***** Back to Rudy's POV *****
"Nice to meet you. I am Eris Boreas Greyrat", Eris performed a noble greeting as she introduced herself to Zenith. Not gonna lie, I'm kind of surprised she still remembers how to do that.
"Oh, you must be the young lady Rudy left to Tutor. I'm glad to see you're doing alright. Your parents were worried sick!"
"Where are my parents, by the way? Paul had told me that they were sent here along with you."
"They were here, but soon after Paul left to search for Rudy they hired some adventurers to guide them back to their home in Roa. By the time we heard how widespread the displacement incident really was, they had already left."
"I see." Eris pouted. It's no wonder. I'm sure she misses her parents just like I did. I'm just glad I was able to save them this time. I hope they made it to Roa safely.
We spent the night with my family at our new home. I took out four bedrolls from my traveling sack and spread them out on the floor for Norn, Aisha, Eris, and myself to sleep on. Zenith tried to give us the bed to sleep on, but I insisted; she and father have been separated for over a year now, after all. Lilia shared a bed with Hope in the other room.
In the middle of the night I was awoken by Norn. She had gotten out of her bedroll and was trying to sneak into bed with our parents.
"Hmm? Is something the matter Norn?", I whispered.
"Eep!", she stopped sneaking and immediately stood up straight, realizing that she'd been caught. "I can't sleep", she said.
"I can understand that. You haven't seen father in a long time, have you. I'm sure you've missed him."
Norn nodded silently.
"Go on then, sneak into bed with them. I didn't see anything."
"Mhm!", Norn nodded once again and climbed up onto the bed, snuggling in between Paul and Zenith.
"What about you, Aisha?" I had noticed her watching us with one eye open.
"As expected of you, Master Rudeus, you noticed I wasn't sleeping." I picked up a hint of sarcasm in her voice. I guess she's feeling a little rebellious. Lilia must have been ruthless training Aisha to serve me. Some things never change...
"Of course. It was rather obvious since you stopped snoring."
"I DON'T SNORE!", Aisha yelled without thinking.
"Shhhh", I put my finger to my mouth. "You'll wake everyone up."
Aisha clasped her hands over her mouth as her face turned red in embarrassment. She shot me an angry glare as she pulled her blanket back over her shoulder and spun herself around the other way.
The next morning I awoke to the alluring smell of bacon as I could hear it sizzling in the kitchen. Lilia had gotten up early to make everyone breakfast. Of course, Aisha was helping her.
*Yawn* I stretched my arms out as I stood up and then made my way to the kitchen.
"Is there anything I can do to help?", I offered.
"Thank you, but no, we have things covered", Lilia answered. "Please, sit and relax. We'll have breakfast ready shortly."
I sat down at the dining table and got to work crafting a figurine of Ruijerd to keep me busy. By the time Lilia had finished breakfast, Paul and Zenith came walking out of their bedroom with Norn in tow. Hope joined us at the table as well.
"Do you think Laws will make it back today?", Hope asked while we were eating.
'Oh yeah, that's right. I told her we'd have him back in a day or two, didn't I.'
"Hmm.. I can leave to go get him later today. I was hoping to see Sylphy first, though."
"Oh yes. I'm sure that will make her very happy."
"What do you mean you are going to get him?", Zenith cut in. "Surely you're not planning on going out by yourself, are you?"
"Of course not. I'll go with him", Paul said.
"Why don't you let me bring lunch to Sylphy at school today, and then we can leave when I get back", I suggested.
"Sounds like a plan! I'll make sure we have everything packed and ready for when you get back", said Paul.
Eris and I spent the day playing with Norn and Aisha. Lilia was kind enough to give Aisha the day off to spend with me. We played tag, hide and seek, and Eris and I told them stories of our adventures in the Demon Continent with Ruijerd.
Once lunchtime rolled around, Hope prepared a lunch for Sylphiette and one for me as well. Eris stayed home to play with Norn and Aisha as I left with Hope for the University. Once we arrived at the front gate, Hope waved hello to the two guards. They let us pass without question. Evidently Hope has made her way here several times; the guards seemed to know her well.
We then walked to the teachers building where the receptionist gave us visitor's passes so we could get into the school buildings. Using the visitor's passes, we entered the cafeteria and waited for Sylphiette.
The noon bell hadn't rang yet, so the cafeteria wasn't serving lunch yet. This meant the cafeteria was relatively empty. I spotted Linia and Pursena first in line waiting for them to start serving food, but decided not to bother with them for now.
