My relationship with my parents isn't exactly great, especially with Paul. With Zenith, it's pretty neutral. She does try to open up with me, but at the same, leaves me be if I were to act up again. But she has made more effort to be close with me slowly.

She tells me stories about her life adventuring with Paul. Mostly about her group traveling distance lands and such and occasionally funny moments she had with her party members. It was somewhat entertaining, not gonna lie, but most is what you were gonna expect from an adventurer. So there were some stories that were pretty generic. She talked a bit about her past before adventuring but not much. Her family is from the Millis Continent and that's it. She did explain what her home town in Mills looked like but I wasn't really invested in it. Most of the time, we stayed silent when in each other's presence.

With Paul, there was hardly ever talk. After our spat, he grounded me for a month. I wasn't allowed to leave the house, and that Lilia would accompany me if I did leave just outside our yard. Not any different from how I lived so I wasn't too broken up by it. He said sword training would resume and it would be intense. But I told him from the bottom of my heart, I didn't want to practice swordplay anymore since I wasn't progressing as much. He said it didn't matter, I would still do it regardless.

So there are times I just don't do it because he asks and not show up and hid somewhere around the house. Needless to say, he wasn't too happy.

Lilia as always, has continued being by my side. Whatever it was in silence or having a conversation, she does her best to not leave me alone. I guess she somewhat misses me because I no longer sleep in her room anymore because she would request a hug from me if I wanted to. I honestly wasn't against it so I would give her a hug once in a while. It was actually relieving that she hasn't kept her distance like Paul and Zenith, but that was my fault with them.

There were plenty of times I left the house and each time I came back, Paul would punish me. But after leaving many times, Paul got fed up and said "do whatever you want." That got him off my back… for good I think.

Why I've gone out of my way to leave was because…

"I'm here!"

Sylph arrived at where I was by this lone tree.

"Hello." I placed my book to the side and stood up from where I was laying.

"Are you ready?"

He nodded, "yes."

I pulled out my wand and handed it to him, "let's begin."

For over a year now, I've been training Sylph in the way of magic. During this time, he has progressed steadily. He managed to pick up on new spells quickly, so it wasn't a hassle trying to explain to him in detail about magic. It was also to see if his mana pool would be different from mine and see if age has anything to do with it. So far, he's been building his mana pool just like I did. He was getting tired faster when he first started using magic, but over a year has made him last longer.

For some reason, that sounded wrong.

When I finished showing him a spell, he asked me if I could show him how to do that thing with that warm water I did. I just showed him that I combine water and fire together without chanting. He then asked how I could do that and said if I could teach him. I was curious to see if other people could do voiceless chants, Roxy couldn't do it but I don't know if that is because of her age or if there are certain traits that are missing.

I wanted to test it out on Sylph if there was a reason but…

"No, figure it out yourself." I wasn't ready to give people my secret just yet. It was actually just a thought I had a while back so I wasn't truly interested in putting into practice.

Another part of me also wanted to make Sylph less dependent on me, let him solve things himself.

He looked saddened when I refused, so he walked away and started waving the wand around. I never said I won't ever teach him, just give him the opportunity to develop his problem solving skill.

Besides, it shouldn't be that hard to figure it out. I'm sure he'll understand someday.

One hour later and he's still waving around the wand and thinking really hard.

I honestly didn't have that high of expectations so I wasn't disappointed. I was more enjoying the struggle, it was funny to watch.

I laid and rested my head on the tree, watching the entertainment when a voice called to me.

"Rudeus."

I quickly sat up and turn to who called me.

It was Lilia.

"L-Lilla? What are you doing here?"

I wonder if Paul sent her to get me just because I've been out too long.

"There is a storm approaching, I came to fetch you."

"I see… Did Paul send you for that? I would've noticed it already." I grumble.

"No, I noticed that the clouds were getting darker. So out of concern, I came looking for you. I knew you were here since this is your favorite spot." She said as dark clouds were beginning to form.

She has been to this spot once before when I wanted to leave the house but only if Lilia joined me.

"I see, guess it was time to go." I stood up and dust myself off.

"Sylph, a storm is coming. We have to go."

He stopped his actions and started shaking.

"A-a strom!" He jumped before running to me and hugging me.

"Whoa there! What's wrong?"

He continues to shake, "i-is the storm gonna d-destroy everything again?"

I know what he was scared of.

"No… it's probably gonna rain."

"H-how do you know?"

Because I'm not gonna summon it.

