Author Notes: My apologies that it took me a month and few days to finish chapter 12.
I want you all to keep in mind that volume 1 is slow paced.
Because I wanted to add all the slice of life scenes that are in reference to Roxy Gets Serious manga, Mushoku Tensei volume 1 and the special book chapters as well. Thank you and enjoy…
Ice and snow blanketed the entire Fittoa Region during the middle of winter. Due to the cold weather, Paul, Laws, Rose, and Zenith decided not to drop Sylphy off at Greyrat's residence.
I'm also teaching Rudy the fundamentals of melding magic and how magic elementals can be used effectively depending on the environment.
"The amount of mana is not the only thing that increases the power of a spell. For example, a Fireball emitted with the same amount of mana can be of a different power, depending on whether it hits greenwood or firewood. See for yourself…"
Heavenly one, bless us with the divine protectionof fire—fierce tremors of fire, here and now! FIREBALL!🔥"
"Environmental conditions can also change the final form of a spell. For instance, if I cast Squall
right now, all that'd come down is snow.❄️"
"I see," Rudy replied, understanding my informative details.
"Furthermore, magic that changes the weather must not be used on a whim," I said with a serious facial expression.
"I promise not to use my magic to change the weather selfishly," Rudy answered.
"That's good to hear…I was going to teach you the rest after you'd gotten further in your studies.
But…Frost Nova freezes, the outer surface of an object that is covered in droplets of water."
"This is called mixed magic, created from Water Splash and Icicle Field. But when it's raining during battle, you don't need to use Water Splash. Thus it can be said that simply casting icicle fields is equivalent to the Frost Nova spell. Mixed magics often use nature in that manner…To create a different outcome."
"Why is that?" Rudy asked.
"Because people only have one mouth…Oh…But if two magicians could intuit each other's intentions at the same time, then…Er…No…That's not very realistic, is it?"
"But it happens in fairy tales!" Rudy said cheerfully with a childish smile on his face.
"By the way, Rudy…If you use voiceless magic, can you cast two spells at once?"
"Of course, Master Roxy. It's no sweat for me!"
"Mmm, is that so…"
"Uhh, don't worry Master Roxy, I'm sure one day you'll be able to use silent-spell-casting too," Rudy replied, in a ditch attempt to encourage me when he saw that sad look on my face. It was a little sweet that the boy pitied me. Concern for my own well-being, it goes to shows that he truly is a caring child.
Hahhh😮💨…Rudy and Sylphy are just mere children…Yet they are miraculously able to use silent spell-casting, despite how extremely rare it truly is. Even the most accomplished mages struggle with it. It's not formally taught anywhere, and is often considered a "conjectured" method…I wish I could use silent spell casting like them…No, that's not right, I'd never be able to do something like that. An ability like that is probably given at birth and it would be wrong of me to be jealous of two toddlers that are naturally gifted in magic.
When I was lost in my inner thoughts. I noticed snowflakes falling from the cloudy sky.
"It's snowing, so let's end today's lesson." I don't want either of us to get sick so I'd better end this session. Zenith would be dreadfully angry at me if her son got sick because of me😅.
"Okay, Master Roxy!" Rudy answered cheerfully.
Rudeus POV
For a brief moment, I saw Roxy with a somewhat jealous look on her face, when she was daydreaming a moment ago.
Perhaps her pride is wounded and she feels a little insecure, about me being more powerful than her. This triggered some feelings of inadequacy about her own abilities.
It goes without saying…before Roxy first met me, she had a rigid, arrogant, blunt, too conventional, and elitist teacher philosophy. When we were first introduced, she even dismissed me and my parents, calling them "stupid" nonetheless.
It wasn't until I showed my worth, she began to think otherwise and changed her perspective. Eventually, I became a better teacher because I was a good student.
The only downside was the fact that I gave Roxy an inferiority complex when I began showing off crazy magic spells in front of her in my last life. Either way, she needed a serious wake-up call, if she wanted to improve herself and be a better teacher in the future. If anything, she'll probably feel a little inferior in this new timeline once she finishes tutoring me.
