Back with Chapter 14.
And that's about it.
Not a lot else for me to say.
XXX
"Good." The response was short and blunt, followed by a single nod of acknowledgment. Nonetheless, the girl in front of him smiled lightly at the praise, wiping the blood off her baselard with a piece of cloth.
Currently, both Fuzen and Lili were on the 4th Floor having just started another trip into the Dungeon a short while ago. The plan for the day was melee combat, which Fuzen tried to have Lili get accustomed to. After all, though she was far more efficient with the crossbow, few things in life went as planned including having a Monster get too close for comfort while inside the Dungeon.
She had gotten better, that much he could acknowledge: though she still had difficulty, she could now kill a Goblin by herself, and if using her crossbow even slightly stronger Monsters, like Kobolds and War Shadows, were not impossible for her as long as their numbers were not too great.
"Your movements were wasteful. You had many chances to disarm it by targeting the weak points: wrists, inner side of the elbow and under the armpit, yet you allowed these chances to slip by. Fear is still the driving factor behind your actions." Lili dropped her head just a bit at the harsh and blunt feedback she received after the fight had ended. He wasn't wrong, after all, and it was shameful. "Still...good job. You did well."
"T-Thanks!"
"Mhm. We move on."
Without a verbal response Lili simply followed as Fuzen led the way onto the next Floor. His own main objective was simply to have have the girl get used to combat, while making sure nothing dangerous happened to her.
Why exactly he was doing it, he could not answer himself.
It simply felt like the best thing for him to do, currently.
One of the few things that felt right to do, giving recent events.
"...Tsk."
"...Uh, Master Fuzen, is...is everything alright?" The girl walking but one step behind him asked, his recent change going, apparently, not unnoticed. He looked over his shoulder at the smaller girl, for a moment remembering what had happened two days ago.
Yes, just two days ago…
XXX
It was tense.
The mood, the people, everything within the meeting room was tense.
Whereas once they would joke and make small-talk, now it was silent and tense.
Though the room was large being the usual meeting room of the Executives, it felt cramped: besides the Captain and all the Executives of the Loki Familia, the core members of the Second Group were also present, standing split in two rows on either side of the door. Lastly, the Patron Deity was also present, sitting on the middle chair at the U-shaped table.
Her usual cheerfulness was nowhere to be seen.
In the middle of the room, between the Second group and the large table stood Fuzen, the centre of attention on whom all eyes fell upon. He was silent, motionless and calm, all of which were reasons for everyone else to be tense: giving what he had done, it was clear he was most certainly not calm, only acting as such.
He was instead doing something else:
Observing.
Planning.
Waiting.
Roughly three hours had passed since the incident, time in which he had been under close watch by Bete and Tiona, while Finn, Gareth, Riveria and Loki discussed what had happened, alongside Ais.
Though she had been almost near death only a couple of hours ago, Riveria's Healing Magic along with some High-Tier potions had her back on her feet.
Physically speaking, at least.
Much more than simple physical pain had been inflicted upon her, after all. The mere fact that the blonde girl was visible on edge being in the same room as Fuzen reflected this more than anything.
Few had ever witnessed the Sword Princess on edge.
The Second Group behind him were no less on edge, either. Mere hours ago they had accompanied Fuzen on his gathering quest into the Dungeon, where he had given them tips on how to improve themselves in battle only to come back home and learn he had almost bludgeoned a fellow comrade to death.
It was not false to say Fuzen had a closer relation with the Second Group core members than with anyone else within the Familia. For a while now, he had partaken in their small-scale expeditions and proven himself a reliable comrade to them, if only a bit stubborn.
They had doubted the words they heard about him attacking Ais when they returned home and rushed to hear his side of the story, never losing hope that it was some sort of joke, or misunderstanding.
When they had reached him, Bete and Tiona on either side keeping a very close eye on him, no such explanation had been needed: the unadulterated rage reflected in his eyes spoke more than any words could ever express.
"...Fuzen." Spoke Loki, for once not her usual goofy self. Instead, the magnitude of the situation reflected on her hardened expression. "What should I make of this?"
"…"
"I'm really not into being a hard-ass Patron Deity. Freedom is the way of my Familia. It's more fun that way, after all, and helps you children grow stronger. But...trying to kill a fellow comrade, that's something I cannot allow. Not in my Familia."
"…"
"I'll ask: was it all a spur of the moment thing? Something you will not do again?"
"No." The reply came immediately, Fuzen not taking his eyes off the floor. "It was no spur of the moment thing. I tried to kill...her." He gestured towards Ais with a head sign, not bothering to look at her. "And I would have cut off her head, if the Captain had not intervened."
Loki sighed, shaking her head. She had tried to put Fuzen in a position where he could apologize, but it seemed that would not work. He was too stubborn for it. "...Why?"
"Because honour demands it."
"I heard most of it from Ais. It was because she was practicing your Sword Style, if I am correct?"
"You are."
"And that justifies murder?" Finn asked next, taking over leading the conversation.
"Yes."
"Why do you believe that?"
"As I have already said: because honour demands it."
"That is not helping us understand your reasons, Fuzen." Finn shook his head, already feeling a headache because of the boy's stubbornness.
"...Even if I were to explain, you would not understand. Forget my reasons and tell me what judgment you have agreed upon. I don't have all day for this."
"Well, that's a bummer, cuz we're gonna be here all day if I say so." Loki replied, returning to her usual self if just for a moment. Fuzen Tsked, but otherwise added nothing to this statement. "Now, about your reasons for trying to kill my Ais?"
"...You already know the reason. She was stealing my Sword Style."
"Practicing it, yes. But is your Sword Style so simple that it can simply be stolen like that?" Finn inquired.
His reasoning was not false: you could not simply learn something complex like the Lightning Sword Style just by observing it being used. One could indeed replicate the movements, but not the core elements necessary: peerless concentration and discipline, and lastly, Ki awakening and usage. However…
"That matters little. True enough, the secrets of my Sword Style are needed for full usage and efficiency. And while I will never reveal said secrets…" His eyes darted to the golden haired girl in the room, who flinched as their eyes met. He could feel it, inside of her. The girl's Ki.
Expanding.
Fluctuating.
Growing.
"...It does not mean people cannot achieve them, if only by means of pure talent."
"...What do you mean?" Finn asked again.
"It means Ais Wallenstein is an enemy of the Lighting Sword Style. My Mistress's enemy. My enemy."
