The next day, the soft singing of birds was the first thing I heard, slowly dragging me out of sleep. The morning light filtered through the curtains, tinting the room in a warm and peaceful hue.
I opened my eyes lazily… and the first thing I saw was Roxy's blue hair.
She was resting on my chest, hugging me naturally. Her breathing was slow and serene, and every time she exhaled, I felt the slight movement of her body against mine. The sheets barely covered us, tangled in a careless mess.
I stayed motionless, almost holding my breath. I didn't want to break this moment of peace for anything in the world. I watched how the sunlight highlighted the softness of her skin and the relaxed features of her face, giving her an almost celestial aura.
I ran my hand down her back, enjoying the warm contact of her skin, feeling her shiver slightly under my touch. However, the spell broke when she began to wake up. Roxy let out a small sigh, sat up, and stretched slightly, letting the sheet slip—revealing her bare back for a second before she realized I was there.
As she turned her head and her gaze met mine directly, the silence lasted barely a second. The realization of where she was, who she was with, and above all, how we were, hit her.
Quickly, she let out a muffled squeak, grabbed the sheet with surprising agility, and covered herself completely, turning into a small trembling lump under the fabric. Only her blue eyes and the tip of her nose peeked out, while her face reached a crimson shade that I would swear was emitting heat.
"A-A-Arthur!" she stammered, her voice muffled by the cloth. "G-good morning! D-don't look! Forget what you saw! I mean, it's not that you can't look, but... ahhh!"
I chuckled, sitting up in bed and leaning my back against the headboard, enjoying her reaction. Seeing the great Saint-rank Mage so vulnerable was something only I had the privilege to witness.
"It's a bit late for that, don't you think, Roxy?" I told her playfully. "Besides, last night you told me to only look at you."
She made a noise of annoyance, a mix between a cute growl and a sigh of resignation, as she sank further into the pillow.
"Please... could you look the other way? I want to put something on," she whispered.
"Alright, alright," I conceded, raising my hands in surrender, though I couldn't help a final chuckle. "I'll behave until I turn back around."
I turned toward the window, watching the city of Sharia begin to come to life under the morning sun. I heard the soft rustle of fabric and the creaking of the bed as she moved clumsily, probably rushing. Taking advantage of the moment, I also dressed in my trousers.
"Y-you can turn around now," she finally said.
When I turned, Roxy already had her nightgown on and was sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to fix her blue hair with her fingers, though she avoided eye contact.
"Here, let me help you..." I said softly.
I took the comb from the nightstand, approached her, and carefully lifted her to sit her on my lap. Roxy let out a small gasp of surprise, but she didn't resist; she simply let herself go, though I felt her body radiating heat from shyness.
I began to comb her hair with slow and delicate movements, untangling every knot with patience. She relaxed little by little under my care, letting out a steady sigh. The silence in the room shifted from being awkward to something deeply intimate, where only the soft friction of the comb could be heard.
"So... was it okay?" she asked in a whisper, almost fearing the answer.
"Yes... it was incredible," I replied sincerely, setting the comb aside to wrap my arms around her.
However, before the romantic atmosphere could rise again and envelop us once more, there were knocks at the door.
Knock, knock.
Someone was heard deliberately clearing their throat on the other side.
"Umm... Arthur, I know I shouldn't bother you, but..." it was Rudeus's voice, which sounded as if he were talking while looking at the ceiling. "I have to remind the Mistress that she can't miss today. It's exam week at the university, and the students are waiting for her."
Roxy went rigid as a statue in my lap. Her blue eyes widened as she processed the word "exams."
"That's right! The final exams for the class!" she exclaimed, jumping from my arms with an agility that almost sent me falling backward.
She began moving through the room like a whirlwind. I don't know where from, but she pulled out her usual mage robes, grabbed her staff, and adjusted her hat.
I stood up laughing, shaking my head. I opened the door and found Rudeus leaning against the frame, scratching his cheek with a complicit smile.
