"So, what is this supposed to do, Zelrech?"
"Well, young lord, it will turn a shard of your soul into a Servant. It will be like having another one of those bodies you make, only this one won't be able to interact much with the material world."
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This one's a bit shorter than normal, hmm.
Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Tell me if you have any advice.
Oh, and I must give a warning: The next few chapters might not seem like Mushoku Tensei chapters. But they are. There will be four of them in total, with an interlude separating them.
The entire chapter's in Sylphie's POV, BTW.
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I haven't noticed, but it's been a year since Rudy left, huh? I didn't know what to do during the first few days since Rudy left, so time seemed to drag on forever and ever. But that only proved that I was growing too reliant on him.
When I was still a baby girl, my parents would tell me stories before I went to sleep. Now, Rudy's the one who tells me stories. My favorite tale my parents told was one about a princess. It went like this.
Long ago, in a land far away, there lived a princess who was being bullied by a bad witch. One day, a gallant prince came to save the princess. They then got married and lived happily ever after.
It was a simple bedtime story, and the legends Rudy told were many times more complicated, with tens of minor heroes and villains to support the main character. But I still held it in my heart as my personal dream.
Rudy was my prince, and I was the princess. That's why I thought he would always stay by me. And why I let myself be drowned in a fantasy of my own making. However, I soon realized that Rudy wasn't some invincible prince who would save me no matter the trouble.
He worked hard to help his family and pushed himself so much that he didn't sleep for weeks. It hurt me to see him like that. To see my sole friend hurt himself willingly.
I wanted to become a strong girl, someone Rudy could lean on. To do that, I didn't cry and decided to work hard. I didn't know where Rudy's-our-house was, so I couldn't go there alone. But Rudy hid many magic books in his parent's house, so I could still learn without going to our house.
It was difficult for me during the first few days. It was like a kind of burning pain around where my heart was. I was sad, too. But I did my best because that's what Rudy would have done.
Things started to get better as time went on. I settled on a routine, one that Rudy didn't exist in. I would wake up with my dad before the sun rose. After I ate breakfast, I'd run around the village. It was soothing in its own way, and the sunrise was always so pretty. I do this to train my stamina and to know my own limits. Rudy always stressed that it was meaningful in battle.
When I couldn't run anymore, I rest under our tree before heading to Rudy's parent's house. In place of Rudy teaching me, Miss Lilia decided to educate me in etiquette. It wasn't too tiring, but very complicated. Remembering everything and performing the movements weren't easy. Miss Lilia was strict with me, too.
When it was almost time for lunch, I'd help Miss Zenith cook. My father said that boys like it when a girl could cook. And I wanted Rudy to like me. So I asked Miss Zenith to teach me. Though, when I told her my reason, she put her hands on her face, and a sound like a long sigh came from her mouth. I quickly asked if I had offended her, but she shook her head and started instructing me.
Since my dad ate lunch after me, I could eat first and bring him his lunchbox afterward. He was a bowman who protected the village from monsters. So he was often busy working. And when he wasn't at the edges of the forest, he would be tending the fields with other farmers.
When Dad was finished eating, he would train me in swordplay. Mr. Paul sometimes joined in, too. My dad wasn't as good with swords as Mr. Paul. They were harsher than Rudy was when he trained me. He taught me to defend with a sword and attack with magic. But Mr. Paul told me to attack with swords. He wasn't as good as Rudy in teaching but was trying his best.
After all that, I'd have some free time I could use to do whatever I wanted. I usually spent that time casting magic and learning new spells. Rudy's could shatter mountains and make shooting stars. I wanted to do that, too. So I cast spells until I ran out of Mana every day.
Then, at the end of the day, I'd be too tired to stay awake too late. So I'd eat a light dinner with my parents and fall asleep instantly. However, if I wasn't that tired, I'd wait until my parents fell asleep. Then, I'd sneak onto the roof of our cottage and look at the stars.
They reminded me of Rudy because he told me many stories about them. People who were great heroes granted places in heaven by the gods, their bodies turning into shapes formed by the stars.
A goddess who fell in love with a human, yet her lover was killed by a scorpion. A powerful and fierce monster who was killed by the son of a lightning god in one of his twelve trials. Twin brothers of navigation, twin stars that guide sailors even in storms. Rudy told me many stories like those. There were eighty-eight in total. Though I don't remember them all, they each held meaning to me.
I've been so busy that I didn't have time to be sad. I couldn't afford to stop because Rudy was improving himself, too. I didn't want to fall behind him. I wished to protect him when possible, and I couldn't do that yet. Back then, when we visited that village. If I had been better at healing magic, Rudy wouldn't have been in so much pain.
And then, two months after Rudy left, he came back. He looked different now. His hair was lighter, his eyes glowing gold. His body was like a star in the sky. He seemed so untouchable and far away. I didn't want him to leave me. So I grabbed him and didn't let go for a long time.
