"Luchi, did you just see that?"
After showing off my win to Heinzel and Rubia, it was time to boast to Luchi.
"Of course I saw it... How did you do that?"
Luchi slowly raised himself up, looking at me with curiosity.
"Hehe… Pretty cool, right?"
"Huh… You don't exactly have the body that should be pulling that off..."
"I'm strong! Wanna try me?" I said, raising my arm and striking a confident pose for arm wrestling.
"No, thanks... I'd rather not embarrass myself like that bald guy."
Luchi shook his head and laid back down.
Lame...
"Well... Alright. Rest up then."
I gave Luchi a polite nod and turned to leave.
"Hey, little one! How'd you do that?"
"Huh—! D-do what?"
I barely managed to hide my surprise at Heinzel's huge figure looming over me. But I quickly regained my composure.
I had to keep up my winner's dignity!
"I mean that arm wrestling! How'd you pull that off with a twig like your arm?"
"It's not a twig…! And what do you mean, how? I just used my strength."
"No way that was just raw strength. Hang on a sec, Noah."
Rubia slid up beside me and gently took my arm, squeezing it as if examining something.
"If it wasn't just strength, then what was it?" I asked, confused.
Wasn't I just strong because I maxed out my strength stat?
"Well, this is new for me too... But I think you unconsciously wrapped your arm in magic."
"Huh...? Magic?"
What nonsense was this? My magic stat is zero!
"N-no way... That means the little one here cheated!" Heinzel pointed at me, squawking about a foul play.
"N-no! I didn't use any magic!"
"Hah! This bald idiot actually cares about that? What a joke," Luchi muttered from the side, clearly unimpressed.
"If it's not magic, maybe it's some sort of blessing... But that's unlikely. It's probably just magic. There's no way you could've done what you did otherwise," Rubia continued, still inspecting my arm.
She was now massaging near my armpit for some reason. Was she really checking that thoroughly...?
"Ugh... I don't know... I just thought I was strong…"
"You're probably doing it subconsciously, Noah. Just for a brief moment when you need it. But still, that's impressive. I've heard strengthening your body with magic is really difficult, and you're doing it without even realizing."
"Impressive, indeed. Makes me a little jealous," Luchi added.
"Then it's a draw!" Heinzel proudly declared, trying to wriggle out of his loss!
"W-what?!" I blurted out.
"You cheated by using magic! That makes it a tie!"
"I didn't cheat! And a loss is a loss!"
"In the harsh world of competition, sneaky tricks get you disqualified! You lose!"
"It wasn't a trick! I didn't know! And if this is such a 'harsh world of competition,' you should at least accept your loss like a man!"
Heinzel chuckled mockingly.
"Fine, let's ask the referee. What do you think, miss?"
"R-Rubia..." I pleaded.
Rubia sighed heavily, massaging her temples.
"Am I a schoolteacher now? I feel like I'm babysitting..."
"Ah, the life of a priestess, eh?" Luchi chuckled as he sat up again.
"From where I'm sitting, Noah won that fair and square."
"Oh! Thank you!"
"W-wha—?! Why do you think that?" Heinzel barked, indignant.
"Heinzel, how old are you again?" Luchi asked.
"I think I'm... forty-eight?"
"That makes us the same age. We've eaten a lot of years, but apparently, you've been eating yours through your backside."
"Pfft-!" Rubia burst out laughing.
I tilted my head in confusion, not quite getting the joke.
But Heinzel...
Grit grit—
His teeth ground together as his fists clenched.
"What was the bet again?" Luchi continued.
"Jelly! I was supposed to get jelly, and Heinzel was supposed to get a stone-plate steak!" I said quickly.
"Ah, I see... Heinzel, do you have money in your backside? Or is it full of your age?"
"Pfft...!" Rubia giggled again.
I still didn't get it…
"Th-th-that's enough!" Heinzel's fists made cracking noises.
"What is it even supposed to mean?" I asked Rubia quietly, pulling her closer by the hand.
"Haha... I'll explain later, Noah. It's... not exactly something Heinzel's pride can handle right now."
Luchi kept throwing insults while Heinzel looked ready to explode.
Finally, after a lot of back-and-forth, the verdict was made.
"... I lost," Heinzel muttered, defeated.
