Chapter 10: Sword Art Online

The question of whether a six-year-old Roya could share a room with Roxy sparked a silent debate within Rudeus. A sneer twisted his lips internally, a cynical response to his brother's audacious plan. He saw right through it – Roya's motives were transparent, fueled by the same desires that plagued those who shared their bloodline.

Under Roya's unwavering gaze, however, Rudeus found himself cornered. "Why not have Brother Roya share a room with Miss Roxy?" he suggested, his voice feigning concern. "My room's a mess and smaller anyway. Besides, if it's Brother Roya's room, surely there's enough space for two."

Paul stroked his chin, his brow furrowed in contemplation. The idea stirred a flicker of unease within him. "But… Roya is a boy," he stammered, discomfort coloring his voice. "Wouldn't it be inappropriate for him to share a room with a woman?"

Rudeus, ever the mediator, pressed on. "But he's only six. Miss Roxy can think of him as a little brother she can take care of."

Paul's gaze darted towards Roya, whose face remained a serene mask, like a beautifully crafted doll. For some inexplicable reason, Paul found himself dismissing his initial reservations.

Sensing an opportunity, Roya finally broke his silence. "Since Rudeus seems reluctant to share with his teacher," he began, his voice laced with feigned innocence, "perhaps I wouldn't mind offering my room to Miss Roxy."

Rudeus' jaw nearly dropped. He gaped at Roya, his disbelief mounting. The audacity! Shifting the blame so shamelessly?

Roya, with his childish voice, ambiguous gender, delicate features, and nonchalant demeanor, managed to disarm Paul's suspicions. While something felt slightly off, Paul couldn't pinpoint the reason.

After a moment's hesitation, Paul's eyes landed on Roxy, who was devouring her meal with gusto. It was clear she hadn't had a decent meal in a long time.

"Roxy," Paul began hesitantly, "would you be alright sharing a room with Roya?"

Roxy stole a glance at the seemingly fragile boy beside her. Consumed by the delicious meal, she almost blurted out a careless agreement. "Of course!"

A subtle smile played on Roya's lips, a hint of his internal triumph barely concealed. He was practically cackling with glee on the inside.

However, the blissful ignorance wouldn't last. As Roxy finished her meal and prepared for bed, reality struck. She grabbed Roya's sleeve, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Wait, you mean I'm sleeping… with you?"

Roya simply nodded, his expression unchanged.

Seeing Roxy's flushed cheeks, Roya knew some explanation was necessary. He spoke slowly, "Well, actually, my room is quite spacious."

Roxy studied the delicate boy for a moment, then sighed in resignation, seemingly accepting the situation.

As she carried her bags upstairs, a wave of surprise washed over her upon entering Roya's room. Just as he said, it was indeed quite large. Unexpectedly tidy, a wooden table with a chair stood against the wall, its surface adorned with neatly arranged books. A quick scan revealed a collection primarily focused on magic and basic world introductions.

The smooth, clean floor testified to the room's frequent cleaning, and the bedding lay neatly folded. A faint fragrance permeated the air, and upon closer inspection, Roxy realized it matched Roya's own scent – the term "body fragrance" flitted through her mind for a fleeting moment.

"Master, are you tired? Travelling can be exhausting. Perhaps you should get some rest," Roya suggested in his childish voice.

Roxy stifled a yawn, finishing her unpacking. "Actually, you're right. Sleep is calling my name."

Roya settled into a chair, ostensibly engrossed in a book, but his mind was preoccupied with capturing a world. The flickering candlelight cast an ethereal glow on his face, highlighting its delicate features and smooth, golden hair that cascaded down his back like a waterfall. His golden eyes, flawless like polished topaz, held a seriousness beyond his years. Even as a child, Roya possessed an aura of calm reliability that set him apart from his peers.

Lost in thought, Roxy began removing her mage's coat. A sly glance shot towards Roya – a silent challenge. If he dared to peek, she'd demand a room change.