A short silence befell the room, as everyone let the words sink in. He was not joking, nor was he pretending. In his eyes, over the course of only a few minutes, Ais had turned from his comrade and sparring partner, to simply an enemy whom he had no quarrel cutting down like the Monsters of the Dungeon.
"...I'm...I'm sorry." Ais was first to break the silence, her sincerity palpable in her words.
It mattered little. "So am I. I should have cut you down before the Captain could intervene. I now regret my one brief moment of hesitation." Fuzen replied, not bothering to look at her.
"Look, we all know you are not a bad guy." Tiona spoke as she was no longer able to deal with the tense situation. "Can't you just...show some mercy and forgive her?" Inside her heart she just wanted this to be over with and everything going back to normal.
"...Stand in the ashes of a thousand dead souls and ask the dead if mercy matters."
"W-What?" The same word was on everyone's lips at Fuzen's sudden reply, which made no sense to them.
"...I envy you." He replied with a sigh, then looked back at the Amazon. "Look behind me. What do you see?"
"H-Huh? Well...nothing?"
"Yes. For you all, it would be nothing. Do you wish to know what I see? To know the reason why I never look back?"
"...Why? What do you see?" Loki responded.
"Eyes. The eyes of all the Disciples of my Sword Style who came before me. Six hundred years worth of individuals. Thousand of souls whose names are now forgotten and scattered to the winds. They are all watching my back, the back on which everything they once represented now rests. They are all observing me. Asking me: What became of the Sword Style we gave our everything for? Our lives for? That we suffered for? Has it became so weak that the successors are letting some unworthy...girl steal it from us…?"
A short silence followed as Fuzen looked at the individuals in the room, only a moment on each one of them. Then, he shook his head, a gesture mostly directed at him than at them. "No. No, mercy doesn't matter. Honour. Honour is all that matters. It's all that will ever matter..."
"While I understand where you are coming from, this is nonetheless a Familia, and there are rules." Finn voiced after a moment of pondering. "You have tried to kill a fellow comrade. While I would like to say you did not, I was there. You were ready to kill Ais."
"Correct."
"Loki?"
"Hmm...I don't want to throw you out of the Familia. I really like you, ya know?" The Goddess said with a smirk. "Nonetheless, we still need to sort this out. Can't have another situation like this happen. Ais, you are the victim here. What are your thoughts on how we should proceed?"
"...I...I only wish to apologize…That is all…"
"So you don't want to recommend any sort of punishment for Fuzen?"
"...No."
"Hmm...I'd like to say OK, and bring this matter behind us, but...Fuzen, can you apologize and promise you won't do this again?"
"No." Ais flinched just the slightest bit at the determined reply, as did everyone else.
"Is there nothing that can satisfy you, which doesn't include Ais's death?" Loki asked, already tired of this situation. For over thirty years she had been in the Lower World, yet not once had she met anyone as stubborn as the boy before her.
"...You seek mercy from me, even after all I have told you? Sigh...You truly do not understand me...Mercy...huh?" He closed his eyes, thinking, pondering, trying to find any idea which would fit what was asked of him, while keeping honour in mind. Finally, he nodded, and turned towards Ais. "...Do you want my forgiveness for your transgressions? For disregarding the honour of all my predecessors, as well as mine own?" Slowly, Ais nodded in return, and Fuzen lifted one finger, pointing towards her. "Then, your sword arm. Cut it off."
"…!" It wasn't just Ais but the whole room whom became wide-eyed at the words he uttered with pure emotionless.
"This is the one proposal in which I can forgive you, while keeping my honour and the honour of my Sword Style. Cut off your sword arm, so that you may never again practice the little you have already mastered of the Lighting Sword Style. It's a far cry, but honour would be kept that way."
…
…
…
"...I can't."
"You...can't?" Fuzen's eyebrow lifted itself up as he stared at the girl. "Do you lack the courage to do so? Very well then, I shall be even more merciful and propose to cut it off for you. I will make it as swift and painless as possible."
"I need my sword arm, for my...own goals. I'm...sorry." Ais stated after a long time of silence. For the others, it was crazy enough that she pondered on whatever to do it or not for so long in the first place.
His squinted eyes fell on her for a long moment before Fuzen slowly nodded. "...I see. You need it. For your own goals, goals for which you would disregard my Sword Style, and my honour. Goals for which you would even steal for. I see…" Fuzen shook his head in disappointment and turned on his heals, making for the door. "We are done here."
"Fuzen, we are not. You will stay until I say so." Loki shot back, and the boy stopped. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder at her, a total disregard for her try at showing authority over him. Then he slowly lifted his index finger up, pointing towards the ceiling.
"I am the individual who will grasp the Heavens." The boy of barely eleven years of age stated. "Don't think for a moment that I am going to be intimidated by a Deity, for I will rise above everyone in existence, mortals and the Divine alike. If I follow your orders and wishes, it is because I choose to do so and not because I need to do so. The Dungeon. Adventurers. Heroes. Gods and Goddesses. I will stand at the top of it all. Don't forget that. Ever. The next era will be mine. The next era will be that of the Lightning Sword Style."
"…" No reply came, for his Patron Deity, now with her eyes wide open was simply too taken aback by his statement. Granted, everyone had always laughed lightly every time the boy said he would grasp the Heavens, but...there was no denying the determination radiating from his being at the very moment.
"I will not apologize. I also do not regret my actions. However, at the very least, I will not try to kill Ais Wallenstein for as long as I still remain part of the Loki Familia. That I can promise, on my honour if you need assurance. With that said, we are done here. I will be going now."
"...Sounds like you have something planned." Finn said, reading through the lines, as he always did.
"Yes. I will take my possessions and go to the Rusty Traveller Inn, near the Tower of Babel. I will leave this matter in your hands. You already know I do not regret my actions, and that I will not apologize. Whatever you decide, be it to have me removed from the Familia or not, I'll go with your decision. I do believe the only condition needed for leaving a Familia was a year of membership, which I already fulfil? Anyway, inform me of your decision when you have agreed on it. Goodbye."
He walked towards the door, Aki trying to reach out for him yet only getting her hand gently pushed aside in response. He grabbed the door knob, then looked one last time at Ais. "...I will be watching you. Remember that." Wasting no more time he left the room and within the next ten minutes, the Manor as well.
XXX
"...M-Master Fuzen? What's wrong?" The question shook him out of his mind and he was once again in the present. Shameful, that he lost his concentration like that, even if just for a single second.
