SSR Brad (An Incandescent Flurry Follows Him) “Let Me Know You” (Wizards Abode Series, April 2025)

[odorekijin]

“Let Me Know You”

★ chapter one
★ chapter two
★ chapter three
★ episode
★ voice line

chapter one

[Central Country, Tall-Tale Town—Town’s Square]

Bradley: Got everythin’ packed up, Sage? ‘Bout time hit the road.

Akira: Yep! I’ll go get everyone!

Everybody was preparing to return to the Manor after settling the incident in the village.

Akira: (I haven’t seen Owen in a hot minute… Maybe he went ahead of us?)

Hm? Is that him I spy over there...

Owen: Nothing? Is that really all you can remember about the eminent Saint Faust you so reverently worship?

What about the colour of his hair, his stature, or the shape of his eyes? There must be more anecdotes about him that stood the test of time, aren't there?

Villager: I, I don’t… I’ve got nothing else...

Owen: Tisk, tisk, do you, really? You know what happens to those who lie to me, don’t you?

Villager: Eeek!

(The villager flees.)

Owen: Well, that’s unfortunate. This one took off before it got good.

Akira: …Owen!

Owen: Yes, Master Sage?

Akira: What on Earth did you ask that poor villager for them to run off for dear life…?

Owen: Do you doubt my intentions? I was only entertaining some gossip I’ve heard, nothing else.

That Saint Faust everybody has been talking our ears off about bears the same name as ours. A funny coincidence, don’t you think? What would you say are the odds for them to share some sort of intrinsic connection?

Akira: …That, um...

Bradley: Hey, I thought you were gonna call the others, not faff about with more trouble. I can feel the headache a’ready.

Akira: Bradley!

I heaved a sigh of relief.

Owen's gaze shifted to Bradley, now standing behind me, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

Owen: Hey there, Bradley. Are you also interested in the gossip this small village has to offer?

Bradley: Nah? Dun’ think this glum village has much left to tell anyway.

An’ even if there were, the original events ‘d be lost to the rumours blowin’ details outta proportion. Take it from me, yer wastin’ yer time asking the folks around ‘bout their patron saint.

Owen: …Hmph, whatever, I’ll have my fun with another rumour then.

Akira: Another one...?

Owen: Tell me, Bradley, don’t you own a book called “The Bandits of Death Chronicles”?

Bradley: I don’t; and it’s actually: “Chronicle of the Rise and Fall of the Bandits of Death, in 12 volumes.”

Owen: Right, that’s the one. I always wanted to know more about it.

Bradley: This series is based on a bunch o' hollow lies, plain an' simple. Ain't worth spendin' breath on.

Owen: Oh? What did they get wrong?

Bradley: First, I didn't write shit while in the slammers.

Second, they got my scars wrong, an’ I ain’t too fond of bein’ seen as some kinda hero. Somethin’ ‘bout it just don’t sit right with me.

Owen: Good to know. In that case, you absolutely have to fact-check this little thing for me. I cannot be spreading lies now, can I?

A book materialised out of thin air, right in Owen’s hand.

Akira Is that what I think it is…?

Owen: You see, I just so happen to have in my possession the eighth volume of that series.

I'll read a few passages out loud, and you can tell us the truth from lies. How about that?

Bradley: Tch, you calculating bastard, you planned this…

Whatever, I’ll entertain your curiosity. I was gettin’ sick of the bullshit they’re spreadin’ about me anyway. I’ll set the records straight, starting with you two.

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chapter two

[Central Country, Tall-Tale Town—Town’s Square]

Bradley folded his arms, waiting for Owen to settle on a subject as he flipped through the pages.

Akira: (This book is bound to be wildly exaggerated… But at least this occasion will help me learn a little bit more about Bradley.)

Owen: Hmm, where should we start… Got it. Let’s go with this.

“His signature coat is a precious memento of a late close friend from his hometown.”

Akira: REALLY!?

The word involuntarily left me, a little too loud for comfort.

I clapped my hand to my mouth, stealing a glance at Bradley now beside me.

