Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and the Romance System [157]

Allen shifted his gaze away and bent his knees to sit.

Head lowered.

In his view, the table before him had the plate Sylphy already prepared for him—everything was something he liked to eat.

He’d once felt a little embarrassed about it, feeling like a “young master” being served. He’d carefully told Sylphy she didn’t have to, that he could get it himself.

But she’d refused with a smile.

“Allen, you seem really troubled lately over the Longsword of Silence. I only know magic, so this is the little I can do to help. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s okay.”

“Think of it as payment for the dresses you’ve bought me.”

Now, Allen had been about to look up and thank her, but after a blink, he simply picked up a piece of bread.

Neck stiff, head still lowered.

Half a year ago, after writing the three characters for “Sylphy” on paper, for some reason, every time he saw her face now, there was this inexplicable fluster—an instinct to avoid those bright, burning eyes.

He couldn’t treat her like a child anymore.

Tch.

At least Sylphy didn’t seem to realize he’d once again indulged Eris in skipping class.

So bringing her to change clothes and comb her hair, while deliberately not changing his own—this strategy had been the right choice.

A perfect “alibi.”

This way...

He wouldn’t have to look into her eyes and explain.

That was harder than advancing to Saint-rank in swordsmanship.

Beside him, Rudy watched from the corner of his eye, observing Allen’s every expression—and was satisfied enough to let a faint smile curl at his lips.

Then his face froze.

Because, he felt a burning stare.

From the side of his head.

He turned sharply.

Eris, with the exact same raised-brow look Allen wore, eyes narrowed, staring right at him.

Rudy shivered.

Wait—Milady?! You want to compete over this too??

But then he realized it wasn’t what he thought.

Because a moment later, Eris spoke.

Her voice was loud and clear.

An explanation.

And also a top-down, “command-like” statement of fact.

“I skipped class to sleep in the stables today! I didn’t go looking for Allen! See—my clothes aren’t even wet!”

The moment she finished—smack!—Allen clapped a hand over his face, rubbing at it helplessly.

Eris, proud, folded her arms, clearly pleased with how perfectly she had reproduced Allen’s earlier instructions.

See, Allen? I explained it just like you said! How’s that? Impressive, right?!

Rudy and Sylphy—both of whom had seen the siblings practicing on the eaves that very morning—turned to stare at Eris in astonishment.

Now that was a flawless alibi.

Those who’d seen Conan, and those who hadn’t—were both silent.

Allen rubbed his face for a while before looking up across the table.

Just as he was about to explain, he saw Sylphy’s ears twitch.

As if she’d sensed his gaze, she immediately turned her head toward him.

Allen froze without thinking, the words on his lips forgotten.

Because, the wind had moved.

Autumn morning wind, after the rain, carrying the scent of damp earth.

It brushed against the curtains in the dining hall windows...

Swaying. Shifting.

Sunlight spilled across the table.

Maybe it was because the post-rain morning light was too bright—

But right now, Allen saw in Sylphy’s eyes a shimmering, iridescent haze of color.

Those were her rich, red-brown eyes.

In them, the light and shadow swayed with the curtain’s movement.

And then—

Sylphy’s gentle, soft voice in his ear:

“It’s okay.”

“Allen.”

She smiled, eyes warm, and pointed at the plate in front of him.

“Eat before the soup gets cold.”

Allen looked at her—then immediately looked away.

Head down, staring into the soup bowl.

But in his mind—still that image from just now.

In her pupils, was his own face.

...

“Don’t watch the expression! Feel the killing intent! Faces can lie, movements can be feints—but killing intent can’t be faked. Understand?”

A wooden sword burst into splinters!

Allen stared into Eris’s eyes—her wooden blade pressing down on his, the crack-crack of wood under heavy strain sounding out.

But Allen’s sword didn’t move an inch.

It was as if, only Eris was swinging at all.

Eris bared her teeth in dissatisfaction, snapping:

“I am feeling for it! But I can’t feel anything!”

Allen froze a moment, then realized something—his brows lifting high.

He lowered his eyes to the wooden sword in his hand, avoiding Eris’s gaze—

And then—

Killing intent!

It surged.

Eris stiffened all over, goosebumps racing up from her wrists to her arms.

Her sharp swordsmanship instincts felt it instantly—this strange, indescribable chill seeping from Allen’s wooden blade toward her.

Thick.

Cold.

She shivered, her sword clattering to the ground.

Instinctively, she looked into Allen’s eyes.

His lids lifted, meeting her gaze.

His “look” was as it always was.

In an instant, the cold was gone from her body.

Eris glanced up at the setting sun.

The sunlight was still warm.

Driving away the chill completely.

“Remember this—that’s killing intent.”

Eris nodded blankly.

“But why couldn’t I feel it before?”

Allen’s mouth twitched; he gave her a silent look.

“…That’s my fault. I probably didn’t actually release any killing intent just now.”

“Hah?”

On the side, Ghislaine shook her head.

She stepped forward to take Allen’s sword, turning to Eris.

“I’ll spar with you instead.”

“Okay!”

Allen stepped out, heading over to Rudy, who was reading nearby.

“You’ve really given up swordsmanship completely?”

Rudy didn’t look up.

“I am practicing, Allen-dono~ But just enough to stay fit. And isn’t swordsmanship your job? Why should I still practice?”

Allen rested his chin in thought.

It did seem like there wasn’t much point… In the original story, did Rudy’s swordsmanship ever play a role?

…Not much.

The only moment that stood out—

His face stiffened.

In the original, Rudy’s one “showcase” of swordsmanship was when Ariel entrusted Sylphy to him, and he sparred with Luke at the front door—Rudy’s big swordsmanship moment.

But Luke was only Intermediate in Sword God Style, and barely Beginner in Water God Style.

Seen like that—no, not much point at all.

He was still thinking this when he suddenly froze.

Glancing around he asked:

“Where’s Sylphy?”

This finally made Rudy look up.

He gave Allen a narrow-eyed look, staring at him in silence—

Until Allen’s scalp tingled and he began to realize.

Rudy finally spoke, still watching Allen’s face.

But Allen had already put it together the moment Rudy opened his mouth:

“Whenever Lord Sauros and Lord Philip aren’t at the estate, Eris comes to eat in the servants’ hall. And in the afternoon, doesn’t Sylphy always take leave to have ‘tea’ with Madam?”

As he said it, Allen looked up toward the second-floor windows.

No figure there.

Sylphy was off making up for the “company” that was missing.

Her heart was delicate, empathic.

Afraid Hilda might feel lonely.

---

This is a fan translation of 无职转生：剑，魔法帽与恋爱系统 by 意外火灾 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!