Daiki and Rudeus had just turned three.
When Rudeus started walking around the house with a book in his hand, Zenith said something.
"Oh, my... do you like books, Rudy?"
They never scolded him for carrying a book around. Even during meals, they simply set it aside.
"Rudy, be careful not to get the book wet."
Daiki read too, but he only needed to do it once. Everything always remained engraved in his memory. That is why, after finishing the five books in the house, he simply stayed there watching.
Watching Rudeus practicing magic.
Watching Paul training with the sword.
Since then, the latter was what caught his attention.
The swords.
The sound of steel.
The stances.
Since he was a baby, it was the only thing he heard every time he got close to the window. Furthermore, he felt an attraction toward swords that he could not explain. From the moment he could move freely, he headed toward where Paul left his training sword.
Rudeus never showed interest in swords. He preferred books, magic, and knowledge.
But Daiki... Even with the clumsy hands of a small toddler, there was something in his grip that was not entirely childish.
"Look at that," Paul said. "Rudy prefers books."
"And Dai seems interested in swords, just like you."
"Yes, they seem balanced," Paul said, smiling. "Don't you think?"
"Yes, dear. I think so. They are wonderful. Aren't they?"
"I feel small, a little... sometimes."
What they did not know was that Daiki, in his previous life, had mastered his body to superhuman limits. He learned martial arts, combat techniques, kendo, and other things.
However, weapons were something he did not quite understand yet.
It was not that he did not know how to use them, but that sensation attracted him more than he thought.
Rudeus, meanwhile, continued with magic. Even so, he avoided reading the magic manuals in front of his family.
It was not that he was acting mysterious. He simply was not clear on the status of magic in this world.
Perhaps there was an unwritten rule like magic is for when you are an adult. It was an absurd conclusion, but it had valid grounds. After all, if one abuses it, one can end up passing out. It could be that they thought excessive use hindered growth.
The concept of a developmental window did not seem to be something known in this world.
Because of this, Rudeus decided to hide his magic studies from his family.
Although he was discovered by his older brother, who turned out to be another reincarnated person.
Returning to the present, Rudeus cast magic out the window more than once, so it could be that they had already discovered him.
"Rudeus, you aren't subtle at all," Daiki told an excited Rudeus.
"It is not my fault... well, maybe a little, because I was curious to see how fast I could launch a projectile. And well, yes, it happened," Rudeus concluded, still not used to socializing.
◇
One afternoon, Daiki was in the garden holding a wooden sword next to Paul.
The younger one always avoided going out.
From his window, he envied his brother a little.
He could go out without that weight that kept him locked up.
Once, Daiki went out for a walk with his father to meet the people of the village. When they offered the same to Rudeus, he refused flatly.
"I don't want to go out, that is all," said Rudeus.
His parents exchanged a look, but they asked no further questions.
Perhaps it was better this way, they thought.
◇
That night, Daiki was gripping a wooden sword.
Rudeus leaned on his bed and propped himself up on his elbow.
"I see you are more interested in the sword, right?" said Rudeus.
"Yes," Daiki replied, lowering the sword.
"I prefer magic. It is better for me, brother," said Rudeus.
"I also enjoy magic, but for now I see it as something secondary," said Daiki.
Rudeus laughed a little.
"Only you can say something like that about magic, huh?" said Rudeus.
"I suppose so. It is still not something that surprises me," Daiki replied.
It was true. Daiki spoke with the elements.
What surprised him was the speed his father could reach, at levels that not even his eyes were capable of perceiving.
'Maybe it is just a reinforcement spell,' Daiki thought. 'For now, I will keep investigating.'
"You know, brother, you are weird. I am too, so... I guess it is okay to be different, right? You with swords, me with magic. We can complement each other well," said Rudeus.
Daiki looked at him for a moment, until he finally spoke.
"Yes, we can. It is a good idea. Considering the magic that exists, death can arrive at any moment," said Daiki.
Rudeus held out his hand.
"So, a team?" said Rudeus.
Daiki froze at that gesture.
'When was the last time I shook someone's hand?'
He sighed and, finally, he also extended his hand.
"Yes, a team," said Daiki.
◇
--- Daiki Greyrat Perspective ---
Rudeus fell asleep. However, he was mumbling words in Japanese.
"I was a... waste...? for... yes... no... yes... no... truck... students..."
The door was closed. The house was in silence. Well, except for the noises coming from our parents room.
Rudeus woke up with a start. He was agitated.
His hands roamed all over his body.
I think he expected to wake up in his previous body. Maybe he had physical problems before coming here, so I do not blame him for that.
When he touched his flat stomach, he sighed in relief.
"Oof... thank goodness..."
Then he saw that I was awake.
