Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

Paul stared at Allen for a long while before he finally understood what Allen had been aiming for.

"So your original technique has to maintain a constant Flow Technique to deflect my attacks. But since [Flow] is all about redirecting force rather than blocking or countering it, that means you can't launch a counterattack at the same time."

"And if you try to interrupt Flow mid-combat to counter using a different sword style, you risk leaving yourself wide open to my follow-up. Even if you land a hit, it'd likely end in mutual injury. Right?"

Allen sighed and rubbed his temples, weariness clear on his face.

"Exactly. That's why I didn't use it during our earlier match—there's no point in a technique that just takes a beating without hitting back."

Paul looked surprised for a moment—then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

"You'd make a hell of a royal bodyguard. The nobles in Asura Kingdom's capital really missed out on a treasure!"

Allen groaned and rubbed his face.

"That's why I wanted your help, Uncle. I need some inspiration to refine the technique—something that would let me maintain [Flow] while also delivering an effective counterstrike."

Paul frowned, clearly troubled. He walked over to the tree and yanked his sword free, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"If you keep [Flow] active, you can't switch to another form for offense. But if you do switch, [Flow] breaks. Hmm… tricky."

After a moment, he furrowed his brow.

"What if… what if you use [Flow] to reflect the opponent's attack back at them? Nah, doesn't work. [Flow] just redirects force like water. You can't reflect an attack cleanly back the way it came. Hmm... what if you kept [Flow] active, but used just physical strength to hit back? No sword technique—just raw muscle?"

Allen shook his head.

"I've thought of that too. But without a sword style, the response is too slow. Against someone at my level or higher, they'd dodge easily. And if the opponent's weak, well… there's no need for such a complicated defense. I could just cut them down the normal way. Why bother using [Flow]?"

Paul scratched his head, completely flummoxed.

"No wonder you were always deep in thought during Sword God practice… You Water God types have to consider so much. My head hurts just thinking about it."

Allen let out a helpless sigh in agreement.

That was when he felt something soft tickle his cheek.

Turning his head, he found Roxy standing right beside him—her signature cowlick poking directly into his face.

He blinked and was just about to speak when she beat him to it.

"That move you used the first time we met—can you still use it? I remember you said it put a heavy strain on your body. Does that mean it relies more on physical ability than sword technique?"

Allen chuckled.

"You mean the [Twenty-Fold Slash]? Yeah, I've considered that. It's basically a rapid-draw technique built off years of conditioning and refining fixed slashing paths. It's more of a trained reflex than a sword style. But…"

He trailed off. His voice grew quieter and quieter.

"My body can only sustain a few swings. If I were stuck in a prolonged battle with a strong opponent, relying on [Twenty-Fold Slash] would wear me out first. I'd fall before they do. So really, I might as well—"

Allen stopped. He froze, eyes wide, then slowly turned to stare at Roxy, his expression blank.

And then—like a thunderbolt—his eyes lit up.

Without warning, he grabbed Roxy by the waist and lifted her off the ground like a child, spinning her twice in place with sheer excitement.

"I got it! I GOT IT! THANK YOU! You absolute goddess! You've saved me on every front!!"

Before anyone could process what was happening, Allen—this shameless man—unceremoniously dumped a red-faced, wide-eyed, flailing Roxy onto the ground and sprinted off, sword in hand, to begin practicing new [Twenty-Fold Slash] stances on the spot.

Utterly absorbed.

Roxy sat flat on the grass, completely dazed. Watching him slice the air with fervent focus, she flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration, unable to speak.

She wasn't okay.

...

Up on the slope beneath the big tree.

"So overall, Sylphy's magic level is only at the Intermediate rank?"

"Yes, strictly speaking, she's hovering somewhere between Beginner and Intermediate."

Roxy wiped imaginary sweat from her brow, her voice filled with residual anxiety.

"Her mana control, mana pool, and chantless casting still need a lot of improvement."

If another genius shows up in this village, I swear I'm leaving tomorrow.

Rudeus rested his chin on one hand, watching Roxy's subtly flustered expression with quiet amusement.

Roxy's still the same—clumsy, lacking confidence… and utterly endearing. Truly…

This is what a goddess looks like.

Out loud, he said:

"Well, Sylphy's only been studying magic for two months. She's still far from your level, sensei. That's probably why Allen asked you to teach her."

Speak of the devil…

Allen suddenly reappeared with a flash, pale-faced and gasping, nose bleeding like a faucet.

"Sorry—sorry to interrupt. Quick—cast a Healing Spell, would you?"

Rudeus scowled at him.

"Allen. You're the one who invited our guest here, and now you've completely abandoned her. What the hell are you thinking—"

Before he could finish, said guest had already stepped in.

"Oh kind goddess, mother of mercy, heal this wounded soul. Grant him strength and restore his body—"

"[Healing Spell]!"

Allen jolted with relief as the spell soothed him. He gave Roxy a thumbs-up, then immediately turned back to practice more [Twenty-Fold Slash] variations.

Sylphy scrambled after him, flustered.

"A-A-Allen! I can use Healing too!"

"Your mana's still limited, and lately you've only been practicing offensive magic. Your chanting's still not fluent enough—ah, I'm not saying you're bad or anything! It's just more efficient this way. Once you master chantless Healing, I'll come to you, alright?"

"T-T… okay…"

Sylphy pouted and glanced toward Roxy, counting softly under her breath as Allen slashed from every possible angle. His movements were slow and deliberate, but even so, each swing stirred the air, lifting Sylphy's hair and letting it fall again.

"One, two, one, one, two, two, one, two, three…"

Rudeus sighed and turned to Roxy again. She was watching Allen with open curiosity now, already over her frustration. Given her personality, it wasn't surprising—Allen's single-minded obsession with swordsmanship meant he was completely equal-opportunity in ignoring everyone.

Rudeus shifted his gaze from Roxy to Allen, then back again.

That Allen really has no manners. Not even a thank-you. And I still can't do chantless Healing—how can Sylphy do it before me? Wait… maybe that's a good thing!

If Roxy's only staying a few days, and Allen's glued to his sword the entire time… wouldn't that mean the rest of her time is all mine?! Hahaha! Allen, oh Allen, this time there's no way I'm letting you get close. Roxy will be mine!

He grinned to himself, a trademark sleazy smirk stretching across his face—only for Roxy's hesitant voice to cut through his thoughts.

"...Rudeus, Sylphy… is it true that entering Allen's territory requires bowing to Sylphy three times? Rudeus… should I be bowing to her right now?"

Rudeus' face froze.

He turned slowly and saw Roxy staring at the carving on the tree, the corner of her mouth twitching.

"That was Allen! Go talk to him! I had nothing to do with it!"