[vol.1][Ch.10] Mushoku tensei

This is an edited version of SilentWolfie's translation of Mushoku tensei. All credits for the translation go to the translator at http://visualnovel.deviantart.com/blog/
This text has been edited so that it would sound better in English, as such it might not be as close to the original as some would like it. Read it at your own peril xD



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Chapter 10 - Bottleneck

I'm 7 years old now.

My two sisters, Nolan and Aisha are growing up without any problems.

They cry whenever they wet the bed, dirty their diapers, get hungry or feel something is wrong. They even cry when there's nothing wrong. (TL: Wait what? If they cry 24/7 I would think something is very wrong.)

It's normal to cry at night. It's normal to cry in the morning. They even cry harder during the day.

Paul and Janis are quickly crumbling mentally.

But only Lilia is full of energy saying:

[This is the right thing, this is actually how raising children should feel! It was too easy with Young Master Rudeus! You can't call that raising a child!]

She takes care of the babies with her experience.

Adding on to it, regarding the matter of crying in the night, I have already gotten use to it due to my younger brother, so I don't take notice of it.

I'm not really bragging, but I already have experience taking care of a baby due to my younger brother. Looking at me changing the diapers, washing the clothes and cleaning up, Paul gives off an expression of being useless.

This guy is similar to the Japanese males before the war, who knew nothing about housework.

Even though he's very skilled with the sword and receives deep trust from the villagers, he's half baked when it comes to being a father.

This is already the 2nd baby....... Sheesh.

***

In the talk from here on, I'll attempt to restore Paul's reputation and talk about his good points.

He has all sorts of weakness all over him and no matter how you look at it, Paul's a scumbag, nevertheless I acknowledge him.

Why? Because he's strong.

First, Paul's sword techniques ranks are:

Sword God Style: Advanced
Water God Style: Advanced
North God Style: Advanced

All the styles are advanced.

Talking about advanced, it's said that people with talent will have to spend 10 years on each stance to reach the Advanced level.

Advanced level, if you compare it to kendo, it's about 4th to 5th dan. Middle rank is about 1st dan to 3rd dan or so and as a common knight, reaching the Middle rank is enough to qualify. Saint rank requires the upper rank dan 6th and above, but I'll ignore this for now.

Another example is that Paul has kendo, Judo and Karate reaching the strength of 4th dan.

And all of them are trained halfway before abandoning it.

Even though he's not a decent human being, his strength can be guaranteed. Also, even though he's only 25 years or so, his practical combat experience is in abundance.

The advice that he gives is very cunning and practical.

Due to him being too much of an instinct user, I can't understand even half of it, but I know what he says are all correct.

The 2 years I spend learning from Paul, haven't alowed me rise above the elementary ranks. After a few more years, I don't know how my physical strength will improve, but currently no matter how I do mental training in my mind, I can't find a way to beat Paul, even if I use magic or play around with strategies, I feel like I completely can't win.

I've seen Paul fight a magical creature.

More accurately, it was him who showed me. After being notified there's a magical creature, he used [Observing is also a form of experience] and dragged me outside, letting me watch his battle from afar.

To tell the truth.

He's too damn cool.

His opponents are 4 magical creatures.

3 <<Assault Dog>>, that look like trained Dobermann,
1 <<Terminate Boa>>, a wild pig like magical creature with 4 arms.

It seems like that wild pig has led the dogs and appeared deep within the forest.

Paul easily handles them and cuts off their heads within moments.

Let me say this again, that is too damn cool.

How should I describe it, his entire battle feels like he is full of elegance. What makes me excited is how there's an unfathomable rhythm to it, looking aptly presentable.

It's not adequate to describe it with words. If you really need to use a word to describe it, it would be charm.

Paul's battle style is full of charm. It draws people's trust, made Janis fall in love with him, Lilia yielding her body to him, and I can understand why Mrs Ada is so hot infatuated with him.

The number one guy in the village whom you want to sleep with.

Well meh, whatever.

I'm grateful for his existence. I'm grateful this powerful existence is beside me.

If there was no Paul here, I might have easily turned out to be rather arrogant in this world.

