Chapter Text
I was heartbroken the day Roxy announced she was leaving.
"How can such a beacon in my life leave?" I thought.
I reminisced about the times we had.
It had been almost a year, but it felt as if that cute mage had only arrived a few days ago.
Time moves so fast here it feels like a dream. The memories fly past me. Like when Roxy first got here and I accidentally yelled: "Yes, a Moe Witch Loli" out loud. Or that one day where I decided to give in to my urges and peek in her room to see if anything "interesting" was happening, only to find she was telling stories to Rudeus about the ancient races and cultures. It was so interesting. I forgot what my original intentions were. I came in and sat down to listen to her beautiful tales about oppression and uprising and I just couldn't enough. I almost pulled an all-nighter listening to them while Rudy had passed out sound asleep in my lap. Then there was that time when I got Rudeus to call her master as a joke. She can't stand us calling her that even to this day. I never knew she would get so offended over that. Most people take that phrase as a compliment.
Not everything we did was fun and games. My bond with Roxy really started to form when she saw that I was spying on them when they practiced magic together. She assumed I was testing her ability to tutor him. Roxy asked me if I had studied, and what magic university I went to. I told her that I never went to a university, that I was from a place where no one was able to use magic, and unfortunately that included me. She was shocked that such a place existed. Roxy then asked where my knowledge came from. She learned that I had memorized all the incantations and experimented with different poses, and how I lost my patience after no success. The caster however was not one to give up as easily as I. She wanted to reinvigorate my spirit and was dead set on watching me improve.
It's funny…
I had a friend who tried to reach out to me and encourage me to go to school. Teachers however don't care if you ever show your face in class again, as long as their pay isn't docked. At least that's what I use to think…
As a teacher, she tried all sorts of things with me. One time we tried to apply math formulas from my world to see if we could incorporate them to the magic circles in the books to get them to work. Another time she tried to perform a detoxification spell on me to cure the disease that prevented me from using magic. Then later Roxy let me hold her staff and her arm when casting to see if we would get a different result.
Of course, they all failed.
Roxy didn't want us to be thinking about the past though. She wanted us to move forward and focus on Rudeus's graduation. It was a special exam she made for him. A few days before they celebrated Rudeus Greyrat's birthday. They brought around a feast with desserts and presents and fanfare I hadn't seen for such a long time. They only have three birthdays to one at 5, 10, and 15 so each one is treated as a grand holiday. I mentioned how it was weird to give a sword to a five-year-old. I think they took that as I never had a birthday before because they showered me with gifts they found around the house the next day. Paul officially lent me one of the practice swords that he used to target me with. Zenith gave s me-sized robe and garments to wear. I don't know whether she bought it or made it herself, but it was very comfortable and it felt like I wearing a custom wizard cosplay. It was a good thing she gave me new clothes. My old ones were getting worn out. They once tried to lend me some of Paul's garments however they were long around the arms and a little too tight around the waist. Roxy even pitched in and made a comprehensive scroll with a bunch of magic circle designs for me.
She said she would be holding the test in a nearby meadow away from the village. The same place I ended up in when I teleported here. This meant I would have to stay back.
I had stayed with her following a lot of lessons as of late so I felt guilty that I couldn't support Rudy this time. Especially since it was his graduation. I maybe showed up to one or two of my sibling's graduation ceremonies. They weren't all that special. I remembered being bored while they seemed really enthusiastic about it. I don't know. Perhaps I just don't understand because I never graduated from anything before.
That's not the reason why I can't go. It's because of where the test is. Outside. I wouldn't survive out there...
My only job is to wish them both good luck. I saw them pack up their things about ready to head off. Roxy loaded down the technique like she always did to I thought they were about to leave, she looked behind him directly at me.
"Would you like to come?" she asked.
"What me?" I checked around to see if there was anyone behind me. There wasn't, "Oh um...No, I'm alright it's the boy's graduation after all. I don't want to get in the way of that."
She smiled and shook her head. "But you have been learning a lot too, c'mon join us." She asked once again.
I sank my head down to avoid making eye contact with her bright cheery face. Even if I wanted to go there's no way my feet would even let me move past the gate. "We're performing saint-level magic it'd be nice to see it in person. Rudeus says he really wants you to watch him do it." I peeked my eye open for a second to see that kid's face full of excitement waving his wand at me in his hand. She wasn't lying. I'm sorry kid. Why couldn't you do it in the yard I would watch it if it was here. And I wouldn't miss my last chance to see her.