"….Nothing is wrong. All is as it should be, though I'm short one head. Sigh...It matters not. We move on." Though his words brought nothing but confusion to his companion, the girl decided not to dwell on the matter and simply followed her partner. "How are you feeling, now that you have gained a bit of combat experience?"
"...Lili does not feel as scared as before anymore. At least, in the Upper Floors. It is all thanks to Master Fuzen."
"I did nothing, besides pointing at the path. You walked it. The credit is yours."
"...Yes! Uhh, but Lili has a question…"
"What is it?"
"Didn't Master Fuzen say you would go on an expedition with your Familia soon? Is it alright for you to spend so much time with Lili?"
"...Don't concern yourself with that. It was cancelled. For me, at least." He replied, barely containing a sigh from escaping his lips.
"Did...did something happen?"
"...Why do you want to know?" Fuzen asked, suspicious of the question. Ever since the incident with Ais he found himself unable to not think that others were plotting something behind his back. He did not realize this himself, however, as it was subconsciously.
"L-Lili was just curious! Master Fuzen has done so much for Lili, I was just...well...worried that something bad has happened…"
"...I've had a fallout with my Familia. I am currently awaiting their decision on whatever they are going to have me leave the Familia or not."
"Oh...Uhh...Lili is sure everything will turn out well, Master Fuzen!"
"...We shall see about that. Now, focus. We are still within the Dungeon. Vigilance is of the highest priority."
"Yes, Master Fuzen!"
"Mhm. By the way…"
"Yes?"
"I could ask you the same question you asked me earlier, as well. Isn't it problematic for your Familia if you spend so much time being my Supporter than help one of your own comrades?"
"Well...Hehe…" Socially inept as he was, Fuzen did not miss how Lili's posture changed at the mention of her Familia, making herself even smaller than she already was. "I...Well…"
"...You don't need to tell me if you have no desire to do so. I simply wish to avoid any sort of conflict with your Familia. If no conflict will emerge, then all is fine."
"No, conflict won't happen. My Familia...is not that kind of Familia."
"...I see." Fuzen nodded, the gesture his way of ending the conversation. If she didn't want to talk about it, then he would not pursue further. It wasn't his business, after all. "...Sounds like our situations are not that different, after all."
Yes...Not his business, all right...
"You...you think so?"
"...It seems you have had difficulties with your Familia, as well. You act very uncomfortable whenever it comes up."
"...Is it that noticeable?"
"...Quite so. Nonetheless, it is none of my business." Fuzen stated, making his thoughts known in order to avoid any sort misunderstanding.
"I know…"
"However...it is within my abilities to lend an ear, at the very least. If you have need of it, of course." He added before the Pallum could make herself any smaller.
He was still angry.
Very much so, in fact.
However, his anger was directed at the golden-haired girl, and most of all, at himself for failing to notice her transgression earlier.
Lili had no hand in it all.
If anything, he felt like she was the person he could relate most to at the current moment, if only because they knew only little of each other.
He was still angry, but…
Helping however I can costs me nothing.
If he could, he would help the girl.
And mayhaps along the way, he could take a fraction of a step closer to mastering his Sword Style.
After all, lending help whenever possible is also part of the Lighting Sword Style, as per the exalted Founder's directive…
XXX
Again it went cold, something she realized just as she brought the cup to her lips.
With a sigh, she emptied the content back into the tea pot and waited for it to be heated up. For the fifth time in a row.
This Familia is going to drive me insane sooner rather than later…
The High Elf thought as she looked out the window, towards the side of the garden where a boy would usually train from dusk to dawn. He should be there now, doing exactly that.
But he was not.
Two days had already passed since that...incident, and yet no decision had been made. Loki simply told everyone to leave the matter be for a short while, let the situation calm down a little before addressing it again.
Riveria knew the tea had enough time to heat up, and poured herself another cup.
She was also not sure Loki's decision had been the right one.
Would Fuzen not feel betrayed by the lack of a decision, after two long days? He could link it to being forgotten, unworthy of even a direct, face to face reply to his actions.
He was that sort of person, after all.
She did, in fact, not think any less of the boy because of his actions that time.
He was stubborn, yes.
Cheeky.
Socially inept.
Awkward.
Clueless.
At times, highly unfriendly.
At other times, very impulsive, like the time he refused to retreat from fighting Udaeus.
Then sometimes thoughtless and merciless in his choice of words.
And again.
So.
Very.
Stubborn.
He was far from perfect, that much Riveria could say openly.
However, he was also the most genuine person one could hope to meet.
He never lied.
He never sugar-coated anything.
He also never took actions if he knew they could bring harm to another.
When Riveria asked him to help Lefiya in her meditations, he agreed.
When Finn, asked him to be part of the expedition, he agreed.
When Ais asked him to spar with her, he always agreed. Same with Tiona.
Every time, he had nothing to gain and something to lose: time he could use for his precious training.
Yet he agreed, each and every time.
Never saying no, never letting any one matter go unfinished once he decided to do it.
Riveria knew that, deep down, under walls of iron manifested from discipline and a life led in a war-ridden country, he cared for others and he was always first to offer his help, if it meant someone else could improve themselves or gain something through his help, if only by a tiny bit.
He was not a bad individual.
Far from it.
That much, she could say without hesitation.
Then, should he go unpunished for almost killing a fellow comrade?
Absolutely not.
Such a grave matter cannot simply be swept under the rug. Harsh punishment and rules must be imposed so that it may never happen again, no matter what provocations he may have received, and no matter what self-justifications he could bring out on the table.
Did that mean she thought less of him?
Did it mean she wanted to see him get punished?
Riveria reached for her cup of tea and brought it to her lips. Once again it had gotten cold, testimony of how much she thought on this matter, without her own realization.
She sighed and put the cup down. "...Enough already."
No amount of pondering would solve anything.
Only one thing would.
Was it because somehow, all the young ones always found their way to her?
Be it Ais, the Amazon twins, Raul and Aki, Lefiya or most of the others, Riveria had watched over all of their growth when they joined the Familia, not one of them more than a child at the time.
Was this the reason she was so troubled by how recent events unfolded?
As she left the Manor with steps just a notch faster than usual she could not come up with an answer. All she knew was that from all the members, she was probably the best to talk with him at the moment.
They have had little interaction thanks in no small part due to Fuzen's withdrawn personality and strained and downright inexplicable discomfort when around her, but at the very least it meant he would be the least biased against talking with her.
