Weed

Thanks to Phantomheart for editing. The third person perspectives are going to be written in past tense to be read like a story. Let me know if it sounds too weird.

“So, I heard you wanted to see me, that you were a light mage?” Rick asked the girl sitting at the opposite side of the table from him. In the small room, the two of them were left to talk.

“Yes.” The girl responded shortly.

Rick examined the girl sitting on front of him. He was surprised to see that she was actually the girl who had been staring at him during all his last matches. Even though sight of a hefty gladiator up close can easily be intimidating for a girl of her age, she was still maintaining her composure.

With silky long green hairs reaching her waist that showed signs of great care, a stylish white dress and an expensive-looking bracelet on her wrist that looked like a magic item, it was obvious that she was from a rich family. Even though Expergis was a country of beastmen, it wasn't impossible for a human to reach a high-ranked position. She must have belonged to one of those, or belonged to a rich family of beastmen that somehow cherished her.

'What are her intentions? Is she just a fortunate young lady who admires a gladiator?' Rick thought. Even though he liked children, he had no interest in dating a little girl, so he was going to refuse if it was her request. However, he felt like it would be something else.

“I heard you can use light magic.” Rick decided to ask what he was the most curious about. Even though his injuries were not life-threatening, they were still hurting, and he was going to give a good scolding to her for lying about her light magic.

“Yes.” Luxe responded shortly.

“If so, then can you show it to me? My whole body is aching from that combat.” Rick requested skeptically while extending his arm and pointing the wound on it.

Without a response, Luxe stood up and came to his side. Bending her waist, she put her small hand on an intact part of his chest, and Rick could feel the light mana flowing out of her.

'She was actually a light mage.' Rick was surprised. However, that was all there was to it.

'But she doesn't seem to be able to control it very well.'

It was natural to think that after all. All the healers Rick had seen used their light magic directly on the wounds themselves. The fact that none of his injuries showed any sign of getting healed yet was the proof of it.

However, he had to change his opinion the next moment.

With a warm sensation flowing within his body, all the wounds throughout his body started closing simultaneously. And before he could even speak a word, they were completely healed.

“What did you just do?” Rick asked in confusion.

“I healed,” Luxe responded, going back to her seat.

“But how...” did you heal so quickly? Was what he wanted to ask, but he couldn't finish his sentence. He had never seen so many wounds closing so quickly at the same time, even among the most competent healers he had seen.

“Light magic.” Luxe pointed her finger to herself and declared. With her expression not changing a single bit, it was difficult to tell if she was mocking him or was being serious.

“Yeah, I heard that already.” Rick couldn't ask any longer. What was going he to ask? How could she use such a high level magic? He already had witnessed her abilities, and it was rude to ask how had obtained them. She must have been one of the rare cases born with extreme talent, and if it was nurtured from the early stage of development, it was possible to reach her level. No, it must have been that way.

“Why did you come and meet me?” He asked.

After a short silence, she responded.

“How do you enjoy fighting?”

The question was too vague. Rick was confused about what she was curious about. There were many who admired his appearance in the coliseum, but the girl in front of him didn't show any expression like them.

“Can you teach me?” Luxe continued.

'Was she just one of them after all?' Rick wondered.

Rick didn't dislike teaching children. In fact, among those who were picked to become a gladiators, there were also little girls, and Rick taught them just like his teacher did for him.

He examined Luxe more closely.

Her green eyes looked like emeralds. Since they were not moving at all, they looked more like gems than eyes of a living being. With her white skin without a single stain and small but tightly shut mouth, she looked like a doll rather than a human being.

Her small arms and hands didn't have any callus nor muscle, showing no sign of her having trained physically. Her small build possessing no strength also appeared to be unfit for combat.

Since mana can reinforce one's physical abilities, it outer appearance alone wasn't enough to judge her strength. However, there was still a limit to it. After all, a stronger body reinforced with mana would naturally be stronger. If she was a light mage, she should have just focused with that.

'I need to refuse her request.' Rick thought.

However, it was also true that she cured his wounds. Thinking that he would pay her back for that and then politely refuse, he took out a few gold coins from his pouch.

“I'm sorry, but I can't teach you. You must have a great talent for light magic and you should train that instead.” Rick took Luxe's hand and put the gold coins on it.

“...”

Without giving a single glance to them, Luxe threw them away, her eyes still fixated on Rick.

Listening to the sound of coins falling on the ground, Rick frowned in confusion and annoyance. A girl who has lived a sheltered life thanks to her light magic was arrogantly insisting on learning from him. He felt like gladiators as a whole was being looked down upon.

Even though the outer appearance is that of glory and honor, only a few of them reached that point. Most of the gladiators died training, fighting monsters, or even during matches. Even himself, behind his bright facade he puts up on the front, how many times did he grieve the deaths of his colleagues?

“Listen, you have to show me your determination if you want to learn from me.” Rick decided to make an unreasonable request from her. The corners of his mouth curved slightly into a smile.

“I'll teach you if you can complete this small request of mine. Let's see, what about you give me the crest of a noble family, and ten thousand gold coins? No, I will even serve you as my master.” Rick continued. Even though top gladiators are praised with honor and glory, they were still bound by shackles. After all, Expergis didn't want those powerful fighters to go out of control. That's why the only way to free themselves is by choosing a master among the nobles of the country. However, he had no intention of serving her. There was no way that she would be able to get those for him. To start with, if he really wanted to serve her, she didn't need to give him the crest, but just show it upon registration.

The crest was the sign of honor for a noble family. On top of that, ten thousand gold coins were a significant amount even for nobles. Bringing those two basically means betrayal to the family that has been raising her and there was no way she would be allowed to do so.

Rick didn't know which family she came from, but hearing this request should have made her give up. As to respond to his expectation, Luxe slightly nods, turns away and walks out of the room.

“I'm glad that she is understanding, at least.” Rick murmurs, looking at the gold coins scattered on the ground. There should be no more reason for her to show herself in front of him. The fact that he couldn't pay her back bothered him, but it couldn't be helped since she didn't accept them.