"Because I won't let it happen. I'm a very powerful mage, I can make the storm disappear." I said with a goofy smile, hoping it would at least calm his nerves.

He looked at me with another saddened look. "Can you make it go away now?"

"Nope, this is natural rainfall. Changing it would likely mess up future weather's in the future."

He didn't seem too relaxed now.

I patted his back, "look… I promise you that everything is gonna be fine. Just stick with me and I won't let anything bad happen to you alright?"

That somewhat calms him.

"Come on then, my house is closer, you'll be safe there." I then led him with Lilia to my house.

I may have let it slip that maybe The Storm was unnatural while this one was natural. But Sylph didn't seem to think too much about it.

I hope it doesn't bite me in the ass one day.

Once we were on our way to the house, heavy rain started to fall. So we ran the rest of the way home. When we got there and headed inside, we were drenched from head to toe.

"We're home!" I called out in the house, but no one responded back.

"Master Paul and Lady Zenith are out at the moment. I do hope that both have taken shelter." Lilia said.

I hoped Paul drowned.

"I see… Well, can you prepare the bath Lilia?"

She bowed, "of course, right away." She went upstairs.

"Just wait a moment. She'll be back soon."

"Okay…" the green haired boy started to shiver.

I am starting to get cold too.

Lilia came back down with towels in hands. "I have the wash bin set but I need your help to fill them in faster if you don't mind. It would be a lot faster instead of boiling the water while still wet."

I nodded, "of course."

We headed upstairs to Roxy's old room where the wash bin was placed. I began to fill the large wooden bowl with warm water.

Once I did, I checked the temperature to see if it was the right heat. "There you go, it should be nice now." I said as I was beginning to strip.

"Rudeus, if it's okay with you, why not let Sylph take a bath here while you come with me to your room where the second wash bin is there and you can take a bath there." Lilia suggested.

I was confused when she asked this but then I thought I would take a bath Sylph… a child.

My body may be a child but my mind is still an adult. I don't think it's a good idea to take a bath with a child when I'm like this, it sounds creepy. Even Sylph was fidgeting when he noticed I was starting to strip.

"Alright then, I'll be in my room while you do your washing. Will you be okay washing yourself Sylph?"

I gotta act concerned.

He quickly nodded, "yes!"

"Alright." Me and Lilia left the room, leaving Sylph by himself.

We then went to my room where the second wash bin was placed. I proceeded to fill that one up as well. "That should do it. Do you have a wash bin in your room?" I began to strip.

"No, we only have two with us."

"Then… how will you wash yourself from the rain? Are you gonna change instead?"

I kinda feel bad that me and Sylph are using the only wash bins in the house.

It can't be helped I guess, I just hope she doesn't get sick.

"I shall take a bath with you."

I stopped striping, with only wearing my shorts.

… I'm sorry what?

"You want to take a bath with me?"

"Yes, it will be much quicker to wash up before we get sick." She then removed her apron and set it on my bed, while unbuttoning her shirt.

I didn't know how to feel about this. A mature woman undressing in front of a boy when the mind of an adult.

What could this do to me?

She removed her shirt, revealing her stunning figure and large breast. She then began removing her long skirt, showing her slim legs. Her color choice of underwear was black as she removed them, leaving herself almost completely bare. Then were the white stockings which she removed slowly so as not to tear them. She removed her glasses, placing them on my desk. Lastly, she let her hair down, letting flow freely down her back.

She was completely naked.

She turned to me, "are you alright Rudeus?"

Something like this would make any man jump over the moon, or in this case, jump her. They would have their way with her and do unspeakable things to her body. This would turn a man into a beast and ravage her body. This would make a man feel excitement, arousal.

This made me feel…

"I'm alright."

Nothing.

I removed the last bit of clothing, leaving me also naked. I hopped in the bath and sat with my back facing her.

I could hear her coming in the wash bin. It's a little small but she manages to sit behind me with her legs on either side of me.

She was close.

I don't feel anything… I thought it would be like last time when I had that… issue before. Guess my body's not feeling it right now.

Actually, I'm wondering why she wants to take a bath together. I get it was to take off the wet clothes quickly, but I never thought she would suggest such a thing. It's a bit out of character to be honest, her bathing with a child that isn't yours. Well, it's not like anything would happen, she sees me as a child or maybe a younger sibling. This doesn't mean anything.

"Are you well Rudeus?" She said as she scrubbed my back with a rag.

"I am, just thinking."

"Like what if I may ask?"

Nothing really, hardly anything comes to mind.

"Wondering what kind of person I'll be."

