"Did you never think about what you'd do if Roxy fell for someone else during those ten-odd years?! Wouldn't your priceless Dragon Jade have gone to waste?"
"A crush that could vanish at any moment, or a fortune that would set you up for life plus a top-tier ally—anyone would choose the latter, wouldn't they?"
Cain froze for a moment. Seeing the seriousness and faint disappointment on Zoldat's face, he realized the man was looking out for him. Most of his anger faded.
Of course, Cain had never regretted giving Roxy the Dragon Jade, nor would he ask for it back. It belonged to her now. He had given it to her for her safety, not to win her affection.
"Sorry, Zoldat. I got a little worked up."
Cain scratched his cheek, then looked earnestly at Zoldat on the ground. He offered a sincere apology and held out his hand.
"It's fine. I've seen this sort of thing happen, so I thought I should tell you. Those things... tsk. I've watched them play out right in front of me. Honestly, I think you two have a good chance, but I still need to warn you about the problems."
Zoldat smiled faintly, took Cain's hand, and stood up. He patted Cain's shoulder as the boy's expression softened.
Cain nodded slightly and met Zoldat's gaze, his eyes still resolute.
"But even if Roxy doesn't like me someday, or falls for someone else, I won't ask for the Dragon Jade back."
"I gave it to her to keep her safe, and because I sincerely respect and admire her. Of course my feelings for her were part of it, but that has nothing to do with whether she likes me."
"Once I've given something away, it's given away! I, Cain, the Second Sword God, won't take back a gift—especially one I gave to Roxy. I swore on my name that I'd protect her. I have my pride."
Zoldat looked at Cain, whose gaze was as firm as ever, and couldn't help laughing.
"Honestly, that's youth for you. Then again, Cain's only twelve. Being hot-blooded isn't always a bad thing."
What an honest fool of a Sword God. He's my kind of fool, though. Smiling, Zoldat patted Cain's shoulder.
Then came a clatter.
Cain turned in confusion. A petite figure with two blue braids was fleeing through the inn's doors, her hands covering her scarlet cheeks. A water jug lay where she had accidentally knocked it over.
That was Roxy...
Wait. Don't tell me Zoldat...
Cain seemed to realize what had happened. His mouth twitched as he turned back to Zoldat's amused grin.
That bastard must have seen her there all along! Roxy was right over there!
Cain was acutely sensitive to killing intent and danger, but as a result, he was rather slow to notice people and presences that posed no threat.
"Heh. She ran off blushing." Zoldat folded his arms, looking ready to enjoy the show.
"So you said all that on purpose..."
"Of course. Why else would I risk getting beaten up by you?"
Cain pressed his lips together.
"Why...?"
Zoldat folded his arms and gave a helpless smile.
"Heh. Neither of you wanted to say how you felt. As your captain, I had to give you a push."
With that, Zoldat spread his hands, as if to say there was no need to thank him.
Cain's eye twitched. The bastard just wanted to watch the drama...
My drama with Roxy...
Cain slowly pulled two Wooden Swords from the snow and handed one to Zoldat, wearing an almost kindly smile.
The result was that Cain put Zoldat through extra training until nightfall.
That night, after training until evening, Cain sat in his room reading a book of magic to deepen his memory of the spells. With the system's help, learning magic came easily to him anyway.
Roxy hadn't come by tonight...
I'm not happy.
Cain pouted, twirled the pen in his hand, and closed the spellbook with a sigh.
Roxy gets embarrassed so easily, and Zoldat tricked me into saying all that. He obviously wanted her to hear how I really felt and force her to choose.
Cain decided he would give Zoldat more extra training tomorrow! Until he became a Sword King! Yes, it was for his own good. There was absolutely no other reason.
Knock, knock, knock!
Just then, Cain heard a knock at the door.
"Even if you apologize, I won't forgive you, Zoldat."
Cain sighed and pulled the door open.
Then he froze.
It wasn't Zoldat on the other side. It was his teacher, Roxy.
Roxy wore white pajamas and held a large white pillow against her chest, her cheeks flushed. Her soft blue hair hung loose, still dotted with droplets of water. She looked like a lotus fresh from the water, her lips pressed together and tiny beads of water on her lovely face. She seemed to have just bathed.
Roxy pressed her lips tighter and hugged the pillow closer. She looked at the stunned Cain with shy, timid eyes, a hint of unease in their blue depths.
Cute. Beautiful. Pure. That little tuft of hair.
Cain scratched his slightly warm cheek.
"R-Roxy, what are you...?"
"Cain... I can't sleep..."
Roxy's soft voice held a trace of fear and a tentative hope.
"Um, Cain... can I come in?"
"O-of course you can..."
Cain pressed his lips together and stepped aside.
"Thank you..." Clutching her pillow, Roxy bowed slightly and walked into the room.
How could Roxy possibly forget Cain...?
That morning, she had come out to ask Cain for some rock sugar to dissolve in water. She had heard every word.
She didn't know how to prove her feelings, so all she could do was express them in the most direct way...
Even if someone might call her shameless... or say something worse...
Roxy didn't want to miss her chance again. She wanted to fight for him while her foolish pupil was still beside her, before some other wicked woman stole him away...
Roxy pressed her lips together and fought down her embarrassment. She blinked her timid eyes and looked around the room. Sure enough, it was a double room, with two beds.
Yes, my dear pupil. For the sake of your hopeless teacher, please use the Divine Rank Blade of Light on that bastard Zoldat.
Hugging her large white pillow, Roxy sat on the bed by the wall. The orange Dragon Jade necklace still rested against her slender, pale neck. She glanced at Cain on the opposite bed, where he was scratching his reddened cheek, and felt a little uneasy.
What if I've got it wrong...?
No, that's almost impossible!
She knew how precious the Dragon Jade was. Cain had given her something like that, and Roxy no longer knew how to repay him. She couldn't think of any way to repay everything he had done for her except to offer herself.
Though Roxy didn't think her body was particularly attractive...
"C-Cain, don't misunderstand. I only came to help you study magic, and... stay here while I'm at it. Yes, that's all. Of course, if it makes you uncomfortable or you mind, I'll leave."
"R-right. I don't mind staying with you, Roxy. I just don't know if you... Of course, I won't do anything inappropriate to you. I promise."
Cain stumbled over his words. More importantly, he was relieved Roxy hadn't come to hate him because of Zoldat's antics.
"I see. I-I don't mind either... But please don't do anything improper to me, Cain... You're still a minor, after all..."
Before you continue