Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and the Romance System [114]

Allen’s dislike for this “family” was plain as day. Yet for reasons even he might not fully understand, he instinctively avoided any interaction with the only person in the household who bore him sincere goodwill—his “mother.” That was why he stepped aside, making room for her to pass.

Was it that he didn’t like his birth mother?

Or was it that Philip and Sauros’s treatment had soured him on the entire Boreas family?

Those questions flashed through Rudeus’s mind—questions he would never have considered before. But now, he couldn’t begin to guess Allen’s true thoughts. After all, Allen was like him: someone from another world.

If Allen had truly realized that, then maybe he saw Hilda as a kind of Zenith—a mother he had never known, one who appeared from the sky out of nowhere, crying for him. That would explain the confusion he might feel.

He might sense the goodwill. But that doesn’t mean he could accept it as “motherly love.”

Just like now.

Allen could tell that Hilda was the only adult in the Boreas household who extended him clean, uncomplicated kindness.

But he didn’t feel motherly warmth from her.

He hadn’t in his past life, either.

He had no idea how to respond to that unfamiliar warmth from a stranger—so foreign, so distant.

Allen’s still just eleven years old, Rudeus thought. He’s so mature that I keep forgetting his age. I wonder… is his will really as strong as I believe it is? Maybe it’s my turn to help him, just this once.

That passing thought dissolved as Allen silently turned to follow Eris.

And just then—

A voice rang out behind them.

“You all…”

Rudeus spun around.

Hilda stood there, her expression touched by something that looked… almost apologetic. Her gaze passed over them all, but Rudeus clearly felt it pause—if only for a breath—on Allen.

She said:

“…Forgive me. I was thinking of something else just now. I let my mood… get the better of me. You’re all guests from far away. As your host, I shouldn’t have acted that way. Especially when my dear husband isn’t here to greet you.”

“Why don’t we all have lunch together? There’s plenty of food. And since Father won’t be joining us today, there’s no need to stand on formalities.”

Eris’s excited cheer cut through the moment.

And then—Rudeus heard it.

A soft sigh.

It came from Hilda’s lips.

So short.

And yet in his chest, it felt like something that lingered far too long.

...

Lady Eris was thrilled.

Hilda’s invitation had caught her completely off guard. In all her memory, no outsider had ever sat at their family table.

She immediately abandoned the idea of showing off the library, and instead led everyone toward the dining hall.

The Boreas “family dining room” was opulent. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead. The dining table was so long that Eris could practically fit her whole wrestling team underneath it. Silk tablecloths were laid with gleaming silverware and dishes. The sunlight from the tall windows danced across their polished surfaces.

The meats were exotic—no common pork in sight. Only rare wild birds and fish.

The bread was softer and sweeter than anything in Buena Village, sliced and neatly arranged. The texture was so delicate, you could see the air pockets in the cross-sections.

Fresh wild vegetables had been turned into a clear broth, portioned out into small bowls to each diner’s left.

Wine and specialty drinks were placed along the center of the table.

And most noticeably—what set this table apart from any in Buena Village—

Were the countless spices and condiments from all across the world. A small detail, yes—but an unmistakable mark of wealth and noble prestige.

Allen and Rudeus sat properly at the table.

Next to them, Sylphy was gently wiping drool from Ghislaine’s mouth.

Each of them had a beastkin maid standing behind them.

Across the table, Hilda stirred her vegetable soup with elegant care. Beside her, Eris grinned cheerfully as her bread was torn and served by a waiting maid.

“Hurry up and eat already! What are you waiting for?!”

No one moved.

Hilda chuckled indulgently and gave a small smile to her daughter.

“Please, don’t stand on ceremony. Enjoy.”

Only then did Allen lift his spoon and begin stirring his soup.

Rudeus glanced at Allen’s measured movements, then tried a bite of meat—curious about how noble cuisine differed from what he knew.

Ghislaine, meanwhile, was already face-deep in her plate.

Hilda quietly watched everyone, then spoke lightly:

“Eris can be a bit hot-tempered. I hope you’ll all be patient with her. You’re not far in age from her, after all. I imagine you’ll get along much better than her previous tutors ever did.”

Her gaze, however, settled on Allen.

By now, Hilda had more or less realized where her strange sense of familiarity came from.

—This boy reminded her instinctively of her eldest son in the Capital.

He clearly acted as the “leader” of the three tutors. And for someone like Eris, so difficult to deal with, to accept him after just a single night…

She found herself curious.

And admittedly, fond of him.

Allen, eyes still on his spoon, replied:

“It’s only natural. Lady Eris is quite charming, actually. She’s just a little… forthright. But I’m sure she’ll grow into a fine noblewoman with excellent poise.”

Eris, mid-bite, gave a proud little mmph—but ended up choking on her food.

Hilda reached over and patted her back gently.

“Let’s hope so. Compared to the long-eared girl beside you and Paul’s little boy, you do seem far more composed. I hear you’re an adventurer?”

“I am.”

“How old are you?”

“Eleven.”

Hilda’s hand froze for a moment. Her eyebrows rose slightly as she looked at him.

“My, that young? I thought you were at least fifteen. And these two?”

“They’re both seven.”

“…I see.”

For a while, only the light clink of spoons tapping silver bowls filled the silence. The soft gulping of Ghislaine and Eris swallowing bites echoed through the quiet.

Hilda stared at Allen a moment longer, then asked gently—since he hadn’t introduced himself:

“And your names? What subjects will you each be teaching Eris?”

Rudeus’s hand paused over his bread. Sylphy hadn’t even touched her food yet. She turned to look at Allen.

Sunlight reflected in Allen’s deep gray eyes as he finally raised his head and met Hilda’s gaze.

“The brown-haired boy with the bread is Rudeus Greyrat, eldest son of the knight in Buena Village. He specializes in chantless attack magic and is apprenticed to a Water King-tier magician. He’ll be teaching Lady Eris attack spells and arithmetic.”

Eris, still chewing, waved her hand at Allen in irritation—clearly wanting him to continue.

“The long-eared beauty is Sylphyette. She’s skilled in chantless healing magic and also apprenticed to a Water King-tier magician. She’ll be teaching healing spells.”

Eris nodded enthusiastically, still chewing. Sylphy’s ears twitched, and she gripped her silver spoon a little tighter.

Allen continued, voice steady.

“I’m Allen. I’ll be teaching Lady Eris the Water God Style of swordsmanship.”

Clink.

A spoon dropped into a bowl.

Sylphy quickly turned to look at Hilda.

Hilda was still smiling.

But her voice had turned slightly dazed.

“Fate… how curious.”

“My son’s name… is also Allen.”

“A funny coincidence, madam,” Allen replied.

“…Yes. Quite the coincidence.”

Silence fell over the table.

Eris stopped chewing. She looked from her mother… to Allen.

She didn’t quite understand what was happening. But her instincts told her something was going on—something she couldn’t grasp.

Sylphy and Rudeus exchanged a glance, then lowered their eyes.

Sylphy, mimicking Allen, began stirring her vegetable soup with a spoon.

The red-brown light reflected in her eyes.

Allen’s hand gripped the spoon in his own bowl.

Just a little too tightly.

--

T/N: QUITE THE COINCIDENCE

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!