Chapter 14

As expected, Roya had taken a solid thrashing. Rubbing his aching arm where Paul had landed a hit, he winced and grumbled, "Don't you think that was overkill?"

"Overkill? Hardly. Boys need to toughen up," Paul shot back, unfazed.

"Toughen up like this? He's only six," Roya retorted, glaring at his father.

Even Lilia couldn't stay silent any longer. With a firm edge to her voice, she stepped in. "The children are still growing, Master. You ought to ease up a bit."

Caught off guard, Paul flashed a sheepish grin and waved it off like it was no big deal.

Roxy watched the cozy, lively scene with a soft smile. It stirred memories of her own parents from years ago—though she hadn't seen her village on the Demon Continent in ages. She wondered how they were faring now, a quiet ache of distance settling in her chest.

Snapping out of her reverie, she noticed Roya Greyrat's calm, blank face tilting closer. From a few steps away, he asked, "What's up, Master Roxy? You look kinda lonely."

"It's nothing," she replied, brushing it off. "I just think you've all got a pretty great bond." Her gaze lingered on the adorable boy, a faint admiration in her eyes.

"Yeah?" Roya said, mulling it over.

Back in his Sword Art Online simulation, Kazuto Kirigaya was patiently showing little Kirito the ropes of a game. Kirito picked it up fast, his knack for the tiny details almost flawless, and even Kazuto had to admit the kid had a natural flair.

"Not bad, Kirito! You're killing it!" Kazuto said, clapping the shy little guy on the shoulder with genuine pride.

Kirito scratched his head, puffing up with pride under the praise. Across the room, Suguha Kirigaya huffed. "All you two do is play games!" she yelled. "And Big Bro, how could you let him play something that creepy? I'm telling Mom!"

Kazuto's lip twitched. Kirito scrambled over to Suguha, begging until he finally swore to let her join their gaming crew. Grudgingly, she agreed to keep quiet.

Still, Kazuto couldn't shake the thought that it might be time to reach out to Asuna. That rich girl could be a solid ally later on. Plus, getting close to her now might kick off his little "cloud-raising" scheme—no shady motives, of course, just a real-world spin on mentoring from afar. For now, though, tomorrow's grind loomed, and he needed rest. The system's autopilot wasn't exactly proactive—it wouldn't push him toward anything useful—but it'd have to hold the fort.

The next morning, Roya woke up and glanced beside him out of habit. No surprise—Roxy was gone. She was a gem, though.

Even in the original tale, she'd had that playful, childish streak paired with a warm heart.

Every afternoon, when lessons wrapped up, Roxy would head to the fields, weaving spells to call down soft rain for the farmers. Today was no different—except now she had a tagalong.

Roya didn't mind. With a straw he'd snagged from somewhere dangling from his mouth, he trailed Roxy at an easy pace.

Roxy sighed and turned. "Roya, why're you tailing me?"

"Because I'm bored," he said, straight-faced.

And he was. Rudy's progress was sluggish, so Paul was stuck giving him private lessons. Roya's basics were solid, so Paul had cut him loose for the day.

"Then why do you have to follow me?" Roxy pressed, a hint of irritation creeping into her tone. His boredom didn't justify shadowing her.

Roya paused, then let a rare smile crack his deadpan expression. "Just wanted to see what Master Roxy gets up to out here."

Roxy sighed again, tipping her hat's brim. She didn't argue further and let him tag along.

Autumn was stunning, no two ways about it. Golden grain swayed in the breeze, carrying a faint, sweet scent. That aroma was the farmers' lifeline—the reward for their hard work.

"Did you know, Roya?" Roxy said, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. "Seeing them smile makes me feel good—like I'm doing something worthwhile. Magic's not just for fighting. It can fix so many things."

Farmers passing by tipped their hats with warm grins, clearly fond of her. She seemed to soak up their kindness in return. Every day, she'd swing by to check in, ready to lend a hand wherever she was needed. Beneath her petite frame beat a heart full of care.

Roya watched her in silence, struck by the pure, unguarded smile she flashed whenever she helped someone. It was captivating.

Almost dizzying. Memories of his past felt hazy now, like a half-forgotten dream. Maybe he'd wake up one day and find this was all an illusion. Who knew?

It'd been nearly six years since he'd arrived in this world. Time could change everything—or maybe nothing. He'd liked Roxy—the anime Roxy.

But seeing her here, alive, every quirk and fleeting look laid bare, was different. She was proud, stubborn, always playing at being more mature than she was. She wasn't perfect. Far from it. She avoided hassle, craved praise, and had a childish side.

Yet this flawed, real Roxy—far more tangible than the screen version—drew him in. Her soft hair, her slight frame, the faint scent that clung to her, even her occasional grumpiness—it all made her this Roxy.

She wasn't just the Jobless Reincarnation Roxy anymore. Here, everything was veering off-script, racing toward some unpredictable future.

If that was the case, why not make this Roxy his own? She was far more compelling now.

Roxy stood in the heart of the golden field, the swaying stalks rippling with the wind and the edge of her mage's robe. The morning sun bathed the grain in a warm glow, lighting up her face. Her wand flared a vivid blue as clouds gathered overhead.

Droplets began to fall—a light drizzle blanketing the fields. Rain streaked down her robe, pooling at her feet.

Roya felt the cool touch of raindrops on his cheeks, pulling him from his daze. When Roxy finished, he stepped forward and reached out, taking her hand. She glanced at him, confused, as a faint, barely-there smile curved his lips.