Bradley: Nope. This one ‘s pure, crazy hogwash.

Akira: (Of course, that’d be crazy! R-Right…?)

Owen: Okay, next: “when he has to kill some behemoth, he wings it with whatever he has.”

Bradley: Dun’ “next” me like it’s matter o’ fact! Was that really in the book or are you makin’ shit up as you go?

Owen: Maybe? You’ll have to grab your own copy to find out.

Owen, unconcerned, continued to thumb through the volume.

Owen: “Bradley often bursts into song whenever he’s drunk.” “One day, attracted by the merry singing of his men, a huge bear attacked the bandits’ lair. Next thing they knew, there was bear on the menu.”

Bradley: Weeell… Can’t say it didn’t happen…

Akira: (That may or may not be true, huh…)

Owen: Hm… Now, riddle me this one:

“Bradley executes those who defy him, regardless of age or sex. All who turned to stone fed his personal mana reserve, inexorably fueling his growing power.”

…That sly attitude and cold-blooded thirst seems appealing enough to some, hm?

Akira: What…?

(Hold on, Bradley told me he doesn’t like to push the elderly around, so that’s definitely false. However… I wonder if he would hog mana stones all to himself even with his henchmen around…)

Bradley: …Aaah, they ain't gettin' me at all…Their fascination for whoever they make me to be is all wild misdirects an’ lies. Pish, ain’t surprised none, but I sure got no hope fo’ the rest of the story…

Unless that was another load of bullshit you just came up with.

Owen: Me? I’m only reading what it says. ...Now this one is bound to be promising.

Flipping the page, Owen’s lips curled into a wicked smile.

Owen: “Bradley had quite the competent sidekick. Wherever the leader went, his partner was sure to follow.”

“On his last day as a free man, Bradley was heading to a secret rendezvous point with his gang, unaware of the enemies walking in his shadow. Soon enough, they were surrounded.”

Bradley: … …

Owen: “The two partners rushed to the scene, a heavy battle following suit.”

Apparently, he could have made good his escape, but he let himself get caught in order to protect his partner from being beaten black and blue.

So? Is this one true?

Akira: (Bradley did seem to have a partner of sorts from what I’ve picked up, but this...)

I had hoped to catch his reaction behind a furtive peak, but Bradley was quicker to react.

Bradley: …Dead wrong. None o’ it is even close to reality.

Akira: Bradley…?

He spat out the last syllables, quieter than the usual booming volume of his voice.

But in a blink of an eye, he snapped back into motion, a defiant smile adorning his answer:

Bradley: A’right, enough ‘bout my life, I wanna hear your story now.

…You always keep quiet ‘bout yer injury, so how ‘bout you spill the beans an’ set the records straight?

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chapter three

[Central Country, Tall-Tale Town—Town’s Square]

Bradley: Gettin’ anythin’ outta ya is like gettin’ blood outta stone. You a’ready know my injury from the inside out, so tellin’ us ‘bout your weakness is as fair game as mine.

Right, Sage?

Akira: Wuh!? I, uh, um…

(I don’t know what to say…! Regardless of my answer, they…)

Bradley: Gettin’ mixed signals there, Sage—I’m startin’ to think y’know sum’n, an’ you’re keepin’ it from me.

Now spit it out. You’ll be a whole lot better off without that kinda secret weightin’ on yer mind.

Owen: You’re wasting your breath. I would never reveal sensitive information to a lousy, naive human in the first place.

Bradley: Sure, whatever you say, but the chance they stumbled on it by pure luck ain’t nothin’ to sneeze at neither.

Owen: I would have already ripped their tongue to keep their mouth shut.

Bradley: Damn quick clapback fo’ someone that got nothin’ to hide.

Owen: You’re forcing my hand. You threw your stupid theories at me first.

Bradley & Owen: … …

Akira: (This is going to get dirty if I don't do something…!)

Um, guys, let’s just leave it at that… Right, the book! Why don’t we read some more together?

Look at that, we still have all these pages to go through, so—

Owen: Without me. I’m sick of reading and talking with you two.

