Chapter 15
Roxy stood before Rudeus the next morning.
Serious.
Resolved.
"…Rudeus."
He looked up.
"…Yes?"
"…I may need to leave soon."
A pause.
"…Okay."
No resistance.
No surprise.
Because Rudeus already understood.
"…You're going to tell others."
Roxy froze.
"…You knew?"
"…Yes."
Silence.
"…Are you okay with that?"
Rudeus thought for a moment.
"…It doesn't change anything."
Because for him—
The world—
Didn't define his path.
"…I'll keep going."
Roxy looked at him carefully.
"…Even if others come?"
"…Yes."
That answer—
Was absolute.
Because Rudeus wasn't chasing recognition.
He wasn't chasing power.
He was chasing understanding.
And nothing—
Would stop that.
As the wind moved gently across the yard—
A quiet shift occurred.
The story had changed.
No longer a hidden anomaly.
Rudeus Greyrat—
Had become a presence.
One that the world—
Would soon have to face.