A Gift for Teacher Roxy

Cain pointed the jewel in his hand at the Flamebone Dragon Guard and pursed his lips slightly. He knew how to release it, but as for how to put it away, even the clerk over there did not know...

So this rabbit-eared girl had come to cause trouble, right...? If she did not know how to put it away, why did she release it herself?! Was she trying to make him and Teacher Roxy pay for the repairs?

But before Cain could think for long, and without him giving any command to dismiss it or do anything else, the Flamebone Dragon Guard, half-kneeling on the ground, flashed into a streak of golden light and entered the orange jewel. It felt like recalling a Pokémon.

How convenient!

Cain blinked and looked at the jewel in his hand, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

Yes, this should make an excellent protective magic item. It would be just right for Teacher Roxy.

The rabbit-eared girl patted her chest in relief, steadied herself, and looked at the smooth orange jewel in Cain's hand.

"Ahem. Based on my observations just now, Sword God, this must be a dragon relic!"

"A dragon relic?"

"Yes, and one of the rarest summoning types. It was most likely made from the Dragon Jade of an elite Dragon King. Ordinary magic items cannot summon a boss-level Demonic Beast like that, so..."

"Would the Sword God be interested in selling it~?"

Cain slowly closed his hand around the Dragon Jade, blocking the pair of hands reaching for it. He narrowed his eyes at the rabbit-eared woman smiling ingratiatingly before him.

"I thought something felt off from the start. You are not some ordinary shop clerk, are you...?"

Seeing the suspicion in Cain's and Roxy's eyes as she walked to his side, the rabbit-eared woman simply stopped pretending. She cleared her throat twice, lifted the hem of her skirt, and performed an exceptionally elegant noble curtsy.

"My apologies. I never introduced myself."

"My name is Leola Sein, the manager of this branch. Neris Otor is my master."

As she spoke, the rabbit-eared woman proudly raised her chin slightly.

"Huh? Neris Otor?!"

Cain folded his arms and looked at Roxy, who covered her little mouth in shock, somewhat puzzled.

"Teacher Roxy, do you know her?"

"Yes... Neris is the mistress of the Sharia Magic Item Workshop. The magic items she makes are very famous in Sharia City!"

"Hehe, I am her last disciple. So, how about it? Will you sell the Dragon Jade to me? I can offer one thousand Asura Gold Coins! And you will not have to compensate us for the damage to the shop, either."

Leola Sein casually extended one finger and waved it, wearing a smug expression of complete confidence.

"No."

Cain refused decisively and smiled faintly at the astonished Roxy beside him.

Although the price she offered was actually twice the cost of forging magic armor, this Dragon Jade already had an owner.

"Teacher Roxy, this Dragon Jade is my gift to you. Only you deserve to have it."

Cain smiled faintly and placed the Dragon Jade in Roxy's hand.

"W-Wait, this... this is far too precious..." Roxy pursed her lips and looked at Cain, her azure eyes filled with indescribably complicated emotions.

There was no doubt that this Dragon Jade held a fatal allure for every magician. A magic item that could summon a King-class or even Emperor-class guard was something every magician lacking close-combat ability dreamed of, let alone a Dragon Jade!

Roxy would be lying if she said she did not want it. Almost no magician lacking close-combat ability could refuse such temptation.

But this really, truly was too precious... Even if it were sold for money, it would be enough to support someone for several lifetimes. Roxy felt terribly guilty.

"Right! Right! Are you really not going to sell it to me?! I can offer more!"

"I am not selling it to you! This magic item is a return gift for Teacher Roxy!"

Cain folded his arms and curled his lips, his attitude resolute.

With an S-rank Magic Beast like the Flamebone Dragon Guard as her protector, Teacher Roxy's ability to defend herself would improve immensely. Even if he left someday, he could rest assured about her safety. How could he possibly sell something this good?!

Leola's rabbit ears twitched. She pursed her lips with a mournful expression. No matter how bold she was, she would not dare oppose Cain, who had slain three Red Dragons and was known as the Second Sword God, just to seize such an exceedingly rare Dragon Jade.

She could only watch reluctantly from the side as Roxy, whose face had reddened all the way to her ears, smiled with pursed lips and tucked the Dragon Jade into her clothes.

"Wait!"

Cain looked at Leola, whose rabbit ears had perked up, and frowned slightly. What was she trying to do by reaching out to stop them?!

