Chapter 3

Morning

Ryu opened his eye to see Shiro's feet in his face causing him to sigh as he got out of bed and got dressed.

Putting his cloak over his shoulders Ryu shook Shiro awake, "Wake up Shiro, the wave starts in little bit."

Shiro groggily got up before stretching causing Ryu to stare for a moment before shaking his head.

"We have less than an hour before the wave starts, so we're going to the town square where most people are gathering for when the wave begins." Ryu said as they left the room.

Walking outside Ryu wasn't surprised when he saw large amounts of people waiting for when the wave starts.

As time passed Ryu watched as the sky suddenly turned red before he and Shiro found themselves standing in a forest.

Looking to the sky Ryu saw portals appear and monsters start to fall from the sky before a few dozen skeletons landed in front of them. "Alright Shiro, let's have some fun." Ryu saw as he disappeared with his umbrella in its gun form and started mowing down the skeletons.

Shiro smiled as she knocked off skeletons' heads while Ryu mowed them down with ease.

After destroying the skeletons Ryu noticed a village near where the wave had appeared, "Shiro, we're going to check the village to see if everyone has evacuated."

The girl nodded as they ran towards the village and Ryu could hear the screams of people telling him that they didn't evacuate.

"Shiro I want you to evacuate the villagers and kill any monster that stands in your way. I going to take care of the monsters invading this village." Ryu said as the two split up.

Making his way to the center of the village, Ryu found dozens of monsters before seeing one about to strike a man down as he disappeared and reappeared behind the monster and cut off its head.

"Alright people, I need you to leave while I take care of these monsters!" Ryu shouted.

"Both the shield and umbrella hero are here to save us!" Shouted a villager as they ran away.

'Naofumi is here?' Ryu questioned before seeing the person in question running from a horde of monsters chasing him.

"Naofumi! Lead them to me!" Ryu shouted grabbing Naofumi's attention as he ran towards Ryu.

Ryu made two cuts along his forearms as blood scythes formed surprising Naofumi, "Get behind me!"

Naofumi jumped behind Ryu as he suddenly vanished as a blur moved through the horde of monsters.

Seeing Ryu behind the horde, Naofumi looked in awe as all the monsters fell to the ground dead as Ryu walked back to him with his blood scythes receding.

"Looks like you got the same idea and came to check if the village had evacuated." Ryu said with Naofumi nodding before a villager came up to them.

"Heroes! We've decided to fight alongside you after seeing how you fought bravely. This village our home and we won't abandon it." The villager said.

"Good, keep the enemy pinned until the evacuation is complete." Naofumi said with the villager nodding as a shadow loomed over them.

Ryu saw a giant monster over them before its head was suddenly launched from its shoulders.

As the monster fell Ryu saw Shiro standing behind it with a smile on her face, "I got all the people out with Raphtalia Ryu-kun." Shiro said.

"Great job. Now the rest of you leave and go see your families!" Ryu shouted as the men left.

Not a moment too soon as the men left the village a volley of flaming arrows fell from the sky.

Ryu used his Sonido to dodge the arrows while Shiro gracefully dodged the arrows or caught them if they got too close.

Looking to Naofumi, he saw that he and Raphtalia were protected with Naofumi's shield.

After the volley stopped Ryu saw a bunch of soldiers enter the village. "We burned them all at once." Said a soldier as he looked to see Naofumi.

"Well if it isn't the shield hero. Your quite tough." Said the soldier.

Ryu couldn't help but glare at the soldier, "They didn't even know if the villagers had left and would have killed them if I hadn't told them to leave."

In that moment Ryu's eye turned black as he disappeared and reappeared in front the leader of the soldiers with his umbrella on his throat as he drew blood.

He saw Raphtalia had the same idea as her sword clashed with another soldier's, "Did you know Naofumi-sama was here when you launched your attack?"

"I want to know if you knew the villagers left before your attack or did you think of them as necessary sacrifices. If I don't like the answer your blood will stain the ground, you stand on." Ryu growled out.