I hope that she becomes a good enough teacher for Prince Pax and doesn't start bragging about me being an incredible student and magician in front of him. Her showing a lack of commitment and disappointment in his progress compared to mine. This led to a less supportive teaching style.
Roxy POV
I opened the front door and little Rudy instantly rushed back inside the house to get warm, due to the cold weather and snowfall outside.
"YESSH, it's cold!" Rudy announced.
"Oh dear, did it snow on your head again?" Zenith said, while she brushed the snow follicles off her son's hair and continued speaking with a somewhat worried facial expression. "It looks as though there might be a snowstorm; doesn't it?"
"Roxy dear, your room must be cold. Come over here and get warm by the fireplace." Zenith said, offering me to stay in the dining room.
"Oh, that sounds nice," I replied, accepting the kind gesture.
"Lilia, fetch some hot wine," Zenith asked Lilia.
"Yes, ma'am," Lilia answered.
Afterwards, Ms.Zenith began talking through Lilia's ear while I was overhearing them. She's probably getting ready to set up another sweet and kindhearted plan for her husband, once again.
Meanwhile, Rudy was trying to get warm by the fireplace when they were talking amongst themselves.
"Ahhh, so warm," Rudy said out loud to himself.
"A snowstorm's coming, so Paul should be home early from his patrol outside of the village, soon. Shall we whip up something light for him before dinner?" Zenith asked Lilia.
"If that's how things are, then…Umm, may I help?" I said, offering my assistance because I wanted to do something nice for Sir Paul too.
"HMM?" Zenith said with a smile on her face as she and Lilia stared at me after I responded.
"Uhh, never mind…It's nothing." I said nervously. Perhaps I'm overstepping. By getting involved in their somewhat private conversation.
"Oh dear, weren't you about to help us?" Zenith said with a slight smirk on her lips.
"Well, uhh…I wanted to but…I realized I've never really done any cooking before, I think I'd just be in the way." I said nervously while blushing bright red and rubbing the back of my hair, feeling a little embarrassed about knowing how to cook after living for so long.
"It's not like I hate cooking…And it would probably be handy when I'm traveling and helpful in more ways than one…But I never got around to learning it." I embarrassingly admitted to them.
"More ways than one? Ooh, what's this now?" Zenith said with a curious grin on her face and continued speaking. "Did someone catch your eye at the harvest festival, mmm?"
"That's not it at all!" I replied, completely denying Zenith's assumption, that I have a love interest for someone in Buena Village, which I absolutely do not have! The man of my dreams is a tall, slim, young man who's manly but still makes childish expressions. He'll save me by chance in the depths of a labyrinth. Then we'll team up and as we work together, love will bloom between us.
"Well, you already have Paul's heart…But I've noticed that…You still do things like this for him…I guess?" I said, blushing profusely while twirling my finger, subtly indicating to Zenith that I know that she and Paul occasionally have lovey-dovey or naughty sexual intercourse in the middle of the night.
After I unveiled my true feelings, Zenith gently grabbed my shoulders and responded with a cheerful grin on her face. "AHA! You want to learn how to cook before the day you meet your special someone!"
"YEP, YEP, YEP! Leave everything to me! You'll be in good hands!" Zenith said, as she flexed her right muscle with a jolly grin on her face.
"So, for today's meal…We'll be making Paul's favorite—fig and walnut pound cake!" Zenith said with a lighthearted smile on her face.
Suddenly, Rudy gently tugged on the back of my long-sleeve shirt.
"Yes Rudy, what is it?" I answered.
"Hey, Ms.Roxy. Please make me a pound cake with apples and cherries in it someday, okay?" Rudy asked with a radiant smile on his face.
"That sounds nice. I'll give it a try when apple season rolls around in spring." I responded, happily, to his sweet dessert request.
"Thank you, very much." Rudy, replied gratefully.
"OH DEAR, OH DEAR🥰," Zenith said, after seeing our interactions.
