Reincarnated As The Side Character

Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen: Student Against Teacher



Maxwell tightened his grip on the hilt of his mace, feeling the heavy weapon vibrate slightly as his hands clenched around it. His eyes stayed locked on Sidgroth, the legendary warrior standing at the opposite end of the training field. The sheer presence of the man seemed to fill the air around them, making the ground beneath Maxwell's feet tremble. This was it—the moment he had been both dreading and eagerly anticipating, the match against Sidgroth, where he would be pushed to his limits. Gladiolus stood beside him, his large body tense. The monster was no fool; he could sense the raw power coming from Sidgroth. Maxwell could feel his unease reflected in Gladiolus's eyes, this wasn't just any sparring match; this was a test of everything they had become.

Without wasting another second, Sidgroth suddenly appeared in front of Gladiolus, his movement so quick it was almost imperceptible. Before Gladiolus could react, Sidgroth's powerful leg shot out, sending the large beast flying into stacks of barrels. The air seemed to vibrate with the force of the blow. Sidgroth wanted to show both of them the importance of making use of their environment and of taking out the most troublesome enemy first. For Sidgroth, that meant Gladiolus.

Sidgroth didn't give up his aggressive approach though; he wanted to show that enemies wouldn't stop until the battle was over. He swung his warhammer once again, the weapon's massive head coming down. Maxwell managed to block the attack, the sound of metal clashing echoed across the training field. However, the force behind the blow was too much; it knocked Maxwell's mace from his grip and sent him staggering backward.

Gladiolus got up and, noticing his friend was vulnerable, started throwing the barrels at Sidgroth, using them as makeshift projectiles to keep the legendary warrior occupied. While Sidgroth was distracted with the incoming barrels, Maxwell quickly grabbed his mace and rushed towards Sidgroth from behind.

Sidgroth noticed this in the corner of his eye, and as the last barrel was approaching, instead of swatting it away with his warhammer, he caught it and threw it at Maxwell with a flick of his wrist. Changing his focus swiftly, Sidgroth moved quickly towards Gladiolus. The monster knew there was no shadow large enough to teleport to. He would have to face Sidgroth head-on.

As Sidgroth swung his warhammer, Gladiolus caught the weapon and tried to take it from his grip, but Sidgroth was too experienced to let that happen easily. With a sudden jerk, he pulled his warhammer back, bringing Gladiolus with it, just as Sidgroth was about to deliver a punch across the monster's face. In a quick response, Gladiolus countered by headbutting Sidgroth, stunning him for a split second. Using the opportunity, Gladiolus lifted Sidgroth off his feet and slammed him into the ground. Repositioning himself quickly behind Sidgroth, Gladiolus swung both of his massive arms at him in rapid succession.

"Not bad, Gladiolus..." Sidgroth said as he grasped both of Gladiolus's fists with his palms, squeezing tightly. Gladiolus tried to pull away, but Sidgroth's grip was strong. Just then, Sidgroth's eyes caught the movement behind Gladiolus. Maxwell had appeared, his mace raised and ready to swing. Realizing what was about to happen, Sidgroth let go of Gladiolus's fists, effortlessly avoiding Maxwell's attack at the last moment.

Sidgroth knew that taking both of them directly was not a wise move; it left him at a disadvantage. That's when he decided to take a gamble. He tossed his warhammer towards Gladiolus. The monster managed to catch it, but as he did, his massive arms immediately gave into under the unexpected weight. For a moment, Gladiolus struggled to keep his balance, and then he was brought to his knees. The warhammer was heavier than he had anticipated, forcing him to the ground in an unsteady kneel.

Sidgroth lifted his warhammer and took a quick, powerful swing at Gladiolus. Maxwell was quick to react, intercepting the blow with his mace. The force of the impact sent vibrations up Maxwell's arms, but he held firm, gritting his teeth as he pushed back against Sidgroth's assault.

Gladiolus quickly recovered, his movements fluid as he leaped from behind Maxwell. With a powerful leap, he lunged at Sidgroth. His presence becoming a blur of shadow and muscle. Maxwell could see the intensity in Gladiolus's eyes.

Sidgroth met Gladiolus with his own strength. Gladiolus knew Sidgroth was powerful, but the sheer power behind the warrior caught him off guard. With ease, Sidgroth lifted Gladiolus off the ground and sent the beast flying through the air toward Maxwell.