Hope and I sat down at what she said was Sylphiette's favorite table to eat at and waited for her. Sylphy showed up about five minutes after the noon bell rang. She was walking with a moderately sized group of students; all of them chatting with one another.
"Sylphy!", Hope called out to get her attention.
"Mom! Did you bring me lunch again?", she yelled back as she hurried over to our table.
Once she got closer, Sylphy saw me sitting next to Hope and stopped for a moment, seemingly a bit confused.
"R-Rudy? Is that really you!?"
"Sure is Sylphy. I'm finally back!"
Sylphy ran up to our table and embraced me. I reciprocated the embrace and squeezed her tight as I said, "I'm so glad to see you again."
"Me too. I always knew you would be alright, but I really missed you."
It was then that Sylphy realized the entire area surrounding us had gone quiet and her face went red with embarrassment. Everyone was staring at us.
"Haha... well I'm glad you're back Rudy. Did you enroll in the school as well?"
"No. Not yet. We just got back in town last night, so I haven't had time. I do plan to eventually though. Perhaps I might enroll when next year's classes start."
"Is there really anything for you to learn here though?", a demon woman asked me, interrupting our conversation. "I suppose they do offer classes covering non-magical subjects as well", she said as she held her chin in thought.
The woman's face seemed familiar, but I couldn't seem to put a name to it.
"Excuse me, do I know you?", I asked as politely as I could.
"Haha. I suppose I really wasn't worth remembering. To someone like you I must just blend in with the endless sea of adventurers you must have met traveling the Demon Continent."
'I really hope I haven't offended her. This woman obviously knows me.'
"I'm sorry. You'll have to forgive me. I'm so forgetful with names."
"Oh yes, that's right. You did say you knew Rudy too, didn't you Seren?"
"Indeed. We met on the Demon Continent. He's the mage who recommended I attend this University if I wanted to improve my magic."
"You're the one from the Fire Drake lair! I remember now."
"That's right. It's nice to meet again. Just as you suggested, I enrolled at Ranoa Magic University and am now recognized as a special student."
"Very impressive. I look forward to learning with you in the future."
"Haha. Like I said, I don't know how much there is for you to learn from this place. From what I remember of you, you are far more skilled and knowledgeable than any of the teachers here."
"There is always more to learn, more skills to master. You shouldn't view others as inferior. Even someone who appears weaker or less skilled than yourself might have some perspective or hidden talent to share. Also, this place has far more resources than just the teachers. I'm sure you've seen the vast library here."
"Rudy, have you been here before? You seem to know everything about this place already", Sylphy asked.
"Ah. No, this is my first time on school grounds. I heard a lot about this place during my time working with my family in Roa, though."
"Mom, does this mean Dad is back home now, too?"
Hope's smile faded a little as she responded, "No, Paul had only returned with Rudeus. Your father is nearby and they said they could bring him here in a day or two though."
"Father and I are going to pick him up after we eat lunch. Don't worry, we'll be back shortly", I assured her.
A smile replaced the worry on Sylphy's face when I said that.
"That's great news!", she exclaimed. "I can't wait. We can finally all be one happy family again."
Somehow, when Sylphy said that, I got the feeling that I was included in that as well.
We all spent the next hour or so chatting and eating until Sylphy had to leave for her next class. Once she left, Hope and I returned home where Paul, true to his word, had everything packed up and was ready to set out.
We went back inside and said a quick goodbye to everyone before heading right back out the door. As Paul was trying to leave, Norn ran up to him and grabbed his leg.
"No. Don't go! You just got back!"
"I'm sorry Norn. I have to go get Laws. Don't you think poor Sylphy misses her dad too?"
Norn didn't answer, she just held on tight to Paul's leg and started crying.
"You know, you don't have to come with, right? I can pick up Laws just fine on my own, it shouldn't be a problem at all."
"No, Laws is my good friend. I'm coming too", Paul insisted.
I turned to Eris, who was planning to come with us. "Eris, why don't you stay behind and keep Norn and Aisha company? We'll only be gone for a day or two and this way you guys can get to know each other better."
"Hmmf! I guess I have no choice!", Eris exclaimed with her chest forward and head held high. It was plainly obvious that she liked the idea herself.
Zenith came and pried Norn off Paul's leg. Everyone waved goodbye as we walked away towards the main road. Norn was still crying as Zenith held her, but she forced herself to wave goodbye as well.
"Well Rudy, you said it should only take a day or two. I expect you know another shortcut?"
"Of course. If we hurry, I can have us in Shirone within three or four hours."
"Don't hold back on my account. I want to get back home as soon as possible. Let's get moving!"