Joining the Thunder Adventurer Group

Joining the Thunder Adventurer Group

This book is my first gift to you, Cain.

Roxy smiled with an adult's air, raising the cup in her hand.

Cain smiled helplessly, pressed his lips together, and nodded silently. He tucked Roxy's precious gift into his chest, raised his cup to clink against hers, and drank it down in one gulp.

It was a huge help. Cain's chantless casting was a system bonus—it had the trait of needing no chant, allowing him to cast anything just by picturing the magic in his mind and speaking its name. To tell the truth, the only things limiting his magic besides his two hands were his mana reserves.

Furthermore, every time he skillfully used a spell, his casting speed, mana pool, and spell intensity would increase.

This grand grimoire even covered advanced healing magic and detoxification magic. He had heard that advanced healing magic could instantly restore a person's condition, which was like giving wings to a tiger for a close-combat fighter like Cain.

Truly, Cain no longer knew how to thank Teacher Roxy.

It seemed he needed to prepare a proper gift in return.

Thinking this, Cain set down his cup and pushed the bulging money bag across the table.

Even so, the money should still be split fifty-fifty, Teacher Roxy...

No, taking one hundred Asura gold coins is already plenty. Really, Cain, you take it. Otherwise, I'll feel terribly uneasy, and in the end, my guilt might keep me from forming an adventurer party with you. Besides, in the future...

As Roxy spoke on, her voice grew a little soft, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

I mean in the future, don't we have plenty of chances to adventure and make money together like this? So please divide it this way, it will set my mind at ease.

Hearing this, Cain sighed softly.

All right then, how about I take one hundred Asura gold coins as well.

How can that do...

Please let me finish, Teacher Roxy. Let's treat the remaining one hundred coins as our shared fund, to be used for emergencies.

As he spoke, Cain tucked the small pouch of coins into his chest and placed the large, bulging bag of Aras gold coins into Roxy's lap.

Naturally, their shared fund had to be kept by his adorable Teacher Roxy.

Leaving it with his clumsy teacher gave Cain some peace of mind. Besides, as for money, to him it was just a matter of hacking down a few more red dragons—it wasn't particularly hard to earn.

No, absolutely not, even so I'll still feel guilty... Listen to me, aren't you my student, Cain...

Roxy shoved the large bag of money back into Cain's chest and snatched up the small pouch.

Besides, what would I even want with that much money? It would just make me a target. You're the Sword God, Cain, I'll feel safe leaving it with you.

Roxy blinked, her expression resolute as she tightly shielded the small pouch of coins against her chest.

Alright, I really can't argue with Teacher Roxy...

After a moment of contemplation, Cain had no choice but to give up. Since Teacher Roxy refused to take it, there was nothing he could do. Pressing his lips together, he accepted the money bag and steered the conversation to business.

That's right, Teacher Roxy, have you made any enemies lately?

Roxy, who was in a great mood after two drinks and cradling the small cloth bag filled with Asura gold coins, looked at Cain with slight confusion upon hearing his question.

Made enemies? Well, I've been at the Adventurers' Guild this whole time, and aside from you, Cain, I don't think I've interacted with anyone.

Of course, before meeting Cain, Roxy had asked about joining various adventurer parties, but she had been rejected every time. The reason had been astonishingly consistent: their groups didn't take children...

Is that so... Cain frowned slightly.

What is it?

Well, Teacher Roxy, when we left the royal palace just now, I noticed someone trying to assassinate you.

Roxy's pupils constricted, and the cup in her hand nearly tipped over onto the floor.

Eh? Assassinate me?! Why? You're not joking, are you, Cain?!

Naturally, anyone would find such a claim hard to believe, but Cain wasn't lying. This was the truth. Meeting Roxy's anxious gaze, he shook his head with a firm look.

I'm not joking. I dragged that person out and killed him, but I couldn't get any reliable information out of his mouth. If Teacher Roxy has any enemies, please don't hide it—tell me, and I'll solve it for you.

Her disciple was truly reliable. Still...

