Rudeus turned his head sharply.
The deck was still bustling with people, with travelers coming and going.
However, amidst the countless swaying figures, a familiar blue silhouette suddenly appeared in his field of vision.
In an instant, everything around seemed to be shrouded in a hazy mist.
The noisy crowd, the swaying sea breeze, and the undulating waves all became blurred.
In Rudeus's eyes, there was only her.
Her short blue hair fluttered gently, and her slender figure trembled slightly.
The staff in her hand clattered onto the deck.
"Teacher...?!"
A surge of joy filled him, and almost without thinking, he rushed over.
He opened his arms, wanting to give his long-lost mentor a hug.
However...
Just as he was about to approach her, Rudeus keenly sensed—
Roxy subconsciously took half a step back.
Time seemed to stand still.
My brain... failed.
The first reaction of a teacher upon seeing his beloved student after a long separation... was to back away?
Let's destroy the world.
Now, immediately, right now!
Rudeus silently withdrew his hands, his smile stiffening slightly, and tried to sound nonchalant as he said:
"Teacher... I never expected to see you here."
"Ah... um..."
Roxy looked flustered, her eyes darting around, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
"Um... I..."
What happened?
Rudeus looked into her eyes with a puzzled expression:
"Teacher, don't you... remember me?"
"No!"
Roxy quickly waved her hand, raising her voice several decibels.
"Of course not! It's just... I just never expected to meet like this..."
Her voice grew softer and softer.
But the scene from just now kept replaying in my mind.
The young man standing in the center of the harbor, expressionless, manipulated invisible magic, repeatedly severing the demon's hands.
Cold.
cruel.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Blood splattered across the entire harbor, severed limbs and remains were scattered everywhere, and the air was thick with a nauseating stench of blood.
And that little boy who used to smile when helping others, who would earnestly ask me about magic, and who always called me "teacher"...
It was actually the person standing right in front of me.
Reason told her that Rudeus was doing this to protect Eris.
Yet, his emotions could never quite reconcile the image of that gentle, obedient student with that cold, Death God- like figure who had just reaped lives.
This almost jarring contrast has left her reeling.
"What's the meaning?"
Rudeus was slightly taken aback:
"Could it be... because of what just happened?"
You've misunderstood.
He shook his head and calmly explained:
"That guy attacked Eris first, so I made my move."
Just then, Eris suddenly grabbed my arm and pressed herself against me, as if asserting her dominance.
" Eris, we're talking about serious matters now, let go of me."
"Hmm..."
Although Eris was somewhat reluctant, she didn't continue to make a fuss.
Roxy hoped for some interaction between the two, and finally managed a weak, gloomy smile.
"So... that's how it is."
"I'm sorry, Rudeus. Your teacher is just... a little surprised by your change."
Even as she uttered those words, her gaze remained complex.
The boy in front of me will still feel disappointed because of my actions, will still call me teacher like he did when I was a child, and will still show that familiar smile.
Just minutes before, he had personally orchestrated a bloody scene that would be unforgettable for a lifetime.
Which one is the real Rudeus?
Or perhaps...
Both.
"Teacher, are you here specifically to find the people who went missing Teleport Incident?"
"Um."
Roxy nodded.
"Actually, there's no need to go anymore."
Rudeus said with a smile:
"I have found all the missing people and reported them all to the Adventurers' Guild. They have all been properly taken care of."
"So, teacher, you don't need to go to the Demon Continent anymore."
"We are preparing to head to the Millis Continent. We'll discuss the details once we're aboard."
"Ah... okay."
Roxy nodded gently, but her expression was somewhat dazed.
"Hey hey hey~ Roxy!"
At this moment, a blonde, blue-eyed woman finally couldn't help but speak up.
"Didn't you keep talking about your precious student the whole way?"
"Why do you seem so distracted now that you've finally seen me?"
It was only then that Rudeus noticed the two other people standing next to her.
A strikingly beautiful, tall blonde woman.
The other was a short, muscular man who was about the same height as Roxy, but as strong as a wall.
Without guessing, Rudeus recognized them.
"Who are you two?" Rudeus asked, feigning confusion.
The tall, blonde woman smiled and said, "My name is Elinalise, it's nice to meet you, handsome young man~"
"I am Talhand of the precipitous peaks," the dwarf replied.
"You're also the teacher's friends, right?"
"The teacher was just a little surprised because she hadn't seen me in a long time."
Then, Rudeus turned to look at the ticket inspector.
"How much will it cost for me and my two friends to board the ship?"
The ticket inspector was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly.
"Genshin Impact... Primordial God Impact, you're making me feel so bad! How could I possibly accept your money!"
Rudeus then pointed to the three of them, Roxy.
"Also, they are my friends. They just got on the wrong ship. Could you give them a ride back?"
"Sure!"
The ticket inspector hesitated almost without the slightest hesitation.
"Everyone who is a friend of Primordial God Impact is free!"
So the group boarded the passenger ship again.
Eris took Rudeus's arm again, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy, and led him to the front.
Roxy and the other two followed behind, while Rujierd walked silently at the very back.
Even standing at the back, he was still the most eye-catching one in the crowd.
After all, that mushroom-shaped head with a faint pink glow swayed left and right in the sea breeze, its presence was so strong that it was impossible to ignore, and its visual impact was off the charts.
So much so that when Roxy saw Rujierd, she didn't even recognize his race.
Accompanied by a long, drawn-out whistle, the passenger ship slowly sailed away from the port.
A team of S-class adventurers, seasoned veterans of the high seas, followed at the stern.
They have worked with shipping companies for many years, specializing in protecting shipping routes.
If they encounter sea monsters or pirates, they will act immediately to nip the danger in the bud.
The group stood on the ship's railing, facing the salty sea breeze, gazing at the boundless ocean.
After a moment of preparation...
Rudeus suddenly turned his head to look at Roxy beside him, his heart brimming with unspoken words, and was about to speak—
" Rudeus! Rudeus, look over there!"
Eris suddenly grabbed my arm, excitedly pulled me to the other side, and pointed to the distant sky, asking:
"What's that? A flying mouse?"
"Oh dear, that's just..."
Rudeus smiled somewhat helplessly and offered a casual explanation.
Roxy watched this scene quietly without saying a word.
She simply shifted her gaze slightly, silently turning her face into the distance, letting the sea breeze ruffle the blue strands of hair on her forehead.
Those clear eyes gazed at the boundless horizon, their expression calm, yet seemingly concealing many untold thoughts...