Age (Kaito): 5
Date: April, X770 (Late Spring)
Season: Spring
Location: Rosemary Village → Forest Outskirts
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Morning came softly to Rosemary Village.
Kaito woke before the sun fully crested the hills, eyes opening without a hint of grogginess. His body felt warm—alive in a way most children never noticed. He rolled his shoulders once, testing. No stiffness. No fatigue.
Good.
> "Grate Sage"
Status check complete.
Body condition: Optimal.
Yesterday's training stress fully assimilated.
Recommendation: Light combat activity + nutritional intake for steady growth.
Kaito smiled faintly.
"Yeah, yeah. I was already planning that."
Outside, the village was quiet. Dew clung to the grass, and the air carried the clean scent of spring leaves. He finished a simple breakfast—bread, dried meat, warm milk—slowly and deliberately.
The moment the food settled—
> "Predator" Activated
Digesting nutrients…
Converting excess energy into muscle fiber reinforcement.
Skeletal growth efficiency increased (minor).
There was no pain. No drama.
Just a subtle heat spreading through his limbs, like embers sinking deeper instead of burning out.
Kaito flexed his fingers, feeling the difference.
Good return. Not wasted.
He stepped outside just as Erza appeared at the edge of the path, sword strapped to her back, eyes sharp and alert. She wore simple clothes today—practical, worn, familiar.
"You're late," she said immediately.
He blinked. Then grinned.
"You're early."
"…Hmph."
But she waited for him anyway.
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The forest beyond Rosemary Village was alive with sound. Birds called overhead, and sunlight filtered through fresh green leaves. This wasn't a dangerous area—not truly—but it was far enough that children weren't supposed to wander here alone.
Together, they did.
Erza walked ahead, eyes scanning constantly. Kaito noticed the way her shoulders stayed tense, how she listened more than she spoke.
"You're thinking too loud," he said casually.
She glanced back. "What does that even mean?"
"It means," he replied, stepping beside her, "you're worried something might jump us."
"…You're not?"
Kaito shrugged. "If it does, that's training."
She stared at him. Then shook her head. "You're really not normal."
"I know," he said easily. "You still came."
That shut her up.
They found their target near a clearing—a wild boar, large and aggressive, tusks sharp and mud-caked. It snorted the moment it sensed them.
Erza's grip tightened. "This one's dangerous."
"Good," Kaito replied, eyes bright. "We'll take it together."
They moved.
The boar charged, fast and heavy. Erza stepped in first, striking low—not to kill, but to redirect. The impact jolted her arms, but she held her ground.
Kaito didn't hesitate.
He surged forward, strength flowing cleanly through his body. No hiding. No pulling back—just honest force. He struck at the boar's shoulder joint with precise timing, wooden blade reinforced by practiced control.
The creature collapsed with a furious squeal.
Silence followed.
Erza's chest heaved as she stared at the fallen beast. "…We did it."
Kaito nodded. "You did great."
She turned to him, eyes intense. "You didn't hesitate. Not even for a second."
"I trust you," he said simply. "Why wouldn't I?"
Her face heated again.
They worked together to finish the job properly—clean, respectful. Kaito's movements were practiced beyond his years, guided quietly by insight rather than instinct.
> "Grate Sage"
Combat data acquired.
Erza Scarlet: Strength growth steady. Defensive instincts improving.
Suggestion: Continue paired combat training for mutual synchronization.
Already planning that, Kaito thought.
They carried the boar back to the village with effort, sweat, and stubborn pride. The butcher's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw them.
"You two did this?"
Kaito nodded. "Clean hunt. Forest outskirts."
The man laughed, half-disbelieving, half-impressed. "You've got guts. And skill."
Coins clinked into Kaito's hand—real money. Earned.
Erza stared at them as if they might vanish. "…We got paid."
Kaito closed his fingers around the coins. "First of many."
They sat later near the fence again, sharing warm bread bought with their own earnings. The sun dipped low, painting the village gold.
Erza leaned back, unusually relaxed. "…When I'm with you," she said quietly, "I feel like I can get stronger."
Kaito looked at her, expression soft but steady. "You will."
She met his gaze, no hesitation this time.
And in the quiet spring air, something settled between them—not a promise spoken aloud, but one already understood.
They would keep training.
They would keep growing.
And when the day came—
Kaito would stand openly.
Erza would stand beside him.
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