Like challenging a magical creature recklessly, just because I know some magic. As I can't hit the <<Assault Dog>>, I would get cruelly bitten to death.

No, perhaps it might not be magical creatures, but men.

Arrogantly challenging an unbeatable enemy.

An scenario that happens all too easily.

Trying to punish the bad people, but get wiped out instead.

The warriors in this world are strong beyond comprehension.

If one is serious he can run at the speed of 50 kilometers, the dynamic vision and reflexes aren't normal.

Because of Healing magic, no one wouldn't easily die, therefore the opponent kills in one strike.

The existence of magical creature has made the human race adapt and become strong.

Furthermore, Paul who's so powerful is only at the Advanced rank. Judging from the swordsmans basis, there are many people out there that are more powerful. In this world, the famous people and magical creatures, there are way too many of them out there, for whom Paul is not a match for.

There is always someone better than you.

Paul's existence taught me this natural conclusion.

Regardless of how many good points he has, he's a useless father at home.

Even if you're an Olympic gold medalist, you're still a criminal, if you commit a crime.

***

One random day, I practice like usual with Paul learning sword techniques.

I can't win against Paul today also. I probably can't win tomorrow too.

Recently, I don't have the feeling of improvement. However, if I don't continue training I will not improve.

Even if there's no sense to it, the process of training will become my skill.

Probably.

It will right? There should be no mistake to it?

When I think of this and that, suddenly, Paul remembers something and says:

[That's right Rudei. About school you.......]

When he reaches the middle of it, he stops.

[....... Never mind. Nothing, let's continue.]

Paul raises his wooden sword as if nothing happened.

I didn't miss that.

[What, school......?]


[The school refers to the Fedoa's region, the capitol's Roa education system. It's in charge of teaching language, history, etiquette and mathematics.]

[I think I heard it before in the past.]

[Usually a child your age will attend school....... You don't need it right? Learning language and mathematics?]

[Hm, that's true.]

I am pretending that Roxy taught me Mathematics.

After the two girls were born, the financials diped slightly into the red, and I took a look at the account books and in the end they got a shock. I was afraid of being called a genius or something, so I immediately brought out Roxy's name.

In the end, Roxy's evaluation went up again, that's fine with me.

[But I'm interested in school. Aren't there a lot of kids of the same age as me gathering together? I might be able to make friends.]

But Paul spits at that.

[That's not a fine place that you believed it to be. There's no flexibility to the etiquette lessons, there are a huge bunch of useless rules and there's no meaning, if you learn about history. You  absolutely will get bullied, when brats of Nobles gather together, they will cause a fuss, if they aren't number one. If they see you being better, they will form a party to bully you. Something like, why are you being better than me despite the fact that I have a duke as my father.]

It's like he experienced it first hand.

I heard that Paul left home due to his father's strictness and the disgusting Nobles.

The etiquette and history lessons are there to give vanity to the Asura's Nobles, they are probably there to make people feel oppressed.

I will surely also feel the same way, since Paul and I are similar.

[Is that so. I thought there might be daughters of the Nobles out there who are cute.]

[I suggest you give up. The Nobles' daughters might wear make up and do up a hairstyle and put on perfume, but once they go into the bed, because they don't do any physical activities, their body shape is really terrible. Well, there are those out there who likes the sword, and have a pretty good bodys, but most of them uses a corset to cover up things, so if you don't strip them you can't know for sure. Father has been deceived many times......]

Paul looks up to the sky as he says that, and his words are subtly persuasive.

Even though the way he talks is like a scumbag, because of these experiences, he managed to get such a good wife like Janis, so his words have a deeper meaning to it.

[Then..... I won't go to school.]

There are many things I want to teach Sylphy.

Also, if I know I'll get bullied and still go there on purpose, there must be something wrong with the mind.

I didn't become a 20 years NEET just because I got bullied.

[That's right. Instead of going to school, you should become an adventurer and go into dungeons.]

[Adventurer......?]

[That's right. Dungeons are a good place. Because girls don't wear makeup, you can tell whether they are pretty. Regardless of a swordsman or warrior or a magician, they all have really good bodies.]

