Chapter 5: Roxy
In came the loli.
It's been a few months since I did some intermediate magic. For a moment I was worried if I somehow missed the window of opportunity, or if a Merlin like character was gonna show up in Roxy's stead.
Turns out mages are rarer than I thought they were. With the ease I was able to learn magic I'd have thought that the mage population would be a bit higher, think Magi in Aladdin, but it seems being a Mage in this world is rare. It could be the fact that illiteracy is a real problem, or the fact that the nobles seem to be monopulse the magic knowledge.
Well, you get the idea. The mage population is quite low, combine that with the fact that we live in a village in the outskirts, by the border. Then the prospect of teaching a young child isn't especially glorious.
Now that I think about it, even if the pay is higher than you'd think for a teaching job, a mage could easily get a higher paying job somewhere else.
I wonder what Roxy was thinking at the time to accept this job?
Anyways, after months of waiting the Loli Sensei finally came in.
Wait a minute, she's like 40 right? Does that make her a loli-baba, or should I wait 10 more years? These are the questions that matter. Teach me Sensei!
"I am Roxy Migurdia. Pleased to meet you," she introduced herself.
Petite, young looking(loli-baba?), pale skin and blue hair. She has sleepy half-opened eyes, and a sweet sounding voice.
"..."
"..."
As we stood by the doorway, Paul and Zenith were dumbsmacked for a moment there. Guess they were expecting Dumbledore. To be honest, so was I for a while now.
"Ah-ah, you're the home tutor?" Paul questioned.
"You're awfully… ah, well…" Zenith leaves the sentence open ended..
"..."
Madam, don't start a sentence unless you know how to finish it. The silence is awkward.
"You're not an Old man with a beard," I proposed.
Praise me!
"Is there any reason why I should be an Old man with a beard?"
"Nope, this is better," I answered honestly.
Hmm?
Paul has suddenly started patting my head gently while showing me a thumbs up. That exist in this world too? Also, get your head out the gutter, old man, I'm just making conversation.
"Hah," she sighs defeatedly. "Which ones the student I'm supposed to teach?" She looked around as she asked.
"Ah, it's this child," Zenith introduced me. Placing two hands, one on each shoulder as she kneels down and presents me.
"Yosh!" I raised my hand in greeting.
She widens her eyes for a moment, before letting out an even longer sigh, and turning her head to the side.
Oy, are you trying to pick a fight?
"Haaah, I guess it happens from time to time," she starts playing with the plank next to her, as if the invention of wood is new to her. Scratching at it in a rhythmic pattern as she talks to herself. "That there are idiot parents who think their child has talent after growing slightly…" she grumbled.
Hmm. Maybe she really is trying to pick a fight…with Zenith…
We can hear you, you know?
Oy, you fool, you just courted death. Shut up before you unleash a wild dragon.
"What was that?" The drago-mother, questioned.
"Nothing." She corrected herself immediately.
Just how long have you been traveling alone that you can enter a one sided monologue one sidedly insulting someone. Are you spiderman?
"However, I think that child of yours doesn't understand the concept of magic, right?"
Is that so…
"Water ball," I threw a water ball at her face.
Splash.
A now wet Loli stood before me.
"..."
She just stared at me gobsmacked for a moment.
Is there something on my face, oh wait that's yours?
"Ooops, I'm sorry, I don't understand the concept of what I was doing, tee-hee." Yosh, I can finally mark that off my bucket list, performed a tee-hee pero.
Now if you excuse me, I'm off to repress this memory, and pretend it never happened. I feel I might just die of embarrassment otherwise.
Sharp glare.
Oowah, what's with those eyes. What happened to the kuudere beauty? I felt like I just woke a sleeping dragon. Is this what you call an ice beauty?
Careful you'll freeze the water on your face and catch a cold.
"I'm sorry for my Impertinence. For I could not see all the talent radiating from the young boy. My Eyes are CLEAR now," she wipes water from her brow. "I will do my best, and start teaching him immediately," she grabbed my shoulder, as she said this.
It's not hurting, but she's definitely squeezing my shoulder.
After that, she hooked my shirt by the collar and started dragging me away like a suitcase as I got dragged behind her.
Can take that off the bucket list as well.
/
Misgivings aside, Roxy is actually a very serious teacher.
"In general, there are three types of magic. Attack, healing, and summoning. Each further divided into seven ranks; beginner, intermediate, advanced, saint, king, and god…"
A bit too by the book for my taste, but still.
This is literally the intro to magic. Well, I am a child in her eyes.
"...um teach… I already know all this, can we learn something practical?"
She glared at me.
Is it because of the interruption or the water ball?
"Do you? Let's see…"She walks forward a few steps, and aims her staff at a tree.
"Bestow the protection of water to the place where thou demands, let the crystal clear steam appear here, WATER BALL!"
It flew towards the tree at a speed as if it was just pitched, by a professional pitcher, and…
Crash. The poor tree never stood a chance, and was promptly snapped in half.
"How's that?" A slight smug smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
She's definitely gloating. Definitely faster than mine, but…
"I think Mama is going to be really sad, when she finds out the tree she's been caring for 4 years was just cut down."
"Eh? Ah… really?"
"Yes,"outside of her clinic, this garden is her treasure. It's a hobby that she's put a lot of pain and effort into, coming from a noble background something small like this garden that she worked with her own hands has a special place in her heart.
Let's not tell her that.
She's already fumbling around trying to fix it.
"...stand up once again, HEALING,"
Ah, she fixed it. Hmm, it's even blossoming. As I thought Healing magic is the best!
"Cough. Ahem, well with dedicated training you too can cast Healing magic like this with proper training,"she boasted with a smug smile across her features.
What a shameless woman. I kinda love it.
"All right, your turn."
Alright, here I go…What was the chant again?
…Forget it.
"Water ball," forgetting the chant for something so basic, I just shortened it instead, and casted my waterball, aiming at the wall, naturally, and pitched it. I don't have the speed Roxy sensei has, but it's still pretty fast in my opinion. The idea of making it fast enough to break a young tree never occurred to me, so I never trained in the speed department, and simply moved on to physical training and other esoteric techniques.
Specifically my own.
…well, trying to.
There's a reason I need a teacher.
"Hmm, not bad, we can improve the speed a bit, you can focus a bit while-'' she stops herself, freezing in place, her hand still resting under her chin. "wait a minute… Rudeus…Did you just… can you… please do that again?"
Sure, why not. "Water ball," I casted it again.
"Single line casting…single line casting…wait a second, when we met, ah- Ah… Ahh!."
It seems Roxy sensei is suffering a bit of a breakdown.
"Rudeus do y-you always shorten the chant to just the invocation?" She stuttered a bit.
"Only when I'm conserving mana. For water balls I usually just skip the incantation," I answer honestly. It would be pretty embarrassing if I had to say such a long speech to throw a water ball. At that point, I might as well just start throwing water balloons.
"Skip?! Ha…haha. Looks like an unexpected find almost slipped out my fingers."
Sensei, I'm not a fan of that look on your face. You won't dissect me will you?
/
…
Several minutes later we're still going at it.
"So you think silent casting is easy?"
"No, not at all. In fact it's impossibly hard, but it's easy once you get it."
"...you're not making much sense…"
"Haha, ah.. Yeah, a teacher I am not. Ok, here goes," I stood up and decided to start casting some silent magic.
Putting my hands out, as if making a sand castle, I made a few steps. "So here goes; silent magic-no, all magic, is like a staircase. The more advanced the spell the more steps it has, and the simpler the spell the less steps.
I make two sets of staircases. One 3 steps high, the other 5.
"You can take it one step at a time," I jogged up the 3 step case one step at a time, and then go back down, "or you could even skip a step or two, to get there," I hop from the ground to the top to emphasize my point. "In this example skipping steps would be omission," I stretch my leg from the bottom step to the top. "Not difficult, so long as you know the steps to get there, buuut…" I go to the 5 step staircase, "the more noticeably harder it is the more steps it has, and the harder that stretch could be."
I turn my head to Roxy sensei, which she just nods at me.
