Roah no longer paid attention to the "Fool" version of himself in Sword Art Online. He had completely lost faith in that version. From now on, he could only rely on himself.
He, Roah Greyrat, aspired to become a master of the shadows.
But there was a problem—how does one become a true master of the shadows?
First, his power had to reach its peak. Unfortunately, in this world, where swordsmanship reigned supreme, there was no chance of defeating Dragon God Orsted head-on.
Roah was still in his developmental stage, far from possessing overwhelming strength.
As he pondered his future plans, a faint, elegant scent and a soft touch reached him from behind.
It was Roxy's scent.
Roah's eyes snapped open as he realized Roxy was hugging him from behind, her soft hands gently ruffling his hair.
"Would you like to hear my story?" Roxy asked softly. Her gentle movements and the sensation of her hair brushing against his face sent a shiver down Roah's spine.
He nodded silently. If Roxy was willing to open her heart, he had no reason to refuse.
"My life hasn't been easy," she began, her gaze distant. "I was born without the unique telepathic ability of my Migurd race. When my parents realized I couldn't use it, they kept me at home and started teaching me written language instead. But when I finally ventured out and tried to communicate with the other children, I realized how different I was, and I cried bitterly."
Roxy's eyes reflected a hint of nostalgia as she continued, "Then, I met a traveling magician, Blaidy Kand, who showed me how vast the world truly was. I learned basic magic under his guidance, but after mastering the fundamentals, he left without a word."
"Being a Migurd with blue hair, which under certain light conditions resembled the infamous green hair of the Superd race, brought me endless troubles. The Superd were feared and loathed due to their role in the war 400 years ago. People viewed me with suspicion and fear, as if I carried their curse."
"When I turned 14, I left home secretly, registering as an adventurer. But because of my appearance, people treated me like a child. It took a while before I found a proper team, and for three years, I worked with my comrades, eventually becoming a B-rank adventurer."
Her expression grew somber. "But those happy days came to an end. During a mission, we encountered a magical disaster. Our leader, Hackendill, was crushed by falling rocks. With him gone, our group fell apart. That was the first time I truly understood the fragility of life."
She sighed deeply before continuing, "I wandered aimlessly until I reached the port city of Milis. Though discrimination against demons was rampant, I was fortunate to find a relatively tolerant town. There, a guild receptionist helped me a lot, even offering me a job at the guild, but I decided to remain an adventurer. I even took out a loan to buy a new magic staff."
"After reaching A-rank, I took on a dangerous mission that required infiltrating the home of a notorious merchant suspected of illegal activities. The task involved significant risks, but the promise of quadruple pay made me agree. The mission was successful, but I was discovered, captured, and imprisoned. Eventually, I was rescued by my comrades, and we freed other victims as well."
Roxy's voice wavered as she recounted the darker parts of her journey. "After that, I traveled to Millishion, but discrimination and prejudice against demons made life difficult. I was once even mistaken for a kidnapper and attacked by knights. Despite these challenges, I pressed on, supporting myself by working at a tavern before continuing my journey."
"I wandered through the Kingdom of Asura, met various people, and eventually arrived at this village, taking up the job as your family's magic teacher," she concluded.
"Isn't it silly? And a little childish, too?" Roxy asked, her expression tinged with melancholy.
Roah blinked, considering his response. Rejecting his initial thought of a cheesy line, he simply raised his small hand to brush her forehead and smiled. His youthful yet serious demeanor carried a comforting warmth.
"Not at all. If anything, Master Roxy, you're incredibly brave. No matter the difficulty, you've always found a way to overcome it. Even when faced with setbacks, you continued moving forward," he said sincerely.
"Really?" Roxy's previously downcast expression softened into a small, genuine smile. "Thank you."
"So, Master, do you like my gift?" Roah asked, leaning closer to her ear mischievously.
Roxy responded with a sharp chop to his head, her expression flat. "You're too close."
After a moment's pause, she glanced out at the dark night sky and murmured softly, "How could I not like it?"