Putting the scumbag comments aside.

According to the books, dungeons are a form of a magical creature.

It is merely a simple cave that has warped due to the accumulation of Mana and finally changed into a dungeon.

At the deepest part of the dungeon, there is said to be a source of power, a Mana Crystal and there is a protector that protects it (Boss).

The Mana Crystal is a bait that has a strong temptation.

The magical creatures that are drawn into the dungeon, will die from triggering a traps or starving to death, or killed by the protector.

The dungeon will absorb the Mana from the Magical creature.

But, there is also the possibility where the Magical creature eats the Mana Crystal, or occasionally gets buried when the dungeon collapses.

Dungeon sounds like a Magical Creature because of this fuzzy description.

Also, Magical creatures are not the only ones drawn to the Mana Crystal.

Humans are also foolishly drawn to it.

It seems that the Mana Crystal can be used as a catalyst for Magic, so the price for it is extremely high. Even though the price is set according to the size, even a small Mana Crystal will sell for enough to play around for a year. Furthermore, while the Magical creatures are only eying the Mana Crystal, humans aren't merely going for that.

There are Magical creatures that has years of Mana in them, in addition there are adventurers' equipments that have been left behind.

There is also another bait.

Magic Items. 　魔力付与品(マジックアイテム)

Magic items are different in the sense that they do not use the user's Mana and still cast Magic. It's just that the majority of the Magic Items do not have very useful abilities.

Most of them are trash.

But amongst them are cheat-like items that make even God-ranked characters pale.

If something like that is sold, they can earn tremendous amounts of money, and there are people who are drunk on the dream of getting rich overnight entering a dungeon.

Most of them collapsed in the journey and Mana that dungeons receive from them, make it even bigger and deeper.

And thus, there is a huge amount of treasure sleeping in the deepest parts of a dungeon.

There is a confirmation of the oldest and longest dungeon situated in the central continent of the Red Dragon's Sacred mountain region - at the Dragon Crying mountain foothills [The Dragon God's hole]. According to articles, it has been around since 10000 years ago. The estimated deepest part is at 2500 floors. It's said that there is a certain hole that connects the top of the Dragon Crying mountain to the bottom of the dungeon, and if you jump from there you can reach the deepest part of the dungeon in an instant, but using that method no one is able to come back up. (TL: 中央大陸の赤竜山脈が霊峰、龍鳴山の麓にある『龍神孔』 *Grumbles*)

Just to add on, the hole doesn't spew lava.

The Dragon God's hole is meant to catch red Dragons.

Sometimes the dragon that passes by will be sucked in.

The verification of this cannot be ensured, but since it's a Magical Creature that has lived for 10000 years, it wouldn't be strange if it's capable of doing something like this.

To further add on, the dungeon that is recognized to be the hardest difficulty is situated in the Heaven's continent 『Hell』, and the center of Ringuz's sea [Magic God's Cavern]. The entrance's to these two places are very difficult to access and it is very difficult to supply things in there. It is said that the dungeon is very deep and there's no way to explore it step by step, so it's rated as the highest difficulty.

The above is all the knowledge that I know of the dungeons.

[I read things about dungeons in a book.]

[<<The 3 swordsmen and the dungeon>>? If you can explore the legendary dungeons like the book, you will definitely leave your name behind in history. Do you want to try working towards that?

--- <<The 3 swordsmen and the dungeon>>

The 3 genius swordsmen that later went on to become the Sword God, Water God, and Northern God, who challenged a huge dungeon after several setbacks. During the journey they had laughed, fought amongst themselves, had farewells and they finally succeeded in conquering the dungeon.

The dungeon they went into was 100 floors below.

[Isn't that a made up story?]

[It's not the case. It's said that the various styles came from that dungeon.]

[Eh. If it requires that much luck to become a God-ranked person, even if I try hard, I won't be able to attain it, right?]

[Father tried before. Rudei however, can certainly do it.]

