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

Allen,

How have you been recently?

In the blink of an eye, it's been almost a year and a half since we parted. I wonder if you've grown taller now? When I asked you before, you always insisted you were 1.6 meters tall—which was obviously nonsense. Rudy said in a letter that you're now half a head taller than last year.

He also mentioned that you told me your facial features are now very soft, and your hair can even be tied into a braid at the back of your head. It's hard to imagine just from a written description, but I'm really curious.

Continuing the topic from last time—

I've been exploring mazes repeatedly. Maybe because I always went alone, I've made a bit of a name for myself. I actually received an invitation from the royal family of the Kingdom of Xillong—they want to hire me as a tutor for the prince.

To be honest, I'm very tempted.

Before entering the maze last time, I followed your advice and discussed with Rudy how to enhance magic power. As expected, he's a genius. He suggested things I hadn't even considered. You really helped a lot.

According to Rudy, Sylphy has been officially promoted to Senior Magician. Her hair now reaches her shoulders. She's matured a lot, speaks less, but still seems to enjoy sticking close to you.

Although Rudy was a bit disdainful when mentioning it, I think it must be an amusing scene. Haha, Allen is still so popular with girls.

I heard Sylphy once asked if you'd like to keep your hair in a braid like mine, and you refused, saying something strange about "white hair should be shoulder-length." White hair? But Sylphy's is green. Maybe I misheard.

Anyway, congratulations to Sylphy from me. If three people send letters to the same place, the postage will triple. Once I've settled into the new job and have a steady income, I'll write more to her directly.

The Kingdom of Xillong has some very unusual customs. Some people ride elephants and wear turbans. I didn't find a suitable gift for you this time, but a few months ago while wandering in the capital, I found something beautiful.

In the rivers of the capital, there are many lovely pink flowers. Unlike the ones we usually see that grow from soil, these are supported directly in the water by broad green disc-shaped leaves. The petals are long and narrow. When fully bloomed, they're very pretty—they're actually the national flower of Xillong.

Well, I don't know if you'll like this. I've been using one of the petals as a bookmark. Since I couldn't think of anything else, I'll send it to you for now.

Hmm. Every time I write a letter, I always think I have a lot to say, but when I put pen to paper, I don't know where to start. So my letters always end up brief.

When will we meet next time?

If you want to reply, send one to the Adventurer's Association and another to the Xillong Palace—just in case.

—Luo Qixi

P.S. Don't keep calling me "Mama Smurf"!! What are you even thinking!? Am I that old?! You say it's a nickname, but do you think I'll be happy if you defend yourself like that?! It's really... so annoying!

Northern Asura Kingdom — Fitoya Territory, Buena Village.

Another year, another snowfall.

Last year, Allen read a letter as snow flew past the window. This year, it's the same.

But the knight's house is not too cold, thanks to the fireplace burning steadily.

Allen put down the letter, glanced one last time at the messy final lines, and couldn't help smiling. Luo Qixi's flustered expression appeared vividly in his mind.

"The original said demons aren't smart… but Qixi clearly has a very sharp mind. That must've been a lie."

He turned toward the window.

"Another year gone in the blink of an eye…"

Time had left obvious marks on his rapidly growing body. His once sharp but immature features were now more refined. Even while seated, it was clear he'd grown taller. His long hair was now tied in a short braid behind his head. The bangs on his forehead had been trimmed neatly, with soft curls hanging near his brows. His eyebrows had become gentler, and the once-sharp eyelids had softened, influenced by the warmth and joy of the Greyrat household. His expression, behind frameless glasses, now carried a scholarly calm.

Allen picked up the "national flower of Xillong" next to the letter.

A lotus petal.

There was no corresponding word in this world. It had been pressed into a book for a long time and turned into a dried specimen—preserved perfectly, without a single crack.

He gently touched the edge of the petal and then placed it beside Luo Qixi's "figurine."

He folded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and opened a drawer.

Inside was a thick stack of letters. Beside them sat a wooden box, holding crystal fangs, carved magic stones, exotic rope handles, and…

A grotesque-looking wooden figurine.

Despite having seen the doll many times, Allen couldn't help but stare again.

"What is this sculpting? Why not ask Rudy to make one with clay magic? And this woman still dares call herself clever…"

Since receiving her first birthday gift, Allen had replied with Batir silk flower seeds. From then on, they had naturally started exchanging small gifts.

He pulled out a blank sheet of letter paper. As he did, a yellowed, round leaf bookmark slipped out—used to separate old and new letters. He picked it up gently.

On its underside, in small, neat, carefully written handwriting:

"To Allen."

Allen's smile deepened.

He glanced outside at the snow and began to write.

Dear Blue Mother,

By the time you read this, it'll probably be a month later.

You've probably started your tutoring job in Xillong Kingdom. They offered too much for you to refuse. Knowing you, you must have thought it over carefully and followed your heart.

That's just like you.