"Y-you think you'll get away with threating me?" The captain stuttered.

"I will if I kill you and your men and they will think you all died in battle." Ryu answering scaring the soldiers.

"Ryu, you and Raphtalia just stand down, they're not worth it." Naofumi said.

His eyes turned back to their natural color as he scoffed and let the captain go with Raphtalia doing the same.

"That's right, behave yourselves and we won't be force to make mistakes." Said the captain.

"Says the pitiful coward of a man, who was about to piss himself." Ryu said angering the captain.

"I could behave myself by watching morons like you become monster food." Naofumi said with a cruel smirk seeing a horde of monsters behind the soldiers.

"Don't falter! G-get in formation." The captain just as he about to crushed by a giant monster only for Naofumi to save him as Raphtalia killed it.

"I would have let that corrupted asshole die." Ryu said as he and Shiro stood beside Naofumi and Raphtalia.

"I would have, but it would make me no better than them." Naofumi said.

Ryu shrugged, "To each their own." He said.

"Listen! We'll buy you time to get into formation.! Let's go!" Naofumi shouted as the four started fighting the army of monsters.

"Let the shield and defective handle this! We are heading to where the three heroes are!" Shouted the captain as the soldiers started to leave.

Ryu growled seeing the soldiers leave as he cut down monster one after the other.

"Support the heroes! Phalanx formation!" Shouted the soldier that had stopped Raphtalia.

Ryu looked to the soldiers that stayed behind and smirked, "I guess they're not all corrupted." As he cut down another giant.

After they had cut down all the monsters Ryu noticed the sky was normal, meaning the wave was over.

"It looks like it's over." Ryu said with Naofumi nodding as a couple of villagers walked towards them.

"Heroes! Thank you so much for helping us. We wouldn't have made it without you." The man at the head of the group said.

"Thank your lucky stars. Not me." Naofumi said.

"Your wrong. Both of your presence is what helped us survive so we could live another day and for that we will never forget what you have done for us." Another man said as they all bowed to him.

Ryu clapped Naofumi on the back, "Good job, you even showed them you are not the man from rumors."

"Thanks." Naofumi said as Ryu left him and Raphtalia alone.

"Umbrella hero, thank you for saving this village, and also don't forget to come to the banquet at the castle where you are to be rewarded for your bravery." Said a young-looking boy in armor.

"Thanks for the info kid." Ryu said before he went to find Shiro.

It didn't take long to find her hanging upside-down from a tree branch eating a cookie. "So Shiro did you get hurt anywhere?"

She shook her head as she jumped out of the tree, "Nope."

"Good. We are going to a banquet to get our reward from the king." Ryu said.

"Do we have to?" Shiro whines.

"Yes and there will be a bunch of sweets there." Ryu said.

"Ok, I'll go." Shiro said causing him to shake his head.

A few hours later Ryu found himself in the castle staying away from the crowds while Shiro got as many sweets as she could.

He looked to a corner and saw Naofumi doing the same thing while Raphtalia was bringing him food.

"Maybe I should get another party member. One that could use magic as a distraction, that or illusions." Ryu said to himself.

'Though I would have to get a slave one because the rumors surrounding me and Naofumi is keeping everyone from joining my party. Stupid red-haired bitch.' Ryu thought.

His train of thought was ended as he heard his name being called. Ryu looked to see Motoyasu glaring at him with Myne smiling.

"What did the arrogant ass say Naofumi?" Ryu asked pissing Motoyasu off.

"I heard how Raphtalia and Shiro are your slaves." Motoyasu said.

"And what if they are? Raphtalia is my slave while Shiro is Ryu's. So what?" Naofumi questioned.

"Naofumi's right, I have never needed to use the slave crest since I think of Shiro as more of a partner. So what are you getting at?" Ryu asked.

"It is not right to enslave others!" Motoyasu declared.

"It doesn't matter slavery is legal in this country." Naofumi stated.

