Focus, Ryuk! Don't let your mana waver!
I took a deep breath, keeping my connection to the flow of nature's magic steady as Lexi spoke.
"Hehe, you really are a quick learner, Ryuk!" Lexi praised.
"Thank you, Miss Lexi," I replied, keeping my voice calm and my mind focused.
"Now, keep holding this connection while talking to me. Don't let your mana get distracted, okay?" she said in her sweet, melodic voice.
Ahhh, finally, proper training! No drowning, no flaming arrows, no dad throwing me off a cliff in the name of 'reflex training'… just calm, peaceful learning!
"Yes, Miss Lexi!" I said confidently.
Lexi giggled. "When you fainted earlier, I was really worried. But you're quite the shy one, aren't you, Ryuk?"
Don't react, don't react, don't react…
"Well, when you were out cold, Asuna woke up. She's so adorable! Just like you~!" Lexi teased.
Darn it, focus, Ryuk!
"Ahh, Maria also told me that you gave her name and completed the rituals for her. You're really a dependable little gentleman, Ryuk."
I felt my mana flicker slightly, but I quickly stabilized it. Alright, I admit, that felt nice to hear… but no distractions!
"That was just my duty as her big brother," I replied, keeping my tone steady.
Lexi smiled warmly. "Fufufu~ How cute! You really are a charmer, huh?"
Okay, maybe a little distraction is fine… just a little.
"You know, Ryuk, nature and spirit elements are quite rare. People often underestimate them, but together, they form one of the finest and most powerful combinations," Lexi explained with a gentle smile. "Even with all seven blessings, mastering these two will be incredibly useful for you."
Yes, yes, I know, my dear Lexi! Your teachings helped me so much in my past life!
"Oh? Is that so, Miss Lexi?" I asked, keeping up my innocent act.
"Yup! Oh, and I checked on Asuna's aura—she has spirit magic too!" Lexi said cheerfully.
"Yes, I know! She actually has four elements, which is quite rare, Miss Lexi. I'm really happy for her," I said with a proud smile. "I hope that when she grows up, you'll teach her too!"
Lexi chuckled, ruffling my hair again. "Of course, Ryuk! How could I say no to such an adorable request?"
"Now, let's see how long you can maintain your control over nature magic and mana," Lexi said mischievously.
"Huh? I didn't quite get wha—" Before I could even finish, she suddenly kissed my cheek.
And just like that—BOOM! Nose Bleeding Ninth Form: Flying to the Moon!!!
I shot backward like a rocket, mana going haywire as I spiraled into the air. This is not training! This is straight-up bullying!!!
And I like it! I can't believe my fate is finally showing me this much mercy—this much happiness?! Oh, please, someone just stop time right here! I wanna relive this moment on loop!
In fact, if I could wake up every day and receive a blessing like this from Miss Lexi, I swear I'd become the strongest mage in history! Motivation? Found. Goal? Secured. Life? Complete.
"Hahaha, how cuteee!" Lexi giggled, covering her mouth as she looked down at me. "Hehe, sorry, lil' Ryuk! Did you get hurt?"
Before I could even respond, she effortlessly picked me up from the ground, holding me in her arms like I weighed nothing.
Hurt? Who cares about getting hurt? I'd take a thousand falls if it meant getting this kind of treatment!
"N-No, Miss Lexi, I'm completely fine!" I said, trying to act cool, but my red face and wobbly legs totally betrayed me.
"Now, Ryuk, we're going to learn how to use nature magic for our benefit," Lexi said with a playful smile.
Still recovering from my graceful fall, I quickly straightened up. "Y-Yes, Miss Lexi!"
She chuckled at my enthusiasm and gestured toward a nearby tree. "Nature magic isn't just about controlling plants and trees. It's about understanding the flow of life around you and making it work with you."
She extended her hand, and in an instant, the vines near the tree gently coiled around her fingers, moving as if they were alive. "With the right control, you can use it to protect, attack, or even assist in daily life. Now, try it!"
I took a deep breath, focusing my mana just like she had taught me earlier. I reached out toward a small plant—
Snap!
The entire plant shot out of the ground and smacked me in the face.
Lexi burst into laughter. "Pfft—Hahaha! Ryuk, that was more of an attack on yourself than a demonstration!"
Ugh, nature, why do you hate me so much?!
"You have to be one with nature, Ryuk," Lexi said gently, her voice carrying a serene warmth. "Just let nature have you. Forget everything else—your thoughts, your worries, your excitement—just feel."
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. The sound of the river flowing nearby, the rustling leaves, the warmth of the sun on my skin—all of it blended together into a peaceful harmony.
"Good," Lexi whispered. "Now, instead of forcing nature to move, let it guide you."