Maxwell's eyes widened as he saw the enormous body of Gladiolus heading towards him. Reacting instinctively, he tried to move out of the way, but there was barely enough time. Gladiolus's landing sent a shockwave through the ground, and Maxwell struggled to maintain his balance as the dust settled around them. The collision was so powerful that it nearly drove the air from his lungs, and for a moment, he feared that the impact would leave him incapacitated.

With a groan, Gladiolus pushed himself to his feet, shaking his head as he tried to clear the ringing from his ears. Maxwell was already up, his grip tightening around his mace.

"We can't match his intensity and aggressiveness, he's just too strong, Gladiolus," Maxwell said between breaths, his eyes never leaving Sidgroth as he studied the warrior's movements. "We need a lucky blow, a strike that knocks him out cold."

Gladiolus nodded, he didn't need words to understand the situation. Their best chance was a quick, powerful attack—one that Sidgroth wouldn't see coming. Maxwell could see the same resolve reflected in Gladiolus's gaze; together, they had to find a way to turn the tide of this battle.

Mari watched intently as Maxwell and Gladiolus continued to fight, her eyes narrowing as she subtly tunderstood their strategy. She quickly realized that without any form of power enhancing Ornament or energy based attacks, catching Sidgroth off guard with a powerful attack seemed nearly impossible.

While Maxwell and Gladiolus were struggling to find a strategy, they continued to fight Sidgroth. Gladiolus tried to ambush Sidgroth from the side, launching himself at Sidgroth. However, Sidgroth effortlessly dodged the attack and countering with a brutal swing of his warhammer. The force of the blow sent Gladiolus backwards, gasping for breath as the wind was knocked out of him. Maxwell tried to press the advantage, landing a few solid hits on Sidgroth, but each strike seemed to barely register against his armor. Sidgroth parried Maxwell's strikes and stepping into his range before Maxwell could react.

Sidgroth let out a deep chuckle as he effortlessly deflected Maxwell's latest swing with his warhammer. "I have to admit, kid," he said, "I expected more of a fight. This is almost too easy." His words were sharp, biting into Maxwell's pride as much as the force of his attacks bit into his body.

He swung his mace again, aiming for Sidgroth's side in a desperate attempt to turn the tide. But Sidgroth was ready. His warhammer moved, catching the blow mid-swing and twisting with such force that Maxwell's grip failed. The mace flew out of his hands, landing several feet away with a dull thud.

"Let this be a lesson for you," he said, "remember this pain, kid. It'll teach you more than any words ever could." Without hesitation, Sidgroth brought his warhammer down in a sweeping arc. Maxwell barely had time to raise his arms in defense, crossing them in front of him to absorb the impact.

The moment the warhammer connected, a shockwave erupted from the sheer power of the strike. Even though Maxwell managed to block it, the force was overwhelming. Pain shot through his arms and chest as the blow launched him off his feet, sending him flying backwards like a ragdoll. He hit the ground hard, skidding to a halt several meters away.

For a moment, Maxwell lay there, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His arms throbbed painfully, the dull ache of bruising already setting in. He forced himself to sit up, wincing at the effort. Sidgroth stood where he had struck, the warhammer resting casually on his shoulder. "Get up," Sidgroth said, "the battle's not over yet."

Maxwell looked around the training field, looking for anything that could shift the odds in their favor. Among the scattered debris and broken barrels, his gaze locked onto a large, rusted piece of sheet metal lying near the far edge of the field. An idea began to take shape. It was big enough—big enough to cast a shadow, to create the cover Gladiolus needed to use his Ornament effectively. If he could maneuver it into place, it might be the opening they needed.

Maxwell's breaths were more controlled as he honed in on the plan forming in his head. It wasn't perfect, far from it, but it was their best shot. Gladiolus's ability to teleport had been rendered nearly useless under the sunlight of the open battlefield. But with this makeshift shade, even for a moment, they could change the odds of the fight.

"Gladiolus!" Maxwell shouted, he pointed toward the sheet metal, his tone firm and resolute despite his exhaustion. The beast turned its eyes toward the direction Maxwell indicated, quickly understanding the intent behind the gesture. Gladiolus gave a low growl of acknowledgment.

Maxwell wasted no time, pushing his body into motion. His legs burned with every step as he sprinted toward the sheet metal, his heart pounding in his chest. The uneven ground beneath him threatened to trip him up, but he kept his focus locked on the target. Every second counted.

