For I Am A Side Character - 116: Jessica Becomes a Neighbor to the House of Shadows

“Ah youth, to think  that I would witness something as grand as this.” said Master Yagami as he watched from the distance.

“The drama could only ever unfold as two lovers came to a wall of conflict, yet despite it all, their love for each simply broke this conflict in a clean half. Ahh~~ I simply miss this kind of youth. It reminds me of my time as a man who once conquered women from left to right.” he said ever so smug about.

“Really master? You were a lady’s man in your youth?” asked Cecil as he hangs by the tree.

“Hmph, I may not have said this to you before Cecil, but before the war even started, I was a grand man in my home country. Not a woman alive could not resist my charm.” he said with a glint of reminiscence in his eyes.

“…I doubt it.” said Cecil as he stared at his master’s bald head.

“Hmm, still…to think that the boy would actually find someone like her. I doubt it at first when I saw what kind of path Soril would take, but looking at it now, It seems only possible because its her.” said Master Yagami as he gazed upon Jessica’s fate

“What do you mean by that master?” asked Cecil.

“This is something that only I must tell the girl. It is her fate after all.” he said.

“I see…”

Moments later. After Soril was able to finally gain the courage to speak the truth, he told everything he could to Jessica.

About his arrival into this world…about his profession where he was tasked by God with missions…and how this world revolves around the story of 12 books written by God and to whom it was given to Soril.

As Jessica listened in, the more she found out, the more she could understand the burden that Soril carried.

Yet despite it all, she had enough courage to stand her ground and face the reality that seemed like a story to her.

“I see…the sole motivation of why you wanted to be stronger was because…you had to. So let me ask you this…how strong are you?” she asked.

“…At most right now…I could reach a rank of an SS-ranked hunter.”

“SS rank!?”

“…although it may seem surprising, its not enough if I want to continue on the needed missions sent to me by God. If I want to save the future of this world…I need to be more than capable enough of protecting this world even with a single hand in the future.”

“T-that’s crazy…Are you that worried?” asked Jessica.

“I am…because of how much I changed this world…with how I’m not binded by the threads of fate, God can never predict what happens in the world…but surely enough, he can guide me to a path that could surely save it. I’m not from this world Jess…the world that I once lived in was a world where we debate whether or not God’s existence is real. It’s a world where magic doesn’t exist…yet we strive because of our own sense of ego to survive.”

Jessica listened intently, absorbing every word Soril said. The weight of his confession hung in the air, heavy and laden with the responsibility he bore. Yet, she couldn’t help but marvel at the gravity of it all—how different their worlds were, and how far Soril had come to protect a world that wasn’t even his own.

Hours went by and all that Jessica could ever do was listen.

Yet after it all, when Soril was finally able to say what he needed to say…a sense of weight upon his shoulders were put to rest. The guilt of having to keep a secret was no longer burdening his soul.

No longer would he have to hide…

***

After he had said everything, in the sheer timing, his master arrived with a calm smile on his face.

“Master, I…I’m sure you have heard everything.” said Soril as he knows the capacity of his master’s capabilities. Hearing from a distance isn’t an issue for his blind master.

“I did…and don’t worry. Nothing will change upon this truth. You are still my disciple…and I am still your master.”

“Thank you master.” said Soril as he bowed in respect to his master.

“And about you girl.” said Master Yagami as he pointed to Jessica.

“You are free to come to our school as long as you wish. All that we ask of you is to keep this school a secret even from those of your family. I only ever take this consideration because of my young disciple’s adornment for you. If anything, you can always join Soril in his training here in the school.” he said.

“Training?”

“Is that alright master?” asked Soril.

“Yes…although we cannot teach her the main skills that would befit a true disciple, she can always train her body here to position her strength. But that is if she can handle it though.”

“I can handle it!” said Jessica excitingly enough.

“Does the clan allow this kind of relationship with someone from the outside?” asked Soril.

