Lokkishi's Standards for Choosing a Mate

Lokkishi turned to look at Allen.

The latter gripped his sword with both hands and swept it through the air along an exceedingly slow trajectory, finally lowering the tip to the grass beneath his feet.

She did not know whether it was an illusion caused by the light and shadows.

But in that instant, Lokkishi felt as though the blade had left an afterimage.

As the afterimage trembled, several leaves drifting before Allen slowly fell.

Then split apart.

"126!"

At Sylphy's soft, sweet call, Lokkishi blinked as she stared at the sword tip.

". Can a slash that slow really cut through falling leaves in midair?"

Seeing Lokkishi's expression, Rudy irritably scratched his head, looking helpless.

". Teacher, look more carefully. Really look—don't watch the sword."

As Rudy spoke, Allen had already raised his blade over his head once more and slowly brought it down along the exact same path as before, without the slightest deviation.

From above his head to level with his shoulders, then down before his abdomen, until it finally hovered steadily atop a blade of grass dancing in the wind.

Rudy finished speaking.

". Watch his arm."

The blade became entwined with light and shadow once again.

Lokkishi moved her gaze from the blade, following the hilt to Allen's arm.

The sword's afterimages shuddered again and again, while Allen's arm trembled faintly as well. His sleeve suddenly sprang up as though an invisible person had yanked it hard, then limply fell back against his skin.

Lokkishi raised her eyebrows in surprise.

". Could it be... when the sword tip touched the grass just now... Allen had already made another slash? That's amazing."

As soon as she finished speaking, the amazing Allen let out a heavy breath, his face abruptly turning pale. He staggered over to Rudy and said,

"Got any left? Give me another one."

Rudy:

Lokkishi:

After an extremely rapid chant, the light of a Healing Spell lit up again. Allen immediately jolted upright, grabbed his sword, and resumed his empty swings.

Rudy sighed, holding his forehead, then turned to the somewhat dazed Lokkishi. She blankly said,

". It feels like Allen completely has the strength of a top-tier adventurer."

"Uh, wasn't Allen already an adventurer?"

Lokkishi blinked before remembering that, when they had coordinated their stories that day, Allen had told her that only Paul and Zenith of the Greyrat Family should currently know his identity.

Thinking of that, Lokkishi subconsciously tugged at the hair before her forehead, her eyes darting back and forth.

"Ah, I meant an S-rank Adventurer. Allen's strength is far above his adventurer rank."

But seeing Lokkishi like this, Rudy's mind began to wander. He quickly glanced at Allen, who was focused on practicing swordsmanship, restrained a lecherous grin, and said to Lokkishi,

"Come to think of it, Teacher used to be an adventurer too. Did you ever meet... a boy you liked?"

Lokkishi's expression froze at once. Scratching her cheek in confusion, she answered,

"Well... when I was in Millish, I was rather ostracized because of my hair color. At one point, I did not even have any money on me. Fortunately, a fellow countryman took me in, and I went to work at a tavern. Later, I... came to like him, and he formed an adventurer team with another young lady who had a nice figure."

Rudy's expression stiffened.

"Ah... then what happened?"

Lokkishi awkwardly scratched at her ears and cheeks. After hesitating for a moment, she quietly said,

"Then they got together."

Wonderful! A goddess who has never been in love!

Lokkishi looked at Rudy, who had suddenly risen to his feet, and her expression became even more awkward.

". As expected, no one would like someone with a figure like mine, right? I look like a child."

Yet Rudy spoke with utmost seriousness.

"I think that's exactly what makes Teacher even more lovable, though~"

Lokkishi's mouth twitched at his words.

"I told you, it would be more convincing if you said that ten years from now. But... perhaps you might still be interested in someone with a figure like mine now. In the future, though, that will probably change."

Rudy declared confidently,

"Impossible! Teacher is exactly my type!"

Half-lidded eyes, petite, an aloof face... a perfect goddess!

"Liar."

Though she called him a liar, Lokkishi's expression clearly held a trace of delight at being praised.

Just as Rudy was about to speak, Allen suddenly walked over again, his face pale.