Sidgroth's eyes followed Maxwell's movements, his expression shifting from amusement to curiosity. He paused, momentarily lowering his warhammer as he watched the younger warrior sprinting with apparent desperation. "What are you up to now, kid?" he muttered under his breath.

The sight of Maxwell pointing to a piece of scrap metal only deepened Sidgroth's confusion. He couldn't immediately decipher their plan, but he wasn't about to let his guard down. "You think that's going to save you?" he called out, whatever they were planning, he intended to crush it before it could gain traction.

However, before he could take off after Maxwell, a blur of muscle and claws collided with him. Gladiolus tackled Sidgroth with full force, driving him a few steps back.

The beast wasted no time on theatrics, launching a relentless barrage of strikes with his massive arms. Each swing was like a hammer blow, wanting to overwhelm Sidgroth with brute force. Every hit sent ripples through his body, but Sidgroth stood firm, his expression calm and unreadable.

Sidgroth's instincts quickly pieced together Gladiolus's intent. The monster's attacks were wild, unrefined, and lacked his usual precision. These weren't strikes meant to take him down—they were meant to stall him, to buy time. A low growl of irritation rumbled in Sidgroth's chest. "So that's your game, huh? Not a bad plan," he muttered, his voice carrying a tone of approval. "But you'll have to do better than that."

Sidgroth countered, he waited for the moment Gladiolus overextended one of his swings, and then struck. Using the hilt of his warhammer, he drove it upward into Gladiolus's jaw. The blow was precise and devastating, snapping Gladiolus's head back and sending the massive beast staggering.

The impact brought Gladiolus crashing to one knee, his head lowered as if the world itself had gone silent for him. For a brief moment, the battlefield seemed still.

"You're not slowing me down that easily," Sidgroth said, his gaze narrowing as he took a step forward, his warhammer slung over his shoulder. Time was a luxury Maxwell wouldn't have for long.

Blood dripper down Gladiolus's head, Sidgroth began sprinting toward Maxwell.

But then came the sound of heavy footsteps pounding against the ground behind him. Gladiolus, the monster's tenacity had yet to waver, and Sidgroth could hear the beast's charge closing in. He narrowed his eyes, his instincts warning him not to ignore it. Just as Gladiolus was within range, Sidgroth pivoted, swinging his warhammer in a sweeping arc to catch the beast mid-charge.

The blow never landed.

Gladiolus dipped low at the last moment, his monstrous body tackling into Sidgroth's legs like a battering ram. The force of the tackle knocked Sidgroth off his feet, sending him crashing to the dirt. Dust exploded into the air, Sidgroth let out a grunt.

What happened next was pure feral instinct. Gladiolus, reverting to the raw, primal nature of the beast he once was in another universe, ignored his wounds and blood-soaked fur. He slammed his clawed hands into the earth, digging deep until the ground splintered and cracked beneath his grip. Muscles rippled and strained as he let out a roar, his arms pulling with monstrous strength.

Sidgroth realized what was happening, but too late.

With a deafening crack, Gladiolus lifted an entire slab of the earth itself, the ground Sidgroth was lying on heaved upward like a massive plate. The sheer power tore it free from its place, dirt and debris raining down as the massive chunk of land was held high into the air. For a split second, Sidgroth's body was carried with it, his balance thrown completely off as the slab continued to rise.

With an animalistic growl, Gladiolus's muscles flexed once more, and he threw the chunk of earth into the sky. Sidgroth's body stuck along with it, momentarily weightless as the battlefield stretched far below him. Dirt and rubble trailed behind like the tail of a comet, leaving Sidgroth suspended in the air.

The silence was brief, but it was there. A moment of disbelief, a monster reclaiming its roots.

Gladiolus lowered his bloodied head, his chest heaving with exertion as he stood tall. Maxwell, clutched the sheet metal, watched in stunned amazement. The beast wasn't just a loyal ally, he was a force of nature.

Gladiolus growled, his body coiled like a spring as he launched himself into the air, his massive body flying toward the massive slab of earth as it began its descent. With an explosive crash, he slammed into the chunk of dirt and stone, shattering parts of it with raw force. Yet he didn't stop. Using the impact as momentum, Gladiolus lunged again, throwing his entire weight toward Sidgroth, who was still suspended midair.