Well then, see you.

Akira: Wait, Owen…

Owen: … …

He shot a sharp look at me behind the veil of his magic, before vanishing with the breeze.

With a stare, he had sewn my mouth shut;

but in my heart, I nodded back at the tacit understanding.

Bradley: See, what did I tell ya: trouble never comes alone, an’ now he’s got a whole book to gimme a headache over.

Akira: Ahaha… At least you know most of it is just stretched out facts, with a copious amount of overdramatised embroidering on top.

Bradley: You ain’t wrong, but some folks still believe all ‘em exaggerations are who I really am.

He shrugged, and turned to me.

Bradley: What about you, Sage? Am I just like the guy in the book to you?

Akira: I, I...

His question felt heavy, and moments spent with him flashed before my mind’s eye.

Sure, he was terrifying at times, but he wasn’t any less reliable, caring, supportive, and…

He was there when I needed someone to wipe away my tears.

With vignettes of his personality close to my chest, I came up with an answer.

Akira: What I’m sure of is that I know the man right here, in front of me.

The rumours and legends can tell their own stories. I only trust what I've seen with my eyes, felt with my heart, and the moments I’ve shared with you to be true.

Nothing will dissuade me from what I’ve experienced first hand, no matter what these books say about you.

Bradley: … …

Heh, well said. I like that answer.

Akira: Whoa-hey!

Bradley’s hand came crashing down on the crown of my head, roughing up my hair as his eyes met mine.

Bradley: But it ain’t so easy pal: you dun’ even know half of my story yet.

You can’t think o’ me as the guy you wish to see in me eternally. Reality ‘s gonna catch up eventually, an’ it’ll pull no punches.

His words fell halfway between a provocation and a warning.

Without faltering, my gaze fixed on the magenta of his eyes—I replied:

Akira: Then… Help me prevent the blow from hurting. Help me know you better from here on out.

Bradley: Bwahaha! Sure, y’got a deal.

You ain’t quite there yet, but once yer mentally ready to hear the full story, I’ll make sure to go into all the details.

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episode story

“What He Chooses to Show”

[Wizards’ Manor–Dinner Hall]

Akira: Our lunch is as appetising as ever! There was so much meat in this stew, it was almost more than I could chew, aaah… We’re spoiled rotten.

(Sniff, one last piece of meat left… But I’ll savour every mouthful of it.)

Bradley: Ooh, that meat looks ta-hay-sty.

Akira: Wuh–?

Bradley: Munch, munch…

Akira: NOOO…! That was mine…!

Bradley: Damn, that's bomb! That spice blend works real well, whew—I could chow down on that 'til I drop.

Akira: Goodbye, my delicious last bite…

Bradley: Hey, you asked for it. I wouldn’t be doin’ my bandit name justice if I ain't stealin’ what folks crave for, now would I?

You shoulda made short work of it if it mattered that much to you. Ain't nobody takin’ it from ya once it’s down the gullet.

Akira: Okay, sure, but…! You don’t get it!

Ugh, I wonder what the author of the “Chronicles” would say if they saw you being so selfish. I’m sure they’d be lost for words from shock!

Bradley: Hah! Man, I hope yer right.

Y’know, I dun’ show that side of my personality to anybody. So, consider yerself lucky: you know sum’n about the great Bradley Bain that most won’t ever get close to.

Akira: …Oh, okay…?

(Oh, wait. Either I’m reading too much into it, or our banters and my attempts at interacting with him managed to build a sliver of trust, enough for him to confide that…)

Bradley: Pick up your jaw, buddy, it’s on the floor.

Akira: Eep!

Bradley: Heh, I'll gladly snag more meat off yer plate next time if it's makin' ya feel all light as a feather.

Akira: Ahaha, keep dreaming! I’ll gobble it all up before you can even think about it!

voice line

“I don’t do altruism, it ain't really my pace. Sure, I'll give a hand to those that wanna go against their fate, or those who open their arms to me... Or to people like’cha, though I mighta indulged you a wee-bit too much. ...Hah, so you do realise your chance!”

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