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"In the vicinity of the Red Dragon Mountains, there is a pack-based magical creature known as the Maned Wolf. They are extremely territorial. Individually, these creatures are only rated as D-level, with low attack power. However, when they move as a group, adventurers generally consider them an A-level magical disaster. Hundreds of these creatures attacking at once can be a real headache."
Roxy explained the knowledge of magical creatures from the Central Continent under the flickering candlelight. After watching the fireworks, everyone should have gone to bed, but Sylphie didn't want to sleep. So, Roxy had no choice but to continue telling stories.
"That sounds terrifying..."
Roxy glanced at Sylphie and Rudy, who were slumped over the table, clearly drowsy but still unwilling to go to bed.
"Yes, and once their territory is invaded, no matter who the opponent is, they will tirelessly tear them apart. They'll even attack creatures far stronger than themselves, like a lone S-level Red Dragon that has strayed from its group to hunt."
"...Would the Red Dragon eat them?"
"Well... no, Red Dragons usually aren't interested in creatures that can't even pierce their skin. To them, it's like being bitten by mosquitoes."
"Then... would the Red Dragon just let them keep harassing it? Wouldn't the Red Dragon get angry? And if it did... what would happen? Would the Maned Wolves... run away?"
Hearing Sylphie's sleepy, childlike questions, Roxy couldn't help but smile.
"The dragon's wrath ignites flames, and when the flames sweep through, not even the bones of the Maned Wolves remain."
She looked at Sylphie and Rudy, whose eyes had already closed, and softly finished her sentence.
"They wouldn't even have a chance to run away..."
Roxy lifted her gaze and glanced at Allen, who was sitting upright in a chair nearby. He was squinting at a map in his hands, smiling faintly as if lost in thought. Noticing Roxy's gaze, he turned to look at Rudy and Sylphie.
"They're asleep. Should I take Rudy to his room?"
Roxy nodded.
"I'll help too."
Allen rolled up the map and put it in his pocket, then lifted Rudy. Roxy looked around, realizing there wasn't much for her to do, so she simply picked up Rudy's magic textbook and followed Allen to Rudy's room.
Allen gently placed Rudy on the bed and was about to take off his shoes when he heard a hesitant, breathy question from beside him.
"Are you... serious?"
Allen paused, looking puzzled.
"About what?"
Roxy's eyes darted around nervously before finally settling on a black leather bucket bag peeking out from under the bed.
"About being sure... that we'll meet again in the future..."
Allen's hands froze mid-air as he was taking off Rudy's shoes.
"Well..."
As Roxy spoke, her hands unconsciously picked up the bucket bag, fiddling with the leather made from the hide of the End Boar.
"...It's okay if it's a lie... Even if it's just comforting words for Rudy and Sylphie, it's still effective..."
Allen blinked, then grinned.
"We'll meet."
Roxy fell silent.
Allen placed Rudy's shoes by the bed and added, "As for the timing... it could be tomorrow... or it could be years from now. It's hard to say, but one thing's for sure..."
Roxy still didn't respond. Allen looked up at her and finished his sentence.
"We'll definitely meet aga—??!!!"
Allen's words caught in his throat as he stared at Roxy, utterly stunned.
In his line of sight, Roxy's eyes were wide with shock and confusion as she stared at the shrine in her hands... which contained a pair of his used underwear.
Allen gulped nervously, their eyes locking in that moment.
The next second, the shrine, along with the boar hide, was smacked into Allen's face. He quickly caught it using his Flow technique and looked up at Roxy.
But she was already running out of Rudy's room in a flustered panic, clutching the underwear, leaving only her retreating figure behind.
Allen stood there, mouth agape, utterly at a loss. He glanced at the open door, then at Rudy's peaceful sleeping face. Rudy's eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if he was about to wake up from the sound of Roxy's hurried footsteps.
In a flash!
Allen's Sword God style showed its true worth at this critical moment!
In one swift motion, he dashed to the wardrobe, pulled out a pair of Rudy's own white underwear, stuffed it into the shrine, and shoved the shrine back into the bucket bag. He then kicked the bag under the bed and slapped Rudy across the face.