The battlefield seemed to blur as Gladiolus repeated the relentless assault—each strike was a thunderclap. He tore through the slab of dirt piece by piece, lunging and rebounding with animalistic fury. Sidgroth, still airborne, took all of the full brunt of each attack.

And then, Sidgroth saw his opening.

The moment Gladiolus lunged once more, Sidgroth swung his warhammer. The weapon slamming into Gladiolus's chest. Gladiolus's body staggered backward. Before the beast could recover, Sidgroth didn't let up.

Sidgroth swung again, his warhammer moving as if weightless in his hands. Blow after blow hammered into Gladiolus's chest with devastating power, each strike deeper and heavier than the last. The monster's confident growls turned into pained growls as the attacks pummeled him midair, leaving him defenseless in Sidgroth's grip.

Finally, Sidgroth shifted his hold, wrapping one powerful arm around Gladiolus's upper body to lock him in place. The warhammer came to rest against Gladiolus's chest, its cold weight pressing down like an immovable object. Sidgroth grunted, the two of them locked together, and began their rapid descent.

From below, Maxwell's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the scene unfold.

Gripping the large sheet metal, Maxwell held it upward, holding it high above his head. Casting a shadow large enough for Gladiolus. He called out with all the strength he could muster.

"Gladiolus!"

The monster's eyes flicked open at the sound of his name. Though pinned and battered, Gladiolus's gaze snapped toward the shadow that now stretched across the battlefield. The monster lips curved upward, resembling a grin, this was the opening Maxwell had created.

With a low growl that rumbled in his chest, Gladiolus's body rippled like ink. Before Sidgroth could react, Gladiolus vanished into shadow, his body dissolving into ethereal darkness that flowed out from Sidgroth's grip.

Sidgroth landed heavily on the ground, his boots digging into the dirt with a loud thud as dust erupted around him. The warhammer slammed into the earth with force, but the weight it had pinned was gone.

Maxwell let the sheet metal drop slightly, a small grin at the corner of his lips as he whispered under his breath, "That's more like it, Gladiolus…"

"Take a break, Gladiolus, and hold onto that sheet metal," Maxwell called out, his voice steady despite the exhaustion settling in. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and turned his gaze toward Sidgroth. "We're going to need it. I'll buy you a minute, make it count."

Gladiolus gave a low growl in response, his body still aching with fatigue. The beast walked toward the fallen sheet metal, dragging it slightly before steadying it with his massive arms. He crouched low, ready to recover while keeping an eye on the battlefield.

Maxwell exhaled and turned to Sidgroth, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the fight. His fingers gripped the hilt of his mace tightly. Despite the ache in his muscles and the pounding in his chest, he smiled.

"Looks like you were right, Sidgroth," Maxwell admitted. "Luck really isn't going to help me here."

Sidgroth's warhammer rested casually against his shoulder, though there was nothing casual about the way his gaze bore into Maxwell. His steps were slow, and for a brief moment, he tilted his head, regarding the boy in front of him.

"Then prepare for your defeat, kid," Sidgroth said bluntly.

Maxwell's grin widened, "Not yet. I might still have a trick or two up my sleeve," he shot back.

Sidgroth's expression remained unreadable, the composure that Maxwell couldn't shake. Sidgroth said nothing this time. Instead, he began to walk forward, each step seemed heavier than the last.

Maxwell swallowed, but his grin didn't falter. He adjusted his grip on the mace, his knuckles turning white. "I just need to hold out…" he thought.

Sidgroth's warhammer shifted in his grip as he picked up his pace.

"Time to see if those tricks of yours are worth anything, kid," Sidgroth said.

Maxwell gripped his mace tighter as Sidgroth closed the distance. Maxwell took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

The moment Sidgroth reached striking distance, he lunged, his warhammer carving through the air with a force that Maxwell could feel even before it landed. Maxwell sidestepped at the last second, the warhammer slamming into the ground and sending a shockwave through the earth.

Maxwell retaliated instantly, swinging his mace in an upward arc toward Sidgroth's exposed side. The attack connected, but Sidgroth barely flinched, his body seemingly unaffected by the blow.

"You're going to need more than that, kid," Sidgroth said.

Maxwell gritted his teeth and jumped back, narrowly avoiding a sweeping strike from the warhammer that would've knocked him off his feet. He adjusted his grip on his weapon, watching Sidgroth carefully. "I can't match his power. I have to rely on speed and precision..."