"A-ah, nightmare. That is all," said Rudeus.
[What... am I? It seems something happened after the reincarnation. I think I evolved.]
Suddenly, a voice was heard in my head.
Don't tell me that...?
[No, not you... no, you could not return... the elements left. Why did you stay?!]
[Calm down. I am no longer the same as before. I can no longer analyze like before. Do you remember how you stored all those books? Well, since I am your other part, it was I who caused that good photographic memory.]
I decided to ignore that voice for a moment and returned to the matter of Rudeus quickly. I also ignored that Rudeus had been surprised by my presence.
"Rudeus, are you okay?" I asked.
"Sorry if I woke you," said Rudeus.
"Rudeus, do not deflect the question," I said.
"I know, I know... I am not that well. You know, things from the past," said Rudeus. "They are like invasive memories. It is strange."
[Rudeus demonstrates nervousness. That is obvious... oh. Am I being that obvious? How strange to feel this way.]
'Who are you?'
[I... do not know.]
'For now, silence.'
"Do you want to talk about it, Rudeus?" I asked.
The only thing I could process was that question. I am not used to talking about feelings with anyone. The voice thing happened again and, in my previous life, these types of conversations simply did not exist.
"It is okay, but there will be no turning back," said Rudeus. "I had decided to bury my past, but no matter how much you escape, you cannot escape from it. Besides, since you are also a reincarnated person, it will be awkward if I do not tell you."
Then he began to speak.
About how, after suffering brutal humiliation at school, he locked himself in his room and abandoned everything.
He spent twenty years without studying or working, living off his parents. He even ended up pushing away the only friend who tried to help him.
When his parents died, he did not even go to their funeral. He stayed at home, wasting time in front of the screen.
In the end, his own family kicked him out of the house. That was how he ended up becoming human waste.
"That is... everything I was, brother. A fat piece of trash that was kicked out that same day. And they had logical reasons to do so, because I did not deserve anything, not even their disgust," said Rudeus.
I sighed before replying.
"And?" I said.
"What do you mean and? What kind of question is that? Did you not hear everything I said? I was a parasite! A useless pervert who disgraced his family!" said Rudeus.
"That is exactly why I am saying it. You were," I replied.
"That does not... make sense. I am still me, with a second chance," said Rudeus.
What he was saying made no sense.
"Look, Rudeus. That person no longer exists. He died under that truck saving some people he did not know at all. If you keep carrying that thought, do you not think you are repeating the same thing? I see you here. That is the only thing that matters now," I said.
I could see fragility in Rudeus face.
"What if I become like that again? What if I fail again?" asked Rudeus.
"You will not. I trust you. You have proven to be a good person. Yes, sometimes you look at Lilia too much, but that is a normal biological reaction for an adult, so there is no problem. Just try to hide it a little, okay?" I said.
"Even so... you cannot promise that I will not fail, Daiki," said Rudeus.
"You are right. I cannot. However, if you stray, I will correct you. I will beat you until you get back on the path," I replied.
Rudeus let out a small laugh.
"That is... quite severe, isn't it? But thanks. Just do not let me die because of a truck this time like my siblings did," said Rudeus.
"Rudeus, trucks do not exist here," I said.
"Then any monster!" replied Rudeus.
"Since we are talking about you, Rudeus, I suppose it is my turn. I was not perfect either. On the contrary, my life was much worse than that. At least you remained human," I said.
Rudeus tilted his head.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" he asked.
Then I began to speak.
About how I lost my parents in a fire when I was eight years old.
"They put me in an adoption center. Families always came on Saturdays. They watched me. They whispered. They saw a handsome boy, a boy who demonstrated intelligence, but they did not see my eyes. When they finally did, they regretted it and rejected me. Nobody wants to see empty eyes that cannot heal. Or at least that is what they thought," I said.
And about how, one day, seeing some guys bullying another child, something inside me simply clicked.
When I regained consciousness, the leader was on the ground with a broken arm.
From that day on, they began to call me by only one name.
Monster.
"Since then, everything got worse. I became very efficient. Too good at everything that had to do with the physical. Kendo, martial arts, anything that involved fighting..."
Rudeus said nothing.
"In short, I became a machine," I continued.
Silence.
"So no. I was not a pervert. I was just... something worse. Someone empty. A ghost. The difference we have is that, at least, you always recognized your mistakes. You carry them. You hate them. That means you have a conscience. Morality. The capacity to change. I needed to die and talk to you about this to be able to see a little hope in my life. Just a little."
There was a moment of silence, until Rudeus spoke.
"Wow... I did not expect all that. Do not misunderstand, I am just surprised. That same person who claims to be a machine taught me a lesson that no one ever tried with me. Do you still think you are that person?" asked Rudeus.
