Point of view: Paul
"Norn…" he murmured, his voice nearly inaudible but clear. Then his eyes drifted away from her face and fixed on the hilt of the sword Arthur carried at his waist, without saying another word.
Paul sensed the atmosphere getting a bit strange and broke it with a pat on Norn's shoulder.
"Well then! What are we waiting for? I'm sure you're all hungry!" he said, his voice regaining some of its usual cheerfulness to lighten the mood. "I bet the trip was exhausting. Details can wait."
"We're here, near this port, in the city of Milisheit. We've set up a temporary base for searching the ones who were displaced," he added with a faint, melancholic smile, gently brushing Norn's hair. The mention of the missing, especially Zenith, briefly darkened his expression.
Lilia noticed that hint of sadness and silently resolved to help however she could.
"Lilia, tell me everything that happened," Paul said seriously, giving Arthur a quick glance. The boy was looking around curiously while Aisha attempted to talk to Norn. "I want every detail. Don't leave anything out."
Lilia straightened and began recounting everything that had happened—since the teleportation up to the journey here.
She also explained Arthur's surprising abilities, how he trained magic and swordsmanship, and the battles he'd faced. Paul listened, his expression shifting between astonishment at the boy's talent and distress at the level of violence he'd been forced into.
Another prodigy.
If I described everything she just told me… he'd sound like a monster. A child capable of using Advanced-tier magic and at Advanced level in Sword God Style. Paul thought.
"By the way, Aisha already knows how to use magic. Arthur has been teaching her," Lilia added, interrupting his thoughts.
"She already knows magic?" Paul was shocked.
He remembered Rudeus, who learned at three years old, so it didn't seem too surprising.
Then he thought about Norn. She had been trying to learn magic with Shera while under her care. But Shera clearly wasn't good at teaching.
That sparked an idea.
"Lilia, does that boy have any other plans?" Paul asked.
"Hm… it doesn't seem like it."
"Well, I'll ask him later…"
---
Third person
The atmosphere in the Milisheit base was steady but organized. Arthur, Lilia, and the girls were taken to a quieter section and served a warm, nutritious meal.
Arthur leaned back in his chair, completely satisfied.
"I'm full," he murmured, closing his eyes for a moment.
Aisha, seated beside him, looked at him with an almost teasing smile.
Norn, sitting next to Paul, only watched them with curiosity.
Paul, who had been thinking deeply, approached Arthur.
"Now that your stomach is full, Arthur, let's talk business."
"Business?" Arthur asked, straightening up.
"Yes. I've heard that you taught Aisha magic, and that she's been doing very well."
"Well… she's a good student," Arthur said, scratching the back of his neck, embarrassed.
Aisha puffed her chest with pride after hearing Arthur compliment her.
Norn, who had been focused on the conversation, slightly widened her green eyes. Aisha already knows magic… she thought, surprised.
"Then how about becoming Norn's tutor as well?" Paul placed his hand on his daughter's head. Norn looked up at him, then at Arthur, who was a bit startled. "Of course, I'll pay you for both."
Aisha didn't know how to feel. On one hand, she was happy Arthur would keep teaching… but on the other, she'd have to share him with Norn. Without realizing it, she pouted, her jealousy slipping through.
Arthur blinked, pulling himself out of the surprise. His gaze met Norn's—she immediately looked away, but her posture showed she was listening intently.
Hm, if I think about it, Arthur reasoned, this is a good opportunity. If I accept, I'll have a stable place for a while and can keep training without worrying about daily food.
"All right. Sure, I accept," Arthur said, standing to shake Paul's hand.
Paul grinned, relieved.
"Excellent, Arthur. You're a lifesaver."
Suddenly remembering something, Paul touched his forehead.
"By the way… can you also do arithmetic and that kind of stuff?"
"Me?" Arthur blinked as the topic shifted.
"Then teach them the basics too. Arithmetic, geography, and if you can, a bit of history."
"Sure," Arthur replied, scratching his neck again as a sweatdrop formed. Looks like my days are going to be long. Thankfully, after teaching Aisha so much, the Great Sage created the [Tutor] skill. At least explaining things will be easier.
Aisha kept pouting, but Norn, listening carefully, felt a spark of determination.
If I learn, I can help Papa.
I don't want to be a burden.
Suddenly, Norn stood and said, looking at Arthur with unusual firmness:
"I'll work hard."
Paul froze. It was the longest and most determined sentence he'd heard from her since the Teleport Incident.
"That's my Norn," he said proudly.
Paul then turned back to Arthur, resuming the main subject.
"Since you've agreed to be their tutor, I'll be honest about my real plan. I can't keep my family here. This base is chaotic, improvised, and far from safe."
He paused.
"My plan is to send a letter to the Latreia household in the Kingdom of Millis to ask them to take in Lilia, Aisha, Norn, and you. It's the only way to make sure you're all truly safe."
"But, my lord…" Lilia spoke, worried.
Paul shook his head firmly.
"It's better if you stay there. They have stability and influence. Something I don't have at the moment. As long as they approve, you will stay—at least while we're here at the base."
