Chapter 16

As night descended, Roxy packed her belongings. It was evident she would soon depart this place to begin her journey. Roya Greyrat watched her small, delicate figure, and truthfully, he didn't want her to leave. Yet her departure was unavoidable, and he lacked any real justification to keep her there.

Her blue hair flowed down to her waist, swaying gently in the breeze that slipped through the open window. Roxy's charm was undeniable—Roya was utterly taken with this type of girl. She fussed with her magician's robe, adjusting the brim of her hat. In the quiet of the night, neither of them spoke.

Suddenly, Roya shattered the silence. "Do you really have to go?"

Roxy's eyes softened, a faint shadow passing over them. "I don't have much choice," she replied. "There's nothing left for me to teach you."

Roya let out a sigh, a trace of longing flickering across his young face. He glanced at the girl in her white nightgown, who gave him a small, wistful smile. Roxy's frame was slight—not voluptuous by any stretch—but her petite, graceful build held a charm all its own.

Looking out the window, Roya took in the sight of the moon hanging high, its pure white light bathing the sky. Once they parted ways, who could say how long it would be before their paths crossed again? The more he dwelled on it, the heavier his heart grew. In his previous life, people often lamented farewells, and he couldn't shake that feeling now. Especially in this age without instant communication, the world felt vast and unforgiving. Stay in one place, and life was manageable—but once someone left, reunions became a faint hope.

The magic seed—he had to give it to Roxy. Beyond serving as a wellspring of magical power, it could also track each other's location within a certain range. That way, if Roya ever sought her out, he wouldn't stumble into some tired trope where they brushed past each other unknowingly.

With this in mind, Roya took a steadying breath. A torrent of immense magical energy churned within him as the elements—wind, fire, water, and earth—swirled together in a chaotic rush. His magic surged like a rising tide.

Sensing the sudden upheaval of mana around her, Roxy's eyes widened in alarm. "Roya, what are you doing?" she asked, staring at the boy in astonishment.

This level of magical power dwarfed her own reserves entirely. Roya merely smiled.

The dark mana coalesced, strands of energy intertwining as he drew on the surrounding elements to balance the cost of forging the magic seed. Threads of power gathered in his right hand, forming a dense core that pulsed with an unsettling aura.

"This magic… it feels so dark," Roxy murmured, her brow furrowing slightly. From the beginning, there had always been something peculiar about Roya's mana.

Before long, a magic seed took form, its surface gleaming with an eerie black sheen. Its presence alone conjured a cold, whispering breeze. Roxy had serious doubts about whether this thing was benevolent—and she wasn't entirely mistaken. Its primary purpose, after all, leaned toward control.

Drawing inspiration from a web novel he'd read in his past life—something about embedding a seed in someone's heart—Roya had crafted a simplified version. The seed had dual effects: it supplied mana, aligning the recipient's power with his own, and it granted him influence over whoever received it. It could be removed, though the process was arduous—but not beyond reach.

Noticing Roxy's discomfort, Roya decided to have a little fun. He flashed a sly, mischievous grin, aiming to unnerve her with a foreboding expression. On his youthful face, however, it didn't quite work. It was unsettling, yes, but his natural charm undermined the effect. His lips curled upward, eyes narrowing slightly, yet his innate cuteness warped the look into something oddly endearing.

After all, who could resist someone so disarmingly adorable?

Roxy's heart skipped a beat at his smile, and she swiftly suppressed the sudden impulse to pull him into a hug. To Roya, though, it seemed like she was intimidated by him. A strange swell of pride bloomed in his chest—perhaps he could wield this face to play the villain and spook people in the future.

Oblivious to Roya's absurd inner monologue, Roxy took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was just a boy. Once she'd reined in her reaction, Roya spoke up, outlining the seed's purpose.

"The magic seed will tie your mana's source to mine," he explained. "Your power will grow, Master Roxy, but in return, your life will be in my hands. With a single thought, I could end it. So… you understand, right?"

Roxy fell quiet, considering his words. She thought back to his cute smile from moments ago and realized—he'd intended it to be menacing? It was so charming she hadn't even registered the threat, and instead, it had stirred entirely different emotions. Glancing at the smug Roya, she mused to herself, He's completely misreading this.

With his soft golden hair brushing along his fair neck and those eager golden eyes shining, the typically reserved boy's facade shattered. Seeing him so animated, Roxy's lips twitched. So his usual aloof air was a mask—this was clearly his first attempt at something like this, and his excited expression betrayed him.

Unfortunately for Roya, his striking features turned what should've been a chilling, sinister vibe into something cute and almost laughable. Picture a grimy thug muttering, "Lady, you wouldn't want your husband to find out, would you?" Now imagine a cherubic child saying the same thing. It's downright comical.

The moment was absurd, but Roxy stepped forward to keep Roya from using this tactic to "intimidate" others down the line. She gave his forehead a sharp tap. "Oh, really? So you've been scheming against me this whole time, have you?" she teased, her tone playful yet pointed.

Roya flinched, rubbing his head with a sheepish grin. Roxy's gaze drifted to the magic seed still gripped in his hand, its ominous aura lingering. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Can it really boost my mana?"

Roya nodded. "Of course it can."

"And is it like you said?" she pressed, referring to the part about surrendering her life to him.

He nodded again. "I'm not exaggerating—it's true."

Roxy waved a hand to cut him off, meeting his eyes with a clear, unwavering look. "I trust you," she said. "You're a good kid."

Roya pressed his lips together. She made him sound so upright—like some pure-hearted innocent. Clearly, she was too trusting, blind to how devious people could be. Fine, then—he'd show her. He'd lock her in a basement with nothing but an oil lamp, stopping by daily to snuggle up to her.