"It's okay you guys can go without me," I said, "I-I'll help prepare the celebration feast with your parents. I think I hear them calling for me from the kitchen." I began to turn around towards the house so I could hide the pained expression on my face. Before I could head back over there, I heard footsteps coming toward me and a loud voice.
"Please come with me, I just had an idea we could throw you your own graduation. I've seen you make the magic circles by yourself you have a great talent for them. You could do that for your own ceremony. I know that you can't use magic like us. But please…" A small hand lightly touched me on the shoulder, "Just come with us." I glanced back over until our eyes met.
Roxy gasped and quickly took her hand off me and put it up to her mouth.
She must have realized that I was crying.
Not knowing what to do or say I went as far as my body could carry me to the back of the house with the tears flying all over the place. I heard Roxy trying to whisper something to Rudeus behind me. I didn't bother to listen. I hid next to a tree in the backyard next to the stable. I sat down and buried my face in my arms.
There's no way I could explain anything to her. About my 10 years spent as a shut-in otaku NEET. About what I've been through. About what would happen to me if I went outside. She would probably think even less of me if I did. I am a grown effing adult afraid to walk five meters away from the house. I've already shown myself to be a coward right in front of her face. What more damage could I do?
I heard her footsteps creeping around the corner seen enough she would find me. "Why is she trying so hard?" I thought.
"There you are!" she said to the grown-up bundle on the floor which was me. Her words were shaky. "I'm-I'm so sorry." She was apologizing to me. But what for? She did nothing wrong…
"I'm sorry, I hurt you. I-I didn't mean to patronize you I know you're upset you can't use magic but that's not your fault. I wasn't trying to sound like I was better than you in fact you would surely surpass me by now if you possessed more-" I listened a couple of minutes more it looked like she was pouring her heart out trying to make up for something she thought offended me. "I'm a terrible teacher for discouraging her student like this. If I cannot figure out how to help your situation, perhaps I am not worthy of being one either."
She was wrong. I had to speak up. "It's fine that's…that's not what's bothering me." Of course, it's bothering me that I've been transported to some sort of awe-inducing fantasy land of my dreams yet I'm still insignificant enough that I've been kept from doing something extraordinary like casting spells. It's something a four-year-old can do better than me. But hey, it's not like I was ever able to do anything like that in the real world.
"You're upset about something though. Aren't you?"
I didn't answer. There's no point in explaining what can't be explained.
She began again, "I heard from the Greyrats that you were found near that field and you were badly wounded. Did something bad happen to you before you got there?" I nodded.
She is unexpectantly observant for a girl her age. She could've caught one of my fear of the outdoors. I had a feeling she noticed how I would always make lame excuses every time Roxy tried to teach Rudeus outside the gate.
"That place must bring back traumatic memories for you huh? I really wish you didn't have to go through something like that. But you survived right?" the witch girl looked like she was at a loss for words on what to say to me. She sat silently for a moment. "Look, it is true there are monsters out there, but there are also the residents here and they are really nice." She took me by my big greasy hand without hesitation.
"It's going to be okay I promise."
There's no way she could guarantee that. There's no way anyone could. Everyone tried to say words like that in my old word, but that's all they were…just words. Empty promises.
"I want it to be okay," I thought. "I want to go with them."
She continued, "If anything bad happens, I'll stop the test and take you straight back here at once until you feel safe." This was getting harder and harder to refuse. "You will not be alone this time there will be three of us. Besides I don't think anyone wants to mess with Rudeus especially when he has this much energy." I laughed to myself at that last part. Roxy was right he is quite a handful in this state.
I made a promise to myself actually back in the day. That if I was surrounded by cute girls, and excelled in school then I would be free to go outside again. Of course, those were only dreams I had and ones that I inevitably wake up from. Maybe I can pretend for a moment that I'm in one of those dreams. The ones where nothing terrible ever happens to me.
I rubbed my face with my arms and raise my head. She stood up and held out her hand to me. I took it.
Once the graduation ceremony is over, she would be done teaching Rudeus and she doesn't have any business teaching me. I'd probably never see her again. Even still, I don't want to let her down at the very last second. The petite girl tried to pull me up with all her strength and I lend myself to do half of the work to pull myself up. She dragged me by my hand and I follow her toward the front porch. We pulled near the gate where we stopped dead in our tracks. My legs had stiffened up and none of my muscles would respond. I gulped down a large lump in my throat. Roxy, who had stopped too, looked at me and raised her eyebrows in confusion.
"I-I can't walk," I said with a heavy voice.
She stood there and thought. "I know. You could ride horseback with Rudeus."
