Big brother Gourry, that's me. The dumb blond with his brains in his sword arm. I've been everything from her bodyguard to a shoulder for her to cry on, but that's it. It's not enough. We were meant for more than that. It wasn't exactly love at first sight, but it's still love. It's not too easy to get along with her, but I manage. As long as I can be near her, I'm happy. But we can't be. It wouldn't work. And so she'll never know.
A cure. That's all that matters. That, and killing him. But I don't think about him anymore. He doesn't matter anymore. He's dead, and I'm alive. The only thing that matters now is that cure. But what will you do when you find your cure, Zel? When you're human again? When you're powerless? I ignore those questions. They don't matter, either. Friends? I don't think I have any real friends, not since Zolf and Rodimus - Don't think about that. Lina and the others? I travel with them, but I don't really consider them friends. But that doesn't matter. I don't need friends. All I need is a cure. After all, who could love a man of stone?
Justice. It rules my life. Dad wanted me to be just like him, a powerful warrior of justice. So I dedicated my life to his cause, training in all kinds of magic. I was good at it, too. I never judged anyone unfairly, never allowed a thief to go unpunished. So I left Seyruun, traveling the world just like my dad. I catch sight of some bandits up ahead. I make my speech, leap down in a flying kick - and land on my face. And I see the laughter in their eyes, and the embarrassment, and sometimes even pity. And I wonder if maybe I chose the wrong life, the wrong cause. Maybe the path of justice isn't for me. But then I hear her. I look up as she finishes her chant. "Dragon Slave!" she shouts, and the bandits are toast. She turns and flips us a V-for-victory sign. I feel my eyes widen. "Stekke!" I cry. That's what I want to be! So I get up, dust myself off, and push my doubts to the back of my head. Because this is what I was born to do. Isn't it?
I travel a lot. See things, meet people. Weird people. I own the road. Yeah, sometimes it gets me in trouble. The towns I visit tend to blow up, and I've had to fight a Mazoku or two. But hey, this is my life, and I'm happy with it. But still, sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't learned magic, if I hadn't become Lina Inverse, world famous bandit slayer. Would I have become a waitress at an inn, like so many other girls I've seen? Met the prince I'm always talking about? Had a chance to just be a girl for a change? But then I wouldn't have met him. And even though I know it wouldn't work out, even though I'll never tell him how I feel, I'm satisfied. Because I've already found my prince.