Evelyn pov
After finishing my morning routine—helping Father check the traps, learning a bit more about tailoring, and lending Mother a hand with her work—I headed to the clearing behind our house. As expected, Marcus was already there, swinging his sword with determination.
When he noticed me, he stopped and asked, "Evelyn, do you think I can make a sword like you did? I've reached stage one now… same as Lina."
Lina immediately shot him a glare, clearly annoyed he had revealed that on her behalf.
I crossed my arms and smirked. "You can, but it's not as simple as making something sword-shaped. You need to know the proper weight and length, and more importantly, you must be able to wield it properly. Otherwise, it'll just slow you down."
To make my point, I summoned my mana sword and gave it a light swing. "See? I can also add mass to the sword, which makes each blow hit harder when it connects. That's the real trick—not just shaping it, but making it feel right. And as a bonus, I can form other weapons too. A spear, a hammer… even a bow and arrow if I wanted. But no matter the shape, you'll need to practice until it feels natural in your hands."
Marcus nodded, gripping the weapon he had conjured. "Then… test me."
I swung at him lightly. The clash sent him stumbling backward, his footing shaky. His eyes widened as if he hadn't expected the weight behind my strike.
"You see?" I said with a small laugh. "You'll need to build up both strength and control."
Later, as Marcus caught his breath, Lina muttered, "You're so lucky, Marcus. I wish Evelyn had something to teach me, too."
I turned to her with a grin. "Who says I don't?" I shaped my mana into a long staff. Pointing it toward the sky, I launched a fireball, making it explode high above to avoid hitting the forest or village. The loud boom echoed across the clearing.
Handing the staff to Lina, I added, "Here. Try making one yourself."
She looked at me curiously and asked, "Why not use another spell instead of that noisy fireball? Something quieter… safer?"
I scratched my cheek, smiling sheepishly. "Well… because that's the only offensive spell I know. Other than healing and minor healing."
Before I could explain further, Father appeared with Mother and a few villagers in tow, clearly drawn by the sound. His eyes narrowed at me.
"That fireball of yours is loud enough to rattle half the village," he said firmly. The villagers murmured their agreement before Father dispersed them, but not without giving me a pointed, worried look.
On the way back, Father finally spoke. "Evelyn, after that little display, the villagers will likely ask if you, Marcus, and Lina can teach their children how to fight. You don't have to say yes—it's your choice. You could accept and even earn some coin for it, or you can refuse. In the end, it's up to you three to decide."
I nodded quietly, the weight of his words lingering. Tomorrow, I'd ask Marcus and Lina what they thought.