Ren saw no reason to refuse, if he entered Roxy's tutelage it was all the more likely she would take his side in the feud against his family, while there was still a small chance that she would do otherwise, he was completely willing to take that risk.
"I accept Miss Roxy"
Ren said without hesitation. This made Roxy smile grow even wider, unnervingly so. She took the sword that Ren had been using previously and handed it to him, the sword was now in a wooden scabbard that was painted black. The wood was beautifully engraved with a sun rising over a mountain range.
"Call me master from now on brat. Take this sword, it's yours now. I hope you can become someone worthy of wielding it in the future."
Ren happily received the sword and clipped it on to his belt. Although the sword was oversized for Ren, it didn't hinder his movement. Roxy placed a hand on his tiny shoulder and started speaking
"Since your officially my disciple now, let me show you a little of what your master is capable of."
Once Roxy had finished saying this Ren felt his surroundings start to blur in a purple flash of light as everything faded to black, the next thing he saw was the familiar scene of the stone building he and Roxy were staying in. His head started to throb as he turned to Roxy, looking for an explanation.
"That was the space attribute, specifically the blink spell. Before you get your hopes up, I'll let you know that learning this spell is still far too difficult for someone as pitifully weak as yourself."
Ren was amazed at the possibilities of magic, he still had very limited knowledge about Aether but was eagerly anticipating learning more.
Roxy smiled inwardly when she saw the hopeful look on Ren's face, it almost felt nostalgic but the more she reminisced, the more her expression darkened. Ren would soon find out that the path to becoming strong was filled with sadness and pain, something she knew about all too well.
"Master, what's wrong"
Ren asked when he saw Roxy spacing out with a complicated look on her face. His words made her snap out of it and she regained focus, now was not the time for remembering the past. Those days were long behind her. Sighing deeply, she answered her disciple.
"Nothing that concerns you brat. Let's get a move on, we've already kept that girl waiting for quite a while now, I wouldn't be surprised if she went home already."
Roxy said walking towards the house. Although Ren wasn't satisfied with this answer, he didn't question her any further. Everyone had their own secrets, including him. Although he had told Roxy he was being hunted down by his family, he had never told her why, fearing that if she ever learned the truth. She might kill him before his family did.
Ren followed his master into the house, as he entered through doorway, he was almost blinded by the dazzling sight before him. He stood there with a look of astonishment on his face, standing next to him Roxy was also just as shocked.
Before them was a sparkling interior. Yes, it was clean and all the items that were thrown all over the place was put away neatly but that wasn't what surprised them. The room was robbed of its previous frigid personality and was now filled with an atmosphere that was warm, welcoming and comfortable, every surface seemed to shine splendidly under the lanterns flickering flame.
"Master did you take us to the wrong place."
Ren asked in disbelief, lately it seemed like it had just been one surprise after the other. Roxy walked in and started looking around the room, taking a long time to respond.
"Impossible, there's no way I would make such a simple mistake."
Roxy said in disbelief but taking another look at the splendour radiating through the door way, it was hard to believe that this was the same building she had lived in. she began to doubt herself, could she really have made such an elementary mistake.
At this point, Olivia who had heard the door opening, came down the stairs to greet them, her skin seemed sticky with sweat and her hair was tied back under a white scarf that was wrapped around her head.
"What took you so long, I've been waiting forever."
Olivia complaining brought them back to their senses. It seemed that they were in the right place after all and Olivia had not been slacking off in their absence.
"You've been busy."
Roxy said but Olivia ignored her eyes were fixed on Ren who had just walked in and was sitting at the dining table. Her heart felt heavy when she saw the state that he was in.
Ren's clothing was torn to the point that they couldn't be distinguished from rags. His hair was a tangled mess and his face was covered in dirt and minor cuts and bruises that Roxy had determined to be minor enough to ignore, to top it all of he looked mentally and physically exhausted. This caused her to start lashing out angrily at Roxy, who she deemed to be the cause of Ren's suffering.
"How could you treat him like that, I thought you were healing him but he already looks half dead again. If you can't take care of him just leave him alone."
Roxy was going to respond but Ren beat her to it. He didn't like the way Olivia was shouting at Roxy, Ren had realised everything his master made him do was for his sake. Since he had woken up after, Roxy had taken care of his meals and given him a place to stay, most importantly she had given him hope when he was at his lowest. Insulting her was the same as insulting his future aspirations. Ren's gaze turned frigid as he slowly looked up at Olivia, he spoke coldly and his voice contained a hint of venom.
"Don't assume what's best for me, you're just a stranger who knows nothing about me. So, mind your own business and kindly piss off."
When Olivia heard Ren's harsh words she began to tear up and start crying, tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran outside slamming the door behind her. When Roxy saw this, she shook her head and turned towards Ren.
"Brat, don't take her kindness lightly, she's a good person… something that's rare to come by these days."
After hearing what his master had to say, Ren started to feel guilty. Maybe he had been too harsh with his words, he wasn't blind and could tell Olivia had spoken out of concern for him. He just didn't like people getting involved with his personal affairs.
His sister's betrayal had shaken him to the core and he never wanted to feel that way again this is why he couldn't let anyone in, not wanting history to repeat itself. While it was true that he didn't trust Olivia, it was also true he never gave her a chance to begin with. After sorting out his emotions Ren voiced these feelings.
"I can't trust her or anyone else, I don't want to be stabbed in the stomach again… but that doesn't excuse what I said."
None of this came as a surprise to Roxy, she could tell from the beginning that Ren lacked faith in her and that caused him to withhold certain information. Despite this she was still willing to take him in because deep down she could tell that Ren was a good person.
"Tsk, I knew you had problems brat but now you're just being an idiot. It's alright not to trust people, it's a good way to protect yourself from the many bad people that exist in the world."
