Fun day, yesterday.
We had a feast to celebrate Roxy’s first day here, and everything. That also marked the first day since I’ve been able to walk, where I was free to laze around, and breathe.
It’s weird.
Not unpleasant, but odd, like...
Well, it doesn’t matter.
Anyways, Paul and Zenith really went all out with Roxy’s welcoming party. We don’t have refrigeration, so we had to finish it all in one day.
Although, we do have Ice magic in a way, if we ask nicely that is. Thoughts for later.
For now I should focus on the present.
Swing. Clang, clang, dodge. Swing. Clang, clang, dodge. Swing, dodge… repeat and repeat.
Sword training that is.
During the 4 month wait for Roxy sensei, me and Lilia have been sparring day after day. I’ve gotten down the many forms, and we’ve taken turns in attack and being attacked, as the water god style, is first and foremost a counterattack style. I’ve even gotten the forms down to a subconscious level where I don’t have to think about them, but…
Poke. I ‘stab,’ Lilia with the end of my sword, stick you perverts, over the heart, and on the chest, marking my win.
It’s my win… but... it feels hollow.
Getting the forms down to this level has been superfluous. I can now react without thinking, it is what I wanted, but I also end up taking advantage of Lilia’s right side at those times.
She’s weak at that side.
I try not to take advantage of her handicap, it doesn't sit right with me, but in the heat of the moment, when you are moving faster than you are thinking, you kind of just do. Unconsciously, I am moving to her right side, and making it harder for her to defend.
I understand now why she had to throw away the sword.
Her understanding of techniques is still at intermediate level, but her body can only perform at that level for so long. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that she is an intermediate swordsman in name only, but in practice... well, she's closer to a beginner. Can’t say I know what exactly is wrong with her leg either, but her movements become sluggish when turning or pivoting, and a second delay can mean death on the battlefield.
“It is your win once more, master Rudeus.”
Hardly.
“Sounds like sarcasm, coming from you Lilia. That's my win to your 7.” We have made it a habit of ending on her ‘defeat,’ but calling it my victory feels false. In the end, all I’m doing is tiring her out.
“A win is a win master Rudeus, that is something to be proud of.”
Agree to disagree.
We sat outside, just enjoying the morning dew.
"Hah..."
With Roxy taking up my foreseeable future with magic training, I couldn't afford to go by the lake anymore. It's a bit too far from the house, and as such could mess with my self-imposed schedule of training in the afternoon. So instead, and so I don’t miss my own lessons, me and her now train out in the backyard instead.
Taking a break, I go to the wall surrounding our house, and rest against the cold bricks, enjoying the cool feeling of the rocks on my back as I embrace the sun from the front. If nothing else, it's a beautiful day.
It’s a good thing Paul is hungover. I wonder what I’ll do tomorrow.
Lilia massages her leg as I contemplate. Leaning by the fence next to me.
“Come sit with me Lilia,” I say, patting the spot next to me.
She simply obeyed, and walked silently next to me, a meter still between us. I also noticed the slight hobble, as she stepped.
Am I an asshole? She’s functional most of the time that I don’t even notice her handicap, but she does have one, and I’m having her spar with me.
It makes one wonder.
“Lilia, can I see your leg please?”
…
She hesitates; “...why?”
“Do you trust me?”
…
Another moment’s hesitation.
“I trust y-”
“I’d like the most honest answer. It’s really important if it’s a yes or a no. If it’s a no I won’t be offended.”
“...I would like to trust you,” she answered.
Not quite a yes, but not really a no.
Well, I’ll take what I can get.
“Can you please show me your leg?”
Wearily, she pulls up her apron a bit, and reveals her leg to me. Her good one.
“The other one.”
Hesitating, she lets her garb down, before slowly revealing her bad one. She even blushes as she does so, looking away from me.
You’re more embarrassed showing your injured leg, than showing your perfectly healthy one?
“Can you sit on the wall for a bit, keep your leg revealed please.”
She does as ordered, and sits on the wall for me, as I look at her thigh a little closely. It's good being dutiful at times like these.
