Snow, Really, Snow. I could not handle it anymore, it was everywhere since I got here. Everything was white and soaked in mud, and my boots that once were the same color now looked brown, this would take time to wash and I wasn't looking forward to it.

I was finally at the gates of the capital of the Petty Kingdom of Bashrant, and god it was cold. and I thought I missed this for so long while I was at Shirone, I was wrong, really wrong.

This was the second town I reached since I got to the northern part of the central continent. I really got here in a rush if I do say so. With only my briefcase in my left hand and my Staff on the other, I gave a wave goodbye to the coach that brought me here. Although I lived years around this region, I still never had gone very far from Ranoa, so this was the first time I was setting foot in this town.

"I wonder if he is really here? " I mumble those hopeless thoughts, as an assurance that I made the correct decision, everyone had their doubts. I was no exception, ever since I saw how brilliant Rudy was, I myself was a bit insecure about meeting my old pupil. Would he be disappointed?

the town was almost like I remember Ranoa to be, it had the same kind of buildings, they even had a snow melting magic circle. I wish they had that in my time when I was a student back at Ranoa sure it would be useful, those days I spent shoveling snow so I could afford to eat would be way easier

"..."

still Have I done the correct thing? Maybe I wasn't the correct person to go after my pupil, but I just couldn't stay put after what I saw.

Rudy, the bright child I knew, the one full of dreams and hopes… with the eyes I never saw, the face he had was worse then when he climbed that horse. It was like a dead corpse smiling, walking in a pointless journey eager to find its own death.

looking around town there was still no sign of Rudy, my new eye made it really easy to look around, although closed places were still a problem. The town wasn't that big, it's inner walls were old, and both a millis church and the Adventurers guild were in a central square.

I decided to see inside the Adventures guild that was on the other side of the square, Rudy was still an adventurer, if he was here, he would leave a mark. I was sure I wasn't going to miss him again.

Entering the adventurers guild all eyes were glued to me, I was used to this, after all my looks still would call the attention of the regular adventurer, I wonder if any of the ones here would know me from back when I used to go to Ranoa's Adventurer's guild, but no dice. I guess adventuring wasn't that viable as they make it show to youngsters.

"She could at least have picked my left eye", the eye would still bother me a bit. I almost got the hang of it, but it was clear that I wasn't able to use it like Krishika showed me.

The little Demon Emperor just decided that finding Rudy and his family was not enough for me as a gift , and since I refused her insane world domination plans she had added me in. She decided to grant me an eye and show me the pupil I missed dearly.

clearly the demon emperor was not exactly in the best of spots but her planning abilities were kind of remarkable. just beside a bucket where she would stop to use it from time to time. She seemed really thankful I got her that, and praised it as a gift from the gods.

I didn't exactly know why. but I felt fear that if I didn't do anything, and instead went to rescue Zenith the Rudy I knew might never be again. and that led me to convince my friend Elinalise to back down and let me go find him. Although she still told me "I would owe her," that made me a bit worried. hell knowing Elinalise, I was sure she had some kind of plan herself.

At least in this town at the adventurers guild so far no one has asked me to join their party…yet… the place was full, but no one would get closer, the mood was a bit gloomy but it wasn't too different from other guilds I've been through. As I got closer to the balcony, there there was a desk attendant, those were always usually pretty girls, i wasn't sure why it was that way, I asked to the guild attendant

"May I ask, have you heard anything of Rudeus Greyrat?"

Even if we weren't sure of what exactly was happening with Zenith, Elinalise also told me to focus on Rudy and that if they needed our help she would send us a letter. Paul, Talhand and her could find Zenith just fine… I still was a bit skeptical of this but accepted her demands for the moment, my instincts though they were all shouting to go for Rapan.

"Rudeus Greyrat? you mean… Quagmire?" she asked. this might be a lead, So I decided to keep my questions…

"He is a magician that can make magic without using incantations , blonde, about this height," as I moved my hand to about the height of my hips, although I remembered the image I saw, right Rudeus wasn't just a kid anymore was he? I slowly moved my hand to where I guessed how tall he would be…

that grabbed the attention from someone not far from me. as the one behind the counter replied.

