was only by chance that I was able to win this time.

"It's still amazing! Simon-san was a Troop-leader in the First Order, remember?" Emily said, bouncing around. This childhood friend of mine is always as happy for me as I am for her. 

Emily is the eldest daughter of Baroness Melness. The Melness family is a small noble family with very little territory and she is also destined to join the Buckman family. 

The Buckman family is also a Baron family, like the Melness family. However, they are the lords of this land, and my parent's home. In other words, Emily is my fiancée. 

"Ehehe! I'm so proud of you! My future husband is so strong!" Emily is such a sweet and honest girl. She is the kind of girl who shows her love to me without hesitation. 

I, on the other hand, feel embarrassed. 

"Well...thank you." It was a very simple reply. I've been trying to respond to Emily's kindness, but I can never think of the right words to say. 

Emily is 15 years old, just like me.  I'm not sure if it's a noble normality, but it's not unusual for people to feel a sense of rejection when they're assigned a partner without their consent. And yet, Emily still tells me that she is glad that I'm her partner. 

I guess I really do need to tell her how grateful I am for that. It would be rude otherwise. But I can't do it, or more like, I'm not very good at it.

What kind of a prodigy even am I? 

And yes, I, Rolf Buckman, is said to be a child prodigy. It is said that I'm highly intelligent and courageous. But I doubt the courage part, I've never seen it like that. A brave man would have said something like, "I'd like to brag to everyone about how I have the privilege of seeing Emily's smile from up close." 

As I was thinking about this, Emily was still looking at me. Suddenly, a voice called out to me from behind. "Brother." the voice said. "Felicia, what's wrong?" I replied.

The voice came from a girl with long black hair. My sister, Felicia Buckman. Her eyes are red unlike mine, which are black. I've always thought the red in her eyes was beautiful, and her face as pretty as Emily's. She's always been a cute girl, even though she is my younger sister. 

"I baked a berry pie" she started, "It's in celebration of my brother's victory!" she went on. "Yes, you too, Emily onee-san."

"Thank you Felicia!" Emily replied excitedly.

Felicia took a seat next to us, she took the pie out of the basket and cut it neatly into slices. 

Emily's eyes lit up. 

"In celebration of my victory?" I asked.

"You beat Simon-san, didn't you? Everyone says it was an eye-opening uppercut." she replied.

"......Oh, thank you." I said back sheepishly 

I don't want to say she's exaggerating but, the other day, she baked me a gaufrette to commemorate the time she surprised my tutor by pointing out an error in a book on heraldry. I mean, that was delicious too, but this berry pie is even better. 

"It's delicious, Felicia. It smells so good." I said to her,

"It's really good!" said Emily.

"I'm using Staffen rum. Supposedly, It's the best for pies, Aura-san told me. " Felicia said with pride.

Aura-san is our family cook. And as Felicia often uses the kitchen to make pastries, she has become good friends with the maids and cooks. 

"It's really delicious, Can I have another slice?" I asked happily.

"Me too!" added Emily.

"Fufu,I'm glad you liked it. Here you go. I brought tea, too." she replied, smiling.

A warm breeze blew on the hill of Suzuran. The three of them sat shoulder to shoulder, their faces smiling at the sweet and sour taste of the pie and laughing at each other's silly stories. 

"Brother, would you like to tell us something else?" asked Felicia.

"Alright then, recently I read about the specific gravity of heavy metals that are used in knight's equipment." I started.

"Can you please start with something a little more enjoyable?" she said, clearly not impressed.

The Suzuran that fluttered mildly in the breeze, the sunlight that shone gently on us. It was a captivating sight. 

"Hmmm... oh yeah! What about those rare animals in the southern travel books?" I asked.

"Yes, exactly! That's what I'm asking for!" she happily replied.

"Well then, in the south, there is an animal called the river horse..." I started.

This was, as far as I can remember, the last happy scene from my childhood.