The graduation exam went off without a hitch. Roxy and I rode out to an open plain so that she could demonstrate the cumulonimbus spell. I threw up an earthen dome around Caravaggio to protect him from any stray lightning strikes.
After Roxy finished her demonstration, I repeated the incantation and cast the spell myself.
"Congratulations! You are now a saint level water mage."
On the way back home, I chatted with Roxy about her future plans. She had told me yesterday that she planned to travel the world and hone her magic skills after my graduation.
As much as I want to, I know I shouldn't try to stop her from leaving. I know her travels and time spent teaching Pax will be important memories for her.
"Roxy, are you planning to go back to adventuring?"
"Probably from time to time if I'm short on funds. I just want to travel and see what the world brings me", she replied.
"When I get older, will you take me adventuring with you?"
"I think I would enjoy that."
"It's a promise, then!", I answered. "Make sure to stay safe and I'll come find you after I grow up!"
"Ha ha. You too Rudy. Listen to your parents and keep up on your studies."
Once we got home, we had a celebratory feast for my graduation to saint level, and then after a long, fun night, we all went to bed.
First thing next morning, Roxy got dressed up in her traveling gear and we all met at the entryway to our house to send her off. My parents were both coming up with excuses to try and keep Roxy from leaving. She really did feel like a member of the family.
"I appreciate the offer, but teaching your son has taught me just how powerless I really am. I'm going to travel the world and hone my magic."
"I see. I'm sorry our son made you lose confidence in yourself", Paul replied.
"Way to lay on the brutal honesty, Dad", I sarcastically thought.
Roxy grimaced, and then patted me on the head and said, "Rudy, I wanted to do my best for you, but I'm sorry I didn't have what it takes to teach you properly."
"That isn't true. You might not realize it, but you taught me so many things. Every breakthrough I had was because of what you had taught me." I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.
I knew this was coming. I've been through this before. I know we'll meet again. Yet still, I can't help but cry.
"I'm very happy to hear that", she consoled me. "That reminds me." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pendant. "This is a Migurd amulet. If any demons give you a hard time, show them this amulet and mention my name. They should ease up on you a bit."
"I'll treasure it forever!", I said.
"That would make me happy. Now, it's time to go. Goodbye."
Roxy turned around and started walking down the path away from our house. We all yelled goodbye and waved as she went on her way.
As I watched her fade off in the distance, I clutched the soft silky fabric in my pocket and offered a prayer to my holy relic. At least I'll still have this to remind me of her until we meet again.
After Roxy parted ways, I began to explore around the village. Paul and Zenith were ecstatic that I wanted to go outside. They had been worried that I was sickly since I rarely cried and preferred to stay indoors.
Day after day I would take my botanical encyclopedia with me and make my rounds about the village, saying hi to those I passed by, but I'd always make my way to the big tree atop the hill at the edge of the village. The real reason I kept exploring each day was to meet a certain someone.
It didn't take long before I found her. About a week after I started exploring during the day, I came across three young boys throwing balls of mud at a young girl who was cowering with her face buried into her knees. One of the boys picked up a hard rock with a menacing smile on his face, and I snapped.
I had known this would happen. I remembered how I first met Sylphiette by saving her from some bullies. Still though, the sight of seeing them berate her and pummel her with mud infuriated me, and then when I saw Somal (one of the three bullies) pick up that rock, it was the final straw.
"Oi!", I shouted.
They all turned to look at me.
I was walking directly towards them, glaring at Somal with such intensity that he dropped the rock and tripped as he tried to back away, landing on his butt. Every step I took looked like I was trying to crush a bug underneath my foot. Small amounts of electricity crackled about my clenched fists as I approached Somal, glaring down at him as though he were a disgusting cockroach.
The other two children had fled; Somal was trying to crawl away, frightened to tears. He even appeared to have wet himself.
I said to him in a cold, dead serious tone: "If I ever see you bully her again, I won't let you off with just a warning."
"Now get out of my sight!"
Somal got up and bolted away, stumbling slightly as he ran.
I stood there for a moment to calm myself down, then I walked over towards Sylphiette, still cowering on the ground, covered in mud.
"Are you ok?", I asked.
She slowly turned her head up and looked at me, still shaking a little.
"Uh... Yes... I'm fine", she stuttered.
I helped her up, and said, "Lean forward a bit, and close your eyes. I'm going to clean the mud off."
She did as I asked and I used combination magic to pour some warm water over her head, washing the mud from her hair.
"Thank.. you", she still stuttered a little.
"Here, sit down, I'll dry your hair."
She hesitantly sat down.
"You don't mind how I look?", she asked.
"Of course not, I think you look cute."
Sylphy blushed a little. "They don't like me... because of my green hair".
"Don't let it bother you", I said. "They won't be bothering you any more; and I think your hair is pretty."
We started walking down the path towards the large tree on the hill.
"Umm.. Why did you help me?", Sylphy asked.
"Because it made me mad seeing those three bullying you for no reason."
"But now they might leave you out"
"Well, then why don't we play together then? We can be friends. My name's Rudeus, what's yours?"
"Sylphiette", she replied.
Once we got to the tree on the hill, Sylphy asked me to teach her how to make the warm water appear in my hands like that. I spent the rest of the day playing with Sylphy and trying to teach her the water ball spell.
Once I got home, I was surprised to see that Paul wasn't waiting for me outside. I had expected to get a scolding for scaring off those bullies. Honestly, I think I went a bit overboard. The kids must have been too scared to tattle on me. I feel kind of bad about it actually; they are just children, after all. It's just that I saw them being cruel to poor Sylphy and I couldn't help myself.
When I walked into the house, I was welcomed by Paul and Zenith. They seemed really excited to hear I made a new friend. Paul was surprised to hear it was Sylphiette, his friend Laws' daughter.
After eating dinner, I went up to my room and practice magic for a while before bed. I had a little bit of trouble getting to sleep, I'm really looking forward to tutoring Sylphy. This time, I'm going to teach her to be a true powerhouse.