"Ok, then. Now silent casting is well, this…" rather than talk first I rather make an action for this example. It's hard to put into words after all. I close my eyes, and go up the three steps. "I guess silent casting is like running up those steps with your eyes closed, just like the other two, silent casting, and omission you're still going through the process, but you're not thinking about it as hard. You simply know what the process is, step by step, and can do it effortlessly. That said,"
I go back down, looking obviously then get ready to go up the 5 step staircase. Step, step, step… trip, step, step.
"...yup, something like that happens too." I brushed some dirt off of me. "So~ silent casting, is like knowing where these steps are, and going up them. It's a lot more harder than skipping, but not impossible, and," I turn to the 7 step staircase, and, step, step, step, step, trip, step, step, and "...woah," almost stumbled of the edge at the last one, "and the more steps there are the more, and more difficult is, seeing as I almost fell. Aaaand… that's all I got, or at least that's all I got so far."
"…"
"Ah, Roxy sensei?"
"...how old were you again?"
"Three and a half,"
"...he's three…" she whispered, her body hunched over.
"And a half," I corrected.
"...so this is how it feels like."
"Sensei?"
"Nothing, any ways, silent casting aside, I didn't see your Water ball go that fast before, so I take it that your 'steps' aren't complete yet?"
I nod.
"I'm still working on my skip, I guess you could say."
Yeah, I'm pretty much taking shortcuts through my training.
Although, is it a shortcut, if the shortcut is more excruciating than the original is it a shortcut? It's like I took a shortcut through a thorny path, yeah I got there faster, but I had to get plenty of self imposed scars.
"All right, we'll start with a review for now, and see how many steps you know, and then we'll work our way up the ladder."
"Hai!"
The lessons continued from where they need to, the basics, there was a thing or two I knew about, but I mostly didn't interrupt
Mostly.
"What are you even talking about you idiot disciple?"
"I mean there's nothing disproving it either. Why couldn't there be more elements?"
"I could accept sand, perhaps as an extension of earth. Similar to Ice being an extension of water, but how the hell is a sword an element. You mean metal?"
"No, I mean sword."
We started arguing.
It seems my image of magic doesn't quite fit reality, in some areas.
"What does that even mean?!"
"I mean magic is magic, why should it be tied down to earth, water, fire, and earth. Couldn't it be anything?"
"Magic is the manipulation of the world's energies. The manipulation of our everyday surroundings. Swords are refined metal. Is your body made of swords"
It could be.
"Who decided that?"
"Sigh, you can't just force magic to be what-"
"Teleportation," I cut her off. "Teleportation magic is not the manipulation of the world around us, at least not on that level."
"…"
Made her a bit speechless.
"Spatial magic is manipulating the space we live in," she meekly says.
"Toki-"
"Toki is different." This time I'm the one getting cut off. "Toki is a person's battle spirit, 'SPIRIT,' it is you, it cannot be applied…"
"Roxy~ Rudy~ I brought snacks," A smiling Zenith comes and brings us snacks.
Oh, wow it's late. We started in the afternoon, but the sun is starting to set. We lost track of time. I missed my sword training. Well, at least I get to rest my achy-bones.
"Thank you," she thanked Zenith while she enjoyed her snack.
Unexpectedly, this has been a fun day.
Roxy and Zenith, enjoy some pleasant conversation for a short while, before-
"Hey, hurry up!" Paul happily, and a bit drunkenly, waved at us from the door. Zenith returns back to the home, and tells us to finish up for the day.
"Alright, we got a little… off topic, we will begin your 'proper,' education tomorrow, but before we end today, one lesson before we end today," she kneeled down. "Research, hypothesis, Practice, analyze, and report findings. If you want to convince me, show me. Alright let me teach you what these mean…"
…isn't this the scientific method?
So my scientific approach to magic in another world began.
Oh, that's not half bad. I think I just invented an Isekai.
/
Chapter 6: Kya!
Fun day, yesterday, even had a feast to celebrate Roxy's first day here. This might mark my first day, since I've been able to walk, where I didn't just move to the next goal, but actually took a breather
It's weird.
Not unpleasant, but odd, like-
Anyways, Paul and Zenith really went out with Roxy's welcoming party. We don't have refrigeration, so we had to finish it all in one day.
Although, we do have Ice magic in a way, if we ask nicely that is. Thoughts for later.
Swing. Clang, clang, dodge. Swing. Clang, clang, dodge. Swing, dodge… repeat and repeat.
Sword training has been quite a fruitful avenue.
During the 4 month wait for Roxy sensei, me and Lilia have been training and sparring day after day, I've gotten down many forms, and we've taken turns in attack and being attacked, as the water god style, is first and foremost a counterattack style.
I've gotten down the forms into a subconscious level that I don't have to think about, but…
Poke. I 'stab,' lilia with my 'sword,' stick you perverts, over the chest, and call it a win.
It's my win, but it feels hollow..
Getting the forms down to this level has ingrained them to my subconscious, and as such when I go into the zone my movements are superfluous, but I also end up taking advantage of Lilia's right side.
I try not to take advantage of her handicap, but in the heat of the moment, and when you are moving faster than you are thinking, I am unconsciously moving to her right side, and making it harder for her to defend.
I understand now why she had to throw away the sword. Although her understanding of techniques is still at intermediate level, her body can only perform at that level for so long. Can't say I know what exactly is wrong with her leg, but her movements become sluggish if she has to turn or pivot on that leg too abruptly.
A second delay can mean death on the battlefield.
"It is your win once more, master Rudeus,"
Hardly.
"Sounds like sarcasm, coming from you Lilia. That is my win to your 7," we have made it a habit of ending on her 'defeat,' but calling it my victory feels false. In the end, all I'm doing is outlasting her, and attacking her weakness.
I'm just tiring her out.
"A win is a win master Rudeus, that is something to be proud of,"
We sat outside, just enjoying the morning dew. With Roxy taking up my foreseeable future with magic training, I can't afford to go by the lake anymore, it's a bit too far from the house, and as such could mess with my self-imposed schedule of magic training in the afternoon.
So I won't miss the lessons, me and Lilia now train outside the house, rather than the half mile distance of the Pond.
It's a good thing Paul is hungover. I wonder what I'll do tomorrow.
Lilia is massaging her injured leg as she sits by a chair, leaning by the fence.
"Come sit with me Lilia," I ask her to sit by my side on the wall.
She simply obeyed, and stood by my side. I noticed the slight hubble, as she stepped off.
Am I an asshole? She's functional most of the time that I don't even notice her handicap, but she has one, and I'm having her spar with me.
It's time I address the issue.
"Lilia, can I see your leg please?"
…
She hesitates, for a moment, "why?"
"Do you trust me?"
…
Another, moment's hesitation, "I trust y-"
"I'd like the most honest answer. It's really important if it's a yes or a no, if it's a no i won't be offended,"
"...I would like to trust you," she answered.
Not quite a yes, but not a no. Well, I'll take what I can get.
"Can you please show me your leg?"
She pulls up her apron a bit, and reveals her leg. Her good one.
"The other one,"
She lets her garb down, and slowly reveals her bad leg. She blushes a little, while looking away. Revealing, a slightly bruised leg.
You're more embarrassed showing your injured leg, than showing your perfectly healthy one.
"Can you sit on the wall for a bit, keep your leg revealed please,"
She does as ordered. Sometimes being dutiful is good at times like these. I get on one knee, and contemplate.
There's a concept I've been entertaining for quite a while now. Before I came to this world I was a huge fan of all things anime, specifically fantasy, and that means magic, and the one that sticks to my core more than most is that of the Nasuverse.
In essence; everything in that universe is magic. Humans magic, iner, and outer, the world, magic, other realities, magic, space, magic. Everything is magic.
In this world there is healing magic, and theirs Toki, it might not be viewed as magic, but it most certainly is. There are characters in fiction that performed superhuman feats, but aren't magic, like captain america, master chief and the hulk, but they are balanced around the fact that they don't completely break the rules of physics to do so. They consume more energy(food/fuel), they expand their muscles, they are placed on pressure, they have an altered biochemistry, etc.
Paul does not achieve any of these negatives, not that I can see. The act of splitting a rock with a sword, should at least split the sword, before it would split the rock.
So I lay my hands on her leg, and, "Trace on," place my magic in it.
Magic is everything. It is healing, it is her leg, it is our Toki, it is her curse, so surely I could do
Huh?