Horseback. That would put me above eye level a place where I would be put on full display for everyone's sick viewing pleasure. I can't do that.
It seems like her student agreed to that plan though and after getting the approval Roxy ended up walking up to Paul's prized horse to the front gate with us. I had trouble hoisting myself with my lack of upper body strength and my legs being uncooperative so Rudy and Roxy both assisted in pushing me up. It took about three minutes until I eventually found myself sitting on top of the horse. From up here, I had a clearer view of my surroundings of the nearby houses and farms and some vague silhouettes of people in the distance.
Sweat was rolling down my entire body. I could feel my hands both getting numb and wet the longer I sat on the horse by myself the more grip I had on the saddle kept faltering.
"Up you go young man." I heard Roxy say as she lifted up little Rudy to be put in place right in front of me.
There wasn't much room to go around however we managed to fit both of us. "I'm counting on you Rudeus." She said to the child "Hold him tight and make sure he doesn't fall off."
"Okay, Master.' He saluted although that response made Roxy wince.
He picked up my large hands with his and wrapped both of ours around the saddle with him squeezing me tightly. I'm not going to lie for a brief moment it did make me feel more secure.
"Are-Are you sure about this?" my voice was still quaking. "Isn't there some illusion magic that can make me invisible?"
"Sorry I don't specialize in those sorts of spells. Don't worry if you need us, we'll be right next to you." She patted the neck of the horse beside her and then put her hands on the reigns as she started making her way for the gate.
As we edged closer, I had sudden bursts inside my mind flashes of memories in my head of that day. The students stripping me of my clothes then taking it 50 steps further by hanging me like it was a crucifixion ritual on a gate not too unlike this one. I was unable to stop them. Unable to move as my exposed body right in front of them as they felt free to take pictures and post them all over the internet.
I always tried to forget that memory or at least keep it down. Nothing was happening to me... yet…I feel like I'm reliving the exact same moment. Maybe Roxy and Rudy are in on it and the villagers too. They were all waiting for me to leave the safety of the cottage so that they could-.
A hand touched my head.
I stopped.
I opened my eyes and looked to the side. There was Roxy once again reaching her hand out to me. It took me a second to realize I was ducking my head down grasping my arms around the horse's neck. I heard inaudible mumbling sounds. The poor kid was squashed against my rotund belly and the horse. I quickly let up and said I was sorry. He gasped for air then directly made a pouty face at me before returning to look at the wide world around him without a care in the world.
The aspect of acting like a giant baby in front of a literal child was getting to me. Can't I suck it up for once in my life? I didn't know these village people why would they be staring at me? Then again unfamiliarity didn't stop those high schoolers of people online from looking at those pictures. It might've all been a result of me accidentally provoking my peers, but who's to say they wouldn't one day turn around and do that to me anyway.
I kept thinking. Maybe if I was like that kid. I'd have nothing to be scared of.
After all, he has no reason for people to dislike him. He's accomplished great things already at an incredibly young age. His future is practically already paved for him. No one has to tell him to pick up the pace to become a respectable human being. He already is one. He can afford to be carefree. Everything has been handed to him in his entire life. He isn't cursed with a wimpy penis. He isn't fat and ugly. He doesn't even know what failure is how much it stings and how draining it is to have it happen over again. To have everything going for you then lose it all. To have whatever goal you had seems pointless in comparison to the wasted effort you put in. Ambitions are crushed and you have to move on, but there's nothing to move onto. Roxy somebody anybody please wake me up from this cesspool.
I was closing my eyes so much that my eyelids hurt when I heard the gate shut behind.
"No turning back. No turning back," I kept telling myself.
If I don't look, I can't see them stare at me on top of this thing. If this place is anything like Japan, they probably think I'm some sort of pedophile and an older guy who barely takes care of himself riding with someone else's child someone's child with the little girl leading my horse like some underage slave work. I can't deny I've been turned on by Roxy I've jacked off to so many characters that looked like her on the internet. Sure, they were all fake, but she isn't. Maybe I do deserve to be arrested and locked away from her.
I'm also a foreigner. I haven't met anyone that resembles me in the slightest here they are all going to think I'm some sort of freak. The next thing I know I'm going to be paraded on this horse naked for them all to gawk at me.
And what if I'm not the only foreigner here? What if some people teleported here with me from Japan, they would recognize me. Maybe this place isn't the escape I thought it was. I'm just going to end up in the same position as before. They are going to tell them what really happened and about what type of person I am. The Greyrats will surely kick me out of the house then I would be stuck with nowhere to go. It's not like I really had a place here...
