Chapter 9

A little over a month after I asked my parents to see about trying to find me a job, Paul got a letter. He thought he was being sneaky when he sent it, but I've been sneakier. I developed a wind spell to create a set of lenses out of compressed air that I could adjust how I needed shortly after I made a physical scope—just as an experiment to see if I could duplicate the feat with pure magic. Turns out I could and more. The scope was handy to have if I didn't want to use magic, but the magic itself was amazing.I read the addresses on both letters—a member of the Boreas Greyrat family in Roa, one Phillip Boreas Greyrat. My first thought was that either he was a cousin or an uncle, since Paul's father was dead and I wasn't certain if he had a brother or not since Paul never talked about his family. I was pretty sure that I'd get my answer tonight or tomorrow.The answer came a bit sooner than I was expecting, really. Paul brought it up during sword practice. In the worst possible way, because it was Paul and he thinks with his muscles."Rudy, I want to ask you something," he said, as the sound of a horse and carriage approached the house.Pulling away from where he'd blocked another of my strikes, I took that as an invitation to take a break and eyed the carriage. Backing off a bit just in case he tried something stupid—that is, demonstrated the North God Style by attacking me when he hadn't actually declared a halt to training, and something he had done multiple times in the past—I said, "Sure, go ahead."He eyed where I kept my guard up in the primary Water God ready stance with a rueful smile. That smile quickly faded though as he began speaking. "You, uh… What would you think if I wanted to separate you from Sylphie?"Frowning, I considered the question. I remembered the last time Paul had decided to think for himself. Well, the last time he did in a way that didn't involve his dick.It wound up with him unilaterally deciding I was wrong and Roxy having to straighten his shit out before he did something stupid. I get the feeling that he still hasn't learned his lesson. He's always going to be the type who goes with his gut instinct instead of reasoning things out like a normal person, with no regard to whether he's right or wrong because the answer feels right. Of course it fucking feels right, it's the answer you want to hear. And when he can't win an argument, he'll do what he wants anyway and force people to go along with it if he has to.Listening to my own gut, by which I mean experience, I began preparing a spell—the wide area quagmire/pitfall trap I'd been practicing for anti-Paul combat, centered on myself. We were far enough from the house that it would be fine, and if my gut feeling was wrong then I could always dismiss it. I channeled and held the spell ready beneath my feet as I gave my answer. "I'd ask why. If it were a job in the city or something, I could talk to her and convince her it was a temporary thing. Arrange to send letters back and forth so I can continue our lessons. Unlike someone, I keep my promises, and I promised to teach her. So I'd have to find a way to keep doing that."Paul nodded. "I thought you'd say something like that. You've already found a way to twist it around on me and make me the bad guy and I haven't even made my case. I won't be able to talk you into it, so I'm not going to try."Fucking called it!The man's entire disposition changed and I felt something wash over me that sent my heart racing—a feeling of bloodlust that felt like an actual, physical weight. Apparently, killing intent was a thing here, backed up by magic or whatever he was using. I didn't have time to contemplate it. No, with Paul being serious, I didn't have time for any thinking whatsoever.Thankfully, when thinking fails, you fall back on practice. On the things you've drilled on until they've become second nature.I released the spell under my feet. In the same instant, I channeled two more. The earth around me for a good hundred yards turned into a five foot deep morass of mud and water covered by an inch of solid-looking ground coated in patches of black ice that would collapse at the first hint of weight on it, while immediately under my feet a pillar of rock sprang up at force, throwing me into the air and backwards. Wind compressed under my feet and at the moment they left the rock, detonated, accelerating my escape and giving me altitude. I dropped the practice sword, since it'd be useless now and prepared a pair of spells in my hands.The pillar I'd used exploded into a shower of debris as Paul launched himself from the solid ground he had been standing on