I took my hand away from her leg for a second, and looked up at Lilia, "ha…ha…" she is breathing a bit roughly, but alright it seems.
"Lilia are you alright?"
"...yes… master Rudeus…"
Well, if everything is ok.
"Tell me if you feel a lot of pain of, a bit of pain is ok, but if it gets to much just tell me to stop,"
She nods.
That was weird. Let's try that again. Trace on.
I poured my energy into her leg again, this time starting a bit further from the purple bruise injury, and tried to make my way down, from the base of her knee to it. My energy flows steadily, then it slows down, and then stops. It stops.
This is weird right?
I try for something more direct. I start applying the healing spell, start from the base of the knee, and slowly go down to the discoloration once again. Same feeling happens.
Alright, let's be even 'more,' direct. This technique is something I've been experimenting with, but I'm confident in its results. Alright…
I try to apply healing energies through my hands once again, trying to let the energies flow through my thumb, while applying a circular massaging motion with it, down the knee, and-
"Nnn…" I heard Lilia make a sound.
"...Lilia, you ok?"
"Y-yes, master rudeus," Alright, that was… unexpected.
I lost my concentration. Where was I?
I repeat my previous actions with the massage, and healing,
"Ha...nnh…hnh…" some quiet moans are entering my ear. It's distracting.
I keep the technique going, and now focused on the key area specifically, and-
Nothing.
Everything is magic. I should have felt something, no? A feeling, a tug, isn't that how these things go. I stand up, and-
"W-woah," almost fell back to the ground "I'm more tired than expected, that consumed more mana than me then I thought," ok, so something is definitely happening, I just don't know what.
This was my first time healing someone. Further experiments are needed.
"So, how are you feeling, any feelings of pain or discomfort?"
"No… I am feeling fine. I feel better than I was a moment ago," she caresses her skin abit, before letting her dress back down.
I breathe out a sigh. If nothing else, she at least got a free massage out of this.
"Was that master Rudeus's intention?"
"Uh, I was trying to heal your injury," I sheepishly turned my head to the side. Even I'm a bit embarrassed at my arrogance.
Pat.
Eh?
"Good work Rudy," she smiles as she pats my head. I think this is the first time she's done that.
When's the last time she called me Rudy?
I look at her smile, and "beautiful," I mumble, "this world really is beautiful," I corrected myself.
Got a little gobsmacked there for a second.
…
"...Master Rudeus, is my presence still required?" She asked.
Absolutely.
I turn to her, at my side, and then look at the beautiful scenery in front of me.
"Definitely. Good friends, good company, makes a good life," I say to her.
"...I see…"
…I wonder.
"Hey, Lilia, can I have a massage?"she curls an eyebrow.
Admittedly it is a bit forward, but you can't deny the effects of a good massage. Ever had a massage after exhaustion or fighting. It's the best!
"Such things would be inappropriate of a young master," she answered.
As tempting as it would be to point out the hypocrisy in that statement, I'll be the bigger man.
"Is that so? I really need it though, and asking mama would be troublesome," she is slightly confused "You sure you can't give me a massage? I haven't told mama about our training, so…"
She squints her eyes in confusion.
Guess I'll clear it up.
I unbutton my shirt a bit, and reveal my naked torso, making the message clear. My body having a few bruises.
Nothing heinous, but can easily, misconstrued as bullying.
Not technically untrue.
I do ask Zenith to heal me from time to time, so she can show me the 'pretty lights,' (plagiarize her healing abilities). But If I did that everyday, she'd know something was up.
It's not a big deal, but Zenith is a bit of a worry-wart.
"I think it i'll be a bit of an awkward thing, if she found out about my training like this,"
She opens her eyes widely in realization, "O-oh, oh, that… is true… um, does master Rudeus require a massage?"
I just stared dumbly. What do you think?
But seriously, you can't deny the effects of a good massage. The fact that it's being done by a cool beauty is coincidental. Coincidental.
"The most important part about training is recovery sensei,"
"...That is true, sigh, very well. But master Rudeus still has a full day of lessons ahead, we'll continue this-
"Please~" I used puppy dog eyes.
"Fine," she gave in. It's super effective.
Hope I can turn this into an everyday thing. For health reasons obviously.
/
Time passes, it has been four months since Roxy's lessons began., and I more or less have gotten used to my new routine.
Wake early; exercise by myself, train with Lilia in the morning, study with Roxy in the afternoon, help out around the house a bit in the afternoon, then night comes, then rest, maybe a massage if I pushed myself too hard.
Rinse and repeat.
My muscles are aching quite a bit though, I hope I make some progress in healing magic for my sake as well as Lilia's.
I guess this is where my everyday slice of life days begin. I understand the phrase drama is just life with all the boring parts cut out. I'm dying of boredom.
"AH! DEAR!" loud moans are heard.
Well mostly.
Although, I wish I could cut this part out.
"They're being loud again," kudos for them.
My everyday boring days would be mostly complete, if it wasn't for a certain adventurous couple down the hallway.
Oh, joy, I'm sooo~ happy for you…
For the first three months after Roxy's arrival they were quiet enough, actually being attentive to our guest.
This month though, nope, not a bit.
I swear they're making up for lost time.
One of these days I'm just gonna walk in there, and ask them why they are 'wrestling.'
With that train of thought, I stop my reading, and go down the hallway.
"Ahn, dear not so rough,"
"Just a bit," Paul's reply is heard. I can hear them a little too well, guess they left the door open. Again.
Raiju explode! But seriously, at least close the door.
I make my way down the hallway, where I suddenly hear some heavy breathing.
Outside of my parent's bedroom that is.
"Ha…hah," some quiet restrained moans can be heard.
There is my sensei, she is… enthralled from what she sees in Paul and Zenith's bedroom. She is breathing unsteadily, face flushed, and her hands are… well, one hand is on her breast, continuously going in a circular motion, the other is… going down her robe…
Riiight~ this happened.
She continues her motion, again, and again.
Is she unbuttoning her robe?
A gentleman would turn away now. Yep, a gentleman definitely would…
I continue watching for a bit, as she moves her hands down an opening in her robe, still stuck in her own world, before she looks away from the door for a moment, and… looks down the hallway.
Our eyes met.
Well… this is awkward.
"Paul!"
"Zenith!" and of course those love birds are still going to town.
Alright, that's enough of that.
I walk up the door where Roxy is still kneeling, grab her by the shoulders, and shove her, just a little so that she's not by the entrance.
She gives me a slightly bemused look, as she falls over herself landing on her elbows.
"Mom! Dad!" I yell out, my sensei starts panicking a moment, and I hear some panicking sounds from the bedroom. Ignoring both their confusion, and Roxy's, I continue, "YOU'RE LOUD!" before closing the door hard on them.
"Close your door!" I yell from behind the door.
Roxy sensei just continues to blink at me repeatedly gobsmacked at what just happened. Her mouth opened over and over, but no words came out.
Don't care, I'm too tired for this shit, let me sleep.
Ignoring her looks, I turn my back to her, and go back to my room. I throw myself on the bed, and get ready for a good night's sleep.
…
…I can't sleep.
/
Oops.
It has come to my attention that I don't make the best decisions when tired.
I didn't exactly get a good night's sleep, but at least I'm doing better than the silent trio.
"..." x3, the awkwardness is palpable
Well, at least the food is delicious as always. "Delicious food Lilia,"
"It's the same as always young master," well atleast Lilia is still the same as ever.
"U-um, Rudy, about last night-ghk!" he gets interrupted. The sound of the table jittering is heard.
"Dear, not in front of our guest," Zenith says sweetly, while pointing out Roxy at the corner table.
Well, she's more or less already seen your 'front,' and probably your 'back,' by now.
Why she hasn't gone outside for her morning walks I have no idea, but awkwardness loves company. That's how that expression goes right?
"A-ah, don't mind me, ah I- I mean can I borrow Rudy for today's morning lesson? I want to show him around the village, I-I'd like to show him some practical application of magic today, and our neighbors are most active in the morning,"
"O-of course, isn't that right dear?"
"Absolutely!" He exclaims, "I mean, ahem," he coughs into his hand, "sure, why not, you're his teacher you know best," he finishes coolly.
