Mushoku Tensei: The Sword, the Magic Hat, and the Love System

Right after breakfast, Allen finally remembered what he had forgotten—Sylphy.

As the trio were recapping yesterday's battle and Roxy was sitting nearby nodding along admiringly...

She arrived.

Sylphy stood outside the yard as usual, pretending to be a passerby studying the weeds. But when she spotted the blue-haired girl inside the courtyard, she froze and blinked at her.

Roxy blinked back.

The two girls locked eyes in mutual confusion.

Rudeus and Allen were even more frozen in place.

Rudeus jumped up, clutching his head. This was bad—really bad.

"Crap! I forgot about Sylphy! This is that classic galgame scenario! Roxy's going to think Sylphy is my little girlfriend—no, wait!"

"Roxy's never even seen me as a guy before! Now seeing me with a same-age girl is only going to reinforce her image of me as a kid! Nooooo!! I respect her as my teacher, but after what Allen said, I was starting to hope for something more in the future!"

Allen was screaming internally as well.

"Oh no! Sylphy's here! This is that classic galgame love triangle setup! Sylphy's totally going to think Roxy's her romantic rival—this is going to be a mess! Wait… what's this got to do with me?!"

Then Allen had a sudden moment of clarity. He turned to Rudeus with a totally innocent look and deliberately ignored his pleading gaze, resting his chin in his hand with amused interest.

"Heh. Rudeus, in the original story you miraculously dodged all these love triangle moments. With Sylphy's unconditional love, you glided smoothly into a harem. But now, I see what this 'isekai into Mushoku Tensei' is really about! The world sent me here just to trigger chaos and punish your scumbag ways! Let the drama begin!"

"Still… even if Sylphy is still young, she's definitely still a girl. That glare has a hint of rivalry in it... Ooh this is gonna be juicy! Fight! Fight! I wanna see blood!"

Sylphy snapped out of it when Paul called out to her and quietly made her way over to sit beside Allen. Yet her red eyes never stopped watching Roxy.

Roxy returned the stare with her deep blue gaze.

Allen glanced at Rudeus—his pupils were dilating like he'd seen a ghost. Allen had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing.

But the next second, Allen froze.

The Like-Smoke System appeared.

[Affinity with both Sylphy and Roxy has slightly increased. Event score for 'Mushoku Tensei Major Incident' has been boosted.]

[Current Phase: Childhood. Total Participation Score: 65 Points.]

[Comment: Everyone laughs at Rudeus Greyrat, yet everyone is Rudeus Greyrat.]

[What's the meaning of isekai? This is the meaning! What's a girl rivalry? This is it!]

Allen blinked at the fading system panel, then looked at Roxy… and Sylphy.

"...What the hell is happening?"

Then came a simultaneous question from both girls.

"Allen, who is she?"

Allen froze. He looked to Paul for help—only to find Paul had already vanished to a safe distance, staring up at the clouds.

Rudeus, now fully recovered and energized by Allen's predicament, couldn't help laughing gleefully.

"Hahaha! Allen! Face judgment! Roxy is mine!"

He meant to say it telepathically, but blurted it out in a loud, triumphant voice.

The entire yard fell silent. Everyone turned to look at him.

Even Paul stopped cloud-gazing and looked at his son in pure disbelief.

With everyone staring, Rudeus's face cycled through a variety of expressions like a rapid-fire kabuki act.

The wind blew.

Rudeus tried to recover.

"I meant... Roxy is my respected teacher."

Roxy blinked and tilted her head, then turned to Allen.

"Why has the atmosphere been so weird since earlier? Allen, is this young elf girl... are you asking me to take her as a disciple?"

Allen blinked and glanced at Rudeus, who was frantically giving him signals. Allen's brain kicked into high gear.

"Ah, yes! This is Sylphy, a magic prodigy who can cast without incantations! I wanted you to assess her skills and give her an official title as a magician."

He smiled brightly at Sylphy.

"This is Roxy, the one who taught Rudeus magic—she's a Water Saint-ranked magician. Rudeus learns by instinct, but you can ask Roxy anything technical."

"No more girl rivalries! I'm stealing Roxy and Sylphy's original teacher-disciple bond for myself!"

Roxy's eyes flickered at the mention of chantless casting, but before she could decline, Sylphy politely stepped in.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Roxy. I've heard so much about you! I thought you were Allen's friend. I'm Sylphyette."

Roxy swallowed her words and forced a smile.

"Hello Sylphy, I'm Roxy Migurdia. No need to call me teacher. You kids are all so talented... it's really frustrating. I don't think I can be your teacher, but I can evaluate your magic level. You're not stronger than Rudeus, are you?"

Sylphy, noticing Allen's signals, quickly shook her head.

"Nope! I've only been studying magic for two months."

Roxy:

"Two months and already chantless casting?! Please stop calling me teacher. I wanna die. Why did I listen to Allen? He clearly brought me here to teach this genius kid. Allen you snake..."

Just then—

"Paul! Is Allen bullying my dear Soma again?! I want an explanation this time!"

Allen froze. He and Paul turned their heads to see Mrs. Soma at the gate, glaring inside.

Then her eyes landed on Roxy.

She scrutinized Roxy from head to toe, her gaze pausing at Roxy's chest, then gave a disdainful snort.

Roxy turned her head, calmly looking at Allen.

Allen opened his mouth to say something, but only managed a heartfelt:

"...I'm screwed."

[New Mission: "Her Scornful Eyes."]

[Mrs. Soma once felt threatened by Roxy suddenly moving into Paul's house, but later relaxed when she realized Roxy had zero interest in Paul. However, now that Roxy has returned, she seems to be...]

"Shut up!"

[Okay.]

(End of Chapter)

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