There's something I’ve been entertaining for a while now. Before I came to this world I was a huge fan of all things anime, specifically fantasy, and that means magic, and the one that sticks to my core more than most is that of the Nasuverse.
In essence; everything in that universe is magic. Humans magic, inner, and outer. The world; magic. Other realities? Magic. Space; magic. Everything is magic.
And in this world there is healing magic, and Toki as well. It might not be viewed as magic, but it most certainly is. There are characters in fiction that performed superhuman feats, but aren’t magic, like captain america, master chief and the hulk, but they are balanced around the fact that they don’t completely break the rules of physics to do so. They consume more energy(food/fuel), they expand their muscles, they have an altered biochemistry, etc. etc.
Paul does not achieve any of these negatives, not that I can see. So as I lay my hands on her leg, and, “Trace on,” I place my magic into her.
Magic is everything.
It is healing, it is her leg, it is our Toki, it is her curse. And I am magic, so If I have it, surely I can do something about it, right?
Huh?
I took my hand of her, and stared up at her in confusion.
“...ha… ha…” she is breathing a bit roughly, but alright it seems.
“Lilia are you alright?”
“...yes… master Rudeus…”
"Well, if everything is okay."
She nods.
“Tell me if you feel a lot of pain. A bit of pain is ok, but if it gets too much just tell me to stop.”
That was weird. Let’s try it again. Trace on...
I poured my energy into her leg again, this time starting a bit further up from the purple injury, and tried to make my way down, from the base of her knee to her ankle, as my energy flows steadily through her, then slowing, and then... stops.
It stops.
This is weird right?
I try for something more direct. I start applying the healing spell directly at the base of the knee, and slowly go down to the discolorized area once again. Same feeling happens.
Alright, let's be ‘more,’ direct.
This technique is something I’ve been experimenting with, and admittedly I'm no healing mage, but I’m still the protagonist, right?
Alright, maybe I'm not-but still!
I try to apply healing energies once more, trying to let the energies flow through my thumb, while applying a circular massaging motion with it, down the knee, and-
“Nnn…” hearing a moaning.
“...Lilia, you ok?”
“Y-yes, master Rudeus,” she answers flusteredly.
Alright, that was… unexpected.
I lost my concentration. Where was I?
Massage and heal, massage and heal, massage and...
“Ha... nnh… hnh…” some quiet moans in my ear. It’s distracting.
I keep the technique going anyway, focusing on the key area, and finally-
Nothing.
Everything is magic. So what does this mean? A feeling, a tug, isn’t that how these things go? So what does this...
I stand up, and-
“W-woah,” almost fell for my troubles. “More tired than expected. That consumed more mana from me than I thought.”
Ooookay, so something is definitely happening. I just don’t know what it is. This was my first time healing somebody, but it shouldn’t have been so costly.
Further experiments are needed.
“So, how are you feeling, any feelings of pain or discomfort?”
“No… I am feeling fine. I feel better than I did a moment ago,” she says as caressing her skin, letting her dress down, and going back to her usual self. "Was I supposed to feel some discomfort?"
“Uh, no... I was just... trying to heal your injury,” I sheepishly say, turning my head away. Even I’m a little embarrassed by my arrogance. I honestly thought I could do it.
Pat.
She patted me.
Eh?
“Good work Rudy,” she smiles.
...
I think that's the first time she’s done that.
The pat and the smile.
When’s the last time she called me Rudy?
"...beautiful..." I slipped. Not fully in control of my emotions, I quickly corrected myself before she notices. "Ah. I mean... the world that is. Yeah... it really is," I say, hoping it worked. I don't want her to exorcize me afterall. Again.
Got a little gobsmacked there for a moment.
…
“...Master Rudeus, is my presence still required?” She asked as I’m still looking away.
Absolutely.
My poise recovered, I turn to her, and then the scenery before me.
“Definitely. Good friends, good company, makes a good life."
“...I see…”
It really is...
“Hey, Lilia, can I have a massage?”
She curls an eyebrow.
Admittedly I'm being a bit forward now, and we just finished a draining lesson, but one can’t deny the effects of a good massage. Ever had a massage after exhaustion or fighting. It’s the best!