"You can put any dried fruit in a pound cake and it'll turn out okay. We soak the fruit in rum, to preserve it, so if the person you want to make it for doesn't like alcohol…It might be a good idea to rinse it lightly in water." Zenith responded, showcasing the glass jar full of figs with alcohol inside it.
"Then you cut them into pieces about this big after you take them out of the bottle, okay…Perfect, just like that?" Zenith explained as she cut the figs with a sharp knife on the wooden cutting board.
"MM-HM, MM-HM," I replied, while attentively watching Zenith cut the figs precisely and listening carefully to her cooking instructions.
"And then you'll need this apple peeler to crack the walnut shell. You insert it here, and…" Zenith said, describing how to use the contraption correctly.
"Like this?" I responded, while gripping the handle and turning the apple peeler.
"Yes and then, when you turn the handle at the top…" Zenith answered, as the apple peeler cracked the walnut shell.
Meanwhile, Lilia was shaking a clay jar. So I asked her what she was doing with a surprise expression on my face.
"Umm…Ms.Lilia, what are you…?" I asked.
"Oh, she's just making butter, shaking milk like that is one way to do it," Zenith answered.
"Ahh, I see…"
"Normally we put salt in the butter so that it will last longer. However, that means it's not suitable for cakes." Zenith explained.
"Huh, cooking requires more arm strength than I thought🤔," I replied while staring at Lilia; looking completely speechless by how effectively she's using her arm muscles to shake the jar of milk so it could turn into butter.
"When the butter is ready, it's time to make the batter. Butter, eggs, and flour—That's the order in which they should be mixed. You use an equal amount of each." Zenith said, teaching me the order of the ingredients.
"MM-HM, MM-HM," I answered.
"You can add as much as you want. Oh put the dried fruit in before the flour, okay? After you pour it into the pan. Put it in the stone oven over there." Zenith responded and pointed her finger at the stone oven so I know where it is when I'm done pouring the batter into the pan.
"Understood," I replied, and did everything she instructed me to do.
"It's ready," I said to Zenith and Lilia. And the serious redhead maid put the batter into the stone oven. Then we talked among ourselves until the food was done.
Ten minutes, later~
"Come to think of it, have you used a stone oven before?" Zenith asked me.
"Not even once," I answered, honestly.
"Then I'll teach you the details another time, okay? Also every once, in a while, we need to take it out and check to see if it has baked all the way through." Zenith explained as she pulled out the baked fig and walnut pound cake from the stone oven using oven mitts.
"DONE!" Zenith said, notifying everyone.
Mmm, I gotta say it was pretty fun learning how to cook from Zenith. I can't wait for the next cooking lesson…
Suddenly, Sir Paul arrived at the front door with patches of white snow on his hair.
"I'm home!" Paul announced to everyone with a smile on his face.
"Welcome home, dear. Oh my, you're covered in snow." Zenith said with a somewhat surprised facial expression.
"Come warm me up, then," Paul asked Zenith in an amusing tone.
"Oh, you," Zenith said as she kissed Paul on the cheek and continued speaking. "By the way, I made your favorite pound cake, you know. Please try some."
"Don't mind if I do." Paul willingly accepted the kind offer from Zenith.
"Madam, regarding the ingredients for dinner…" Lilia said to Zenith, grabbing her attention.
"HMM? Let's check the pantry together real quick." Zenith replied.
"Everyone, go ahead and start eating." She announced to the rest of us who remained in the dining room.
"Okay, mommy," Rudy replied.
"Then shall I cut it?" I asked, Paul.
"I'd like a small piece from the end," Paul asked me. While I was holding the cutting knife.
"That's bizarre, isn't this your favorite dish from Ms.Zenith?" I asked Paul, with a puzzled facial expression.
"Yeah Mommy, told us you like fig and walnut pound cake," Rudy said.
"Yeah…About that…Zenith, she used to be something like the world's worst cook, you know. This was pretty much the only thing that came out decently. I may have complimented it too much, and she…Got the wrong idea. The truth is, I'm not really a big sweets lover." Paul said, honestly to both of us.
