A Hero's Bond

Setting Out

AN: Hey there everyone. I hope most of you are doing well.😊Enjoy the next chapter to this story.😊

After spending the night at Erhard's shop, Naofumi purchased some new clothes for Raphtalia and even gave her a haircut. He even bought the raccoon girl a short sword since she's still too little yet to handle a long one. Erhard even offered new clothes for Naofumi to wear on his travels, but he turned down the offer and suggested he'll buy new ones later. Erhard knelt down to Raphtalia, petted her head and said, "You come back and visit again and I'll give you the best gear there is."

Raphtalia looked down at the ground shyly and nodded. Erhard then got up, looked at Naofumi and said to him, "Don't push her too hard, okay kid? Demi-humans like her aren't used to fighting big battles."

Naofumi nodded and said, "Don't worry. I'll take my time with her. I gave her a short sword to start with and when she gets bigger, I'll give a bigger one. We'll only fight smaller monsters to start with. They should be easier."

Erhard looked at Spot, who was on Naofumi's shoulder, and he said, "Maybe you should train your little monster friend too. Who knows, maybe he'll change his appearance."

Naofumi patted the balloon monster on the head and he said, "We shall see."

Once they said their farewells to the old blacksmith, Raphtalia and Naofumi set out. The first thing they did look around the market for any food or supplies they can take with them. Some of the stands were generous enough to give Naofumi what he wanted, while others were stingy and raised their prices on purpose. While Naofumi was shopping, Raphtalia noticed some kids kicking a toy ball around and her eyes widened in amazement.

Naofumi looked at Raphtalia and they looked at what she was staring at he saw she was staring at the children playing. He then asked her kindly, "Would you like one of those?"

Raphtalia looked at him after he asked that and she shook her head and said in a stutter, "N-No."

Knowing Raphtalia was lying and she really wanted a toy ball like them, Naofumi took Spot off his shoulder, gave him to Raphtalia and told her to wait by the crates. The raccoon girl was curious as she watched Naofumi walk away. Raphtalia sat on the crates kicking her little legs back and forth with a balloon monster on her lap and she let out a sigh and wondered what was taking Naofumi so long.

Just then, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching and she looked up and saw Naofumi approaching her with a toy ball. Once he was close, he held the ball towards her and he said, "Here you go. I bought this for you."

Raphtalia took the ball from his hands and she looked it over and then she looked at Naofumi and asked, "What do I do with it?"

Naofumi stood up and said, "You play with it of course."

He then walked back a little and said, "Here, kick it over to me and I'll kick it back."

Raphtalia placed Spot on the crate and she started the ball on the ground and she kicked it the best she could towards him. Naofumi stopped the ball with his foot and he kicked it right back to her. The two of them continued to play and kick the ball towards each other and when the ball reached Naofumi once more, he picked it up with the tip of his foot and started to kick it up and down.

He also dribbled it on his knees and bounced it on his chest a little and slid the ball back to the ground. Raphtalia watched in amazement and she asked, "How did you do that, Naofumi?"

Naofumi picked up the ball, spun it on his finger and said, "Back in my world, I was an ace soccer player. I practiced with my little brother all the time."

Naofumi gave the ball back to Raphtalia and she just stood there in amazement. Suddenly, the two of them heard a stomach growl and Naofumi saw the raccoon girl blush in embarrassment. He smiled at her and said, "I bet you!re hungry, huh?"