Chapter 4 — The Tutor and the Twins’ First Battle

 Part 1 — Exile, Then Saving the Nation

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/asmotoon

"All right. Start talking."

The next morning, after breakfast, I sat the twins side by side and opened with that. Breakfast, by the way, was a cauldron of celery-and-dried-meat pot-au-feu I made to burn through yesterday's haul. It'll probably last two more days. Convenient.

According to their story, they’re fourteen-year-old twins. So that's why they're both claiming to be the older sibling. Whatever. That's not what concerns me.

They say they come from a merchant house three days away by horse, the children of the master's mistress. The legal wife bullied them mercilessly until they couldn't take it and ran.

"Rough."

As soon as I said it, they glanced at each other and shrank.

Yeah, that's a lie.

But they aren’t trying to swindle me out of coin. They just want to hide their background. Fine. The moment they try anything funny, I'll cut them down or hand them to the watch.

"Anyway, here's the deal. I'll teach you the basics of sword and magic, and you provide the labor. Sound fair?"

They nodded solemnly. Bill gets the heavy work, Meg handles the house. Chores done by noon, training in the afternoon, and occasional expeditions for field practice.

"Um, and..."

Meg fidgeted. What now? Bathroom break?

"A-about the nights... I don't have experience, but I’ll do my best..."

I nearly fell out of my chair. What is this kid saying?

"Listen. I have zero interest in messing around with a scrawny brat like you. Even if you begged, I'd pass. Focus on the housework."

Meg flushed to her ears while Bill yelled, "What are you even saying?!" I left the two of them in the dining room and headed out to the fields.

◆◆◆

They learned fast. Within days Bill had grasped the basic forms, and Meg could cast several beginner spells, including Fire Bolt, the one I used on that thief. With training, they'll go far.

Today we’re scouting the area. Villagers say the forest occasionally spits out beasts, but they rarely step onto the plains. Peaceful. Nice.

I wanted to gauge the local monster strength, so we headed in. An hour passed and nothing tested us. Good warm-up for the twins, at least.

We encountered a few stray wolf-like creatures and some small humanoids—probably outcasts from their packs. Their nests must be deeper in. Given that they don't leave the woods, food must be plentiful.

"Lucky for the locals. All right, Bill, Meg. Show me what you've learned. If things go south, I'll step in, so fight for real."

Two humanoids loitered nearby. Slow on their feet, numbers just right.

"G-got it, Master."

"We'll do our best, Dan."

A pebble made the monsters notice us. They shrieked and charged. Calling that a charge was generous—they tripped immediately. Figures.

"Seriously, Master?"

"Cutting down the hassle. Now move."

Less talking, more doing. Watch your "big sister," kid.

"Firing! ...Fire Bolt!"

Meg launched a small fireball straight at one target. Clean shot. It hit, scorching the crude gear. Bonus damage. The thing howled, toppled, and thrashed while the flames ate through it.

That's the beauty of fire magic. Perfect demonstration.

"Awesome! My turn!"

Bill met the second creature head-on. He deflected its wild swing with his shield and slashed the exposed gut. One follow-up strike, and it was down.

"Yes!"

He pumped a fist. The burning one stopped moving shortly after. They grinned and high-fived. Cute.

"Congrats on your first win. Keep that momentum, but don't get cocky. Overconfidence will kill you. Share what went right and wrong so you can fix it together. You two know each other better than anyone; your roles complement each other. Cover each other's weaknesses and grow as a pair. Trust and work hard. You can do it."

They stared at me with shining eyes. Great. Now I'm embarrassed.

We ran into more strays and mangy mutts afterward, but nothing dangerous. I'd have liked to gather herbs and mushrooms too, yet I needed to get home before sunset to tan the wolf hides we'd skinned.

I showed them how to treat the pelts quickly in a stream on the way back, then headed home. Something was off. A crowd stood outside the house.

We stopped and tilted our heads in unison.

"Bill, did you do something?"

"Master, come on. Give me some credit."

Quit glaring at me like that. No? All right...

Did I do something?

As we approached cautiously, someone short waved enthusiastically.

"Brother!"

Silver hair gleamed as she practically hopped toward me.

Of course she didn’t listen.

"Long time no see, Ellie."

"Heehee. I came! ...Wait."

Yeah, I noticed. That's not the question, though. Why'd she suddenly go dead serious?

"Brother... who's that girl?"

Nothing good can come of this.

I just want a quiet life.

----- End of chapter -----