The Path Ahead
Allen instinctively pulled out a map and studied it.
"It's here."
A small, fair hand reached over his shoulder, pointing southwest on the map, barely a fingernail's width from Buena Village, which was circled in red.
Allen turned his head, only to have a stray strand of hair poke his face.
Roxy looked up at him.
Last night, the dim light had hidden the height difference—but now, in the sun, it was clear: Allen was fifteen centimeters taller than her.
A god who didn't require looking up to.
Roxy said softly,
"With your condition, you could reach the village tonight if you hurry. I'm sorry for delaying you."
Allen sighed, twisting his slightly sore wrist.
Roxy was covered in roasted meat of all sizes, wrapped in leaves, along with a jar of Battias flower powder Allen had given her. The finest cuts—the thigh, tenderloin, and ribs—were all hers.
Of course, it had taken Allen a full hour to grill them.
"Can you really eat so much? Won't it get cold? You could just cook it fresh and eat immediately."
Roxy shook her head, staring at the scabbard on Allen's waist.
"My knife skills aren't as refined as yours. I can't cut meat that thin. If I get hungry, I can reheat it with fire magic. Thank you for grilling the meat and giving me the seasoning."
Allen nodded.
A brief silence followed. He looked up at the sky.
"That settles it. I should head to the village."
Roxy interrupted unexpectedly.
"Perhaps you should travel with me. Either way, you'll be hiding from the Asura Kingdom in the countryside. With your skills, you could work as a solo adventurer. After a year, once your name spreads, you can return in glory."
Allen paused, studying her flushed face. She was serious.
Logically, her advice made sense. Many in this world left home at ten to gain experience.
The closest example: a formidable adventurer who ran away at fourteen, never to return. Her parents still don't know if she's alive. Or Paul Greyrat's cousin, who achieved elite feats as a teen and had a family conflict before leaving abruptly.
Wait… is Roxy speculating about me? Same surname, same kingdom… But no, I'm serious. She can't know everything.
Roxy continued,
"By then, she will have likely given up on you. Her family should let you go, and she may have moved on."
"?"
Allen blinked, incredulous.
"I think you just want to kidnap a free chef! Even a god can't force child labor!"
"No!" Roxy pouted.
"You may not look old, but you're clearly over ten. You're not a child laborer."
Allen blinked.
"I'm only nine."
Roxy froze.
"Nine?"
Allen frowned, watching her stunned expression.
"Let's not argue. The butterfly effect is too fast. I've just met my first important character, and already I'm facing an offer from a god. Ignoring potential plot changes, my participation rating is at risk."
As Allen considered politely declining, Roxy spoke again.
"You're too young. Lay low for now. Go to the Water God-style dojo in the Asura capital, study swordsmanship for two years, then gain experience. You're a noble—you should gradually inherit the family business, right?"
She lowered her eyes.
"After this, we may never meet again—Rudeus and you alike."
"We will meet."
Roxy looked up.
Allen smiled in the sunlight.
"You'll see not just me, but also Rudeus."
Roxy nodded blankly.
"Time is short. I should go; otherwise you might not reach the village before night."
"Good."
Allen turned, then paused.
"You never know where life might bring you."
He waved casually and ran down the road.
Whether imagination or reality, Roxy felt his back carried a sense of hasty escape. She watched until he disappeared, then turned and walked her own path.
"Life is full of unexpected encounters," she murmured, smiling as she disappeared into the distance.
---
Allen's Practice
Allen fled several kilometers before stopping to look back.
Roxy did the same. Their eyes met briefly, then they continued.
The road was uneven. A slope blocked their view, giving Allen a momentary advantage.
Haha. That was close. Is this God's invitation? Lucky I ran fast. Roxy has traveled alone for years. Even striving to become a Water God-level magician, seeing my skills probably makes her want a like-minded partner.
Allen reflected.
Whether helping an apprentice search for family after the Great Migration, feigning indifference when meeting parents, or bursting into tears over their attitude—Roxy truly cares about close bonds. Years of discrimination forced her to mask it.
Allen sighed.
The butterfly effect begins. But I still need to follow the novel's plot. I can't lose my pseudo-future vision. Sorry, Roxy… it's not time yet.
He drew his sword. The blade left its sheath, spun around his wrist, then he gripped the hilt with his other hand, holding the blade horizontally.
The tip hovered one centimeter above the skin inside his left arm.
He licked his lips, then gently tapped.
The blade pierced his skin without resistance; fresh blood seeped out.
Healing spell rune, activated.
Magic surged to his Dragon Saint Battle Qi core, spreading along tree-shaped patterns that glowed green. The energy coated his arms, and the wound closed over the blade. Bleeding stopped.
He silently counted to nine, then pulled the blade out. The wound had sealed instantly; a faint white mark remained, then vanished in the wind.
Healing spell rune, deactivated.
Allen smiled.
Effective time matches magic flow speed—instant, usable in battle. Like a healing spell without chanting. Incredible. The system is truly meticulous.
Magic consumption was significant. Ten seconds of healing consumed about 1/10 of his mana. With internal energy circulation normally around one-fifth, he now had only four-fifths remaining. Recovery would take nearly a hundred days.
The system called this the Swordsman's Path because it prevents him from combining magic-heavy attacks with sword swings.
The alternative path mirrors Rudeus's growth—magic-focused, melee-style.
Completing both paths could replicate legendary figures, but it would take an extraordinary lifespan.
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