Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and Romance!

The next morning, Paul's anger had mostly subsided.

But with the firm lectures from the night before and his recent "rest days," he was now full of energy. The moment breakfast ended, he dragged both Allen and Rudeus into the yard and told them to assume combat stances.

When the three stood in a triangle formation, facing each other, Paul took on a serious adult-like demeanor and addressed them sternly.

"You two have played around enough these past few days. Time to get back on track with sword training. Today's a double session—and I'm supervising personally. Especially you, Allen. Since when do instructors and students just spar like playmates? Have you even been teaching Rudeus properly?"

Rudeus gripped his wooden sword instinctively.

Ever since Allen arrived, his sword training had indeed slacked—but not because of Allen. The real reason was Paul becoming obsessed with sparring with Allen, shortening Rudeus's lessons dramatically.

But this wasn't the time to say that. He'd finally managed to cut down sword lessons by an hour a day. If he pushed back and upset Paul now, they might go right back to the old schedule.

Allen glanced at Paul's serious expression and couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

I've only been here a week! And half of that was spent dueling with you! When did I even have time to teach?!

Out loud, though, he replied respectfully.

"Paul-sama, though I've only been here a short time, I believe Rudeus shows great potential in the North God Style."

After all, using a magic exosuit definitely counts as North God Style.

Paul's face immediately darkened, his expression turning dismissive.

He'd been teaching Rudeus the Sword God and Water God styles. And when it came to the North God Style—

"North God? That barely counts as swordsmanship. It's more like flailing a sword around in combat."

Paul had a deep-rooted disdain for the North God Style, thanks in part to its flashy and chaotic "Kiba School" variant that had become popular across the Central Continent—largely due to the influence of the Second North God, who ran a dojo in the Dragon King Kingdom.

In Paul's eyes, it was just too unorthodox.

(Not that Paul was particularly orthodox himself.)

Allen cleared his throat, remaining tactful.

"Then I hope Paul-sama would guide us today through the fundamentals of Sword God and Water God styles."

Paul, pleased with this deference, nodded vigorously and shouted, "Then let's begin!"

He drew his sword with glee and pointed it squarely at Allen's forehead.

"This time, you're on offense!"

The yard fell silent.

A soft breeze blew by, and a withered leaf landed gently on Rudeus's face, like nature itself acknowledging he'd become an extra in this duel.

He looked at the two, who were already squaring off with full intensity.

...Should I just leave?

Allen looked at the wooden blade pointed at him, then calmly reached out with two fingers, pinching the tip and gently lowering it away from his face.

"Paul-sama, I believe reviewing a match afterward is just as important as the match itself. In fact, I have many questions I'd like to ask. If possible, maybe we could start today's session by discussing theory?"

Paul blinked.

He suddenly remembered that Allen's Water God Style was quite advanced—and this request sounded like someone seeking advice in an area they weren't confident in: likely Sword God Style.

"I don't mind… but I'll say this up front—I fight by instinct. I'm not great with explanations."

"Even so, that's still far more valuable than my blind guesswork."

The three pulled over small stools and sat in a circle. The countryside breeze brushed gently past them, peaceful and warm—much like Zenith's smiling face watching from the second floor window.

Allen sat up straight, his expression turning solemn as Paul sat across from him, arms crossed and pensive.

His own Sword God Style was still at an intermediate level. As someone who had read the novel, he probably should've progressed beyond that by now. But the original work's depiction of sword training was vague and metaphorical. Without the benefit of a structured foundation, like what he'd had with Water God Style from childhood, he might've never advanced at all.

He turned to Rudeus first.

"I'm not sure if Paul-sama ever thoroughly explained the differences between the three major sword styles, but since I'm most proficient in Water God and North God Styles, let me go over their defining traits first."

Rudeus blinked.

"Actually, I do know a little..."

Allen just smiled and asked,

"Then tell me—what would you say is the core principle of the Water God Style?"

Rudeus scratched his cheek.

"Defense?"

Allen shook his head.

"That's just the outward form. The true core of Water God Style is—perception."

Paul's brows lifted at that.

...This kid's got some insight.

But Rudeus looked puzzled.

"Perception?"

"That's right. Perception."

As Allen spoke, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. His breathing calmed. His mind stilled—like a windless lake.

In that moment, his five senses expanded.

The rustling of tree leaves. The earthy scent of soil. The curve of Paul's smirk. The slight lift of Rudeus's brows. The sensation of breeze brushing over the fine hairs on his arms—every detail sharpened to crystal clarity.

He opened his eyes and extended two fingers toward Rudeus's face.

"In essence, you learn to perceive everything around you—wind direction, sound, shifts in air pressure, the outline of objects. If you refine it enough, you can even sense killing intent… and the flow of mana."

As he spoke, a leaf drifted down—landing perfectly between his fingers.

They trembled slightly.

And with one final sentence, he concluded:

"Then, based on what you sense, you make the best possible response. You find your opponent's opening—and strike a lethal counter."

Rudeus stared, amazed, while Paul's gaze turned appreciative.

The leaf split in two.

Allen's fingers hadn't visibly moved, but both halves drifted downward, sliced clean through.

The action had been so smooth, Rudeus almost believed the leaf had chosen to collide with Allen's fingers to meet its end.

Shaking off his awe, he quickly raised a question.

"I get the rest—basically staying calm and analyzing everything in the moment to pick the best response. And I assume sensing killing intent is like detecting hostile intent or bloodlust… but mana flow? That's not something a non-mage can usually sense, is it?"

Allen smiled.

"It is."

Rudeus's eyes widened.

Allen looked a little sheepish as he retracted his hand and rubbed his nose.

"Though... I can't do it yet myself. Not in a normal state."

Rudeus's face fell.

"Then why say you could?!"

"He's not lying."

Rudeus turned to Paul, who had interjected with a serious expression.

"It's said that a high-level Water God Style swordsman can do that. Though honestly, I've never seen it myself."

Rudeus frowned.

"Then it's just a rumor, right? How could someone possibly—"

"I've seen it."

Both Paul and Rudeus turned to Allen.

Allen didn't meet their eyes. Instead, his gaze drifted downward to the sword at his waist. After a long pause, he spoke.

"In the Asura Kingdom's royal capital, at the Water God Style main dojo—there is a master known as Water God Reida Reia. She can do it. Flawlessly."