Maybe if I'm lucky there will be monsters up here that will gobble me up and kill me.
I heard people chattering about something nearby as they brushed against their wheat stalks. Are they talking about me? I should've never left. I should've never left. I should've never left. My mind kept wandering over and over. The whispers in the distance became louder.
"Hey you, you were here the other day, weren't you?"
I froze. I hadn't left the house before. I don't know why the hell they are trying to talk to me. Is it someone the Greyrats had visiting? I tried so hard to stay out of their way when that happened. Did I leave a bad impression in their mouths doing something gross or perverted?
"Thank you for watering our crops the other day." Crops? What crops? I didn't water anything. I slowly fluttered my eyes open to see below me Roxy was talking to some villager in a farmer's attire who was thanking her as she politely bowed back to them. He wasn't looking up at me at all. I lowered the tension in my hands that were grappling the horse's abdomen, I could almost hear the horse whimper a sigh of relief from that.
I bet both the horse and Rudy regret taking me along for this ride I tried my best to scoot my body away from him to give him as much space as possible. As I did, I got a quick screenshot of my surrounding straw golden valleys a bluer than blue sky most of which I could see from the Greyrat's second-floor window. The smell though. I could never smell the wheat and grass fields as clearly a hear the wind blowing in between the fields or the calls of the cattle as they were grazing. This place was reminiscent of those starter towns in classic MMORPG's where all they give you are simple tasks like herding sheep and collecting items from the NPC's. It's like a super high-res version of that. When I looked at the villagers most of them were too preoccupied with their chores to stare at me riding horseback.
"Good." I thought. "I hope it stays that way."
Those who did notice us mostly went up to Roxy. Apparently, she had helped them with the planting season by performing water magic. To provide irrigation. All without expecting to be paid in return. She really is amazing We continued on for a while and I was starting to swallow the pill in my mind that nothing bad was going to happen to me when we were suddenly stopped by someone at the halfway point when a random passerby started paying attention to me.
"So, you're the water mage I've been hearing so much about from the neighbors. Who are these two-up top?" I ducked my face down once again and tried to push my face to the side to hide behind Rudy. Shielding myself behind a child what is wrong with me?
"They traveling with you?" the man asked. "they don't appear to be your kind."
I'm not her kind? Does that mean I shouldn't be here that I'm not fit to be around with her?
"No, they aren't from my hometown they are actually from here I met them both as the Greyrat manor. They are my students." She said gesturing to us. "They've actually come quite a long way since I got here. I'm testing them today in the open meadow out of harm's way."
"I see," the man replied, "that's pretty uncharacteristic of a superb to avoid causing damages like that, but it seems you have kept your word up to this point. Enjoy yourselves." He smiled. "Hey, big guy." Ackk, he's calling to me. I mean he has to be right who else would he be referring to? "Make sure she doesn't do anything okay."
I think he tried to say it in a joking fashion, but I couldn't tell. And I really didn't want to respond. He just started chuckling to himself before talking again.
"Well let me know when you two take on the next level of magic. I could use a good harvest this year." With that, he walked off.
That was close, too close.
He very well could have pointed out that I was pathetically trying to hide away from him using a child or how I was about to fall off the horse and land on my ass like an idiot. Or he could've asked for me to do some magic right in front of him, and then he would call me a liar for pretending to be Roxy's student. My heart kept on pounding it was like it was trying to escape my body I couldn't shake the suffocating feeling. Until…until...
I looked down…at Roxy. She had disappointment scraped across her face.
"What about her?" I thought. How did she feel about that confrontation? I was so focused on myself I didn't notice what had just happened. This man had just accused her of being destructive and unworthy to teach. And because what? her hair color was similar to the Superb? What a dumb reason to hate someone for. It says absolutely nothing about her.
My fear was now being encompassed along with rage. I felt like finding that guy and slapping for what he said. I turned to see the state of her. She was immobilized just as I had when she suggested walking past the gate this morning. Starring endlessly in the direction the man had left.
"Umm Roxy, you okay?" I called out to her. "I bet the guy didn't mean any of that."
"Yeah, he's rude you are the best teacher master!" Rudeus shouted.
"That's right you tell them Rudy, next time we see him we'll shoot a water ball in his face."
"Yeah." He said giving me a high five. She shook her head and it seemed as though she had snapped out of it.
"No, you'll want to save your MP for the test." She said with a light giggle. She sighed and pulled the horse to keep moving forward.
"You guys don't really have to defend me you know, but…thank you." She muttered softly."