Before she even realized it Riveria had arrived at the Rusty Traveller Inn, the place Fuzen informed he would be waiting for a reply at. Having asked the owner, Riveria confirmed that someone with Fuzen's appearance had indeed rented a room and paid for the whole week.
This was a bad sign: it meant even if they decided to have him remain as part of the Familia, he had no desires to come back to the Manor. At least for a time, going by the amount of days he had paid for his room.
Thanking the inn owner Riveria ordered a non-alcoholic beverage and choose to sit down at the table behind the entrance door. She hoped it would not come to it, but...just in case.
And then, she waited.
Thirty minutes.
Fifty minutes.
One hour.
One hour and twenty minutes.
One and a half hour.
Two hours.
Two hour and-
Creak.
The door opened and finally, Fuzen walked inside.
At the same time, Riveria decided to stand up yet before she could do so, the boy's head snapped in her direction and their eyes met.
For a single moment, nothing happened.
Then Fuzen slowly narrowed his eyes, and with his hand still on the door knob, took a step backwards, pulling the door after him.
"Fuzen. Wait."
Her words were not heeded, and slowly but surely the door closed and the boy was gone.
"...For Heaven's sake…"
Already feeling the headache of what would fall upon her, Riveria stood up and made for the outside. She had probably lost her chance. Shameful as it was, even as a Level 6 Adventurer, she could not match the boy's speed when he used his mysterious and outright alien Techniques which enhanced his speed.
To her surprise, however, the boy had not ran off as he usually did, instead sitting down at a bench in the distance where the gigantic, round plaza surrounding the Tower of Babel was. He was looking at her, showing no signs of wishing to run away again.
Confusing as it was, Riveria decided to approach him as that was her initial goal. "Why...did you come here?"
"Even I am not tactless enough to have a conversation regarding the Familia in a lively inn, from where rumours, mostly bad and negative ones, are born. I believe this relatively quiet place will do better. So, what is the decision?" The boy asked.
"Hm?"
He tilted his head at her response. "The decision regarding my fate? Though I find it peculiar that Lady Loki choose to send Alf-sama to deliver a simple message, I take it that is why you are here?"
"No. The decision has not yet been made."
"...I see." He nodded and stood up, walking past the High Elf. "Then we are done here. Contact me when a decision has been made."
"Fuzen, stop." He continued on, not looking back at Riveria. "I want to talk to you." She informed as she walked behind him.
"And I do not. I wish you a continuous good day, Alf-sama. Farewell." Fuzen replied.
"Why do you have to be this stubborn?"
"I...am not. However, I am not fond of wasting time unnecessarily. Whatever you are here to talk about, I am not interested in it. A one-sided conversation is a fruitless conversation. In other words, a waste of time for the both of us. I do not wish to waste any of our time, thus the reason for why I am now leaving. As such, my decision is not one based on my stubbornness but on pure efficiency."
"...I simply ask for a few minutes."
"With all due respect, Alf-sama, the answer remains No."
Riveria pinched the bridge of her nose, rubbing it gently. This was the very definition of being stubborn even if he had stated otherwise. Was there truly nothing she could do which didn't involve being forceful to gain his attention?
…
…
...Ah. There is one thing. I will most likely lose a bit of favour with him by doing it, but...so be it.
Riveria stopped chasing Fuzen across the plaza, and breathed in. "I invite you to have dinner with me, Fuzen."
He stopped walking and looked over his shoulder, his eyes once again narrowing as he let the words sink in. This time however there was the slightest hint of annoyance reflected in them. He had understood immediately was Riveria was doing.
He did not respect her for her use of this tactic.
Indeed, though their interactions had been minimal, Riveria always observed her comrades from afar, silent and unseen. And through this passive habit of hers, she found it out.
It was most probably not part of his teachings, however Riveria had not once seen the boy decline an offer like this. Be it for tea, going out to party, grabbing a bite from a stand or anything else in-between, he never refused any one such invitation.
And that was because he was courteous. Perhaps even gentlemanly was a better word to describe it. Why he was so, Riveria did not know. She could hardly associate it with sword fighting. Nonetheless, she knew he would not turn the invitation down.
"...Very well, I shall accompany Alf-sama for dinner, then. Allow me to change my clothes. My current attire is dirty from the Dungeon."
"I will be waiting here."
"...I still respect Alf-sama, however...this was underhanded. And you know it." He stated with a sigh, making his way towards the inn.
She was well-aware of the fact.
It was probably not the best way to go around it, however it was the only one which allowed her some time alone with him, where he could not run or walk away.
In record time Fuzen was back, his clothes very much the same as before, only a different set. Riveria did not believe she had ever seen him wear another set of clothes except for the time when he accompanied Loki on Dian Cecht's banquet. It was amazing in it's own way, buying multiple sets of the same clothes and never changing your image. "It is done. Where shall I accompany Alf-sama?"
"I have a good restaurant in mind, if my decision is fine with you."
"It is quite fine. Please, lead the way."
"Thank you."
With a nod Riveria led the way, Fuzen walking by her side, if only a fraction of a step behind her. It was not the first time she had noticed him do so. Was it because of her bloodline, being the Princess of the Elves? She truly disliked being treated differently just for that one reason. "You don't have to walk behind me, Fuzen."
"This is the best position, though…"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"If you were to trip, I could catch you much easier from this position. Likewise, if someone tried to attack you from the rear, being one step behind you would allow me to step up and intercept the attack much easier. Lastly, if something were to fall down on your position, I can muster more explosive power in my legs from here and push you away from the danger. As such, I would like to maintain my current position."
"...You do realize...that no one is going to attack us in the middle of the street, right?"
"Mayhaps. But would you bet your life on it? The tiny possibility that it could happen, that it is not impossible, is enough to warrant vigilance."
...So this is how his mind works? Always thinking about such matters and possibilities? No wonder he is starting to get wrinkles on his forehead…
"I won't say it could not happen, but if it does happen, let me handle it."
"...It's a man's duty to protect a lady, not the other way around."
"Oh, my. Aren't you a gentleman?"
"I am not."
"Your mindset says otherwise."
"Being something specific is different from doing your duty, Alf-sama. It matters little in the current situation, nonetheless. Please simply focus on leading the way."
"...Mhm."
Taking that as the line which Fuzen himself put in order to avoid further conversation, Riveria decided to go along and try to talk to him more later.
Before long they had arrived in the 6th District of Orario, where many shops and restaurants could be found. Riveria's destination had been an elvish restaurant which exclusively served elvish dishes. She sometimes came here, if only to experience a bit of the cuisine she grew up with.