Yeah right. Get rid of your facade of cool parents, it's hilarious. Then again it's hilarious, keep it going.
"But what about my les-" whoops, almost let it slip that I've been training with Lilia recently. I turn my head towards the maid. She smiles meekly at me.
I guess sword training is canceled for the day. Well, maybe I can tease Roxy a bit, that feels like it would kill some time.
/
[Roxy POV]
Pff. I threw myself onto the bed.
Ah, what a day. I spent the whole day showing my student around the village, and showing him some practical ways to use magic, until I could work up the courage to breach the topic.
I did not.
After roaming the village, we studied by the book, and never once spoke about 'IT.'
Although, I swear he smirked at me once or twice. That child is the devil.
"Alright," I got off of the bed. Gotta put a stop to this while I can. Don't want him accidentally asking his parents what Roxy sensei was doing watching his parent's 'wrestling.'
Walking down the hallway I head towards my student bed, and prepare myself.
I wonder what I'll say?
"Mmm. mmm… Ah… yeah…right there, ah…" suddenly I heard some noises coming from outside.
What?
"Ahh, ah…" more moans are coming from the yard.
Did I make a mistake, are the noises coming from inside-wait no that's not what's important it's just been one day, what is master Paul doing a;ready?!
"Rudeus… can you please stop making such sounds?"
"But it feels so good,"
"Even so…"
"You know, the reason this body is under so much stress is because of you, you know? You're just- Ah, right there please continue, right you're, just relieving the pressure from the marks you gave me,"
"My humble apologies,"
"It's fine, no pain no gain, besides this is the best~ If I knew it would be this good I might have let you hit me more- OW!"
"...Sorry master Rudeus, I placed a bit too much pressure,"
wha-wha-WHAT AM I HEARING?!
She said Rudeus right?! As in the young master? Wait how old was he again-no wait he's too young, should I report this to the master-no wait first thing first.
I take out my staff. Blast open the door with a bit of wind magic, and-
"What are you!" I start before my exclamation dies in my throat. "...doing?" Once I came to my senses, and blasted the door of the hinges, the sight that laid before me was.
A young shirtless boy getting a massage under a towel by the maid.
What?
"Sensei? Did you forget something? No wait, the door…" Rudy simply looks at the door confused, while the maid in question is quizzically looking at me holding my staff in the air.
"Eh, what…"
"What is going on?!" Master Paul hearing the commotion comes to the room to figure out what's going on.
"Um, I thou- thought…" Ah, ah, I don't wanna say it. What was I thinking? Ofcourse it was a misunderstanding. What the hell did I think was happening outside, with a young child? Am I getting fired?
"I was…" not knowing how to respond, I wonder if i'd get fired before
"Rudy what are you doing?" Luckily his attention was diverted to his son.
Yes, please, give me a moment to recover.
"Oh…um, I was…sigh," he seems to be struggling to say something "... I was getting a massage,"
An eyebrow raise appears on Paul's features. "Why?"
"'Cause I need it?"
"Hmmm… hey Rudy, show me your hands,"
"Honey, what was that noise all about?!" Zenith comes down the stairs, in what appears to be adventure gear.
"A moment dear. Well, Rudy, show me your hands?" Paul asked.
?
?
I'm not sure where this is going, as well as Rudy, but it seems I'm no longer the source of attention anymore.
The young child shows his hands to Sir Paul, right before a smug smile appears on sir Paul's face. Not a really pleasing look in my opinion. It is shortly followed by the father taking his Son into his hands, and screaming in joy.
"Haha, that's my son! Not even 5 years old and already a swordsman," he says as he hugs him tightly, "We can start your training immediately,"
"Dear?" Zenith questions.
I am extremely confused as to what's happening, thankful, but confused.
"Look at this," he holds the boy with one hand and uses his other to reveal his son's, "these are the blisters of a swordsman, and these," he points to bruises around the arms and shoulders, "these are the bruises of someone that's sparring. That's it isn't it?"
"Rudy?" Zenith questions.
The boy in question simply turns his head towards the maid, silently pleading something.
The parents in question turn their heads towards her as well. "Yes, it is true," she confesses with a light bow, much to the young boy's shock.
"A swordsman, and a mage, swordsman and a mage~" he continues waving his child about in his arms.
"...please stop swaying me…" a whisper goes unheard.
…Um, I'm not sure what is going around, but the parents seem to be quite happy. So all's well it ends well.
"But why was the door broken anyway?"
Ah…
"I was shocked about the child's bruises, and misunderstood," I deflect the situation, "A young swordsman, Sir Paul, must be so proud,"
After which follows the scene of a doting father talking back and forth with Zenith, with some interruptions of Lilia once in a while, where they decide what to do with their young child, and how to move about in the future.
…I have managed to keep my job. This little devil, always causing me troubles.
I think as I see his displeasure at being used as a ragdoll.
I'm not taking any pleasure in this… not at all.
Rudy [pov]
Then there was fucking Paul.
"Ow," I winced in pain.
Man is a practitioner from the school of hard knox.
"Jeez, I tell your daddy not to hit you so hard, but can he control himself?" Zenith complains as she performs Healing Touch on me.
Ah, so good. Best technique ever.
Healing touch; in essence just a healing spell, but with a… you know, touch. Being our own version of the classic heal spell applied in massage form it heals, and feels good too.
Thank you Lilia.
Apparently the ability to hold a healing spell for the duration of the massage is quite taxing, but needless to say, I made quite an effort to bring this spell into reality.
Over the case of these 6 months studying with Roxy, and massaging Lilia.
For medical reasons of course.
"What does 'real man learn through experience,' even mean? Does he forget you're still a child? Hmph!" Zenith voices her displeasure.
That was kinda cute. Now just tilt your head, throw it to the side, and I can enjoy the perfect tsundere meme.
I need this really. I'm not really sure how I'm doing it, but I'm still standing. Honestly I'm tired as hell, my schedule has been thrown to hell and back after 'that,' day's fiasco.
'Why not teach him swordsmanship in the morning, and Magic in the afternoon?' was it. Yeah, sure I don't mind, except…
WHO THE HELL CALLS THAT TEACHING?!
Honestly, boom, wham, kablaming. Da-hell is Ka-blaming! Is that some advanced sword explosion technique?! Can I blow you up?! Please tell me I can blow you up!
"Ara, is that a white hair?" She questioned
I have a white hair? I guess blonde people do get platinum hair every once in a while if I remember correctly.
"Yosh, all done. All healed up Rudy, now onto your magical lessons. Roxy is waiting like usual."
Will do. Tight schedule or not, will always make time for magic.
"Hai~ see you later~" I wave as I sped out the door.
The secondary effects of rejuvenation after a healing sure can't be underestimated.
Almost makes me sad puting Zenith through that, but… it's just too good to pass up. Stronger muscles, good health, and an energy boost, what's not to like.
I'll have to find a way to make it up to her soon.
I guess I could get better at dodging.
That, or you know, a certain someone can take it down a notch when sparring against a little kid. Damn, man child.
Honestly.
There were two large mistakes I made around Paul, besides the obvious one, that led to these 'intense,' lessons. The first being, I underestimated how much my body has improved through self-training, and Lilia's help. Although I am three, technically, my body is probably closer to that of a five year old. Basically I'm strong enough to hold a sword(stick). A fact that Paul is abusing.
Considering it's my own body, it's hard for me to notice. I am a man in a kid's body so it's hard for me to notice the difference between a 3 and a 5 year old, to me it's all childish.
Patush-tush~
See what I did there?
Anyhow! It's enough for my father to start giving me sword training.
Yay…
The other mistake is the really troublesome one though, and that is him finding out about Zenith healing me.
I brought this on myself, but… damn.
Using healing magic whenever possible, preferably after Lilia has kicked my ass, I patch myself up with a little healing. My reserves being on the lower end, I went to my mother, and, using the forbidden technique; puppy dog eyes, I begged for her to show me the pretty lights as I learned more about it, and experience a good heal for all my efforts.
Can't deny the experts.
Apparently the shortcut I was using never occurred to my dad though.
Since he didn't have the luxury of healing magic while he was training, he never got to see the benefits of using it mid-exercise. So when he found out that I was getting healed by Zenith every once in a while, he had the smugness of smiles I've ever did see.
