Laihiala pilot academy has a dormitory, restaurants and all sorts of shops. All sorts of Silhouette Knight repair shops are gathered there, including the lodging of related personnel, forming a large college city. Because Laihiala pilot academy is the top academic facility in the nation, the size of the city is not far off from the capital itself. The city adopted its name from the academy, and is known as 'Laihiala academy city', Ernesti resides in such a place.
The sun sets beyond the walls that surround the city and the night encompass the academy city. Apart from a select few, most of the shops have closed for the day, only a handful of people still wander the streets. The whole city falls into silence. A petite figure runs along the path formed by the rooftops of the building. The figure is dressed in black that is hard to see in the dark, moving like the wind along the roof.
And of course, this is the 8 years old Ernesti Echevarria. With the passage of time, his training has evolved from simple jogging into a round trip along the roofs of the buildings in the city. According to Eru, the wide field of vision and the undulating height of the buildings is perfect for training.
He learned from his failure in using physical boost spell in the past, and further improved it, changing it into a low mana cost magic, emphasizing just the legs for running. He has gotten used to it, even strenuous movement won't affect the script, his enhanced legs enable him to sprint at a very fast pace.
As he ran, Eru came to the edge of a line of connected buildings; the edge is akin to a cliff with the road looming from below. He took a deep breath, increasing his mana output. With the fierce reaction, he accelerated like an arrow fired from a bow, closing the gap to the edge in an instant. The moment he took his last step and leapt into the air; he activated another spell -- compressing the air in front of him, creating a dense air bullet. This was originally basic wind magic, air bullet. Eru explodes the air bullet behind him, using the release burst of energy to push him forward.
The instantaneous acceleration threw Eru's body into the air, forming a beautiful arch in the sky. He activated his body strengthening magic in mid-air, and cast another spell just before he landed. Another air bullet spell -- but the area of compressed air was much larger. He didn't fire off the air bullet just like before, using it as a cushion, landing nicely at the other roof. Eru rolls to reduce the impact, running off with the same speed as before.
The year is C.E. 1273.
It has been 3 years since Eru started his magic training. He went through it daily without rest, accumulating a large amount of mana within his petite body. Normally, a child won't train so intensively in magic at such a young age, so it is not surprising for Eru to have grown so strong. And the regime also trains his physical attributes which increased dramatically, but it is a pity he can't use full body strengthening spells for an extended amount of time. That's why he invented low mana cost spells targeted at specific body parts, only using his full strength when it is necessary. He has also found a way to use other spells while moving at high speed. This training allows Eru's outstanding processing ability to improve, increasing his mana pool while decreasing the mana expended.
There is a reason why Eru focuses his magic on movement. He didn't spend all of his time on training, making time to play with other kids his age, probably so his parents won't worry. But he can't deny that playing like a kid again is fun. Eru slowly realized that his body is smaller than others, but he is not too bothered about it. But if his growth remains stagnant, Eru's lack of weight might become his weak point.
Naturally, Eru plans to continue training his magic, not willing to fail because of his lack of abilities. Even so, his body being so light means he has to put more consideration with regards to attack power. This is the reason he chose to strengthen his mobility. The speed will disrupt enemies and increase attack power as well.
(That's right, just like Ushi wakamaru overcoming strength with skills, the way Japanese likes it. Eh, although I didn't have much choice in this.)
Eru thought about these menial things as he ran in the dim street in the evening. A normal training route, the daily jogging regime, but something unexpected happened.
"Eh? Someone is coming." A girly voice came from above. A stern voice followed: “Who are you?"
"...Is someone there?" the questions from both parties overlap each other. Eru has never ran into anyone during his rooftop training before, this was the first time he did.
They remained silent for quite a while. They met someone at a place that is normally devoid of people, so it is understandable to be cautious. One of them is dressed in black with his hood up, a suspicious outfit.
