Saving an Elf Friend

Time flew by, and several months had passed since Roxy's departure. Life at home settled into a comfortable routine, though not without noticeable changes.

One notable alteration was my brother's peculiar behavior. Since Roxy's departure, he had developed this strange fixation with a particular undergarment.

He treated it almost like a holy relic, performing odd rituals and playfully snatching it away whenever I attempted to confiscate it.

It was beyond frustrating – I could hardly believe he was actually doing this.

On a more positive note, my swordsmanship had been steadily improving. I remained dedicated to refining my own skill, diligently practicing with the rapier that Father had gifted me. Progress was certainly challenging, but I was making commendable advancement.

During one of my training sessions, I decided to experiment by integrating my sword techniques. Combining the principles of both the Sword God Style and the Water God Style into my rapier swordplay was an ambitious endeavor.

However, the prospect of achieving a harmonious blend between these two disciplines held a strong charm.

"Remarkable, Rei. It seems my gift is suiting you well," Father's voice interrupted my thoughts as he approached me, a mix of pride and a hint of smugness in his expression.

I paused my practice and turned to face him, responding, "Of course, dad. The rapier feels like a natural extension of my hand. While it may not good for slashing, its quick-stabbing capability is helpful."

"I'm pleased to hear that. It's great to see you mastering it on your own," Father acknowledged with a satisfied nod.

"Thank you, Dad. I'll continue to give it my all," I affirmed, acknowledging my father's praise.

With Father's encouragement warming my resolve, I embraced the journey ahead, determined to refine my skills and discover new horizons.

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After a while, I noticed my brother walking out of the house, clutching a book in his hand. His expression held a mix of curiosity and excitement, instantly capturing my attention.

"Hey, brother. What's that book you've got there?" I asked, genuinely intrigued by his demeanor.

Rudeus looked up from the book, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Oh, this? It's the botanical book Mom gave me. I'm thinking of heading outside to identify some plants."

His words piqued my interest even further. This seemed like a significant step for him – an indication that he was open to exploring beyond our familiar surroundings. I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for his newfound determination.

"A botanical book, huh? Is this a sign that you're finally considering stepping outdoors?" I playfully quipped, infusing a light tone into my voice.

He chuckled, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah, you could say that. I thought it might be time to give it a shot after overcoming my fear."

I nodded, genuinely impressed by his resolve. "That's a fantastic idea, brother. I'll join you while you're out there."

"Absolutely. But, of course, let's make sure to get Mom and Dad's approval before we set off," he added.

I agreed with a nod. "Definitely, we'll have a chat with them before we go."

With determination in our hearts, we sought out our parents. In the front yard, Mother was tending to her plants while Father engaged with her in a playful exchange, creating a heartwarming scene.

"Mom, Dad," I called out, capturing their attention. "Rudeus wants to venture outside to learn more about plants using the botanical book you gave him."

Upon hearing Rudeus's intention to explore the outdoors, our parents paused their activities, their faces lighting up with genuine joy. It was clear that they were genuinely pleased by my brother's readiness to step beyond his comfort zone.

"Did you hear that, dear? Rudy is finally embracing the outside world," Mother playfully remarked to Father, a trace of amusement in her voice.

Father nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's time for him to spread his wings. I must admit, I had assumed Roxy's departure might have affected him more, but apparently not."

I raised an eyebrow, seeking clarity on his comment. "What do you mean by that, dad? Are you implying something is wrong with my brother?"

He shook his head and clarified. "No, not at all. I was just thinking that he might have been feeling down after Roxy left – considering how close they were."

Understanding dawned on me as I realized Father's perspective. Roxy had indeed been an influential presence in Rudeus's life, and her departure might have had a deeper impact than we realized.

"I see what you mean, dad. It's true that Roxy played a significant role for him," I acknowledged, my thoughts gaining clarity.

With the air cleared, we returned our focus to Rudeus's budding adventure – a step towards growth that carried the potential for new experiences.

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Once Rudeus and I received our parents' permission, Father decided to join us for a short while before we embarked on our little expedition. His presence added a sense of reassurance to our venture into the unknown.

"Remember, Rudy," Father's voice carried a hint of paternal concern, "this is only your second time venturing outside. Just be yourself and treat others with kindness."

Rudeus nodded earnestly, a mixture of determination and gratitude coloring his expression. "I understand, dad. I will give it my all."