"Sorry to be a buzzkill," Rudeus said, giving me a light pat on the shoulder, "but if she's late, the director will get cranky."
Roxy ran past us, muttering something, but as she passed me, she stopped for a second to squeeze my hand and give me a quick look full of affection before rushing down the stairs.
Rudeus and I were left alone in the hallway. The silence lasted a few seconds until he broke the tension in the most "Rudeus" way possible: he put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a mischievous grin.
"By the way... congrats on no longer being a virgin, Arthur."
I could only laugh heartily, scratching the back of my neck with some embarrassment. "Thanks... I guess," I replied, trying to regain my composure.
"And? How was it?" he continued, crossing his arms and arching an eyebrow. "Because, you know... you guys weren't exactly discreet. Some noises in the night and the bed hitting the wall... Let's just say the walls of this mansion aren't as thick as you thought."
I felt a shiver. "Damn it, I completely forgot to put up a magic sound barrier," I thought, giving myself a mental slap. In the heat of the moment, I forgot the most important thing.
"I'll keep it in mind for next time," I answered, trying to sound casual, even though I felt my ears burning.
"Anyway, don't worry," Rudeus added with a small laugh, "Paul already left for work a while ago. You've been spared his jokes... for now."
I let out a sigh of relief, but the peace didn't last long. As we went downstairs, the atmosphere in the dining room was still "special."
Norn was the first to see me, but as soon as our eyes met, she abruptly turned away, her face completely flushed, concentrating on her plate as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.
Aisha, for her part, wouldn't stop smiling. She had that calculating look, as if she were thinking about something.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Lilia, Zenith, and Sylphie seemed to be acting normally. They moved back and forth preparing more tea and organizing dishes, immersed in their own conversations.
"I definitely have to buy a house..." I thought to myself as I took my seat.
That moment of awkwardness was the final push. I had been considering it for a long time, but today was the confirmation. I decided that very day to skip training with Perugius; after what I'd been through, I needed to get my affairs in order before training again.
After checking my savings—which were considerable thanks to my missions, my work as Ariel's bodyguard, pay from Paul, and exploring the labyrinth—I decided it was time. I contacted a real estate agent and managed to secure an excellent plot of land. I didn't want to stray too far from the family in case of an emergency, so I chose a lot near Rudeus's mansion.
The purchase was a success. The land was large, practically the same size as Rudeus's. For the construction, I took the lead alongside Rudeus.
He, enthusiastically, contributed innovative ideas from his old world, and I, when he wasn't looking, applied my own knowledge and structural adjustments to make the house a true fortress.
Curiously, Paul seemed to catch the bug from my initiative. He decided to buy his own plot, though a bit smaller. He said he wanted to make up for lost time and have a place of his own for himself, Zenith, and Lilia.
Before long, when the construction of both houses was finished, our residences became the only ones in the area.
.....
A month later, the houses were finally ready. I was standing in front of my new property with Roxy, who gazed at the structure with shining eyes, amazed that this place was our home.
However, we weren't alone. Just to my left, two other people were smiling with a satisfaction that immediately made me suspicious.
It was Aisha and Norn.
In some way I still didn't quite understand—though I suspected Aisha's manipulation skills had a lot to do with it—they had managed to convince Paul and the rest of the family that it was best if they moved into my new house as well. To my surprise, Roxy didn't object.
"It's perfect, Arthur!" Aisha exclaimed, jumping for joy. "I've already decided which will be my room. It has the best view of the garden and is far enough from yours so that... well, so you can have your 'privacy'."
"I've also already chosen mine," Norn added with a shy but determined smile. "I promise to help with the cleaning and order, so we won't be a bother."
I looked at Roxy seeking a sign for help, but she only gave me a sweet smile and nodded.
"It's okay, Arthur," she whispered, squeezing my hand. "A house this big would feel a bit empty with just the two of us. Besides... it can make the cleaning burden lighter."
"She's right, the more help the better... I'm so sorry, Rudeus," I thought as I put my hands together in a silent gesture of apology in his direction.