hard enough to crater it and cleared the distance between he and I in a heartbeat. A heartbeat too long, however, as the moment he landed he slipped and his feet broke through the crust at the top of my trap. He sank up to his shoulders. His eyes widened in surprise, and that's all he had time for as the spells I had been preparing launched.Flash Bang landed in front of his face and went off with a crackling boom and a flash that left spots in the eye I hadn't closed, knowing what to expect from it. I opened the eye I had closed ahead of time and launched the second spell—Bolt. A single flash of lightning connected my hand and Paul's shoulder for about half a second, causing him to stiffen up, before he went limp when I let the spell go. He slipped beneath the quagmire and I waited, landing on a cushion of air and holding myself aloft. After a full thirty seconds, I used an earth spell to create just enough of a platform under his position to lift him up out of the muck. I saw he wasn't moving, but otherwise looked alright."You don't think I'm going to fall for that, do you?" Playing possum was pretty much SOP for the North God style, after all.I waited.And waited."Ah, fuck," I grunted, kicking off with air running and making my way over. Yeah, he's not breathing, I assessed.He had a clear burn across his shoulder where I'd zapped him, the skin turning red and going down before diffusing around his chest where it had found ground in the mud. Rolling him partway over, I gave him a solid kick to the solar plexus and hit him with a low powered Arc spell. At the same time, I used a water spell to grab and pull the water from his lungs, up and out through his mouth. Then I hit him with a healing spell. He spluttered, choked, and began coughing. I immediately backed off and primed a Water Ball, just in case he wanted to continue this. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the carriage had stopped and someone tall was climbing out of the back, but I was focused on Paul."You ready to talk like adults now? Or are you going to try to swing your fists and get your way again?"Paul rolled over onto his back, still coughing. "Ghi—ugh." I waited. Finally, he sucked in a lungful of air and shouted. "Ghislaine!"I was moving before the first syllable left his lips. It was the only thing that saved me from immediate defeat. Launching my Water Ball behind me, I turned myself around on the next step and found my attacker—a tall, muscular woman with tanned skin, messy white hair, white cat ears, and a cat-like tail wearing a very revealing getup, an eye patch over her right eye, and swinging a big old sword with the flat of the blade turned towards me.Fast.Way too fast! "Nope!"I transitioned from Air Running to flight as the woman landed on the edge of my trap, having touched down only on the part I'd solidified for Paul for her initial surprise attack before leaping away again. A hundred yards into the air, I paused my ascent. "If you want to talk, I'm listening. Otherwise, I can stay out of your reach all day, and if you try something fishy I'm going to respond by throwing out wide-area Advanced-level magic to start with and go up from there. Please tell me you're more reasonable than my thickheaded father." I used wind magic to carry my words to the ground and vice verse, so we could talk without shouting.The woman sheathed her sword and crossed her arms over her pleasantly large chest. She looked around Paul's age, exactly his type, and considering he knew her name I had to assume they were friends. I hadn't seen her around the village before, which meant she wasn't a local. She must have arrived around the same time as the letter and waited in the village, then rode up to the house and watched our little scuffle from the carriage and only chose to intervene when Paul called for help."I am Sword-king Ghislaine," she introduced herself."Water-saint mage Rudeus Greyrat. Now, what did my idiot father summon you for, Miss Ghislaine?"Paul coughed and tried to speak from the ground, but Ghislaine sent him an irritated look that shut him up. "Just Ghislaine is fine. You're very polite for Paul's son," she chuckled. "I suppose that's Zenith's influence.""Probably," I agreed, before falling silent and waiting somewhat patiently."You have been hired on to tutor my charge, Eris Boreas Greyrat, in the Citadel of Roa. While you are tutoring her, I will be instructing you in the sword.""Okay. If you're going to be teaching me, I'm fine with that. Maybe you can do a better job than my old man. The best he can offer in the way of advice is, 'Be more like hnng!' and other worthless sounds." Gesturing