However, as with all elvish establishments, there was one problem…
"Good evening- Guhhhh!" Just a moment after stepping inside the waiter on stand-by who stood up to greet them turned pale white. "R-R-Riveria-sama!" Following his initial shock the Elf waiter bowed hastily, sweating profoundly.
"...Sigh…"
"As expected of Alf-sama." Fuzen said with a nod, failing to see the woman's distress at the situation unfolding before them. Then he lifted his finger and pointed at the waiter."You have exerted your dominance and superiority over this individual without so much as lifting a finger. I believe the western expression for this is...owning the room? Doing so after just entering this establishment...I am greatly in awe."
"Please, Fuzen, don't add salt to the wound."
"Hm? I am not in the possession of any salt at the moment, though?"
"...A table for two, please."
"R-Right away! P-Please, this way!" The waiter nodded, stuttering his way through the short conversation before stiffly turning around and leading the two further into the back of the restaurant, where a more private table was located. "I-I-I'll bring your menus immediately. M-May I take your orders for beverages?"
"Water." Fuzen replied.
"Tea, please. Any brand is fine."
"R-Right away!"
Not unlike what he stated the waiter was back within record time, menus and drinks at the ready. "I'll have whatever Alf-sama is having." The boy said, after a bit of looking through the menu. All he could see were salads and soups, all made with vegetables and fruits mostly found in the forests which the Elves inhabited. He had no clue what the difference was between them so he decided on the safe route.
Before long the stuttering waiter was gone, and silence fell over the table. Riveria knew she needed to start the conversation: Fuzen was only here because she had invited him. Most probably, he had no desire to talk, anyway. A couple of minutes into the silence, Riveria spoke."...How were the last two days since you left the Manor?"
"Normal." He replied with lighting speed.
Great, so we are back to a one word reply routine...Sigh…
"How so?"
"Normal as in normal. I trained and cut down Monsters."
"Trained? In your inn room?"
"No. The Dungeon."
"Is that not a bit too reckless?"
"No."
"You think so?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"...Because I can take care of myself. Obviously."
"...I see. I suppose that would be obvious. You are strong, after all. I apologize." Riveria replied with the slightest bow of her head.
"...Is there a reason for your many questions today, Alf-sama? If so, do tell me."
Of course there was a reason, one which would remain the same even if another member found himself or herself in Fuzen's place. "I was just worried."
She received a confused look in return but otherwise Fuzen said nothing. Just then, their orders came as well: it was salad, made with salad, corn, cucumber, tomatoes and all sorts of other vegetables Fuzen had no idea what they were called. Nonetheless, it didn't look bad, if only a bit...meagre.
He waited for Riveria to start eating before doing so himself. "Do you like it?"
"It's food. It's edible." Fuzen shrugged. Sure, he had never before tried something with the spices the food before him had, but in the end, it was only food.
"I see."
"Mhm."
"...Would you consider coming back to the Manor?" Riveria asked. The conversation so far has been less than ideal and she doubted it would get any better. There is only so much one can do when they are the only one wishing to talk, after all. As far as she could tell, asking directly was the best way.
Fuzen, in return, looked up from his food for a single moment then back at his salad. "No."
"...Why not?"
"Because it would be counter-productive to live in a place with a thief."
"...Ais is sorry for what she has done, Fuzen." Riveria informed, remembering the look on the girl's face after that incident and after Fuzen left the Manor. "She has not come out of her room since you left."
"Is she ashamed?" He asked.
"I believe so, yes."
"Good." He nodded once.
"...Is there truly nothing that can be done to mend this distance between you two?"
"Unless she offers me her sword arm, no. And that is only because I am not completely heartless. Not yet, anyway. In reality, for what she has done nothing short of her life would be enough."
"...I see. That is...unfortunate."
"Why?" He asked. "We are all responsible for our actions. Even if Wallenstein was not aware on how much honour means to me, she nonetheless made something of mine hers without asking. That is called stealing, is it not?"
"...It is, yes." Riveria nodded. Unfortunately, she could not say otherwise. Whatever it was caused by her overall air-headed personality or her naivety, Ais had done something a warrior, a swordsman, could hardly find themselves forgiving.
"Yes." The boy nodded.
Silence fell over the table again.
What else was there to discuss? Fuzen had made his desire to keep the talking to a minimum quite clear, and Riveria did not wish to push it any further than necessary. Though she was a Top Executive, the final decision on what should happen to him fell on Loki, and she had not yet decided.
All that remained was the waiting.
At the very least, he is doing...well. A bit too well taking in consideration he tried to kill Ais without reservation, but...we all knew he was that kind of person...Ah, yes. There is one more matter.
"Fuzen, what about your Magic?"
"What about it? It's yet another stain on my existence. As with everything else, it only exists to try and impede me from reaching my goal. It matters little, however. It's only natural, after all."
"...What is?" The High Elf asked. She had gotten used to Fuzen's way of speech and knew he would not elaborate unless inquired about it.
"I am the man who will grasp the Heavens. It is only natural that the whole world is in my way. A mere mortal human, trying to do what has never before been done? It's obvious that reality itself is the biggest enemy on mine own path."
"...Fuzen, to be honest, I have always wished to ask this but never found a good opportunity to do so: What does it mean when you say you are going to grasp the Heavens?"
It was probably safe to say most people who heard an eleven years old boy saying something like that would laugh it off and pay it no mind. To her own shame, Riveria had been the same, at least in the first few months when the boy joined the Familia. Many Adventurers in Orario had big dreams: becoming a Level 6 or 7, becoming a Hero, getting filthy rich and so on. However, not once had she heard someone state the same goal as Fuzen.
She had waved it off as some sort of naivety from the young boy, who had not yet realized the real world and how it works.
Yet, time and time again, through his very achievements, the boy made it clear he was not joking around. He was dead set to achieving his goal, no matter the hardships that would be thrown his way. However, what did it mean? Grasping the Heavens?
"Hm? It is self-explanatory, is it not? I wish to become absolute. Through my sword, and my sword alone, I will cut open the things called logic and reality, both of which are in my way, and grasp the Heavens." He informed casually while eating his salad. One would think a topic of this magnitude would warrant the slightest shift in how you explained it, but Fuzen lacked any such skills.
"So...you wish to become a God?"
"No. I'll rise above Deities, too. I'll rise above everything and everyone, until my name and the name of my Sword Style is known throughout all the worlds." Once again, the casual way through which he explained his goals amazed Riveria greatly for it lacked any sort of self-doubt. It was not unlike him simply stating that the sky was blue, where as no doubt could ever be hidden amongst the words stating the fact.