“Such things would be inappropriate of a young master."
As tempting as it would be to point out the hypocrisy in that statement, I’ll be the bigger man.
“Is that so? I really do need it though, and asking mama would be troublesome,” she tilts her head, slightly confused. “You sure you can’t give me a massage? I haven’t told mama about our training, so…” She squints her eyes ever more so in confusion.
Guess I’ll clear it up.
I unbutton my shirt a bit, and reveal my naked torso, making the message clear. My body having a few discolarations.
Nothing heinous, but can easily be misconstrued as bullying.
Not technically untrue.
I do ask Zenith to heal me from time to time so she can show me the ‘pretty lights,’ (plagiarizing her healing abilities). But If I did that all the time, she’d know something was up. It’s not a big deal, but Zenith is a bit of a worry-wart.
“I think it I'll be a bit of an awkward thing, if she found out about my training like this.”
She opens her eyes widely in realization. “O-oh, oh, that is... true… does master Rudeus really require a massage?”
I just stared dumbly. What do you think?
But seriously, you can’t deny the effects of a good massage. The fact that it’s being done by a cool beauty is purely coincidental. Coincidental, I tell you!
“The most important part about training is recovery sensei.”
“...That is true, sigh, very well. But master Rudeus still has a full day of lessons ahead, we’ll continue this-"
“Please~” I used puppy dog eyes.
“...fine,” she gave in.
It’s super effective!
Now... let's see if I can turn this into an everyday thing.
For health reasons obviously.
///
As time passes, I've settled into a new routine. Four months since Roxy's lessons began, and four days since I've added massages into the mix. Hurray for progress~
Waking early, exercise by myself. Then morning trainings with Lilia. Followed by a study session with Roxy in the afternoon. Then try to help out around the house. And lastly, night comes and I can rest. And if I'm a little sore from a hard day's work... well, nothing a good old massage from a dutiful maid can't fix.
Rinse and repeat~
My muscles still ache though. I hope to make some progress in healing magic for my sake as well as Lilia’s now as I'll probably need it sometime soon. I guess this is where my everyday slice of life days begin.
“AH! DEAR!” Loud moans are heard.
Well mostly. I wish I could cut this part out, but those two are enjoying their own slice of life in their own way.
“They're being loud again,” I grumbled.
Four years, and those love birds are still going strong.
Kudos to them. Now finish up.
My everyday boring days would be almost complete, if it wasn’t for their… intimacy acts.
Oh, joy, I’m sooo~ happy for you…
For the first three months after Roxy’s arrival they were quite quiet, actually being attentive to their neighbors for once. This month though, nope, not a bit. I swear they're making up for lost time.
One of these days I’m just gonna walk in there, and ask them why they are 'wrestling.’
With that train of thought, I stop my reading, and go down the hallway.
“Ahn, dear, not so rough~” a feminine voice echoing through it.
“Just a bit,” Paul’s too.
I can hear them all too well. Which if I had to guess, probably means they left the door open. Again.
Raiju explode! But seriously, at least close the door.
Making my way down the hall, I prepare myself to close the door, and quickly get out of there. Maybe even make some noise of my own signaling someone's wandering the hall.
'Kya? Mama… papa… why are you fighting?'
"Hahh... Hahh..."
While thinking such things, I hear heavy breathing.
“Hah… hah...”
Quiet, restrained, and a little... lewd.
Walking closer and closer, in silence it’s easier to hear, the breathing is low, and so I follow it to its source.
To a very lightly dressed blue-haired girl.
There she is. My sensei. She beat me to the punch as it were, and is… ‘enthralled’ from what she sees in Paul and Zenith’s bedroom. Breathing unsteadily, face flushed, and her hands… well… moving vigorously in certain places. One on her breast… continuously going in a circular motion, and the other… going down her robe… between-
Riiight~ this happened.
She continues her motion, again, and again.
Is she unbuttoning her robe?
A gentleman would turn away now. A gentleman should turn away.
Yep, a gentleman definitely would…
I continue watching a little longer.