I cried, and Rudy held me tightly. It felt nice, finally being with him again. I knew he couldn't be with me every day now, but it still hurt that he would have to leave.
He led me to our house, building a pathway so I would be safe in the forest. Magical gems and stones carved with symbols were scattered in the hundreds. And Rudy didn't seem stressed at all. I knew I still had a long way to go if I wanted to be his equal.
When the sun began to set, Rudy had to leave. He told me he'd visit once a month and that I should care for myself. I knew I shouldn't cry, but I still did. Because I was still a weak girl, one who still longed for Rudy's protection. Even after two months of separation, I still had that lingering thought. But Rudy was pushing himself too much. I could tell from his eyes. They were like my dad's after a long night working. But Rudy's seemed even worse. He could hide the black circles under his eyes using magic, but how he talked wasn't as cheerful or lively as usual.
With those thoughts, I walked along the pathway Rudy made in the forest. It was beautiful, with flowers and vines growing by the white stone road. Trees and leaves formed arches above my head, like a shield that hid me from the sun and rain.
"Hmm... Today's when Rudy would visit me, right?"
I couldn't become another burden to Rudy. I decided then and there. Rudy is already working too hard. He doesn't have the time to protect me anymore. Rudy was always too hard of a worker and disregarded his health. I won't let him push himself so much. He deserves rest, too.
"Ah! What?"
When I thought that, something happened. I could feel something within me reaching out, grabbing something far away. It felt like joining two strings with a knot. But it was somehow loose.
There was a burning sensation on my left hand's back. It reminded me of when I burned my palm. Three red magic circles appeared on my hand. They were each about the size of my head. Suddenly, they shrunk. Becoming three individual red marks that faintly glowed. They formed the rough shape of a heart.
Gusts of wind swirled around the pathway, kicking up dust and uprooting some flowers. I was a bit sad at that. They were so pretty. The winds got so strong that I was forced to sit down. Otherwise, I might get hurt.
Golden specks of light concentrated around a magic circle that had formed before me. They built a figure I couldn't make out yet because of the bright glow. The knot tightened, and I felt the connection stabilize. A rainbow of colors flashed, blinding me before they vanished.
As my eyes slowly opened again, someone was standing above me. A familiar face with a gentle grin and mismatched blue and green eyes that held mirth within. His light blond hair reached just above his eyes, a strand bobbing up and down from the residual wind. His white cloak was open as if inviting me to jump into it.
Rudy smiled at me, a laugh seemingly on the tip of his tongue. He looked healthier, and the black circles under his eyes were gone. He opened his arms like his cloak, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Well, care to give me a hug? Dearest Master?"
I didn't have to be told twice, jumping into his arms with full force. Rudy stepped back at the sudden impact, but he didn't fall.
"Rudy!"
"Woah, there. Careful, don't want to break my back." Rudy ruffled my hair, cracking another joke about being an old man.
"Well, what are we gonna do today?"
"Hmm. Well, you were going to our house, right? Let's head there first. I can explain once we arrive."
"Okay!"
...
The walk to our house was lively. I wasn't alone this time. Rudy was beside me again. My heart beat faster when I thought of that. Rudy was telling me about his new student. A prince from Shirone called Zanoba.
"...it was kinda weird when I first met him! But it was also funny in its own way. He threw himself on the ground and started calling me a 'god.'"
I giggled, imagining the scene Rudy was describing. Thinking of a grown man kneeling before Rudy was comical, like a picture straight from a fantasy.
"Well, at least he listens to you, right?"
"Oh, he does. He listens to everything I say and accepts it without doubt. I've told him to think about what I teach and correct me if I'm wrong, but he says that nothing I do could ever be considered a mistake." Rudy shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips before he broke out in laughter. "I suppose all my students are somewhat troublesome in their own way!"
"What about me?" I wondered.
"Oh, you? Hmm... Sylphie's too cute. It's troublesome that I can't deny your wishes."
"Eh?!"
Eh...! My mind always goes blank when Rudy says things like this. What to do? What to do? He's going to tease me more if he sees my red face. But is that so bad...? I hid in his white cloak as I usually did when I got embarrassed.
"Hehehe. Come on, don't be shy." Rudy gently prodded at my face, coaxing me from my hiding spot under his cloak. "We're almost there. Come out, please? I won't tease you anymore."
Muttering some gibberish I didn't understand myself, I hesitantly poked my head from his cloak.
"Hmm. I just noticed. You seem more clingy than before, Sylphie."
"I missed you."
"Ah. I see, I see." Rudy nodded, chuckling.
We had arrived at the lake our house was in. The small island in the center was covered with green grass and fruit trees. Rudy had planted seeds before he left, and now the plants were starting to grow fruit. The faint rushing sound of a river flowing into the lake was a sound I found relaxing. On hot summer days, I'd make a small stone pool and fill it with water to play in. Rudy said I couldn't swim in the river as it was too dangerous.
