-Sylphiette-

  It was the day before the Sharia-bound group would depart Buena Village. I had been dreading its arrival, and that showed when I was practicing with Paul. I was getting sloppy, making mistakes I shouldn't, but I just couldn't focus.

  “Okay, stop.” Without even landing a blow, Paul ended the spar. “What's wrong? I've never seen you this out of it.”

  “Nothing.” I knew there was no point in complaining. I had been living off of the Greyrat's generosity for years. Even being Roxy's student was an unreasonable gift that I hadn't earned. Going to the University was out of the question, not that I really wanted to attend. Even joining their group would cause all sorts of issues with supplies. Better to just shove it down, drown it out with practice. “Let's keep going.”

  “Hmm...” Paul was staring at me. I felt uncomfortable. Whatever he was thinking, it was unsettling how intensely he focused on me. “How about we chat?”

  “About what?” I didn't mind talking. As long as I wasn't left with my own thoughts.

  “What do you want to do in the future?”

  “The future?”

  “Yeah. You're already sixteen. Surely you've put some thought into what you want to do?”

  “Not really. I don't have the means to leave town. I guess I'll join you and father protecting the village? It's the only thing I can do.”

  “Hey.” Paul gave me a serious look. “What you can do and what you want to do are separate things.” He could tell I didn't want to talk, but he was going to force it out of me. “What do you want to do?”

  “I...” I swallowed my words. It felt wrong to keep taking. I felt like I had never given back as much as the Greyrats gave. Still, Paul insisted. “I want to go to Sharia.”

  “And then?”

  “Huh?” I looked at him, confused. “Then, what?”

  “You're in Sharia. Now what?”

  “I...” Paul wasn't letting me take the easy way out either. I guess I'd just lay it all out. “I want to stay with Tea- with Roxy.” I could feel my face burning, admitting what I really wanted.

  “What next?”

  “Next?”

  “You're in Sharia. You're with Roxy. Are you going to just follow her around like a puppy?”

  “No! I don't want to depend on her.” I thought about the last five years. In fact, my entire life was being supported by others. “I want to support her.”

  “And how will you do that? Supporting both yourself and Roxy?”

  That push finally made me give my future serious thought. I had been so caught up on staying by Roxy's side, I hadn't considered anything beyond that. My whole life was focused on refining my skills. What could I put those skills towards. Then, I remembered the stories Paul shared with me all those years ago. I knew that Roxy had a similar past. It felt like the perfect work for someone like me.

  “I want to be an adventurer.”

  Paul smirked, pointing his sword at me. “Now, that's an answer.” Withdrawing his sword, resting the blade on his shoulder, he stared off towards his house. “I actually have a job perfect for an adventurer, but I'm not sure I can leave it in the hands of an Advanced North God.”

  “I'm also a Wind Saint.” I smirked. I had an idea where he was going with this.

  “Nah, I'll need a swordswoman at least as strong as Norn.”

  Norn had risen to the rank of Sword Saint, higher than even Paul had managed, when she mastered the Long Sword of Light. I hadn't bested her since. Even Paul struggled to keep up with her. There was only one way to prove I was her equal. “How can I become a North Saint?”

  Paul looked at me with pride. Then, a fire started to burn in his eyes. “The North God practitioners aren't picky about who rises in rank. If you can beat me, then I think you've earned the title.”

  I gulped. I still hadn't won a spar with Paul in years, despite trying my hardest. Not only that, there was another issue at hand. “Did you ever stop holding back?”

  “I won't be today.” Pointing at the horizon, he declared. “You have until the sun sets. If you can land a strike by then, you'll be a North Saint. Then, the job is yours.”

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  I could feel the mana surrounding him. He had long since been using his battle aura against me, but today it felt more solid. It was the same energy I felt when I was sparring with Norn. I could tell he was serious today. Taking up my sword, I readied myself. “I won't fail.”

  “Good!” With a shout, Paul lunged at me.

  Hours went by. The sun had sunken so low. There were minutes left until sundown. Sweat poured off of me. I had come so close countless times, but Paul always had some trick to evade my strikes. I felt I had one last push in me, before I'd have to accept defeat.

  “Sylphie.” Paul called my name. I looked him in the eye. He was smiling. “You got this.”

  “Right!” I rose, ready to claim victory. I knew Paul wouldn't hold back just so I'd win in time. I had to live up to his expectations. I needed to use every trick in the book to claim victory.

  I charge, striking quickly to lock him into blocking. I threw caution to the wind, using shortened spells to try and gain a foothold. Paul wouldn't let me though. He crouched down, swiping up some dirt and throwing it in my face.

  Coughing, I went on the defensive, barely keeping up with his heavy and swift strikes. I tried sidestepping, hoping he'd stumble, but his stance was too firm. His battle aura made every step sure and solid. My maneuver merely weakened my position, allowing him to knock me back. I barely avoided losing my footing. If I fell now, I'd have no hope of winning before the sun sank below the horizon.

