Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

The system message didn't appear again for a while, as if taking time to evaluate.

Then, finally, more text shimmered into view:

[The gap between you and a Water Saint-level swordsman is small.]

[What remains is a breakthrough.]

Allen blinked.

A breakthrough?

[Maybe it'll come during a high-pressure battle. Maybe a sudden moment of clarity, like this morning's duel with Paul. To be honest, I can't give you a definitive answer. Your current ranking is based on comparative analysis with others of the same level—swordsmanship isn't something that can be precisely quantified. For example, if you had managed to counterattack while using your self-created technique, you'd be performing well above the average Water Saint. Unfortunately, compared to the real Water Saints of Water God Style, you're still lacking a certain… fluidity.]

Allen rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

A counterattack, huh…

Rudeus watched Allen blink and scratch his chin while winking in his direction. An uneasy chill crept down his spine.

Okay, fine, you beat me twice. But do you have to look at me like I'm some kind of loot you're about to take home? What is that face?! Do I look like one of those barbarian-tribe wives you win in combat?!

Despite being defeated twice in a row, Rudeus had mostly adjusted his mindset. Honestly, he didn't feel too bad.

I mean, I held my own, didn't I?

This is Allen, after all—the guy who can go toe to toe with Paul!

I did my best. I'm sure if Roxy saw this, she'd be amazed at how strong Allen is—not mad at me. She's always been great at encouragement, after all~

Rudeus speed-ran an internal excuse route—only for the sound of hurried footsteps to interrupt him.

Tap-tap-tap.

A moment later, Sylphy burst through the fog and onto the battlefield.

"Allen! Rudeus! Are you two okay?!"

Allen blinked out of his daze and turned to look at Sylphy's worried face, greeting her with a warm smile.

"We're fine."

Rudeus squinted at him.

Wow, now you put on the gentle face? Why were you just winking and chin-rubbing at me, huh?!

Sylphy rushed over, scanning Allen from head to toe. Then she turned to Rudeus. Seeing that neither had any visible injuries, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She patted her chest and said solemnly to Rudeus,

"Rudeus, I think… next time, maybe don't fight like this again. It's too dangerous. You could really get hurt."

Then she pointed at Allen's badly dulled blade.

Under Allen's odd look, Rudeus twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Why does it sound like I was the one beating Allen up?! That's not even close to what happened!!

Allen scratched his head awkwardly and glanced around at the misty surroundings.

"Anyway, before anything else—can we clear out this fog? The hill looks like the site of some dark ritual."

Rudeus muttered darkly, "Yes, Allen-sama~"

After he conjured a few [Fireballs] to disperse the mist, the three of them were left standing in silence, staring at the same scene with the same awkward expressions.

The entire slope was a mess of mud. Not a single clean spot left to stand.

Honestly, if someone planted rice here right now, they'd probably have a golden harvest by late summer.

The problem was… this hill was their secret base. Not exactly a great place to invite villagers to farm. And it was too far from the village for anyone else to care.

So Sylphy and Rudeus resigned themselves to casting healing magic across the battlefield, restoring the grass over the most heavily damaged areas to cover the unsightly swamp.

That alone took most of the day.

That afternoon, they accompanied Paul into the village blacksmith's to replace the blade on Allen's sword.

Fortunately, Allen's weapon was just an ordinary, lightweight, narrow-edged blade. It wasn't difficult to find a similar replacement that fit his original hilt.

But when Paul heard the details of their sparring match, he couldn't help but whistle.

"You two were going that hard? That level of tactical planning is practically dungeon-ready. And Allen, where did that sword technique even come from? I've never heard of it."

Allen scratched at his cheek.

"I was trained from a young age at the Water God Style's main dojo in the Asura royal capital. That technique was inspired by Lady Reida Reia."

Paul and Rudeus stared at him wide-eyed. Only Sylphy stood to the side, looking completely lost.

Rudeus instantly perked up.