Rudy looked at the island from the shore, an impressed look in his eyes. "I never noticed, but you've been taking great care of the fruit trees I planted, haven't you, Sylphie?"
"Well..." I bashfully rubbed my twitching ears. "I've just been casting healing magic when they looked sick."
When Rudy visited me before, he only stayed with me for about an hour before leaving again. But today seemed different. Rudy wasn't rushing this time. He hadn't even given me my monthly training plan yet.
"Good job taking care of this place." Rudy patted my head. As I reveled in the pleasant feeling, an ice bridge had risen from the lake. Rudy winked at me. "Well, after you, milady."
Shyly nodding, I walked lightly across. Rudy followed close behind, and the bridge of ice melted after him.
The island was healthy, even though I hadn't spent much time tending to it. The grass never grew too tall, and the weeds trimmed themselves. The various fruits didn't fall when they were ripe, waiting patiently on the tree for me to pick them instead.
Rudy fumbled in his bag and pulled out the key to the door. He inserted it and turned the lock, and the door opened with a few clicking sounds.
"Ah... It sure feels good to be back here again." Rudy took a deep breath as he stared at the living room. I took off my shoes and slipped on the clean ones that were only meant to be used in the house, leaving the dirty ones in the cupboard by the door.
"I can get some sandwiches I made. There's also some juice in the ice box."
"Yes, that would be lovely. I never tasted my fiancee's cooking before. I wonder how it turned out."
I went to get the food from the kitchen while Rudy got the plates and cups. We sat around the table facing the window, like we usually did before Rudy left.
"Here you go. Tell me what you think."
"I'll be sure to tell you it's delicious, dear. Even if it's half-burnt charcoal."
"Geez. I've been learning for a year now. Who do you think I learned to cook for?"
Rudy poured the juice for us, laughing as he did. "I know, I know." He put the empty beaker by the window. "Maybe I should tell you something, too."
"What is it?"
"I won't be leaving again. Or at least, for the foreseeable future."
I paused. Did I mishear Rudy?
"Y-You won't leave again?"
"Yep," Rudy grinned, taking a large bite of the food on his plate. "I'm here to stay this time. Hmm. This is actually pretty good."
"B-but what about your job?"
"Oh, that. Hmm..." Rudy paused, staring out the window and drumming his fingers on his cup. "Well, I should explain first. I'm not actually here with you, Sylphie. My body is back in Roa, teaching the Young Mistress. And my spirit is the one with you now."
"S-Spirit? Then you're a ghost? Did you die, Rudy?!"
Seeing my panicky face, Rudy quickly tried calming me down, soothingly rubbing my head.
"Of course not. I split my soul, you see? You don't have to understand it, but know that even though I'm a spirit, I'm not dead." Rudy sipped his drink, calmly humming as he thought about something. "Those red marks on your hand are what gives me form. I'd be sent back to my body if they didn't exist."
"Oh, these?" I held up my hand, looking at the three marks on my hand. They sometimes glowed a faint red.
"They're Command Spells. A kind of binding spell that anchors me using a physical body made of Mana. They're also three absolute commands that I must follow."
"Absolute Commands?" I parroted back.
"Yeah. For example, if you wanted me to kill someone, but I refused to, you can just order me using one of those spells, and I'll have no choice but to do it."
"I would never tell you to kill someone, Rudy!" I promised, horrified.
"I know, I know. You're my sweet, gentle Fae. I was only using an example." Rudy assured me. "But this form has some limitations I should tell you about."
Rudy waved his hand, and an icicle shot across the room. But before it could impact the targeted wall, it turned into gold specks of light. Rudy huffed in annoyance, and I turned to look at him.
"H-huh?! Rudy, you're...fading?"
Rudy's body had become see-through, and his fingertips had vanished completely.
"Here, maybe I can help!"
I quickly cast a healing spell, but it didn't have much effect. Rudy's body was still blurry.
"Don't worry. It'll resolve on its own." Rudy reached over to reassure me, but his hand passed through my body. Rudy noticed it and grimaced. He pulled back, scowling. "Damn it. This is starting to get on my nerves. I know that old geezer warned me of the effects, but I never expected them to be this annoying."
Over the course of a few minutes, Rudy's body slowly returned to normal as gold dust concentrated around him. He sipped his drink with a pouty face when he wasn't see-through anymore.
"That was one of the limitations of this body. I can't cast any attack spells. Defensive, healing, and detoxification are good, but attack-based magics are a no-go. If I do cast them, I start to disappear. But if you order me to attack with a command spell, I'll be fine casting them." Rudy sighed, summoning some water to top off his cup. "Another thing is only a select few people can notice me at a time. I can control who can glimpse me and who can't, but I can't be visible to everyone. Sylphie can see me anytime she wishes, though. Because she's my anchor to the world."
"So...you're basically a ghost?"
Rudy sighed, pouting. He crossed his arms around his chest and wrapped his cloak around himself. "...yes. Like a ghost."
