The hotel lights were dim and warm, and the sea breeze outside the window gently stirred the curtains, bringing with it the faint sound of ship horns from the distant harbor.
In Luo Ge's room, Nanahoshi and Roxy sat on the edge of the bed, each wearing pajamas.
Nanahoshi was still sleepy, yawning frequently, her hair disheveled and draped over her shoulders.
Roxy was still holding half a loaf of bread she had just swiped from the kitchen, with a few crumbs still on her lips. Her bright blue eyes were full of confusion as she looked at Luo Ge.
Neither of them quite understood why Luo Ge was up so late at night and why he had called them over, and why both of them had come together.
Inside the room.
Luo Ge sat opposite them, his face somber.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed your rest."
"Hmm... Luo Ge?"
"Why did you call us over so late? Has something happened?"
Roxy tilted her head.
Although Nanahoshi didn't speak, he also looked puzzled.
It's worth noting that Luo Ge has always given the impression of being a carefree and nonchalant person.
At this moment, Nanahoshi keenly sensed that Luo Ge's aura had become very serious.
Instead of getting straight to the point, Luo Ge said to Roxy with a hint of exasperation, "Teacher... I'm not trying to be mean, but you're still as greedy as ever, going to the kitchen in the middle of the night to find leftovers again, aren't you?"
"Huh?!!"
Roxy's expression froze.
When she noticed that Luo Ge and Nanahoshi ' gazes were both fixed on the half-eaten bread in her hand, she was immediately at a loss.
It's like I'm a little embarrassed.
Roxy blushed... and subconsciously tried to hide the half-bread behind her back; this act of covering her ears while secretly listening to the bell showed that she didn't want to be discovered.
Luo Ge showed Roxy no respect whatsoever, rushing over and snatching the bread from her hand.
Then, he prepared to eat it in front of her.
Roxy hurriedly reminded him, "Luo... Luo Ge! This is what I just ate..."
"It's okay, I don't mind the teacher's saliva..."
After taking a bite, Luo Ge didn't forget to correct his teacher's mistake. "Also, always sneaking around eating leftovers in the middle of the night... that's not a good habit."
"..."
Roxy pouted and bit her lip, remaining silent.
Mmm~
Under her resentful gaze, Luo Ge slowly ate the remaining half of the bread, leaving Luo Ge not even a crumb.
"Alright, we've finished eating... Now I'll get down to business."
Roxy and Nanahoshi sat quietly by the bed, waiting.
After a few seconds of silence, Luo Ge, sitting opposite him, uttered something astonishing.
"I'm sorry... Teacher! And Nanahoshi, I can't go to Milishion with you this time."
"Huh?"
"What?"
Roxy and Nanahoshi were both taken aback.
They were supposed to go back to Milishion together tomorrow, but it was a result of a lot of hard work and discussion that the three of them had put together during the day.
Unexpectedly, Luo Ge changed his mind just one night later.
This sudden change left both of them bewildered and unsure of what had happened.
"Why?!"
Nanahoshi spoke first.
"... Didn't we agree to meet up with Paul and then go to Beccalit's labyrinth together to find your family?"
Luo Ge's gaze fell on the person questioning him about being one of the Nanahoshi. His lips moved, but he swallowed the words back.
"Anyway, I have something very important to do..."
"Something very important? What is it? Is it absolutely necessary to go?"
"Yes, we absolutely have to go."
After asking her question, Nanahoshi exchanged a glance with Roxy beside her, signaling her to say something as well.
However, Roxy nodded gently.
"Mmm."
"Okay, I understand. Since it's Luo Ge's decision, then go ahead and do it without worry."
"T-Teacher, what did you say?"
Luo Ge was surprised.
He originally thought that Roxy would definitely stop him, or at least get to the bottom of it.
But to my surprise, Roxy agreed so readily.
"Teacher, aren't you curious about what I'm planning to do next?"
"I'm curious, but Luo Ge has become quite remarkable now, and what he's going to do must be very impressive."
"You didn't choose to leave alone tonight, but instead came to talk to me proactively. I'm very happy about that."
Roxy's tone carried a hint of relief.
"Yeah?"