I repeated the question to myself and answered.
"I... do not know how to feel. The point is that I am not going to hate you. That is all I can tell you for now," I said.
"You really do not... do not hate me? You do not want me far from Zenith?" asked Rudeus.
"Never, Rudeus. How could I even hate you? That would be hypocritical of me, because I also need forgiveness," I replied.
"Daiki... thanks. I am going to be better. I am going to be the brother you deserve," said Rudeus.
I gave a relieved sigh.
"Then sleep. Tomorrow will be a good day," I said.
"Good night, Daiki," replied Rudeus.
"Good night, Rudeus," I said.
I lay back down again.
[I think that...]
'Shut up for a while. Let me sleep.'
[Understood.]
I closed my eyes.
For the first time in this life, the emptiness in my chest felt a little less cold.
Perhaps... just perhaps...
...this second chance will not be a waste.
◇
After some time, Rudeus secret training ended.
It was an ordinary afternoon.
I was coming from my room when I heard Rudeus mumbling a new spell. The same one I warned him not to use.
'So intermediate level... it was about time. But doing it inside the house?'
It was already too late to tell him anything.
What came out was a colossal amount of water that exploded forward, opening a huge hole in the wall.
Tap, tap, tap, tap!
I heard hurried footsteps coming from the right, so I ran toward the other direction and watched from the corner of the hallway.
I decided to go down to the kitchen and make myself a quick sandwich.
If something happened, I needed to distract them somehow. Their quiet son eating a piece of bread bigger than his head should be enough.
I approached the door again and saw what was really happening.
"We have to hire a private tutor immediately! He will surely become a great mage in the future!" said Zenith.
Zenith looked very enthusiastic. Everything I had thought vanished. Even so, on Paul's face, one could note that expression that said something did not please him.
Lilia was already cleaning.
"Honey, we have to publish an ad tomorrow in the city of Roa! We have to develop this talent!" added Zenith.
"No, wait! We said if it was a boy we would make him a swordsman!" said Paul while crossing his arms.
"But he can use intermediate magic at this age! If we train him, he will be a great mage!" replied Zenith.
"A promise is a promise!" insisted Paul.
"Promise, you say? If you always break them!"
"That is not the point right now!"
Perfect.
It was the situation I needed.
Munch, munch.
I chewed in an exaggerated manner and stomped hard on the floor.
Paul and Zenith turned to look at me.
"I want to be a swordsman. Urmg... I feel something... munch... like something calling me toward swords. It is... munch... weird," I said.
[It is true, you felt something.]
'Shut up.'
"Dai?" Paul blinked. He took ten full seconds to respond and only said that.
"Come on... munch... you saw me in the window watching you train... munch... the training always interested me," I said.
Zenith approached me and crouched down to my height.
"Dai, honey, do not speak while eating. About the sword... are you sure about that?" asked Zenith.
"Yes, mother. The promise said a swordsman, right? And there are two of us. Since I was the first, that promise would go with me, is that not so?" I replied.
"Yes, you are right."
She stroked my hair.
Lilia, who had been cleaning in silence all this time, stopped.
"If I may offer an opinion... why do you not train both in both disciplines? Rudeus can study magic in the morning with a tutor and sword with Paul-sama in the afternoon. Daiki can do the opposite. Sword in the morning with Paul-sama and magic in the afternoon."
"That..." Paul rubbed his chin, "makes sense. That way neither gets left behind."
"A mage who knows how to defend himself with the sword and a swordsman who can use magic! They can complement each other, as they always did since they were born!" added Zenith.
And that was how our future was decided.
◇
That night, Rudeus approached my bed.
"Thanks for today."
"You do not have to thank me. I told the truth. I really want to learn how to use the sword, Rudeus," I replied.
"Even so... you knew I was nervous about that subject and we already talked about how it does not interest me," said Rudeus.
"Yes, I know. But we are brothers. Brothers support each other. We already talked about it, remember? You with magic, me with swords. Together..." I said.
"Unstoppable?" suggested Rudeus with a small laugh.
"I was going to say competent, but your version sounds better," I replied.
◇
At home, they decided to hire a private tutor for both of us.
Paul, as one of the few knights in the region, could pay a decent sum.
Even so, we were in a rural area, at the edge of the country. It was not a place where mages or skilled people abounded.
Because of that, no one expected anyone to respond so quickly.
Apparently, the tutor would start working tomorrow and would live at home, since there were no inns in the village.
Paul and Zenith thought it would be a retired adventurer.
Maybe a middle-aged man or even an old man who had spent years perfecting his magic.
"I am Roxy. Nice to meet you."
But the one who appeared was a very young woman.