I giggled, patting Rudy's head. It still felt weird, like my hand would pass right through if I used too much force. I was as gentle as possible when I did so. "There, there."
Rudy smiled, leaning on my shoulder. "Well, even though I'm like this, I won't leave you. I'll stay by your side, though I don't think I can do much with my condition. So you'll have to handle everything yourself."
"That's fine." I rested my head on Rudy's. "Having you around me is enough."
"Mhm." Rudy was silent for a while. "Why don't I tell you another story to pass the time. It's been a year since I told you one, right?"
"Really?!"
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Recently, I've been having oddly familiar specific dreams. They were familiar because Rudy once told me a story. It was a long one. And it took many weeks for him to recite it all. It was about the journey of a mage named "Animus Animusphere Hatsuhoshi." The tales followed his life, detailing how he impacted the magical world greatly. Yet he went into hiding because of a mistake he made, never to be seen again. They were more like an autobiography rather than a story.
Rudy often smiled while he told me those stories. Most times, it wasn't a happy one. It was nostalgic and sad, sometimes even regretful. Rudy put so much feeling into telling those stories that it was like he lived the main character's life.
The dreams all had one thing in common. They were centered around "Animus Animusphere Hatsuhoshi." I would always stand by at the edges of the vision, silently watching. But I always couldn't move. It was like having ropes bound around my hands and feet. I could only observe from the sidelines, watching their life without affecting them.
I was having a dream tonight, too. It started like all the others. I would fall asleep and then awaken in an unfamiliar place. I was in a large room with many rows of seats. Many teenagers sat sparsely around the room, mostly alone. I was sitting in the back, next to Animus Animusphere Hatsuhoshi. A book opened on his desk, covered with writing in a language I couldn't understand.
A middle-aged man stood in the front of the room. He had black hair and eyes and wore a red coat with golden ornamentations on its shoulders. His hand gripped the face of a blond teenage boy who yelped in pain.
Various fancy-looking objects were placed on the table at the front of the room. Clusters of crystals shone under simple magic circles, and gold and silver goblets held dangerous-looking liquids. Though they were covered in a smocking, purple powder, they still looked expensive.
"Ow ow ow ow ow...!"
"Flat... You're such an idiot!"
The man scolded the teen, squeezing his face even more forcefully and getting another yelp of pain.
"I didn't have any rock salt on me, so I used pyrite instead. What's wrong with me improvizing a little...?"
"Everything's wrong! In a class where you're meant to create a spell to put up a Bounded Field, why would you create one to destroy it?"
Judging by how Animus was snickering with barely-contained laughter, that pile of purple dust was a failed spell.
"Rock salt and pyrite both have cubic crystals and symbolize the Earth, so they do have some similarities. But pyrite also contains the 'fire' element, which should be obvious, considering it has the word 'pyr' in its name!"
"There it is! His famous ultimate 'iron claw!' Oh! I want you to hold me like that, sir!" A girl stood up from near the front row. Her pink hair was almost impossible to miss. She wore an eyepatch over her right eye.
"I could have just lent you mine, Flat! Should have just asked!" Animus yelled dramatically, cupping both hands around his mouth as if that would make the voice louder.
Whenever Animus spoke, it was slightly unnerving. Mainly because this person's manner of speech was eerily similar to Rudy's. His appearance was familiar, too. It reminded me of the disguise Rudy used back in that village up north.
"That reminds me. Animus, where is your over-due homework that you should have handed in two weeks ago?"
The middle-aged man turned his glare towards Animus, his grasp on the teenage boy losing ever so slightly, just enough for him to slip out of his grip.
"I completely forgot! Sorry about that, professor!" The tone sounded anything but apologetic. The silver-haired mage held up a thick stack of papers. "But here's an extensive report on how Reality Marbles affect space-time in the human body to make up for it!"
The man sighed, rubbing his nose. The wrinkles on his face become more pronounced with each sigh he heaved. "That was not the topic I assigned you. You will turn your paper in by the end of the day. And as punishment, fix this Bounded Field your friend messed up."
"Aww... Do I have to?"
"Yes. Now get up here before I assign you another paper as punishment."
"Oh, so scary."
A glare was shot Animus's way for that.
"Right, right. 'Big Ben London Star,' I'm coming."
Animus walked up to the table in the front of the room, leaving a mess of notes and paper on the unorganized desk. I looked at the table of messy contents, not understanding a thing in this dream I was having.
Animus reached into his pocket and pulled out a clear gem. He dropped it on the table in the center of the largest magic circle and began drawing Runes around the purple dust pile. When he was done, he stepped back, looking proud.
"There, professor. That should do-"
The Runes glowed unusually bright, and an almost searing heat slammed me in my face. I heard panicked screaming and running as people ducked under their desks.
"Crap. That was the wrong gem."
My vision turned white as an explosion rang through the room.
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I woke up in bed at my parent's house. The sun wasn't high in the sky. It was still hiding behind a few mountains. My dad called to me from the dining table.