"I'm sure you'll be a wonderful person."

Really now? Me wonderful?

"What makes you say that?"

"Because you are a very smart child who knows magic. I'm sure you'll become a very talented mage." She continued scrubbing my back.

What if I turned evil?

"A smart child who disobeys their parents will become a talented mage?"

Her scrubbing started to slow down. "Well, every child has a rebellious phase. As long as you show respect to them later on, it should be fine."

Really? Just like that?

"I bet Paul would throw me out if I misbehaved too much. He'll finally say that he had enough of me and say that I'm on my own."

Lilia stopped scrubbing me.

"He would never do that."

I doubt it.

"Oh he will, I just need him to give him a perfect excuse to do so."

Lilia then placed her hands on my shoulder, surprising me.

"He will not do that to you, Rudeus. He's just worried you'll turn out like him and how he left on bad terms with his father. He sees a lot of himself in you."

"Really? Am I really that much of a pervert?"

"N-no! That's not what I meant. I meant you remind him of how he used to behave in the past. He just doesn't want you to turn out like him. He doesn't want to push you away."

"So him telling me to do what I want is not pushing me away?"

Lilia felt stuck as she wasn't sure what to say. "Well… he just… um…"

"You make a lot of excuses for him. Don't tell me you and Paul are…"

"Ah, please don't joke like that Rudeus. It's nothing like that." She sounded serious.

"Okay… sorry."

We stayed silent for a bit.

"I just want Rudeus and Master Paul to have a good relationship. That is all I wished for." She said

You wished for huh?

I don't know if me and Paul will ever get on the same page, I'm not very certain.

Then she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me closer.

"I also don't wish for you to go. I would feel very lonely without you here." I could hear a slight hint of sadness in her voice.

She'll really miss me when I do leave.

Well… here goes nothing.

"We could leave together, explore new places and such."

It went quiet again before Lilia opened her mouth.

"I would be just a hindrance to you. I told you about my injury, I'm not what I used to be."

I press forward, "well, we could find a house together. You stay home and I do the work."

She smiled, "that something a husband and wife would do."

I'm getting a nauseous feeling now, not the bad kind. The kind when you say something embarrassing that it's too much. I guess it does sound kinda bad.

"I did say I would choose you if I left this place."

She giggled, "you still feel that now huh?"

"Of course, I plan to make you my wife. We'll go anywhere we want."

Why am I even saying these things? What do I get for just saying this? It's not like anything is gonna happen, I'm just a child in her eyes… which I am. I just wanted to see her reaction… or maybe I'm just lonely.

I should stop… this is a bit much for me. I may have to take her with me now if I continue.

I turned my head to look up to her while she looked at me. I wanted to change the subject somehow but I didn't. Instead, I looked into her eyes. She had very violet colored eyes, she was almost beautiful. Just her eyes had me in some kind of trance. Her eyes… with how kind and gentle they look, it reminded me of…

Re-chan.

"You have very pretty eyes." I said warmly.

Her eyes widened before closing them and reaching down to kiss me on the lips.

I didn't know what to do really, I was shocked. Lilia was kissing me… mouth to mouth. A mature woman kissing a little…

Wait! Wait! This is very wrong! So wrong! I need to stop this!

In my mind, that was what I wanted. But my body had other plans. Instead, I just sat there, enjoying the kiss. Then I felt it… that feeling I had before Roxy's Final test.

Ah crap…

Lilia pulled her lips away slowly. It was like she was in a trance too… before snapping out of it.

"R-rudeus, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have!" She was in a panic, "I just… I'm feeling very… oh my… what have I done." She looked petrified, having no idea what she's done.

I didn't really care too much, I honestly wasn't listening to what she was saying. I even forgot that Sylph was still in the other room.

I turned to her fully, standing up in the wash bin, Lilia had her hands in her face, trying to hide her horror. I moved them away, seeing her now crying face. I didn't say anything, instead, I planted a kiss on her lips. Now it was her turn to be shocked.

I thought she would push me away, but she hugged me closer to her, our bodies touching. She kissed me deeply now, forgetting the feeling of horror, instead was some type of desire. All we did was kiss each other passionately and rub against one another, feeling each other's warmth.

I had wondered why Paul and Zenith hadn't come back yet, I'm glad they didn't.

I don't remember how long it lasted, we continued this activity until after the water ran cold, even then we continued doing this.

In the back of my mind, I knew this was very wrong. It was disgusting, it was a mistake, yet I did it anyway.

What the hell is wrong with me?