Sylphiette

"You really didn't hold back!" Rudeus said to Radeus.

"Why would I? If we don't teach those guys a harsh lesson, they'll grow up to be scum!" Radeus said as though it were only natural.

"Like a pervert who steals girls' panties?" Rudeus gave Radeus a sidelong look.

"No... what the hell are you talking about!"

Radeus first nodded, then caught on and gave Rudeus a loving iron fist.

"That hurt like hell!"

Rudeus rubbed his head, feeling a lump starting to form.

Afterward, the two walked toward the child.

"Are you okay?" Rudeus asked.

Hearing his voice, the child slowly turned to look at them.

Hidden beneath the filthy hood was a handsome face that left both of them marveling. Radeus swore he had never seen such a beautiful boy.

He had beautiful, ruby-like eyes, a slender frame, and a straight shoulder line. His body was still trembling as he looked pitifully at them, a trace of surprise hidden in his eyes.

If an older woman who liked pretty little boys saw him like this, she could polish off several bowls of rice without any side dishes. Even a man's heart would flutter! Rudeus thought.

And if the two were to rate him on a scale from peak to trash, the boy before them was peak beyond belief!

"Mm..."

The boy's voice was soft and sweet, sounding a little like Roxy's.

Rudeus reached out and pulled him up from the ground.

"Bend down a little!"

The boy froze for a moment, but obediently bent over.

"This kid's so well-behaved! I feel like we went too easy on them earlier! Should we go beat them up again?"

Seeing such an obedient child bullied like this by a bunch of brats made Radeus's anger flare again.

"Huh?"

The boy was stunned by Radeus's ferocious words.

"Forget it, forget it. They're only kids. We can just beat them up again next time!"

Rudeus sounded as though he were trying to dissuade him, but was actually fanning the flames.

Rudeus had no fondness whatsoever for bullies like that, especially ones who picked on such an obedient, beautiful boy.

"Huh???"

The boy felt as though he had just escaped a wolf's den only to enter a tiger's jaws.

A Water Ball appeared over Rudeus's hand. Having already witnessed the power of their Water Balls, the boy was so frightened that he tried to run, but Rudeus held him back.

"N-no..."

"Close your eyes!"

Rudeus pulled down the boy's hood and let the water trickle from the Water Ball, washing the dirt from the boy's hair and face.

The water was warm, heated with fire magic. Its temperature was controlled well enough that it wouldn't cause any discomfort.

"You'll have to wash your clothes at home!"

"All done!"

Rudeus spoke after washing the dirt off him.

Only then did the boy realize that the two meant him no harm, and he thanked them.

"Th-thank you!"

Mm-hmm, what a likable kid!

The boy rose another notch in Rudeus's estimation.

Only then, however, did the two notice the boy's hair color. It was emerald green!

Radeus and Rudeus both froze and opened a private team chat.

Hey, hey, hey, emerald-green hair!

Could he be from the Superd Tribe?

That can't be right. Could it really be such a coincidence? Didn't she say they had rubies on their foreheads? Check again, Rudeus!

Rudeus carefully examined the boy before him, but found none of the ruby Roxy had described, only a fair, unblemished forehead.

Rudeus also noticed that he seemed to belong to the Long-Ear Race, with ears like an elf's.

There isn't one. Looks like he isn't. So this is an elf? This is my first time seeing one, Rudeus said to Radeus.

Then we're fine!

Radeus also breathed a sigh of relief. If the boy really belonged to the Superd Tribe of rumor, Radeus wouldn't know what to do.

I'll leave drying this kid's hair to you! Rudeus said.

Huh? Can't you finish the good deed yourself? Radeus asked.

Doesn't this also give you a chance to practice Compound Magic? Quit complaining and give it a try! Rudeus looked at Radeus and pointed at the boy.

"Sigh!"

"Stay still. I'll dry your hair!"

Radeus walked up to the boy and placed a hand over his head.

Then warm air flowed from Radeus's hand, drying the boy's hair little by little.

"Aren't you scared of me after seeing what I look like?" the boy asked them.

"It's fine. Our teacher is from the Demon Race too, so it's not much of an issue. By the way, are you from the Demon Race too?"

Rudeus posed the question to the boy, who was enjoying hairstylist Radeus's services.

"I-I don't know either. Father says I'm not from the Demon Race. Father is half elf, but my hair is a different color from both Father's and Mother's..."

As he spoke, the boy looked ready to cry. His eyes reddened, and tears welled in them.

Hey, look what you've done! Radeus scolded Rudeus.

Sure enough, the boy burst into tears the next second.

"It's okay, it's okay!"

With no other recourse, Radeus patted his head to comfort him. It took quite a while before the boy stopped crying.

The three chatted as they walked along the road.

"By the way, why did you save me?"

The boy timidly asked them, his voice so quiet they really couldn't make it out unless they listened carefully.

"Because I'm a Kamen Rider of justice!" Radeus struck a Rider pose.

"Heh..."

Rudeus was speechless. This guy was so caught up in his adolescent fantasies!

"Don't listen to that idiot's nonsense. Actually, our father taught us to be allies of the weak."

"But they might ostracize you!"

"Hmph, they should be grateful I'm not ostracizing them. Who do they think they are, trying to ostracize me!"

Radeus wore a haughty expression.

"Then you can play with us when that happens! Starting today, you're our friend!"

Rudeus ignored his older brother, who was in the throes of his adolescent fantasies.

At Rudeus's words, the boy looked astonished, unable to believe what he had heard.

"R-really? Is that okay?"

"Of course!" they both said.

The two answered in unison, without the slightest hesitation.

Looking at the boy's beautiful face, Rudeus thought:

Heh heh heh, if I make friends with this kid, maybe getting a girlfriend will be easy in the future!

You little punk, you're full of wicked schemes! Radeus blasted him.

Why did my thoughts leak out again? Is something wrong with this? It always happens at times like these!

Rudeus was speechless. His passive ability always activated at critical moments.

"Oh, right! I'm Rudeus, and this is my older brother, Radeus. What about you?" Rudeus asked the boy.

The boy nervously rubbed his hands together, his voice trembling a little.

"S-Syl..."

Just then, a gust of wind blew past. Combined with the boy's already quiet voice, it meant neither of them heard him clearly.

"Sylphiette?"

"What a lovely name. It sounds like a wind spirit!" Rudeus complimented Sylphiette.

Sylphiette visibly froze for a moment. He was just about to say something when he heard Rudeus's compliment, and in the end, he nodded and accepted it.

Huh, did this guy hear him clearly? Is it really Sylphiette? But Sylphiette's reaction...

Radeus watched Rudeus, who was still complimenting Sylphiette, feeling somewhat puzzled.

He hadn't heard clearly himself, so why would Rudeus have?

Forget it. It didn't matter. He didn't really feel like thinking!

In the end, Radeus stopped thinking!