I feel a little frustrated."
On the way back, Sylphy said.
After I succeed, Sylphy tried as well.
After a failure, she succeeded in casting Water Saint Magic [Cumulonimbus].
But [Lightning] failed.
Failed, and she also depleted her magic power.
Looks like magic compression is extremely difficult.
I can do it, probably because I happen to have always been using it.
But Sylphy is clever, so I think she'll figure it out in a few tries.
"I still fail one out of five attempts."
Roxy said that to comfort Sylphy.
Even though it was easy for me, I think Sylphy's failure helped Roxy keep face...
From this, it seems that Sylphy's magic power exceeds Roxy.
Probably because she practiced so frequently as a young child.
But Roxy's magic power is by no means low either.
"Rudi did it on his first try. That's amazing!"
"Yeah, I thought it might be possible. But with such ease, I feel a little lost."
"..."
I don't know how to respond.
Indeed I have been practicing magic since 2 or 3, and worked hard to increase my magic capacity.
But even though, to reach this level, I have to chock up to my special constitution too.
I made effort, but I feel like I cheated somehow.
Thus, I don't know how to join the conversation.
No matter what, bringing my two exhausted wives home safely is my job.
And I should massage their shoulders when I get back.
No sexy time with them today.
They're tired.
"Ah, Rudi, look! It's so pretty!"
I look towards the western sky where Sylphy is pointing, where the crimson sun sets,
That kind of natural beauty is the same in any world.
"Ahh, how pretty."
No, you're prettier. I should be saying.
"Phew..."
Sylphy is tired too, she leans lightly against my body.
We should be home before night fall, but I should stay vigilant.
Right now, neither of them can use magic.
If a magic beast appears, I'll protect them.
So pay attention to my surroundings.
"... Recently, sometimes I wonder if this is a dream."
Roxy suddenly said.
Sylphy tilts her head in confusion.
"Dream?"
"Erm. Whether I'm still trapped in that Labyrinth, a sweet dream before I die, like that."
I stay on guard as I listen in on their conversations.
Those two chat slowly, with exhausted voices.
"The past half year has been wonderful. Married, becoming a teacher like I wished for. Even if Sylphy considered me just an hindrance, the three of us riding together like this, I can't help but feel blessed."
A hindrance, when she said that, Sylphy shudders a little.
"Eh? Hindrance? That's impossible. I'm happy to live at peace with Roxy. If Roxy wanted to take Rudi away, I don't think I can win."
Sylphy said without an ounce of confidence, because of that, I tighten my hug.
With one hand at the rein, as if to tell me "I know" she caress mine with her other.
"In my view, I was just lucky to meet Rudi when he was still young... If not, Rudi probably wouldn't even look at me."
"That's not..."
"If I haven't met Rudi, I wouldn't be alive right now."
If I haven't met Roxy and Sylphy when I was young.
What kind of life would I be living right now?
At least, without meeting Roxy, I might still be a shut-in right now.
If I never left, I would not have met Sylphy. After the Metastasis event, would I have survived the Magic Continent?
If I never met Sylphy.
Then I wouldn't have headed to Fortress City Roa.
Then I wouldn't have met Eris and Ghyslaine either.
But I might have gone to school.
On the magic side, sooner or later I would hit a bottle neck, and request to attend the Magic University at Sharia.
Maybe under different circumstances, Paul wouldn't demand that I wait until 12, and okay it right away.
But, Sylphy won't be there. Not even if I waited.
Perhaps I would still befriend Pursena and Rinia, and eventually even become lovers.
Then, after graduation head to the Great Forest to live with the Beast Race.
No, after the Metastasis Event happens, I probably would head back to Asura.
But I got a feeling that I'll still meet them eventually, and reunite with them.
In Science Fiction this would be called Cause and Effect.
In other words, fate.
Destiny.
"..."
I reach out my hands and hug Roxy and Sylphy together.
"Rudi..."
What has happened.
What hasn't happened.
What's important right now is just to cherish these two.
In the setting sun, we head home.