Sidgroth didn't give him the chance to think further. He rushed forward, closing the gap faster than Maxwell anticipated. The warhammer came down again, and Maxwell was forced to block with his mace. The impact echoed through his arms, nearly making him drop his weapon.

"Come on, kid. Show me you've got more fight in you!" Sidgroth taunted, stepping forward and swinging his warhammer in a wide arc.

Maxwell ducked low, the warhammer passing just inches above his head, and countered with a quick strike to Sidgroth's knee. This time, the blow caused Sidgroth to shift slightly, but not enough to slow him down.

Sidgroth grinned. "Not bad. But you'll need more than cheap shots to win."

Before Maxwell could retreat, Sidgroth pivoted and slammed the butt of his warhammer into Maxwell's chest. The force knocked the wind out of him and sent him stumbling backward. Maxwell hit the ground hard, his vision blurring for a moment as he struggled to get back up.

Sidgroth stood over him, raising his warhammer for another blow. Maxwell rolled to the side just as the weapon smashed into the ground, dirt and debris flying everywhere.

"Keep moving, Maxwell!" he muttered to himself, forcing his body to respond despite the pain he felt through his chest.

Maxwell scrambled to his feet and circled around Sidgroth, trying to find an opening. He swung his mace at Sidgroth's back, but Sidgroth spun around intercepting the attack with his warhammer. The force of the clash sent Maxwell's mace flying out of his hands.

Unarmed, Maxwell instinctively ducked as Sidgroth swung his warhammer again. Using the momentum of his movement, Maxwell lunged forward and slammed his shoulder into Sidgroth's torso. It wasn't enough to knock him down, but it created enough space for Maxwell to retreat and grab his weapon.

"You're persistent. I'll give you that," Sidgroth said, watching as Maxwell readied himself again.

Maxwell wiped sweat from his brow and grinned. "You haven't seen anything yet."

Sidgroth chuckled. "Good. Show me what else you've got."

Maxwell rushed forward, his mace swinging in calculated strikes. Each blow was blocked or dodged by Sidgroth, but Maxwell kept the pressure up, forcing Sidgroth to stay on the defensive.

Finally, Maxwell feinted a strike toward Sidgroth's shoulder, causing him to raise his warhammer to block. In the split second Sidgroth's guard was up, Maxwell spun and delivered a solid kick to his side.

Sidgroth staggered slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before it was replaced by his usual calm expression.

"That's more like it," Sidgroth said, regaining his balance. He tightened his grip on his warhammer and stepped forward, his presence more intimidating than ever.

Sidgroth's grin widened as he regained his footing. "Not bad, kid. But let me remind you why I'm the one teaching."

Before Maxwell could fully brace himself, Sidgroth ran forward, faster than Maxwell expected. The warhammer came down with terrifying force. Maxwell barely managed to dodge, the ground cracking under the blow. He swung his mace in retaliation, but Sidgroth dodged with ease and slammed his shoulder into Maxwell, sending him stumbling back.

Sidgroth didn't let up. He closed the distance again, his warhammer was a blur of motion. Maxwell blocked the first strike with his mace, but the impact began to take its toll his entire body, numbing his arms. The second swing came low, sweeping Maxwell's legs out from under him.

Maxwell hit the ground hard, his mace slipping from his grasp. He rolled to the side as Sidgroth's warhammer slammed into the dirt where he had just been lying.

"Get up!" Sidgroth ordered, his voice commanding. "You can't win on the ground!"

Maxwell scrambled to his feet, but Sidgroth was already on him. A powerful strike from the side sent Maxwell skidding across the field, his body dragging against the dirt. He coughed, trying to catch his breath, but Sidgroth gave him no time to recover.

With a burst of speed, Sidgroth appeared in front of him, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground.

"You've got spirit, but you're predictable," Sidgroth said, his tone almost mocking. He threw Maxwell with ease, crashing into the ground a few feet away.

Maxwell groaned as he pushed himself up. Sidgroth stood tall, his warhammer resting on his shoulder as he watched Maxwell struggle to rise.

"In the real world, kid. Strength, strategy, endurance—it all matters. You don't win by hoping for a miracle," Sidgroth said, his voice was cold but not demeaning.