"What I take issue with is that your issues with trust prevent you from accepting the kindness of others. Trust is something that's built over time but that doesn't mean you have to shun everyone who comes close."
Roxy sternly reprimanded him. Ren was contemplated his master's words deeply. She was right, he didn't have to trust Olivia… he could just take advantage of her kindness and reap the benefits.
Ren's face lit up with realisation and Roxy couldn't help but feel that he had gotten the wrong message. Ren immediately headed for the door.
"I'll go apologise to miss Olivia now, where does she live."
Ren said eagerly, hearing what he had said Roxy beat him to the door and opened it.
"There's no need brat, Olivia did you catch all of that."
Behind the door was a still sobbing Olivia who was wiping away her tears. Ren was stunned, was she outside listening this whole time. Entering the room Olivia made her eyes wide as she spoke softly.
"I'll forgive you if you let me pat your head."
Ren sighed out of exasperation. He was too tired for this, finally deciding to give in, he already promised her this much.
"Do as you wish."
Hearing these words her face lit up, making it impossible to tell she was crying just seconds ago. The complete reversal of her attitude rendered Ren speechless. Olivia walked up to him and thoroughly ruffled his hair. Once Ren realised what was going on it was already too late.
"Y…You were faking it."
"Teehee."
Olivia was glad to be on Ren's good side but couldn't help but feel that his heart was as tightly guarded as ever. Even she couldn't explain the reason why she was so drawn to him. All she knew was the boy in front of her desperately needed someone.
"Roxy, can I stay here from now on, I'll take care of the cooking and cleaning."
Olivia asked her. the village was small, the house she lived in with her family was only a short distance away, so it didn't really matter where she slept. If she lived here, she could keep an eye on Ren and make sure Roxy didn't accidentally kill him, also it didn't hurt that it gave her an excuse to spend more time with Ren.
"I don't have a problem with that, you can take the empty room upstairs."
Roxy agreed almost immediately, this was the best-case scenario for her. If Olivia was around the chores would be done, meaning she had more time to spend on her research as well as training Ren. This could also be good thing for her people hating disciple. As soon as Olivia heard this, she stopped harassing Ren and a wide cheerful smile spread across her face.
"Great I'll go get my things."
After saying this she ran out of the door while humming merrily. Ren just stood there with a dumfounded look on his face. Giving her a chance was one thing but living with her was a separate issue. Ren looked up at his master hysterically, wanting to hear what she had to say for herself.
"Tsk, don't look at me like that brat. I've got a reason for letting her stay here so don't think you will be able to change my mind."
"Never mind that, while you two were messing about, I managed to come up with a training schedule for you… are you interested."
Roxy skilfully changed the topic. Ren still had more he wanted to say but he placed far more importance on what Roxy had just mentioned, it was how he was going to get stronger after all. Ren rapidly nodded his head. Roxy took out a plain gold ring and handed it to Ren.
"Good, first of all put this on"
Ren took the ring and inspected it. It really seemed like an ordinary gold ring. Ren had seen this kind of ring before, his father used to wear one. Ren fell silent and a complicated could be seen on his face.
"Sorry Master, I don't want to get married."
"Who would want to marry a stinky brat like you. That rings a magic artifact for your training."
Roxy yelled, causing Ren to realise his master wasn't proposing. He put the ring on his left index finger and felt a small prickling sensation, almost immediately afterwards, Ren felt a mysterious pressure surround his body pushing against him from all directions, making it significantly harder to move. Ren looked up at his master in shock.
"That Ring has a small crystal hidden inside it which increases the resistance you feel when moving. I've mentioned this before but Breakers need to strengthen their bodies before they can get stronger themselves. never take that ring off unless I tell you to do so."
Ren nodded, feeling slightly tricked that Roxy had waited until he put on the ring before explaining what it did. Noticing her disciple's reluctant agreement, Roxy took out a thick grey book which had bold black letters on the front cover. "A GUIDE TO CULTIVATION by Ritsu."
"Good, from tomorrow onwards, you will spend the mornings working in the fields to build your strength and stamina. In the afternoon I will teach you magic theory, in the evening I will instruct you in the sword. Every so often I will take you into the forest to check your progress but before all that I want you to read the first chapter of this book on cultivation"
Ren took the book from her and carefully placed it down on the table. Since books were pretty valuable, he often wondered how rich Roxy was to be able to own all the books that were scattered carelessly all over the place.
Ren had no problems with his training schedule, it didn't look easy but then again, he wouldn't be able to get his revenge by slacking off.
Before Ren could voice his agreement, Olivia burst through the door with a large bag in each hand, both the bags seemed to be bulging with items, which resulted in Roxy and Ren staring at her incredulously.
"How do you expect me to clean the house with just a broom and a dirty cloth, also how can I cook in that sorry excuse of a kitchen."
Olivia said, meeting their sceptical gazes head on, this seemed to shut them both up before they even said anything. Placing the bags down, Olivia opened one up and presented Ren with a set of child's clothing that the kids in the village usually wore.
"You can wear this until I can fix up your clothing."
Ren took the clothes. He had grudgingly accepted that Olivia was going to live with them from now on. Although he was still firmly against the decision, he realised there was nothing more he could do to change it. Ren could only find comfort in the fact that this situation was temporary and they would leave when Roxy was finished with her research.
"Master, if there's nothing else, I'll go wash up."
Ren said, the fight had left him covered in dirt and sweat. After gaining Roxy's approval, he immediately jumped out of his tattered clothing and handed it to Olivia, leaving him fully naked.
One of the first things Olivia noticed when she laid eyes on his body was the hideous scar on his stomach. She wanted to question him about it but she hesitated. Trying to pry now, would only serve to worsen their relationship.