James went down to the village after the warm breakfast he had shared with his family. Before leaving, he did not forget to gently kiss his wife's lips. Then he turned and walked away without hesitation.
Even so, in his heart he always wanted to return as soon as possible.
For someone like him, who had never experienced the warmth of a family in his first life, the family he had now meant everything. His love for them was immense.
Even being apart for a short time made him miss Irene.
He always wanted to be close to his wife.
Their children often teased the two of them for being overly affectionate without caring about where they were.
To Charlotte and Ian, the closeness between their father and mother sometimes felt a little ridiculous for people their age.
Neither child truly understood the sincerity and powerful passion of love between adults.
Because of that, whenever they saw their parents behaving romantically, they did not react positively or negatively.
They simply felt an odd sense of amusement.
As if they could not quite believe that adults could behave like that.
———
Behind the house, Charlotte and Ian walked together toward the large wooden building where their father usually trained.
Both of them had come to that place many times.
They had also seen their father training there countless times.
Sometimes they even tried copying some of the movements their father had shown them.
Especially Ian.
The boy was very fond of swordsmanship.
Charlotte was also interested, but not nearly as enthusiastic as Ian whenever their father demonstrated sword techniques.
Charlotte's personality was far freer.
She did not like limiting herself to mastering only a single skill.
Ian, walking beside her, finally spoke in a calm tone.
He had actually been waiting since yesterday, ever since his sister told him she would show him the magic she had learned from their father.
"Are you sure you will show it to me? Father did not forbid it, right?"
"Father only said not to show it to other people."
Charlotte glanced at him with a smile.
"Of course my little brother is not other people."
She paused for a moment.
Then Charlotte added in a teasing tone.
"But if you do not want to see it, we can just go back."
Her smile made it obvious that she was testing him, especially his patience in waiting for something he truly wanted.
Ian immediately answered.
"Who said I do not want to see it? Sister and I already made a promise. Do not break it."
Charlotte laughed softly.
"Hehehe... of course not, little brother."
Ian smiled when he heard her answer.
Since last night he had been imagining what kind of magic Charlotte would show him.
His sister had not revealed the type of magic at all.
However, because he often heard stories about magic from his father, Ian had grown extremely curious to see it with his own eyes.
Their father once said that their family had an affinity for fire and lightning magic.
But Ian did not truly understand what that meant.
He knew his father was a magician.
Yet he had not realized that what James truly meant was that he and his siblings would also possess the same ability, especially fire magic, which would dominate their power.
He also did not feel jealous that their father had taught Charlotte first.
He understood his position.
He was still younger.
Besides, Father had said that he would also be taught before long.
Exactly when?
He did not know.
But Ian trusted his own intuition.
It seemed that moment would arrive soon enough.
Charlotte suddenly stopped walking and looked at him.
"Have you already understood the chakra control I taught you two days ago?"
"I can already use it. It is not very difficult."
He nodded toward his sister.
Charlotte smiled proudly.
"I see. As expected, you really are as smart as your sister."
She lifted her chin slightly.
"The two of us understand things quickly."
Her tone sounded like praise for Ian, but also praise for herself.
As if she wanted to say that it was only natural.
You are my little brother and I am your older sister. Of course we are both supposed to be geniuses.
Ian did not respond to that remark.
He was already used to his sister's attitude.
"Let us hurry over there. I will also show you the sword technique Father taught me."
"Alright, Sister."
---
Not long afterward, they arrived at the open area behind the wooden building that served as their father's private training hall.
One day, that place would also become their training ground.
There they would train their bodies and learn various skills such as swordsmanship and other combat techniques.
Charlotte looked at the open training field created by their father.
James usually used this place for a different kind of practice. While the square wooden building was used for physical training, this open space served another purpose.
This was where he often used fire ninjutsu when completing missions from the system.
He also occasionally practiced other ninjutsu there, including lightning-based techniques.
Although the system's missions often sounded simple, for James they were already more than enough.
In fact, he preferred a system that did not impose excessive demands.
Charlotte remembered the moment when her father first showed that ability to her.
"Wow! Father!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Father is a magician! Father can use magic!"
She had even jumped up and down in excitement at the time.
Ever since she became able to think more freely and speak more fluently, she had always dreamed of becoming someone famous.
Fortunately, her dream was not about conquering the world. That would have given both of her parents a headache.
Seeing that her father possessed such extraordinary abilities made her feel as if a part of her dream had already opened before her.
The path seemed to stretch out clearly in front of her.
She only needed to work hard.
At least, that was what she believed.
But her father immediately corrected her.
"Father is not a magician."
He looked at Charlotte calmly.
"And what you just saw was not magic. It is ninjutsu."
"Ninjutsu? What is that, Father?"
James then explained it patiently.
According to him, ninjutsu and magic might look similar, but the way they functioned was very different.
"Magic usually uses spoken incantations as a catalyst to manifest miracles."
He then demonstrated with his hands.
"Ninjutsu, on the other hand, uses hand seals to release its techniques."
The more skilled someone became, the fewer hand seals they needed.
James paused for a moment before continuing.
"However, there is one similarity."
"The higher a person's ability becomes, the less time it takes to release the technique."
He then added another explanation.
"Of course, we and the magicians are fundamentally different."
"..."
"Unlike magicians who mostly fight from long distances, Ninja or Shinobi have a much more flexible fighting style."