towards Paul, I said, "I'm confused though. What does me going to teach your Eris and learn under you have to do with not seeing my friend and student and being forced to break a promise I made to her and my former master to see to her education?"Ghislaine shrugged. "No idea."Sending her a considering look, I asked, "If I come down, are you going to attack me again?""Will you come with me to Roa?" she asked in return."Yeah, I've got no problem with it. Just need an hour or so to gather my things, tell Sylphie goodbye, and arrange to send her letters so we can continue her lessons. Speaking of, I think I see her and Laws coming this way.""No," Paul grunted out.I dropped my Air Running spell and let myself fall. Before I hit the ground, I caught myself on a cushion of air beside Paul. Reaching into my magic in the trap in the ground, I dispelled it and sent the water used lower so it would spread out and not cause issues. Striding over to Paul's side, I kicked him in the ribs, earning a grunt of pain. Grabbing his practice sword, I was surprised when I was able to pry it from his hand with very little resistance. Seriously, what the hell? I know I fucked up here and underestimated just how much juice I hit him with, but it's like he can't use his magic or whatever at all. On the other hand, I don't think I'd really be ready to cast right after getting zapped by an overpowered taser either, let alone a small lightning bolt.Throwing the sword to the side, I looked down on the surly man trying to push himself into a seated position. Not having any of that because at this point I was tired of his shit, I channeled a sustained Arc spell in my hand, reached down, and touched his arm with a 'zap!' of discharged electricity. He yelped and collapsed onto his back. I let the spell dance between my fingers as I glared down at him. Quietly, I said, "This is what you get for trying to use your fists instead of your words, father. Now, quit being a pussy. I didn't hit you that hard. Explain yourself. What's the Sylphie thing about?"Closing his eyes, Paul turned away. I reached down and zapped him again. "Ow! Rudeus, stop it!""Tell me or you get another, idiot.""Rudy!" Sylphie called, and I braced myself for impact as she ran over and slammed into my side. "What's going on?""I'm trying to figure that out now, Sylphie." I zapped Paul again before turning and waving to Laws. "Maybe now that we've got an actual adult here, we can get to the bottom of this? What's going on, Laws?"The half-elf sighed, shooting Paul a glare before palming his face. "He did something stupid, didn't he?" I nodded and he shook his head, cursing under his breath. "Your father and I are worried about your influence on Sylphie."Frowning, I sent Sylphie a questioning look. The girl merely shrugged. Ghislaine was useless here since she didn't know the situation, so I ignored her for now. She wasn't causing problems and appeared to be willing to hear us out. That, and judging by the way her lips twitched up into a smile every time I zapped Paul—speaking of, I took a second to do so again—she was enjoying it. "Could you be a bit more specific? What exactly have I done wrong here?"What I got out of Laws, with Paul fucking finally prying his jaws open once his friend got the ball rolling, was that they were worried about Sylphie being able to live on her own if I kept on as I had been. She was relying on me too much and they were worried she wasn't self-sufficient enough.Roxy had pointed it out as one of the reasons she had left—that if she didn't, Sylphie wouldn't grow into her own. And as I had pointed out, odds were good that when it came time for her to mature and start looking for a husband, I'd be the obvious choice in her mind. Neither Laws nor Paul objected to that, but they were both worried that when that time came, I wouldn't choose Sylphie and she would be left heartbroken.Except, well, polygamy was a thing in this world and I was fairly sure Roxy wouldn't say no. I hadn't spoken to either Roxy or Sylphie about it, but that was a conversation for us, not for Paul."Rudeus, I worry you have too much of your father in you," Paul sighed.A look at Laws, who refused to meet my gaze after that, confirmed it. "I'm not you, father. What makes you think—""Roxy."I blinked. Slowly, I turned towards the house, where I saw the front windows were open. I couldn't see faces, but to the side of one window where there would normally be a curtain, I could make out the edge of Zenith's dress. "Mom, what the hell?!" I yelled."Sorry, Rudy! I was worried about Sylphie too!""Jesus fucking Christ," I muttered in English, low enough that only