"And also," Father's tone turned serious, "remember not to misuse your magic against those who are weaker than you, alright?"

I couldn't help but jump in, coming to my brother's defense. "Come on, dad. Brother would never do something like that. He's smart enough to exercise self-control."

Father's stern demeanor softened into a small smile. "I know, Rei. I just want to stress the importance of his responsibilities."

Rudeus chimed in with a touch of humor, aiming to lighten the atmosphere. "Don't worry, dad. I've learned that magic can impress the ladies, right?"

"Exactly- Ah, well, not exactly like that," Father stumbled over his words, attempting to correct himself.

Seizing the opportunity, Rudeus continued playfully, "Just kidding. It's more about using magic to protect those in need, correct?"

"Ah, yes, that's the idea," Father finally concurred with a relieved chuckle, his own amusement shining through.

As the two shared a lighthearted exchange, I walked alongside them, quietly absorbing their father-son banter.

Eventually, Father bid us farewell, stepping back a few paces from our house. With waves and a sense of excitement in our hearts, we left him behind, embarking on the next phase of our journey.

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Leaving the familiarity of our home behind, my brother and I stepped into the inviting embrace of the nearby forest. Its depths exuded an aura of mystery and anticipation, enveloping us in its enigmatic allure.

Rudeus, clutching his botanical book like a prized possession, assumed the role of our guide. His eyes remained vigilant, scanning our surroundings with unwavering attention. The book, a repository of knowledge on various plant species, held the promise of turning theory into practice.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, Rudeus's enthusiasm became palpable. Spotting a plant of interest, he would consult his guidebook, eager to unveil its secrets. His excitement was infectious, and he eagerly shared his newfound insights with me, transforming our exploration into a captivating journey of discovery.

"Rei, come take a look at this," Rudeus beckoned me over, crouched beside a vibrant cluster of flowers. "These are Batirusu flowers."

Curiosity piqued, I joined him, gazing at the intriguing flora before us. "Impressive find, Rudeus. What does your book have to say about these flowers?"

Flipping through the pages with a sense of purpose, he began to relay his newfound knowledge. "Batirusu flowers are a local specialty here in the Asura Kingdom. They serve multiple purposes, including medicinal applications and perfumery. There's also something about... um, well."

He trailed off, a tinge of uncertainty coloring his tone. It was evident that he had stumbled upon a section that left him slightly perplexed.

"Intriguing.... What's the matter, brother? You seem a bit flustered," I inquired, pondering at his reaction to the passage.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he mustered the courage to divulge his discovery. In a hushed tone, he confessed, "It appears these flowers are one of the ingredients used in... aphrodisiacs."

My brows arched in surprise as I processed his revelation. "Ah, I see...."

The realization dawned on both of us, prompting a mixture of amusement and awkwardness. While unintentional, my brother had stumbled upon a rather unexpected and unconventional aspect of his botanical studies.

"Well, that's certainly an unintended discovery," I commented, unable to suppress a chuckle.

Rudeus scratched his head sheepishly, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Yeah, I didn't expect to come across that tidbit. It's important to learn about all aspects of plants, I guess."

I nodded in agreement, still amused by the situation. "Of course, knowledge is power. Just remember, we're here to learn about plants in general, not just their... unique properties."

He grinned, his embarrassment giving way to a lighthearted demeanor. "Of course, Rei. Let's continue our exploration with that in mind."

With renewed focus, we resumed our forest adventure, a sense of camaraderie and shared amusement accompanying us as we navigated through the foliage. The forest held more secrets to unveil, and we were determined to uncover them – aphrodisiac-related or not.

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As time flowed by unnoticed, Rudeus and I emerged from the depths of the forest.

While our adventure might not have been the heart-pounding excitement I initially imagined, it was a remarkable experience nonetheless.

Walking side by side, a sense of serene contentment enveloped us, the calm of the forest echoing our inner peace.

Breaking the comfortable silence, I shared my reflections with Rudeus. "You know, brother, even though our journey didn't involve any intense excitement, there's something uniquely special about it, don't you think?"

Rudeus nodded in agreement, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "Absolutely, Reine. I genuinely enjoyed our exploration and the knowledge we gained despite the lack of thrills."

His words resonated with me, affirming the connection I had felt with nature during our shared experience.

