Andras, age 8
Three years had passed since Andras began his mission in Neptunia. The long‑awaited—or perhaps not so eagerly awaited—event had arrived, one that could change the fate of the world: the meeting with the White Witch. The boy was preparing in his room.
At last, the time has come. I'll meet the half‑elf girl, Noelle! I wonder what she'll look like? How sharp will her ears be? This is so exciting!
During the past three years he had prepared for everything. In the first year he trained his body and learned to read and write. In the following two years he began studying the arts of magic and swordsmanship. By now he was strong enough to defend himself against a few bandits or a weaker monster. But he was still only eight years old, so he had to remain cautious.
Among his abilities, the greatest surprise came the previous summer. Eli had tinkered with his eyes. With his right eye he could see five minutes into the future if he focused his magical power. This was clearly a weaker version of the Crystal of Future Sight. It wasn't easy to get used to: it required serious concentration, and if his focus wandered even for a moment, he had to start the activation all over again.
As difficult as it was to control, it was just as useful.
He even tested it on Anita. He foresaw that the girl would slap him after he smacked her on the backside, so he easily dodged her. But five minutes later the future‑sight ended, and Anita finished the "experiment" with a solid kick to his rear.
A useful ability, but not almighty. You can avoid attacks that come within five minutes, but if the fight drags on, it's worthless. Still, it's far better than nothing—so I won't complain.
His left eye was like Uriel's spectacles: it displayed data about anyone he looked at—their name, age, race, gender, class, and element. As a gamer, he knew: there could hardly be a more useful ability.
On one occasion he examined the maidservants with it, and discovered that one of them was not a "maid" at all, but an Imperial Spy. That night she "accidentally" fell from the castle window, plunging fifty meters. No one saw anything.
Perhaps I should have asked her first who she was spying for… Well, never mind. It was easier to get rid of her this way. I mean: I didn't see anything either.
Later, while walking in the castle courtyard, he discovered that another man's class was not "peasant," but bandit.
Five minutes later, an axe struck his head. Where had it flown from? Everything happened so quickly, no one saw a thing. Perhaps I should have asked him where the other bandits were hiding… But that axe flew so beautifully… I mean: I didn't see anything either, I was just watching the pigeons fly.
These were truly good abilities, and he was certain they were Eli's gifts. Why was he so sure? Because when they activated in his eyes, he received a message:
"A little gift, so you don't accidentally screw up the mission. Kisses, Eli!"
And attached was an image: Sakura Dry, his master, bathing naked in the river of Sky Island. Her abs were still larger than her breasts.
If I were to fail the mission, I would never see them again… Not my master's breasts, I mean my master herself, Eli, and Uriel. One more reason not to screw up—and to save the world.
Regarding his own abilities, Andras was increasingly able to combine lightning and water, both as a mage and as a swordsman. He was a little envious of Anita's talent, since she had far more natural skill with swordplay. But she, in turn, envied Andras's magical powers—so they were even.
Xaba and Jula were more jealous that Anita spent more time with Andras than with them. I don't understand what they're jealous about… I'm only eight years old, while they're already eighteen. Seriously? The three of them were to be knighted as Wolf Knights the following month. Until now, they had been trainees.
Andras decided to choose them for his own team. From now on he was allowed to leave the castle, visit the surrounding villages, and explore the lands of Wolfwood.
Yesterday his father came to him, saying that since he was now eight years old, they would assign him a personal maid. A girl from the orphanage, his own age. Andras immediately knew what this meant.
Yes… the White Witch.
But he told his father: he wanted to choose his personal maid himself. Bandorn nodded: "Very well, go to the orphanage and choose the girl you like best."
The orphanages operated separately: the girls and the boys were kept far apart, twenty miles away from each other. At eight years old, the boys already worked around the orphanage—planting vegetables, feeding animals, collecting eggs. At ten they were taken as soldiers, and from twelve the most talented were trained to become Wolf Knights. The rest became ordinary soldiers.
For the girls, the situation was different. At eight years old, the most beautiful were chosen to be maidservants. Those who were not selected received work in the area: baker's assistant, tailor's apprentice, or even a helping hand at the tavern.
Even an eight‑year‑old girl can carry a beer to a drunken swine.
So now it was my turn, as a Noble Lord, to choose a personal maid at the age of eight. I already knew in advance that I would choose a half‑elf girl, because that was my mission, and it was what I myself wanted. But if there happened to be another girl besides Noelle who was beautiful and charming enough that it would be a waste for her to serve anyone else as a maid, then naturally I would take her under my wing as well.
A knock sounded at the door. Anita, the female knight, stepped inside.
"Young Wolf, the horses are ready. Shall we depart, are you prepared?"
"I'm prepared, let's go!" I replied.