"I see😅…" I replied, with me and Rudy showing a somewhat worried facial expression.
"Daddy, you should tell mommy the truth so you can fix misunderstandings like that," Rudy responded, looking quite displeased with Paul keeping secrets from Zenith and misleading her.
"No way could I say something like that now, you don't get the way women work at all do you?" Paul replied pointing at his son for his ridiculous suggestion. "Dad, I'm four years old," Rudy answered looking quite displeased by his father's thoughtless response.
"Hahaha! Ya see, kiddo sometimes a man's gotta tell a little white lie! Besides, everything she makes is delicious now, so it's water under the bridge." Paul replied, making up a bad excuse to avoid telling Zenith. While Rudy I showed a dissatisfied look on our faces.
"Did you say it's delicious? I'm glad." Zenith responded happily when she suddenly arrived back in the dining room and continued speaking. "I had sweet little Roxy's help today, you know."
"It's true, Ms.Zenith is a great cooking teacher," I said, complimenting her cooking instructions.
"Aww, thank you little Roxy🥰."
"You didn't hear him clearly Mommy," Rudy said with a sly grin on his face.
"Hey, Rudy." Paul retorted, while panicking about his son possibly getting him into trouble with his own wife.
"Daddy said that all your cooking is delicious," Rudy said with a bright smile on his face.
"Oh my…😳" Zenith said, blushing with a surprised look on her face.
"R-really, Paul you're so thoughtful.😍" Zenith responded and hugged Paul in a tender embrace. While sitting on his lap.
"It's just the truth, Zenith."
"I love you, so much.❤️"
"And I love you too."
"Good show, Rudy," I said, giving him a doting head-pat for orchestrating that romantic moment to happen between his parents.
Roxy POV
A few weeks later~
The weather outside has gotten a lot colder lately, so Rudy and I cast a strong Heat Island spell for the entire household. So all our rooms would feel warm and toasty.
Now I can sleep peacefully through the night and morning. So my body won't freeze and shiver with discomfort.
KNOCK—KNOCK~
Suddenly I heard someone knocking on my bedroom door. I wonder who it could be? Early in the morning.
"Uhh, I'm coming," I responded and got out of my bed to greet the unknown visitor.
When I opened the door, Rudy was standing in front of me wearing his pajama clothes. A white shirt and matching colored pants with a white blanket covering most of his body.
I kindly welcome him to my room with a gentle smile on my face. Wearing my white shirt and matching colored panties.
Tee-hee😄, I bet he's enjoying the lovely view.
"Oh Master Roxy, it's so cold, would you mind if I sleep in your room for a while, please!🥺" Rudy said, with a small frown, and displaying large puppy dog eyes, begging innocently in my presence.
Aww🥰I can't deny his cute face and pleading puppy dog eyes…Wait a second didn't I teach him the Heat Island spell a long time ago? He's just making up an excuse so he can snuggle with me to feel all nice and comfy…
Then again I do owe him for not telling Paul and Zenith that I was secretly watching them having sex at night while I was touching myself.
Besides, if I refuse him outright, he'll just tattletale on me like most children do. Then Paul, Zenith, and Lilia will look at me with utter disgust and probably deduct my annual payment as punishment or I'll get fired from my respectable magic tutor job. So I might as well say yes and let him have his way, just for today.
"Sure little Rudy I don't mind one bit, just don't try any funny business or I'll whack you on the head and ban you from entering my bedroom," I replied with an assertive adult tone in my voice, warning him about the consequences if he tries to lay a finger on my body.
"Really!?😃 Thank you, Master Roxy!" Rudy responded happily with a satisfied look on his face. Tee-hee, it looks as if he'll jump for joy.
"Okay, you'll sleep on that side, I'll sleep on this," I said firmly pointing at the sides of the bed we'll be sleeping in.
"Okay, Ms.Roxy…Hehehe, this kinda feels like a sleepover, doesn't it?" Rudy laughed with a grin on his face as he sat on the side of my bed.