I knew Sylphie would take good care of him, but still, I had stolen an important piece of his home dynamic.
"Well," I finally said, letting out a resigned sigh but with a smile. "I guess there's no turning back now."
We all entered the new home...
...
Rudeus's point of view
A year passed in a blink. The seasons changed their course once more, and winter has returned to claim Sharia, wrapping the city in a white, cold mantle.
I am now 18 years old. As far as the university is concerned, I'll soon be in my fourth year. Arthur, Norn, and Aisha also moved up a grade, though they didn't attend much; Arthur is too busy with his own things... well, the girls have their own dynamic in their new house. Sylphie also passed with honors, splitting her time between her grades and her work as Ariel's bodyguard.
Everything has been going well, but with notable changes. My mansion feels strangely quiet now that everyone moved to their own residences. Luckily, Mom and Lilia come by often to help with cleaning and, above all, to take care of Lucy.
Speaking of Arthur's house... Aisha and Norn haven't given up. As their brother and a great connoisseur of "other world" culture, I can smell the drama from miles away: I know perfectly well that they both feel something for Arthur. It's a complicated situation that I prefer to observe from the sidelines.
I look at my little Lucy, who has already started eating baby food. A few days ago, she called me "Lu-dy." Not a trace of a "Dada." It makes sense, I suppose, since no one in this house calls me that, but with Sylphie it's different: she says "Mama" to her very clearly. I feel like she's learned to talk too fast. Is she a genius? Well, it's probably the result of Zenith, Lilia, and Sylphie giving her diction lessons 24 hours a day.
Graduation day soon arrived. Among the graduates were Linia and Pursena. It was a noisy ceremony, very true to their style. That night they spent in the tavern shouting, "We don't need any man, nya!" and "That's right, let the men just screw off, nano!" while they drowned themselves in alcohol. A fitting end for that pair of troublemakers.
After the festivities ended, I decided to pay my regular visit to Nanahoshi's lab.
"Cough, cough..."
I find Nanahoshi wrapped in blankets like a ladybug, shivering.
"Another cold?" I asked with concern.
"Cough.. So it seems," she replied in a weak voice.
Her health has been terrible this past year. She always has that dry cough or sudden fevers. I've had to use detoxification magic constantly, and although Arthur also helps with his magic, she only improves for a short while before relapsing.
"Maybe you should start living a bit healthier," I suggested.
Nanahoshi practically never leaves this room. She only goes to the cafeteria for lunch and spends the rest of the time surviving on leftovers and a repetitive, dismal diet. Her immune system is in the gutter.
"At least until you get better, how about a small break?"
"The research is going well... I shouldn't stop right now," she insisted, pointing to the magic circle
It's true that she's made progress. Months ago, we completed Phase 2: summoning a specific inanimate object. Now we are at Phase 3: summoning a living being, like a plant or a small animal. We are one step away from vegetables from my previous world appearing in this one.
"Today we are going to start the Phase 3 experiment," she said, trying to stand up. "Shouldn't we wait for Cliff and Zanoba to be here?"
"Ah, right. Can you go get them?"
"Impossible," I shook my head. "Both took a break for the graduation ceremony."
"I see... it's that time of year. And Arthur? What can you tell me about him?"
Nanahoshi had been very excited to learn about Arthur's true lineage. To her, he wasn't just a strong warrior, but the grandson of Perugius, the being who knew most about summoning magic circles in the history of this world. She was anxious for his help, convinced that his blood could be the key to the calculations we were missing.
"I think he's still at Perugius's fortress," I replied. "Lately, the Dragon King hasn't let him breathe."
"Gosh, that's too bad..." she said, sinking back into her chair.
Suddenly, the lab door burst open. The two beast girls, Linia and Pursena, entered making a scene, their breath still smelling slightly of last night's alcohol.
"Boss! We need you for something important, nya!" Linia shouted, pointing a trembling finger at me.
"It's an emergency of honor... nano," Pursena added, munching on a piece of dried meat.
