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

Roxy turned to look at Allen.

He held his sword with both hands, slowly drawing it through the air until the tip gently touched the grass.

Was it a trick of the light?

Roxy thought she saw an afterimage on the blade. The trembling shadow split, and a few drifting leaves in front of Allen slowly floated down...

And then split apart.

"126!"

Sylphy called out the count in her soft voice, while Roxy blinked at the tip of the blade.

"...Even such a slow slash can cut falling leaves in midair...?"

Rudeus saw her confused expression and scratched his head in frustration.

"...Sensei, watch carefully this time. Don't look at the sword."

As Rudeus spoke, Allen once again raised his blade over his head, following the exact same path as before. His movements were slow, consistent, flowing from above his head, down past his shoulders, across his abdomen, and finally halting right above a fluttering grass blade.

Rudeus continued.

"...Watch his arm."

The blade shimmered once again with light and shadow.

Roxy shifted her gaze from the sword to Allen's arm.

She saw the faint trembling of his muscles. His sleeve suddenly jerked, as if pulled by an invisible force, then softly settled back against his skin.

Roxy raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"...Could it be... that when the sword touched the grass, Allen already slashed again? Impressive."

Just as she finished speaking, the impressive Allen let out a heavy breath and suddenly turned pale. He stumbled toward Rudeus.

"Got more left? Hit me again."

Rudeus: ...

Roxy: ...

With a rapid chant, healing light lit up once more. Allen instantly jolted up like a corpse reanimated, grabbed his sword, and resumed practicing.

Rudeus sighed and looked at the dazed Roxy. She muttered absently:

"...Allen definitely has the strength of a top-tier adventurer."

"Uh... Isn't he already an adventurer?"

Roxy blinked, finally remembering that Allen had told her in secret. As far as she knew, only Paul and Zenith were aware of his true identity.

Awkwardly tugging her bangs, she shifted her eyes away.

"Ah, I meant an S-rank adventurer. Allen's skills far exceed his registered rank."

Rudeus saw her fluster and grew distracted. He glanced at Allen practicing intently, holding back a grin, then turned back to Roxy.

"By the way, Sensei... when you were an adventurer, did you ever meet a guy you liked?"

Roxy stiffened, scratching her cheek shyly.

"Well... back in Milis, because of my hair color, I was often discriminated against. I ended up penniless and only survived thanks to a kind compatriot. I worked at a tavern and... grew to like him. We formed a party with another well-endowed young lady."

Rudeus's smile froze.

"And then...?"

Roxy scratched her head awkwardly and murmured:

"They got together."

Perfect! A goddess who's never dated!

Roxy noticed Rudeus suddenly stand up, looking awkward. Her face turned more embarrassed.

"...I guess with this kind of body, no one would like me. I look like a kid."

But Rudeus declared seriously:

"I actually think that's what makes Sensei even more lovable~"

Roxy twitched at his words.

"You should wait ten more years before saying stuff like that. Still... you might like my figure now, but in the future, your preferences might change."

Rudeus vowed:

"Impossible! I like you just the way you are, Sensei!"

Half-lidded eyes, loli, cool demeanor. The perfect goddess!

"Liar."

But Roxy's smile betrayed a hint of pleased embarrassment.

Just as Rudeus was about to respond, Allen staggered over again, pale as a ghost.

"Another one... please."

A flash of green light revived him. He thanked them, then casually tossed a comment:

"What were you two talking about? I think I heard something about 'liking that type'? Love talk?"

"No, Sensei was just insecure about her figure. I was comforting her."

Roxy lowered her head, drawing circles on the ground.

So it really was just comforting... T_T

Allen glanced at her.

"If she's insecure about her figure, then don't focus on that when comforting her. Even if you're sincere, she might take it as just trying to make her feel better."

At that, Roxy looked up at Allen. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting shimmering reflections in her lake-blue eyes.

Allen's gaze paused on her eyes for a moment. Then he turned away, letting his unfinished sentence drift on the breeze:

"Her eye color is beautiful. Compliment that instead."

It felt so natural.

The sound of Allen's blade slicing the air resumed, louder than before, yet everyone remained silent.

Rudeus swallowed hard and looked away from Allen toward Roxy.

She was tugging her bangs again, blushing.

"What a smooth talker..."

The wind scattered her voice before anyone else could hear it.

Rudeus hesitated, then gritted his teeth and changed the subject.

"...Sensei, are you still planning to head to the labyrinth near Mt. Dragonking in a few days?"

Roxy glanced at Allen practicing, then looked up at the sky.

"Yes. That's still the plan."

Rudeus cautiously asked:

"So... you'll be staying on the Central Continent for the next ten years? Or...?"

Roxy hesitated, deep in thought.

"Honestly, there aren't many high-paying adventurer commissions on this continent. I plan to keep exploring while improving my magic and taking on tutoring jobs to earn a living. Ten years is a long time—I haven't thought that far ahead."

"I see... I think it would be great if Sensei stayed here on the Central Continent. Then maybe someday, I could join your adventurer team."

"...But I recommend you attend the Magic University first. Then think about becoming an adventurer."

Rudeus lit up.

"Then it's settled! I'll go to the Magic University, and after that, we form a party together!"

"...Let's talk about this again after you graduate."

Rudeus chuckled.

"But why are you so set on adventuring and exploring labyrinths? You could easily become a professor at the Magic University. Who knows, you might end up being my teacher again!"

Roxy shifted uncomfortably, her foot brushing the grass.

"Set on being an adventurer... Well, despite how I look, I do have romantic dreams, too. Maybe one day, a tall, masculine young man with a boyish face will rescue me deep in a labyrinth. Then, as we rely on each other, feelings blossom... and eventually..."

She trailed off and unconsciously turned to look at Allen.

His blade sliced downward again.

"139!"

Sylphy, who had been eavesdropping with her elf ears, looked visibly concerned as she glanced at Allen.

Rudeus was frozen. He turned stiffly toward Allen, looking like he was about to cry.

A tall, masculine, boyish young adventurer... Look! Right there! A perfect match for Roxy's ideal type! Damn it! I never should've let Paul make him my sword teacher...

Silence fell. Only the wind and sword clashed.

Allen, sensing something off, paused his practice and looked around.

Everyone was staring at him.

He blinked.

"...Huh? What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]

[Thank You For Your Support!]