"Congratulations on your graduation. I didn't have time to prepare anything fancy, so just take this."
"This is a charm from the Migurdia tribe. If you ever come across a demon who's difficult to talk to, show them this and mention my name. They might give you a little leniency... maybe."
Roxy gently brushed her hair aside as she spoke, clearly a little embarrassed.
Oh, come on, Roxy. What are you saying?
This is clearly a super rare and valuable artifact.
In fact, I've already decided—I'll take this with me when I meet my in-laws, as proof of our bond.
After a proper farewell, Roxy departed.
As I watched her walk away, I clenched the soft cloth tucked in my pocket, holding back tears.
Ah...
In this cold, uncaring world, only this soft pair of underwear still holds a trace of warmth.
Forgive me, Roxy.
I'll cherish this sacred item with my life.
That said...
I've probably possessed this sacred relic longer than Roxy ever did.
If someone were to use it as a summoning catalyst for the Holy Grail War, who would it summon—me or Roxy?
Probably both.
...
Roxy had set off on her journey.
Right now, I was just a small presence in her life. A passerby, perhaps.
But I was confident. Confident that I had left a lasting mark on her heart.
When we meet again in the future, I will make her happy.
That was my promise.
But for now, the days moved on.
One day, I brought up a suggestion to Paul and Zenith.
"I want to go for a walk outside."
"Outside? As in, beyond the yard?"
"Yes."
"Oh, oh... of course."
Paul seemed genuinely touched.
"You know, now that I think about it, I've never really given you much free time. I pushed you into learning magic and swordplay without asking how you felt. But kids need to play too, right?"
Finally figured it out, huh?
Honestly, for the longest time, I thought all kids in this world were under that much pressure.
But later I realized—I was only treated that way because I showed unusual talent. That's why they burdened me with such a packed schedule.
Still, I've never once regretted meeting Roxy.
And so, under the warm gaze of Paul and Zenith, I stepped out of the yard for the first time.
"If you want to be a real Greyrat man, come back with a girlfriend!"
Paul shouted after me.
Hey, hey, hey, is it really okay to shout that?
Zenith's face darkened.
Still, I couldn't argue—because I really did want to find a girlfriend.
Wait, no. Not a girlfriend.
My wife.
Sylphiette Greyrat.
Well... technically, she's still just Sylphiette right now. No "Greyrat" yet.
But I'll change that soon enough.
...
A few days passed.
I'd gotten to know the village residents fairly well.
As Paul and Zenith's child and Roxy's student, I had inherited their reputation and earned a bit of my own.
With that social groundwork in place, I went to the hill.
At the time and place I remembered.
"The demon race shouldn't be allowed in the village!"
A repulsive voice reached my ears.
Anger surged instantly, but I forced it down.
"Get out of here!"
"Take this!"
"Get her!"
Crossing the ridge, I saw it.
A small girl crouched in a shallow marsh, shielding a basket in her arms as three boys pelted her with mud.
Green hair. Petite frame.
Sylphy.
My wife. The one I owed the most.
The moment I saw her again, tears welled up.
When had I last seen Sylphy?
No... I'd rather not think about it.
That memory isn't something I want to revisit.
Let's move on.
I swallowed the rising fury and resisted the urge to launch a Rock Cannon.
Instead, I conjured mudballs and lobbed them from a distance.
"Waaah!"
"My eyes!"
"What the hell?!"
"Are you a demon too?!"
They turned their rage toward me.
Ungrateful little punks.
If I'd used Rock Cannon, they'd be six feet under by now.
You bullied Sylphy, and all I did was hit you with mud. Jesus would've wept at my mercy.
You should thank me.
...
Back in my previous life, people called me Rudeus of the Quagmire.
That title alone shows how far I'd mastered Earth and Water Magic.
Think of it like a certain oceanographer's spiritual successor—beating people half to death with exacting precision, leaving them just alive enough to regret it.
By those standards, what I did here was nothing.
Still, I'll admit it. I went a little overboard.
But I couldn't help it.
Even if I know these kids aren't evil, they still triggered some painful memories.
So... I made them suffer a bit.
As the three of them ran off crying, I turned my eyes back to Sylphy.
Her longish green hair, delicate nose, tiny lips, and porcelain skin—all of it made her look like a frightened rabbit.
The kind of fragile beauty that was breathtaking.
Hello? Hello?! What the hell was wrong with me in my past life? How did I mistake this beautiful girl for a boy?
Was I blind?!
"Are you okay? Did anything get on you?"
I knelt beside her, my clothes getting muddy, but I didn't care.
"U-um... I-I'm okay."
Sylphy looked up at me, eyes timid and uncertain.
Uh oh...
No good.
Little Rudy's reacting!
Just like the time at the Magic University when my ED got cured—Sylphy's very existence made my lower half respond.
But I'm only five!
Hold it in, Rudy! Don't let it show!
"Put your basket down and kneel by the stream over there."
"Huh? Oh... okay."
She looked confused but obeyed.
So obedient.
Even in bed, Sylphy had always been the type to follow my lead.
But only with me. Toward others, she could be firm.
I used a combination of Water and Fire Magic to create warm water and poured it gently over her.
"Wah!"
Startled, Sylphy flinched and tried to run.
But I didn't stop.
If you don't clean off the mud properly, you'll catch a cold.
I grabbed her slender wrist and gently washed her down.
"All done."
Her soaked clothes clung to her small frame, becoming semi-transparent.
That familiar silhouette...
Ahh!
No! Little Rudy, not now!
This is not the time for you to make an appearance!
I steadied myself.
Seriously, was this body—blessed with Greyrat blood—just completely defenseless against women?!