"Heh, yeah I guess it does." I retorted with a delightful smile across my face. "Alright, no more talking mister, time to go to bed already," I said, ending the conversation, so we can go to sleep.
"Yes, ma'am🫡," Rudy replied, displaying a silly little salute right in front of me. Afterwards, we lay our heads down on our own individual pillows, covering our bodies with the blankets. Then fifteen minutes passed and I noticed him quickly fall into a mild slumber.
Rudy is so adorable when he's sleeping peacefully and his cheeks are so soft too like a baby…Ah screw it, one brief little hug or snuggle wouldn't hurt I guess, besides he's already fast asleep so he'll never know.☺️
"Oh Master Roxy, it's so cold, would you mind if I sleep in your room for a while, please!🥺" Rudy said, with a small frown, and displaying large puppy dog eyes, begging innocently in my presence.
Aww🥰I can't deny his cute face and pleading puppy dog eyes…Wait a second didn't I teach him the Heat Island spell a long time ago? He's just making up an excuse so he can snuggle with me to feel all nice and comfy…
Then again I do owe him for not telling Paul and Zenith that I was secretly watching them having sex at night while I was touching myself.
Besides, if I refuse him outright, he'll just tattletale on me like most children do. Then Paul, Zenith, and Lilia will look at me with utter disgust and probably deduct my annual payment as punishment or I'll get fired from my respectable magic tutor job. So I might as well say yes and let him have his way, just for today.
"Sure little Rudy I don't mind one bit, just don't try any funny business or I'll whack you on the head and ban you from entering my bedroom," I replied with an assertive adult tone in my voice, warning him about the consequences if he tries to lay a finger on my body.
"Really!?😃 Thank you, Master Roxy!" Rudy responded happily with a satisfied look on his face. Tee-hee, it looks as if he'll jump for joy.
"Okay, you'll sleep on that side, I'll sleep on this," I said firmly pointing at the sides of the bed we'll be sleeping in.
"Okay, Ms.Roxy…Hehehe, this kinda feels like a sleepover, doesn't it?" Rudy laughed with a grin on his face as he sat on the side of my bed.
"Heh, yeah I guess it does." I retorted with a delightful smile across my face. "Alright, no more talking mister, time to go to bed already," I said, ending the conversation, so we can go to sleep.
"Yes, ma'am🫡," Rudy replied, displaying a silly little salute right in front of me. Afterwards, we lay our heads down on our own individual pillows, covering our bodies with the blankets. Then fifteen minutes passed and I noticed him quickly fall into a mild slumber.
Rudy is so adorable when he's sleeping peacefully and his cheeks are so soft too like a baby…Ah screw it, one brief little hug or snuggle wouldn't hurt I guess, besides he's already fast asleep so he'll never know.☺️
"Oh Master Roxy, it's so cold, would you mind if I sleep in your room for a while, please!🥺" Rudy said, with a small frown, and displaying large puppy dog eyes, begging innocently in my presence.
Aww🥰I can't deny his cute face and pleading puppy dog eyes…Wait a second didn't I teach him the Heat Island spell a long time ago? He's just making up an excuse so he can snuggle with me to feel all nice and comfy…
Then again I do owe him for not telling Paul and Zenith that I was secretly watching them having sex at night while I was touching myself.
Besides, if I refuse him outright, he'll just tattletale on me like most children do. Then Paul, Zenith, and Lilia will look at me with utter disgust and probably deduct my annual payment as punishment or I'll get fired from my respectable magic tutor job. So I might as well say yes and let him have his way, just for today.
"Sure little Rudy I don't mind one bit, just don't try any funny business or I'll whack you on the head and ban you from entering my bedroom," I replied with an assertive adult tone in my voice, warning him about the consequences if he tries to lay a finger on my body.
"Really!?😃 Thank you, Master Roxy!" Rudy responded happily with a satisfied look on his face. Tee-hee, it looks as if he'll jump for joy.
"Okay, you'll sleep on that side, I'll sleep on this," I said firmly pointing at the sides of the bed we'll be sleeping in.
