Mushoku Tensei with gacha system

Over the next few days,after her defeat, Eris became obsessed with learning how to create her own bounded fields. She was determined to match me, and I could see her pushing herself harder than ever before.

Finally, one evening, she managed to create a small, functional bounded field around herself. It was weak and unstable, but it was a start.

"I did it!" she shouted, her face glowing with pride.

I nodded, impressed. "You're getting there."

The final weeks of our training were intense. Eris had mastered the basics of bounded fields, and though she still struggled with Gwen's magic, her overall control of mana had improved dramatically. Her progress as both a swordswoman and a mage was undeniable.

I, on the other hand, felt more confident in my role as her teacher. The knowledge from Medea had given me the tools I needed to guide her effectively. And though I still worried about the limitations of the gacha system, I knew that I was helping Eris grow stronger.

As we stood together in the courtyard one last time, ready to face the challenges ahead, I realized that this was only the beginning. With Medea's knowledge and my newfound understanding of magic, the possibilities were endless.

But the question remained: What would the next goal in this new world should be?? 

The sun was shining brightly over the city of Roa, casting a golden hue over the streets as people bustled about. The air was crisp, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from nearby bakeries, mingling with the laughter of children running through the alleyways.

Eris stood next to me, her red hair swaying slightly in the breeze. She had a bright grin on her face, and for once, there was no hint of her usual brattiness. This was a different side of her—free, excited, and eager to explore.

"Let's go!" she said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She pointed toward the busy market street ahead. "I want to see everything!"

I nodded, smiling. "Sure, let's take our time."

It was supposed to be a short break from training, a simple trip to the city to relax. But the more time I spent with Eris, the more I realized I was looking forward to moments like this. It felt almost… like a date. Not that I would say that aloud, of course

The market was lively, filled with vendors shouting out their wares—fruits, vegetables, trinkets, and clothes. Eris dragged me from stall to stall, her enthusiasm infectious. She pointed at everything, asking me questions or simply making loud exclamations about how interesting it all was.

At one point, she stopped at a stall selling beautiful silver bracelets. She picked one up, examining it closely, her brow furrowing with concentration.

"Do you like it?" I asked, curious about her sudden focus.

Eris glanced at me and shrugged, though I could tell she liked it. "It's not bad."

I smiled, stepping forward and handing a few coins to the vendor. Eris blinked, her eyes widening. "What are you doing?"

"I'm buying it for you," I said, handing the bracelet to her.

Her cheeks turned slightly pink as she took it, her usual confidence faltering for a moment. "You didn't have to do that…"

"It's fine. I wanted to. think of it as a gift for being a great student"

She stared at the bracelet for a moment, then quickly put it on her wrist, muttering a quiet "Thank you" under her breath before rushing off to the next stall. I followed her, my heart pounding a little harder than before.

After we'd explored the market, we found a small bakery tucked away in a corner of the city. The smell of fresh pastries and sweets filled the air, and Eris's eyes lit up when she spotted the array of cakes on display.

"Let's get that one!" she exclaimed, pointing at a large chocolate cake.

We sat down at a small table, and I watched as Eris practically devoured her slice of cake with childlike glee. Her face was covered in chocolate, but she didn't seem to care. She looked… happy. Purely, genuinely happy.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You've got something on your face."

Eris paused, blinking at me. "What?"

I leaned over, gently wiping a bit of chocolate from the corner of her mouth. She froze, staring at me with wide eyes. For a moment, there was a strange tension between us—something unspoken, but deeply felt. Then, she quickly turned away, her face flushed.

"T-Thanks," she muttered, suddenly shy.

I sat back, my heart racing again. Was I… starting to like her?

After our snack, we wandered through the less crowded parts of Roa, exploring the quieter streets and alleys. Eris seemed to enjoy the peace, and for once, there was no shouting or arguing. We talked about random things—her training, my magic, the people we'd met.

It was strange how easy it was to talk to her now. When we first met, it felt like she was always on edge, always ready to argue or fight. But now, she seemed… calmer. More comfortable around me. And I found myself drawn to that side of her.

At one point, we found a small park with a fountain in the center. We sat by the fountain, watching the water glisten in the afternoon sun. Eris leaned back, stretching her arms above her head.

"This is nice," she said, her voice softer than usual.

"Yeah," I agreed, my eyes drifting to her. "It is."

As we sat there, I couldn't help but feel that something had shifted between us. It wasn't just friendship anymore—there was something more, something deeper. I found myself watching her more closely, noticing the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about things she loved, the way she smiled when she thought no one was looking.

And then, before I could stop myself, I asked, "Do you like spending time with me?"

Eris blinked, caught off guard by the question. She glanced at me, her face turning slightly red. "What kind of question is that?"

"I'm just curious," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

She looked away, fiddling with the bracelet I had bought her. "I guess… I do. You're not as annoying as I thought you'd be."

I laughed. "Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment."

She smirked, but her eyes softened, and for a moment, there was something tender in the way she looked at me.

As the day wore on, we found ourselves back in the city square, watching a group of street performers. Eris stood close to me, her shoulder brushing against mine. It was a small touch, but it sent a jolt through me.

Without thinking, I moved a little closer. Eris glanced at me, but she didn't move away. Instead, she stayed there, standing by my side as we watched the performance in comfortable silence.

I realized then that I didn't just enjoy being around her—I wanted to protect her, to be by her side. It was a strange feeling, one that I hadn't expected, but it was there all the same.

As evening fell, the streets of Roa were bathed in the warm glow of lanterns. Eris and I walked side by side, the day's excitement fading into a peaceful calm.

We stopped by a small bridge overlooking a river. The water shimmered under the light of the setting sun, casting a golden reflection on everything around us.

Eris leaned on the railing, staring out at the water. "Today was fun."

"Yeah," I said, standing next to her. "It was."

For a while, we stood in silence, watching the water flow.

As the night deepened, we made our way back to the mansion. But the atmosphere between us had changed. There was a quiet warmth now, something that hadn't been there before.

When we reached the gate, Eris paused, turning to face me. Her usual brashness was gone, replaced by something softer, something more vulnerable.

"Thank you for today," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled. "Anytime."

I stood there, stunned, my heart racing.

Maybe I was falling for her after all.

The days after our trip to Roa were different. Eris was still her usual fiery self during training, but there was a new closeness between us. We didn't talk about the kiss, but it lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of how much things had changed.

As we continued our training, I found myself thinking more and more about her—about the way she smiled, the way she laughed, the way she looked at me when she thought I wasn't paying attention.

I didn't know where this would lead, but I knew one thing for sure: I didn't want to lose her.

And that thought scared me more than anything.