"So you really met the Water God? Is she like—some super-strong cool older-sister type? I bet she's got long blonde hair and blue eyes—like a classic mature beauty!"

Kind of like Teresa from Claymore, huh?

Paul and Allen gave Rudeus identical squints. After a moment, Paul scratched his face and sighed.

"Well… yeah, she's older. And strong. But the blonde hair and blue eyes? Not even close."

What can I say…? Definitely my kid. Always focused on the weirdest details.

Allen groaned and rubbed his forehead.

"She's a tiny old lady—barely taller than Roxy. Super intimidating presence, though. Just… really weird taste in men."

The kind of woman who would fall for someone like Darius... risking her life just to repay some pig's "kindness." I'll never understand it.

Three different sentences, three different inner monologues. Maybe that's just how the Greyrats operate.

Rudeus looked blank. Then Paul turned to Allen.

"You were personally taught by Lady Reida?"

Allen met his gaze.

"I was."

Paul nodded slowly.

"No wonder your Water God Style's so refined at your age… and your Sword God Style still has gaps. The Water God Style's main dojo mostly trains noble-born children headed for guard work or knighthood in the capital. Sword God's all about aggression—it doesn't really suit that environment."

Rudeus turned to them.

"So… Allen's a noble too?"

At that, Allen's face stiffened. He laughed nervously.

"Well… kind of. Let's just say… I got in trouble over some inappropriate relationships and ran off to be an adventurer."

Paul's face froze.

You little brat. That's my backstory, isn't it?

He clenched his teeth, his voice squeezing out between them.

"Yeah, yeah… this lawless rascal. Hahaha…"

Even Sylphy, standing off to the side, tensed up for a second.

"What do you mean… inappropriate relationships?"

The three of them fell into a dead silent stare-off.

Meanwhile, Rudeus squinted at the two older men.

Something's fishy… Allen really just a wandering adventurer? A normal guy wouldn't be allowed to train at the Water God dojo. And the way Paul's reacting—it's way too suspicious…

...

Night fell over the Greyrat household. Every light was extinguished. The moon disappeared behind thick clouds, and Buena Village slept in complete stillness.

Allen, utterly drained from the day's two battles, fell asleep before the usual nightly squeak-squeak-squeak could even begin. He slipped straight into dreams.

But in the dead of night, a soft sound tugged at his ears—something elastic, rhythmic. A faint thump-thump, again and again.

Allen frowned. The noise kept returning, gradually pulling him toward consciousness.

Finally, he rolled over and growled internally:

Can the couple next door please keep it down?! Who the hell plays ball every night at midnight?!

But then—he suddenly realized.

The sound wasn't coming from next door.

It was coming from the window beside his bed.

Eyes narrowing, he rolled over and pulled the curtain aside.

There, barely visible in the gloom, a short figure paced back and forth anxiously on the steps outside the front door.

A thief? Someone trying to rob a knight's house out here in the sticks? Doesn't make sense…

He watched for a while, but the figure didn't try to leave—just kept pacing, like they couldn't decide where to start stealing from.

Grabbing his sword, Allen opened the window without a sound and leapt down the side wall, aura suppressed to a whisper.

The instant his feet touched the ground, the figure jumped with a startled squeak and turned to face him.

A blade flashed in the dark, sliding smoothly to the stranger's neck.

Allen opened his mouth to speak—a calm warning—but froze as soon as he got a good look at their face.

His eyes widened in shock.

A mountain breeze swept through the yard.

And as if annoyed with itself, the sky spat the moon back out from behind the clouds.

A pale ribbon of moonlight spilled over the hilltop, illuminating the figure's silhouette:

Twin braids of long blue hair swayed gently in the breeze. The moonlight sparkled on tousled bangs. She clutched her wizard's hat to her chest, eyes wide and startled—yet somehow, comforted.

Roxy.

The glow in her eyes needed no moonlight to shine.

It was already enough to leave a man breathless.