I've heard that the princes of Xillong have all kinds of bad habits… spoiled from luxury, maybe. Don't compare their magic talent to Rudy's—it'll crush their confidence.

That's just professional advice.

As for the prince's character… I have no idea.

But if he dares to sexually harass you, please Flame Wrap him immediately. No hesitation.

About Sylphy's hair… you'll understand when you see her. She's better with shoulder-length hair, especially with her elf ears showing—it gives her energy.

Just like your pigtail suits you—it looks… (crossed out) decent and beautiful.

So, everyone has their own style.

As for that "white hair" comment, maybe the sun was too bright that day and made her hair glow.

And what do you mean "still popular with girls"? Were there a lot of girls around you before?

Or are you talking about Sylphy? Isn't that a bit of an illusion? She's still a kid!

About the flower—lotus, I think—I saw a picture in a book at the capital's museum. Though the leaves float on the water, they grow from the mud underneath. If you look closely, you'll find the rhizome.

You can even eat it after cleaning. It has a hole in the middle. Not much flavor, but if you soak it in sugar water, it's refreshing.

Try it if you're curious. Shouldn't be more poisonous than Batir silk powder.

As for the gift—I have no idea either—

Allen paused here.

Although he claimed he had no idea, he didn't seem troubled at all. He opened the window.

Snowflakes rushed in.

Allen quickly shut the window, brushing snow off the desk. Then he raised his finger.

In the air hovered a six-winged crystal snowflake.

He carefully guided it with the flow secret. In his slowed perception, it landed gently on the letter paper and melted, forming a perfect water mark in the shape of a flower.

The rough paper soaked the trace and dried quickly, leaving a "flower" embossed on the page.

Allen smiled and continued to write.

You gave me a petal, so I'll give you one too.

A snowflake from Buena Village.

Also, I like the evil god figurine you carved.

But don't carve another one.

As for the day we meet again…

Maybe under the stairs on a summer night? Or in a spring forest?

But whenever the moment comes, we'll meet when it's meant to be.

No rush. Just wait.

I call this feeling—expectation.

—Allen

P.S. There's no way I'm giving up calling you "Mama Smurf." It's a nickname—it has nothing to do with age! Isn't it sweet?

Allen paused, letting the ink dry. He folded the letter and slid it into the drawer—where his fingers touched a wrinkled scrap of paper, worn from being balled up and flattened again and again.

His smile faded.

He pulled it out.

It was filled with dense, repeating handwriting: three words over and over—

"Future Vision."

The original three lines beneath were completely buried.

Allen lowered his gaze and fell silent.

Outside, a baby's wailing broke the stillness.

"Why is Norn crying again? Rudy was so much easier at that age."

"No way, Mother—look!"

"See? Norn stopped crying!"

"Master Rudy really is sensible, just like when he was little."

"Waaaaah!!"

This time it was Aisha.

The noise pulled Allen back to the present. He balled up the paper again and threw it deep into the drawer.

Then he got up and headed downstairs.

Senis, now visibly rounder from pregnancy, was holding Norn to feed him. She smiled warmly at Allen as he came down. Lilia and Rudy, who had been trying to calm Aisha, nodded at Allen and turned to help Senis.

Allen walked over to the baby carriage.

Inside, the red-haired Aisha stopped crying the moment she saw him, her eyes sparkling.

Allen chuckled.

He had noticed this pattern before—Aisha would cry right after Norn, seemingly on purpose. She wasn't sad; she was just copying him to get attention.

She wasn't just clever—she was perceptive. That was her gift.

Allen leaned beside her crib and gently tapped her forehead.

"What, are you bored?"

Aisha reached up and grabbed his finger with her tiny hands.

Allen smiled, picked up a spoon, and made it float using the flow secret.

Aisha giggled, delighted.

After a while, Allen patted her head.

"Smart girl. When you grow up, be brave and speak up. Don't bottle everything inside, okay?"

She didn't understand, of course. But she laughed anyway, holding his fingers tightly.

Lilia glanced over with a gentle expression while changing Norn's diaper.

Outside, snow continued to fall, blanketing the world in silence.

—

At an inn in the Xillong Capital…

Luo Qixi stared at the moonlight, half-asleep.

On her table lay a stack of lotus petal bookmarks—most with flaws. Only one was perfect.

She sighed, slid the petals between the pages of her book, and closed it.

"Time for bed."

"I wanted to make a whole flower… but after months, only one is good enough. I wonder if Allen will like it."

She blew out the candle, took off her robe, and lay down.

From under her pillow, she pulled out something and held it as she drifted to sleep.

Moonlight shone on her hand.

She was holding a tiny wooden figurine—her own likeness, clumsily made, hands over its mouth in embarrassment.

Luo Qixi held the little doll close, her lips curled in a faint smile.

It was the deep winter of Year 413, Ankylosaur Calendar.

Allen had just turned eleven.

Rudy was six months away from seven.

Sylphy, two months.

Half a year remained—before the tutoring arc of the original story.

And with it, the end of their childhood.