[23] Song II

Our journey continued, and it would only take one more day to reach the next city. After passing through several small villages, we focused solely on completing this final leg of the journey.

During this trip, I certainly didn't waste any time. The wagon journey took about eight hours each day, starting from 9 in the morning and stopping for a rest at 5 in the afternoon. In the early morning before we departed, around 5 at dawn, I taught Zephyr the art of swordsmanship. We practiced with high intensity, using the freshness of the morning to train strength, agility, and concentration.

As night approached, when we had set up camp, I taught Aurelia about economics, mathematics, and general knowledge she needed to master. She had a natural talent for these areas, and I wanted to ensure she had a strong foundation for the future.

After dinner, as night grew deeper, we gathered around the campfire—I, Roxy, Zephyr, and Aurelia. We discussed magical theories and often practised them. Our discussions sometimes lasted late into the night, with Roxy always enthusiastic and full of questions about every new theory she heard.

Before bed, I kept myself busy making various items through Alchemy. While I worked, Roxy watched with great curiosity. Seeing her interest, I decided to explain the alchemical process I was performing.

"Alchemy is a very practical art, Roxy," I said, inscribing an alchemical circle on a piece of cloth. "It allows us to create objects from raw materials at an astonishing speed."

"This is amazing, Ash!" Roxy exclaimed with sparkling eyes. "I've never heard of this before. Can you teach me?"

Of course, I didn't mind. That night, I spent extra time satisfying Roxy's curiosity and eagerness to learn. She was greatly impressed by the possibilities offered by alchemy, especially in emergency situations.

The last time I spoke about alchemy was two days ago, and now, Roxy was cheerfully humming with new knowledge, not only about magic but also alchemy. She was thrilled, as her reason for adventuring was to expand her understanding of magic. But unexpectedly, her knowledge had greatly increased upon meeting me.

As she cheerfully hummed and enjoyed the journey, I felt the urge to sing. The perfect ambiance and the increasingly smooth road prompted me to take out the guitar I had made yesterday for moments like these.

"I'm going to play a bit of music for us all," I said, drawing the attention of Roxy, Zephyr, and Aurelia. They all looked on with anticipation.

I strummed the guitar strings, producing a gentle melody that blended with the sound of the wind and the rustling of leaves. The song I played was from my old world, full of deep memories and emotions. As my fingers danced across the strings, I saw Roxy's mesmerised eyes, Zephyr's interest, and Aurelia's calm expression.

The guitar melody flowed, creating a peaceful and warm atmosphere amid our journey. The sweet sound of the guitar and my soft singing seemed to transport us to another world, a world without fear or worry, only peace and happiness.

As the guitar strings resonated, the atmosphere became more tranquil and serene. The melody I played was from the song "Scarborough Fair," an old folk song from my old world, filled with beauty and mystery. The soft notes and meaningful lyrics brought us all into a profound sense of nostalgia.

"That was wonderful, Ash," Roxy whispered after I finished playing. "Your music... so beautiful. Where did you learn to play that instrument?"

"Someone very dear taught me," I replied with a smile. "Music has its own way of touching hearts and souls, connecting us with deep feelings and memories."

Zephyr and Aurelia nodded in agreement, their eyes shining with admiration. This simple moment strengthened the bond between us, making our journey more meaningful. Seeing them so captivated made me feel closer to them, as if we had shared something truly special.

Roxy smiled and moved closer. "The song… does it have a special meaning?"

"Yes," I answered, looking up at the darkening sky. "The song is about love, longing, and the beauty of nature. It's a reminder that behind every adventure, there is beauty waiting to be discovered."

Zephyr and Aurelia seemed to ponder, perhaps reflecting on the meaning of the song. We all sat in silence, letting the melody and the words of the song seep into our hearts.

With renewed spirit and hearts full of happiness, we continued our journey. Under the vast sky and amidst the beautiful surroundings, we practised, learned, and supported each other.

...

..

.

Our journey took us along a somewhat unusual route. The Shirone Kingdom was supposed to be southeast, but we had to pass through the Red Dragon Upper Jaw to traverse the Asura Kingdom's territory. Our group would stay in the Asura Kingdom for several weeks to expand our business, making it a temporary base.

Meanwhile, Roxy decided to take the sea route to the Shirone Kingdom located in the southeast of the continent. Although her attempt to inscribe a magic circle into her Mana Core succeeded and she could now perform magic without chanting—similar to the rare silent mana technique—we had to part ways. Roxy seemed satisfied with the results, and her ability to absorb knowledge quickly was impressive. During discussions about magic, she always brought a notebook and skillfully recorded every detail I provided, showing how serious she was about learning.

Ciel-sensei once said that Roxy had great potential, even without direct guidance from me regarding magic on Earth. With her perseverance and dedication, she would undoubtedly be able to further develop that knowledge.

To appreciate her cooperation and dedication, I decided to give her a book on advanced Tier 4 and 5 magic and a silver cross necklace as a token of appreciation and support. However, I was still unsure how best to present this gift to her.

"Hmmm," I thought. "I need to think of a good way to give this to her. Maybe I could write a personal message inside the book and give it to her directly before she departs?"

I carefully prepared the book and the silver cross necklace. The book contained in-depth knowledge about advanced magic that would be very useful for Roxy. The silver cross necklace, besides being a gift, also served as a protective charm that could shield her from danger.

With anticipation, I prepared to give it to her. When the moment of parting arrived, I hoped this gift would serve as a meaningful reminder of our journey together and as encouragement for Roxy's upcoming journey.