"Phi, rise and shine. The sun's up."
"Oh... Coming!"
I jumped out of bed and quickly put on my clothes. Rudy was definitely waiting for me outside, and I didn't want to keep him waiting. Though that dream I just had...
"Phi? Anything wrong? You seem a bit distant today."
"It's nothing. I had a dream last night, and..."
"Was it a scary one? Want to talk about it before we head out?" My dad asked worriedly, putting down his hunting bow.
I shook my head. "It wasn't scary. It was actually pretty funny. It was just a bit weird, that's all."
"Oh, I understand. Then let's go. But don't push yourself too hard, alright?"
"Okay, Dad."
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A lot has changed since Rudy returned, even though nobody except me knew he did. He was right when he said nobody except me could see him. He could wave or shout someone's name before their face, and they wouldn't have a clue he was there, staring past him and focusing on what they were doing.
He said he was a Servant. Not a butler or anything like that, but a kind of hero whose soul had been immortalized after their death. I didn't understand that. Rudy said he wasn't dead, so how could he be considered "dead?"
"Ah, well. That's a bit complicated to explain. Servants rely on faith to manifest. Remember that winter when we went to that village up north and saved a bunch of villagers? They started worshipping us as gods soon after. And their faith, with the meddling of an old geezer, allows me to act as your Servant. You can actually see the effect that faith has on this body. My hair should have been darker than this body's, but it's so light it might as well be white."
That explanation was too complicated for me to understand, but I at least know it was thanks to the people we helped long ago that Rudy could stay by my side.
"Oh, and your command spells. Never use them unless you have no choice. They're precious things that won't return after you use them, so spend them wisely."
That I understood, at least. I earnestly nodded when I heard that. Rudy seemed to be pleased; he patted my head afterward. He hid them using a spell he had.
The first few days of having Rudy back were kinda stressful. I was afraid people could see him and would take him away again. But everything turned out okay, and nobody besides me could see Rudy. He showed me some tricks he could do, too.
He could disintegrate into gold specks of light and reform somewhere far away. It was like his teleportation spell, but he said it wasn't that. He still had to walk there. He was just intangible.
He could become transparent and walk through walls like an actual ghost. He said that was one of his abilities as an Observer Servant. He couldn't walk while in ghost form, though. Because he'd fall through the ground. So he floated beside me.
He could make copies of himself using gems, too. All he'd have to do is drop a jewel on the ground, and it would grow into a mini Rudy. Rudy said they were a "hive mind" or something. That the Rudy copies were like extra arms and legs to control. I didn't get it, and Rudy didn't expect me to. He said explaining the feeling was like explaining color to a blind person.
It's been a few days since Rudy returned to me. I've finally gotten used to ignoring him so people won't find out he was there. Rudy always followed me in his transparent or "dematerialized" form so people wouldn't see him. He said people couldn't sense him even in his not-see-through body, but he said this was for extra security in case he lost control.
At night, Rudy slept in his house. And he would be waiting by the door for me in the morning. It wasn't that different than our past routine. Then he'd follow me around as I did my rounds, giving the occasional advice but mostly staying silent. He said he wanted me to be independent from him but was also scared I might hurt myself while doing so. So he never stepped in unless I was in danger that could kill me. That's fine, though. Just knowing Rudy was watching my back made me a lot braver.
Right now, I'm taking etiquette lessons from Miss Lilia.
'You're working hard. Maybe take a break once in a while.'
Rudy and I could talk through our minds. It was a part of the connection we shared. It was useful. Rudy said it wouldn't be unusual for a young girl to talk with her made-up friends, but we decided to use this link anyway.
'You once didn't sleep for a week, Rudy. Maybe take care of yourself before you tell me what to do regarding my health.'
'Ouch.' Rudy looked at me with a joking-hurt expression from his perch on the window. 'That hurt, dear fiancee. Though it warms my heart to know you care so much.'
I forced the blush down so Miss Lilia wouldn't see.
'I never learned anything from her, but is Lilia a good teacher?' Rudy asked. He stared out the window, watching his father swing his sword around.
'She is. But she's strict sometimes.'
'Ah. Lilia's always been like that. She's even already started training poor little Aisha in maid duties.' Rudy looked fondly at his little sister dressed in a tiny maid outfit, trying to mimic the movements of Lilia. 'She looks so cute in that uniform. Maybe you should wear one sometime, Sylphie. I'm sure you'd look even cuter in one.'
'W-wha-?!'
'Kidding, kidding.' Rudy laughed, unheard by any except me.
"Miss Sylphiette. Your face is flushed. Should we take a break?" Lilia noticed my blush. I sent a subtle glare Rudy's way, but he silently whistled and returned to watching his father train.
"No, no. I'm fine. Just thought of something, that's all."
"I see." Lilia hummed, watching Aisha with a fond smile. "Was it about Master Rudues, perchance?"
"N-n... Maybe..."