"oh yes, Quagmire Rudeus! I saw him a few days ago, although he hasn't shown up this morning in the guild yet." The attendant gave me the information I needed, so Rudeus was here.

"Are you looking for Rudeus?" a woman approached, her face wasn't exactly happy nor sad "you know him?", it had a bit of anger, but the woman seemed conflicted about that.

"Yes I was his teacher, I'm currently looking for him to tell him we may have found his mother"

That sentence awoke the room, the mood was a little brighter as the adventurers seemed to be relieved "I'm glad they found her" I could hear people mumbling among themselves. Sounds like Rudy really did a good job in finding people to help find Zenith. What made me smile without noticing.

"oh yes I worked a lot with him…" she looked to the side and then back to me, "I'm Suzane, Vice-leader of Counter Arrow" she extended her hand, still a bit conflicted.

"you know where he is?" I accepted the hand shake as she again looked to the side "actually I haven't seen him since this morning…"

"Oh so he is in town?" I asked eagerly

"It might be but I haven't seen him since…"

"Really, so what happened?"

I left the Adventurer's Guild, Snow had ceased, but the ground was still muddy, he could still be around the city. Thankfully Suzane told me where he was staying, and I decided it was best to go right away.

Apparently Rudeus had done some unspeakable things… I had no reason to doubt what this Suzane had just said to me. Apparently the young boy was out in the red district with another woman, Doing what men do in those parts… I guess he had some odd behaviors since the time he was a kid…

they had been harsh to him, even though they were right. But I could still put his mind in the right place. I was his teacher anyway, this was my job entrusted to me by himself, I liked it or not.

Although when I got to the inn, the innkeeper told me he had left, Leaving sounded like something Rudy would do.

I spent some more days in town, now that the trail was fresh and I was also sure that he was alive. It was a relief and a reassurance, I could find him soon enough… It had been a while, but I guess I might be finally getting close to him. Two years since I saw the note in that depressing bulletin board back at the camp, of the once imponent walled city of Roa. Apparently like in white port I missed him just by a little. but I had to find him and I was sure I would.

Money has been kind of an issue since I left the demon continent. well our funds from there were basically gone after that party, and having stopped little since I got here I haven't had the time to recuperate those losses. Considering that all the money I had in the demon currency was useless as no one would trade that for other coins here, not even the adventurer's guild ,it would leave me with one asuran gold coin.

It was two days after arriving in the city, I needed to find some work. Might as well pick a task here while I'm here right?

people were going around in their daily routines, there were little girls playing with what was left of the snow

Who knows Rudeus might end up returning to town after things get a little bit more calm, it is too early to leave…

The adventurer guild looks the same as the other day, although there was a lingering bad feeling inside it, apparently a big party just left town the same day, it was odd how this kind of thing. People come and go and not only affect the other adventurers but also their moods. I could also hear some mumbling here and there about Rudy, sadly not whereabouts, but more like "where is quagmire, I was needing him today." or "haven't seen that kid lately. But I heard that they found his mother."

so until news from them reaches this place again I'm probably going to stay here. Maybe until next summer? Who knows, I ended up staying at the inn Rudy was in. If he showed up I would be the first one to know.

The way to the notice board was empty, but opposite to places in asura it was full of jobs, most of them were not as dangerous as the ones you would find at the demon continent, but I felt I could probably pull them off alone if it was the case.

As I was looking into the board two requests caught my eye, one was about an expedition into one dungeon nearby, although the reward for it was not worthy. clearly it was a no though, even if I missed going dungeon diving.

Even if it was hard to believe that I would finally meet the love of my life in one.

The other one was a monster extermination quest. some bear monster I was familiar with, they aren't hard to kill but may be an issue if they get in big numbers. well they were the only ones I could accept, afterall, I did eventually rank up so my guild had some better options inns. after all that thing that happened in white port it was the only thing I could do…

I took the request and brought it to the table giving the attendant my card as well. The woman looked at the request with a concerned face, but then looked at my rank and gave it back my adventurers guild card.

