POV: Kaito
Age (Kaito): 5
Date: April, X770
Season: Spring
Location: Rosemary Village
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Daily life didn't mean idle.
It meant repetition sharpened into habit.
Kaito finished his third meal before noon—rice, eggs, minced meat, beans—eating with intent, not hunger.
> "Predator"
Nutrient intake increased.
Protein synthesis efficiency elevated.
Recommendation: Maintain surplus for adaptive growth.
"Already planned," Kaito said quietly.
He didn't waste calories. He invested them.
Outside, Erza waited with arms crossed, sunlight catching in her scarlet hair. She eyed the empty bowl in his hands.
"…You eat like you're preparing for war."
He smiled. "I am."
She snorted. "You're five."
"And you're competitive," he shot back. "Yet here we are."
That earned him a sharp grin. "Careful. I flirt back."
Good.
---
They spent the morning hunting—nothing flashy, just efficient clears around the village perimeter. Kaito moved like a metronome: pace steady, strikes clean, no excess motion.
> "Grate Sage"
Combat routine stable.
Growth curve optimal.
Secondary objective detected: companion lag risk in 6–9 months if current load disparity continues.
Kaito frowned internally.
Not happening.
When Erza paused to catch her breath, he didn't tease. He adjusted.
They split tasks—she led engagements, he optimized outcomes. When she overextended, he covered. When he surged, she matched.
Flirting slipped in naturally.
"You watching my back or my form?" she asked, wiping sweat from her brow.
"Yes," he replied instantly.
She elbowed him—hard. He didn't dodge.
Worth it.
---
That afternoon, Kaito commandeered the old shed near the edge of the village—the one nobody used anymore. Rusted tools. Bent nails. Scrap leather. Worn iron.
Erza leaned in the doorway. "What are you doing now?"
"Fixing a future problem."
He laid out rough sketches in the dirt.
> "Grate Sage"
Designing non-magical training equipment.
Parameters: scalable weight, balanced center, joint safety.
Note: Compatible with future magic integration.
Kaito's hands moved fast.
Weighted bracers. Reinforced greaves. A vest with removable plates. Simple. Brutally effective.
"This is for you," he said without looking up.
Erza blinked. "…For me?"
"You're strong," he continued. "But I'm accelerating. I won't slow down—and I won't let you fall behind."
Her chest tightened. "You decided that on your own?"
He met her gaze. "I decided it with you in mind."
She stepped closer, eyes sharp, voice low. "Then don't you dare make it easy."
"I wouldn't insult you like that."
They tested the first set by evening.
Erza staggered under the added weight—then straightened, jaw set. She moved. Slower. Heavier.
Still forward.
"Good," Kaito said. "Now eat."
She stared. "What?"
He handed her a wrapped bundle. Dried meat. Nuts. Ground beans mixed with honey.
"Protein," he said. "Balanced. I made it."
She hesitated—then took a bite.
"…This is actually good."
He smirked. "I don't do useless."
---
Night settled.
They sat on the fence again, muscles aching, stars creeping into the sky.
Erza flexed her arms, feeling the weight still there—even without the armor. "…I can tell. This works."
"It will," Kaito said. "And when your magic awakens—"
Her head snapped toward him. "When?"
"Not if," he corrected calmly. "When. I'll already have designs ready. Armor. Weapons. Tuned to you."
She stared at him for a long moment.
"…You really don't hide anything," she said.
"No," he replied. "Especially not intent."
She leaned closer, shoulder pressing into his. "Then hear mine."
He turned.
"I won't lose," Erza said. "Not to you. Not with you."
His smile was soft. Certain. "Good. Because I plan to stand beside you."
They stayed like that—quiet, close, forged by routine, not promises.
Tomorrow would be the same.
Eat.
Train.
Hunt.
Earn.
And grow—together.
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