Sylphie—okay, probably Laws too given his confused look—heard. After zapping Paul one last time, I allowed my Arc spell to dispel. Turning, I put my arms around Sylphie and pulled her into a hug. Pulling away, I held her by the shoulders. "Sorry, Sylphie, looks like I have to go away for a bit because some people," I kicked Paul in the ribs, earning a grunt of pain, "think that if I don't, you won't grow up.""That's not true at all!" she protested, and I nodded."Probably," I agreed. "Think of it like this. Suppose you find a baby animal out in the wild. Its parents aren't around, so you take it in. You raise it, teach it, train it. Then one day, you have to leave, or something happens and it gets loose in the wild. It knows how to live in a house, but how do you think it's going to feel about being in the woods if all it's known is your home?"It was a stupid argument. People are animals, but we possess intelligence. We can think for ourselves. If someone couldn't adapt to their situation when left to their own devices, secure employment and a place to live, and deal with the reality of living alone then that was their own fault for lack of effort or mental fortitude. It happened, yes, but I was pretty sure that Sylphie was strong enough to live on her own—maybe, considering the whole Ranoa thing… But it was the best I had for explaining it to her in a way that wouldn't taint her view of her father, or mine. Judging by the knowing look on Laws' face and the way Paul had stopped his whining, they likely knew exactly what I was doing.Sylphie was a smart girl, but she was also very lonely. She broke down on the spot and I was left with a mess of crying seven year old on my hands. I passed her off to her father, since I had no real idea how to handle that in a way that didn't involve just giving her what she wanted. "I'll keep up correspondence—""No."I kicked Paul, adding an Arc to it just to get my point across. He yelped and rolled away. When I turned to Laws, I found him looking uncomfortable. "I think it would be best if you didn't, Rudeus."I considered him for a minute before smiling and putting on the 'innocent shota' act. "Sure! I'm sure you won't have any problems continuing to teach her magic, reading, writing, arithmetic, and generally making sure her frankly amazing potential isn't squandered. I mean, it's not like her only friend in the village is going away and being told not to talk to her or anything, or that in doing so I'm breaking a promise I made to both her and Roxy…""That isn't fair, Rudeus," the man murmured."Life's not fair, then you die," I snarked, dropping the act. "If it makes you feel better then read them yourself first. I'll make sure they're just lesson plans, if you really want me not to send her anything personal."The blond half-elf bowed his head. "Thank you."Turning away from the absolute shit show this had turned into, I made my way to the house. Lilia met me at the door with my bag in one hand and Aisha cradled in the crook of her arm. Opening the bag, I found my project for Roxy plus my pens, ink, teaching materials, and a few odds and ends. Hidden away in one of the pockets was a small, folded bundle of white silk I recognized from where it had sat on my shelf since I now wore the necklace full time, once I'd confirmed that a little roughhousing wouldn't break it. Thank you, Lilia.Zenith had followed the former maid, holding Norn. "Rudy, I'm sorry—"I shot Zenith a look that shut her up immediately. "How long?""Five years," she answered quietly. "That's the duration of the contract with Paul's family to teach Eris. After that, her family will pay for your tuition and Sylphie's to Ranoa University of Magic.""Okay."Biting her lip, Zenith quietly said, "Rudy, we were worried for Sylphie. We've all seen what happens with girls who latch onto someone like she has. They're… little better than dolls, really. Just parroting whatever the person they've latched onto says. They can't think for themselves.""So the obvious solution is to take away her only friend. The only person her age who didn't bully her because of something stupid. The person who found her, helped build her back up, taught her magic, and was there for her when she needed someone—and who didn't leave her by choice." Zenith winced at every point. "Yeah. Good call. And thanks for telling that idiot about Roxy. Now he thinks I'm a philanderer like him, or will eventually be, because I'm his son.""But, I, that is—""I told you something in confidence and you didn't keep it in confidence." Shaking my head, I decided to leave it at that. She'd beat herself up about it enough. I didn't need to hammer