One More Time: Rebirth 17 Fulfilling one's end of the deal

After the ranking examination ended my parents invited my new friends and their parents over to our house. Sarah was sticking close to me, as she seemed wary of Gerard and company.

Well after I introduced them to her, Sarah was a bit hesitant but she came closer to Eri and finally spoke.

"Eri-onee-chan can I touch... Tail?" My sister asked Eri with upturned eyes. The cuteness was enough to kill.

Even in the face of such cuteness, Eri looked at Sarah still remaining expressionless as always. Eri Slynn such a formidable girl able to withstand an attack of that level. She looked at Sarah for a moment then finally nodded her head. Sarah gaining Eri's approval rushed towards her, suddenly hugging Eri's tail while giggling.

"Fluffy tail. Big bro, so fun." My sister looked at me with a dazzling smile which almost made me fall to my knees. Eri was looking at Sarah happily hugging her tail and for a moment really just a moment I thought I saw her smile.

Dinner came and all of us were at the dining table. My family Gerard's family and Eri's family. We were all happily discussing the recent ranking examination. Everyone was impressed that Eri achieved a B rank in wind style swordsmanship; Even Gerard's C class rank in the fire style was able to garner a lot of praise.

Then when it came to my ranking story Gerard was the one who was most excited, he was even the one who told the story of my ranking examination for me. As Gerard was recounting the tale, everyone, except for my family was shocked.

"Incredible to be able to do multiple styles and magic is it because of your talent or is it your teachers?" Gerard's father asked me, and I answered. "It's because of my teachers."

Eri's dad then looked at me and asked. "So your parents' teachings are that good?"

"Yes," I answered without a hint of hesitation.

"You have such a nice aura I commend you for that." Eri's mother chimed in.

"Thank you."

"So would you like to take my daughter as your bride?" The moment Eri's dad said those words, I was confused as to how to answer, but before I knew it Eri's mother who looked exactly like her, had a smile on her face as she punched her husband.

"I'm sorry for my husband's jest. I hope we didn't offend you Edge-kun."

I quickly shook my head. "It's alright I'm not offended it's just that I don't think it's the right time to talk about brides and such, we're still so young." Eri's mother looked at me with a curious smile.

"Oh! Such intelligent words from someone so young. It really might be best if our Eri married you."

"Hahaha... Is that so?" Sh*t, I forgot I shouldn't talk that way I'm supposed to be a seven-year-old kid. I looked at Eri and as usual, even when we're talking like this her face remained expressionless.

I couldn't help but smile a bit as the noisy conversations continued. Eating dinner with everyone was so lively.

†

The following day came and we said goodbye to my new friends as they headed back home. Almost exactly the same time they left somebody came knocking at the door. Did they forget something? My father opened the door.

A tall man wearing iron armor was standing there; He had gruffly looking black hair and a beard. His one black eye was scarred. He looked rather familiar, as I was thinking were I've seen him before I saw the person standing behind him was Roland.

So that would mean the tall guy must be Roland's father. It seems like they came for two things one was to ask forgiveness for his son's rudeness as well as to keep the promise we made on that day.

"I truly am sorry for what my son has said. I know of Regius-san's skill with the sword is the real deal as well as your wife's magic. What my son has said was unforgivable but please forgive him." He bowed his head and forced Roland to bow his head as well.

"Also my son has come to fulfill the promise he made with your son." Roland's father looked at me from outside the door. I too looked at him straight in the eye. He smiled at my reaction and nodded his head.

"So Edge-kun would you allow my son to fulfill his promise?" I went in front of the man and bowed my head in respect. "I'm Edge Regius, Thank you for coming all the way here, sir."

The man laughed "Did you see that Roland? Not only is he better in magic and swordsmanship he even has better manners than you. No wonder you lost so badly. Greetings Edge-kun as you can guess I'm the father of this worthless thing. I'm Raymond Gestard."

"So Raymond-san you came here to fulfill the promise? Do you want to do it now?"

"Whenever, or wherever you want to it Edge-kun my son will gladly comply." I nodded my head and answered. "Then let's do it now so I won't forget it later."

†

My family, as well as Raymond and Roland, were standing in the village square. Raymond specially asked the guards to call the villagers to the center of the village. With everyone gathered Roland was in the middle sweating profusely.

Roland's POV

My father found out what happened during the ranking examinations. One of the examiners explained why I was beaten up. My father looked at me in disappointment. He sighed and told me to fulfill the promise immediately. But seeing as it was already late he told me we would do it tomorrow. I wanted to reject but when I looked at him his eyes told me that he expects no objections.

Why? Why did it come to this? All I wanted was to be strong. Then why is it, that I who had only the sword and nothing else, was only as strong as any? When I saw those kids Gerard and Eri's test I felt envious of their skill.

I thought that only Roland was ahead of me with the sword. I always thought that was to be expected because he was born with great talent. But then I saw those two... That wasn't just great talent that was more than that.

Those two where shining brilliantly they were geniuses. I thought nobody could reach that level so fast with hard work alone. Then as I was admiring the brilliance of the two, I saw him in the testing room.

He was the son of Leonard and Selina the richest and most influential people in the village. When I saw him a while ago I thought he was just some sheltered rich boy that was forced to come into this ranking examination. But then he announced that he was going to get a rank in everything except summoning.

At first, I thought he was bluffing and wanted to show off. So when I saw him at the testing room I was sure he was going to fail. But my expectations were for naught. He was shining even brighter than those two, it was unbelievable.

He got a rank in every category and it was all higher than E class. How is that possible? Isn't he supposed to be some rich boy? Then why? Why was he given so much talent too? This must be some trick I thought. So out of my anger and jealousy, I challenge him to a duel.

At first, I thought he wouldn't comply seeing as he cheated and all. Yet he accepted the challenge, not only that he gave himself a handicap saying I can bring my friends to the duel. I was confident that victory will be given to me. But before the match started I was trembling as I could feel something coming out of Edge.

All my friends were shaking in fear as well, this must be one of his tricks. Yeah, that's got to be it I thought. The match started and out of nowhere, my comrades fell to the floor unconscious. As he was approaching me, I finally understood that this guy was the real deal.

An undeniable genius, but why? Why was this kind of great talent given to him and him alone? Not just riches he has skills. Why was he who has everything given even more, while I who has nothing but the sword given nothing?

†

The day to fulfill my promise came. We were at the center of the village square where my dad gathered everyone. My dad looked at me waiting for me to fulfill my promise. "I..." 'I can't' as I thought that, my dad shouted.

"Hey, I can't hear you. If want to say something you need to say it like this!" He really wanted me to say it. The pressure he was giving me was too much. If I don't say it now I might get something worse later. 'Damn It!' "I'M A WORTHLESS PIG THAT DIDN'T KNOW HIS PLACE!"

Edge's POV:

'He said it he actually said it?' Well, I was planning to forgive him after he tried a little bit. But then he suddenly shouted and actually did it. After the promise was fulfilled the parent-child duo came in front of me and bowed their heads once more. The two then apologized one more time before leaving.

Chapter end