“In the rare case, we do. Sometimes, we would find some people who are more capable than that of our strength and we reach our hands to them in hopes of reaching our goal. Some of those people may be merchants, hunters, and frankly enough, monsters even. as long as she carries this with her, she will not be a target of our clan. She may not be a member of the family, but we call her in these instances…a neighbor.” said master as he handed Jessica a wooden plaque that showed the sign of the clan’s insignia. It was called the neighbor plaque.

“So with this plaque, I’m allowed to be with Soril?”

“That was never a problem. To me, Soril is my son…I see him as my own. So for him to bring a girl home is nothing but a grace sent by God himself!” said Master as he cheerfully accepted Jessica.

“…oy!”

After a while, Soril and Jessica decided to go home.

With how mentally tiring the day was for the both of them, they needed to rest.

But before they could leave, Master Yagami decided to call upon Jessica to have a private conversation in regards to her fate.

With Jessica sitting formally in front of Soril’s master, she nervously waited for him to start the conversation.

“W-why did you call for me?” she asked.

“I am here to tell you a future that will be stored in your fate.” he said.

“A future?”

“In the upcoming days, Soril will encounter a situation that would leave him with two decisions. Either he sacrifices himself and he will surely die. Or you will go against his decision and follow him to the world of ruins.”

“W-what?! He will die?!”

“Its a possibility that could shake this world’s fate.” said Master.

“What do you mean by that? if I decided to follow him, what would happen?” she asked.

“Its a hazy image…but your future entails of you bearing his child.”

“W-what?!”

***

The next few days came by, bringing with it a sense of anticipation and subtle anxiety. Soril and Jessica found themselves adapting to a new rhythm—one that included more than just their personal journeys, but also the shared path they were now walking together.

Soril had resumed his training, pushing himself harder than ever. Jessica, true to her word, joined him at the dojo. Though the exercises were grueling, she approached them with the same determination she showed when facing the unknown.

Master Yagami observed their progress from a distance, his sharp senses attuned to every move they made. He saw the potential in Jessica—not just in her physical abilities, but in the way she complemented Soril. She was like a balancing force, grounding him in ways he hadn’t been grounded before.

“Focus your energy,” Master Yagami instructed one afternoon, as Jessica struggled with a particularly difficult exercise. “Your strength lies not just in your body, but in your mind. Harness that, and you will find the endurance you seek.”

Jessica, panting and sweat-drenched, nodded and pushed herself to continue. Soril, training nearby, stole a glance at her, admiring her tenacity. He had worried that she might find the training too harsh, that she might give up, but every day she proved him wrong.

As the days passed, the bond between them deepened. They found comfort in each other’s presence, and even in the silences, there was an unspoken understanding. The challenges of the world outside seemed less daunting when faced together.

One evening, after an exhausting day of training, they sat by the edge of a small pond within the school grounds. The night was quiet, the stars reflected in the still water.

“Do you ever miss your old world?” Jessica asked, breaking the silence.

Soril thought for a moment, his gaze fixed on the shimmering surface of the pond. “Sometimes,” he admitted. “I miss the simplicity of it, the people I knew. But that world is gone for me now. This is my life, and I have to accept it.”

Jessica leaned against his shoulder, offering silent support. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said softly. “I don’t think I could face everything on my own.”

“You’re already doing better with yourself. I mean, look…you’re keeping up well with Master Yagami’s training. That in of itself is worth a thousand praises.” said Soril.

“Well, it is harder than the training we receive at the academy. True enough, i can barely catch my breath here.” she said.

“Oh don’t worry…you’ll adapt soon enough.” he said.

Soon enough, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the landscape as Soril and Jessica made their way towards the open bathouse that Soril was able to configure into something more private using God’s Will. The bathhouse was a place of solace after the day’s intense training.

The air was cool, and the faint scent of pine filled their lungs as they approached the springs. Steam rose from the crystal-clear water, creating a mystical aura that contrasted sharply with the exhaustion weighing on their bodies.

“Master really wasn’t holding back today,” Jessica said with a tired smile, her legs feeling like lead as she walked.

Soril chuckled softly. “He never does. But he’s right—it’s the only way we’ll get stronger.”