Her hands sliding down an opening in her robe, still stuck in her own world, her neck tilting as if to catch her breath, and small puffs of air coming her intakes, before finally looking away, and… looking down the hallway.
Our eyes met.
Standing still, freezing, Roxy stares at me with wide open eyes.
Well… this is awkward...
“Paul!”
“Zenith!”
And of course those two love birds are still going to town.
Alright, that’s enough of that.
I walk up the door where Roxy is still kneeling, grab her by the shoulders, and shove her to the floor. Not hard, but enough to clear the entrance.
Caught off-guard, she falls over herself, landing upon her elbows, as she gives me the most embarrassed look I ever did see. Looking something like a frightened animal.
“Mom! Dad!” I yell, my sensei panicking as I did, adjusting her robe, and waving frantically at me to stop it. At the same time I hear some panicking sounds coming from behind the bedroom door. Ignoring both their confusion, I continue, “YOU’RE LOUD!” And slam it. Hard.
“Close your door!” I yell from behind it.
Roxy sensei is a mess, in many ways, continuing to blink at me, completely gobsmacked at what just happened. Her mouth flapping over and over, but no words came out.
Are you a fish?
Don’t care, I’m too tired for this shit. Let me sleep.
Ignoring her, I simply turn my back to her, and go back to my room. Throwing myself onto bed, and got ready for a good night’s sleep.
…
…I can't sleep.
///
Oops.
It has come to my attention that I don’t make the best decisions when tired. I didn’t exactly get a good night's sleep, but at least I’m doing better than the silent trio.
“...” x3.
The awkwardness is palpable
Well, at least the food is delicious as always.
“Delicious food Lilia.”
“It’s the same as always young master.”
Well at least Lilia is still the same as ever.
“U-um, Rudy, about last night-ghk!” he gets interrupted, the sound of the table jittering is heard.
“Dear, not in front of our guest,” Zenith says sweetly, arching her neck to Roxy's side of the table.
Well, if you don’t want to address it, that’s all fine by me. She’s already more or less seen your ‘front,’ and probably your ‘back,’ by now. Why she hasn’t gone outside for her morning walks I have no idea, but awkwardness loves company.
That’s how that expression goes right?
“A-ah, don’t mind me, I-I-I mean may I borrow Rudeus for today’s morning lesson? I want to show him around the village. L-like how to... to... to, TO show him the practical applications of magic! Yeah, that's what I meant, ahem, and our neighbors are most active in the morning.”
“O-of course, isn’t that right dear?” Zenith asks.
“Absolutely!” He concurs. “I mean,” he coughs into his hand, “sure, why not. You’re his teacher, you know what's best,” he finishes coolly, giving his best fatherly impression.
Yeah right. Get rid of your facade of cool parents, it’s hilarious. Then again… it’s hilarious, keep it going!
“But what about my les-” whoops, almost let it slip that I’ve been training with Lilia recently. I turn to her.
She smiles meekly.
...
I guess sword training is canceled huh. Well, maybe I can tease Roxy a bit, that feels like it would give me a good laugh.
Slice of life comedy here I come~
///
[Roxy POV]
“Pfft-”
I threw myself onto the bed.
Ah, what a day. I spent the whole day showing my... student... yeah, MY, student, all around the village, and showing him the more practical ways of magic, until I could work up the courage to breach the topic of what happened yesterday.
I did not.
After roaming the village, we studied under a tree, but never once spoke about ‘IT.’
Although, I swear that child smirked at me. That boy is the devil.
"Alright," I got off of the bed. "Gotta put a stop to this. I don't want him accidentally asking his parents what Roxy sensei was doing watching his parent's 'wrestling.'"
Walking down the hallway I head towards my student bed, and prepare myself.
I wonder what I'll say?
With a cloud over my head, and a heavy feeling over my heart. I walked down the hall to what would be Rudeus room, and prepared myself, for a very awkward talk.
“Mmm... mmm… Ah… yeah… right there, ah~” before hearing certain noises coming down the hall.
What? Again?!
“Ahh, ah…" more moans.
Did I make a mistake, are the noises coming from inside-wait no that’s not what’s important it’s just been one day, what is sir Paul doing already?!
