Re:Zero: No Job, No Magic, Just a Stupid Romance System

Luo Qixi hesitated and showed a reminiscing expression.

"I asked, and there were indeed several waves of bandits who went to the north. The only one that went south of the Red Dragon Mountains was this wave. They seemed to have a base for human trafficking and smuggling in the forest, so they gathered people to keep looking for your news. The news is here."

Alan narrowed his eyes.

"So you were worried that the bandits might have found Buena Village, and that the Greyrat family might encounter misfortune, so you hurried back to help if something unexpected really happened? Is that it?"

Luo Qixi glanced at Alan, then shifted her eyes and nodded.

"Yes, I'm also worried about Rudy. After all, he is my first disciple. So how have you all been recently? Has the village been harassed by outsiders?"

"No~"

"Is that so."

Alan looked at Luo Qixi, his expression darkening.

Another butterfly effect caused by my actions... But this time, it's tricky. If not handled well, it may even affect the future plot.

If Luo Qixi stays at the Greyrat family for another year or two out of concern, what will happen then? Will Rudy and I become adventurers with her to make money and then save enough to go to the magic university? In that case, the original plot would completely change. How would our childhood and adolescence be defined then? And what about Alice—will she even meet Rudy again?

No! I have to steer the story back to its original track. I need to use words to persuade Luo Qixi to leave as soon as possible, to minimize the butterfly effect.

"I see. So when you saw I was safe just now, you felt relieved because the thieves hadn't shown up after all?"

Luo Qixi nodded. She looked at Alan's solemn expression and assumed he was still worried about the thieves. She tried to comfort him.

"It seems that since we separated that day, you've been walking on the roads, so no trail was left in the forest. The thieves lost your trail and naturally didn't find Buena Village. You don't have to worry too much."

"Yes. It was indeed a false alarm. Will you still travel as planned?"

"Yes. I'll be relieved now that you're okay. I'll continue as planned."

". . . Is that so."

After saying this, the two fell silent. Luo Qixi lightly tapped her foot on the ground in embarrassment. She had rushed back in such a hurry, and now that everything seemed fine, she didn't know what else to say.

"Then—"

"By the way, how did you deal with those thieves who blocked your way?"

Luo Qixi was stunned. She frowned and turned to look directly at Alan, her expression tinged with slight anger.

"I killed them and disposed of their bodies. It's no pity that they died."

Alan realized there was a hint of distrust in his words. He had spoken without thinking, assuming Luo Qixi might have been too soft-hearted to kill. But it was unfair. She'd asked too many questions about Alan earlier, and if the thieves had followed her trail back to Buena Village, it could've been dangerous.

Realizing this, he lowered his head and apologized.

"I didn't mean that... But thank you."

Luo Qixi looked at him, smiled slightly, and tapped his head with the wand in her hand.

"After all, I used to be an adventurer. I wouldn't make such a mistake."

"Sorry."

The two fell silent again. After a while, Luo Qixi gently patted her own face.

"Well, now that I've confirmed you're safe, I'll leave and continue my journey. Goodbye, Alan."

Alan was stunned but deliberately kept the conversation on track. He just blinked and nodded.

"Don't you need to tell Master Paul and the others?"

"Ah, no need. It's too late. I'll leave now, and you don't have to tell them I was here. That's for the best."

After saying that, Luo Qixi looked up at Alan. The moonlight flowed in her pupils, and the corners of her usually cold lips curved into a smile like a crescent moon.

"But it seems that since we separated, you've been living well at the Greyrat family. You don't look as anxious as you did two months ago, and your attitude is much softer now. That's good—you've restrained some of your aggressiveness."

Alan looked up in surprise, staring at Luo Qixi who was gazing at him.

"Really?"

Luo Qixi nodded, observing his bangs and eyebrows in the moonlight.

"Yes. Your eyebrows have changed shape, your hair's grown longer, and your eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be. If I only relied on the wanted poster's description, I probably wouldn't recognize you right away. So you don't need to worry too much."

After she said that, she blinked. Alan hesitated to respond, and it seemed like he had no intention to continue the conversation.

Luo Qixi watched him quietly for a few seconds, then her smile faded. She turned around and gently waved at him—

Just like how Alan had done two months ago.

"Just as you said: in life, we'll meet again. And here we are, meeting again so soon..."

"Then, goodbye."

Alan was stunned, watching the hem of her robe flutter in the night wind. He subconsciously responded:

"Okay. Goodbye."

Luo Qixi turned and walked out of the yard. Alan's eyes followed her.

Under the moonlight, there were noticeable stains on her magic robe. Some areas were even rumpled from sitting. The boots that had been clean when they first met were now muddy. As she walked, a fallen leaf that had stuck to the sole dropped to the ground.

There were visible signs of wear on the heel of her boot.

Alan lowered his eyes and stared at her boots, momentarily dazed.

"Hey."

Luo Qixi paused and turned her head slightly to look at Alan. Her soft blue hair clung to her slightly sweaty forehead under the moonlight.

Alan looked at her, hesitated, and then seemed to suddenly give up. His shoulders relaxed, and he spoke with his usual lazy tone.

"Uh... I think you should come in and sit for a bit. Maybe stay a few more days. Rudy keeps saying he misses you and stuff. And..."

"And?"

"...Although life is full of encounters, meeting like this—so hastily—it kind of ruins the meaning of reunion, doesn't it? What's the difference between us and two random passersby? Uh, no, I mean... Rudy and the others have been with you for so long. Uh... How do I put this?"

Luo Qixi blinked as she watched Alan stumble over his words. Then she turned fully toward him and gently interrupted.

She replied with just one word:

"Okay."

Alan stared at her smiling face.

Suddenly, he felt that the moonlight tonight... was a little too bright.

Author's Note:

I wrote this plot to re-align the story line.

If Luo Qixi knew something had happened to the Greyrat family, she would turn back. Whether it was giving up her travel plan after the mass teleportation, or deciding to find the Greyrat family—remember, she once told Rudy that Greyrat was her second home.

This behavior is logically supported.

Returning just to see Alan was only one reason—not the main one.

But Luo Qixi is a romantic at heart (remember how she fell in love with Rudy during their reunion in the labyrinth). This kind of emotional, seemingly fated reunion under pressure is the true reason why she chose to stay a few more days.