Jessica nodded, though she winced slightly as she flexed her sore muscles. “I just hope I can move tomorrow.”

They reached the edge of the spring, and for a moment, they stood in silence, taking in the tranquil beauty of the place. The water was inviting, its warmth beckoning them to shed their fatigue and sink into its comforting embrace.

“Ladies first,” Soril said, gesturing with a slight bow.

Jessica rolled her eyes playfully. “Ever the gentleman.”

She slipped behind a small rock formation to change, grateful for the privacy. Moments later, she emerged, wrapped in a towel, her cheeks flushed not just from the steam but from a lingering sense of modesty. She eased into the water, letting out a long sigh as the heat seeped into her tired muscles.

Soril followed suit, settling into the water a short distance away. The warmth enveloped him, easing the tension that had built up over the course of the day. For a while, neither of them spoke, content to simply relax in the quiet, the only sounds being the gentle bubbling of the spring and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.

“This feels amazing,” Jessica finally murmured, closing her eyes as she leaned back against the smooth stone behind her.

“It does,” Soril agreed, letting his head rest against the edge of the spring. “It’s easy to forget how important rest is until you’re forced to take it.”

Jessica smiled, her eyes still closed. “Yeah. It’s like everything just melts away in here.”

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, the stress of the day dissolving into the warm water. The stars began to appear in the darkening sky, twinkling like distant diamonds.

“Hey, babe” Jessica’s voice was soft, almost hesitant.

“Hmm?”

“Do you ever wonder what it would’ve been like if you’d never come to this world?”

Soril opened his eyes, glancing over at her. She was staring up at the sky, her expression contemplative. “Sometimes,” he admitted. “But I try not to dwell on it too much. This is where I am now, and I’ve made my peace with it.”

Jessica nodded slowly. “I guess that’s the only way to keep moving forward, huh?”

“By the way…it looks like the second event is finally starting tomorrow. Based off of what Ms. Sera told us, it seems that we’re going to do another simple raid, but this time instead of taking out the dungeon boss, we’re just going to subdue the boss using some kind of seal.” said Soril.

“Hmm, If we do subdue the boss, we’ll be taking ownership of the entire dungeon. Just thinking about it, makes me feel nervous.” she said.

“Don’t worry…as long as we do great, we don’t have ot worry about anything.” said Soril.

“Hmm, I just hope you don’t overdo it.”

“Don’t worry…like I’ve said to you before. Because of God’s gift to me, I can easily create a seal on my body that limits my strength to certain ranks. Its why I can always hold myself back in certain fights.”

“It seems like your being humble, but can I ask why you’re even hiding your strength in the first place? Don’t you like the attention of being one of the strongest hunters out there?” she asked.

“If I had a choice, I wouldn’t have become a hunter.”

“Hmm, you’ve said that before.”

“And I won’t take it back.” said Soril.

For a while, theye remained resting in the hot waters that were slowly healign their bodies.

“Hmm, anyway…there’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” she said.

“Hmm?”

“…What do you think about babies?” she asked.

“…eh?”

“I mean, don’t you think they’re very cute?”

“W-why are you asking me this?”

“I don’t know…I just wanted your opinion on this.”

“Umm, sure. Yeah, I like kids.”

“What do you prefer, a boy or a girl?”

“…Hmm, I don’t really have that much of a preference, but if I were to choose for a first born, it should be son, and when we get to our second child, it should be a daughter.”  he said blatantly.

“Wait, so you’ve thought about this?” asked Jessica as she was a bit surprised.

“I mean…you asked me about what I think…so, yeah.”

“Oh…O-okay.” feeling a bit nervous, Jessica decided to shut her mouth and focus on the bath.

But deep inside, she was screaming like a man woman.

‘Kyaahhh!!!! he’s already thinking about kids!! Master Yagami was right!!’

They stayed in the spring a little longer, the conversation drifting into lighter topics as the night wore on. By the time they finally decided to leave, both Soril and Jessica felt rejuvenated, the weight of their burdens temporarily lifted by the healing waters and the quiet companionship they shared.

For now, this moment of peace was enough.