Rudy giggled from his spot by the window. 'You really need to learn how to lie better, Sylphie.'
'Meanie...'
'Ah, sorry, sorry.'
Lilia had a somewhat nostalgic smile, and her eyes held a kind of merit only she could understand.
"I was fond of Master Rudeus, too. Though not in the same way as you. I saw him as one who deserves my respect, not a potential partner later in life."
"Really? Could you tell me about Rudy before he met me?"
I could see Rudy whip his head towards me in a second, and he mouthed "no" in a dramatic fashion to draw my attention. His hands and head shook side to side quickly, emphasizing his point.
'No, Sylphie. Please. Don't do this to me.'
I ignored him. I wanted to get back at him after making me embarrassed so many times.
"Well, Master Rudeus was... eccentric from birth. He didn't cry much when he was born and looked at the world as if he was aware of his surroundings."
"So Rudy's been smart from the beginning, huh?"
"Yes. Master Rudeus was always mature for his age, perhaps in more ways than expected. Even as a baby, he seemed aware of the opposite sex. It seems he inherited that philandering trait fact from his father."
"Really, he did?" I shot a look at the one who sat on the window. He was mirroring my actions when I got flustered, hiding in his white cloak.
'Just kill me.'
"Well, Rudy's handsome, so I don't think he'll only take one wife. As long as he picks me first."
"That...is awfully mature of you, Miss Sylphiette."
A warm and bubbly feeling came through from the mind link I shared with Rudy.
"Well, I think that is enough rest. Let's get back to your lessons, Miss Sylphiette."
"Right!"
As I went back to training, Rudy continued being an observer. At that moment, Mr. Paul came back inside.
"Welcome back, Master Paul. Should I prepare a bath?"
"Ah, thanks, Lilia." Mister Paul nodded gratefully.
"It is my duty, My Lord."
As Miss Lilia was about to go upstairs and draw a bath, Miss Zenith came out. She seemed to be heading out. She was already putting on her shoes when Mr. Paul came in.
"Ah, welcome back, dear. How was training?"
"Good, thanks for asking, honey."
Mister Paul and Miss Zenith had seemed tense around each other when Rudy left, but that had gradually vanished over a year. I wonder if Rudy helped them resolve their problems?
Norn peeked out from behind the wall, rushing to hide behind Miss Zenith's legs. When he saw her, Rudy awwed from the window.
'She's so cute! She looks like a mini Zenith!' He giggled, looking from Aisha to Norn. 'They've both grown so much. I still remember when they were in diapers.'
'I remember you once complained that they were so loud you couldn't sleep.'
'C'mon. Let me reminisce a bit.' Rudy pouted.
"Lilia? Could you watch Norn for a while? I'm needed in the clinic." Miss Zenith asked
"Of course, milady. Please leave it to me." Miss Lilia bowed and went to pick Norn up, but Rudy's little sister didn't let go of her mother.
"Come on, love. Don't be shy." Miss Zenith started coxing Nore to release her leg, but she clutched it tightly and wouldn't release it.
Rudy took this opportunity and shifted back into his normal-looking self. He was still invisible to almost everyone, but now Aisha and Norn could also see him.
He revealed his existence to them on his first day back home. It was an accident. He got too excited seeing his little sisters walking on their own. But he managed to convince the two that he was the guardian spirit of this home and that only special people could see him. Aisha still called him "big bro," though.
I was worried Rudy might be revealed, but he assured me it wasn't uncommon for young babies to have active imaginations. People wouldn't worry if two-year-olds had imaginary friends.
"Come on, Norn. Your Mama needs to do something veeery important. So I'll play with you for a while, okay?"
Norn pouted like she was thinking, but she eventually let go of Miss Zenith. "...okay..."
With Rudy's unknown help, Miss Zenith gently handed Norn over to us. Rudy held her hand and guided her to a chair by the window.
"Hmm? Was there always a chair there?" Miss Zenith asked.
'Oh, no.'
'Well, I messed up.' Rudy sheepishly scratched his head.
"I-uh...moved it using wind magic?" I sprouted a lie to help Rudy, and he flashed a grateful smile.
"You did? That's amazing, Sylphie. Rudy taught you well, didn't he?"
"Y-yeah. Rudy was an amazing teacher."
'Of course I did. I don't mess around with my students.' Rudy huffed, his chin held comically high.
"Well, I'll be back in a few minutes. Take care until then." Miss Zenith waved as she left the house, and Mister Paul returned it before heading up to wash himself.
"Miss Sylphiette. Please watch the two children for a while. I need to draw a bath." Miss Lilia headed upstairs, too.
"Leave it to me!"
Miss Lilia nodded and headed upstairs. Aisha threw the rag she was cleaning the table with and ran over to me when Lilia was out of sight. Norn, startled by the sudden movement, hid behind Rudy in place of Miss Zenith.
"Big bro! Up! Up!" Aisha tugged on Rudy's cloak.