"Are you alone?" she asked, "we have some horses that are not being used if you want. about five of them, they should be enough for you and your party."

they always offered that, I guess they were compensated rather well if they gave those things for s rank adventures.

"No, that won't be needed." I was used to walking at this point of my life. There was no need to change my methods just because of my rank.

As I was on my way out of the guild someone reached my shoulder, as I was turning already nodding in decline,(used from all the time newcomers would invite me for their group) someone who I just recently got acquainted pulled me.

"Roxy right?" it was that woman, Suzane, "thank god I found you I need your help." my help? I was dumbfounded by the strange request.

"uh sure, how can I help you."

she gave a glance to the request I was holding and then asked "do you mind if we tag along in this request you have?"

That was odd, sometimes parties would group together to face big foes, but these monsters were probably not that dangerous. I would say a rank b quest in the demon continent would be equivalent to it, I have no reason to actually help those people… but well having them around probably wouldn't hurt since they probably know the place better than me. "sure, although I need the money.I'll be giving 10% tops."

"No problem, Rudeus helped us so much that I guess this is some sort of payback, we don't want our share." who said that wasn't her, but a little bit taller man behind the woman

"Pardon me, I'm Tymothy the leader of Counter-Arrow, I think this could be good for our group as well as I want the opportunity to meet the great Roxy Migurdia Rudeus kept talking about." he had a inviting smile that was hard to say no too.

"oh well my pupil tends to over exaggerate my achievements, nice to meet you I'm roxy, and will be looking forward to working together with you guys."

The next morning I headed to the southern gate. We had settled on leaving at sunrise. It was a bit before that but oddly enough they were already waiting for me at the gate, there were four. The two I already knew were Timothy and Suzane, a blond girl and a tall man, the tall one, the girl's name was probably Sara, and the girl who Rudy said some mean things according to Suzane. First things first I need to apologize for my pupil's mistakes, after all I'm his teacher. so even before she said her name I gave a bow

"I'm sorry for what my pupil Rudy has said to you, I wish we can all work well," as I said that the girl seemed uncomfortable, looking at Suzane with accusatory eyes.

"don't worry, it wasn't your fault." she then faced back at me still a bit blushing but avoiding her gaze "I'm Sara, archer."

The other man apparently was Patrice, he was a warrior mage, and so we left the city. Apparently they wanted me to do what my pupil used to do, that is slow down the monsters so they could strike them. I thought the composition was a bit weird as it was, they were clearly missing a healer. different from the demon continent, healers were plenty in this region. but I figured that if worse came to be I could help.

We walked for some hours, Timothy talked a lot, apparently he was also from the magic university of Ranoa, and we had the same teachers, so that was quite nostalgic. however , all the other members were dead quiet. I had the feeling that Timothy was the only one interested in this little trip, even more interested than myself.

The place we were heading to was a lake, it took a while until timothy came and explained that they recently lost someone near this place. So that's what it was apparently.

We setted up camp rather quickly, these were all seasoned adventurers after all. Although I wanted to get it over quickly because I wanted to keep an eye on the town and they probably noticed that, but at the same time it was clear that the camp was needed. It took almost half a day here, and it will probably take some time to take the pelts from the monsters. Sara said she was going to scout for us and left as soon as the preparations were done. I felt the girl was avoiding me, or maybe it was something related to what happened. I maybe was mistaken in apologizing for her on Rudy's behalf…

although all the other members seemed concerned. as both Patrice and Timothy went with her to keep an eye on her. leaving only me and Suzane. oddly enough we haven't talked a lot, she was rather quiet since we met. She didn't seem like the quiet one from my party experience. It was finally when she decided to break the silence.

"Look, don't worry, she isn't mad at you." She said what I already knew.

"yes, but I've seen to make things a bit uncomfortable for you guys…"

"oh well, things have been like that since the incident…"

silence again fell into the camp. It was one of the most awkward situations I've been through, but well I guess it can be worse. I decided to try to understand better what was happening, I mean I knew my pupil had said terrible things to the girl that she was unappealing and things a girl should never hear. It was indeed strange however, Sara was beautiful, much better looking than I could ever be…

"So why exactly did you guys decide to help me?" It was blunt but I wanted answers.