But the boy appeared genuinely absorbed in his book, oblivious to anything happening around him. Roxy let out another sigh, a curious mix of disappointment and amusement swirling within her. A part of her yearned to blurt out, "Am I really that lacking in charm?"

Roxy remained blissfully unaware of Roya's internal turmoil. While she stole glances to gauge his interest, the boy appeared completely absorbed in his book. In truth, his mind was a whirlwind of activity, fixated on the fantastical interface hovering before him.

[One-star world searched: Sword Art Online]

[The time ratio of the one-star world to the current world is 4:1]

[World coordinates successfully located]

[Please choose your method of entry: 1. Soul Projection (requires control), 2. Physical Crossing]

[Note 1: In Soul Projection, the soul will only suffer injuries if killed. In Physical Crossing, death means real death]

[Note 2: After Soul Projection crosses the world, you can only gain a portion of the current world's experience (which can be distributed)]

[Note 3: Please participate in the plot as much as possible to gain a large amount of Time-Space Power for the next crossing]

A curious expression creased Roya's brow as he meticulously combed through the system's functions for entering another world. The first hurdle presented him with two options: Soul Projection or Physical Crossing. Soul Projection offered the enticing advantage of simultaneous existence in both worlds, but came with a significant caveat – he wouldn't reap the full rewards. Physical Crossing, on the other hand, held the very real risk of permanent death, a cost deemed far too high for a world like Sword Art Online, which seemed to be relatively low on the martial arts scale.

The decision was clear. With a decisive click, Roya opted for Soul Projection. The interface promptly presented him with a new set of choices. This time, it was a matter of identity selection, each with its own subtle influence on his talents.

[Choose one of the following identities to infiltrate the one-star world: (Identity selection will slightly affect talents)]

[1. Sword Art Apprentice: Slightly increased talent]

[2. Fool (Special): The fool walks toward life with innocence and simplicity without fear]

[Note 1: Choosing this talent will have a slight impact on your character. You will gain the following attributes: innocence, simplicity, arrogance, stubbornness, instability]

[Note 2: If you successfully pass with this talent, you can unlock higher-level Fool talents]

[3. Student: Slightly increased learning talent]

Roya's brow furrowed further as his gaze landed on the "Fool (Special)" option. This unexpected choice promised a unique path, one that resonated with innocence, fearlessness, and a simple approach to life. However, a note of caution accompanied this intriguing option. Selecting the Fool talent would subtly alter his personality, weaving in threads of innocence, and simplicity, but also arrogance, stubbornness, and even a hint of instability. Yet, a sliver of hope gleamed within the second note: successfully navigating this path could unlock even more potent Fool-related abilities in the future. The final option, Student, offered a predictable boost in learning talent, but it lacked the allure of the unknown.

The decision gnawed at Roya. The familiar allure of the "Sword Art Apprentice" talent, with its modest talent increase, seemed almost pedestrian compared to the potential the Fool talent held. After all, his experience with the Fool talent at its first level had already demonstrably improved his magic skills.

With a resolute nod, Roya reached out and tapped the "[Fool]" option, selecting it as his gateway into this new world. A strange sensation washed over him as his very perception fractured. His soul, cleaving in two, sent a surge of awareness into his newly formed self. He could perceive the world through their senses, feel their emotions, and understand their state of being. It was a bizarre yet exhilarating experience, akin to learning to multitask with his very consciousness.

This newly birthed entity, his avatar in this foreign world, embodied the essence of the Fool. The time ratio was also 4:1 so he could be at ease knowing that he wouldn't be taking a lot of time in this world. Left to its own devices, the Fool would likely revert to a baseline state, mimicking his usual behavior – essentially an autopilot mode focused on repetitive actions.

A sly grin tugged at Roya's lips. The prospect of occasionally switching perspectives, experiencing Sword Art Online firsthand, was simply too enticing to resist. This entire situation, this foray into another world, was proving to be a fascinating, complex experiment.