"Teacher?"
"Hey, Luo Ge, I know what you're worried about, but don't worry, just go and do what you want to do."
"As for your teacher, they will always stand behind you... supporting you... and if Luo Ge is in danger, your teacher will certainly not stand idly by."
"Also, while Luo Ge is away, I'll bring back news of Zenith to help you find your lost family. And by the way, the teacher will also help take care of this Miss Nanahoshi."
"Teacher, you... you really... this is too much..."
Luo Ge was truly surprised that Roxy had guessed almost exactly what he was about to say.
He summoned the two men tonight to give their instructions, intending to split them into two groups: he would go to rescue Rudeus, while Roxy would go to Milishion in his place to tell Paul and the others about Zenith.
I also entrusted Nanahoshi to their care.
Unexpectedly... some things don't need to be said explicitly; Teacher Roxy understood instantly.
"Thank you, teacher."
For a moment, Luo Ge didn't know what to say, and finally managed to utter this sentence.
"You're welcome, Luo Ge."
"But I'm your teacher!"
Roxy tilted her head and gave a bright, sunny smile.
Nanahoshi watched the two talking, finding it increasingly difficult to join the conversation. Gradually, Nanahoshi's gaze began to change.
A hint of envy flickered deep in his eyes.
turn out to be...
So this is Luo Ge's teacher. He's such a kind, gentle, and caring person... No wonder Luo Ge respects him so much.
"By the way, can you help me with what Luo Ge is going to do?"
Faced with Roxy's question, Luo Ge thought for a moment and then shook his head, "Teacher, forgive me for being frank... but I probably can't help."
"I see!"
"I see"
"When Luo Ge you plan to leave, and when will you return?"
Let's set off now.
"As for the round trip, conservatively speaking... it will probably take about half a year."
"... Will you be away for six months?"
Roxy didn't react much; due to her race, half a year wasn't a long time for her.
Nanahoshi was somewhat surprised; Luo Ge had been gone for half a year.
What Nanahoshi couldn't understand was what Luo Ge was doing.
It's worth noting that finding his family has always been Luo Ge's top priority. What could possibly be taking that out of the way now?
Nanahoshi seemed to have realized something. There was only one truth: was this guy planning to go to the Begaritt Continent alone to find his mother?
Besides this, Nanahoshi couldn't think of any other explanation.
Unfortunately, upon closer examination...
It feels very unreasonable.
We're almost at Milishion; we could easily do this together.
In her memory, although Luo Ge had his own style of doing things, he didn't seem like the kind of person who would do things his own way.
Nanahoshi couldn't understand... but without a doubt, she had guessed that Luo Ge's change would happen tonight.
That means... something must have happened tonight that neither she nor Roxy knew about.
What could it be?
Nanahoshi was very curious.
There must be some secret about Luo Ge that she doesn't know about; this guy is getting more and more mysterious.
" Nanahoshi?"
" Nanahoshi?"
"Hey! What are you thinking about all by yourself?"
Nanahoshi was pulled back to reality by Luo Ge's voice.
"Do you understand?"
"When I'm not around, you can rely on Roxy. She's better at taking care of people than I am. You can try to trust Teacher Roxy as much as you trust me."
"Knew..."
"If you're going to leave, why say such sentimental things when you're leaving? It made people feel quite touched."
"Ugh!... What do you want to do?!"
Just as Nanahoshi was about to turn her head away, Luo Ge grabbed her hand in the next second.
Nanahoshi's heart skipped a beat, his mind in turmoil.
What does he want to do?
Is this guy trying to confess his feelings to me?
what to do?
Should I refuse?
Or is it a yes/no?
However, after imagining it all, the confession scene that Nanahoshi had envisioned did not happen.
In fact.
Luo Ge simply placed her hand in Roxy's hand, performing a ritual of entrusting her child to someone.
"Teacher Roxy, I'm entrusting the Nanahoshi to you."
"Okay, don't worry, Luo Ge! I'll definitely protect Miss Nanahoshi while you're away..." Roxy nodded earnestly.
Nanahoshi, who was standing to the side, was also deeply moved by the scene. Although she had watched many soap operas, her sensitive and fragile heart was still deeply touched.