"Besides you heroes are probably the only ones who care about slavery being wrong. After all most slaves in this country are demi human like Raphtalia." Ryu stated.

"But we are heroes, we can't behave that way here!" Motoyasu spouted.

"That is your opinion and one that very few here will back." Naofumi said.

"Both of you fight me, and if I win you will free both Raphtalia-chan and Shiro-chan." Motoyasu declared aiming his spear at Naofumi.

"And what if we win?" Ryu questioned.

"We will leave things as they are." Motoyasu stated causing Naofumi to start leaving while Ryu laughed.

"I don't know about Naofumi, but I'll accept if you're willing to give up the reward you would get for fighting during the wave." Ryu stated.

"You can do it Motoyasu, you can beat this defective hero and free Shiro." Myne whispered to Motoyasu as he accepted the deal.

Ryu glared at the king as he forced Naofumi to fight Motoyasu or they would take Raphtalia from him.

They tried to grab Shiro only for it to end in 4 unconscious guards and Shiro standing beside Ryu before whispering something into her ear.

"Instead of two battles how about only one. Naofumi, if you let me, I will fight for the both of us." Ryu said.

Naofumi knew Ryu had a better chance at defeating Motoyasu than he did, and he had seen his skills during the wave, "Alright Ryu, you had better win."

"You got it." Ryu said as he was lead to a room filled with different weapons.

"The duel between the spear hero and defective hero will now begin! This duel will end when one of the combatants is pinned or admits defeat." Said the announcer as the door to the arena opened.

Ryu walked out and saw many people watching the fight, he smiled when he looked further up and saw Shiro sitting on the structure above the king giving him a thumbs up.

"This duel will take place in the presence of King Melromarc and the pope and in such legitimate and official." The announcer called as Ryu met face to face with Motoyasu.

"Be a man and admit defeat Ryu. How are you going to win with such a pitiful excuse for a weapon?" Motoyasu said.

"Where would be the fun in that." Ryu said as he grabbed his umbrella while Motoyasu got into a stance.

"Ready! Begin!"

Motoyasu started running towards him causing Ryu to sigh at how slow he was.

Right as his spear had about hit him Ryu disappeared and reappeared behind Motoyasu and knocked him away before appearing in front of him and kicking him 10 ft back.

"You're too slow to hit me." Ryu stated.

"Chaos Spear!" Motoyasu shouted as he started jabbing at Ryu at high speeds.

Ryu grinned as he dodged each of his strikes before, "Falling Flower Palm!" As he palmed Motoyasu's stomach as flower petals fell and Motoyasu was launched away.

Motoyasu coughed up blood as he jumped back and stood his ground before he was round housed kicked in the face launching him into a pillar.

"You go Ryu-kun! You beat that meanie!" Shiro shouted.

"You got it Shiro!" Ryu shouted back with a smile as he reappeared in front of Motoyasu and used his umbrella to knock him into the air before slamming him back to the ground creating a small crater.

"I would have thought you would be more of a challenge." Ryu stated.

"The defective hero is a cheater using his weapon's power to brutally hurt the spear hero." Said a random woman.

"What do you expect from a defective hero, no respect for the sanctity of a duel?!" Shouted a man.

Ryu grinned, "So if I defeat your precious spear hero without my weapon will you believe it was a fair fight and not argue about me cheating?" He asked.

"Of course hero, if you defeat the spear hero without your weapon, I will see this as a fair fight." The king stated with a smile.

"Then I'll prove I gave him a fighting chance by giving him this handicap." Ryu said attaching his umbrella to his back just as Motoyasu tried to stab him on his blind side.

Ryu spun on his heel as he felt the spear centimeters from his face as he swept Motoyasu's feet from under him and jumped back to allow him get up so he could beat him down again.

Making two cuts along his forearms, he made his blood scythes shocking Motoyasu before Ryu disappeared and multiple cuts appeared on Motoyasu's body.