I can punch him right?
…not that I have the ability too… but still!
That was the beginning of my troubles.
Do you think I'm Goku? I don't get Zenkai boosts from this!
In any case, my daily routine now consists of sword training in the morning, healing and eating at noon, magic training in the afternoon, and some nightly reviewing with little blue.
Amongst other things.
Unfortunately, my precious Lilia time is no longer in that schedule.
…I'm sad.
Hmm. Really glad I got that healing massage though.
A light body equals a light heart.
I actually do have the ability to do some minor heals on myself, but if I did that then I wouldn't be able to perform the magic lesson to the best of my ability.
Fucking Paul, I really, really hate… that I can't hate him.
I have been avoiding the man like the plague, keeping in contact with Zenith and Lilia, until recently, for obvious reasons, but I couldn't push it forever. Eventually me and him were going to have to interact in some capacity. It just happened earlier than I wanted. Me and Paul have started our sword training, and I have been spending time with him over these six months. It was alright.
Can't say it was particularly fun, because you know; OW! The lessons are useful, but… I can't completely hate the guy.
It would make my life easier if I could.
Dammit.
I am aware of what he did, and the type of person he is. He is by no means a good person, and I SHOULD hate him, but… I've never seen it.
It is at this moment that I am reminded of stories where you hear about a murderer or someone of similar level of heinousness, who gets defended by their family members, because they are unable to associate their family member with the crimes they committed..
I am aware he's scum, but I have a… disconnect from it.
He is without a doubt a scumbag, as far as I know he never apologized to Lilia, but when it comes to his everyday life… he is… fine. He's a bit dim, but besides that he's a loving husband, perhaps too much in my opinion(let me sleep), but he is a good knight, and a good father.
…or at least trying to be.
Combine that with the fact that the common sense of this world would see his actions more as a misdemeanor, than a crime, and it's hard to view him at the same level of scum as I would someone from my old world. Because this warped world doesn't see it the same way I do.
That doesn't absolve him of his actions. I don't forgive him for his actions in any way, but it is hard to hate him, when the only Paul I can see is the one before me.
It doesn't help that I have the meta knowledge that he does get better, or that Zenith loves him so.
It's not that I know he can be better. It's that I KNOW that he will be better.
Unlike people that defend their criminal others, I actually have the gift of foresight(meta knowledge) to see things differently.
I don't know what kind of relationship will develop between me and Paul, but for the time being I decided simply to judge him based on his present. So I suppose my feelings for him are neutral.
Then again… I could always focus on the bruises.
I always get a bit of rage when I do that.
Hitting him in the face could work to figure out my feelings.
Anyways, "Time to get magical up in here!"
/
"If you activate Water Fall, Heat Island, and Icicle Field, in that order what will happen?" My teacher questioned.
"You will create Fog."
"Then how do you dispel the fog?"
"Reheat the earth again."
"Correct. Now once more, and we can practice the 'other,' magic."
We have moved on to Melded magic recently. Melded magic is exactly as its name implies. It is but a series of spells combined in one way or another to create a different effect. Fog, steam, etc.
Similar interactions like this happened over the last two months.
Well, at least we got the boring part out the way.
On top of the basics earth, water, fire, and wind, I already knew quite a bit, so I didn't have to waste that much time in arithmetic, or basic spelling structure. But that doesn't mean I knew everything.
Roxy Sensei is a very serious teacher.
Apparently being my teacher didn't just include just magic, but as well as other topics, like geography, and history. Subjects I have little to no knowledge of. I don't see me using such knowledge much in the future, but I was taught then anyway, and besides it's not as a student I had much say in the manner. I just made sure to get through it as quickly as possible so we could get to the fun part.
Besides, geography could be useful.
It's good to have a map for the future.
Luckily I didn't have to worry about being seen as too smart for my age now, or that my acting would be seen through. As there was plenty of stuff I didn't know/remember.
All in all my progress in magic has been… interesting.
Or perhaps that's my impatience talking.
Roxy sensei is quite studious, but also quite cautious.
Makes sense, I wouldn't want my pupil blowing up either.
But my heart and soul is that of a weeaboo, and he wants to cast some explosion magic. Not that it exists. I think.
Anyways, over the few months we went over the basics, one spell at a time. Luckily we didn't waste too much time, the basics were… well, basic. So I was able to zoom through many of the beginning lessons one after another. My mana control also gave me an advantage in my learning speed.
It was only when we came to the more complicated ones recently that I had to actually study, and practice.
I have no shame in admitting that I have no idea how fog is made. I vaguely recall it had something to do with a change in pressure and moisture, but the actual process escapes me.
As such despite being able to breeze through the beginning, I struggled at the later lessons.
At times I would be completely stumped, and wouldn't need to play dumb, as I was, and depended on Roxy thoroughly; asking for help.
I think she was really happy then. It's hard to tell with her faint smiles, but I'd like to think so.
At others it would be more like remembering than actual learning, and be a little easier. Like today's fog.
So yeah, magic lessons have been a rollercoaster like experience.
Still fun though.
Oh, there is one particular high I am quite happy with.
"Roxy sensei, almost out of mana, can we start the other lessons now?"
"Fine, let's go," she bequests.
We move on to my favorite part of the lesson. Recreational magic, a.k.a recess, from her point of view not mine…
From my point of view, it's where I can truly let my inner weeaboo out.
"Trace on!" I shouted as I spread my energy through a rock.
I get to do magic; thaumaturgic version! Kinda.
Crack. The rock broke.
Needless to say If I can reproduce some magic from some of my favorite fictional characters I would. Unfortunately, bringing fictional techniques into reality has been… difficult.
"See, it can be done." I told her.
"All I saw was a boy breaking a rock with his mana. Make that rock as strong as a stone bullet, then I'll be impressed."
Yeah, reinforcement has been a dud.
For now.
Simply put… I'm dumb. Or at least not as smart as I thought.
I did not pay enough attention in physics, like a certain cheat mc, to be able to cheat my way to the top in this world, and as such didn't need to pretend to be a dumb kid, as I really didn't have a clue what she was saying.
Sadly.
Luckily, I remembered the basics like the atomic structure, H20, heat is friction of the molecules, etc, etc. So I wasn't completely out of tricks, but for the most part I really did have to re-learn quite a few things.
Regardless, I've gotten the fundamentals down by now, and have a good feeling, literally, on how the elements feel. So I can now cast elementary spells of all the fourth spells unconsciously.
As for intermediate spells, it depends on the spell. I've given precedence towards Ice shard, and Swift step, but others need work.
I am the bone of my sword.
Just kidding.
But I am shamelessly ripping off a certain fate franchise character, or trying to at least.
With my mastery of basics, and minor understanding Physics I thought it was the right time to pick it up a notch.
Results are questionable.
Apparently I had some radical Ideas, at least in Roxy's opinion, when it comes to magic.
I think it's a bit of an exaggeration. I mean this world follows a similar logic to fate in many cases. There's even summoning magic. So I didn't think my childish, her opinion, antics are beyond the realms of possibility.
I didn't exactly have the reserves, or knowledge, of the fundamentals to be able to experiment properly at the beginning. As of last week that's changed though, and nowadays my final hour of training ends with us diving into research.
Three cheers for thaumaturgy, hip-hip!
Although, from her point of view, she's just entertaining me.
Is this a playdate? Kya~
"…well then, how did your 'analysis' go?" Roxy queries.
Right… questionable results, step number one; Structural analysis.
"...Nothing… but I do get a feel of things."
"Sigh, that's to be expected… out of curiosity what did you get a feel of?"
"It's hard to explain. It's like I remember the feel of how my mana hits against something. Like…" I tried to find the words, "when it bounces against something particularly hard, it means there's more Iron here than the rest."
"Hmm, sounds like you're making progress with the advanced spell Metallurgy. Although not the intended result, it's still progress."
The Fun-damentals, fate version, have been a mixed bag.
Shirou Emiya's basics; Structural analysis, Reinforcement, and Projection. These are the 3 magics that I am working hard to pioneer. Structural analysis being the most important, and first step, in order to get a handle on the other three, and consequently begin my OP journey.
It hasn't quite worked out that way.
