I Will Be Unrivaled With The Skill [Sewing]! They Said It Was A Bad Skill, But With Effort, I will Make It A Hit~ - Chapter 1

Volume 1: Skill Acquisition Arc

Episode 1: Promise

A young girl was running nimbly through the trees.

Her name was Seneca.

Seneca was born in the village of Cordoba. Raised by Adventurer parents, she became quite the tomboy.

Her father was a swordsman, and her mother a magician. At the age of five, her father began teaching her swordsmanship for self-defense. Seneca became enamored with it and started venturing into the nearby forest on her own.

She would swing a wooden stick she had carved herself, earning the nickname “Stick-Waving Seneca.” The villagers often looked at her with disapproval.

Her actions were no more than a mimicry of swordplay. In a forest devoid of monsters, she pretended to be an adventurer while dealing with small creatures like mice and hares.

But for Seneca, it was the most fun she could have.

Her mother often said with a smile:

“You have so much magical energy for someone your age. I’m sure you’ll awaken a magic skill when you turn ten. Right now, you’re learning swordsmanship from your father, but once you gain your skill, I’ll train you thoroughly!”

Her mother always spoke about the future with joy and excitement.

The other girls in the village spent their time playing house near the forest entrance or gathering nuts, preparing themselves to become brides someday.

Seneca’s best friend, Kito, always stood by her side despite her being an oddball in the village.

“Your hair is beautiful, Sene-chan. It looks like light brown, but it shines like silver in the sun. Your features are so lovely—you’ll be a real beauty when you grow up.”

Even though they were the same age, Kito felt more like an elder sister to Seneca.

The boys in the village often ventured into the forest together, engaging in mock battles and practicing their swordplay. Seneca joined them for a while, but she distanced herself after realizing it was just child’s play.

“You’re just a girl, always swinging that stick around. Muddy Seneca!”

Those taunts became another reason for her withdrawal.

Seneca chose instead to delve deeper into the forest alone, honing her adventuring skills by observing small animals. She was serious about her practice.

◆

When Seneca was six, she encountered a boy she had never seen before in the forest. He was small, with black hair, and was earnestly swinging a finely crafted wooden sword. Seneca was immediately drawn to him.

“Hey, who are you?” she asked.

The boy turned around, his greenish-blue jade eyes captivating in their beauty.

“I’m Lucius. Who are you?”

“I’m Seneca. They call me ‘Stick-Waving’ or ‘Muddy’ around here. Haven’t you heard?”

“No.”

With that, Lucius resumed his sword swings. Seneca, too, began practicing nearby, feeling at ease in the quiet rhythm they shared.

From then on, whenever they saw each other in the forest, they practiced together and occasionally talked.

According to Kito, who was always up-to-date on village gossip, Lucius had recently moved to the village with his adventurer parents. Though timid and reserved, his striking features made him a hot topic among the village girls. However, his aloofness set him apart, much like Seneca.

As both their families were adventurers, their parents naturally became acquainted. Hearing about Seneca’s swordplay, Lucius’s father started guiding her as well. He even gave her a wooden sword like Lucius’s, which deepened her passion for swordsmanship.

Seeing this, Seneca’s parents finally relented and decided to give her formal training.

Seneca’s father was a swordsman of raw power, while Lucius’s father specialized in a graceful, fluid style. With these two contrasting approaches as their models, Seneca and Lucius quickly improved their skills.

◆

By the time Seneca turned seven, monsters began appearing in the forest. Because of this, she had no choice but to practice her swordsmanship within the village.

Seneca and Lucius continued to train together, but this sparked jealousy among the village girls, who had been spurned by Lucius’s indifference.

The boys, intimidated by how much stronger Seneca had become, resorted to mocking her even more than before.

Seneca was always on her own when people said things to her.

She pretended not to care at all, but in truth, she was getting hurt little by little.

Her father and mother would always quietly hold her close and gently stroke her head.

That’s how Seneca managed to endure.

Moreover, Kito and Lucius were always on her side. That made Seneca so happy, and she was deeply grateful to the two of them.

In moments like those, Seneca felt a sense of happiness.

◆

One day, the village chief burst into Seneca’s house. A monster known as an Orc King had appeared in the neighboring village.

There was a chance it might come to their village, so an investigation had to be conducted. Seneca’s parents and Lucius’s parents were chosen to head to the neighboring village together.

Lucius’s mother, a priestess with the skill of Healing Magic, would be part of the team. Seneca believed that with those four together, no monster could stand against them.

Lucius thought the same.

Before setting out, the four adults held their two children tightly.

Seneca’s father spoke to her.
“Seneca, even while we’re gone, keep looking forward. That’s the way to open the path ahead.”

Then her mother spoke.
“Seneca, you’ll grow up to be an amazing adult and accomplish something great. So take care of yourself and follow the path you believe in.”

Seneca only understood about half of what her parents were saying, but their words left a deep imprint on her mind.

Their embraces were stronger than usual, and she could feel their love deep within her heart.

While waiting for their parents’ return, Seneca and Lucius stayed at the village chief’s house. Both the chief and his wife were kind and gave the children plenty of delicious food.

And six days later, Seneca and Lucius became orphans.

◆

At the age of eight, Seneca and Lucius found themselves in an orphanage in the city of Baetica.

Their parents had sacrificed their lives to defeat the Orc King.

They were hailed as heroes by the nearby villages.

The four had chosen to give their lives for the sake of their beloved children.

Seneca and Lucius stayed at the village chief’s house for a time.

However, one day, the orc remnants attacked the now-defenseless village, and the village was destroyed.

The village chief didn’t want to let Seneca and Lucius go, but with so many other orphaned children, he was at a loss to show favoritism.

He could have adopted them sooner, but it wasn’t a decision he could make lightly.

As the chief’s wife escorted the two to the orphanage in Baetica, she secretly took them to the adventurer guild’s bank.

“The reward for defeating the Orc King has been issued by the kingdom. This is your share. The guild’s bank uses magic signatures for identification, so no one else can take it. When you’re older, come and retrieve it. It’s a sum large enough to live comfortably in the countryside for the rest of your lives.”

Then, she hugged the two tightly and wept.

“Seneca, Lucius, I thought of you both as my own children. I’m so sorry for being powerless. If life at the orphanage becomes unbearable, come to Lusitania. That’s where we’re moving.”

Seneca and Lucius cried as well.

Having lost their place in the world, the chief’s home had been their last refuge, only to be taken away once again by monsters.

◆

After their parents’ deaths, Seneca and Lucius clung to sword training as if their lives depended on it.

When the news of their parents’ deaths arrived, the only things that came back were two weapons.

Lucius picked up Seneca’s father’s greatsword. It felt incredibly heavy, but it steadied his heart.

Seneca picked up Lucius’s father’s katana. The handle was thick and awkward to hold, but it felt like it gave her strength.

At first, Seneca was deeply depressed.

Lucius was also downcast, but seeing Seneca in despair pushed him to stand up.

Seeing Lucius rise, Seneca tried to get up as well, but she couldn’t muster the strength.

That’s when Lucius spoke.

“Seneca, we need to become strong. I’ll be the swordsman, and you’ll be the mage. Let’s become the greatest adventurers ever. After all, we’re the children of heroes.”

Lucius held out his hand to Seneca.

There was no trace of hesitation in his demeanor.

It was as if he had no doubt that they would become great adventurers.

Seneca took his hand.

“I might be the swordsman, and you the healer, you know?”

“That’s fine too. We’ll become like our parents and save many people. When that time comes, my partner will always be you, Seneca.”

Lucius’s radiant smile in that moment stayed in Seneca’s heart forever.