Ryu reappeared behind him kicked him knocking him off his feet as he stood over him. "It looks like I win." He said before sensing an attack causing him to jump to the side as it hit Motoyasu leaving him even more damaged.

Ryu smiled at the look of horror on Myne's face.

"Now admit defeat Motoyasu. I beat you without you touching me once, now say it." Ryu said with his blood scythe underneath his chin.

Motoyasu could only lower his head, "I admit defeat." He said.

It was like music to Ryu's ears ignoring the booing he was getting from the people in the stands.

"Though you have one won fairly, I am still the king and have decided to remove that wretched slave seal on your party members." The king stated smiling.

"It looks like that a king can't keep his part of the deal, but it doesn't matter cause they left." Ryu stated causing the king and Myne to look at the guards holding Raphtalia were unconscious and she and Naofumi were nowhere in sight.

"To think royalty would interfere with a duel, I mean where is your honor. Also don't you find it weird that when I had Motoyasu on the ropes suddenly jumped to the side for no reason and Motoyasu got hit by wind magic that was intended for me?" Ryu questioned.

Ren and Itsuki couldn't help but agree with his statement, "But it doesn't matter now, I won, and I hope you are honorable Motoyasu by keeping your side of the deal." Ryu said.

Shiro dropped down with a smile and hugged Ryu, "You did it, you beat the meanie!" Shiro said delighted.

"With that good night to you all." Ryu said taking a bow as he wrapped a hand around Shiro's waist and disappeared just as soldiers converged onto them.

Ryu gasped as they reappeared in their room at the inn, "I got to train to use Sonido long distances."

He then looked at Shiro with a grin, "So how did it go?" Ryu asked.

Shiro pulled out a small bag that jingled that signified that there were coins inside, "Everyone was watching the fight, so no one was guarding the treasury." She said handing Ryu the bag.'

"I saw this shining in the treasury and grabbed it." Shiro said handing Ryu a crystal ball.

"Great job, and the king has so much money he won't know he is missing some pocket change." Ryu said as he counted 100 gold coins.

"I saved a village, taught that arrogant Motoyasu humility and stole from the king. I'd say that today was a great day." Ryu said as he handed Shiro all the cookies he had left on him before going to sleep.

Morning

As Ryu woke up, he found Shiro laying on his chest with cookie crumbs all over her face causing Ryu to chuckle waking her up.

Shiro blinked groggily as she unknowingly straddled Ryu and stretched bringing a red hue to Ryu's cheeks before it faded.

"So what are we doing today?" Shiro asked.

"Well I'm going to get my reward from the king and Motoyasu. After that I need to see if I can't get a slave that can do magic, and lastly we are going to leave this kingdom and go explore the other countries and kingdoms." Ryu answered.

He then handed her bag of 100 silver coins, "I want you to go to the cookie shop and get as much as you can get with that for our journey. I will get our money from the king and then go to the tailor's shop since the slave will probably need new clothes." Ryu said as Shiro cheered hugging Ryu before bolting out the door.

Ryu shook his head with a smile as he got dressed and left the inn ignoring all the whispers that about his battle with Motoyasu and the glaring they were doing.

Walking into the castle and into the throne room Ryu saw the other heroes there and saw Motoyasu avoiding his gaze while the soldiers had tightened their grip on their weapons.

"As a reward for your efforts during the wave and for fulfilling my request, Motoyasu-dono will receive 4,000 silvers. Itsuki-dono and Ren-dono will receive 3,800, and lastly as agreed upon, I have set aside 500 silvers for the shield and defective." The king said as they were handed their money.

As Motoyasu grabbed his reward it was suddenly gone and in Ryu's hands, who tossed it in the air and caught it with a smile. "Nice doing business with you Motoyasu and if you ever want to fight me again just ask and I'll be happy to curb stomp you just like last night. You want to know something else I wasn't even going all out." Ryu stated with a grin.

"That money belongs to Motoyasu-sama!" Myne cried out.

"It was, but your boyfriend lost it all in the battle last night. But don't worry I would think daddy would love to reimburse him." Ryu said with a grin as he snatched the 500 sliver that came for fighting in the wave.

