Growing up is like a Fleeting Dream

[Siegfried's POV, six months after his birth]

So... This is my life now. Perpetually stuck in this crib, contemplating the meaning of life, or at least trying to figure out why my toes are so charming. Like seriously, why are they so wiggly and fun? Anyway, being a newborn wasn't all that bad, especially when your new parents are literal legends.

Speaking of literal legends, guess what? Himmel and Frieren are my mommy and daddy. Yep, the goddess nailed my wish perfectly. I also learned that my new name is Siegfried, a rather baller name for a baby if I say so myself. To make things more interesting, I've got fluffy blue hair and pointy elf ears, truly having the best of both worlds. 

Most days, I find myself observing my parents with a mix of awe and curiosity.

Himmel, my father, is now the embodiment of boundless energy and spirit. Every morning, he would burst into my room with the kind of excitement usually reserved for someone who won the lottery, lifting me into the air as if I were the greatest treasure he'd ever found.

"Good morning, my little victorious champ!" he'd say, his eyes twinkling with delight. "Ready to conquer the day?"

Meanwhile, Frieren, my mother, is the complete opposite. She was as calm and serene as an unmoving lake. She often watches my father's antics with an amused spark in her eyes, and her lips curling into a rare, soft smile. Frieren wasn't overly expressive, but there's a warmth in her gaze that makes me feel safe whenever she breastfed me.

One particularly memorable morning, my father was attempting to teach me how to crawl. It's hilarious how seriously he took it like he was preparing me for an epic quest rather than just a simple motor skill.

"Come on, Siegfried! You can do it! Go get the treasure!" he encouraged, placing a treasure chest-shaped toy just out of my reach.

I stared at him, then the toy, then back at him. Really? Crawling? Can't I just use the force to bring it to me like how Darth Vader dragged a rebel?

In the meantime, My mother watches us from her comfy rocking chair while reading a book, her ancient elven eyes observing Father's silly antics. 

"Himmel, he's only six months old," she pointed out, her tone as calm as a gentle breeze. "Let him take his time."

"I know that," Father acknowledged, shrugging his shoulder. "but just you wait, Frieren. He is going to take my place someday."

And so, my days continued in a mixture of fun legendary parent and child experiences. From wiggling toes to epic crawling quests, my life was anything but ordinary. But unbeknownst to anyone else, these moments were merely just stepping stones to a childhood filled with even more incredible experiences in the future.

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[Four Years Later]

As the time went by, so did my sense of adventure. At the age of four, I was no longer just an observer of my parents' legendary status, but rather an active member in the amazing home they inhabited, which was located on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.

I remember when I was a year old, Father decided it was time to introduce me to the art of swordsmanship. Mind you, I could barely stand on my own two feet, but that didn't deter him one bit. To be fair, he just gave me a wooden spoon and told me it was a sword.

"Hold it like this, Siegfried," he'd instruct me enthusiastically, presenting a series of elaborate movements with his sword. "Imagine you were slaying a fearsome dragon!"

I'd mimic his actions, waving the spoon precipitously in the air. Meanwhile, Mother watched us from the sidelines with a deadpan expression, though it had a hint of mild concern.

"Himmel, maybe we should wait until he's a bit older?" she suggested calmly.

My father chuckled lightly. "I knew you would say that, but it was best for him to begin early, even though he is merely a child."

"And why's that?" Frieren asked curiously.

Himmel rested his sword on his shoulder before responding, "Because I want him to cherish every single second of his life as if they were treasures."

With those words, both of my parents agreed to train me, albeit with simpler routines. Father showed off all his epic sword skills while Mother taught me how to control my mana. I would practice their examples for five years, and that's what brought me to where I am now.

Nowadays, my time with my parents is filled with whimsical training sessions and fantastical adventures. One good example is when Father decided it was time for my "dragon-slaying" training session in the garden of our home.

"Alright, Siegfried! Today, you will face your mightiest foe yet!" Father proclaimed, presenting a wooden dragon dummy he had crafted himself. Hah, got you there, didn't I?

Anyway, while wielding the wooden sword he made for me, I shouted, "Bring it on, Dad!" 

"Good, now begin!" he signaled, puppeteering the dummy to attack me.

Hearing that signal, I lunged at the opponent with all the strength a five-year-old child could muster and swung my wooden sword with enthusiasm. As a result, the dummy wobbled, and I imagined it roaring in defeat when it dropped to the ground.

"That's my boy! You're a natural dragon slayer!" Father cheered, his excitement infectious.

Receiving his positive words, I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Dad! I did my best!"

After my father's training session, I moved on to my next challenge—learning magic from my mother. Her sessions were more complicated and structured, starkly contrasting Dad's easy and energetic lessons.

"Focus your mana, Siegfried," she instructed, her voice soothing yet firm. "Try concealing it as much as possible."

"Mom, why do we have to conceal our mana," I asked curiously, seeing how she would react.

Retaining her deadpan expression, she responded, "Because it is necessary if you want to survive against demons. Deception is a must when dealing with them."

I see, so that's how it is then. Understandably, she would train me so I could prepare myself before an encounter with a demon because I remember in the original story that she hated demons to the point she would kill one without a second thought.

"Now, concentrate," she urged gently. "Visualize the mana flowing within you, and control it like a steady stream."

I took a deep breath, imagining the sensation of mana coursing through my body. It felt like warm, sparkling water flowing in my veins. Slowly but surely, I suppressed the flow, making it less noticeable. Mother observed me with an approving nod.

"Well done, Siegfried. Keep practicing, and you'll master it in no time," she proclaimed with a rare smile, which made me feel very accomplished.

Satisfied with her compliment, I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Mom. I won't let you down!"

"Good, now let's move on with some basic spells," Mother declared before she looked at me and asked, "Do you think you could keep up?"

"Yes, I do!"

After accepting her challenge, we continued our training session. It is such a privilege for me to be under the same roof as the two legendary people and growing up with them felt like a fleeting dream. So, I would do everything in my power to train hard and make them proud.