Noah wins!
Hah, you should have accepted it from the start, Heinzel! So pathetic!
I straightened my posture and approached him with a grin.
"Don't forget... You owe me jelly tomorrow."
"Grr... Fine."
"Hehe…"
While I was basking in my victory, Luchi tapped on my greatsword, getting my attention.
"By the way, when was the last time you had that sword repaired? You say greatswords are the best, but it looks more like you've been swinging a club around."
"Oh, um… I should probably get it repaired soon..."
Honestly, I didn't feel comfortable repairing my sword anywhere but at the Alrba blacksmith.
The owner there never minded me fidgeting with my sword while I waited, which made me feel at ease.
But I doubt any place here would be as lenient.
"Should I introduce you to a good place?"
"Well... Um…"
While I was hesitating, Rubia stepped in, taking my hand.
"Oh, I already found a place for that. We're going tomorrow, right, Noah?"
Nice save, Rubia! You're the best!
To show my gratitude, I wiggled my fingers between hers, locking them together.
"Y-yeah! We're going together tomorrow!"
Rubia squeezed my hand gently, and I returned the gesture.
"Is that so? Well, alright then... But you were going to duel me with that broken thing?"
"Yup… Why not?"
It wasn't like it was a life-or-death battle!
Besides… I was sure I'd only need about ten or so swings to finish him off, so it wasn't a big deal.
"Do I look that weak to you?" Luchi asked, slapping his forehead.
That's not what I meant…
Well, okay, maybe before I watched his duel with Heinzel, I thought I'd win for sure. But now? Now I wasn't so confident.
Still, I couldn't say that out loud. Gotta defend the honor of the greatsword!
"No, I just... thought, y'know... you're... kinda average?"
"Heh—! Hahahahaha! I like your guts, kid. Fine. Once your sword's repaired, we'll have our duel."
"Sure…" I clenched my fist.
"Haaah…"
Rubia let out an exhausted sigh from beside me.
"Luchi, do you really have to do this? Shouldn't you rest a little longer?"
"Bah, this little mouse won't take much effort. I'm fine."
"M-mouse…? You're gonna regret this. Seriously. Did you not see my arm wrestling match? I'm incredibly strong."
"Hahaha! Sure, sure. I'll take you seriously."
Luchi chuckled as he tapped the hilt of his sword.
Meanwhile, Heinzel sidled up next to Luchi and spoke.
"Hey, little one. If you don't want to duel, how about training instead? I can train you—"
"No. I'm not interested in losers."
Shut up, bald guy.
"Wh-what…? Loser?! Grrr…"
"Hahaha! Heinzel, sit down. You lost to me, and then to Noah. You're at the bottom here. Let the grown-ups talk."
Seizing the moment, I added.
"Exactly. The grown-ups are talking. You're the lowest here, so hush."
I put my hands on my hips, trying to look authoritative.
"Pffft—Noah. Wh-what is that pose?"
"An authoritative one... D-does it look weird?"
"No, no, it's fine... You can keep doing it if you want," Rubia said, shoulders shaking with laughter.
Something about her reaction didn't sit well with me.
I quietly lowered my arms when no one was looking.
Maybe… it's because I'm too short…
"L-little one... do you really hate me that much?" Heinzel asked, looking devastated.
"Huh? Oh, no. I don't hate you. It's just, um... don't take this personally, okay?"
"I-I won't. Go ahead."
"There's nothing you can teach me."
"Huh...?"
"I-I mean… we're too similar in style. I wouldn't learn anything new. Luchi, on the other hand… his style's completely different. So if I want to learn and gain experience, dueling him makes more sense."
Watching their duel earlier, I'd realized that Heinzel's style wasn't so different from mine.
We had some notable differences, sure, but overall, we operated on the same basic principles.
If I were to spar with Heinzel, we'd both just end up hurting each other.
I was sure of it.
And I really didn't want that.
Just look at the way Luchi got injured earlier…
Ugh. I don't want that happening to me.
"Is that so…? Well then…"
"But Noah, from the way you've been talking... It sounds like you believe you're on par with or even stronger than Heinzel. Is that right?" Luchi said, immediately catching on.
Damn, he's quick.
I hate people who are too perceptive.
"What? Little one! Is that true?" Heinzel shouted, clearly offended.