"Well, in reality I wanted to talk to you," Suzane said, "the guys were fine, and we didn't talk to Sara, actually this is the first time since she got out of the room."

"Understandable…" I looked to the side, I really needed to talk to my pupil about this when I found him. "Uh? talk to me?"

"Yes," she said, " I know what Rudeus did was wrong." Suzzane kept looking at the fire we made while setting up the camp.

"most definitely." I agreed.

"but well… Sara did some things wrong as well…" she said looking to the side.

"no need to say such things Suzzane. Don't worry, I'll put my pupil in the right place." I said, giving a comforting nod to her.

"no but well, the guys explained to me later it is a… male problem," I didn't know how to answer that, it really didn't make too much sense to me as I just tilted my head to the side.

"Well I'm sure that you will understand once you see him." she gave a smile looking into the fire. "I guess I just needed this talk with someone you know? and also make Sara leave her room."

"I guess this is all right, I'm happy for her little step."

"Well, just promise me," Suzzane looked at me. "Take care of him will you? like I said he still has done a lot for us…" she went and told the whole story of how they lost their healler. and Rudeus saved one of the members of the group. For once I was proud of my pupil since I had news of him.

Sara and the others returned from the scouting, apparently there were two groups of monsters, they were confident they could take one of them, but not the other, although Sara was the one arguing that it would be fine. I finally joined saying I could help if needed, although they all went quiet. In the end it seemed to have worked since they decided it was all right for our party to face all the monsters.

it all started as it should, the first batch of monsters was easy pickings for them, although the second one seemed rather difficult. even fighting from a range they slowly were making their way.

The point chosen for this was quite bad. It was like the scout party did this in a hurry, we quickly retreated to the other point, but to no avail the monsters still had a avantage on us.

I've been in moments like this ever since I was fourteen. it wasn't a good position to be in, but well, so far I haven't done a lot besides some support spells here and there. But there was one spell she knew she could rely on in these situations. Fire wall, an intermediary spell that would give us a wall of fire, and burst into the monsters on the other side.

"Oh mother of the scorched Earth and the raging fire spirits'' as I looked better, more and more monsters were appearing, and the frontline was diminishing in front of us.

Suzane was almost backed into a corner being covered by Patrice, I was in front of them and now it was clear that what I was going for wasn't going to be enough. I needed more power.

" Oh raging Fire,offer us a great-" it was then that I felt this feeling countless times. I knew the spell was ready even before the incantation was finished. I just closed my eyes and said the spell name so it would fire. "Exodus Flame!"

The surroundings became a hellish scape in seconds, as I felt the mana being drained from my body. and the monsters were relinquished to just a few.

as the last one was dead, silence came back into what remained from the battlefield. It was rather inconvenient since the flames made the pelts probably lose their value. we all got into removing the pelts from the bears.

"You sure is his teacher," said Timothy behind me.

"He always likes to say that but he was always bright and diligent. To say I was his teacher is tough thinking he learned most of things by himself" I gave him a smile, I was still proud of my pupil even if I was an unworthy teacher.

"Still to think you both would use the same spell in similar situations, does really tell how much he learned from you. you should give you some credit" he said.

"Like I said before Mr. Timothy, My pupil tends to exaggerate things…"

" I thought I had to agree with you when we met, but well you managed to make his spell look small. you are truly a good mage." he said something I truly doubt, this was Rudeus we were talking about. He was sure to be way stronger than me at the current time. Timothy was just trying to be nice.

The job gave me a good earning, we sold the pelts and I somehow got them to at least accept 20% of the value. I finally understood why the asuran Adventurers would come here, the jobs paid way better for this kind of job.

news finally reached me, it seems Rudeus is in another town near here together with the stepped leader( the part that recently left the town, apparently they found a new labyrinth.) I met Counter Arrow one last time and gave them goodbyes. I would finally see my long lost Pupil so I quickly left the city heading his way.

Author Notes:

Well First of all I have to thank Ali for giving me this idea. it took a while to fix it, although I hope you all find it enjoyable ^^