Rudy's eyes shot open.
Allen quickly patted his arm.
"Ah! Did you have a nightmare? Go back to sleep, it's nothing. Don't worry, I'll wake you up before Roxy leaves. Sleep now~"
Rudy, still dazed, rubbed his face.
"Is... is Teacher still here?"
"It's still early~ Go back to sleep~"
"Oh... then make sure to wake me up..."
"Don't worry~ I will~ Sleep well~"
"...Oh... thanks... Allen, you're such a good person..."
Rudy's head tilted to the side as he fell back asleep.
Allen's face twisted as he hissed through clenched teeth.
"You're welcome..."
The next morning, Rudy was woken up by Zenith.
When he went downstairs, Roxy was already packed and ready to go, comforting a tearful Sylphie.
He looked around but didn't see Allen anywhere.
"Where's Allen?"
Zenith looked puzzled.
"I saw him this morning..."
Paul also looked confused.
"I just saw him washing up... Allen! Allen!!"
Roxy blinked, recalling the awkward incident from the night before, and quickly spoke up.
"Ah! Don't call him! We already said our goodbyes this morning. He might be in the bathroom or something..."
Rudy rubbed his groggy face.
'Great! Allen, I win this round!... Well, finding joy in small victories is good too...'
As they moved to the courtyard, Allen still hadn't appeared.
Everyone waved their goodbyes. Roxy patted Sylphie's head, then turned to Rudy. She initially wanted to pat his head too but ended up flicking his forehead instead.
Rudy was ecstatic.
'Allen, I really won this time!! But why didn't she pat my head? Huh... why does Roxy look so upset? Did she not sleep well last night?'
Roxy glanced at the door behind everyone and let out a soft sigh.
"Well then... this is goodbye. If we're lucky, we'll meet again in the future."
Zenith, as emotional as the first time they parted, had tears in her eyes. Paul, ever the affectionate husband, pulled her into a hug, his hand casually resting on her backside.
No one noticed this except for Lilia, who stood to the side.
"Goodbye, Teacher! I'll definitely come find you with Allen in the future!"
Rudy also waved goodbye, but his heart sank at Sylphie's words.
'What about me?'
Unlike last time, they had arranged for a carriage in advance, sponsored by Laws. According to him, it was all thanks to Allen. If it weren't for the well-preserved hide of the End Boar fetching a good price, they wouldn't have had enough savings to cover the apprenticeship fees.
And so, Roxy left the village of Buena.
The morning sun shone on the path leading out of Buena Village, the clip-clop of horse hooves accompanying the traveler.
Inside the carriage, Roxy rested her chin on her hand, gazing absentmindedly at the grasslands passing by the window.
The rotting fence by the roadside slowly receded as the carriage moved... receded...
And then stopped.
Roxy, still lost in thought, didn't notice.
There was a faint sound in her ears...
"Miss... there's... a carriage..."
It was the coachman's voice, growing clearer and louder until it finally registered in Roxy's mind, snapping her out of her daze.
"Miss!"
Roxy jolted awake, realizing the carriage had stopped at some point.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
The coachman's voice carried a hint of exasperation.
"Miss, did you hear me? Someone's blocking the road, insisting on hitching a ride..."
Roxy, unsure how to respond, instinctively lifted the carriage curtain to look ahead.
And then she froze.
The morning sun was dazzling, and standing in front of the carriage was a familiar figure. His deep gray eyes had a sharp, almost cold, aloofness to them.
But to Roxy, they only felt warm and familiar.
The person blocking the road spoke with a lazy, familiar voice.
"Hello, miss. Mind if I hitch a ride?"
The morning sun bathed Roxy's face, the orange flames of dawn dancing in her eyes.
"Sure."
At the Greyrat household.
Lilia, Zenith, Paul, Rudy, and Sylphie were all staring in shock at a letter on the table.
To the Master:
I've gone to deal with the Maned Wolves. I'll be back in one to two months. Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, but... if I had brought it up, you probably would've stopped me. Don't worry, I can take care of myself. P.S.: You don't need to pay me for these two months... feel free to deduct more if needed.
-Allen
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 100 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 80 power stones I will publish the next chapter.