Rather than structural analysis, I created something more similar to metallurgy. I am not analyzing the object as much as… feeling, like waves under water.
I throw my mana into an object or area, keep it connected and steadily flowing from my body, and focus my concentration on the 'feel,' of the object.
The massages with Lilia have helped quite a bit for this technique. Not only have I been training my mana, but experimenting with structural analysis.
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
The cheat, that is magic circuits, can't be underestimated.
To have a monster level understanding that you can 'read,' an object's atomic structure, not to mention its history is something that for now, remains in the realms of impossibility. For now. When used on Lilia the results I was getting were… inconclusive.
There's something there, probably the curse, but that is all.
In essence; my understanding of magic needs work.
Still though… I'll take what I can get.
"So, have you tired of your gam-experiments yet?" Roxy asked.
I heard that.
"Nope."
"I see. How is the rest?"
Riiight~ the other two. Reinforcement and Projection.
"Reinforcement is… interesting, but…"
"Still, not as good as Toki," she wisely answers.
She is unfortunately right. For a moment I thought Toki was just mana used internally, and I still haven't given that up. I refuse to believe ordinary bones and muscles can cleave boulders.
Are you a super-soldier?
But yeah, Toki is very… primal.
It's done unconsciously and as such there is no thinking, just feel. And although I've been able to empty my mind quite a bit, it's never empty, not truly. I am conscious of my efforts, I 'know,' what I am doing.
Toki doesn't work like that. You have to give into it full heartedly, otherwise you get half measures.
Which is what I developed.
I can't really call it reinforcement, or if it is, it's at a very weak level, but I can't call it Toki either as I have to consciously activate it, and remind myself to keep it going. The concentration doesn't have to be constant, but I do have to remind myself, making it something… else.
Kind of like cranking a wheel. It will continue to spin if you stop cranking it under its own momentum, but it will stop if you don't remind yourself to 'spin,' it.
So yeah, I developed a boot-leg version of Toki.
Still something though. I bet any mage would still kill to have it.
Dying of envy yet. Eat your heart out Dumbledore.
And lastly, Projection.
Yeah, that was a complete failure. No other way to go about it.
Projection magecraft is supposed to be the materialization of the mana into a physical form. You are supposed to use the knowledge from the previous two techniques, to create a stable image.
The funny thing is though, I've already been doing that, but without even thinking about it. I'm running on Harry Potter logic.
Didn't notice it at first, since I was so focused on the atomic structure when creating a water ball, the good oh H two O, that I didn't realize I was overdoing it, but the realization started setting in when I had to perform other magics like earth bullet.
And I did… easily too… way too easily.
I imagined an earth clump, and there it was.
Didn't have to think about its structure, the fact that it's composed of minerals, it simply was.
That was when I realized just what kind of cheat this brain truly is. This body may not have any magic circuits, but it does have an amazing recall ability. I don't need to think hard about what I'm doing. I simply do, and it'll happen. Having the knowhow helps, but I've realized that it isn't really a requirement. In essence; this brain skips steps one and two, and goes straight to three.
Which is awesome! But, still though… all my effort.
"Sensei… I'm pooped," I muster out. After playing all day, it was time to call it quits.
"To be expected. You have been training non-stop."
"Even if you say that… I don't really feel like I'm moving forward at all."
I still feel I could do more. Just a little bit more. Just… more.
All these setbacks are starting to get to me. No, it's not even that. I'm just at a standstill. And I hate it. I feel like I should be running forward instead of… well… this.
It's all too slow.
I still have some time before night classes, after a meal I could probably, sneak off and do some privat-
Drip.
Ah.
A nosebleed. Again.
It's been happening more and more lately.
"Rudy?"
Crap, distract. I don't think she saw it.
I wipe the blood on my side of my slacks, and carry on. "A-ah, it's nothing, so now what sensei?"
"…"
She stares at me for a bit.
"Sit," she orders.
"Sensei-"
"Night classes are canceled today."
"EH? Ah, sure…" What is this about? We barely started night lessons.
She sits next to me in a seiza position.
"Sensei, is there something…"
She grabs my head, and drags it down to her.
"Eh?" Following the momentum, I fell onto her lap. "Sense-"
"Stop pushing yourself. It's alright to slow down, you know? Just… take a rest. Your sensei will look over you."
I mean I get that, but there is still more to do. All my magics came back inconclusive. There are still avenues to explore, I haven't read about metallurgy. More things to learn, more things to practice more-
I get petted on my head.
"...sensei?"
She continues petting me silently, despite my complaints.
…it's strangely pleasant.
"I…"
I… guess I'll allow it…
I don't know what's going through her head, but this feels nice, and… I suppose I could humor her. Just… for a moment.
Just another item off the bucket list.
/
A boy slept silently, contently, in the middle of a prairie field on top of a blue haired girl's lap.
"To be called a master from such a child. Idiot disciple, you worry you're master. Just be a boy for once…" she said all the while patting him.
"Being a teacher is more about academics isn't it…"
Silently she and her disciple enjoyed the late evening before she decided to carry the boy home. He did not wake once.
Embarrassing. I thought I was over the phase where I had to be carried around for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately, I was not.
Roxy kept her promise and canceled the night lessons… for several days, but that only left me wondering what to do.
I thought I'd go mad with the sudden amount of free time I was given, but luckily no one really comes to my room, so I had ample opportunity to sneak out the window, and practice a few techniques.
In the middle of night, in the solace of my room, I'm just waiting for my q, and make for the exit.
"Dear!" A feminine yell echoes down the hall.
And like clockwork they go at it. And like clockwork that gives me an hour of free time where I have no supervision. I'm free to get some training.
Spring forth from the bed, I already have my clothes on, and open the window. "Always forward, just a step. It doesn't matter where you go, so long as you don't stop," I say an idiom I remembered from my past life.
There's only a few hours 'till daytime so I can probably still work something in.
"Trace on."
/
Mmm. Waking up is getting harder, and harder.
"...rrrmmmn…" I groan under the pressure on my body, as I struggle to gather my bearings. Everything feels useless. A wave of fatigue overwhelming, making everything dull, and pointless. Even my eyes feel heavy.
I pushed myself a bit harder than usual I guess.
The strain on my body gets removed through healing magic, but only temporarily. It also feels like that euphoric feeling that comes with it is also fading away, lasting less and less.
Perhaps this is mana fatigue?
Whatever, I'll deal with it when it comes.
So… heavy… can't move, no… don't want to move.
So slothful.
What was I doing again?
Oh, that's right, I passed out.
"Where am I?" Looking around to figure out my surroundings, I see-
Crap.
I slept outside. I could probably still make it inside, and make it look like I got up early for morning practice, but it looks like it's going to be a long day today.
I get up, start to head towards my house but… I really don't.
What do I want?
I want, I want, want to…
"Get up you lazy bum. How long are you going to keep laying on that bed? We're turning off the internet connection, if you don't start making an effort. Here," I was thrown a pair of shoes "A pair of running shoes now, go run around the park, and don't come back if that shirt isn't even a little bit dirty," before consequently being thrown out that door, and told to do something with myself.
Right, I remember. It's been a while, but I was quite slothful once.
I was suddenly hit with a wave of nostalgia.
Recomposing myself, I ignore the dullness going through me, stand up, and make for home.
On that day, my final day, I didn't leave the door of my own free will. I was pushed out. It was what I needed. But as usual I messed it up.
On that day I ran and ran, and ran until my heart was pumping hard enough for me to hear it. That's how I was used to. Back when I was active, that's how I always trained. So as a man possessed, chasing my own shadow, I made chase, and… caught myself a heart attack.
It's a little embarrassing thinking that I could be anywhere where I was with only a day of training, but in my defense, the blood wasn't going to my head. My breathing was hard and ragged, my eyes were blurry, and my feet hurt, and weirdly enough they were… cold? If that makes any sense.
I think I might have lost some blood flow to my feet.
These thoughts are so annoying.
I'm not like I was back then. My body can still move. My blood is still flowing.
Let's throw myself into training, and forget about it.
/
"Ow…"
"Haha, Rudy what's going on? You'll never beat your old man if you can't even beat Lilia- Ah, not that there's any shame in that." He corrected himself upon Lilia's gaze.
Damn couldn't get a single win today. That hasn't happened in a while.
