A child lightly knocked on the towering door, a presence almost overwhelming for their small stature. A voice immediately responded from within the room.

“Who’s there?”

It was the voice of Father—Zeke Bradley. Hearing it for the first time in a long while made my legs falter momentarily. However, knowing I couldn't back down now, I steeled myself and answered loudly through the door.

“It-it’s Claim!”

“...Come in.”

“E-excuse me.”

After a brief silence, permission was granted, and I entered the room alongside Alice. As expected, inside were two towering men sitting opposite each other with grave expressions.

At our sudden appearance, both men directed sharp, piercing gazes at us. The imposing sight was enough to make Alice instinctively hide behind me. Truthfully, if I could’ve hidden too, I would have.

Yet beneath the fear, I felt a sense of nostalgia as I took in the familiar faces. It was Father, Zeke, who softened the tense atmosphere by addressing us kindly.

“It’s rare for you two to come here together… Did something happen?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt an important discussion, but may I have a moment of your time?”

“It’s fine. We’d just finished talking.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Ah, uh... sure.”

When I bowed my head in gratitude, the uncle sitting with my father looked visibly surprised. Considering how much I hated bowing to anyone as a child, it wasn’t shocking that my newfound courtesy left him flabbergasted.

—It’s bad when normal behavior feels abnormal.

Though I only acted as I thought appropriate, I realized again just how much of a mess I had been in the past. With that grim reminder, I continued speaking, disregarding their stunned expressions.

“The reason I’m here—”

But my uncle cut me off. Despite nearing sixty, he was so vibrant and brimming with energy that his age hardly showed.

“Oh-ho! You look well, Clay. Are you still feeling under the weather? You seem quieter than usual today… Could it be my scolding actually worked?”

In the past, his taunting words would have sent me into a rage. But things were different now. Besides, I was here to seek his guidance. In a way, I was being tested.

—If I react to such cheap provocations, I’m not worth teaching.

Uncle Feid likely intended to imply that. Harsh as always. But understanding his methods well, I smiled and replied without a hint of irritation.

“Thanks to your guidance, my injuries weren’t serious. In fact, I feel more sluggish from resting too much.”

“...What? Did you hit your head or something?”

“Now, now, Feid. While his demeanor may be unusual, there’s no need to put it that way.”

“Ah, s-sorry.”

The two men, towering and imposing, whispered conspiratorially as they scrutinized me, evidently perplexed by my unexpected behavior. Though their reaction was a bit much, I couldn’t blame them.

—Seems like the bad impression I left runs pretty deep.

“May I continue?”

“Oh, yes, my apologies. Go on.”

Suppressing a sense of dread for the challenges ahead, I cleared my throat and resumed.

“I would like Uncle Feid to train me again. As much time as you can spare, please.”

“...Huh?”

“Oh no... It seems I’ve created quite the problem with my scolding…”

Skipping any unnecessary preamble, I got straight to the point. In response, Father let out a bewildered sound while Uncle Feid sighed dramatically, glancing upward as though reflecting on his choices. Their reactions were both amusing and frustrating—ones I never would have seen in my first life.

“Look, Alice. This is a rare sight for Father and Uncle.”

“???”

Peeking out timidly, my sister tilted her head in confusion, unable to grasp the situation.

Ah, how endearing she was. It pained me to think that someone had tormented and made this precious little sister cry. That “someone” being the former me, of course.

The Bradley Marquis family is a martial household controlling the military affairs of the Chronostaria Kingdom. The head of the family traditionally serves as the kingdom’s Supreme Military Commander. Consequently, our family wields considerable influence and commands a high social standing.

What earns such trust from the king? Achievements in past wars, unwavering loyalty, and—above all—the ability to wield the family’s Primal Magic, a power exclusive to bloodlines like ours.

Magic itself is a force capable of rewriting the world’s laws. Primal Magic, being its superior form, grants its users tremendous capabilities. Merely possessing this power makes one highly sought after, ensuring a privileged future regardless of their role within the family.

Drunk on that power in my first life, I had never truly trained to become stronger. At eight years old, just discovering how to use Primal Magic, I let it inflate my ego, thinking myself invincible.

—Why bother when I can take down knights with basic spells?

For such a brat to now seek rigorous training, the shock was understandable.

“While I’m genuinely concerned about your head, it’s good that you’re taking the initiative to train. I won’t stop you.”

“Thank you.”

“Do your best, big brother!”

In the estate’s vast backyard—an area equipped with more than enough facilities for training—Uncle Feid finished his warm-up. I adjusted my stance, clutching a wooden sword.

“Come at me however you like, just like before.”

“Yes.”

Despite the crushing pressure from standing against him, I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and launched forward.

“Haah!”

“What the—?!”

“Impressive…”

In a flash, I closed the distance and thrust sharply at Uncle Feid. My father and uncle, astonished at the precision of my strike, gaped.

“—A fine thrust.”

But it was still a child’s attack, easily parried. Yet, I felt a small measure of satisfaction.

And so began my earnest quest for improvement.