Legend of the Immortal

Only If

"What?!" Rica shouted, pulling away.

"Look, I didn't tell you this sooner but I'll tell you now." Belle sighed.

"I originally came here five years ago for vacation. This was my one and only goal. I have a hundred thousand years to roam the world, doing whatever I please. It may seem like a lot right now but after everything adds up, it isn't much. Hell, who knows, some accidents may happen in the near future and I won't be able to even travel for a hundred. Anyway, I'm planning to leave today. I originally wanted to take you along but- after seeing you. After all...this...I know you don't want to leave so suddenly...so...I..."

Rica was dumbfounded.

She had never once asked Belle about why she was here in the first place, she had always just assumed there was something she had to take care of or that she was just one of those people who left work to those under themselves.

"Teacher I- I can go!"

"Silly girl, I can't bring you along. From a single look, I can tell you've fallen for 'im. Now don't deny it, you may think it's impossible in your heart right now, but face it, calling me to save him and sounding so desperate? In the past year, i've taught you calm you heart, to stay calm even in the face of death itself. Now, do you think it's so easy to make you worry so much? Besides, I can tell you, that guy, he's a keeper. Likes you too. Even now, he's still staring at us, mostly you."

"Love...what a wonderful thing. It makes you willing to die for someone whom you've fallen for even if they aren't of your family. Life's too short Rica. Who knows when you'll die? Today? Tomorrow? A hundred years from now? A thousand down the road? If you don't pursue this...feeling in your heart, this sensation, you'll regret it next time. Who knows when you'll find it again? Rica, Rica, Rica. Youth is a thing many lust for. If you waste it like that, you'll remain single forever, never finding anyone. It's better to take a shot and lose than to never take the shot in the first place! Experience life for it's moments, live through your first love! The awkward moments of love,the sweet, the bitter! It's the little things in life that make people want to keep living you know?" Belle says to Rica, looking at Rica as if she were a younger version of herself.

She didn't want to ruin Rica like she had herself.

Rica was someone who was genuinely young, innocent and pure while she herself was the oldest person around and the strongest.

This meant she had gone numb to 'love'.

Sure, she had experienced some in the past but now, she wasn't even interested.

Belle remembers the past and says to Rica with a heartfelt tone, a faraway look in her eyes,"This, love. I have experienced it countless times in my lifetimes. Beautiful queens, superpowers of great guilds, Empresses of nations bowing by my room, awaiting my orders. Many people once had held a special place in my heart. All of them had differing reasons for wanting to be with me. Be it a plot to steal my throne, to control me from the shadows, some whom have genuinely fallen for me, one night stands, forbidden affairs, one sided loves. All these, and more, I have experienced many a time. Like a story with a beginning, it has an ending. Some ended up being killed off in battle, the ones who plotted against me, I killed. Those who left with unwilling hearts, those who left with willing ones-content with what they had. They're all dead now. Everyone last one of them. Even if I wanted to meet them, I can't. [Sword Goddess], [Empress Snow], [Sacred Queen], I had several suitors, you name it. Love's fantastical, once you fallen once, the heartbreak drives you to find it once again and if it happens again, the desire gets even stronger. Each one different from the last. Admit to it my dear disciple. Your mind may deny it but-" Bell pointed to Rica's heart,"Deep, deep down there? You know. You know the truth. You've fallen for a boy, and he, you. Go for it, take the initiative. The next step. Hell, if I were him right now, I'd have interrupted us to propose to you by now. Tsk. Only if he'd stop being such a giant coward. Such a fine woman like my disciple, who wouldn't want?"

Rica blushes, knowing in her heart she had accepted her newfound love for Jamie.

"Teacher...so mean..." Rica punches Belle gently on the shoulder, still crimson red in the face.

"If teacher really wants me to...you know...I will listen to teacher." Rica told Belle.

Belle clapped her hands excitedly together,"Finally! I was thinking you'd reject my opinion and-" Belle was interrupted by Rica.

"Only if. Only if teacher waits. This disciple wants to decide what to do."

"Indeed, very well. It'll be like this then. Five years Rica. Just for you. Five years to decide. After five years, you have to decide what to do. In this time, experience life carefree. Do what you want. After five years? I'll ask once more." Belle says to Rica with a gentle smile.

"Nn! I will treasure this chance I have been given!" Rica shouts.

"Stay here. I'll get that rascal to come to you. A man should take the first step!" Belle tells Rica before speeding to Jamie's side.

-----

Jamie, Owens and Eleanor were sitting by the side waiting for Belle and Rica to finishing taking when Belle had appeared at Jamie's side.

Jamie jumped as he noticed a face appearing suddenly in front of him.

"AHH!" He screamed.

Pulling Jamie down, Belle started to talk,"Listen kid. No need to lie. I know you like Rica."

Jamie's eyes widened to the size of moons.

"Was it that obvious?..." Jamie asked Belle bashfully

"To me, who had lived years longer than the collective age of all of Nature Hill's citizens combined? Yes. Yes it was. Anyway, back on topic. You like her yes?" Belle spoke.

"Nn...I...I like Rics. She's the most beautiful, the most funny and lovely person I've ever-"

"Hush! Leave that for her. You see her right there?" Belle said to Jamie, covering his mouth with her hand while pointing to Rica.

Jamie's eyes wandered to where Belle pointed.

There Rica stood, two legs pressed together, hands clasped in front of her, a blush on her face.

"She likes you. So what I want you, pretty boy, is to stop being the coward here and be a man for once. Take the first step. Go!" Belle told Jamie.

Eleanor and Owens had heard what Belle said.

Smiling to each other, they knew that both of them liked each other but never interfered, wanting it to happen naturally.

Now, Belle had stepped in forcibly and made the magic happen.

"Y-you sure? You really think she likes me back?..." Jamie asks Belle apprehensive.

"Oh lords, must you youngsters be so dense? Yes she likes you! I'm sure of it! Now go!" Belle says irritated, pushing Jamie towards Rica.

Turning to Eleanor and Owens, she says with a smile,"Enjoy the show."

Both of then smile at Belle, approving of her.

Partly because of her actions.

Turning from a monster who could rip apart countless trees without any protection to an innocent looking girl, looking younger than they were.

Fear and admiration were the most prevalent emotions within them.

Such power, who wouldn't lust for?

The three of them sitting down on the ground, looked towards Rica and Jamie talking with Belle casting the rank three spell, [Eavesdrop] on the other two to listen in on them.

The two of them giggled as they sat there, listening secretly into their two teammates find their first young love.