"Uh… Rubia! I'm tired. Let's go to the inn now!"
"Fufu… Sure, if that's what you want. We'll be heading off now, then."
Rubia was sharp too, but she was always on my side.
Luchi? He wasn't like that at all.
"Little one! Answer me!"
"Ugh… Let's go already!"
I pulled Rubia along by the hand, desperate to escape.
Heinzel continued shouting "Little one! Little one!" after me until we disappeared from sight.
He probably lost both his hair and his common sense at the same time.
How does someone that clueless survive in this world?
Sigh.
* * * *
"Whew... I'm beat…"
I threw myself onto the bed, enjoying the refreshing feeling after a good wash.
"A lot happened today."
"Yeah… but it was fun."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. By the way, what will you do about the blacksmith tomorrow?"
I carefully shifted my body, making sure my greatsword didn't tear into the bed.
"I dunno… I'm really worried about it. Should I just buy another greatsword?"
"Hm… That's not a bad idea. But this one's already familiar in your hands, isn't it?"
"That's true…"
I held the hilt, gripping and releasing it over and over.
Yeah, this sword just feels right.
I know I'll eventually have to replace it, but I've been through so much with this one already...
It feels like an extension of my body. The thought of just swapping it out for another one feels wrong.
Is this what it's like to have a comfort item, like a stuffed animal?
But carrying around two greatswords would be impossible.
"How long does it usually take to get your sword repaired?" Rubia asked.
"At Alrba, it'd usually take about ten hours. But I have no idea how long it'll take here."
"True. It might take longer if they have other work lined up."
I was still feeling uneasy about it all.
I didn't want to ask Luchi or Heinzel for help with it… They weren't professionals, and they'd probably mess up the repair.
"Then, Noah, if you do leave your weapon at the smithy, I'll stay with you the whole time."
"With me…?"
"Yes. And if you want, I can even carry you."
Rubia walked over to my bed and sat down beside me, pulling my head gently into her lap.
"How does that feel?"
Rubia's sweet, warm scent filled my nose, and her still-damp hair brushed softly against my skin.
Her quiet voice stroked my heart.
"R-Rubia…?"
"Is it uncomfortable?"
"N-no... It's just... uh..."
I couldn't move. I was frozen stiff.
"Then, can I move your sword for a moment?"
"Why?"
"I want to do something for you."
Before I could answer, Rubia reached for my sword.
Should I dodge?
But if I did, would Rubia get upset…?
Ugh…!
While I hesitated, her hand made contact with my greatsword.
"Noah, is this okay?"
"… Yeah."
The sword left my hand.
Suddenly, I felt nothing.
My surroundings faded away.
My senses heightened—my hearing, my sense of touch, my sense of smell.
I felt like I was falling into an endless abyss.
The unpleasant sensation was only magnified by lying down like this.
This is why I always cuddle my greatsword when I sleep.
As I tried to steady my breathing, Rubia's hand gently stroked my hair.
"Are you scared?"
"I-I'm not scared. I'm perfectly fine."
"Your hands are all sweaty, though."
"This isn't sweat… It's just... humidity."
"Sure. I believe you."
Rubia's soothing hand never stopped, her strokes calming me down little by little.
With nothing to see, my other senses sharpened even more, making me hyper-aware of every soft touch.
It was almost enough to make me forget about the uneasiness from losing my sword.
"Are you feeling a little better now?" Rubia asked quietly.
"Yes…"
"Do you think you could sleep without your greatsword tonight?"
"Um… Maybe… If someone stays with me…"
"Someone? So it doesn't have to be me?"
"N-no! I mean… if it's you, Rubia... But aren't your legs going numb?"
"Fufu... No, I'm fine. I'll stay like this until you fall asleep. And once you do, I'll lie down right next to you."
Her soft voice whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
"O-okay… Then… I'll sleep now…?"
"Go ahead. Sleep tight. I'm not going anywhere."
"Alright. You too, Rubia. Sleep well… See you tomorrow…"
It was strange.
There were nights when I'd toss and turn for hours, unable to fall asleep.
But tonight…
Why did everything feel so peaceful?
"Good night, Noah. Sweet dreams."
Sweet dreams?
What does that even mean?
Such a silly thing to say...