Spring soon arrived, and then summer.
[Curious. It will soon be a year since they arrived here, and they still haven't decided to leave.]
'When did so much time pass?'
We were well known here.
Quagmire, the one who can immobilize you effortlessly.
Obsidian, the one who can end your life in the blink of an eye.
Despite that, we heard nothing about Zenith.
Even with things being that way, we remained in Rosenburg instead of moving on to the next city.
◇◇◇
I dodged an arrow, caught it in midair, and threw it hard toward one of the targets.
Sara frowned and let out a heavy sigh.
"It's useless! Even with the new bow, I don't even come close to your reaction speed." Sara kicked the ground and then sat down. "In all this time, I couldn't even get close..."
"That's because I improved too," I replied. "And you improved as well. It's just that you're comparing yourself to me, and I've been training since I was three years old..."
"You're right," Sara finally said. She didn't look convinced. "It's just impossible not to compare myself to you when we always spend time together..."
"Sara?"
"Ah, sorry. Nothing. What are you going to do today?" Sara asked with a renewed smile.
"Keep training. Look for information about my mother. The usual, basically," I answered.
"Don't you get tired of that?"
I looked at her for a moment. Then I replied.
"No. I promised that when I find her, I'll allow myself to live."
That was the only thing I could think to say.
"Hmm, I understand..." Sara got up from the ground, grabbed her bow, and slung it over her shoulder. "Can I tell you something?"
I nodded.
"You see, my father was a hunter, and I've been practicing with a bow since I was little. That's the reason I'm using one right now, even though it's quite inconvenient for an adventurer," Sara said.
"And you want to train with a sword, right?" I asked.
"What!? How did you know?" Sara looked restless.
"Look, Sara, you've always watched me train with the sword," I said. "In a way, you've been learning, but now you want to do it officially. Is what I'm saying true?"
"Yes, it's true." Sara lowered her head.
"Perfect," I said. "Since you told me about your father, it's only fair that I tell you about mine. The law of equivalent exchange. Well, in my case, my father was a knight. Before I was born, he planned to teach swordsmanship if he had a boy and magic if he had a girl..."
"And two boys were born. How curious," Sara said.
"Yes, I still remember it. I guess he never expected his three year old firstborn to show up with a sandwich in hand, wanting to be a swordsman."
"Wait, wait..." She covered her mouth a little to laugh. She surely imagined the situation. "Are you saying you showed up with a sandwich in your hand and spoke with your mouth full? I'm picturing a mini Daiki who... u-uh, never mind."
I didn't understand.
'Why did she stutter?'
[It's obvious. She imagined a child of yours. A mini version.]
'Oh, so that's it... are you sure?'
[That's my interpretation. Don't take my word for it completely.]
"Yeah, that's what happened... but I started training seriously when I turned five. Before that, I only practiced fundamentals, movements, and stances. You know, the boring stuff for some people. Still, I waited two years, and when the time came, I was ready to dedicate myself completely to training."
It was only part of the truth.
I was already prepared from another life, where I pushed my body to superhuman limits. In a way, I was ready since I was a baby. However, the Touki thing was something new, although I managed to understand its use quickly and trained it until I could perform the three steps as a single one.
Step 1: Execute the technique.
Step 2: Channel mana.
Step 3: Impact.
It took me time to make them happen simultaneously, but when I finally achieved it, I couldn't sleep that night.
"Once my mother found me lying in the garden," I said simply.
"Daiki, are you being serious?" Sara asked.
"Yes, I'm a little embarrassed about it..."
"Poor mom. You worried her too much, didn't you?"
I don't know when it happened, but Sara got closer and sat next to me.
"Yes, and I regret it every day. I should have been more careful. I don't know..."
"Don't blame yourself so much. I'm sure you had your reasons." Sara rested her head on my shoulder.
I don't know when it happened, but little by little we started spending more time together. In fact, she spent more time with me than with her party outside of work, and we already had the trust for this kind of thing.
"Yeah, I suppose so..." I said, making myself comfortable.
"Daiki, can I tell you about myself?" Sara looked at me waiting for my confirmation, hugging my arm.
"Yes, of course you can."
"... You see," Sara cleared her throat and began to tell me about herself.
Sara was born in a village in the west of the Milbotts Region, in the Asura Kingdom, the daughter of hunters. When she was about ten years old, a monster horde came out of a nearby forest and her parents died.
She was left an orphan and was taken in by Suzanne, who along with Timothy was part of an adventurer party sent to fight that plague of monsters. Most of the party died in that battle, and the few survivors ended up forming the party Counter Arrow.
At first, they were Rank D.
Over time, Sara became an adventurer, joined the party, and they ranked up to Rank B. When jobs started to become scarce in the center of the Asura Kingdom, they decided to move north, toward the Northern Territories, where Timothy knew the area better.
"You know, when I found out you were a Greyrat, I actually thought you were the son of one of the noble families of Asura. To me, it seemed like you were trying to run away because things weren't going your way at home...."
Yes, I had sensed something like that when she was being prickly with me. I understood there was a reason for that behavior.
"Yes, the Greyrat name is well known in the kingdom," I said.
