Chapter 19: Campaign!

If you want to read ahead by 5+ chapters from here you can check out my patreon.

[P].[A].[T].[R].[E].[O].[N]

http://patreon.com/Gameboyreal

….

Leon turned back to Rossweisse, a bit intrigued to finally be meeting one of the main cast. 

She was about as much as he expected from her backstory, though her teaching competence at age ten would remain to be seen.

"So, what's first, Little Rose?" Her eyes snapped up to him from the ground.

"Don't call me that."

Leon cocked his head to the side.

"Why not? You look like a white rose, though I'm still deciding on whether or not you have thorns."

Rossweisse stared at him for a couple of beats, her cheeks slowly flushing a light pink.

"Oh? It looks like the doll does have emotion. You're much prettier now that you don't look so cold, I bet your smile is beautiful." 

The little girl's eyes seemed to be burning holes in the floor, her cheeks flushing further, though from anger, embarrassment, or shyness, Leon wasn't entirely sure. Not giving her a chance to make up her mind, he continued on.

"Alright, Little Rose," Leon stroked her cheek with the tip of one of his tails, startling her from what was likely a miniature internal panic attack. 

"Where do we start? I'm excited to learn magic." His comment seemed to refocus her on the task at hand. 

Going over to the whiteboard at the front of the room, she took one of the markers and scrawled out what Leon interpreted as the Nordic Runic alphabet.

"Copy these repeatedly until they're perfect." Pulling out a stack of paper, she placed it on one of the desks around the edge of the room, handing him a pen as well. 

"They have to be perfect, or the runes will explode from magical feedback." Leon nodded along in acceptance. 

"Once you have the alphabet calligraphy correct, I'll teach you the meanings of each letter, followed by syntax. After that, you'll be ready to try your first rune." Humming lightly to himself, Leon sat at the desk, resigning himself to old fashion study. 

Devil magic was cheating bullshit. Every other system required study and practice while they got away with imagination.

It was a shame he had no intention of ever becoming a devil. 

He would live forever simply by staying alive long enough to ascend, which vastly outdid the measly ten thousand years Devils could reach, plus he'd be free from whatever influence he'd have to subject himself to if he was reincarnated. 

Nothing was worth the price of his freedom, no matter how bullshit or convenient.

Setting the extra paper to the side, Leon began studiously attempting to perfectly recreate the symbols before him. 

Rossweisse observed his careful script for a while, occasionally making comments on mistakes or improvements. 

After reaching a satisfactory level for each letter, she left him to continue practicing while she went back to her own studies of advanced spell layering. It was a boring few hours, but Leon was an old hat with prolonged study sessions. 

College developed skills that lasted longer than one lifetime so it seemed, though it was made less boring by the girl sitting next to him petting his tails while reading her textbook.

It was universal. Even doll-like, cold girls couldn't resist his charm. 

Soon, he would break this lonely, sad girl out of her shell, and help her blossom into the powerhouse she had the potential to become. 

He would teach her just as she was teaching him. Lessons that family expectations were not so mandatory, not that it would be too difficult since her own family was very supportive. 

Add on that teasing and bullies could be dealt with in nonviolent, amusing ways, and she would be his little mastermind.

Yes… Leon could already envision his Little Rose's genius orchestrating pranks from the shadows. He definitely wasn't maliciously chuckling. That would scare the poor girl, but a sinister grin was absolutely fair game.

….

The first opportunity to begin endearing Rossweisse to him was sent almost like divine providence. 

As they were cleaning and putting the room back to order at the end of the day, four slightly older girls came bustling and giggling through the door. 

What he assumed was the ringleader was the one to step forward and talk, dismissively ignoring Rossweisse out of hand.

"Little Fox! How would you like to come play some games with your big sisters?"

Leon was already internally twisting those words into something completely different. 

Dirty interpretations of playing games instantly sprung to mind… if only they were all several years older. Reluctantly letting go of opportunities, Leon addressed the group.

"I don't mind, but I need to help Rossweisse finish cleaning the room we used first."

The girls exchanged glances and a few quick glares passed over to the girl in question.

"I'm sure she can handle it by herself. Can't you, Rossy?" The threatening undertone was subtle, but still present behind the saccharine phrasing of the question.

"Please don't call me that. You can go, its fine." Rossweisse turned away from both the group and Leon and pretended to make herself busy. 

The young leader had a victorious grin spread across her face as she began to gesture for Leon.

"That wouldn't be fair to you, Rossweisse. I used the room too, so it's my responsibility to help." The leader's smile fell slightly. "If you'll tell me what room, I'll meet you there after we finish." The now slightly strained smile seemed to finally accept his words.

"Okay, we'll be in the music room. See you in a few minutes!" The group turned and left as one while Leon made himself busy once more.

"You didn't have to stay." Rossweisse finally spoke. Leon shrugged in response.

"I wanted to. I don't actually want to go play games with them. I'd rather sit in here and read with you until Freyja comes to get me, but I could tell they'd cause you trouble if I told them no, and I'm not yet ready to begin my campaign of terror." His last words caused her to look up in confusion.

"Campaign of terror?" Her confused tone was adorable. Leon nodded in enthusiasm.

….

If you want to read ahead by 5+ chapters from here you can check out my patreon.

[P].[A].[T].[R].[E].[O].[N]

http://patreon.com/Gameboyreal