Stell stared at Takson's increasingly pained expression, her processors failing to find a logical explanation.
What now? Was my analysis incorrect? No, that's impossible. I must be missing a variable.
Then, a new possibility presented itself.
"Query: Are you... lonely?"
Bullseye.
The question hit him like a physical blow. His face flushed a deep crimson.
"Um... well... ah..." he stammered, scratching the back of his head, a telltale sign of embarrassment that I had long since cataloged.
"Query: I have not accompanied you on your training excursions in the past," I stated. "Addendum: Even with my recent instruction of Flamme, the amount of time we spend in direct contact has not deviated from the established baseline."
I had always considered Takson to be a self-sufficient unit. I monitored his vitals and location remotely; direct supervision was only necessary during formal tests. From a purely quantitative perspective, my "contact hours" with him had remained consistent.
But now, it seemed my assessment of his self-sufficiency had been flawed.
"But... that's not what I mean," he mumbled.
The truth was, for all his physical maturity, Takson was still a child at heart. His outward stoicism was a mask, a defense mechanism forged in trauma. Years of traveling with me, of having a single, unshakable pillar of stability in his life, had allowed that mask to slip. In my presence, he reverted to the insecure child I had found in that cellar. He saw me not just as a teacher, but as a... surrogate parent.
And now, with Flamme's arrival, that old insecurity had resurfaced. He was afraid of being replaced, of being abandoned. It was an irrational fear, I had promised years ago that I would not leave him, but fear is not always rational.
His recent efforts to push himself harder in training, his clumsy attempt at conversation tonight, it had all been a subconscious plea for attention. 'Teacher, please look at me. I was your first student.'
I had noticed his underlying insecurities before, but I had assumed he would simply outgrow them. That had been an error in judgment. I had neglected the emotional variable.
Very well. I would correct this oversight. The most efficient way to eliminate his anxiety was to address it directly, with cold, hard logic.
….
When we left the restaurant, the anxious cloud hanging over Takson had vanished. My "counseling session", a direct, unfiltered explanation of my own logical processes and a reaffirmation of his status as my primary student, had been surprisingly effective. Reassured, he quickly recalibrated his own emotional state. There were, after all, more important things to worry about.
….
Four Days Later:-
"Announcement: Takson, the target has appeared on the outskirts of the city."
I delivered the news as I kicked open his bedroom door, finding him still half-asleep. He jolted awake, fumbling for his clothes as my words registered.
In an instant, his sleepy demeanor vanished, replaced by the sharp, focused gaze of a hunter. He didn't even bother pulling on his pants. He needed more information.
"How many?"
"Answer: Twenty-three units. Fifteen mages, eight warriors."
Takson stroked his chin, his mind already running through combat scenarios. "Just the two of us?" The city guard would eventually notice, but by the time reinforcements arrived, it might be too late. And against demons, their effectiveness was questionable.
But just as he was formulating a plan, my next words threw a wrench in his calculations.
"Correction: Not 'us.' Me."
"Huh?"
"Reminder: I am aware of your concern. However, I have already gathered sufficient data on this demon force. Your assistance is not required."
As I turned to leave, Takson, half-dressed, scrambled to the doorway. "Teacher, are you serious? You don't need my help?"
I stopped and turned back to him. "Query: What assistance could you provide? In a one-on-one engagement, you may be able to hold your own. Against multiple opponents, the probability of your victory is negligible."
With that, I opened a portal in the hallway. But before I stepped through, I tossed a small object to him. He caught it instinctively.
"Teacher, what's this?"
"Explanation: One of the demons in that group is a specialist in concealment. That device will allow you to detect it."
"So that means...?"
I saw the excitement light up in his eyes, but I didn't confirm his suspicion.
"Addendum: Do your best."
And with that, I was gone. Could I have detected the hidden enemy myself? Of course. But Takson understood my meaning. After I left, he finished dressing, pocketed the small device, and headed out of the inn.
….
Takson walked through the city streets, a little unsure of what to do. It had been five minutes since Stell had left to engage the demons. He could already feel the tremors in the ground, and the sky outside the city walls was stained a sickly crimson. A barrier of some kind.
He knew his teacher was the strongest person in the world, an angel of the Goddess. He wasn't worried about her. His job was to find any demons that might have slipped into the city.
The city guard was in a panic, shouting orders, finally realizing the threat was real. A little late for that, Takson thought with a grim satisfaction, remembering how they had dismissed him when he had tried to warn them.
"Alright," he said to himself, pulling out the small device Stell had given him. "How does this thing work?"
….
While Stell and Takson were busy with their respective tasks, Flamme was at home, sheltered by her parents. She didn't understand what was happening. Her friends had all been sent home, and the city guards were running around, shouting about "demons."
Seeing the fear on her parents' faces, she felt a pang of worry. I wonder what Stell-neechan and Takson-niichan are doing?
Her thoughts turned to her new friends. Stell, the incredible mage, and Takson, the strong warrior. On a whim, she snuck out into her backyard. Seeing that no one was around, she took out the small communicator Stell had given her and pressed the button.
Beep, beep, beep— —
"The user you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
Is Stell-neechan busy? She didn't understand the strange message, but she got the gist. Her friends were occupied.
I hope they're okay, she thought. All she could do now was pray for their safety.
….
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