"This book is my first gift to you as your teacher, Cain."
Roxy smiled and spoke in a grown-up tone, raising her wineglass.
Cain smiled helplessly, pressed his lips together, and nodded. He tucked his teacher's precious gift into his clothes, clinked glasses with her, and drained his drink.
This is a huge help. Cain's Chantless Casting had come from a system gift pack. As long as he could picture a spell and say its name, he could cast it without an incantation. Honestly, the only things limiting his magic were his hands and his Magic Power.
And every time he grew proficient with a spell, his casting speed improved, sometimes even his Magic Power and the spell's strength.
The Grand Grimoire also covered Advanced Healing Magic and detoxification magic. He had heard that Advanced Healing Magic could restore someone's condition in an instant. For a close-range fighter like Cain, it was a tremendous advantage.
Cain truly had no idea how to thank Roxy anymore.
I should prepare a proper gift for her in return.
With that thought, Cain set down his glass and pushed the bulging money pouch toward her.
"But we should still split the money evenly, Teacher Roxy..."
"No. A hundred Asura Gold Coins is already plenty for me. Really, Cain, please take it. Otherwise, I'll feel so uneasy that I might be too guilty to keep adventuring with you. And besides, in the future..."
Roxy's voice trailed off, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
"I mean, we'll have plenty more chances to adventure and earn money together... So please, let's divide it this way. Then my conscience will be clear."
Cain sighed softly.
"All right, then. How about I take a hundred Asura Gold Coins too?"
"But that won't—"
"Please hear me out, Teacher Roxy. The remaining hundred will be our shared money, for emergencies."
Cain tucked the small pouch of coins into his clothes and placed the large, bulging pouch of Aras Gold Coins in Roxy's arms.
Of course, our shared money should be kept by my adorable teacher Roxy.
He would feel more at ease with his foolish teacher holding it. Besides, money was just a matter of cutting down a few more Red Dragons for him. It was not especially hard to earn.
"No, I can't. I'd still feel guilty... Listen to me. Aren't you my student, Cain?"
Roxy stuffed the large pouch back into Cain's arms and snatched up the small one.
"And what would I do with that much money? It'd just make me a target. You're the Sword God, Cain. I feel safer with you keeping it."
Roxy blinked at him, her expression firm as she clutched the small pouch of coins tightly to her chest.
"All right. I really can't win an argument with you, Teacher Roxy..."
After a moment's thought, Cain could only give up. If Roxy refused to take it, there was nothing he could do. He pressed his lips together, put the pouch away, and turned to a serious matter.
"By the way, Teacher Roxy, have you made any enemies lately?"
Roxy had enjoyed a couple of drinks and was in a fine mood as she hugged the little cloth pouch of Asura Gold Coins. At Cain's question, she looked at him in confusion.
"Made enemies? Hmm. I've been at the Adventurers' Guild lately, and apart from you, Cain, I don't think I've had much contact with anyone."
Before meeting Cain, Roxy had asked various adventuring parties if she could join them. They had all turned her down for the same surprising reason: their parties did not take children...
"I see..." Cain frowned slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"When you left the palace just now, Teacher Roxy, I noticed someone trying to assassinate you."
Roxy's pupils contracted. Her wineglass tilted, nearly falling from her hand.
"W-what? Assassinate me?! Why? Cain, you're joking, right?!"
Anyone would find that hard to believe. But Cain was not lying. It was the truth. He met Roxy's anxious gaze and shook his head firmly.
"I'm not joking. I dragged him out and killed him, but I couldn't get any reliable information from him. If you have enemies, Teacher Roxy, please don't hide it from me. I'll deal with them for you."
My student really is dependable. But...
Roxy pursed her lips. She was a law-abiding student at Magic University. Being a member of the Demon Race already made her careful enough; she would never go out of her way to provoke anyone...
"H-how could I have enemies? Lately, I've either been at the Adventurers' Guild or with you. I haven't joined anyone else's party in a long time."
Seeing her earnest expression, Cain nodded slightly.
Ah. Then was it the King and Darius...?
But they wouldn't have tried to assassinate Teacher Roxy in their own palace, right in front of me... They couldn't be that stupid.
Either way, I need to be wary of the King and Darius. They're highly suspicious. That North King was probably employed by the royal family.
But what's their motive? Teacher Roxy is just a student at Magic University, and a talented mage at that. If it were the King, he should be recruiting her, not assassinating her. Do they hate the Demon Race? But I'm a demon too.
The King and Darius clearly had no motive, but they remained highly suspicious. Who knew what peculiar tastes those disgusting nobles might have?
Cain frowned as he thought about it, unable to keep regret from creeping in.
I shouldn't have killed that North King in a fit of anger. If I'd cut off his limbs and brought him back, I might've gotten something useful out of him. Should I go back? They're probably prepared by now, and all I have is suspicion, not solid proof...
Cain decided to capture someone for questioning next time. With the enemy hidden and him out in the open, information was vital.
Roxy watched Cain deep in thought, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. She pressed her lips together.
"C-Cain, what should I do..." Roxy's eyes dimmed slightly. She had never expected something like this. Being targeted for assassination was terrifying, but she truly could not think of anyone powerful she had offended.
Of course, she did not believe Cain would lie to her. He was the Sword God; he had no reason to deceive a mere Saint Rank mage. After spending so many days together, she trusted his character. When they fought the Red Dragon, Cain had even entrusted his life to her.
Seeing the worry on his teacher's face, Cain gave her a gentle smile.
"Don't worry, Teacher Roxy. I'll do everything I can to protect you. I swear it on my name as the Second Sword God, Cain."
Roxy looked at Cain's smile and felt some of her tension ease. At a time like this, having the Sword God as her student was truly reassuring.
"Thank you, Cain." Roxy gave him a small, relieved smile.
"It's all right. Leave it to me. Besides, I told you I'd deal with your enemies."
Anyone can make promises, though. There'll be times when I can't be at Teacher Roxy's side, so I need help.
Cain stood and swept a serious gaze around the room. His eyes settled on Zoldat and his fellow adventurers, who were drinking heartily at the banquet.
"Zoldat, does your adventuring party need anyone?"
"Huh? Cain? Is something up?"
Cain walked over to Zoldat, studied him for a few seconds, and pressed his lips together.
"What is it? Just tell me."
"Well, here's what happened..."
Cain briefly explained the attempt on Roxy's life.
"So Teacher Roxy and I will join you. But when I'm not around, please help protect her. Of course, we won't just be members in name without doing any work."
"I see. That's fine. But what kind of enemy attacked Roxy?"
"A King-class practitioner of the North God Style."
The corner of Zoldat's eye twitched hard. A North King? Cain really thought highly of him...
"S-so you mean a North King... Cain, you're handing me quite a problem. If there's just one, I can barely hold my own for a while."
Cain saw the hesitation in Zoldat's eyes and shook his head.
"Don't worry. I'll train you in Swordsmanship and help you become a King-class Swordsman. If you have the talent and want to learn, I can even pass on my Sword God Style to you."
Cain was not much of a teacher, but now was the time to do everything he could. He was determined to protect Roxy.
Zoldat was tempted. He nodded reluctantly, a smile tugging at his lips.
And this guy says he isn't into little girls. For Roxy's safety, he's willing to teach me the Swordsmanship he prides himself on without holding anything back? Swordsmanship from the Second Sword God... I can't wait.
Before you continue