"What is it? I already said I would not sell it. But if you plan to rob us, then I can only be forced to kill you. For that, I can only apologize."

Cain spoke calmly. He was not joking; he was warning her. No one could threaten Teacher Roxy's safety.

Do not say something so scary!

Roxy pursed her lips and gently tugged on Cain's sleeve.

So that was how it was... These two were probably lovers, right...? But even for lovers, this was far too precious!

Leola Sein sighed and looked reluctantly at the orange Dragon Jade clenched tightly in Roxy's hand.

"I understand. I will give up..."

No, you actually wanted to rob us...

The corner of Roxy's eye twitched violently as she looked at Leola Sein, who flicked her rabbit ears and pouted.

"Then give me the Dragon Jade. Of course, I am not going to steal it this time. I just want to turn it into a necklace. After all, you cannot keep pulling it out of your pocket whenever you summon it. That would be inconvenient and would wear it down..."

Roxy sighed and smiled helplessly. After glancing at Cain, who stood with folded arms and nodded slightly, she handed over the orange Dragon Jade with both hands.

Of course, Cain was not worried that she would try anything. He was the Sword God. Against this rabbit-eared girl, who did not even have battle aura, he had more than nine ways to render her unable to move.

In truth, Roxy did not absolutely have to have this Dragon Jade. She felt her own strength was enough to protect herself, but Cain had been so insistent... Well, actually, she really wanted it too...

He was so reliable...

Roxy looked at the necklace Cain had personally placed around her neck. She pursed her lips at him, then smiled sweetly.

The feeling of having someone care about and protect her was truly nice.

"After I leave, let this Dragon Jade protect Teacher Roxy."

Cain returned her smile. Roxy pursed her lips and nodded slightly, but a faint sense of loss rose within her as her hand tightened around her staff.

That was right. Cain, the foolish disciple who made her so proud, would eventually leave her and venture into the outside world...

After all, Cain was still young. He had his own adventures to pursue!

But should she not be happy for him?

Then why...

Why was she so unwilling...

Roxy pursed her lips and forced a smile before finally sighing softly.

Roxy truly did not want Cain to leave.

Cain looked at Roxy gently and smiled helplessly, his eyes touched with emotion.

What if I stayed...

But he could not. He still carried a dream of surpassing the gods—the dream of his master, his own dream, and Teacher Roxy's...

He absolutely could not stop here!

Cain's gaze grew firmer. Both he and Teacher Roxy had things they needed to do, and Teacher Roxy would not like him if he became that pathetic.

Leola puffed out her cheeks, her rabbit ears twitching as she looked at the orange Dragon Jade in Roxy's hand and pursed her lips. She wanted such a powerful summoning magic item too!

She was so jealous!

"We have already paid the deposit. Please take care of the rest, Miss Leola."

"Huh? You are asking that of someone you almost killed, Sword God?"

Cain scratched his head and smiled apologetically.

"Sorry. As long as you do not take Teacher Roxy's things, I will not take your life. Please remember that."

Roxy pursed her lips. Was it because of her again? It seemed that ever since she and Cain had become involved, they had constantly encountered one situation after another. Of course, Cain had resolved most of them in the end...

Leola pursed her lips and let out a heavy, helpless sigh, her rabbit ears drooping slightly.

"I understand, Sword God... But if you ever obtain another Dragon Jade like that, please sell it to me. Any price is fine. I beg you!"

Leola spoke solemnly, lowered her head, and gave a slight bow.

Cain and Roxy exchanged looks, both confused as they watched Leola with her head lowered.

"Why does Miss Leola want a Dragon Jade so badly?"

Could she have some unspeakable reason? Like needing a Dragon Jade to save someone's life or something? Cain blinked as he thought this.

"Because... I am a veteran magic item enthusiast. I especially love collecting precious magic items."

As they looked at Leola's serious expression, Cain's and Roxy's eyes twitched violently.

"You are serious?!"

"That is right! I love magic items!"

Hmm... Was she insane? Who would give her a life-saving magic item just so she could put it in a glass display case as some useless collectible...

Those were things that could save lives in a dungeon...

Cain gripped the hilt of his sword. Honestly, he somewhat wanted to chop someone up...

Roxy hurriedly grabbed Cain's hand, which was trembling slightly on his sword hilt, and pulled him aside.

At the same time, she smiled helplessly at Leola.