I extended my hand toward the vines again, this time not commanding them, but feeling them. Slowly, as if responding to my emotions, the vines swayed toward me, curling gently around my fingers.
Lexi clapped softly. "See? That's the difference between controlling nature and connecting with it."
I opened my eyes and looked at her, grinning. "I think I get it now!"
She smiled back, ruffling my hair. "Good. Now let's see if you can keep that focus when I mess with you."
"Huh?"
Before I could react, she poked my cheek and giggled. My concentration slipped, and the vines suddenly recoiled, slapping me lightly on the forehead.
Lexi burst out laughing. "Pfft—Hahaha! Looks like you still have a long way to go, my adorable little student!"
It's totally worth acting dumb—pretending I don't know how magic works just to enjoy the process. Heh, playing the clueless student is fun.
.
.
.
.
Just like that, another Eternis month arrived, and now, three days before Loveris Eve, I overheard Lexi having a very interesting conversation with my parents.
"Maria, Aldren," Lexi said seriously, "Ryuk has already mastered nature magic, and I want to take him on a small journey. I'll teach him spirit magic along the way!"
I nearly jumped with excitement. A journey with Lexi?! Learning more magic while traveling?! This is peak happiness!
But then—
"No."
Mom's flat rejection hit me like a lightning spell to the face.
Huh? Huhhh?? HUUHHHHH???
"Mom, why?! I want to learn more from Miss Lexi! I want to master spirit magic!" I protested.
"You are allowed to master magic," Mom said firmly, crossing her arms, "but you are not allowed to go on a journey. You're too young."
WHAT KIND OF LOGIC IS THIS?!
This is the same woman who—
Drowned me in a tsunami in the name of training.
Let Dad slice at me like he's the Demon King.
Allowed Meiroth and Benward to throw me around like a potato while teaching me explosion magic.
Literally had me sign royal documents with a THUMBPRINT at age three.
But NOW she suddenly remembers what responsible parenting looks like?!
Where was this energy when I was getting launched into the stratosphere by Meiroth's fire blasts?!
Dad tried to step in, "Maria, Ryuk is really talented. We should let hi—"
But before he could finish, Mom shot him the scariest death stare known to mankind. A stare so powerful, so menacing, that even the gods would hesitate.
Dad immediately shut his mouth, cleared his throat, and—switched parties.
"Oh, right! Ryuk, you're too young. No journey allowed!" he declared with full confidence.
Huh??? This is the same man who slashed at me with a sword like I assassinated a king! …Well, okay, technically, I did kill one in my past life, but that's beside the point!
YOU COWARD!!!
As I knelt on the ground, feeling the weight of betrayal crushing my soul, I accepted my fate… But then—Lexi pulled out the ultimate cheat code.
She leaned in and whispered something into Mom's ear.
"Maria, Asuna is still young. If she sleeps early, and Ryuk is away on his journey with me… then on Loveris Eve night, you and Aldren will have some quality time together~"
The moment those words left her lips, Mom's entire demeanor changed faster than a chameleon on a rainbow.
She clapped her hands together with the brightest smile and said, "Oh! On second thought, Ryuk should definitely learn more! And I trust Lexi completely—she'll keep him safe. Right, honey?"
Mom turned to Dad, who was still trying to process this sudden shift in reality. Not wanting to risk his life, he just nodded rapidly—like his survival depended on it.
And that's when I knew.
LEXXXIIII!!! YOU GODDESS!!!
I jumped at Lexi and hugged her tight, my heart bursting with joy.
Oh, my fate! I love you! You finally show me mercy, happiness, and now… a trip with my angel, Lexi!!!
Lexi giggled, ruffling my hair. "Hehe, calm down, lil Ryuk. We haven't even left yet."
But who cares?! I won! I actually won against Mom's iron will! And now, I get to go on a journey with Lexi!
Ahhh, life is good…
Lexi! Mom's strict voice cut through the air like a divine judgment, making both of us jolt upright like guilty kids caught stealing cookies.
"Y-Yes?!" Lexi responded, blinking in surprise.
Mom crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "My Ryuk is cute, adorable, charming, handsome, pretty, smart, skilled—oh, I can't even list it all in one go! So you better not lay a hand on my son!"
Oh, why, Mother? I would gladly love to be assaulted here…
Lexi chuckled mischievously. "Fufufu~ You can rest assured, Maria, I won't lay a hand on Ryuk."
Then, with a playful smirk, she leaned in and—Mwah!—kissed my cheek again.
"Heyyyy! Lexi, I told you not to!" Mom protested.
But Lexi just laughed it off. "Fufufu~ What can I say? He's too cute!"
…And me? Yeah, I fainted again.