"It must be rough being in her position," I thought to myself. I can't believe I used to her seriously as the kid's teacher. I just thought of her as an inexperienced little magical loli girl that knew a couple of tricks for show. She is more mature and grown-up than I ever was. She knew she would get a bad rep when she came here, but she came to this town anyway despite the prejudice against her. Not only that she treated everyone with respect and helped people who were probably unforgiving of her at first. Some might still be even after helping them. She's so strong I think she forgets she's still human, or Migurd or whatever. That it's not wrong to have a couple of those things crawl under your skin from time to time it's nearly impossible to have every sharp word bounce off of you.
Sometimes things just hurt.
Yet we act like they don't.
We traveled for a couple more miles as the scenery with the dirt road and plantations and the hustle and bustle with the townspeople disappeared and was replaced with the familiar scenery of that I was introduced to when I first arrived that I now had an opportunity to gain a better picture of. The open field stretching far beyond the horizon with rolling hills and mountains in the distance. The flowers weren't as in bloom as when I was stuck in the middle of the plain. The ones that were there added splotches of color to the open green canvas. I could still see a few dandelion-like seeds flying in the breeze and a couple of leaves detach themselves from the singular tree standing in the wide-open space. The world is so big I thought. "Woah." Roxy abruptly stopped the horse in its tracks as we parked next to the tree.
She leaned over to me. "I checked the coast is clear. Whatever attacked you that day is no longer here. If they even think about coming. I'll make sure I have enough mana left over to fend them off for the both of you."
We had just crossed between a huge crowd of people. I had already passed the monsters as far as I was concerned. I smiled back at her to let her know I felt safe.
Rudeus however was quite upset with the news "Ahh, but wouldn't it have been cool, but wouldn't it have been cool for my graduation test if I fought an army of monsters and demons with high-level magic."
"Maybe we'll wait until you get to god level to do something like that." She said lifting the elementary-aged boy off the horse placing him next to the tree.
Now it was my turn to dismount. I maneuvered my butt down which was difficult as one of my legs got caught on the saddle. She says the problem and corrected my leg and I would've made the perfect landing if I didn't forget my legs had lost all their feeling and I collapse once I hit the grass. After they assisted me up and let the circulation flow back, I was finally able to move again. I breathed this crisp air through my nose and rubbed my toes between my sandals and the soft grass. I really have come a long way. If someone had asked me this morning that I'd be here right now I would have looked at them sideways and told them they were insane.
"Alright boys," announced the blue-haired mage as she raised her staff and twirled it around.
"Watch the horse and Rudeus." Obeying her command, I took Rudeus in one arm and tried to tie the horse's reigns to the tree with the other.
"You are going to have to stay back kid. I hear this one summons lightning. This could get dangerous. I don't want your mother complaining to me and ban you from using magic. You got that?" He nodded from the top of his head I saw he was fidgeting.
He must be nervous the pressure of replicating the spell must be finally getting to him. I failed one or two exams in my day when I didn't give myself enough time to cram. He got plenty of practice though, I'm sure he'll pass."
Roxy was well away from us when she began reciting the incantation. Very clearly from the distance, we could see the clouds gather together as they crashed into a singular spot right above the wonderous magician. It looked as if she created a wormhole in the sky as the cloud swirled and blended into each other and bolts of lightning exploded in the singularity. They rocketed across the once peaceful landscape. The horse started bucking and neighing wildly and eventually broke free of the tree branch it was tied to. The elegant mage continued to control the skies the clouds let out under her commands something wet settled in between the leaves of the tree.
First, it was sprinkles, then droplets, as soon it was escalating to buckets and waterfalls. I was in the shade getting soaked yet there were no droplets that fell onto Roxy. She was also unaffected by the wind speed which had accelerated to match that of a mild hurricane. I was now hugging Rudy with both arms to make sure he wouldn't be picked up with the gust. Like a conductor of a storm symphony, Roxy's performance went out with a bang. After one last thunderous clap echoing all the way to the mountain terrain the storm subsided and the cloud dissipated and changed the gradient of the atmosphere.
I saw in the distance Roxy was looking tipsy due to all the mana she just used up. We helped her back to the tree. Shen then instructed Rudy to try out the spell as she was recovering.
"Don't worry, I got her," I assured Rudy while holding a thumbs up.
"Do your best out there okay show me your finishing move, and I mean I want a total knockout, okay. Like the sky is a final boss and you're about to take them down." He understood and even told me what cool pose he was going to pull after he was done casting.