"...I see. Quite the goal you have."
"Is this how others see it? Hmm. I do not believe it is anything unusual, myself."
"How so?" The High Elf asked. If not even something like this was unusual in his eyes, then she was truly lost.
"Hm? I am simply doing that which I need to do. For every man and woman there is a cause they would give their lives for. However, most people do not wish to face the hardships which would come their way by chasing after that cause. As such, we live in a world where mostly everyone chooses to be a spectator instead of a competitor in the endless battle called life. I am not unusual, nor is my goal unusual. It is the people who know what they want, who know what they actually strive for but do nothing to achieve it that are both unusual and incomprehensible. To me, at least." He shrugged.
"That is...certainly one way to look at it." Riveria nodded. He was not wrong, after all. Even in their own Familia there were some individuals who wanted something but did not put in the necessary effort to reach it.
One recent example was the Second Group.
It was no secret, at least to the top Executives, that the members of the Second Group wanted to grow stronger for quite a while now, in fact. Some of them had been stuck at Level 4 for a few years now. In that time, Ais and the twins caught up to them from Level 3, and even managed to go as far as Level 5.
However, though they wanted to get stronger, they had not put in the necessary work as a group. It was only after Fuzen had joined them that they began to run towards their goals with ever growing zeal and determination.
Yes, it was the young boy who sparked a fire within everyone around him unconsciously making them go beyond their limits…
…
…
We need him in the Familia.
Riveria quickly realized after pondering for a short moment. Is this why Finn and Loki are taking such a long time to come to a decision regarding him?
No one could force him to stay, naturally, as it was his decision whatever he wished to remain in the Familia or not. He owned no debt to the Familia as he paid for his equipment himself, and he had been a member for a little over a year now. With those two facts checked he was in the green as to whatever to remain or leave.
However, it fell upon them as senior members to give him as many reasons as possible to remain. Granted, his...hostility towards Ais needed to be addressed, and they also needed to make sure the girl herself would not be influenced negatively by his presence in the Familia.
Much needed to be done, but...the Familia needed him.
With his recent actions, he had shown a side of him everyone thought non-existent.
This most probably created a negative impression of him in the eyes of the lower-ranked members, perhaps even a tinge of fear. It was by far ideal, the situation he put himself into. But they could address it. Fix it. As the executives of the Familia, it fell upon them to tend to these raw wounds on both Fuzen and Ais.
It would not be easy.
But they could do it.
We need to.
Before long the two finished their dinner and after Fuzen insisted on paying, they had left the restaurant. Now, they were walking down the main street, the boy proposing to be allowed to walk her back to the Manor. She agreed and in silence, the two walked on.
There was, however, one more matter she wished to discuss, one she had started earlier at the restaurant but didn't bring to an end, and this was a good a time as any. "Say, Fuzen."
"Hm?"
"Have you felt any changes within you?"
"Whatever may you mean?"
"...Your Magic." Riveria stated, noticing the slight frown the boy gave upon hearing his Magic being mentioned for the second time today. "Fighters like yourself who only get their first Spell many years after being blessed with a Falna often report feeling strange: headaches, loss of balance, sharper senses and so on being among the most common symptoms. Do you know why this happens?"
"...I cannot say I do." Fuzen shook his head.
"It's because of your Magic Attribute being awakened."
"...You mean the Attribute which has always been at 0 for me?"
"Yes. Getting a Spell means your Magic Attribute, which lay dormant, is now awakened. As you may know, Magic itself is a strange energy which only a few people, with or without Falna, can use. Having it awakened within you can lead to the previously mentioned symptoms as your body needs time to adjust and get used to this new energy which now inhibits and flows through it."
"I see. I have no such symptoms and feel normal, as always."
"I somehow predicted it. People who mediate and focus their mind as much as you and me do usually do not get plagued by such symptoms. I am glad to hear it."
"Mhm."
"…"
"…"
"...Are you truly...never going to use your Magic?"
"Yes."
"I see…"
"You believe it is foolish." Fuzen said, for once taking the initiative on the conversation. "I cannot blame you for thinking so. It is, indeed, quite foolish. No matter how strong or weak, or whatever the chant is long or ultra short, the very presence of Magic can only be seen as an advantage."
Riveria nodded in approval. "Yes, that is true."
"I am well aware of this. However, foolish or not, relying on Magic would shatter everything I ever strived to be. Thus I will never use it, no matter how advantageous it would be."
"I see…"
What a shame...It's not just because I'm a mage myself, but to see potentially extraordinary Magic being wasted like this…
…
…
Wait a minute.
"Fuzen."
"Hm?"
"I am to understand that you will never use your Magic for your own sake, as that would go against your teachings, right?"
"Quite so. Why?"
"Then...what about for the sake of others?"
"...Go on." Fuzen said after a moment, apparently interested in what Riveria was getting at.
Good, if he is interested, then it means it's not hopeless…
"I understand that a swordsman has other values by which they live. However, even you yourself make use of items that might be seen as advantageous, do you not? For example, the Anti-Poison Potions you always carry with you. You use them in order to combat poison, as you do not have the [Abnormal Resistance] Development Ability, correct?"
"...Yes."
"And on multiple occasions during our expeditions, you have offered your own potions to members who needed them as well, right?"
"...I remember such things, yes."
"Then, instead of using your Magic for yourself in battle, why not at least try and use it for others? For example, if your Spell is a long-ranged, single target one, you could use it to save the life of someone who is too far away to reach in time, or if it is a defensive Spell, you could use it to protect someone who is hurt and cannot protect themselves while a large group of enemies is nearby. If you were to use it like that, I do believe your own teachings would still hold true, would they not?" Riveria said, hoping the boy would see what she was getting at.
For a few, long moments, he simply stared ahead, not replying, pondering on what he had been told. "Would doing that...be sees as something a good Adventurer would do?"
"...I cannot say for sure. However, if you want my personal opinion, I do believe it would make you a better Adventurer."
"...I...will think on this."
"That is all I could ask for." Riveria nodded with a smile on her lips. He was a smart boy. Now that he had been shown another way to look at Magic in general, she had no doubts he would come to a good decision.
"...You...truly are a warm person, Alf-sama."
"Hm?"
"I...have been thinking for a while now. A couple of weeks, in fact. Before that incident with Wallenstein." He stated.
"About what?"
"...Leaving the Familia."