Norn didn't speak. Paul had explained this before, but being reminded that she'd have to part from her father made her visibly sad.
So we're going to the Kingdom of Millis? Hmm… I don't remember this part of the story. Or maybe it never appeared, Arthur thought, trying to recall the original plot.
"Perfect. Everything is set. You can all go rest for now. Vierra, guide them to their rooms," Paul ordered.
Vierra—the rough-looking adventurer Arthur already recognized from the novel—stepped forward.
"Yes, Paul. Follow me. Lilia, I'll take you to the best room we have."
Arthur glanced at Aisha's pout and gently flicked her head. She perked up a little. Norn hugged Paul tightly before leaving.
Guided by Vierra, the group entered the improvised compound, leaving Paul alone
---
The following days in the base became a rigorous mix of training and education while they waited for the Latreias' reply.
The temporary stability allowed Arthur to teach the Greyrat sisters properly.
The next morning, he woke up early to begin his daily physical training under the strict guidance of the Great Sage.
After that came sword training.
He continued engraving the movements of the Judgment Sword Style into his muscle memory.
According to the Great Sage, he had already mastered the Intermediate level. Being a blend of two sword styles, and already an Advanced-level Sword God Style practitioner, accelerated his growth.
Still, the Great Sage's corrections became harsher.
Error. Slight deviation in the sword tip. Unnecessary Touki expenditure: 0.5%.
Arthur moved like a phantom at dawn, every strike chasing absolute speed, combined with the adaptive feints of the North God Style, all while utilizing Touki more efficiently.
Thanks to the Great Sage, he even fought against a conjured image with abilities identical to his own, making it as realistic as possible.
After hours of that, he moved on to magic practice—refining his control, reducing incantation time, and lowering mana consumption.
By the afternoon, lessons with the sisters began.
"Focus, Aisha. You need the same precision to build an unchanted [Earth Wall] as you do to cast a [Water Ball]," Arthur instructed.
Aisha, already capable of Intermediate-tier magic in four elements by chanting, now tackled the difficult art of silent casting.
Closing her eyes, she visualized the formula. The ground trembled slightly before a half-meter wall of earth rose perfectly formed.
"I did it!"
"Excellent mana control, but it was slow," Arthur commented. "In battle, that delay would kill you."
Grumbling, Aisha resumed practicing.
"And remember, if you feel dizzy, stop. Otherwise you'll faint and miss the other lessons."
"Yes, yes, but I won't promise anything," she replied playfully.
For Norn, this was only the beginning. Arthur explained each basic concept thoroughly. Thanks to the [Tutor] skill, it was much easier.
Then came her first spell
"We'll start with the simplest element: water," Arthur explained. "The basic water spell is Water Ball."
He had her repeat the chant.
Norn lifted her hand and recited it, but nothing happened. Her shoulders drooped.
"Don't worry, Norn. That's normal for beginners. Just feel the mana flow, then imagine the spell as you chant."
Encouraged by Arthur's gentle tone and Aisha's impatient gaze, Norn took a deep breath and tried again.
This time, a small sphere of water formed—only to drop to the ground. Norn flinched, expecting an explosion.
"Perfect," Arthur said softly. "You see? You almost have it. Control comes later. For now, focus on the meaning of the chant."
Norn, feeling the warmth of her tiny success, nodded firmly. If I can use magic like Arthur, I can be strong. I can help Papa.
After that came academic lessons.
In academics, the tension between the sisters was subtle but present.
"If the Central Continent has a diameter of X kilometers and you travel Z per day…" Arthur explained.
Aisha answered quickly—her prior education in Shirone showed.
Norn struggled but tried her best.
"Norn, focus on dividing the travel time," Arthur said.
It took longer, but she improved with each attempt.
Lilia watched with a soft smile.
And so the days passed. Aisha advanced quickly, and though Norn was slower, she absorbed everything like a sponge—and grew more comfortable around Arthur.
One afternoon, as Arthur taught, Paul arrived.
He held a scroll in his hand. The Latreia family had finally responded.
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning," Paul said. "They want you to present yourselves immediately, without delay."
Arthur nodded. The mission that could've taken two months had condensed into a few days
"Who's coming with us?"
"Only Talhand. I can't leave. I have to keep searching… I feel like Rudeus isn't far." Paul placed a firm hand on Arthur's shoulder. "So take care of them."
---
At dawn the next day, the Milisheit base awoke to the sound of preparations. Talhand had readied a light, fast carriage.
Paul hugged Lilia tightly, promising they would see each other soon. Then he hugged Aisha.
Norn clung silently to him, hiding her face in his cloak. She didn't cry, but her trembling shoulders showed her struggle. This farewell was the hardest test of her promise to be strong.
Paul knelt down to meet her eyes.
"You're trying so hard, Norn. I'm proud of you. Come back strong."
Norn nodded.
Paul's companions came to see Arthur off. Shera and Vierra wished him luck, and Geese— the man of a thousand faces—gave him an unreadable wink. Despite the short time together, Arthur had earned their respect.
End of chapter.