Maxwell wiped the blood from his lip and forced himself to his feet, determination in his eyes. "Maybe not. But you taught me to never give up."

Sidgroth chuckled. "Good. Then show me you've learned something."

Maxwell tightened his grip on his mace. He wasn't done yet, and neither was this fight.

Sidgroth noticed Maxwell was subtlety engulfed by a golden aura. He sighed hoping he wouldn't notice it too soon. "Ah, did you notice?" Maxwell grunted, his voice strained as he swung his mace with all his might. "I was hoping to keep that a secret."

"What is that, kid?" Sidgroth demanded, his warhammer swinging to meet Maxwell's attack. "I know that isn't your aura when you use your luck Ornament."

Maxwell didn't answer. Instead, he focused his energy, channeling the force of every blow he had absorbed throughout the fight into this one attack. His eyes locked with Sidgroth's as he swung his mace hard enough to forcefully create an opening for himself, leaving both of Sidgroth's arms wide open as he blocked the attack.

While training, Maxwell had discovered another way to use his new Ornament, Energy Absorption—allowing him to convert physical blows into raw power. He had suffered countless hits during the fight, but now he was using that suffering to his advantage. Each punch, each block, was fueling the energy radiating from his mace.

"Gladiolus, throw the sheet metal high in the air!" Maxwell yelled, his voice urgent. "This is where we win!"

Gladiolus, understanding the plan immediately, threw the large piece of sheet metal up above their heads. The golden aura surrounding Maxwell intensified as he took a deep breath, readying himself for the final phase of the battle.

"I'll show you, master," Maxwell roared, his eyes fierce as he lifted his mace higher, allowing the energy to glow brightly. "You can be proud of this student!"

Sidgroth's eyes narrowed as he watched the sheet metal soar into the air. "Beush'd!" he activated his Ornament. Despite being able to dodge, block, or counter, Sidgroth chose not to. He wanted to see if Maxwell's gamble would pay off, if he could truly land a decisive blow.

Maxwell took a deep breath, focusing all his energy into the glowing mace he held. He swung it once, connecting with Sidgroth's chest the force of the collision pushed Maxwell back, but he quickly recovered and tossed the mace into the air with all his strength.

"Gladiolus!" Maxwell shouted, his voice loud enough to be heard across the battlefield.

The beast understood immediately, as he teleported to the shadow cast by the sheet metal. He caught the descending mace in one massive hand, his eyes burning with fury. Without hesitation, Gladiolus swung the weapon with all his might.

The impact was brutal. The mace connected with Sidgroth's face, sending blood flying as he staggered backwards, crashing to the ground. Sidgroth's knees buckled under the force of the blow, the weight of the attack enough to make even him stagger.

"Good job, you two," Sidgroth said as he suddenly appeared behind Maxwell and Gladiolus. "Making me use my Ornament, but that's your first and last mistake…"

"Both of you get a passing grade. Once you wake up, I'll mostly be headed off to Magnolia, but don't worry. I'll be sure to call you every now and then to check in on Calla Lily," Sidgroth added.

"Wha—?" Maxwell started to turn around, his, but Sidgroth with a swift, almost casual movement, he struck both Maxwell and Gladiolus, knocking them unconscious. As their bodies slumped to the ground.

Sidgroth lifted both of them up and carried them to the infirmary, calling out, "Hey girl, can you please follow me for a second?"

He gently placed Maxwell on one bed and Gladiolus on his own unique bed. Sidgroth stayed by their side for a moment, "Hey kid, just so you know, I'm already proud of you and Gladiolus," he said quietly.

"Mari, can you heal them and be sure to check up on them every now and then?" Sidgroth asked.

"Y-yes sir, as you wish…" Mari replied, her voice barely audible.

"Maxwell's a good kid, you know," Sidgroth continued, "I can see why you have your eye on him." His eyes met hers, meeting her blush with a knowing smile. "Once he wakes up, tell him I left for Magnolia. I'll be sure to call him, so just make sure he does his daily patrol around town."

Mari nodded, her blush deepening as she hesitated, then managed a shy smile. "I will," she whispered.

"I better get going then," Sidgroth said, "I hope not too much changes while I'm gone. See you later." With a final glance at Maxwell and Gladiolus, he stepped out of the room.

Now, with Sidgroth gone, the town of Calla Lily was solely under Maxwell's and Gladiolus's protection...


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