“Rudeus… can you please stop making such sounds?”
eh?
“But it feels so good~”
Eh?
“Even so…”
“You know, the reason this body is under so much stress is because of you, you know? You’re just- Aaahhh… right there… please continue, right you’re, just relieving the pressure from all the marks you gave me.”
“My humble apologies.”
“It’s fine, no pain no gain, besides this is the best~ If I knew it would be this good I might have to let you hit me- OW!”
“...Sorry master, I placed a bit too much pressure.”
wha-wha-WHAT AM I HEARING?!
She said Rudeus right?! As in the young master? Wait, how old was-No, wait that's not the point. He’s too young! Should I report this-no wait, I should, I should, I need to- TO!
Taking out my staff, I blast down the wooden door. A simple wind burst, but enough.
“What are you!" And then the words get stuck in my throat. “...doing?”
What?
Once I came to, and the door lay on the floor, the sight before me was… different then what I expected.
A young shirtless boy getting a massage under a towel by the maid.
“Sensei? Did you forget something? No wait, the door…” Rudeus looks at the door confused. The maid in question equally so, if not more so, by my staff pointing at them.
“Eh?" I pointed my staff away from them. "Uh, no, I just...” I stumbled, unsure what to say.
“What is going on?!” Before Sir Paul finally came to join the fray.
"..."x3
Well... what do I say now?
Unable to think, and a little staggered, I start thinking of the possibilities.
Will I be fired? What was I thinking? Of course it was a misunderstanding. What the hell did I think was happening with a young child?
“I uh…”
“Rudy what are you doing?” Luckily his attention was diverted elsewhere at this time.
Yes... please, give me a moment to recover.
“Oh… um, I was…sigh,” he seems to be struggling to say something as well. “...I was getting a massage.”
An eyebrow raise appears on Paul’s features.
“Why?”
“‘Cause I need it?”
“Hmmm… hey Rudy, can you show me your hands?”
“Honey, what was that noise all about?!” Zenith joins us soon after, holding what appears to be a stave.
Right. Adventurers.
“A moment dear. Well, Rudy, show me your hands?”
All of us are a little confused at the situation, but in any case Rudeus complies, stands up, and shows Paul his palms. I’m not sure what is going on by this point, but it seems I’m no longer the center of attention and that's fine by me.
A smug smile spreads across Paul’s face. Not a really pleasing look, but that's beside it. Shortly afterward he takes his Son into his arms, and starts screaming in joy as he swings him.
“Haha, that’s my boy! Not even 5 years old and already a swordsman,” he says, hugging him tightly. “Five and a swordman, five and a swordman~ We can start your training immediately!”
“Dear?” Zenith questions.
I am extremely confused aswell.
“Look at this,” he holds his son's hands for all to see, “see these? These are the blisters of a swordsman, and these,” he points to bruises around the arms and shoulders, “these are the bruises of someone that’s been sparring. That’s it isn’t it?”
“Rudy?” Zenith looks at her son for confirmation.
The boy simply turns his head away, and faces his maid as if silently asking him.
The parents as well.
“Yes, it is true,” she confesses, a light bow, and leveled tone.
“A swordsman, and a mage, swordsman and a mage~” Paul continues, waving his child about.
“...please stop swaying me…” a whisper goes ignored.
…Um, I’m still not sure what's happening, but everything seems to have ended properly.
“But why was the door broken anyway?” The young boys mother asks.
Ah.
My troubles didn't quite ended.
///
What followed was a scene where I had to bow my head repeatedly. As for the reason why... I took that to my grave, instead pivoting to, 'congratulation Sir Paul on having such a talented child!' To which he took easily. Afterward what followed was simply an ordinary doting of a father and mother, eventually being interrupted by a maid who said she had to do some cleaning.
'My apologies.'
Somehow she said that on my way out.
...this house is a warzone.
Thinking as such, I breathed out a sigh of relief as I saw the visage of that young boy being dragged away with a look of annoyance on his face.
Heh~
I’m not taking any pleasure in this… not at all.
Somehow I slept a little easier that day.