"Uh... what would you want me for?" I asked with a drop of cold sweat running down my neck. "Don't tell me I have to fight their suitors from the Dedoldia tribe again?"
"There's no time for questions! You have to come, Boss!"
"Alright, alright, I'm coming..." I conceded, raising my hands.
"And the experiments?" Nanahoshi interjected with a whiny tone.
Before I could say anything, Pursena grabbed her by the blanket and started dragging her. "You're coming too, flat-woman. We need witnesses... nano."
We found ourselves in a clear clearing on the outskirts of the university, where the accumulated snow served as an improvised ring. It seemed the two had decided their graduation was the perfect moment to settle scores: they would fight to see who would become the absolute leader before returning to their lands.
First, they started throwing insults, as usual.
"Get ready to bite the dust, flea-ridden cat, nano!" Pursena roared.
"Shut up and fight, sack of fleas... I'm going to wipe that smile off your face... Nya," Linia replied, getting into a stance.
The fight began explosively. Linia was the first to jump, using her feline agility to launch a series of slashes that cut through the air. Pursena, however, didn't move; she waited for the right moment and, with a roar that made the ground vibrate, launched a sonic shockwave that deflected Linia's attack.
Both collided in the center of the clearing. It was a dance of pure violence. Linia landed a spinning kick to Pursena's side, but the latter took advantage of the impact to grab her leg and slam her against a nearby tree. Linia bounced back like a spring, launching a short-range fire spell that scorched part of Pursena's ear fur.
"That burns, you brat, nya!"
"Learn to aim better... nano!"
The climax came when both, exhausted and panting, launched into a final charge. There was no magic, just brute force. Both threw a direct punch at the same time. The sound of the impact was dry: CRACK!! Both landed a devastating blow to each other's faces, right on the jaw.
Linia flew backward, left dazed with her eyes rolling back for a second. Pursena remained standing, though her legs were shaking like jelly and blood ran from her nose.
The winner, through pure physical endurance, was Pursena.
Linia regained consciousness shortly after, but both were badly battered. I approached with my hands glowing with healing magic, but both stopped me with a look of fierce pride.
"Don't you even dare, Boss!" Linia growled, wiping blood from her mouth. "A warrior wears her marks with honor, nya."
"Scars tell the story of the victory... nano," Pursena added, though she could barely keep one eye open.
Pursena turned around and began to walk with a heavy step toward the dorms, leaving Linia still sitting in the snow, trying to catch her breath. The victory of the "dog" over the "cat" had been by a minimum margin, but enough to leave Linia's pride in the dirt.
I approached her. The winter wind blew hard and her clothes, torn by the slashes and the shock magic of the fight, barely covered her. I took off my coat and put it over her shoulders.
"So... what will you do now?" I asked her, watching her huddle into the garment. "I thought you'd return to the Great Forest with Pursena to take over leadership."
Linia was silent for a moment, looking toward the horizon where her rival's silhouette disappeared among the snowflakes. Then, to my surprise, she let out a small, mocking laugh.
"I think I'll stay around here, nya," she replied quite naturally.
"Huh? What do you mean you'll stay?" I froze, and not because of the weather. "Your family is waiting for you. Aren't you supposed to have responsibilities to the Dedoldia clan?"
"That place is boring and too cold," she said, adjusting my coat and looking at me with a spark of cunning in her feline eyes. "Besides, I've found a very strong man in this city... and I think if I have children with him, I can give birth to someone incredibly powerful, nya."
I was stunned. "Don't tell me she's referring to..."
"Are you talking about...?"
Linia put a finger to her lips, drawing a feline smile full of mystery that made my skin crawl.
"It's a secret, nya..." she replied, winking cheekily before turning around and walking with an elegant step, despite her injuries, toward the university.
I watched her walk away, wrapped in my coat, with that unshakable confidence that only the girls of her race possess. I stood there, in the middle of the snowy clearing...
"What a mess. I just hope she doesn't cause a disaster."
End of chapter