"Okay, okay." Rudy smiled fondly, waving his hand and flicking his fingers.
A faint gust of wind blew through the house, concentrating around Aisha's light toddler body. It lifted her into the air and gently flew her around the room. Aisha laughed in delight, her arms and legs stretched out like a flying bird.
Norn's grip on Rudy's cloak visibly tightened. Rudy noticed and looked down. A half-sulking-half-scared expression was on her face.
"Do you want to do that too, Norn?" Rudy asked, bending down to ask her face-to-face.
"...Too scary..."
"Oh." Rudy thought for a while, humming a calming tune. "How about this?"
He wrapped his cloak around Norn like someone hugging another person from the back. Another breeze danced around the room, lifting both Rudy and Norn up. Rudy made sure the rise wasn't too rough, carefully floating around the room like a leaf in a calm lake.
"This isn't that scary, is it?"
"No..."
Norn was always shy. She didn't speak much. And she only muttered a few words to her parents that were barely loud enough to hear. She warmed up to Rudy unusually quickly, though. Maybe it was because of the calm and peaceful feeling someone would get around him. Or maybe his kind nature made him seem trustable to Norn. Rudy noticed that I wasn't floating yet.
"Oh, you wanna join us, Sylphie?"
"Uh-huh!" I nodded
"Alright, watch your step."
My dress spread into a cloak in the shape of a butterfly. Rudy designed it this way for me. It matched with his own. I learned to fly a few weeks ago. But feeling my feed lift off the ground will always be unusual. I was scared of being so high up. So I always walked to our house using the path Rudy built, even though flying was faster.
But I didn't mind being a few meters off the ground. It was almost like riding on my dad's shoulders when I was younger. I wouldn't get seriously hurt if I fell.
Aisha began chasing me, and I flew around to avoid her. It was fun, but I stopped her when she went too fast. She might bump her head on a wall if she wasn't careful. Rudy watched us by the window as usual, rocking back and forth in the air with Norn as she stared out the window lazily. His eyes tracked our movements, ready to stop us if we lost control of our flight. His gaze occasionally flickered towards the stairway, checking if Miss Lilia had returned.
I glanced at Rudy, and he winked, gesturing at me to take a short break, almost as if telling me to be careful. I nodded, and Rudy cracked a faint smile before joining Norn in staring out the window.
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It's been many months since Rudy returned now, almost an entire year. Having him around was calming, in a way. I knew someone I cared for was watching my back as I did my best to improve myself. Rudy didn't help me much, only observing me from the sidelines. He only gave the occasional quip of advice when I was really struggling.
Runes were difficult to carve and even more so to understand. Rudy said they depended heavily on mental images, that a chain wouldn't work unless you specified what effects you wanted in your head. They required an active and vivid imagination to master, and while Rudy said I was creative, my progress with them was slow. I don't think I'll ever catch up to Rudy in Runes.
I'm doing well with normal spellcraft, though. I couldn't learn any Saint-rank spells yet because they were too dangerous, so I focused on mastering every spell I knew. Rudy often emphasized that the basics were crucial and that you couldn't master the advanced ones unless you thoroughly digested them. Rudy taught me the principles of how they worked, but that was a long time ago. So he's been re-telling me the lessons he taught before.
I've become more independent. I no longer always expect Rudy to save or help me with something difficult anymore. I know how to take care of myself now, and I'm becoming someone Rudy can trust and lean on. I'm still a bit far from becoming someone like that, but I'm getting closer!
Rudy's improving, too. He's discovered many things he can do as a Servant in the past year. He said he's an Observer Servant. A Servant not meant for petty battles.
"There are limiters placed on this Mana-born body of mine, Sylphie. I'm not a regular Servant, even in the Observer class. I'm still alive, and this is just a fragment of my soul acting as a fake. Because of my 'fake' status, my fighting ability is second to none without a command spell boost, and my vision and reach are severely decreased compared to a proper Servant's."
I'm unsure what he said, but I think Rudy's weak because he's not dead? I don't understand much about what a "Servant" is, and Rudy doesn't seem to either. He said he did this on a whim thanks to "the meddling of an old geezer with too much time on his hands."
Walking along the river that connects with our house's lake, I looked into the crystalline water. I was a bit far from our cottage, and I'd almost made it to the forest's edge. Yet the river stretched far beyond the woodlands and up to the mountains. I don't know where its mouth is. Maybe I'll ask Rudy to take me there on our next field trip.
I bent down, noticing a pretty leaf. It was around autumn, maybe late summer. The trees have begun shedding their leaves. Rudy seemed to like them, as I often see him standing in a grove of trees, seemingly entranced by the ones falling around him.
When I asked him why, though, he smiled sadly. And while he replied, he did so almost hesitantly. "I guess they're like a symbol of change for me. Once upon a time, I stayed in a place for a very long while. And when I emerged, the first thing I saw was colorful autumn leaves crunching beneath my feet. I guess that made them special to me."