He then headed out toward the exact same spot his mentor was in earlier and took out his wand with the crimson jewel. He recited the spell. From what I heard; his words were a bit clunkier than his predecessor. I was worried for a second he messed up until I saw the mana coursing through his veins just as Roxy's had. It all built up towards his hands until he manifested a giant warlike laser beam into the sky. The storm arrived slowly eventually trickling drops hit my skin once again. Some managed to hit Roxy which allowed her to stay alert as she got back onto her feet.
It wasn't long before we were in the middle of a dark rainstorm. Rudeus was in the center of it all and seemed to be having the time of his life. Twirling around in a place like it was all a game controlling the patterns of clouds. Thunder began to roar louder and the wind got faster and faster it went from about 20mph to 30 mph in a split second and in the middle of this chaos, Rudeus was there trying to keep himself on his feet. He was being pushed around by the wind every which way.
It felt wrong.
"He must be losing concentration," I thought. "Should we do something Roxy? Are you sure this is safe?"
"He can handle it in fact he's outdoing the spell I created."
"But-but" he's not as experienced as she is this there is lack of control that comes from doing things for the first time, and he's just a kid dam it. The spell has no signs of slowing. I have to do something. I threw off my robes and gave them to Roxy as made a break for it.
"No wait, where are you going?" she pleaded to me, but it was already too late I was already 20 meters ahead of her struggling to make my way through the storm. The winds were relentless they blew my glasses straight off my face and I felt twigs and debris launch at me from every direction as I made my way towards the fuzzy brown figure in the distance.
Due to my vision taking a downfall I failed to notice rocks right next to me as well and ended up crunching my foot on one. I gasped in pain. When I got up my foot was limping sideways instead of forward. I would've given up there if I wasn't already close. I tackled Rudeus from the side doing my best not to suffocate him in my vain attempt to end the spell. I let my larger body shelter him from the wind it was like payback for using him as a human interaction shield on the way here.
An eternity passed when the sun decided to crack itself from the clouds and show its face to us. The wind gradually died down the blades of grass I could make out sparkled with dew.
Peace returned at last.
"I'm Sorry, I uhm interrupted your test kid. Kid? KID!" I shook his arms and appendages I felt like I was holding onto a rag doll. Did I actually end up suffocating him!? I felt his chest, oh thank god there's a heartbeat. He must be exhausted...
"Well looks like you passed," I said cradling the small boy in my arms who was sound asleep.
I walked over to Roxy. "Let's set him down here," she said.
"You got it." I bent my knee to place him under the tree and ended up yelping in pain my foot turned in an unnatural direction again. "Ahh Oww. I must've sprained my ankle or broke it in the middle of that storm."
"Yeah, I saw that," she said putting a mostly dry coat over me and handing me back my glasses which luckily only flew a few meters away.
"Why did you do that?"
"I-I don't know. I wasn't really thinking too hard. It just sort of happened."
"I guess you really can be reckless when you want to be." She laughed.
I kept on wondering to myself. Why did I do that? Was it to look like some sort of hero to her? She told me doing it was unnecessary. Did I feel indebted to the kid? Did I want to see if I could survive walking through that hurricane? I don't know. It all kind of takes me back to when I hurdled myself in front of that speeding truck. I have no idea if those people were affected at all by my decision to act.
"Anyways, Your foot looks like it's getting worse. Quick, sit down here and I'll perform a healing spell on it."
"Wait!" I shouted holding up my hand to her. "Shouldn't I perform the healing spell? After all didn't you want to test me on magic circles?"
"I did, but are you still up for it in your condition?" She said it like she was experiencing it herself just from looking at it.
"It's not so bad," That was a lie. I really want to sit down. my nerves were screaming internally from my weight being compounded on my injury. "Just think of it as a perfect opportunity to see if it works or not? Plus, you dragged me all the way out here. I'm not leaving until I finish this."
I grabbed the barest branch I could find on the tree and snapped it off and began drawing right where they cast both their spells. I thought there might be some left-over mana lingering over in that spot that would make it easier to channel the spell. It's difficult to make a perfectly symmetrical circle when you trip over your own feet the edges were a bit bumpier than I would have liked and to some, it might have resembled a magic oval instead of a magic circle.
"Here," the beautiful mage said as she wrapped herself around me with her delicate hands. "Want me to hold your arms for you?" I got goosebumps. It's hard to resist an offer like that. But I can't. Not right now.
"Ha-ha, well," I laughed nervously. "If you are going to be gone, I can't rely on you all the time. It's like you said to Rudy I'll never grow unless I do things on my own."