"..."
"They are not bound to a single form of combat. A ninja can fight in close combat like a knight, attack from afar like a magician, and even use long-range weapons like an archer or hidden weapons."
Charlotte was fascinated by her father's explanation. Her lips parted in amazement at the image of ninjas he had described.
Her curiosity immediately surged.
"Father can do that too? Then Charlotte can also become a versatile ninja like the one Father described?"
"Of course."
James smiled faintly when he saw the hopeful expression on his daughter's face.
"My daughter is a genius."
He paused briefly before adding,
"Father almost forgot to say something. Because Charlotte understands what Father teaches very quickly, you might also be able to become a summoner and a healer."
"Wow!"
Charlotte exclaimed.
But a few seconds later her expression turned gloomy.
James noticed the change immediately.
"What is wrong? Does my daughter not like having many skills?"
Charlotte quickly shook her head and raised both hands.
"It is not that, Father."
She let out a small sigh.
"But summoners and healers are not cool at all. Charlotte wants to be known as the strongest woman, not the strongest summoner or healer."
After saying that, she raised one arm high into the air.
It was the confident gesture she often showed in front of her father.
James chuckled softly when he saw her attitude.
"Alright."
He nodded lightly.
"My strongest daughter."
Charlotte immediately broke into a wide smile.
"Hehehe... of course, Father. Father's daughter will definitely be the strongest."
Remembering that moment made Charlotte lower her head while smiling to herself.
Although she always looked extremely confident in front of her father, she could actually feel embarrassed too.
She simply tried her best not to show it.
Her mother often teased her for being too confident and shameless.
Charlotte certainly did not like that teasing.
But the one who said it was her own mother.
Who would dare argue once Irene started getting angry?
Even her father sometimes chose to give in.
Ian's voice beside her cut through her thoughts.
"Why is Sister making that kind of expression?"
Ian tilted his head.
"Sister is smiling like a villain."
"What! A villain?"
Charlotte immediately turned toward him with an annoyed face.
"That is too much, comparing me to a villain."
She quickly fixed her expression to return it to normal.
Ian shrugged.
"Of course. If Sister does not believe me, just look in a mirror later."
Charlotte raised her hand and waved it dismissively.
"Forget it, Ian. You are very good at ruining my good mood this morning."
Ian did not respond.
Charlotte then took a breath and spoke in a serious tone.
"Watch carefully. I am going to show you the magic I learned from Father."
Before Ian could speak, Charlotte quickly added,
"Not magic."
She lifted her chin slightly.
"But ninjutsu."
Ian looked confused when he heard the word.
That was natural.
It was the first time he had heard the term.
Until now, he had only known about magic.
Magic was a miracle created by humans through spoken incantations.
But ninjutsu?
He had absolutely no idea what it was.
Seeing her brother's confused expression, Charlotte actually did not feel like explaining it in detail.
She was not the type who enjoyed giving long explanations or repeating them over and over.
Fortunately, Ian was quite intelligent.
When Charlotte had taught him the basics of chakra control earlier, Ian had understood it fairly quickly even though her explanations were not always neat or well structured.
Besides, Charlotte's mood also played a big role.
If she was in a bad mood, she usually refused to explain anything further.
In the end, Charlotte tried to explain it in a simple way.
"Listen, Ian. Ninjutsu may look similar to magic, but the way it works is different."
Ian continued listening.
Then she continued.
"For example, if we want to reach the number four."
She raised four fingers.
"There are two different ways."
"First, by counting from one."
"Second, by using addition."
Ian remained silent.
Charlotte tried to give an example.
"If we count one, two, three, four, we will reach the number four."
She then raised two fingers on each hand.
"But if two plus two, we will also get four."
Charlotte lowered her hands.
"The path is different, but the final result is the same."
Ian scratched his head.
Charlotte immediately understood the meaning of the gesture.
Her younger brother still did not fully understand.
And she had no intention of continuing a long explanation.
"Forget it."
She shrugged.
"You can ask Father later."
"Alright, Sister."
Ian lowered his head slightly, looking a little embarrassed that he had not fully understood his sister's explanation.
Charlotte then walked several steps forward until she was a good distance away from him.
She turned back.
"Do you still want to see my ninjutsu or should we just go back?"
Ian immediately lifted his head.
His gaze was sharp and filled with excitement.
His eyes even seemed to shine.
"Of course I want to see it."
Charlotte smiled with satisfaction.
"Stand over there."
She pointed to a spot on the right side.
"Keep a distance of a few meters and watch from the side."
Ian nodded and walked to the position she indicated.
He stopped several steps away from Charlotte.
"Watch carefully."
Charlotte raised both hands.
"Especially the movement of my hands and fingers. I will do it slowly so you can see it clearly."
"Yes, Sister."
Charlotte chuckled softly. It felt quite pleasant to act like a teacher and instruct someone.
But before beginning, she stretched her body first.
She rotated her shoulders, straightened her back, and moved her arms.
Her father always said that warming up before moving was important for joints, muscles, and bones.
At first Charlotte doubted that.
It did not seem useful to her and it certainly did not look cool.
But after seeing how her father always warmed up before heavy training, she eventually believed it.
Of course, warming up really was important.
But for Charlotte, the real reason was much simpler.
She just wanted to look as cool as her father.