Roxy pressed her lips together. As a law-abiding student of the Magic University, she had already been extra cautious simply because of her Demon Race identity, making it impossible for her to provoke anyone on purpose...

How, how could I have enemies? Lately, aside from being inside the Adventurers' Guild, I've been with you. I haven't formed a party with anyone else for a very long time.

Seeing Roxy's earnest expression, Cain nodded slightly.

Ah, so it's the king and Darius...

Yet they surely wouldn't carry out an assassination right inside their own palace, and with him standing right there, would they? They couldn't possibly be that stupid.

In any case, he had to be on guard against the king and Darius; they were prime suspects. After all, that North King was likely hired by the royalty.

But what was the motive? Teacher Roxy was merely a student at the Magic University, and a exceptionally talented mage at that. If it were the king, he should have tried to recruit her rather than assassinate her. Was it hatred for the Demon Race? But he himself was a demon, too.

Clearly, the king and Darius lacked a clear motive, but their suspicion remained high. Who knew if those disgusting nobles harbored any special quirks?

Thinking this, Cain frowned slightly, a twinge of regret welling up inside him.

If he had known, he wouldn't have killed that North King in a fit of anger. If he had severed the man's limbs and dragged him back, he probably could have squeezed some useful intelligence out of him. Should he go back? By now they had probably made preparations, and besides, this was only suspicion without substantive proof...

Cain decided to capture a live tongue next time. With the enemy in the dark and him in the light, intelligence was crucial.

Watching Cain fall into thought with his fingers lightly tapping on the table, Roxy pressed her lips together.

Cai—Cain, what should I do... Roxy's eyes dimmed slightly. She had never expected to run into something like this. Being targeted for assassination was genuinely terrifying, yet Roxy truly couldn't think of any big shot she might have offended.

Of course, she didn't believe Cain would lie to her. After all, he was the Sword God; he had no reason to deceive a lowly Saint Rank mage like her. Besides, through all their days together, she trusted his character. When they slayed the red dragon, Cain had practically entrusted his life to her.

Seeing Teacher Roxy's uneasy expression, Cain smiled faintly.

Don't worry, Teacher Roxy, I will do everything in my power to protect you. I swear it to you by the name of Second Sword God Cain.

Hearing this and looking at the smile on Cain's face, Roxy let out a breath of relief. At times like this, her Sword God disciple was truly reassuring.

Thank you, Cain. Roxy gave Cain a reassuring, gentle smile.

It's fine, leave it to me. Besides, I said I would take care of Teacher Roxy's enemies.

Of course, anyone could talk a big game. There would undoubtedly be times when he wasn't by Teacher Roxy's side, which meant he needed helpers.

Cain stood up, swept his gaze seriously across the surroundings, and locked eyes on Zoldat and his party members drinking heartily at the banquet.

Zoldat, does your adventurer party need any people?

Eh? Cain? Is something the matter?

Cain walked over to Zoldat, studied him for a few seconds, and pressed his lips together.

What's wrong? Just tell me if there's an issue.

Well, it's like this...

Cain briefly explained how Roxy had almost been assassinated.

Anyway, Teacher Roxy and I will be joining your group. But when I'm not around, please help me protect her. Of course, we won't just hold title without pulling our weight.

Is that so? No problem. But what kind of enemy attacked Roxy?

A King-class North God Style user.

Zoldat's eye twitched violently. The North King? Cain really thought highly of him...

Y—You mean the North King... Cain, you've really handed me a hot potato. I could barely manage to deal with a guy like that for a short while.

Cain caught the hesitation in Zoldat's eyes and shook his head slightly.

Don't worry, I will guide your swordsmanship and train you to become a King-class Swordsman. As long as your talent is sufficient and you want to learn, I can even pass down my Sword God Style to you.

Though Cain wasn't particularly good at teaching, this was the moment he had to give it his all. He was determined to protect Roxy.

Zoldat was somewhat tempted. He smiled helplessly, the corners of his mouth curving upward.

And this guy claimed he wasn't a lolicon. For the sake of that Roxy's safety, he was willing to impart his prized swordsmanship without reservation? The technique of the Second Sword God, huh... I look forward to it.