Yeah, no other way to say it, Lilia's been kicking my ass.
After repeated beatdowns on the hand of Paul I was able to convince him, with the help of Zenith, to invite Lilia in and help me out here and there. Being already familiar with Lilia's teaching, and the fact that Paul and Lilia have trained together in the past, she worked as both a translator, as well as an instructor.
I've gotten significantly better, and Paul hits me less… until recently that is.
Seeing as I couldn't even touch Paul lately I've been training with Lilia again, but…
"Ouch."
My arms hurt.
"That's enough master Rudeus," she intoned.
"W-wait, I can still-"
"No you can't. It's already noon, your magic lessons are about to begin, wrap up and wash up, time to go," Lilia sends me on my way.
She is right… guess there's nothing you can do, time to go.
/
"Is it apparent now master Paul?"
"...yeah, he's getting weaker, don't know-"
"He's running himself ragged, sir Paul."
"...yeah…"
"I'll speak with lady Zenith, and advise her to halt the healing."
"Thank you very much," Paul bowed, holding his hands in prayer towards Lilia.
Such conversation was not heard by Rudeus Greyrat unfortunately.
/
Roxy sensei is treating me oddly today, or spoiling me to be exact. We had a short, really, short lesson, and she's been taking me around the village today.
With my lessons taking place in the afternoon, and the villagers being mostly active during the morning, my contact with them is minimal, excluding Paul's thot patrol that, 'coincidentally,' makes an appearance every time he trains… shirtless.
Thirsty hoes~
As such the few times I've gone to the village it's quite barren, except for a few adults here and there, and a few children playing along. Not that I talk to them that much. Not including hellos, I've probably had less than five minutes worth of conversation total with anyone outside the household.
I've been invited to play a couple times by the kids I've run into, even gave it a go once, but… the less said about it the better.
Sensei steps into the middle of a field, and starts waving around her staff.
Hoh~ she didn't make a chant, it seems we're both learning.
Rain starts to fall on the wheat fields, much to the villagers' delight.
"Ah, thank you Roxy." "Thank you young miss." "Always thankful." "So young, and so talented…" etc, etc.
She is lavished with several praises as she makes her way down the fields. Buena's village's own resident Idol.
How nice~ Want me to set up your fanclub?
I wonder… I guess I could give it a go.
The magic, not the club.
I separate myself from Roxy and try to get a feel of what she just did, "Eh, R-Rudy? Rudy! I told you to-"
"HA-" I cast, making a short burst of rain. No good, without an incantation, and only doing it once, I skipped too many steps, not good for a first time.
Oh well.
"Sorry sensei, I…"
Eh… I'm feeling light headed… and why is the world…
"Oh."
"Rudy!" I see sensei running across the field, sideways.
Ah, I'm falling…
I fell to the ground, and tried to pick myself up, a small splotch of blood on the ground where my face fell.
Another nose bleed.
"Rudy! Are you alright, oh… don't worry… and… home…" It's no good, I'm losing concentration.
Ah, this feeling…
/
Waking up not knowing where you are is starting to get annoying.
Feeling groggy, heavy, and hot, slightly disoriented, and with a small itch over my skin, I start looking around the room.
I'm back in my room laying in my bed. Taking a look out the window, I see the sun has already set.
Looks like several hours have passed.
It's nighttime now, it is quiet and cool, except for my head which is warm and covered with a wet towel. My body as well, but with blankets. It's heavy.
Here I am again… All roads lead to Rome I suppose.
As I lay on my bed, I reflect on today, on my life… and my other life. I'm practically forced to. It feels almost prophetic, how I was reminiscing about crashing, so to speak, and here I am; a total wreck…
Seriously… just… seriously…
What have I been doing? I don't know.
Why am I working so hard? I don't know.
…no I do.
I always knew the answer, but like everything, I ran from it.
I've been running for so long. So, very very long.
I have been doing my best. I have been doing everything I could. I have been working hard, and yet, yet…
Here I am.
Moving forward, always moving. Constantly improving, taking on the next task, again, and again. Always moving, but this…
"Sigh…" an exasperated sigh escapes my lips.
What am I afraid of?.
I've been making the same mistakes of the past.
Once upon a time, I knew how high my stamina was. I knew for how long I could perform. I pushed, and pushed until my feet were cold, and my chest was warm. Pushing my body to levels it couldn't handle. I was… running away.
Running away from my present, stuck in the past. Distracting myself with pain.
The less I feel, the less I'm reminded of my own flab, the less I see, the more I don't have to see. The less… me… the better.
I… have never known where I was running too.
Old habits die hard, I suppose.
My life was a lot of things back then, but at the end of the day, it was mine. It was wasted, but it was mine to waste. It was unpredictable. It was real.
This, what is this? Is this even my own?
Madness, mad, lunacy, anger, rage, distraught, confusion…feelings forgotten, but not lost, lay at the back of my throat, scratching their way to the surface, wanting to get out, and just… just let loose.
I could scream.
I did scream. Once. I was 6 months old then, it was futile though, my feelings were ignored and I was treated as the six month old I was. My parents and Lilia just thought I was being a child. I suppose I was.
It seems those feelings never truly went away, just ignored.
I'm stuck in fiction, or maybe I am fiction. God if I know. Oh that's right, God wants me dead, and he's also fiction. It's all so maddening.
Yeah, that's right, mad. I've been mad for years now, and only now realized it. No, I've been going mad.
How could I not, my existence, my life, my death… everything about me is questionable.
What, was I supposed to just sit back and quietly accept this. This world is beautiful, but the feeling that it couldn't be real is always in the back of my head. And if the world isn't real, then maybe I'm not real. Hell, who's to say I even existed.
Perhaps these memories are false.
Should I pull a deadpool and break the fourth wall?
Don't fuck with me! I won't break the fourth, I'll break the 5th, do you feel a presence behind you reader/viewer, look out! My life is my own!
Perhaps my life is just ink on a page, but I feel alive, I am alive… right?
It really is maddening.
"Sigh," Still though, at least I found out about this now. Now I can address it, and move on from this. I need to…
Well, I'll figure it out. Crazy reality or not I'm fine, fine, just a bit burned out, right? Right!
If nothing else the exhaustion my body and soul are going through are proof that I am here. If I'm not careful. I really could go mad.
But I'm better now… definitely better… right, yeah.
Oh really then why are you talking to yourself?
"What?"
What?
"Gasp," I sat up with a start, my heartbeat erratic. "Ok, enough of that…"
This isn't good. Me and silence don't get along, or rather we get along too well. If left alone with my own demons, I'll start going mad… madder? I need a breather.
All this self thought, is just making me think things I don't want to think about.
Breathe. Calming myself down I breathe in… and out… slowly, getting some much needed blood to my head, and calming my heart.
That's right, the only thing I can be sure of is the sound of my own heartbeat. That is why I pushed myself so. It's not because, because…
You already know the answer. I am-
"Afraid," I say out loud. I need to say it aloud.
"All this talking in my own head will drive me mad. I am… afraid," at the end of the day that is what it all comes down to. Afraid of death, afraid of my future, afraid of this existence.
Truth be told, I don't think the concept of being fictional is that scary, it's the prospect of not having control over your own life that I find terrifying. A terrifying prospect when this is my second life at that.
A new life, a new fantasy. But my heart is still weak.
It's almost funny how I've been in a state of fear for so long, and didn't sound of my own heartbeat wasn't just excitement it seems.
Truly maddening.
Maybe this is why I embraced this fantasy so easily. If it's a dream it is quite a pleasant one. If it's reality, then…
"I gotta start talking outloud more otherwise the madness within me will eat me up. I… I just don't know what to do," I whispered. "Someone, anyone… please save me," A tear escapes my closed eyes. My own quiet whimpering goes in this room, of course no one-
Knock. Knock.
Someone is at the door.
"Rudy, I'm coming in…" a low voice is heard from behind the door, such that I'm able to make out who it is.
"Eh? Ah, wait a-" the door opens mist my jamering, giving me little time to compose myself, and son in a rush I quickly turn myself to the side, showing them my back, and looking away from them, hiding my weakness.
It was a reflex. Old habits die hard I suppose. I wipe my tears before turning behind me, and seeing who came in.