Riveria stopped in her tracks upon hearing the words.
For a few weeks now, he said. Had something happened without her, or Finn, noticing it? She truly did not believe their Familia was a bad one, despite their Patron Deity being a lecherous alcoholic. "Why...is that?"
"I feel like...being part of a Familia is limiting me. Keeping me from pushing myself further." Fuzen stated, his head slowly lifting up, staring at the sky above him.
"...How so?"
"I am…" He narrowed his eyes, before closing them, a heavy sigh leaving his lips as he curled his hands into fists. "Comfortable. Being part of the Familia. Or...well, was comfortable. Until two days ago, that is."
A second passed, then five, Riveria staring at the boy with confusion. She could not understand why being comfortable in a Familia was a reason to leave. "Fuzen, what do you mean exactly?"
"...I walk the path of power. Feeling comfortable is not...helpful. It would make me lax, it would make me lose the clarity I have when I am alone while pursuing my goal. And that...I cannot allow to happen."
As always she could feel that his words were genuine, and that he had long pondered on this matter. It was a shame, a great shame, but if that was his end decision no one could hope to change his mind. "...And what would make you lax in your pursuit, if I may ask? What part of our Familia."
"...Everything. The rules. The responsibility. The people. I am already under a great many rules from my Sword Style, which I need to uphold and honour. The Familia's rules added to that, well, it creates a great many gaps in my actions. What my Sword Style forbids, the Familia demands, or vice-versa. The responsibility, too, is holding me back."
"Responsibility?" Riveria asked, as they now walked slowly down the road, at a pace fit for a conversation.
"I am the strongest member of our Familia." He stated without any sort of doubt in his words. "When we are on an expedition it falls upon me to deal with any sort of unexpected and dangerous perils which might show up. I also need to always keep aware of how others are doing and if they are in any sort of fatal danger. However, my Sword Style is a solitary one. I need to fight alone in order to grow stronger."
"Why is that? Why do you need to fight alone?"
"...You would not understand, Alf-sama." He informed. It was only the slightest tinge, but Riveria felt annoyance at being thrown into a pot by the young boy.
"Try me."
"...It is the duty of the strongest person in a group to assure the safety of all others, correct?" Fuzen asked.
"That is indeed true. At the very least, for our Familia."
"Mhm. And in order to keep true to that duty, one needs to stay alive above all else, correct?"
"...Yes."
"However, when I have decided to become the strongest I had already discarded my life, for that was the least I needed to do and the first of many requirements necessary for me to be allowed at the starting line."
"What...do you mean?" Riveria asked, though she had already understood what he was getting at. And she did not like it.
"Just what I have already stated. I fight each battle with disregard to mine own life replaced by complete trust in my Sword Style. However, I can only be efficient doing this when I am alone. If I need to look out for other people, then I am only half as efficient, as I need to make sure I do not die to protect them. It's...counter-productive. Being in a Familia, that is."
Riveria held back a sigh, something which proved harder to execute than she initially thought. Truly, all the problem children in the Familia would be the end of her. Now having a greater understanding on how the boy ticked, she felt anger. Not at him, however, but at another person, one she had not even met yet.
He keeps talking about his Mistress while holding her in the highest of regards, but for this person to let her Disciple walk down such a reckless path...I would love to have a word with her, right this moment.
"...Is that what you meant by saying being comfortable with us is not helpful to you?"
"Yes." he nodded. "I have already discarded mine own life when I decided to walk down this path. In other words, I am already dead. And dead men don't need to feel comfortable. It's not necessary."
"...I have a question, Fuzen."
"Yes?"
"If you are already dead in your own eyes, why go through the many hardships to reach the top?"
"That is...my business." He replied.
"...Are you truly fine with this path?"
"Yes. One life, one duty, one goal. It is my personal belief that each person should stop focusing so much on a myriad of things and focus more on a singular thing. If you do a thousand things but you don't master even one of them, then what is the point? Better to focus on a single thing during the full extend of one's existence, and master that one thing while also improving upon it. That is how...a legacy is left behind."
"One single pursuit for one's whole life?" She asked.
"Yes. There are also tricks which one can use to increase the efficiency of this life-long pursuit: by discarding your life, you can better pursue the other two, duty and goal."
"...And what would you define as discarding your life?" By now, Riveria was slowly getting a headache from what she was hearing, and could hardly keep it from showing on her face.
We all truly…
"Just that, discarding your life. Abandoning everything that does not help you in pursuing your goal. Desires, unnecessary emotions, biological needs except the ones necessary to keep on surviving, friendships, logic, rationality, comfort, the desire to live and everything else which gets in the way." Fuzen replied, nonchalantly as always, to Riveria's ever growing distress.
We all truly...need to…
"Fuzen, did you not mention a friend you had back in the Far East? Is that not controversial, then, if you say you need to discard friendship yet at the same time, you have a friend?" Riveria asked, hoping to find the smallest opportunity to show Fuzen the foolishness of his own mindset.
"Ah, yes. That has already been dealt with. It is done." Came the fast reply.
"What do you mean?"
"Teasanare-sama made an ailment-curing Elixir with the Drop Item I had gifted her from that one Monster Rex, and I have sent it back to the Far East, to my friend. According to Teasanare-sama, his sickness should be cured by it. Thus, it has been dealt with." He said with a nod, more to himself than to Riveria.
"How so?"
"Hm? You have a suspiciously large interest in me today, Alf-sama. Might I inquire why?" he asked back, his eyes now narrowing on the High Elf besides him.
Riveria understood immediately that her inquisitive nature today just reached a dangerous wall. Through his own words, Fuzen made it clear that his trust has been shattered by Ais replicating his Sword Style without his permission. Most probably, he was suspicious of everyone at the current moment, his wounds barely two days old.
She did not answer immediately. She needed to think well about her answer, least she made a mistake. Still, only one single answer stuck with her. Fuzen was the most genuine individual one could find. As such, she simply needed to be the same in her reply. "Because I do not understand your logic, and wish to do so."
"…" He looked her once over, then pondered on the answer before giving a slight nod of his head. "...Very well, then. My friend has always been sick, for as long as I can remember. Always coughing up blood and being as thin as paper. However, it was because of this that I could allow myself friendship with him."
"...Why?"
"Because in his sickly state, he could never hope to stand in my way." Fuzen answered bluntly, Riveria feeling how her eye twitched at the sound of those words. "He was sick, and thus, he was not dangerous. However, though it might not be on the same...level, as mine own goal, he too desires to become the best swordsman. Now that I have sent him an Elixir which will cure his sickness, our friendship is over. He knows this, too. He knows me the best, after all."