the point home like I did with Paul to get it through his stupidly thick head. I'd forgive her eventually and we'd move on, but at the moment… I wanted her to suffer, just a little bit. She broke my trust and I felt it was warranted. If you didn't face consequences for your mistakes, you didn't truly learn from them.No, it wasn't even that she told Paul about Roxy. If that was all it was, I would have shrugged it off. Before the girls were born, I wouldn't have cared. Paul would have laughed it off. Zenith had initially laughed it off—had teased me about it, in fact. But Paul made a mountain out of a molehill because of his ownfuckup with Lilia and now, it seemed like he was pushing his guilt onto me. It was a 'straw that broke the camel's back' situation.Maybe I'm being unfair to her. Again.I turned and asked Lilia, "Did you have a hand in this idiocy?"The redhead held my gaze as she shook her head. "I did not. I suggested that you go to Roa to teach Ms. Eris, but that you exchange letters and visit occasionally. I also advised Zenith against speaking to Paul about Ms. Roxy.""Well, at least someone has their head on straight. Try not to let the place fall apart while I'm gone? Maybe talk me up to my sisters?" I asked, earning a small smile and a nod from the woman. Feeling a bit impulsive, I stepped forward and hugged her. I was a bit surprised when she returned it. It was nice. Lilia was soft, warm, and smelled nice."Right. See you in a few years, then," I said, leaving the house without a backwards glance.I heard Zenith's breath hitch, before she called out, "Rudy! Wait!"She hurriedly caught up to me and dragged me into a hug of her own, apparently having passed Norn to Lilia. "I'm sorry! I really, really am! I don't want us to part on bad terms, please? I feel like if we do…"The woman fell silent and I heaved a tired sigh. It sucked, but I decided to be the bigger man here. "I understand why you did it, but I don't agree with it. It's not even telling him about Roxy that I'm mad at, it's the fact that it's lead to this, because he feels guilty about you and Lilia and thinks I'm just like him."Zenith's hands clenched me harder, but I managed to turn around in her grip and return the hug. "We're your parents. We're just trying to look out for you, and Sylphie too."I bit back the retort I wanted to make—that it was just a justification, an excuse. Then, I forced down the second, third, and fourth: that it was hypocritical given the circumstances, that I wished people would stop seeing me as my father in this world (a man who was younger than me, need I remind you) and judging me by his mistakes (my mistakes would be entirely my own, not his repeated), or that so far I had a better track record for looking out for myself.Alright, that's enough. Get it together. …If this is how my child brain reacts to adult emotions, just think of how fun puberty is going to be!"I love you and that won't change. Give me time, I'll get over it. And," it felt like pulling teeth to force myself to say it, "thank my idiot father for getting me the job. Even if he did everything else wrong, at least there's that."Zenith allowed me to pull away when I pushed at her shoulders. Lilia stepped up and produced a letter. "I believe Paul intended you to have this when you left.""Thanks, Lilia." I stuffed it in my bag and made my way over to Ghislaine, after checking myself and my bag over to make sure I had everything I wanted before I left. "We ready?""Yes," the woman agreed."Let's get going, then."I stopped just long enough to look down on Paul, who looked to finally be recovering. "Look forward to our rematch in five years, father. If you don't make sure Sylphie is okay, or if you fail in your duties as a father to my sisters…"Paul chuckled, his voice sounding a bit rough as he did. "I'm going to get you back for this Rudy.""You can't 'get me back' for being forced to take a punishment for your own actions. Try growing up a bit, between then and now. The girls need someone they can look up to. Not this… impulsive idiot who just does whatever he wants without thought to the consequences or regard for anyone else." Reaching out, I patted him on the shoulder and cast healing. "I love you father, but you really need to do better."I left Paul with that to think on. Turning to Laws and Sylphie, I winced. This is going to be rough."Sylphie, I have to go now," I called to the girl.With surprising strength, she tore herself from her father's arms and latched onto me again. "Hey, shh, it's okay," I petted her hair and rubbed her back as I held her. "It's only for five years." Leaning in, I whispered directly into her