"Okay, Ms.Roxy…Hehehe, this kinda feels like a sleepover, doesn't it?" Rudy laughed with a grin on his face as he sat on the side of my bed.
"Heh, yeah I guess it does." I retorted with a delightful smile across my face. "Alright, no more talking mister, time to go to bed already," I said, ending the conversation, so we can go to sleep.
"Yes, ma'am🫡," Rudy replied, displaying a silly little salute right in front of me. Afterwards, we lay our heads down on our own individual pillows, covering our bodies with the blankets. Then fifteen minutes passed and I noticed him quickly fall into a mild slumber.
Rudy is so adorable when he's sleeping peacefully and his cheeks are so soft too like a baby…Ah screw it, one brief little hug or snuggle wouldn't hurt I guess, besides he's already fast asleep so he'll never know.☺️
Rudeus POV
Middle of the Morning~
A few hours ago I somehow managed to convince Roxy to let me sleep with her on the bed. So long as he didn't lay a single finger on her body or private parts. So I stay a proper gentleman throughout the morning…But I don't understand why Roxy is cuddling me like this in the first place!?
Mmm, perhaps she couldn't resist my sleepy cute face.😏I guess being has good boy has its perks too. Especially when I get to have my goddess wrap her arms around me in a loving embrace, while my face rests beneath her soft bosom….Ahhh😌, if only moments like this could last forever.
Just in case I should pretend I'm sleeping. She might get the wrong idea if she wakes up to see both of us like this with my eyes wide open😅.
"Uh-oh, I think she's about to awaken…I'd better close my eyes quickly before it's too late.
"Hey there sleepy head, wake up, it looks like you couldn't resist me, huh.😏" Roxy said as she shook my shoulder and I opened my eyes to see a sly smirk on her face.
"Ms.Roxy I swear to the Dragon King himself I didn't do it on purpose…We were probably tossing and turning while in our sleep." I explained with a somewhat worried expression on my face. I much prefer her thinking I'm a good boy than a perverted naughty boy.
"Mmm, yeah I guess that makes sense…Very well I'll let it slide just this once. Since I'm in a good mood today. Instead, I'll be giving you a minor punishment because of your grubby little hands and face wanting to cuddle with me." Roxy replied, showing mercy on me.
"You're not gonna spank my butt or give me a wedgie…Are you?" I asked, looking at her with a slightly worried and puzzled facial expression while tilting my head. I wonder what minor punishment she'd had in mind. I just hope it's not anything too bad.
"No, of course not…Just sit upright on the bed, trust me it's harmless and meant to be silly." Roxy answered, reassuring me that she's not gonna do anything painful. So I followed her orders without question.
"Now close your eyes, no peeking and don't you dare move or you're no longer allowed to sleep on my bed with me…Heehee." Roxy said while giggling, as I closed my eyes and showed no hesitation.
Afterwards, her hands grabbed my white short pants and pulled them down. Okay, now I'm lost…Is she gonna give me a raspberry to make me feel ticklish or something?
"Okay Rudy, you can open your eyes now," Roxy said with a delightful smile on her face. With my short pants thrown on the floor with my undies fully shown.
"If I haven't realized it yet, allow me to clarify. Your punishment is to wear a matching outfit with me for the entire morning until we go back outside to start your magic training." Roxy explained, wearing only a white shirt and her precious holy relic, completely exposed. While showing a confident smile on her face. Without a shred of shame.
"That's not so bad, it's actually pretty silly and fun," I replied honestly while chuckling a little. Although I'm a little afraid that Lilia will give us a disappointed look on her face. For being a little too carefree😅.
Then again wearing identical outfits like this kinda reminds me of the couple look thing in South Korea when a news reporter on TV would talk to a random couple wearing the same outfit in public to show off their relationship. While I was pondering in my own thoughts. We both heard a soft knock on the door.
"Good morning Ms.Roxy, Lady Zenith wanted me to inform you that breakfast is ready," Lilia responded, giving a short and humble greeting.
"Thank you for telling us, Ms.Lilia. Rudy and I will be there shortly." Roxy replied.
"The young master is there with you?"