"I would think 4000 thousand silver would be enough defective hero. Also you will be handing that back for ignoring my order to free your slave." The king stated with a smile.

"My motto is 'enough is never enough' and think of this as the fee for trying to break the deal by trying to take the seal off Shiro." Ryu said giving the bird infuriating the king.

Just as Naofumi was about to grab his money the king gave a bullshit reason as to why he couldn't have it only for Ren and Itsuki to defend him.

"Now that you two have your money leave here already." The king stated.

Ryu didn't have to be told twice as he disappeared from the throne room, but not before telling Naofumi that if he needed to see him before he leaves, he would be with the slave trader.

Reappearing in front of the giant tent Ryu walked inside, "Well if it isn't the umbrella hero. The one who defeated the spear hero, what can I do for you today? Are you in need of another slave?" The creepy man asked.

"Yes I am actually in need of another slave. I need one capable of being able to use magic and an experienced one at least and if not then I will find someone who can teach them." Ryu said.

"I have a magic user though she is an odd one." The man said as Ryu followed him further into the tent.

"I will tell you that it took a dozen men to catch this one. Though I must warn you that your reputation will further sink if you buy her." The man said as they stopped at a cage.

The person in cage looked like a regular human, a girl with long white hair and blue eyes that held a blank expression. She wore tattered rags that did nothing to hide how endowed she was and the seal on her stomach.

"This is Mirajane, the strangest of my collection." The man stated.

"I thought it was illegal to have a human slave." Ryu stated.

"That is the thing, she isn't fully human. It took some time and I found out that she is half demon and half human." The man stated.

"What did she do to that could cause her to lower my reputation?" Ryu asked.

"Well Mirajane here attempted to assassinate the king and the princess." The man said.

"I can't blame her, if given the chance I would probably try and kill those two. Mira here probably has a logical reason why she tried to kill them." Ryu stated causing the girl to look up at him with shock that someone would stand up for her.

"Alright, how much will she cost me?" Ryu asked bringing a smile to the creepy man's face.

"Taking into account her combat ability and high level. Though there is also the fact she will have the king's soldiers chase you since she did try to murder royalty. It will cost you 1000 silver." Said the man.

Ryu shrugged, "Alright" as he pulled out the correct amount and gave it to the man, whose smile widened.

"Now what is that seal on her stomach?" Ryu questioned.

"This girl here has the ability to absorb demons and become one. That seal is what is keeping her from transforming." The man answered.

"Now let's get that slave seal on her and your free to go." The man said.

Already knowing what to do Ryu cut his finger and dropped some blood into a bowl before having it stirred.

"Though is a pleasure doing business with you." The man stated as he drew the seal on her.

"Don't forget to take off the seal on her stomach." Ryu stated

"Of course." The man grinned as he removed Mira's seal on her stomach.

Looking at his status Ryu saw that he hadn't learned a spell, but he did receive a high resistance to dark magic.

"Now is it alright if I call you Mira?" Ryu asked.

"My opinion shouldn't matter since I'm your slave, so you can call me whatever you want." Mira stated before seeing Naofumi enter.

"Hey Ryu, thanks for making sure they couldn't take Raphtalia away." Naofumi said grateful.

"It was no problem and I had fun beating Motoyasu up." Ryu chuckled.

"Yeah, that was great to see, but also I was told that the woman from the magic shop wants to see you." Naofumi stated before looking at a set of eggs that were sitting on a table.

"This is probably the last time you'll see of me for a while so good luck on your journey." Ryu stated as he left with Mirajane.

"Who was that guy?" Mira asked.

"That was the shield hero Naofumi." Ryu stated with Mira looking at him with wide eyes as they walked to the tailor.

"How do you know the shield hero?" Mira asked.

"Well I'm one of the only people that has supported him after the king accused both of us raping that bitch princess." Ryu stated with gritted teeth at the end.

