Demon Emperor Sword God

Roxy blinked her bright blue eyes at the brown ceiling. A smile tugged at her lips, though worry creased her brow.

She wanted Cain to stay with her as her apprentice. They could adventure together, explore labyrinths together, then enjoy a romantic life until he came of age. After that, she could consider other things.

Of course, Roxy had no plans to find a partner just yet. She longed for adventure and loved exploring labyrinths. If she got married, she probably wouldn't be able to do that anymore.

But Cain was far too talented. It had only been a few days, and he had already learned nearly half her spells, all through Chantless Casting. Even compound magic...

"Ah, aside from that Saint Rank spell, I don't think I can really be Cain's magic teacher anymore..."

Roxy smiled, feeling strangely at peace. They simply belonged to different worlds. Cain was a true genius, destined to become famous across the continent. Once he graduated, she would be better off returning to Magic University, finishing her studies, and then setting out on adventures again.

Roxy, who had once thought herself a genius, had lost her confidence. Her ridiculously talented apprentice had even left her feeling a little withdrawn...

Still, she had learned humility. It wasn't as if she had gained nothing.

"Chantless Casting..." Roxy raised a small hand toward the ceiling and blinked her blue eyes.

She certainly couldn't cast spells as instantly as Cain, but she could try other approaches, such as shortening incantations to reduce the time before a spell took effect.

"Yes. Once I'm back at Magic University, I'll focus my research on that. And... apologize to my teacher..."

Roxy pressed her lips together. She remembered arguing with her teacher, Jinas, and her eyes trembled as her nose stung.

She understood how he had felt back then. Having an apprentice who surpassed you really was a headache, especially when that apprentice was such a wonderful person.

"I really do owe my teacher an apology..."

With that thought, Roxy looked toward the other bed beside hers.

"Wait, wasn't this supposed to be a single room? Why are there two beds?! Could it be..."

Roxy's face flushed. That Zoldat... had he noticed something? Should she have her apprentice use the Divine Rank Blade of Light on him?

Knock, knock, knock!

Roxy, curled up on the bed hugging a pillow, jolted at the sound. She pressed her lips together, her face turning even redder.

"Teacher, are you all right...?"

Outside, Cain blinked his brown eyes as he asked. Roxy had seemed to want to tell him something earlier, but for some reason, she had blushed and said nothing.

But why had she blushed? Did she have a cold? No, wait! Could neither detoxification nor healing magic cure a cold?

He had to protect his teacher. If she was trying to tough it out...

Cain lowered the hand he had used to knock and gently gripped the hilt of his sword. Then he remembered he would probably have to pay for breaking the inn's door and abandoned the idea.

Worry had clouded his judgment. Cain shook his head, regained his senses, and let go of the sword with a self-mocking smile.

What am I thinking? Roxy is a Saint Rank mage. She isn't that fragile.

"If nothing's wrong, Teacher Roxy, please knock once. If you need help, knock twice. I'll head back to my room, but don't worry—I'll be right there. If anything happens, I'll protect you..."

The knock he expected never came. Instead, the door creaked open, and Roxy peeked out, her cute face set in an attempt at composure.

"N-nothing's wrong. I just wanted to... wish you good night, Cain."

"I see."

Cain watched Roxy's shy gaze dart away as she began twirling a strand of blue hair around her finger. He smiled faintly.

So that's all. She could've just said it. Why be so shy?

Of course, as her apprentice, he should have said it first. How could he make his adorable teacher take the initiative?

Cain gave Roxy a gentle smile and waved.

"Good night, Teacher Roxy."

"G-good night, Cain."

Roxy stole another look at his handsome young face, and her cheeks grew hotter. Her foolish apprentice really was a handsome boy in the making. When he grew up, girls would surely flock to him.

"W-well, I'll see you tomorrow, Cain. Please don't forget our promise."

Roxy pressed her lips together and gazed at Cain as if she wanted to commit his face to memory forever. Then she slowly closed the door.

"Right, our promise... Ah! I almost forgot. I'm exploring a labyrinth with Teacher Roxy tomorrow!"

Cain hurried back to his room, washed up, and climbed into bed. He needed a good rest before entering the labyrinth with Roxy tomorrow. It would also give him a chance to test his magic.

Roxy leaned back against the door and sank to the floor, hugging her knees, her face burning. It took a long time for the emotions churning inside her to settle.

She patted her flushed cheeks and looked at the full moon outside the window.

Moonlight fell over her like a silvery cloak. Roxy stared blankly at the moon, unsure what had come over her. At last, her eyes fluttered, and she murmured toward it.

"My foolish apprentice..."

The next day, at four in the morning.

Cain let out a long yawn and rolled his shoulders and neck, making them crack.

Today was the day he would explore a labyrinth with Roxy, but he still had to do his daily training.

That included swinging his sword, the most basic and important way to grow stronger. It primarily increased and refined his Battle Aura. Though Cain could no longer feel any obvious increase in its total amount, he couldn't let his body get rusty.

Cain got dressed and began practicing sword swings in the open space outside the inn. There was no sun at four in the morning, only a hazy silver-gray light. A few disciplined people were out running through the streets.

This time, though, something seemed different.

[Sword-swing proficiency +1, total Battle Aura +0.01]

[Sword-swing proficiency +1, total Battle Aura +0.02]

[Sword-swing proficiency +1, total Battle Aura +0.01]

Did my system upgrade?! Swinging my sword never did this before.

Cain stared at the transparent blue screen in confusion. Then he spotted a line of small text at the bottom and found his answer.

[Host has reached Emperor-class mage level. Dual Emperor-class title unlocked: Demon Emperor Sword God!]

[Permanent world blessing acquired: Mana-Martial Conflux]

[Mana-Martial Conflux: The host's total Magic Power and Battle Aura are connected and can be converted into one another. Through effort, the host can continually surpass his limits in both. The higher of their two totals determines the upper limit for both, and this upper limit is not restricted by race.]

[Assessment: Otherworldly technology, kid.]

Damn, that's awesome.

So it's like opening up my energy channels? Does that mean the system removed the limiter on my growth?

Cain nodded slightly and resumed swinging his sword in high spirits. Even if his potential was limitless, surely there was a ceiling somewhere.

Then let's see what your upper limit is, system. Cain kept swinging, but a woman's voice sounded behind him, stopping his hand.

"Cain? Oh, are you training?"

Cain turned and was a little surprised to see Roxy fully dressed, her magic staff in hand.

"Good morning, Teacher. Why are you up so early today?"

"Ahem. G-good morning, Cain."

Roxy coughed twice without thinking. At the sight of Cain's gentle smile, her cheeks warmed. Faint shadows showed beneath her eyes.

"Well, we agreed to explore the labyrinth together today, so I got up a little early."

In truth, Roxy had barely slept. She kept thinking about her foolish apprentice saying he would protect her. She wasn't used to anyone caring so much about her, and she couldn't understand why Cain did.

That lack of sleep had left her feeling a little unwell.

She was also troubled and uneasy. She didn't know what she could do in return for his promise to protect her.

Should I teach Cain that Saint Rank spell?

No. If I do, he'll leave me... I can't teach him yet. At least... at least not for another six months. Maybe a year.

Roxy pressed her lips together. She wanted more time with Cain, her genius apprentice.

Of course, she couldn't act too strangely. She was his teacher, and Cain was her apprentice.