In came the Loli… Roxy I mean.
"I see you're awake. I brought you some soup," Roxy comes in holding a tray with a bowl and a cup of water on it.
"Mmm. Thanks," I take a sip, then another, and slurp it all up soon after, "it's delicious."
"I'm sure Lilia will be happy to hear that. Your mom also made one as well, but it was…" she makes an uneasy face, looking off to the side, as she scratches her cheek, "too nutritional, for immediate use. Look forward to it," she said.
"I see."
"Ahem," she coughed into her hand. "Rudy… are you alright?"
…well isn't that the million dollar question
"I… I am…" the urge to reflexively deny is still there. I want to say I am fine, but I can't lie right now.
"I heard you crying," she confesses. It seems lying was impossible anyway. "The walls are thin, it's very easy for sound to travel between them… especially at night," she twirls a hair strand while blushing a little.
"Haha, that's true…" I pause for a moment, before recollecting myself. "No, I'm not… I am… scared."
"I-
Stop thinking and start talking.
"Rudy," she reaches out to me and places her hand on top of my own. It's small… but warm.
I've lived in my own head long enough.
"I had a close death experience once you know," I start telling my tale.
As much as I would like to unleash my heart out to her, or anyone really, and tell her EVERYTHING. I'll save that kind of talk for when I'm ready. For now, all I can do is show her but a peak of what I'm feeling, and later… maybe, for now… I'll simply open my lips.
I go into the core of things without going into existentialism.
"Please don't tell my parents." I made sure to add that little tid-bit, afraid that my little incident would blow up into something big.
I don't need that kind of drama. I just need some sleep.
"They don't know anything about it." I continued. "I-it's nothing they did or anything like that, I-I was just stupid. I-I made a stupid decision, and payed for it," all true, just about my old life. "I was weak and I… di-almost died. I hated that feeling. I hated being so… so! I… I never want to experience it ever again. I don't want to die. Don't want to be weak, I don't want to… don't… don't… I don't like this feeling. This emptiness. It scares me."
Roxy listens to me quietly. Her hands resting on her lap, stock still, and waiting.
"I'm afraid sensei. I can't stand it, standing still. I won't. I need to move. I need to get stronger. I need… more. More magic, techniques… something grander, better. I need to be better! Be the strongest in the world-"
"Distractions," she said in her sweet voice. "Rudy you…" she looked at me with a pained look I couldn't quite understand, before reaching out and squeezing my hand.
"Am I truly your master?" she asked.
"Ro-, yes you are my teacher Roxy."
"Then listen to me. If there was ever a lesson you needed to learn, let it be this one." She takes a reprieve, closing her eyes, and breathing in and out, before opening them, now resolute, and with spirit behind those sky blue irises. "Slow down."
Before I could answer she continued, "You are confusing moving for living. People aren't like… well you Rudeus. What you are doing. What you are describing. I can't call that living. It's fine to have goals. To have something to aspire to. To move, and grow. But you are… well, you're afraid. I can't call what you're doing living. That's just… scrambling. You are," she pats my head. "You are a little boy running in the dark."
I wince at that statement. I don't quite agree with it, but I can't exactly deny it either. Ow.
"Rudeus, people need to live life a little slowly. Especially humans who can't live past a century. They need to stop and eat. To rest. To find company in others, and comfort. If you just run around, never bothering to look around you. To look at the people around you. To enjoy the soup made for you, or to listen to the advice given to you, then have you truly been living, or have you just been existing right next to me?" She lets her arm down, and off my head.
"..."
I have no words.
"Rudeus, death can be scary, but life… a life wasted feels scarier to me. People cry, rage, and despair… but they can also laugh, smile, and love. Rudeus, when was the last time you sat down and enjoyed your day," she gives me a melancholic smile.
"That…" has been a while.
In both life's.
"When was the last time you 'enjoyed' life?"
"…"
"Rudy, if you were to become the strongest person in the world, what then. No- even if you were to become that strongest, how long would it take for you to be that, how old would you be?"
"..."
"Rudy, what makes you happy?" she asked
"...I like magic…" I whispered weakly.
"Rudy, it's okay to slow down. Enjoy life. Rather, as your sensei, She emphasizes the sensei part. "I'm ordering it! If I am truly your teacher, follow my order." She straightens her form, sitting proudly.
"Sensei… the strict sensei look doesn't match your sweet voice…" I jokingly say.
She pouts in response.
Flick. She flicks my forehead.
I-I-Itachi?!
Pff. "Haha, yeah you're right. How can I deny my cute teacher's advice? Thank you sensei."
She turns her head away at my laughter, tilting her hat a bit covering her face. "Good," she said under her collar.
That's cute teach.
…I'll try to tease her less… at least for tomorrow.
"Thanks," I muttered.
"...your welcome…" she mumbled back.
After a moment, we both recover ourselves, and get back to our senses. Roxy sensei tells me magical classes are canceled until I recover. Until then, we will be doing night time classes reviewing other material that doesn't involve magic, like geography, and mathematics.
What a slave driver.
Roxy exited after explaining to me my condition was similar to mana fatigue, but slightly odd, it's not her area of expertise, but she has the idea that multiple uses of healing spells while pushing mana fatigue, has been pushing my body's ability to absorb mana.
Apparently Zenith attempted to use a healing spell while I was unconscious, but all it did was heal my physical body, and little else.
"I was really doing something dangerous wasn't I," I contemplated in the quiet of my own room.
"Yes you were Rudeus."
…or so I thought.
"Bwah-" a startled sound escapes my mouth. "L-Lilia, when did you come in?" I asked.
"I came a short moment after Roxy left for bed." She courteously, her calm demeanor betraying nothing. "You seemed to be lost in thought."
True, but still! Are you a ninja? Then again, I really am out of it…
"...you have a very wise teacher."
"Yeah, I do. Lilia, ah… thanks, for the soup."
"It is my duty master Rudeus, but you're welcome."
She walked to the corner of my bed, and started picking up the dishes, and moving them to the side. She then took a wet rag from a bucket that was placed by the floor, and replaced the one I threw off my bed.
"It seems master Rudeus is feeling better, but both Roxy and your mother have agreed to no more lessons for the time being, and I agree with them."
"Yeah," I said demurely.
Can't really argue against them on this one. I've been, well… out of my mind. Ha ha…
"How much did you hear?"
"Enough."
"I suppose you can't keep it a secret could you?"
"I am in service of Lady Zenith and Paul, but," she looked away from me. "I am also Rudeus's maid."
"Thank you, you're too good to me."
"I think it's mutual," she comes to my bed and sits leaning her back to the wall and letting one of her legs stretch, while the other hangs to the side. She pulled her dress a bit, and revealed her leg to me.
"Master Rudeus's effort has not been in vain. One step at a time, but a step is a step, Rudy is making fine progress. I still do agree with your mother and teacher, but I won't deny that all of it was wasted. You've done well, but now," she bends low to look me in the eye. "Please slow down, you'll worry others. Including me," she added.
"Lilia, I-"
"Rudy, you're… very important to this family, to me, it hurts us to see you in pain. Please don't push yourself that hard again," she interrupted. Seems to be the trend of the day.
She leaned in close to me and-
Oh, is this the famous love confession scene, where she devotes all her love, kya~ my heart isn't ready.
She hugs me tightly against her chest.
"I'll miss you if you were gone," she whispers to my ear. "Please don't leave us."
"Ok…" I say as I look up from between her chest, and into her eyes.
They really are, a beautiful violet. How did I not notice? There's no way this could be a fantasy. I could never dream up something so beautiful.
"Thank you," she whispers. She then parts my hair and kisses me on the forehead.
…
Ah. My heart just skipped a beat.
…
Oh? Oh! Oh…
"Well, that is all. Master Rudeus needs his rest," she gently pushes me down, back into bed, and places a fresh towel back on my forehead. "Goodnight. Also, congratulations on turning four," she stands up, picking up the remains of the soup and tray, before exiting the room with a gentle smile.
"…"
"My heart is still beating…" Once Lilia's footsteps had quietly faded, I uttered those words.
Oh, oh crap, my heart is beating faster… but it's not unpleasant. I…
"I think I just fell for her. Well… Shit…"
Where one trouble ends, another begins.