Multiverse's Holy Right

Held in Scáthach's embrace, Roy felt as if he were being gently cradled by an elder sister, a mother, or a senior—a tender affection that made him reluctant to leave. Only the warmth of Scáthach's bosom could soothe his heart.

People often spoke of holding soft jade and warm fragrance in their arms, but Roy found himself in the opposite situation, embraced by Scáthach, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words to describe the feeling.

The atmosphere gradually grew melancholic. Roy wrapped his arms around Scáthach's waist, closing his eyes as if to etch her scent into his memory.

"Shishou, this sudden gesture is a bit unfamiliar to me," Roy murmured, his voice muffled. "...Did you foresee something again?"

Scáthach's Wisdom of Dún Scáith was truly mysterious. Roy only had a partial understanding of this ability she had gained from the depths. Undoubtedly, it held extraordinary power, not just in teaching and nurturing but in other aspects as well.

Scáthach gently stroked Roy's silver hair and said softly, "...I can already feel our 'bond' slowly fading."

Roy was about to say something, but Scáthach stopped him. "...It's not the complete disappearance of our 'bond,' just a temporary parting."

Hearing this, Roy fell silent. He didn't know exactly how long he had spent with Scáthach in the Land of Shadows, but if the timeless nature of that realm were taken into account, Roy was certainly no longer a boy in terms of age.

Every time Aisha used her Authority, she would spend several years in the ancient past. Though this time, the anomaly in her Authority was caused by the mysterious object in his right hand, it was likely that several years had already passed since he arrived in the Land of Shadows.

Roy knew that now might truly be the time to part with Scáthach.

"So it's time to leave," Roy whispered, his tone tinged with sorrow.

He had spent so many years with Scáthach, learning under her guidance. Though her teaching methods were harsh, it was precisely this approach that allowed Roy to attain such incredible power in just a few short years, overcoming all hardships to become the 'hero' Scáthach had envisioned—one who embraced his desires, faced them head-on, and forged ahead with unwavering resolve and courage against any foe.

"Don't be sad. I've taught you all I can. From now on, it's up to you. There's an Eastern saying: 'Teachers open the door, but you must walk the path yourself.' I think you understand this well, Roy," Scáthach said tenderly.

"...In the end, I won't teach you any more about martial skills. In that regard, I have nothing left to impart. Though I've trained many heroes, you are only the second to truly graduate from my tutelage."

"The other one is Cú Chulainn?" Roy asked bluntly.

"Hmm, that rabid dog on a leash. Apart from the two of you, no one has ever graduated from my hands. I once hoped he would fulfill my wish, but when he obediently embraced his fate and ascended as a heroic spirit, I truly stopped expecting anything from him. Cú Chulainn, the Child of Light, could never kill me again!"

Scáthach sighed as she spoke, her words tinged with regret for having already discarded Cú Chulainn.

Then, she hugged Roy's head tightly again and said softly, "...But now, I have new expectations. Roy, Roy Crowley, you are as extraordinarily talented as I am. You are like me—a godslayer, a cursed one, someone who has transcended their own fate. Now, only you can fulfill my wish. Don't disappoint your mentor's expectations!"

Roy fell silent for a moment. Holding Scáthach's slender waist tightly, he murmured, "...Shishou, do you truly long for death? Knowing yourself as you do, is this really your wish?"

"Hah... To be questioned by my disciple—I don't even know how to respond to that."

Scáthach tilted her head slightly, then suddenly grinned mischievously. "...Then, Roy, come and uncover your mentor's secrets. Seek out my true desires. Until you can stand before me openly, force me to go all out, and defeat me—don't you dare die! You are my last hope. If you die, then my life truly will have lost all meaning."

"Being suddenly entrusted with such a heavy responsibility—bearing the weight of your life—is putting a lot of pressure on me right now."

Roy took a deep breath, inhaling her orchid-like fragrance, and chuckled.

"Oh? Does my disciple need his mentor to help him... relieve some of that pressure?"

"Let's not. Shishou, you should take a look at the current situation. This isn't the time for more fighting."

As he spoke, Roy nuzzled deeper into Scáthach's embrace, adjusting his position to rest more comfortably against her.

"Shishou..."

"Hmm?"

"I remember reading in legends that you were once married and had children?"

"I don't know which version of the legend you're referring to. Perhaps some other Scáthach in some other world was married and had children, but that was definitely not me."

"I heard that any warrior you acknowledge is allowed into your private chambers?"

Roy wasn't sure what emotions drove him to say such words.

Scáthach raised her brows, her eyes glinting with amusement and allure as she replied, "...So you've finally voiced your desires, Roy! I can't remember if I've said this before, but I probably have."

"Then... before this, has anyone else entered your private chambers, Shishou?"

Roy asked curiously, a faint bitterness in his heart. He didn't want Scáthach to give him an answer he dreaded—likely the kind of longing a boy harbors for the girl next door.

"No. Before this, the only warrior I acknowledged was Cú Chulainn. But that mad dog ended up fleeing in terror, running out of the Land of Shadows like a stray..."

Scáthach could easily read Roy's thoughts. To her, he was still such a child, and so she answered him with a smile.

According to myth, while Cú Chulainn was far from a proper man—more of a rogue—his relationship with Scáthach had indeed been purely that of teacher and student. That much was certain.

Roy completely understood why Cú Chulainn had been scared into fleeing the Land of Shadows. In fact, he could relate. During Scáthach's brutal training sessions, he had often wanted to run away too. But now, with the Land of Shadows existing beyond the world's boundaries, escape was impossible. He had no choice but to endure the beatings.

"Then, Master... am I a warrior you acknowledge?"

Roy suppressed the excitement in his voice as he asked.

"I've already told you, haven't I? You've taken my shape. I've trained you into the form I most desire."

The moment Scáthach finished speaking, Roy flipped her over, pressing her shoulders down against the ground. Unflinching, he met her wine-red gaze, making his desires clear.

He could smell the faint orchid fragrance from her lips.

Suddenly, Scáthach smirked mischievously, her eyes flashing with cunning as she drove her knee into Roy's abdomen.

"Ugh—"

The sharp pain shot through him, but it wasn't enough to break his focus. Still, the sudden agony stiffened his body. Seizing the moment, Scáthach kicked him away, leaping up in an instant. Her hand transformed into a blade, slashing toward the vital point at his neck.

Seeing that she was serious, Roy—now honed by her training into pure instinct—reacted before his mind could catch up. He raised both hands, intercepting Scáthach's strikes. Within that confined space, the two resumed their battle, their four hands becoming a blur of motion—up, down, left, right—displaying their skill in the tightest of quarters.

But in the end, Roy was outmatched. Scáthach found an opening and struck his chest, sending him crashing to the ground. In the same instant, her foot lifted and stomped down, landing squarely over his heart with enough force to nearly shatter his veins.

Roy grabbed her ankle, trying to rise and fight back, but this time, Scáthach seemed truly serious. The leg pinning him down was immovable—no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't free himself.

Scáthach was now wearing her white casual outfit, her legs bare and smooth.

She bent slightly, making it difficult for Roy to exert any force, her delicate lotus feet pale as snow with faint blue veins visible on their backs.

Scathach's face was tinged with a faint blush as she gazed down at Roy from above, her demeanor as aloof as a queen. She spoke to him with haughty pride, "...You're still far from ready, Roy! If you want to enter your teacher's chambers, become stronger first!"

"...But let this teacher give you one final lesson while also helping you relieve some stress."

Her slender, sharp brows arched once more, her eyes brimming with amusement.

***

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