"Yeah, Roxy and I had a little sleepover in her bedroom. Anyway, we'll be there soon, Auntie Lilia." I answered her, cheerfully. "Very well, I'll take my leave then," Lilia replied and departed from Roxy's front door.
"Yay, let's go eat breakfast together," I responded with childlike excitement, pretending to be a silly and innocent toddler in front of Roxy.
As I grabbed her by hand, exited the bedroom, and led her to the dining room where Lilia and Zenith eagerly awaited us. Paul must have left early. Good thing too; I don't want him to tease us for dressing so carelessly.
"Good morning, little Rudy and Roxy…Wait a second, why are the two of you dressed so loosely today?" Zenith said in her soothing and welcoming voice as we entered the room. Then she and Lilia had a curious and somewhat startled look on their faces when they saw us dressed so loosely.
"Good morning Mommy and Auntie Lilia. Ms.Roxy and I decided to wear matching outfits today, heehee." I answered her while giggling with a wide grin on my face. And a playful tone in my voice. I innocently clutched my arms around the right side of Roxy's hips, giving her a gentle and sweet hug.
"You see, Rudy and I had a sleepover in my bedroom. Afterwards, one thing led to another and we decided to dress a little silly today by wearing the same attire…If it's inappropriate we'll gladly head back to our individual rooms to get dressed properly." Roxy explained while blushing bright red and brushing a loose strand of her hair. It looks like she is slightly regretting having breakfast in her casual pajamas.
"I don't mind one bit little Roxy, it makes me happy. And it's reassuring to see that despite how mature and smart the two of you are with magic. You both are still children inside and out." Zenith replied with a lighthearted smile on her face. Finding it quite cute seeing us dressed in a white shirt and matching colored undies, in the middle of the morning.
"Kyaaa, I can't take it anymore, you two are adorable little munchkins dressed like this. I could just eat you up." Zenith said, and instantly came towards us to give an affectionate sweet hug🤗 for a brief moment. Then she kissed us on the forehead and gently released us from her warm embrace.
"Now go on now and take your seats before your food gets cold," Zenith responded, as she gently tapped my bottom, gesturing me to sit on one of the chairs around the table. We settled into our own seats, next to each other. The delicious smell of freshly warm food; has made us quite eager to eat.
Zenith and Lilia have perfectly served us various dishes for breakfast. Such as a cheesy omelet, cured boar bacon, cinnamon toast with melted butter, mixed berry juice, and warm milk.
When everyone finished their nutritious meals. We suddenly heard a knock on our front door.
"Yes, who is it?" Zenith asked the unknown visitor outside. "It's me, Elena, could you please open the door," Elena answered and Zenith gladly welcomed her inside the house.
Elena is the old lady who owns the watermill in Buena Village.
"Why did you come here Elena, is there something troubling you?" Zenith asked.
"Yes, I need Ms. Roxy's help to melt my frozen waterwheel," Elena replied.
"I will gladly offer my assistance, so long as I'm fairly paid for my service," Roxy answered.
"I accept these terms. Let's leave as soon as possible." Elena responded.
"Can I come with you, Ms.Roxy?" I asked her with pleading puppy dog eyes.
"Sure I don't matter, so long as your mother is okay with that," Roxy replied and glanced toward Zenith to see if it was okay for me to go outside.
"You can join Roxy, just don't play around in the snow and also Roxy if it starts snowing please bring little Rudy back home safely. I don't want him to get sick, okay." Zenith responded while expressing motherly concern, due to the cold weather outside.
"Understood, let's get dressed so we can be on our way," Roxy said and walked to her bedroom to get dressed. Meanwhile, Zenith took me to my bedroom to get dressed, since I am only four years old at the moment.
Once we were dressed, me, Elena, and Elena exited the household and proceeded towards the Buena Village waterwheel.
"The town's waterwheel was frozen solid from that awful cold weather yesterday." Elena explained to Rudy and Roxy."
"If that's the problem, I'll simply cast a Fireball spell to melt the ice," Roxy replied and pointed her staff towards the frozen waterwheel.