The one I picked up was curved, almost like a small boat. I placed it in the river on a whim, deciding to run along it as it traveled back to mine and Rudy's house.
The small leaf tumbled over ledges and spun erratically in rapids. I ran alongside as it journeyed downstream, careful not to trip over any tree roots. When the leaf got stuck behind a rock, I used water magic to free it. When it was on the verge of sinking, I lifted it back onto the surface. I cheerfully laughed when it passed other leaves trapped in the current. And I gave it gentle pushes when it was struggling or overtaken by another. It reminded me of my relationship with Rudy in a symbolic and cryptic way.
Though Rudy wasn't with me and was probably playing pranks on some poor birds, I knew he was watching my back lovingly, ready to help in case things escalated out of control. Golden specks of glitter mingled with the clouds, and wisps of white fog trailed behind my movements. Even the sun and stars seemed a smidge brighter, and shades of gold swirled within the river currents. They showed that Rudy was always supporting me, no matter where he was.
Eventually, I reached the clearing where the lake and our house were. The leaf was swept into the lake's center, landing along the riverbed. Rudy was a ways away, sitting on a mossy rock near the deep stream. His eyes were closed, and he held a fishing rod loosely. Close to Rudy, a flat stone slab was placed over a fire, and a few fish on skewers were being cooked on it. Rudy looked like nothing else in the world mattered besides this moment of serenity.
Rudy doesn't seem to worry about time now. He's no longer working until he can't move or gets sick. These days, Rudy seemed more laid back and tranquil. In the morning, he accompanies me to his parent's house and plays with his younger sisters, and in the afternoon, he goofs off somewhere by the river near our house.
"Sylphie! Welcome back. Have a good time chasing that leaf? Did you see anything interesting in the forest?" Rudy opened his eyes and asked me with a smile. His aura reminded me of the birds that flew in the sky. Laid back and carefree.
"You seem real happy right now, Rudy." I don't know what caused this change in him. "Did you finally finish a project?"
"No. No, I didn't. The 'project' that stresses me out won't be done for at least another year. Sylphie, when you go stargazing these days, have you noticed a few bands of light? That that night sky seems brighter and more filled with stars?"
Rudy gave me a cryptic answer without actually doing so. I did notice that the night sky seemed livelier than before Rudy left, and the stars were more plentiful. New ones that weren't there the previous nights often appeared out of the blue.
"Then, at least you're not so stressed now," I said happily.
Rudy hummed, scratching his chin. As if he's only now noticed how free he's become. "I'm still anxious about it. How can I not? That 'project' is the most important thing I've ever worked on. But the past year has shown me many things. Being unable to do much in this body and spending time with those I love has really calmed the flame in my heart. 'Why bother worrying if you can do something about it,' as people say. I feel like I've truly understood that saying in the past year."
Rudy laughed, an almost sad smile on his face. It was mixed with something else. I think it was nostalgia or reminiscence? "I guess my age is starting to catch up with me."
"But you're the same age as me, Rudy," I said, confused.
"Physically? Yes. But that's a topic for when you get older." Rudy patted the spot next to him. A glass appeared, floating mid-air. It was soon filled with water. "You ran for quite a while. Sit by me and rest for a bit. I caught a few a while ago, and... Speaking of, they should have finished cooking."
Rudy made something for his fishing rod to lean on and hopped down from the boulder he was sitting on. He went over to his grill and checked the fish. He nodded, seemingly satisfied, and plated it with an assortment of fruits and vegetables he got from around the island.
Rudy hopped back onto the boulder, setting the plate down on a makeshift table he carved from a section of the large rock. We started picking away at the food before us.
'I know I'm not the best cook. Maybe you should cook the next ones I catch, Sylphie.'
I silently giggled. The last time Rudy went fishing was in mid-summer, and we ended up playing in a shallow pool Rudy made since it was so hot. Needless to say, Rudy didn't catch anything that day.
'It's good. So don't worry. I can help with the rest, and you can focus on fishing. I'll be silent as a mouse.'
'That's my good little Fae.' I could feel Rudy's laughter coming through over the telepathic link. It soon changed into worry. Rudy stared at the river. It was so clear that we could see where the fish were. 'Things have become peaceful in the past year, almost too peaceful. I'm worried this is like a 'the calm before the storm' thing.
'I'm scared, Sylphie. I don't want this peace to end. But there are so many things that could go wrong.'
I squeezed Rudy's free hand. 'We'll be fine. Rudy's strong enough to protect his family, right? And I can take care of myself. So nothing bad will happen.'
I felt a small wave of surprise coming from Rudy. It soon shifted into reassurance. 'Yes, I hope that's true.'
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Well? What do you think? I hope I did well.
I was trying to make Sylphie seem mature but still have a childlike innocence. Tell me if I succeeded or failed miserably.
If any of you have advice or constructive criticism, tell me in the comments. They're always welcome.
Anyways, Please like, share, follow, and comment.
As always, good luck with your game of life.