Nanahoshi finally couldn't hold back anymore, and tears streamed down her face.
Luo Ge was a very special person to her; he was the first person she met in this strange world.
He was also the first person to take the initiative to show her kindness and offer to help her get home.
But after two and a half years together, this man decided to leave alone.
"To be honest... I've always been the one who's received the most help from you, and I've troubled you in so many ways."
"... Ani Gado."
"Even the Nanahoshi have become so polite, huh? Hey! You guys are acting like it's a matter of life and death."
Please!
"I'm just going to do something, not go to my death."
Luo Ge took a deep breath, got up, and walked a few steps, just about to step out the door, when he paused slightly.
" Nanahoshi... and Teacher... goodbye then."
" Rudeus! I'm coming!"
After silently repeating the last word in his mind, Luo Ge pushed open the door and left without looking back.
The person quickly disappeared into the endless night.
After Luo Ge left, the room was cold and quiet... leaving only Roxy and Nanahoshi.
They glanced at each other and realized their hands were still clasped together, so they let go of each other a little embarrassedly.
For a moment, no one spoke, but Roxy broke the silence first.
"Um, Miss Nanahoshi! You and Luo Ge seem to be getting along quite well."
"No, I didn't..."
"I've always been the one being taken care of... and Miss Roxy is quite different from what I remembered. No wonder someone like Luo Ge would respect you so much."
"Yeah?"
Roxy murmured something, and even Nanahoshi didn't notice that Roxy's gaze towards her was also filled with envy.
She had witnessed everything that had happened during this time, and she truly envied the way Nanahoshi and Luo Ge got along—the way they were inseparable and bickered with each other.
Roxy also wanted to fit in, but Luo Ge always only showed her respect. As they grew older, a new layer of distance seemed to have grown between them.
But... come to think of it, Miss Nanahoshi and Luo Ge are really a perfect match.
If Luo Ge were to get married in the future, wouldn't he definitely choose Miss Nanahoshi as his ideal partner?
For some reason, Roxy found herself repeatedly comparing herself to Nanahoshi in her mind.
As a result... she discovered that she was short and small, and there was absolutely no comparison between her and someone of normal build like Nanahoshi.
No normal man would choose someone like her, who acts like a child, as a marriage partner, right?
"Wait a moment!"
"Why? Hmm... Why am I having such a strange thought? He... he's clearly my disciple, and I'm just his teacher."
Just as Roxy was about to force herself to calm down, she banished the strange thoughts from her mind.
"Miss Roxy, why didn't you stop him? You could have stopped him just now. Luo Ge respects you so much, he would have listened to you."
"Maybe he'll be able to stay."
Upon hearing Nanahoshi's words, Roxy couldn't help but lower her head and murmur softly.
"Should we stop it?"
"I've actually thought about that kind of thing... but Luo Ge probably wouldn't agree, right? If I stop him, he'll most likely just leave without saying goodbye."
"But aren't you afraid he'll encounter danger?"
"Are you in danger? That makes sense..."
Roxy, with a helpless tone, covered her forehead and said with a headache, "Sigh, that kid Luo Ge has always been like this since he was little, always liking to do some very dangerous things."
Unconsciously, deep in Roxy's mind, she thought of the first time she met Luo Ge.
She had just accepted a tutoring job, and on her way there, she encountered the fool Luo Ge by the river who almost got poisoned by eating pufferfish.
That kid!
She's clearly a gluttonous little fool herself, yet she took the initiative to lecture her teacher. It's really frustrating.
As old memories gradually surfaced in her mind, Roxy couldn't help but smile.
"... I saw the word 'enlightenment' in that child's eyes; that child had already made up his mind to come."
"Anyway, he really wants to do that... Although I don't know exactly what it is, and it might be dangerous, if it is, the two of us can just go and help him then, right?"
" Nanahoshi, are you right?"
Under the utterly adoring gaze of the Nanahoshi.
Roxy paused, her deep eyes gazing out the window in the direction where Luo Ge had disappeared, and murmured softly.
"Besides, with Luo Ge's current strength, I don't really need to worry about him anymore."