Valentine's Day Special: Ruri

This chapter happens after Chapter 141: A Kingdom for Freedom

Ruri stood in the nearby barracks training field, having been called up by Logan. She had been given money to buy new armor just the day before and asked the hero Ruben to craft her something simple she could use to train. Instead, he let her have a sturdy leather suit, telling her it was one of his girlfriend's spare equipment and that Ruri could keep it, as Irma liked Ruri as a good friend

Ruri accepted the suit, and as she put it on before coming here today, it felt as if it was made just for her. Its auto-adjusting properties were impressive, and the armor was especially comfortable.

Ruri then turned to the soldiers around her who looked at her with strange expressions. She knew they were wondering why she had a helmet on, but Ruri could not let others see her new hairstyle before Logan decided what to do.

Her hair, which had become black and white just like her master's after evolution, would sour the relationship between her master and the townsfolk who knew and respected him.

She knew it could bring a bad reputation for what he had done, as turning humans into tamed was illegal, but she did not care, as it also let her be closer to the boy.

As soon as she got her attention back to the battlefield, she saw how everyone was looking at the sky. Logan, who had gained the ability to manifest wings, descended from the top of the castle walls.

"Sorry about being late, Ruri. I had to check on Scorch and his pack. I gotta feed them daily now that they are growing stronger."

Her master then landed before her and waved towards his soldiers before placing his attention back on the girl.

"Well then, let's begin. Use these crystals I brought back from the mines today. They will help you speed up your growth and have enough energy for today's training."

Ruri did as asked and began draining each crystal's mana. She felt the power course into her chest where her mana core was.

Soon, a feeling of euphoria caused her to wince as she tried to keep her appearance normal, especially in front of Logan, who was watching the process to make sure nothing went wrong.

As soon as she finished the last of the crystals, she felt overwhelmed with power and wanted to release it right away.

"Guess you're ready, so let's begin. Today you will use darkness arrow and shoot towards that dummy. Try to aim correctly," Logan explained as he shot one of his arrows towards the head of the target with practiced precision.

"Wow, that was impressive, master, to shoot its head without even trying!" Ruri called out while trying to manifest a darkness arrow and shot it forward. It missed. She tried again, and the same result happened.

"Easy, Ruri. Using magic like that will drain you. Watch again, aim… and shoot." Logan shot another arrow and waited for Ruri to do the same.

Ruri tried again and thought it would hit, but it missed once again.

"Should I get closer?" Ruri asked, a little dejected.

"No, it would defeat the purpose. Let's see…" Logan started thinking a little before Ruri saw the boy get close to her.

She did not know what to do but tried her best to remain still.

"Let's see, how about you extend your hand like so…" Logan got behind Ruri and pulled her hand gently over her eye as if she was holding a gun and made her thumb raise as if it was the sight notch of a pistol.

Ruri wanted to let out a scream as her face flushed but kept listening to Logan's instructions, trying to keep her heart under control.

"And then you shoot like this…" Logan manifested a bolt over his hand and shot it towards the dummy, landing it on its chest.

Ruri did the same, letting the arrow go, and finally saw the projectile hit the dummy on its stomach.

She jumped in excitement and hugged Logan, forgetting her prior feelings of nervousness and basking in the joy of hitting her first target.

Within seconds, she realized her mistake as the scent of Logan's cologne mixed with her natural but sweet-smelling odor.

Her face went back to being beet red. Now she did not know whether to let go or stay in her position.

She knew the latter would at least hide her embarrassment and stayed hugging Logan, at least until she was back to normal.

Ruri felt Logan pat her back and looked up to see the boy's expression.

"Are you better now?" Logan asked.

Ruri began to laugh, noticing the boy looked conflicted, as if he had done something wrong.

"Sorry, Master Logan, I was just too excited. Your technique proved useful… how about you show me again!"

Ruri knew she could probably do it by herself, but she was not going to let this chance to be near her master pass.

She was done being shy and would at least use the time today to enjoy her time with Logan.

Three hours later, with much of their mana spent, she and Logan went towards a deserted place. She had brought a light lunch so they could enjoy it after training, one she made herself that morning.

"Here, Master Logan, as thanks for helping me today, I brought the best food I could make." Ruri had served Logan, who seemed starving from today's duties.

"Your food is awesome, Ruri. Thank you for working so hard. If only I had more time to help you train," Logan responded while eating the boxed lunch Ruri had seen in the night dramas Marie introduced to them using her illusion magic.

Ruri then opened her own tray and began eating. She noticed Logan had eaten all the meat portion of his meal.

Ruri looked at her own box and smiled a little.

"Say, Master Logan… here!" She raised her fork towards his mouth as she saw him munching like a hamster.

"Hmm?" Ruri saw him tense up before nudging her fork near his mouth.

Logan didn't know what to do but accepted the fillet filled with juicy sour sauce and bowed towards the happy Ruri.

"Thanks?" Logan said after finishing it.

That was her favorite version of Logan, the boy who did not know what to do.

"No problem, master!"