"I think we should make this journey a regular thing," I suggested, enthusiasm evident in my voice as I looked forward to the prospect of more expeditions.

Rudeus chuckled, showing his agreement. "You're right. There's a certain charm in stepping out of our comfort zones and discovering new things."

As we continued our conversation, a troubling noise reached our ears from a distance. We quickened our pace, driven by curiosity to uncover the source of the disturbance.

To our dismay, we stumbled upon a distressing scene – a group of children cruelly throwing mud at a familiar face. It was Sylphiette, the elven child I had befriended before.

Seeing her subjected to such mistreatment brought back memories of my own experiences with bullying. Empathy and frustration welled up within me, igniting a strong desire to take action.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and raised my voice firmly. "Hey! That's enough!"

The bullies paused, their attention shifting towards me. "Oh, look who we have here. It's the defender of demons," one of them sneered mockingly.

Undeterred by their taunts, I stood my ground, resolute in my stance.

Ever since our first encounter with Sylphiette, I had been her faithful friend, standing up against the prejudice she faced due to her distinct green hair. Driven by my own past experiences, I was determined to intervene.

Soon, Rudeus joined me, his presence adding to the strength of our stand. "Hey! Cut it out! Leave the child alone!"

"Tch, great. Now there are two of them," the bullies grumbled in response to Rudeus's arrival.

Sylphiette, her face smudged with mud from the ordeal, was surprised and relieved by our unexpected intervention. She sought shelter behind me, peeking out cautiously.

Seeing that, the bullies hesitated, seemingly uncertain about how to react to our sudden interference.

"Do you know these individuals, Reine?" Rudeus inquired, his stance unwavering.

I nodded firmly, my focus remaining fixed on the bullies before us. "Yes, that's Somar and his gang."

This group of troublemakers had a history of causing problems, persistently failing to learn their lesson despite previous encounters with me.

With my patience wearing thin, it was time to drive these bullies away. Adopting a stern tone, I demanded, "Leave...now"

Startled by the intensity in my voice, the bullies hesitated, but they clung to their defiance.

"Oh yeah? What will you do if we don't?"

"Yeah! You demon defenders should leave instead!"

"That's right! You freaks!"

In response, I took a deep breath, channeling my anger and frustration into my words. I repeated my demand, my voice radiating fury. "I said... LEAVE!!"

The sheer force of my serious tone, combined with my unyielding presence, proved overwhelming for them.

Ultimately, fear overpowered their defiance, and they hastily fled the scene, hurling curses our way as they retreated.

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With the bullies now gone, I released a sigh, feeling the tension slowly fade away. I took a moment to collect myself, allowing my heart rate to return to its normal rhythm.

"Alright, now that's taken care of. I guess we..." My words trailed off as I turned around, only to be completely taken aback by what I saw.

Rudeus and Sylphiette were huddled together, tightly embracing each other, both visibly trembling with fear.

"Um, what are you guys doing?" I inquired, my confusion evident. The scene before me was unexpected, and I struggled to comprehend it.

"Reine, you're seriously terrifying," Rudeus stammered, his voice quivering with dread.

Sylphiette nodded in agreement, her expression equally frightened.

Seeing their genuine reaction, I couldn't help but smile wryly. I realized that my forceful tone must have quite an impact on them as well, considering their point of view.

"I understand now. I'm sorry, both of you. I didn't mean to scare you as well. It's just frustrating having to chase those bullies away repeatedly," I explained with a hint of regret.

Upon hearing my apology, they visibly relaxed. However, they remained in their embrace, particularly my brother, Rudeus.

Considering his promise to Roxy, I wasn't about to let this slide. "Um, brother, I think you can let her go now."

"Ah, right. I apologize for that," he responded quickly, releasing Sylphiette from his grip. But then he paused, realization dawning upon him. "Wait, did you just say 'her'?"

Confused by his question, I asked, "Yes, what's the matter?"

"So, this person is a girl, then?" Rudeus inquired again, seeking clarification.

Perplexed by his misunderstanding, I pressed further. "Of course, she's a girl. What made you think otherwise?"

Rudeus widened his eyes, glancing at Sylphiette from head to toe before turning back to me. "I thought this person was a boy."

Surprised by his misconception, I couldn't help but chuckle at the mix-up, realizing that appearances could indeed be deceiving.

"Oh boy, how do I explain this."