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MT - 18 Past
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 04:33:28 +0000 UTCRoy no longer concerned himself with his Fool self in the Sword Art Online world. He had lost faith in that version of himself. Now, he could only rely on his own abilities.
He, Roy Greyrat, aspired to become a eminence in shadow—a figure moving unseen yet shaping events.
But the question lingered: how could he become such a figure?
To achieve it, he needed power—an overwhelming force. Unfortunately, this world was dominated by swordsmanship, and in direct combat, he was no match for Dragon God. At this point, Roy was still developing, his strength far from formidable.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, planning for the uncertain future, a faint, elegant fragrance reached him, accompanied by a soft touch against his back.
It was Roxy's scent.
Roy's eyes snapped open. Roxy was embracing him, her gentle hands softly tousling his hair.
"Would you like to hear my story?" She asked, her voice tender, her movements unhurried. The sensation of her hair brushing against his cheek left a subtle tingle.
Roy nodded. How could he refuse when Roxy offered to share her heart?
"My life has never been easy." Roxy began, her voice tinged with both wistfulness and pain. "I was born without the unique telepathic ability of my people. When my parents discovered I couldn't use it, they kept me at home, away from the world. They even started learning written language just for me. But when I first stepped out of the house and tried to interact with other children, I broke down in tears, realizing how different I was."
Her gaze softened, her eyes shimmering with a mix of longing and melancholy.
"Then, I met a traveling magician. He opened my eyes to the vastness of the world and taught me basic magic. But after I learned only the most rudimentary skills, he disappeared without a word."
"As a member of the Migurd, a demon race feared by many, my life was never smooth. My blue hair—which could appear green under certain light—caused me endless trouble. You see, in this world, the green-haired Superd are infamous for a massacre four hundred years ago. Stories of their frenzied slaughter, even of their own kind, turned green hair into a symbol of terror—a warning parents used to scare their children."
Roxy paused, her expression darkening for a moment.
"When I was 14, I left home without telling my family. I registered as an adventurer and began my journey. Because our race stops aging physically at 14, I was often mistaken for a child, even at 17. It took time and effort to find a team that would accept me. Eventually, I met my first companions: Nokopara, Blaze, and Dale. Together, we became a B-rank adventurer group after three years of hard work."
"But good times never last." Roxy began, her voice tinged with melancholy. "The days of laughter, hard work, and camaraderie eventually came to an end. During one mission, we encountered a magic calamity. A massive boulder fell, crushing our leader, Dale, to death on the spot. With the team leaderless, we disbanded shortly after. It was my first true encounter with the fragility of life and the harshness of reality. When I reported the incident to the local guild, their cold, emotionless response forced me to reevaluate the value of life." She sighed, her gaze unfocused, lost in thought.
"Alone again, I wandered to the harbor, watching the waves with a heavy heart. Eventually, I boarded a ship bound for another continent—Millis. Even though the world was in a period of peace, three wars between humans and demonkind had left deep scars. Discrimination lingered, and in many towns, I had to pay tolls just to pass through the gates. Fortunately, the port town I arrived in was less hostile. A kind guild clerk helped me find my footing. She even offered me a position at the guild, but after much consideration, I decided to continue my journey as an adventurer. I took out a loan to purchase a new magic staff and set out once more."
"After advancing to A-rank, I took on a mission with a group of adventurers. We were tasked with infiltrating the circle of a lecherous merchant suspected of illegal dealings. The mission carried certain… risks, and I was reluctant to accept. But when I heard the reward was four times the usual amount, I agreed. I tied my hair into twin tails, which caught the merchant's attention, though it also became a source of teasing from my companions. The investigation progressed until the merchant discovered my identity. He knocked me out and locked me in a dungeon, where I encountered other victims. With the help of my companions, who broke through a window to rescue us, we managed to escape. Afterward, we escorted the victims safely back to Millishion, as per the guild's request."
"In Millishion, I faced even greater prejudice due to both my race and the local religious beliefs. I endured constant misunderstandings, including an attack by a knight who mistakenly thought I was abducting a beastman girl. Through her parents, I learned more about Millishion's societal structure. Despite being the one discriminated against, I tried to avoid causing trouble and stayed away from crowds. My funds dwindled due to biased treatment, leaving me unable to travel further. Just as things seemed bleak, I met May, a fellow native of my homeland, who invited me to work at a tavern."
"After saying farewell to May, Galdarv, and the tavern owner, I resumed my journey, heading for the Kingdom of Asura. Along the way, in the Dragon King Kingdom, I met a bard from the demon race. They wished to use me as inspiration for their work. During one mission to escort a merchant caravan, I accidentally killed a bandit. Haunted by my past and our leader's death, I felt deep remorse. I tried in vain to heal the bandit's lifeless body, casting spell after spell. After leaving the Dragon King Kingdom, the bard and I parted ways."
"When I arrived in the Kingdom of Asura, my mentor's homeland, I accepted a guild request to visit their home and urge them to finish writing Wandering the World. Inspired by their determination, I decided to pursue my own goals. I spent four years at the Magic Academy, perfecting my craft. Under my teacher, Jinas, I mastered the Water Saint Magic spell Cumulonimbus. But my youthful arrogance led to a confrontation with my mentor, and we parted on bitter terms."
"Eventually, I came to the Fittoa region seeking work. That's when I accepted the role of magic tutor for your family, Roy."
She gave a faint, self-deprecating laugh. "And that's my story. Isn't it silly? Utterly childish."
Roy blinked, considering her words carefully. After a moment, he gave up trying to craft a clever reply and instead reached out, gently brushing Roxy's forehead with his hand. A warm, earnest smile softened his usually serious expression.
"Not at all." Roy said firmly. "On the contrary, I think you're incredibly brave. No matter the obstacles, you faced them head-on. Even when the world was against you, you stood your ground. That's not childish—it's inspiring."
"Do you really think so?" Roxy's forlorn expression eased, replaced by a glimmer of hope. She forced a bright smile. "Well, in any case, thank you."
Roy leaned closer, lowering his voice to a playful whisper. "By the way, how do you like my gift, sensei?"
Without missing a beat, Roxy delivered a sharp chop to Roy's head. "Too close." She said flatly, though the corners of her lips twitched. She glanced out the window at the dark night sky and murmured softly, "How could I not like it?"