  Glancing to the sky, I saw I had only moments left. Paul would be on me in a second. I decided to use my one trick he didn't know about. It was an all or nothing gamble, since he'd immediately adapt once he knew what I had learned. I lured him in, ready to end this.

  Paul began slashing at me, but I blocked, locking him into a stalemate. Sword against sword, I began to chant. Shortened as it was, Paul moved to strike. He lifted his boot, ready to kick me. As his foot shot forward, I went flying.

  A second's hesitation. A moment of confusion. That was all it took. I had shot straight up, wind magic lifting me into the air, despite my incantation not finishing. As Paul looked up, he slashed where I was, but another spell sent me over his head. Before he could turn around, one final spell sent me crashing to the ground. Following the last light of the sun as it dipped beyond the horizon, my blade raked Paul across the back. I had won.

  Paul began to laugh, turning to look at me. “Silent wind magic? When did you learn that?”

  “During Roxy's...” I panted, barely able to stand after expending so much mana at once. “...final test.” I fell to my knee, barely keeping myself from collapsing.

  “Well, North Saint Sylphie, you got the job. Make sure to protect my girls, alright?”

  “Of-” I choked, still struggling to catch my breath. “Of course!”

  Paul sat down in front of me. I took the chance to lower myself into a sitting position, which helped with my breathing. “I know you feel like you owe us a lot, but we helped you as a child. You're an adult now. That's a fresh start. You earned this job. You don't owe us anything.” He chuckled, before adding. “Although, you could repay us by visiting every once in a while.”

  “You won't be able to keep me away.” I smiled. The Greyrats were like a second family to me. I couldn't imagine not repaying them in some way, but I understood I couldn't let that hold me back.

  “There's one thing I want you to remember.” I sat up straighter, ready to pay close attention. “Make sure whatever girl you find treats you right.”

  Paul had a smirk that said he knew me better than I knew myself. I chuckled, before replying. “I'm certainly dashing enough.”

  “Damn right, you are!”

  The next day, I collected what few belongings I would need, said goodbye to my parents, and met everyone at the Greyrat estate. They had bought a carriage for the trip, which we'd sell in Sharia to cover part of Aisha and Norn's tuition. When loading up the ration and supplies, I asked about the extra resources we'd need now that I was coming along. Roxy informed me that we would simply hunt for meat and gather plants when we ran low. She called it 'good practice for an adventurer'. It seems her and Paul had discussed things the night before, so she already knew my plans of becoming an adventurer. When I mentioned wanting her to join my party, she seemed a bit surprised, but accepted without a fuss.

  After only an hour on the road, Aisha spoke up. “So, what kind of husband do you guys want?”

  Her sister looked at her with suspicion. “Why bring that up out of nowhere?”

  “Because I'm curious.” Norn and I both knew what this was about, which was confirmed when Aisha continued without a pause. “For me, I want a Cute man. A guy who's not too masculine. Someone confident and intelligent. He'll need to support me, even if he has to make personal sacrifices.” With a look of confidence, she turned to Norn. “What about you?”

  A bit bashful, her sister took her time replying. “I don't need to a guy who sacrifices everything for me. I'd rather be the one supporting him. I'd want someone who's mature. He needs to be handsome and brave.”

  “Sounds like you're describing daddy.”

  Norn, taken off guard, quickly added. “Most importantly, he has to only have eyes for me!”

  “Nice save.”

  “Shut up!”

  “What about you, Roxy?” Ignoring her sister's outburst, Aisha called out to Roxy, who was steering the carriage.

  After a few seconds, seeming to consider whether she should really join in, Roxy began describing her ideal. “I used to have a dream. I'd dive into a labyrinth, and find myself in danger. Then, I'd be rescued by a young adventurer. Tall, manly and fashionable. Then, once he suffered some tragedy, I would comfort him, as our love bloomed.”

  “That's so romantic.” Norn looked star struck. She had always been enraptured by tales of adventure, so it made sense she'd find Roxy's fantasy so appealing.

  “Romantic and foolish.” Roxy became more stern. “Once you enter a labyrinth, you'll understand how naive I was to dream of such an encounter. They are far too dangerous to expect anything so fanciful. A single mistake can result in death.”

  The carriage went silent for a minute, before Aisha set her curious eyes on me, looking to liven things up again. “Sylphiette, it's your turn. Who's your type?”

  “I don't have one. My experience with boys hasn't been the best...”

  “Oh, right...” Aisha's attempt to lighten the mood had backfired spectacularly. The ride was silent for a good while after that.

  I had lied. I knew exactly the type of person I would want. They were intelligent and caring, if a little clueless. Skilled and experienced, but still a bit clumsy. Despite their small stature, they had the worldliness to help me find my true self. Whether they were a man or not didn't really matter. I'd love them all the same.

  Part of me knew for a long time, but it felt good to admit this to myself.

  I loved Roxy