A Helping Hand

"Please don't push yourself too hard, Professor Roxy. If you're tired, make sure you get plenty of rest."

As he spoke, Cain gently placed a hand on Roxy's forehead to check her temperature.

Mm, the fever had gone down. Cain let out a sigh of relief, a gratified smile spreading across his face.

Professor really didn't make things easy for people...

"Y-You... what are you doing?!"

Seeing Cain gently touching her forehead, Roxy's face turned as red as a boiling kettle, the flush spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.

"Hm? I was checking whether your fever had gone down, of course?!"

"Hey? Professor, don't push me."

"G-Get out!"

Bang!

Cain pursed his lips and blinked stupidly at the tightly shut door.

"What was that about... Could Professor dislike me? That shouldn't be it."

Cain tilted his head in confusion. He didn't think he had done anything that would make his professor dislike him...

After closing the door, Roxy crouched down, covered her burning face, and buried her head between her knees. Her eyes spun into circles, and she was too embarrassed to say a word.

"Idiot Cain..."

"Yo, Cain, why are you out here? How's Roxy?"

Hearing this, Cain, who had been staring at the door with his head tilted in confusion, turned toward Zoldat and Bruce behind him and pursed his lips.

"Professor woke up, and her fever has gone down too, but..."

"What, don't tell me you did something inappropriate and got thrown out."

Seeing the teasing smile on Zoldat's face, Cain honestly would have used the Blade of Light on him if this had been their first day knowing each other.

"Hey, hey, don't look at me like that, Cain. I was only joking. Don't put your hand on your sword hilt, that's dangerous."

"You bastard... Hmph. How could I possibly do something like that to Professor?"

With his arms folded, Cain decided that he would increase the intensity of Zoldat's training next time.

"I-Is that so..."

Inside the house, separated from Cain by only a door and the snow-covered outdoors, Roxy pursed her lips slightly and slowly let out a breath of relief.

Since the hastily built wooden house was rather crude, Zoldat could clearly see the blue ponytail hanging down through the gap beneath the door behind Cain.

Mm, Roxy was... eavesdropping?!

Realizing something, Zoldat gave a wicked grin.

"What? You look disgusting when you smile like that."

Zoldat's mouth twitched hard under Cain's disgusted gaze.

"Hey, don't say something so hurtful!"

I'm doing this for your own good, you blockhead. Don't you even know what kind of feelings your professor has for you? You stupid Sword God whose head is filled with nothing but swordsmanship and magic. Looks like you need guidance from experienced seniors like us.

Zoldat cleared his throat twice and nudged Bruce's shoulder beside him. Bruce had likewise widened his eyes after noticing something.

The two exchanged glances and cleared their throats.

"So, what exactly did you two come here for...?"

Cain blinked at the somewhat comical smiles on their faces, suddenly feeling that something was off.

The corners of their mouths rose. "Hmph, of course we came to hold you accountable." X2

"Huh? What are you two talking about?"

Cain's eye twitched before he curled his lip.

Hold him accountable? They couldn't possibly mean him. After all, he had been one of the main forces in this dungeon expedition, and he had even one-shot the small boss on the twentieth floor. Though he didn't feel there was anything to be proud of; those Demonic Beasts really had been weak.

Zoldat folded his arms and nodded slightly.

"That's true. The moment our esteemed Sword God saw his respected Professor Roxy collapse, he rushed out of the dungeon without stopping. He didn't spare a thought for us teammates who were with him at all."

Cain's mouth twitched.

"You can't put it like that. After I brought Professor Roxy back, I went back to get you guys right away. It wasn't like you said."

"Come on, Cain, stop being modest. When Roxy collapsed, you were as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. You picked her up and charged back without even worrying about stepping on a magic teleportation trap. And you stood guard here for two days. You barely ate anything, did you?"

"O-Of course! Roxy is my professor. It's only natural for me to worry about her safety, and Professor Roxy and I are important partners too. How could I just ignore her when she was sick?"

Cain's face reddened as he explained in a slightly flustered manner. He didn't understand why these two were saying such things. He and Professor Roxy were completely innocent.

Seeing the suspicious expressions on Zoldat and Brook's faces, Cain continued explaining.

"I swore on the honor of the Second Sword God that I would keep Professor safe. Of course I had to give it my all."

Zoldat grinned teasingly and slung an arm around Cain's shoulders.

"It's probably more than that."

Cain folded his arms and stared at Zoldat's comical grin in utter confusion. More than that? Wasn't this the kind of relationship he had with his professor? This relationship should have already surpassed that of ordinary lovers, shouldn't it?

Cain certainly didn't think the relationship between one-night-stand lovers or friends with benefits could surpass the pure bond between him and Professor Roxy as teacher and student, as well as adventuring companions.

Mm, that comparison wasn't quite right. It wasn't that it couldn't surpass it; they simply couldn't be compared at all.

Roxy was his professor. She had taught him so much magic without holding anything back, and she had even bought him expensive magic books. Wasn't it only right that he protect his professor?

Though they had only spent a little over two weeks together, Cain respected this cute, powerful professor who was willing to teach him magic from the bottom of his heart.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

At that moment, the door behind them slowly creaked open.

Roxy poked her little sky-blue-haired head out from behind the door. Shyness filled her blue eyes, and two red patches colored her cheeks.

She had heard everything just now. So this foolish disciple had been guarding her the entire time over the past two days.

Then how... am I supposed to repay him...?

Maybe I already can't repay him at all...

Roxy pursed her lips with complicated feelings and beckoned to Cain.

"C-Cain, could you come in for a moment?"

Cain smiled faintly at the blushing Professor Roxy and walked over.

Behind him, Zoldat and Brook exchanged glances, revealing the knowing smiles of experienced men. They bumped fists, took one last smiling look at Cain's back, then went off to handle their own business.

Entering the room, Cain saw Roxy sitting on the bed in a pure white dress.

Mm, she was as beautiful as an angel. Thinking so, Cain smiled faintly.

"Are you feeling better now, Professor Roxy?" Cain poured a cup of hot water at the wooden table and handed it to Roxy.

"Much, much better."

Roxy held the cup with both hands and took a sip. The warm water carried a faint sweetness. It was warm and pleasant, lifting Roxy's spirits considerably, while the blush on her face faded somewhat.

"Please don't force yourself in the future, or I'll be very troubled." Cain stood before Roxy with his arms folded, looking at the healthy color in her face as he let out a helpless sigh of relief.

When he had first brought Roxy back, her lips had been frighteningly pale. Now, she was clearly much better.

"Sorry. I won't do it again."

Looking at Cain's smile, Roxy hugged a pillow and nodded slightly. She pursed her lips, unconsciously lowered her head, then occasionally stole glances at Cain before finally letting out a soft sigh.

Some things had to be said sooner or later. Roxy hoped Cain could understand her feelings.