"Even so..." Sara said. "You're not one of those Greyrats, are you?"
"Yes, I'm related to them."
"Then you are one of them..." Sara bit her lip.
"But I don't consider myself a noble," I continued. "The only time I did was to be able to find my brother. It was purely for logistics."
Both of us lost our parents. Unlike her, I didn't have anyone to take me in. Besides, I had a second voice that blocked my emotions. I'm not going to blame Ayam either, since she did that based on what I was feeling.
'It's my fault.'
"When those monsters came out of the forest..." Sara took a few seconds to say it. "The nobility made up a lot of excuses about why they hadn't sent the knights. That's why so many people died."
"Is that what the feudal lord did?" I asked.
"Yes. That's what I heard," Sara replied.
"Well, some use that to blame the nobility, but to me, politics are useless, pointless, and problematic," I said. "Even if they live in their own world and have their own problems, if they couldn't protect their people, what is the point of ruling? Monsters are something tangible. Something that could have been stopped. Mind you, I'm not saying it's easy. Just that they should have tried."
"....Thank you, Daiki," Sara said in a low voice.
"Why do you say that?"
"For not being like them," Sara answered. "If it weren't for you, I think... no, I don't think. I know for a fact that I could have died if you hadn't arrived."
"My brother went too. I mean..."
"Shh," Sara interrupted me. "Don't start with your toos, it's exhausting."
"Understood," I replied.
"And don't say understood as if you were giving a report to the lord of a mansion either," Sara retorted.
"Alright... is that better?"
"Hmm." She brought a finger to her lips and rolled her eyes upward in an exaggerated way. "It can be improved."
After a few seconds, Sara spoke up.
"Daiki, are you free tomorrow? It's just that I plan to buy a sword, and since you're the best swordsman in this city, you can tell the difference between a good and a bad sword. Right?" Sara asked.
"Well, that depends..." I answered. "I notice the differences based on how useful it is to me. I never stopped to think about it for someone else. Come to think of it, I believe it would be good training for me as well, so I accept going with you tomorrow."
"It's a promise!" Sara shouted, looking happy.
"Is it? I was planning to go anyway. There was no need to promise..." I said. "And who would have thought, this will be the next purchase I help you make."
Sara left beaming, and shortly after, Rudeus approached.
"Wow, are you having a date? I feel proud, brother," Rudeus commented with a smile.
"It's just a shopping trip, Rudeus. Nothing more," I replied.
I stepped closer and rested my arm on his head.
"Hey! Don't take advantage of being taller!" Rudeus protested.
"The height difference isn't that much for now. It's only a head between us," I replied.
Was it really a date?
I hope not.
I'm not interested in her.
If she feels there could be something between us, I might hurt her with the truth.
[Seriously, it's obvious that's the case. You should clear things up with her beforehand.]
'I don't know. What if she doesn't feel anything? They are only assumptions.'
[Uh huh, sure. Assumptions based on data...]
'Keep quiet.'
[Understood]
....
The next day.
I was drinking some beer at the tavern, thinking about the red storm that always arrives when I start drinking. Despite not getting drunk, I feel it's the only way to keep myself calm.
Don't misunderstand. I like beer. For some reason, the bitter taste in my mouth is something new that I had never experienced before, since I've always drunk water. I suppose it's that new sensation that makes drinking it feel good.
Or maybe I inherited the drinking capacity my father has. Without a doubt, that's the most likely reason.
"Cheers, Obsidian!" someone said beside me.
"Cheers," I replied, clinking my mug against theirs.
'What could the true reason be?'
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Shall we go?" Sara said.
It was her.
This time I noticed her hair was more styled, and her clothes too. It seemed she had put in some effort. Her leather breastplate was nowhere to be seen, and she was wearing light clothes under her usual jacket.
"Yeah, let's go."
I got up, paid for the drink, and we left.
◇◇◇
Our destination was the Remate Shop, a weapon store with a good reputation. It belonged to a large company headquartered in the capital of Asura, Ars, and most of their weapons were imported from that kingdom.
The company had recently become popular thanks to the quality of its products, although the place was still a bit intimidating for adventurers.
Despite it being a better store than the one I visited a few months ago, I had found my sword at the other one, which was unusual and quite valuable. In all this time, even during missions, it hasn't chipped or broken one bit. It felt almost perfect for letting mana flow through it, which made it even better.
If their father had still been alive, they would have had a better blacksmith shop than this one.
It's a complete shame, honestly.
"Welcome!" one of the employees greeted us energetically when we entered.
A large quantity of weapons was before us.
Most were longswords, but there were also staves, whips, and blunt weapons like maces and clubs.
In short, nothing that interested me.
'Although... this time it had nothing to do with me.'
"Right... not this one... hmm... could it be...? No, it doesn't convince me..." Sara muttered.
It was then that I saw one that would be perfect for her.
"Sara, look," I said, doing a basic swing. "It's perfect for your center of gravity."
I handed it into her hands, and her eyes sparkled when she noticed it wasn't as heavy as she expected, but it wasn't a feather either. I had nailed it.
"Daiki, but... this is beyond my savings."
"Don't worry. I'll pay for it."
