Sticking to his promise, Father came home with a wooden sword.

  Seeing that sword, for the first time in my new life, I was more excited about learning the sword than I was for dinner.

  "You have to always make sure the blade is properly aligned to your target. If you don't keep alignment, your sword will never cut through anything. That's why you always mind the handle in your grip, it will help you keep your sword edge pointed to the target."

  The handle wasn't completely round, I knew this. Just like a combat knife, or, any knife, really.

  I don't know how to properly swing a longsword, but I know how to aim a blade, at least.

  My first swing cut the air without faltering.

  *fwish!*

  "Ooh? That was a nice swing. You kept perfect alignment, there."

  Father stood up and unsheathed his own sword, taking a basic stance, his blade held in front of him and his legs perfectly parted to keep balance.

  "Watch my movements, and memorize them."

  After a moment to breathe in, Father swung his sword down, taking a step forward, then brought his blade back in an upward swing, twisting his torso and bringing his other foot forward, and ending with another step forward into a stab.

  A slash-slash-stab combo.

  "This is the most basic swing set they teach at boot camp. Comes straight from the book 'Basics of Swordplay'."

  Father sheathed his sword and patted my head. "Now, Papa won't be here all the time to teach you. So make sure to practice those moves. Once I see that you've got it down, I'll teach you the next set."

  "Yes, Papa!"

  So, for a few weeks, I swing the wooden sword, copying the basic movement of the first set.

  Some days, I mix my own swings here and there.

  Of course, I don't just swing around the sword in stiff, predictable movements, I always shadowbox.

  Or, in this case, shadow duel.

  It isn't so hard to imagine an enemy swordsman. I've had my share of CQB while in the Marines. Both for training and with an enemy.

  I still remember my knife sinking into his neck… but it was my life or his. I always choose mine.

  …

  A few days later, I'm still practicing diligently.

  "Huuf…!"

  I end my morning practice with my 1000th swing, wiping the sweat off my forehead.

  "Sweetie! It's time for breakfast!"

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "Coming, Mama!"

  Despite being my Mother, she didn't complain about me swinging a sword around. Is it because we are Cat Furlians and have different values than regular humans? She's less worried about me hurting myself?

  Usually, I'd read about how the main character's mom wouldn't like their child swinging around a sword so young, wooden or not, but I guess that's not an issue here.

  As I was devouring breakfast like some starving beast, Mother spoke up, meat juices cutely dripping down her chin.

  "Sweetie, isn't it time you play with your friends again? You're clearly healthy enough to."

  Friends? Ah, right, Luxanna had friends she'd play with in the village.

  We lived a few hundred meters away from the main village, but that's not far for a child. Those houses are still well within eyesight, as well.

  From mine, rather, Luxanna's memories, her friends are three boys and two other girls, all her age, and all Cat Furlians.

  Well, the whole village is made up of Cat Furlians, but that's not to say everyone in other towns is the same race.

  I always see Father step out of a carriage steered by a man with sheep horns whenever he comes home for the weekend.

  The city, which Father says is the seventh largest city in The Raen Kingdom, is where he's hired to be a guard.

  So, there must be a myriad of different Furlians out there, like wolf or lizard Furlians!

  I'd like to see them all, especially foxgirls!

  "Sure, Mama… I'll play with them tomorrow!"

  Mother smiled and caressed my cheeks, rubbing her nose with mine. It tickled.

  "That's my sweet little girl. Already fully recovered…"

  Right… I got sick, and that's when my soul found itself in Luxanna. I'm not sure I should even ask my parents what my sickness was.

  Putting that to the back of my mind, I continue training in the sword after dinner, then Mother bathes me.

  I'm glad Luxanna's feelings override my soul's, because Mother is way too beautiful. I know if I were a guy, I'd stare at her naked figure all day, but since she is my Mother, I feel nothing but the love for a parent.

  Unlike one particular story about a particular guy who reincarnated and listened in on his parents going at it while he was still a child.

  As Mother read me a story before bed, a thought came up.

  "Mama?"

  "Yes, Luxa?"

  "Can I learn magic, too?"

  Mother closed the book and chuckled softly, brushing my hair gently. "I'm sure you have talent in magic, Sweetie… but it's very expensive to learn. At most, you'd be able to learn the very basics from the Library in Themescara City or your father, but teaching magic takes a lot of time…"

  "That's fine! Papa says the basics are important! And I don't want to bother him if I can just read a book!"

  Mother tilted her head in thought and leaned back on her chair. "Hmm… maybe we can all go to Themescara City once your Father gets his vacation. I'll take you to the library then."

  Does he get to have a vacation? How modern-like for this world!

  "Okay! I love you, Mama!"

  "And I love you too, Sweetie."

  Mother leaned over me and planted a ticklish kiss on my nose. I giggled from the feeling and responded with my own kiss to her nose.

  "Fufufu~! Thank you, my little cutie! Now, go to sleep…"

  As she leaves, I yawn and stretch my back, getting comfortable in my bed before drifting off into dreamland.

  ****

  ****

  I peer through the brush, scanning the area for any movement.

  It was a particularly dark night. Clouds covered the moon. The perfect time to hunt.

  [Tango should be here any minute. Keep your eyes peeled.]

  A familiar voice echoed through my earpiece, informing us to get ready.

  I turn my head to the faces of my squad and we all nod.

  We stand up, partially crouched, our suppressed rifles at the ready.

  Our target will enter one of the two shacks along this desolate dirt road, so we take out the guards and wait for him.

  I signal for two marines to take the further shack, and I take the closer shack with two others.

  One of them glances through the window. He signals that two tangos are facing our way, while the third is facing away from us.

  I give the signal to take them out after 20 seconds, to give us some time to get around and into position. My teammates take the two guards while I take the single one facing away from me.

  Once I count to twenty, I slowly open the door. I see that the two guards facing my two squadmates have knives already in their necks.

  "Eh—?!"

  Before the third could alert the other shack with a shout, I sink my knife into his throat and slice it open.

  "Close one, Squad leader." One of my teammates chuckled under his breath.

  "Quiet, you." I whispered with a smirk.

  "Tuck away the bodies and get to your corners. The big tango should be here by now." I command.

  "Yes, Sir, Corporal Princeton."

  And so, we wait. For our prey.