"Another one... please."

A flash of green light passed over him, and Allen sprang back to life. While thanking Rudy, he casually asked,

"Why are you so worked up? I think I heard you say something about liking this type. Were you talking about romance?"

"No, Teacher lacks confidence in her figure, so I was comforting her."

At those words, Lokkishi lowered her head and drew circles on the ground.

So it really was just comfort... T T.

Allen glanced at Lokkishi.

"If she lacks confidence in her figure, then do not comfort her by talking about her figure. Even if you sincerely mean it, she will subconsciously think you are only placating her."

As he said that, Lokkishi raised her head and looked at Allen, her pupils widening slightly. Light filtered through the gaps between the leaves and fell upon her eyes, making the deep blue lakes shimmer with rippling light.

Allen's gaze lingered on Lokkishi's eyes for a moment before he turned and walked away. The rest of his unfinished words drifted through the air to their ears.

"Her eye color is so beautiful. You could praise her eyes instead."

He sounded as though it were only natural.

The sound of the blade shaking the air grew loud again, yet it only made everyone present seem all the quieter.

Rudy swallowed hard and laboriously shifted his gaze away from Allen toward Lokkishi at his side.

She was tugging at the stray hair before her forehead, her face flushed as she muttered,

"What was that? Such smooth talk."

Before her voice could travel beyond the two of them, the wind scattered it.

Rudy fell silent for a moment at the sight, then gritted his teeth and decided to change the subject directly.

". By the way, Teacher, when you leave in a few days, are you going to continue with the plan to adventure in the dungeons near the Dragon King Mountain Range?"

Lokkishi glanced at Allen, who was swinging his sword with raised arms, then looked up at the sky.

"Yes... that is the plan."

Rudy tentatively said,

"Then, for the next ten years, will Teacher remain on the Central Continent? Or...?"

Lokkishi thought for a while after hearing that, then answered hesitantly,

"Come to think of it, there are not many adventurer commissions on the Central Continent for earning extra money. I will probably travel and adventure while continuing to improve my magic, and take on some tutoring work to support myself. Ten years is too long. I cannot think that far ahead yet."

"I see... I think Teacher could stay on the Central Continent the whole time. Then perhaps, once I grow up, I could become a member of Teacher's adventurer team too."

". But I suggest you first study further at Magic University before considering becoming an adventurer, Rudy."

A smile bloomed across Rudy's face.

"Then it's settled. I'll go study at Magic University first, then form an adventurer team with Teacher!"

". Say that after you graduate from Magic University."

Rudy chuckled.

"But why is Teacher so determined to be an adventurer and explore dungeons? I think you could teach at Magic University instead. Then, after I get there, perhaps Teacher could still be the one teaching me magic."

Somewhat embarrassed, Lokkishi rubbed her foot against the grass.

"Determined to be an adventurer... well, do not... judge me by my figure. I have dreams of romance too. Perhaps one day... a young man full of masculine charm, tall in stature, but with a youthful expression, will save me in the depths of a dungeon. Then... we will become adventurers who rely on each other, slowly develop feelings, and then..."

Lokkishi suddenly froze halfway through, involuntarily turning to look at Allen beside her.

The blade descended once again.

"139!"

Sylphy's elven ears had been listening closely to Rudy and Lokkishi's conversation from not far away. At that moment, even her expression became grave as she looked at Allen.

Rudy, meanwhile, had gone completely blank. He stiffly turned to look at Allen, appearing as though he were about to cry.

Full of masculine charm, tall, with a youthful expression, and a young adventurer. Look, there's someone freshly made who perfectly fits Lokkishi's standards for choosing a mate. What a coincidence. Damn it! I never should have agreed to Paul's request for him to become my swordsmanship teacher.

The surroundings fell quiet, with only sword and wind intertwining.

Allen had been about to continue swinging his sword when he suddenly noticed that everyone had fallen silent. He stopped and looked around at the three of them.

Only to discover that they were all staring at him.

He paused, then asked,

"?? Uh, what's wrong? Why are you all looking at me?"