"What? Are you being serious?"
"It's my duty as your master, isn't it?" I replied. "A master I once had did the same thing when she trained me. The sword my father had bought me for my birthday didn't last long with her."
Unable to debate, avoid, or argue against it, she gave up and let me pay for it.
"Fine, you win..." she said. "But next time, I'll pay!"
"Alright. Next time you will do it."
We bought the sword and went to other stores.
I bought myself better footwear, some black pants, and a simple breastplate. Nothing exaggerated. I hadn't brought the cape Eris had given me this time, so I was in my usual dark clothes with an enthusiastic Sara beside me for the shopping.
She also decided to buy a new breastplate and a few other things. I didn't say much. I simply let her buy it now that she had the necessary money since she hadn't spent any on the sword.
Once we finished, we went to our usual bar.
"Let me see if I understood..." Sara said, taking a sip. "You're saying you fell from the sky and survived by using a griffon that should be on another continent?"
"Yes, that's what happened," I replied. "I'm sure it had something to do with the Fittoa incident. It had chains on, so I thought maybe it was a trapped animal. Perhaps the incident teleported it too."
"Poor thing. You fell from the sky without warning..." Sara said as she brought a piece of meat to her mouth.
"Yes, but it wasn't going to survive long in another climate anyway," I answered.
I had chosen a meat and potato stew. It was delicious. Or was it because of the good company? Maybe it was both.
"Ahh, I think I'm already a bit drunk..." she said suddenly, setting her mug down. "I tend to drink a lot when I'm with you. I think I try to compete or something..."
"I'm sorry about that," I said. "If you want, I can use healing magic."
"That's fine."
I visualized the mana and used magic to make her feel better.
"There you go. The effect should wear off. Am I right?"
She was blushing, since I had to place my hand on her abdomen.
The moment I realized what I had done, I quickly pulled my hand away and looked elsewhere.
"For some reason... I tend to relax when I'm by your side," she said, leaning her body against mine.
No, I know what she's doing.
"Uh, Sara. You've been drinking a lot. What if...?"
I don't know why I didn't react, but she kissed me.
I didn't expect that at all. My system failed, and I could only stay still, without reacting.
"Mmm...? Daiki? Don't... don't you want to?" Sara asked.
"Sara, can we talk somewhere else? This isn't the right place."
We went toward the inn, to my room. I closed the door slowly.
Expecting something else, she sat on the bed and looked at me with a smile.
Shit, she thinks this is...
[You're doomed, no matter what you do...]
'Shut up, please! What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?'
[You're trying to rationalize adolescence. That's impossible. You're both almost fifteen years old, meaning you're entering adulthood. However, biologically, you're still teenagers.]
I sighed and sat next to her.
The bed sank a little, and she ended up sliding toward my side.
"Sara..."
"Yes, Daiki?" She rested her hand on my leg. "I know it's early, but these months together felt like..."
"Please, stop," I said, closing my eyes.
"What... what do you mean?" I noticed how her voice changed entirely.
"I understand how you feel, because I feel that way too..."
She smiled suddenly.
"...but it's not for the same person. If I do this with you now, I'd only be trying to fill a void she left me. And I don't want to use you for that."
Her smile vanished.
"Her? She must have been very lucky..." though her weak voice said otherwise.
"Sara, you're a very beautiful woman, but you deserve something better than this apathetic being. Do you understand? You will never be the problem. The only broken and miserable thing in this room is me."
"I understand," she said abruptly.
"You understand?"
"No. You bring me to your room after I kissed you. You don't say anything. You close the door while looking at me, and now you tell me all this..."
She stared at nothing for a moment, then continued.
"You know what? Never mind. It's not like I felt anything for you anyway. It was a way to thank you. Yes, to pay you back for what you did. So don't get the wrong idea. The only reason I did this was because I felt obligated."
She stood up abruptly, adjusting her clothes.
"Sorry for the inconvenience."
"Sara..."
"G-goodbye!" she said as she opened the door and left the room.
Right before she could leave completely, I heard her mutter.
"What an idiot..."
'I knew this was going to happen... misunderstandings. We were always together these past few months, so she must have thought I was starting to feel the same way about her...'
[I told you so, brother, but your logic said otherwise.]
'I know, don't remind me... I know what it's like to be in love. Having the person you trust the most reject you is the hardest thing there can be. And now Sara felt the exact same way I felt with Eris.'
Heavy hearted, I lay down on the bed and just stared at the wall.
I'm not going to lie. I did start to feel something, but I was afraid of using her to forget someone else. I'm not that kind of person. I can't just erase all those years.
'What if I was an idiot? I could have been happy again, but I let myself get carried away by the same thing once more.'
It's too late now. I doubt it can be fixed.
She left feeling uncomfortable and hurt.
'Maybe I should just go accompany her. I don't know...'
And right when I was about to teach her swordsmanship.
'I shouldn't have brought her to the room. That's a golden rule... what an idiot I am. She's right.'
[You should have assumed it, Daiki. You can't just do these things expecting nothing to happen. I'm sorry to say it to you like this, but at least you learned an important lesson. Clear things up.]
I didn't answer, but what it said was right.