"Wait, Master Roxy, if you heat up the waterwheel too much it will burn because it's made of wood," I warned Roxy, just in case she accidentally burned the waterwheel to a crisp.
"Thanks for reminding me Rudy, I never want to make a mistake like that again. I'll carefully manage the timing and reduce the amount of mana I pour into it…" Roxy responded and began chanting her spell.
"Heavenly one, bless us with the divine protection of fire—fierce tremors of fire, here and now! FIREBALL!🔥"
Afterwards, the ice that covered the entire watermill completely melted. And Roxy was compensated for her service. Then we walked side-by-side through the blanked snowfield to head back home.
"By the way Rudy, its okay if you and Sylphy want to use your magic to earn some money. But I don't think either of you should go around doing good deeds at your own personal expense. The adult might take advantage of you and your friend's kindness. Also the younger and bigger children might get jealous of both of you too." Roxy responded.
"You make a pretty good point, Master. Even if I want to help people out of kindness. I should still look out for myself, most of all. I'll also make sure to tell Sylphy when I get the chance to see her." I answered.
"Please do," Roxy replied.
When Roxy first told me that she'd help the villagers to make extra money. My first instinct was to write her off as greedy, but the townspeople seemed to accept her terms.
They'd never had anyone who could do that sort of thing for them before, and they deeply appreciated Roxy for it. It was basically a give and take relationship that was used in medieval times and modern Europe.
I'd thought about it the wrong way back in my last life. The idea of helping someone out of a bind without asking for anything in return was very common in Japan.
It was actually quite normal to get compensated for that sort of thing. It just made sense. Granted, being the shut-in I was in my past life on Earth, not only did I not help anyone else out of a bad situation, I was the bad situation for the rest of my family.
Roxy POV
After I finished helping Ms.Elena melt the frozen watermill. Me and Rudy returned home. When we entered Ms.Lilia took our coats and Zenith handed us some snacks to share and each of us a wooden cup of warm milk that had sweet honey mixed inside of it.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that Rudy is stronger than me and will definitely out rank me as a magician in the distant future. Since he's able to use silent spell casting for mixed magic spells too…Maybe he should stop calling me master🤔?
"Hey, Rudy, I think you shouldn't call me master for now okay." I responded to Rudy and continued explaining my reasons why. "I'm sure someday, you'll surpass me with ease when you're older. Besides, a title like that doesn't seem right. You wouldn't want to call someone less powerful than your "Master" correct?"
"It wouldn't bother me one bit." Rudy answered honestly and put his cup of milk on the table. Then proceeded to focus his attention on me.
"Well it would bother me. Its shameful to have someone more talented than you to call you master, right?" I retorted.
"The title of master isn't determined by power alone. Knowledge, wisdom and experience also determine if he or she is regarded as a master. Sure I'm smart and talented when it comes to magic. But you know far more about this world compared to me. Also you're older than me and have a lot of experience when it involves using magic in combat against monsters and people because you're a skilled adventurer too." Rudy explained with the best of his ability.
"Mmm, I guess you make a fair point, very well I'll allow you to call me master while you're still young and inexperienced." I replied, submitting to the little boy's precise argument. He looked really determined to grant him permission to call me master. I'll simply allow him to call me master out of the kindness of my heart.
I never meant to talk about this…Why'd I bring it up now? Maybe it's because of the snow? It probably made me think about Ranoa University of Magic, I think I understand how professor Jinas felt now. When I became water saint rank and was regarded as talented by the other students he definitely felt jealous. Especially when I mentioned that he made an error in his thesis involving saint-level water magic.
All I wanted was to be acknowledged by him. But instead he rudely disrespected me because of his own petty pride, because he couldn't handle being told he was wrong by his own student. He's always underestimated me, unfairly and I shouldn't be responsible just because I strive for academic excellence and desire to advance the world's knowledge of magic.
"😮💨Ahhh, spring can't get here soon enough…" I responded out loud, while sighing with anguish.
"You know, I feel the same way, Master Roxy."