ear where only she could hear. "I'll try to visit if I can."Eventually, I managed to disentangle myself from the weepy girl and Ghislaine and I were on our way.We hopped into the carriage and at a word from Ghislaine, it pulled away for the village. I opened the letter and read. I made it roughly a quarter of the way in before Ghislaine asked, "What does it say?""I'll let you read it when I'm done," I offered.Ghislaine was quiet for a few moments before she admitted, "I can't read."Not terribly surprising, I admitted to myself. Public schooling wasn't a thing here and you didn't need to be literate to swing a sword. "It says, 'To my dear son, Rudeus. By the time you see this letter, I will probably not be in this world any more—'"Ghislaine turned and shot an annoyed look towards the home we were leaving behind from a slit in the door at the rear of the carriage that passed as a window. "He won't be for much longer, given the way Zenith and that other woman are yelling at him." She chuckled, "I can't believe he got his harem.""I know, right? Somehow, he keeps lucking out. I suppose Lilia is partly my own fault, but I wouldn't trade her or Aisha for the alternative. And he probably talked Zenith into this idiocy against her better judgment. She had a hand in it herself, but this smacks of Paul's doing. Serves him right," I shrugged. I looked up and sent Ghislaine an apologetic look. "Not to say that I think training under you is a bad idea."Ghislaine shook her head. "No need to apologize. Paul has always been an impulsive idiot."I read the rest of it out loud. It pretty much said what Zenith had told me, with a few more details. For instance, I was to have pay of two Asuran silver coins a month as living expenses—but considering that everything I would actually need was paid for by my employer, it would be more like an allowance. Maybe I can talk to my future boss and get a raise."'P.S., if the young lady says it's okay, you can lay your hands on her, but the muscle-brain is my woman, so don't touch her.'""Send that letter to Zenith."I sent Ghislaine an amused look. "I like the way you think. We can pay someone in the village to run it back to her. Uncle would be happy to do it, he loves shit stirring." Humming quietly, I added, "You know what would really piss him off?""What?" Ghislaine asked, looking somewhat intrigued by the idea."Knowing we slept together." The woman raised an eyebrow at that, but I noticed that she didn't immediately shoot the idea down. Maybe she was flattered, or maybe she got that kind of pass all the time. Probably the second, really. Alternately, well… I was Paul's son in her mind, so that sort of thing may have been expected.Smirking, I looked away as I divulged my thoughts on petty revenge, "We wouldn't even have to do anything. Just… imply. I'll send letters back home with the lessons for Sylphie. I can give them updates on my job and my training. And in those letters, use innuendo—""What's that?""An insinuation or veiled hint. In this case, I mean sexual innuendo. Double entendres. Sorry. Words and phrases with two meanings. One meaning is perfectly innocent, the other lewd. For instance," I cleared my throat. "Dear mother and father. Hope you're well. Blah, blah, blah. You get the idea. Ahem. My training with Ghislaine is going well, but she works me tirelessly, day and night."Ghislaine hummed quietly. "I don't see how that's lewd. I do plan to work you tirelessly when we train.""Good. Maybe you can figure out what Paul was doing wrong. Anyway, it doesn't need to be lewd right at the beginning. But a line like that plants the seed for later. Like, 'I lost my grip on my sword today, but Ghislaine took it in hand and showed me how to really handle it.'" She made a confused face, so I pointed to my crotch. "Sword," then I made a jerking off motion, "in hand. You'll show me how to handle my sword, right Ghislaine?""Oh. Oh! I see." Ghislaine nodded, a smile crossing her lips. "Yes, I like that.""Or, 'After practice, Ghislaine felt that I hadn't been properly caring for my weapon, so she spent the entire night polishing my sword.'" This time, jerking towards my mouth and poking my tongue in my cheek. "Seriously, you're a sword master and you've never heard those horrible jokes? How?"As Ghislaine laughed, I decided I liked her. She seemed pretty straightforward so far, so I'd give her a chance and a pass for the attempted attack—she had only been acting on Paul's call for help, after all."How about, 'I lost my favorite sheath, but Ghislaine has one that fits my sword perfectly?'"Going to need my mountain climbing gear for that, though. God damn she is tall.