"Who are you?" Ryu looked at her with a smile as they stood in front of the tailor's shop.

"I'm the defective hero, now here is 50 silver to buy whatever clothes you want. After your done meet me at the magic shop and we can start our journey." Ryu stated not noticing her eyes widen.

"You trust me to not to run and what about the soldiers, if they see me then we'll have tons of them after us." Mira stated causing Ryu to smile.

"I don't really see you as a slave, but a party member and that means I have to be willing to put my trust you, so this is a start. That and the seal was made so you really can't run away." Ryu stated.

Mira couldn't help but look at him with shock as she looked in his eyes and saw he was telling the truth.

"Why would you trust a demon?" Mira asked.

"I have nothing against demons, they have done nothing to gain my ire. Afterall my other party member is a demon. Now we can talk after you have some clothes." Ryu said with a smile as he walked to towards the magic shop leaving a shocked Mira.

"Ryu-kun!" Shouted Shiro carrying a huge bag of sweets causing Ryu to sweat-drop.

"How did you get that many sweets?" Ryu asked.

"The lady thanked me for helping keep her home village safe and gave me these as a reward!" Shiro answered excitingly.

"That should last you a little while, now let's go, the woman at the magic shop asked for us." Ryu said as he made it to the magic shop.

"You wait here, and I'll see what she wants." Ryu said as Shiro nodded and started eating a cookie from the huge bag.

"So I heard that you wanted to see me." Ryu stated looking at the woman behind the counter.

"Yes, I wanted to thank you and the shield hero for helping my grandkid. I wanted to give you a crystal ball, but the royal court ordered a bunch for the heroes. So the least I can do is give you this grimoire." The lady said handing Ryu a book.

"I have a crystal ball, but what do they do?" Ryu said pulling out the crystal ball Shiro had stolen from the king's treasury.

"With a crystal ball you can learn one of the magics sealed in it from ancient times." The lady answered.

"So how do I do it?" Ryu asked a little excited.

"All you have to do is put your hand on it and focus and it should show you what spell you got." The lady said as Ryu did just that.

As he laid his hand on it and closed his eyes the crystal glowed bright before engulfing him.

Opening his eyes Ryu saw his status open and read the new spell, 'You have learned full counter, a spell that reflects all magic attacks back two fold.'

"Before you leave let me tell you you're magic affinity." The woman stated.

"Sure what do I have to do?" Ryu asked.

"Just give me your hand and I can tell you what your affinity is." The woman answered as Ryu gave her his hand.

"It looks like you have a very strong affinity to lightning." The woman stated.

Ryu grinned, "Thanks for the book and I'll see you again someday." He stated with a smile as he left.

Leaving the shop Ryu saw that Mira was there waiting for him with Shiro, who paid her no mind as she ate her cookie.

Looking at her, Ryu saw she was wearing a black ankle length dress with a grey sash around her waist and a short ponytail sticking upwards. "Nice outfit Mirajane but are you sure you want to wear that into a fight?" He asked seeing how the dress didn't look like it would last long in a fight

"Don't worry, this won't hinder me in a fight." Mira answered.

"Alright, it is your choice anyway. I would like to introduce you to my other party member Shiro. Shiro this is Mirajane and she is going to joining us on our journey." Ryu stated.

"Hi Mirajane! Here's a cookie." Shiro said handing her a chocolate chip cookie.

"Thank you, and it is nice to meet you." Mira stated taking a bite into the cookie.

"You can call me Mira." Mira said looking at Ryu.

"Alright Mira, now that that's settled let's get moving." Ryu stated with a smile as they started moving to new adventures.

Author's Note

I hope you liked this chapter, tell me what you thought in the reviews.

There will probably two other members to Ryu's party, but who right now is in the wind.

To those who are wondering about moment between Naofumi and Raphtalia. With Ryu understanding and helping Naofumi from the start he didn't break as much as he would have if he had in the anime because he had no one there for him.

PM me if you have questions about the story.

MY WRATH WON'T BE STOPPED