After completing the outline, I lowered myself to the ground with only slightly twisting my ankle. I carefully drew the ancient glyphs and sigils in the center. I may only be going off of pure memorization, but I say they looked pretty dam accurate to the books. Heh, I remember when I couldn't understand the language at all a couple of years ago, and here, I am making these complicated foreign symbols. I practiced doing it countless times in the Greyrat's attic and backyard. However, I was never able to activate them on my own. I know with Roxy's presence this spells power will go through the roof. I stepped back to scan my work. It was like I was looking at a piece of art on the ground I could see all its little imperfections however the overall picture was close to what I imagined in my head. I had to give myself some credit for that.
"Well done!" Roxy congratulated me and clapped. It might be the sun or my overactive circulation. My face was hot and red, I probably looked like I was blushing like some dumb anime character. I couldn't wipe off this big stupid grin I had on my face, "now to see the fruits of your labor." I gulped.
Please work, please work, please work I muttered to myself as she touched her staff to the circle. At first, there was silence then I felt a tremor on the ground. Did I write the wrong spell did I summon an earthquake instead?
Bright neon green lights lit up from the circle the grass and other plants that had been damaged from the wind started sprouting and grew taller by the second. The sharp stabbing on my ankle traveled away and the bones corrected themselves. It was the same sensation I got whenever Zennith used her beginning-level healing spells on me.
My magic circle had worked.
I could see Rudeus beginning to wake up under the tree and being the energetic child that he was he ran to catch up to us. He grabbed at the incorporeal green sparkles with his hands. He laughed while rolling in the grass that was still sprouting out beneath him. Roxy was about to pass out and drove herself away from the circle and the green light dissipated from it.
I caught her as she was about to hit the ground. That last spell drained all the MP she had in her reserve. It's a shame that in my single moment of triumph my mentor would fall asleep, but somehow, I knew exactly what she would say. And it didn't matter. I knew I had accomplished something today. The successful spell casting was a bonus.
I dragged her body and laid it on one of Paul's most prized possession. She deserved to go on horseback this time I and Rudeus will walk back. There's no doubt that most people after two terrible thunderstorms in a row would be intimidated enough to stay inside. They won't bother us. However, just in case I told Rudeus to play a little metal gear solid-like game of hiding and seek with me, and warn me if he saw anyone come near us.
Rudy's short legs were getting tired and I had more than revitalized from the healing spell so I decided to give him a ride on my shoulders. He actually said it was, more comfortable than sitting on the horse. As I predicted most people were indoors now. Some of the farms on the outskirts became quite a mess, and we knocked down a couple of trees. The rain was still falling on some patches of land and there were puddles everywhere and the dirt road became more of a mud road.
It became difficult terrain. I'd wish I brought my sneakers instead of sandals because I had to walk barefoot the rest of the way. I'd end up seeing a couple of people wandering around outside as we got closer to the house. I evaded them by going in the opposite direction and taking the backway to the house.
When we arrived, there was Zennith, Paul, and Lila all standing there to congratulate Rudeus. Zenith did start to freak out though once she saw Roxy passed out on the horse.
"Oh, no. Is she hurt?" she cried.
"No," I assured her "she's tired from casting several high-level spells. She'll wake up soon don't worry."
The rest of the day went exactly how one would expect. We had another celebratory feast that was well worth the wait. Rudy and I had had the brilliant idea of gifting Roxy a bouquet of flowers and some fruit from the garden so she would have surprise thank you presents when she woke up. However, she surprisingly moves a lot in her sleep so instead, she woke up to a sticky fruit salad on her coat with crushed petals all over her face. Luckily, she was a good sport. We all had a good laugh about it later that day. Roxy even decided to give us her own parting gifts. She gave Rudeus what looked like a jade pendant. It was probably some sort of arcana caster thing so he could equip onto himself to level up faster and all that junk. It's a nice sentiment.
She then came up to me smiling with something in her hand.
"Oh," I said pulling my hands away. "You already gave me something the other day. You don't need to give me anything else."
"No, I have to." She insisted trying to jump up and reach my hands in the air.
"Woah I'm serious you really don't-" Too late. Roxy jumped up and took my hand and put something inside of it. I opened my palm.
"A ring?"
"Not just any ring. It's an enchanted ring," she said holding my hand. "It allows the wearer to counter the effects of magic. it will protect you out there if you run into anyone who wishes to harm you in that way."
Why was Roxy giving something so important like this to me? Surely the rare item must be useful to her in combat. And here she is handing it off just like that.
"It's the best I could do to support you right now, but I promise I'll write back. I'll send letters here to you while I'm gone, and if I find anything that will let you generate your own magic I'll return and report back to you at once. Okay?" she beamed.
