“…and then, I snuck out of Feladonia and got eaten by this giant worm. Many things, happened along the way and I became this floor’s Gatekeeper. Then, you guys came…which brings us to here…” Sora completed telling his entire story from entering the game to meeting Crayford’s party.

The six of them were currently sitting comfortably around a bonfire (which was being maintained by low level monsters), while being served some delicious meaty skewers.

“So knightly, jumping into an unknown world to save your friend…” Claire spoke with a smile.

“Waifu! You unders…” Sora’s face was slammed into the ground for the umpteenth time – Claire’s doing. By now everyone was used to Sora’s antics; right after everyone’s introduction, Sora proposed to Claire. At that time, his lower jaw was greeted with a knee.…

“So the rumours about Feladonia being attacked were your doing?” Boze; his voice filled with admiration. He tried to ignore for most part - Sora’s perverted behaviour.

“What rumour?” Sora asked.

However, before Boze could answer the question, they were interrupted by Crayford….

“Itch chooo chad…” Crayford was crying. He slowly blew his nose clean, and then wiped his teary eyes with a handkerchief Claire had handed to him.

The four disciples were moved by how sad Crayford felt for Sora – upon hearing a simple story, Crayford was able to emotionally connect…

However, the one not moved was Sora. “You know you can drop the act…”

“I amb genuinely pheeling chad….” Crayford replied as he blew his nose more.

“Grand Master, Crayford Master is genuinely troubled hearing about your difficult journey…” Claire clarified. By the way, Grand Master was the name Sora chose for himself – it was how Crayford’s disciples were to address him.

“Thad nod it…” Crayford cut in. “I ab genuinely sad for missing such a grand spectacle. You spent six miserable months in the desert….how could I miss such a scene….”

The four disciples had their mouth hanging wide open – why is their Master fanning the sparks of war?

*Deep breath*

“You know…your attitude is quite different from when we met…if you have some problem with me, just say it…” Sora finally spoke seriously. Till now, he had been silently accepting the annoying Crayford but - enough is enough! Sora finally decided to confront Crayford.

“Hah…different….nothing is different from when I met you…”

That was not true, when they had just met – Crayford appeared to be star-struck.

“I don’t believe I would ever get along well with someone so annoying. I can’t imagine having you as a disciple.”

“Of course we got along well before. In the past I was a hikikomori. I was silent and obedient. Isn’t that what you prefer? Someone who will silently follow you… I will never forget the hell you showed me….After being reborn, I decided to change myself and that is why I am nothing like I am before. The only reason, I was star-struck before was out of habit.”

The atmosphere turned tense and venomous; only the crackling of the fire could be heard. The Sora and Crayford glared at each other.

Finally, Sora spoke, “So it is like that, huh?”

Sora shrugged his shoulders and stuffed his mouth with meat.

A vein on Crayford’s temple was about to pop. “What do you mean…it is like that…” Crayford muttered as he clenched his fist angrily.

“You are like a child throwing a tantrum.” Sora said. “Truth is, you are just throwing a tantrum because I forgot about you. You are angry that some part of me remembers Anne (Ani-Oneechan – Sora’s first disciple) but not you. So like a jealous eight year old, you are whining about it.”

“Haha….” Crayford faked a laugh as he got up – Sora was spot on. “You really wish it was like that…” His voice choked but after saying that much Crayford walked away from everyone.

Claire and the other three stupidly stared at Crayford’s back. Was this really a matter of jealousy and nothing more? When was their Master ever like this?

“This is what they call a Sensei-complex!” Sora heartlessly shouted out. “Get over it…”

For some reason, the three male warriors stared at Claire.

Oh…so there is a word for it. It’s called a Sensei Complex…

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Author’s Notes:

1. Did you know the appearance of Crayford was first hinted in Chapter 10.1?