Eru observes the other party. The weak starlight made visibility low, but he can vaguely make out that they are a boy and girl pair about his age. Eru is shorter than average, while the two of them are relatively tall and thin. At a glance they don't look younger than Eru, but not much older either.
He can't make any headway with this silence, so Eru introduced himself.
"Evening, I am Ernesti, in the middle of a stroll. And you are?"
The two who were wary of this youth in black was stunned by the introduction. Eru can't make out the delicate changes in facial expression, but from the reflection of the moonlight, he knew the young boy squinted eyes.
"I am Archid, this is my younger sister..."
"Adeltrud... Eh, we were watching the stars... that's right."
Eru looked at the ceiling window behind them; the couple probably came up from there. The sudden encounter surprised them, but it was simple a coincidence. Eru decided to continue jogging.
"I see, sorry to disturb you. I will take my leave..."
"Wa... wait, don't go yet. A stroll you say? On the roof top wearing this?"
"Don't you think that is strange?"
"Hm, that's true."
Eru can tell they are taken aback from their tone. Even Eru would have been suspicious if he was in their shoes.
"I said it was a stroll, but it is closer to being special training. That's why I chose a place that is hard to run on."
"Eh... Do you really need to run on the roof? That's weird."
A simple matter to Eru was unthinkably strange to them. They look at each other with skeptical faces and asked while tilting their head.
"...Hmmm, forget it. That means we are interrupting your training."
"Please don't mind me. Well, I should be..."
"Hey hey, wait! You said this is special training, so you run around this place every day?"
Adeltrud stopped Eru who was ready to go. Eru stumbled a bit and replied "Yes" and took off again. The two of them follow Eru with their eyes as Eru disappears into the shadows... His extraordinary speed surprised them, as they watch Eru accelerates and leapt off the edge of the roof. The large arc of his jump stunned them again.
"... Amazing, really amazing! What is that? That looks fun!"
"Wah, he is really running! Incredible, he flew off from the edge of the roof!?"
Archid and Adeltrud were excited after Eru left. They were stargazing out on the roof because of some unhappy events and had an amazing encounter. Their life changed drastically because of this encounter.
Eru, Archid and Adeltrud met again the very next day at the same place. Unlike the encounter before, the two of them seemed to be waiting for Eru. Eru gave up any thoughts of avoiding them and greeted:
"Evening. Watching the stars again?"
"Yo. Nope, we are here to see you."
"Yup..."
The pair smiled happily, visible even under the faint starlight. Eru wasn't sure of their intentions, but decided to go along with them. He can just run away if things go wrong, and pick another running route in the future.
"Erm, do you have to cover your head?"
Archid pointed out. Eru though it is rude too, so he removed his hood and sat on the roof like they did. "What is this about?" Eru press them. He noticed the two of them stiffened with awkward expressions on their faces.
"Eh, your names are Archid and Adeltrud right? What is it? Why the weird reaction ?"
"Eh? Oh, nothing. You... you are a girl!?"
"You move so fast, I thought you were a boy..."
Eru who takes after his mother has grown even more adorable , and is now totally a 'pretty girl'. The silvery purple hair that reached just over his chin was cut to the shoulder length, swaying in the wind. The dim moon light fails to hide his face. In fact, the faint light on his smooth skin gave his face a magical air. The pretty face doesn't match the amazing movements they saw the day before, confusing the pair . Eru looked at the 2 children with slanted eyes and says:
"No, I look like my mother, but I really am a boy."
"... No, there is a limit to how much you take after your mother. Are you really a boy?
"It's true; I have nothing to gain from a lie like this."
"Oh...How... how cute, Ernesti..."
Adeltrud drew closer with her hands for some reason and Eru stepped back when he sensed the danger. Archid grabs Adeltrud's collar and pulled her back immediately.
"Eh... Ah, my name is hard to articulate, just call me Eru."
"Ah, you can call me Chid."
"I will address you as Eru then! I am Ady!