I was trembling. This…this was too much. I can't believe someone cared about me this much. I was so overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. I didn't know how to react. I probably looked to her like I was about to break down again.
"Be careful out there okay," she said gently putting her hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure you'll do fine."
I wished so badly I had something special to give her in return. I arrived with nothing except the clothes on my back. Everything else I have I owe to the Greyrat's.
"I must be going soon. Do you have anything else you wish to ask me before we depart? C'mon don't be shy now." she winked.
My lip quivered and I paused. Then and let out the four worst words I could possibly say. "Can you stay forever?"
What was I thinking? How could I let something so cheesy and unreasonable exit my mouth? It's true I wanted her to stay longer. But I said it like I was asking her to marry me! I'll admit it had crossed my mind within the amount of time knowing her. Plus, she just gave me a ring and-.
I shook my head. She's a middle schooler. I couldn't possibly take advantage of someone like that. Besides she deserves to end up with someone that has more to offer. And there is no way she likes me in that way anyway.
Even still I can't make those thoughts or feelings disappear.
"I'm glad you enjoyed our time together, but you know that I cannot stay. I have my own things I need to do. I have already taken you guys as far as I can as your teacher. I do hope we cross paths again someday." She bowed. Rudeus ran up to hug nuzzling himself to her chest.
"Please don't go Master Roxy!" he cried.
"Hmph, I'll miss you too little one." She softly brushed her hands through his hair and hugged him back.
I sat back to enjoy the moment and then She gestured for me to come to join. I wrapped my arms around both of them. They were so warm. I felt an enormous sense of peace pass over me. How long has it been since I had human contact like this?
After we let go, we said a few more parting words to each other. She instructed Rudy to master the next level and beyond, and for me to keep up my own studies. After that, we had Roxy's tearful departure as we waved goodbye until we could no longer see the shadow of her far beyond the horizon. I doubt she'll ever know how big of an impact on my life she made.
Several weeks passed. Roxy did exactly as she promised and wrote back to me. The dedicated mage talked about all her assignments and how the people she worked for owned a huge archive filled with books of the arcane arts. She said she was going to study every book to see if there were any writings of ancient lands without magic users, and that she would come to visit me at once if she found a huge breakthrough. Although, that might be coming back sooner than we originally thought…
"You have Roxy's underwear?" I screamed when I walked into Rudeus's room one day. He was casually tossing them up and down as if they were a toy.
"Well, she left it in my room when she was staying there," he said rather coyly trying to hide it behind his back. I can't believe it. Paul and I were worse influencers than I thought. First panties, is he going to go after bras next? Jeez, this kid really needs to quit while he's ahead.
"Should I tell mom and dad?" he asked.
"No, no no no," I said pressing my finger up to his lips. We are going to be skewered alive if they find out about this. "No, we can't. But that's okay. This will be our little umm… secret. Yeah. It can be like a memento that Roxy left just for us that only we know about and can harness its power."
"Huh?" The boy looked completely lost on that last part.
"You ever visited a shrine where they decorate it with a bunch of stuff that reminds you of them next to their picture when they were alive. It's like one of those things." Rudy still looked dumbfounded. Hmm, maybe they don't have shrines here. So, what would be this world's equivalent to that? I read something about there being deities in this world so they must have temples dedicated to their religion.
"It's like a holy temple where they have symbols and objects to remind you of their gods."
"Oh yeah," Rudy beamed, "Roxy told me a story like that…" He stared intently at the pure white piece of clothing as he held it up to his face. "This must be a holy relic."
"Sure," I smiled, "It's a holy relic. That means you have to respect it alright and keep it sacred. Don't tell anyone about this. And if our god ever comes back, beg on your knees and tell them it's not your fault. That this was all a terrible misunderstanding. Got it?" he nodded, and bowed of us vowed that day to not speak a word.
It has now been months since Roxy left us. I remember she suggested after our graduation that I continue to take baby steps when it came to interacting with the outside world. Going against a crowd of people with two others to back you up is a completely different beast from going alone.
I followed that advice. Every day I tried taking a least five more steps away from the gate. Some days I can go even longer when I ask Rudeus to bring along the holy relic. I asked Paul and Zennith to invite more of the neighbors over so I could get familiar with them so I wouldn't be as surprised to see them out in the open. I was not ready to interact with random people on the streets on the streets yet, but I would wave to them occasionally.
Eventually, I found my way all the way to the woods to study alone. And that's where I met an unexpected friend.