Peak Between Two: Mushoku Tensei

-Luciel Greyrat-

One early morning, I woke up earlier than usual.

The desert air was still cold, and the morning breeze carried fine grains of sand that brushed against my skin. After days of gathering resources, I had finally decided—it was time to leave this cave and search for civilization.

But this vast, barren desert offered no roads, no visible landmarks. If we wandered aimlessly, we could easily get lost.

I needed a systematic approach.

Taking a small stick, I planted it firmly into the ground and waited. Minutes passed, and I observed the movement of its shadow. Using this method, I could determine east and west, then derive north and south.

That alone wasn't enough.

So, I constructed a makeshift sextant—a simple navigation tool that could measure the sun's angle against the horizon. Using a wooden piece, string, and a weighted stone, I calculated a rough latitude estimate.

After several attempts, I concluded—

We were most likely on the Begaritt Continent or the Demon Continent.

Satisfied with my findings, I returned to the cave and gently woke Norn and Aisha.

"We're starting our journey today," I said while packing our belongings.

The two of them blinked sleepily before exchanging glances—a mix of excitement and nervousness in their eyes.

"So… we're leaving?" Aisha asked hesitantly.

I nodded. "Yes. But we need to be careful. If we stay on the right path, we should reach a city in a few days."

Norn bit her lip. "Are you sure, Brother?"

I smiled and gently ruffled their hair. "I'm sure."

After ensuring our supplies were ready, I took both of their hands.

And with cautious steps, we left the cave, stepping into the endless expanse of sand, hoping to find signs of life beyond the horizon.

###

This journey felt endless.

For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that we had ended up in a remote corner of the continent, far from any major settlements. That made traveling on foot far more exhausting than I had anticipated.

I carried a large monster-hide bag, packed with resources I had gathered—materials that I could trade for money once we reached the nearest town. But despite walking for over a week, we had yet to see any signs of civilization.

The desert stretched on and on, an unforgiving sea of sand.

Every day, we woke before sunrise to avoid the scorching midday heat, walking for several hours before finding shade. When the sun began to set, we resumed our journey until nightfall.

And in between, I trained Norn and Aisha.

After observing them for days, I started to notice their natural differences in combat.

Aisha was analytical and had quick comprehension of magic concepts. She liked to think before acting, making her well-suited for magic-based combat.

Norn, on the other hand, had better physical strength and sharp reflexes. Unlike Aisha, she relied on instinct, making her more suited for close-range fighting.

With this in mind, I adjusted their training accordingly.

That evening, as the desert air grew cooler, I decided to hold a small practice session before we rested.

Standing before them, I held out a wooden stick.

"Alright," I said, tossing it to Norn. "Aisha, try forming a small fireball without chanting. And Norn, strike the target point I showed you earlier."

Aisha furrowed her brows, biting her lip as she concentrated. She raised her hand, attempting to gather mana just as I had taught her.

Seconds passed, and—

Pop!

A tiny fireball flickered into existence in her palm, unstable and weak, like a candle in the wind.

"Ughhh…!" Aisha pouted, frustration evident in her eyes. "Why is it so small?! I want a big one!"

I chuckled. "You're still learning, Aisha. A fireball this size is already good for a beginner. Don't rush it."

"But I want to be like Big Brother Rudeus! He can make huge fireballs with just a snap of his fingers!" she whined, puffing her cheeks.

I sighed, crossing my arms. "Don't compare yourself to Rudeus. He's an anomaly. If you want to reach his level, you need to train diligently and first master control over your mana."

Aisha still looked unsatisfied, but eventually, she nodded. "Fine… but you have to train me more!"

I ruffled her hair with a small smile. "Of course."

Meanwhile, Norn was already prepared with her wooden stick.

I walked over to a dry tree stump nearby and tapped a specific spot on the surface.

"Norn, this is a weak point. If you hit the right spot, you can disrupt an opponent's balance without needing much force."

Norn nodded firmly, her gaze focused. "Understood!"

She took a deep breath, then swung the stick at the exact point I indicated.

Thud!

A solid impact echoed as the wood connected perfectly with the stump.

I smirked. Her progress was impressive.

"Not bad, Norn. Your reflexes are getting better."

She rubbed her nose proudly. "Hehe… I'm gonna be as strong as Father!"

Hearing that, I simply smiled.

Night had fallen, and the blistering desert heat had given way to a bone-chilling cold. The wind howled softly, carrying the eerie silence of the vast wasteland.

Snapping my fingers, I channeled earth magic into the sand beneath us. In an instant, a simple tent made of hardened soil rose from the ground—sturdy enough to withstand the night winds.

Norn and Aisha's eyes sparkled in amazement.

"Whoa! That's so cool, Big Brother!" Aisha exclaimed, running into the tent, eagerly touching its earthen walls.

Norn followed behind, examining it with a calmer expression. "It feels sturdy. Will it hold up all night?"

I chuckled. "Unless an earthquake or a giant monster smashes into it, we should be fine."

Norn nodded, satisfied. Meanwhile, Aisha had already started rolling around inside, acting like a kitten that had found a new favorite spot.

Shaking my head, I sat down inside the tent. "Alright, before we sleep, it's time for a lesson."

Aisha immediately stopped rolling. "Eh? A lesson? At night?!"

Norn, though tired, sat attentively.

I patted the floor, signaling them to sit in front of me.

"This isn't just any lesson," I said. "This is essential knowledge that might save your lives in the future."

Aisha hesitated, then shuffled closer. "Fine…"

I looked at both of them seriously.

"Listen carefully. Once we reach the city, never fully trust anyone you don't know."

Norn and Aisha exchanged nervous glances before turning back to me.

"What do you mean, Big Brother?" Norn asked.

Taking a small stick, I drew two human figures on the ground.

"A city isn't always a safe place," I explained. "There are two types of people you'll find there."

I tapped the first figure.

"First—good people. Those who might genuinely want to help us."

Then, I tapped the second figure.

"And second—people who only care about themselves. The kind who will deceive or exploit us."

Aisha began fidgeting. "So… not everyone in the city is nice?"

I nodded. "Exactly. To them, we're just ordinary kids. And there will always be people looking to take advantage of us."

Norn clutched the hem of her robe tightly. "Then… what should we do?"

I met their gazes, ensuring they understood the importance of my next words.

"First—don't talk too much to strangers. If anyone asks where we're from or where we're going, give them as little information as possible."

They both nodded.

"Second—never accept anything from others without my permission. No matter how kind they seem, they might have bad intentions."

Aisha raised a hand. "Even if they give us food?"

I smirked. "Especially if they give us food."

Aisha hugged her stomach. "So… I have to hold back if I'm hungry?"

I laughed. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're fed. But if a random stranger offers you something without reason, it could be poisoned or drugged."

Norn's face grew more serious. "What if we really are in danger?"

Setting the stick down, I gazed at them firmly.

"If anything feels wrong, find me immediately. Never try to handle things alone."

Taking a deep breath, I continued.

"You also have your own abilities. Aisha, if you feel threatened, create a distraction with magic and run."

Aisha swallowed but nodded. "O-Okay."

"Norn, your reflexes are quick. Use them to dodge and find an escape route."

Norn clenched her fists, determination in her eyes. "I understand, Big Brother."

I smiled faintly. "Good. Now, let's start your math lesson."

Aisha perked up. "Yay!"

Meanwhile, Norn… looked less enthusiastic.