We all truly...need to...help this child…
"...I do not understand. Why is your friendship over simply because he got better? Should it not improve your friendship, instead?" The High-Elf asked.
"By allowing him the opportunity to get better, I have also turned him from a friend to an adversary. He will pick up the sword to start his path towards becoming the best swordsman. And without a doubt, though his goal is a couple of steps below mine own, we will meet eventually. Our paths will cross on the field of battle."
"So...what then? What will happen?"
"What else? I will cut him down, and add him to the mountain." Fuzen replied with such calmness which made Riveria get goosebumps, a shiver going down her spine. She was a hardened Adventurer, and she had seen many, many things in her life. But...there was only so much nonchalant coldness she could take, especially from a boy so young.
We need to help this child...Because...he truly...You have truly…
"...What mountain, Fuzen? What mountain will you add your friend to?"
"Hm? The mountain of corpses." He responded as his index finger pointed upwards. "To reach the Heavens, one needs a stair. For any other sort of goal a stair built from pacifism might work. However, mine is the path of power. Of conflict. Of carnage. It goes without saying that individuals with similar goals as mine own will show up before me, in due time. And so, I will cut them down. And with their corpses I will build, slowly but surely, my stair to reach the Heavens."
"You've completely lost it." Riveria said under her breath. Naturally, it wasn't hard to notice that the boy had always been...peculiar, in more than one way. However, she had never realized, until now, that he was this...lost.
"Lost? On the contrary, Alf-sama. I would like if you could a bit more trust in my navigational skills."
"H-Huh?" Riveria asked, confused at Fuzen's words. With a single raised eyebrow he lifted his hand and pointed to his left side, Riveria's right side.
"We are here. We are not...lost, Alf-sama. As it so happens, we have already arrived."
Looking to her side, she understood what he meant: the Twilight Manor was there, as large and full of towers as it has always been. Indeed, they had arrived, without Riveria even noticing it. "O-Oh...we truly...have arrived. Yes…"
"Mhm. I have walked Alf-sama back, and now, I shall be on my way." Fuzen nodded before bowing. "Good evening, Alf-sama."
She had not replied to the parting words instead simply watching the boy walk back down the road they had taken here, calmly and focused as always.
Forget Ais when she was younger.
Or the twins.
Or even the perpetually angry Bete.
It was this young boy who had truly, in every sense of the word, lost his grasp on everything.
And something needed to be done.
Fast.
XXX
A couple of hours ago…
Having parted ways with her partner right after coming up to the surface, Lili made her way back home, or better said, to the cramped room she had rented at a less than ideal inn. Nonetheless, it was cheap and rather obscure, helping Lili avoid detection and keep her distance from her Familia.
However unlike previous times, where she walked back home lifeless, unmotivated and hungry, today she smiled as she had done for the last couple of days.
Yes, today she was not starving, she had made a whooping profit of almost sixteen thousand Valis and she even improved her ability to fight. All thanks to a single boy, a boy who was younger than her.
Truly, the day she met him everything changed.
Her life, her mindset, her wallet, everything.
How this was all possible thanks to just meeting one person, Lili could not comprehend. After all, for countless years now she had supported Adventurers tirelessly, and not one had been like the boy.
Be it from her own Familia, or another Familia, all Adventurers were scum, using her like little more than a disposable pawn to be used only as long as she was helpful then thrown away the moment she ceased to be so.
One after another, not one Adventurer had been different from the last, or the next.
Except for the boy.
He was kind, if a bit strict.
He was also fair, sharing the profit they made together in a reasonable sixty-forty which was leagues above the few coins she was used to get as payment for her help. If she even got any coins at all, that is.
Lastly, he was truly...genuine.
He protected her when he said he would do so, and he helped her get stronger after saying he would. There was no hidden agenda behind his reasons or any sort of attempts to trick her into anything.
He always meant what he said and he always saw his promises fulfilled.
He was genuine, and that was the end of it.
Nothing more could be said, for there was nothing else.
He truly is...the exact opposite of me...Lili's smiled lightly, a tinge on bitterness in the gesture. Could she had been the same, had her life circumstances been different? She didn't know, and most probably, she would never find out.
It also didn't matter.
The boy would disappear from her life before long.
He was from another Familia, after all, and he was set on becoming ever stronger. For now, thanks to the fallout he had with his Familia, she could count on his presence for a couple of days, maybe a whole week longer.
But before long, he would go back to them. No one was foolish enough to leave the Loki Familia, the strongest Familia in Orario, on their own.
They were strong, well-connected and made a lot of profit.
The perfect faction for someone who dreamed as big as Fuzen himself.
Not to mention, with three Level 6 Adventures as their Captain and Top-Executives, little could go wrong for them.
Yes, before long, Fuzen would go back and he would no longer be in need of her assistance.
That's a bit...unpleasant to think about.
In as much as thirteen years, her whole life so far, the boy was the only good Adventurer she had met. She laughed with him, or better said at him and his lack of social skills, she trained with him, she fought with it, she ate with him…
For the first time, it felt like she...belonged somewhere.
Like she was part of a team.
Like she was needed.
Appreciated.
It felt...good. Warm, even.
Just today, even with his immense lack of social skills he had indirectly told her she could talk to him about her difficulties. It was an offer she was not familiar with. For a long time after his indirect offer, a couple of minutes in fact, she was silent, pondering on what to do.
Could she really talk about her damned Familia with him? Would his impression of her change if he would find out what she had done in order to survive? Lying and stealing, among other things? Would it even help in any way?
She didn't know.
And thus, she decided to not take on the offer at that moment.
In reality she truly regretted that decision now. It didn't matter whatever it would help her or not. It also didn't matter if his impression of her changed for the worse.
He had been genuine to her during every second of their team-up. The least she could do was to reciprocate it.
...Tomorrow, I'll ask him if the offer still stands...Heh, tomorrow...Who would have guessed I would ever be excited about waking up for another day…?
Now with a skip to her steps, Lili let the excitement which the next day would bring overtake her, and even began humming a song she had heard once on the empty, dark street.
Little did she know, however, that the street was in fact not quite empty...
XXX
Normal 10 years old: "That tall mountain in the distance is so nice!"
Fuzen: "Mine own 'mountain' needs to be taller."
Proceeds to go look for people whose life-subscription has expired.
All in a day's work ;)