Returning Home

***** Paul's POV *****

On the way to Sharia a blizzard had picked up. The air was so thick with snow I could hardly see ten feet through it. But we had it easy.

Rudy was calmly leading the way for us, using magic to melt the snow in front of him as we went. Somehow he was also warming the air around us and keeping the snow from blowing towards us.

Our immediate surroundings, within about fifteen feet in any direction, were warm, dry, and calm. Looking in any direction, however, I saw nothing but a furious snowstorm. The whole experience felt otherworldly; it was almost like we were in the eye of a storm.

"Rudy, how can you tell where we are going with such poor visibility? We're not going to get lost, are we?"

"Of course not. We just need to keep heading in a straight line eastward. I also have been keeping an eye out for various landmarks I remember."

"Hmm. Is that so."

Evidently he's taken this path many times. I guess that makes sense according to his story of living in Sharia in a previous life before traveling back in time into his old self.

After a couple hours of walking, Rudy stopped and suggested we take a break.

"You getting tired?", I asked. "Guess that makes sense. You've been using magic non-stop the whole time we've been traveling."

"Hmm? No, this is nothing. I'd sooner pass out from sleep deprivation than run out of mana doing this. I was just hungry and thought we could take a short break to eat. It's about lunch time by now."

'I knew Rudy was a genius, but how is that even possible? In all my years adventuring I'd never met a mage who could cast magic constantly like this. Most mages would pass out after constantly casting spells for just a couple minutes.'

*Gurgle*

Rudy snickered at me as my stomach started growling right after he talked of food.

"Hey, I never got a chance to eat breakfast. I slept while you drove the carriage, remember?"

"Haha. Yeah, yeah. I know."

Rudy reached into his traveling sack and pulled out some kind of jerky and some bread rolls.

"Mmm.. this is really good. I don't think I've ever had this before, what is it?"

"Oh, that's fire drake meat! I picked up a whole bunch in the Demon Continent and freeze dried it to keep it fresh!"

"Yeah, Rudy has been making us meals with this meat for the longest time. He really likes it, but I'm pretty tired of it at this point", Eris added.

"Hey! It's better than the Giant Tortoise meat we had to eat before, right? Compared to everything else we found on the Demon Continent, this is basically a delicacy!"

"Eh, I didn't think Giant Tortoise meat was all that bad."

Rudy pouted as he had a look of pure defeat on his face. I couldn't help but laugh.

After we finished our meal, we resumed traveling through the forest. Rudy had kept up whatever magic he was using during our break and maintained it all the way until we reached Sharia. Sure enough, it didn't look like he broke a sweat.

Truly, I can see now how he managed to defeat the North God and become one of the Seven Great Powers. He wields magic the likes of which I've never seen as effortlessly as breathing. I can't even imagine what he could do in a fight if he got serious.

"Alright father, lead the way."

At first I was confused why he would need me to guide him if he had lived here before, but then I remembered there was no way he would know which house was the one we bought.

I kept glancing back at Rudy as we made our way through the city. He had a peaceful smile and a nostalgic look on his face, as though he was recalling fond memories of old.

Eris, meanwhile, couldn't seem to keep still. She was getting excited about every new thing she saw.

"Rudy, look there. Look at the clothes they are selling. They look like noble's clothes but I've never seen a style like these."

Before Rudy had a chance to answer her, something else already caught her interest.

"Oh, look Rudy! A magic item shop. Wow, I've never seen so many magic items in one place, even back in Roa!"

"That's because the Magician's Guild's Headquarters are in this city. They lead the world in research and development of magic tools and magic items."

"Really? I bet you know even more than them though!"

"Haha, I'm not all knowing. There is always more for me to learn."

It didn't take long for us to reach our house. At this point, it was early afternoon, just before our normal dinnertime. I walked up to the door and knocked.

"I'm coming!", I heard Zenith call out from inside. After a couple seconds, the door opened up, revealing Zenith, who seemed to be stunned into silence.

"P-Paul? Rudy? You're back already!?", Zenith jumped into my arms and hugged me.

"I was so worried. You've been gone nearly two years! I'm so glad you found Rudy. I'm so glad you're both home!"

I reached around Zenith and hugged her back; I could feel her tears flowing down onto my shoulder as she sobbed.

"I'm glad to be home too."

Just then, Lilia and Hope ran to the doorway as well, hearing the commotion.

"Master Paul, Master Rudeus!", Lilia exclaimed.

"W-wait? Where's Laws!?", Hope yelled out.

"Laws is fine", I answered. "We split up to cover more ground. We're going to go back and pick him up, but Rudy wanted to stop by home and see everyone first."

I could see relief overtake the panic and fear that had been on Hope's face. "Where is he now? Is he nearby? Will it take long to return here?"

"He's-"

"We'll have him back in a day or two", Rudy cut me off.

"Oh, thank goodness", Hope exclaimed. "I'm so glad you made it back safely, Rudeus. Sylphiette will be so happy to see you."

"Is she not home right now?", Rudy asked.

"No, she's still at school. She would normally be coming home right about now, but she is spending the night at a friend's room in the dorms. The two of them are working together on a project for one of her classes."

"School? You mean the magic University? Sylphiette is going there? How did you afford her tuition?", I asked.

"Oh, that's right. You left before she started there. It's a long story, but Sylphiette was offered special status and free tuition at the school. The higher ups witnessed the magic that Rudeus taught her and were impressed!"

"That's amazing! Good for her. How is she enjoying her time at the school?"

"She loves it there. Sylphy's always telling me about the friends she's made. Evidently a lot of the other students look up to her."

Just then, I saw Norn and Aisha peeking through the door at us from behind Lilia.

"Norn! Aisha! Come give your Papa a hug!"

That was all they needed to come running and hop into my arms. I picked them up, one in each arm, and embraced them tight.

"I've missed you two so much!"

"We missed you too, papa!", Norn yelled out.

I turned around to show them to Rudy, but that's when I noticed his face. His eyes were swollen with tears as he futilely tried to wipe them away. He reached out and embraced the three of us together in a big hug.

"Aisha, Norn. It's so good to see you again. I'm your big brother Rudy! Do you remember me?"

They both looked at him silently, Indicating they didn't. Of course they wouldn't, Rudy left the house when they were just babies. Rudy appeared to understand that as he didn't seem to be waiting for an answer and instead was just happy to see them again.

I set Aisha and Norn down and watched as Rudy continued introducing himself. It was then that it fully dawned on me. Whether or not Rudy was from the future, whether or not he was stronger than me, whether or not he was older than me, none of that mattered. What mattered is that this was Rudeus. This was my son; and of that I was certain.