Later on Paul tells me a story, about a youth of Ghost race who entered a dungeon with a Human race's swordsman. They entered the Water fishes race's nest dungeon and insisted of beating the Water fish race, they lost a companion. There they found a half baked magician, who fell into the dungeon by accident and was later picked up by the party who had just lost their magician. In the end he woke his dormant potential and become strong.

He's telling me this, as if he has been trying to find an opportunity.

Come to think of it, Paul said he wanted me to become a swordsman.

He must have thought that after I listened to the stories and read the <<The 3 swordsmen and the dungeon>>, I would be in admiration of the terms: dungeons, adventurers and swordsmen.

Dungeons. Interested.

Even though I find it interesting, at the same time I find it's dangerous.

That's because the characters that appear in the books, died abruptly.

In the book <<The 3 swordsmen and the dungeon>>, there are other characters that appear besides the 3 swordsmen.

But other than the 3 swordsmen, all the rest died.

Some of them got hit with a fireball and turned into charcoal. Some of them fell into a hole and turned into soup. One of them even got cut into two, when the he raised his head up. They didn't receive a scratch from the magical creatures fight, but once they got careless they got wiped out by the traps.

Even though the 3 swordsmen elegantly avoided the traps like protagonists, I don't think someone as careless as me can avoid them. I'm the donkan type after all.

[How about it? Adventurers are interesting right?]

[Are you joking?]

Why should I intentionally go to such a dangerous place like, as if I'm seeking thrills.

If it's possible, I wish to be like Paul surrounded by women.

[Chasing after girls' butts suit my character.

My dream is to be like father to be surrounded by a few of them.]

[Is that so, is that so. But it's better to chase after one butt.]

Paul points to my back, and I turn back to find a sullen Sylphy behind me.

Such misfortune.

***

Recently in my room I'm teaching Sylphy a lot of things.

To explain the details of the theory behind voiceless incantation, it's faster to teach from the basics of physics and maths.

Even though I was the lowest in my class during middle grade, I did manage to enter an idiot high school with much difficulty and then only to stop in the middle of it.

Therefore I can teach only a limited amount of things.

Even though learning isn't everything in school, I regret that I did not study more things.

Sylphy has basically understood how to write and read, as well as 2 digits additions and subtraction. Teaching her the multiplication tables is a little harder, but she has a pretty sharp mind. I'm sure she will eventually catch on to division soon enough.

Along with magic, I teach her about science.

[Why does water that's heated up become steam..... air?]

[Well, the water vapor has evaporated into the air. But if you want to evaporate it, temperature is a must. So when you made it hot it will be easier to evaporate.]

I'm currently teaching her the concepts about evaporation, condensation, sublimation.

[.......?]

A face full of incomprehension.

But's she a straightforward kid, she absorbs things quickly.

[Well, you should just know that anything will melt, if you make it hot, and it will condense when it cools down.]

Since I'm not a teacher, it should be enough like this.

Sylphy's smarter than me. If she tries it out on her she will get it. If she uses Magic I won't be afraid that there isn't enough experimentation.

[Will rocks also melt?]

[You need a really high temperature.]

[Can Rudei melt rocks?]

[Of course.]

Even though I say that, I have never tried it.

Recently I managed to roughly separate the air. Using this, I can forcefully add in oxygen and hydrogen, I can achieve the temperature for melting a rock. But it's possible that I might burn myself and I didn't want to try it.

Just to add on, there's an advanced magic called [Molten rocks].

No matter how you look at it, it's a Melded magic that mixes earth and fire, but it's classified as advanced Fire magic. Even though it's classified to a certain system, there's a relationship to other systems. If you want to increase the firepower, you can just keep on pouring Mana into it, but if you use combustible materials, you can increase the power more effectively.

This is what I understand at this point.

But that is it.

My Magic level didn't change very much from the time Roxy said her farewells.

Even though I tried combining magic, used various methods and even tried using science to increase the strength.

From the surface, perhaps the level has risen quite a bit.

But I'm feeling the bottleneck of it. With my knowledge, I am unable to accomplish something harder. If there's some difficulty in my past life, I could have searched it online, but this world doesn't have something so convenient.

Who should I learn it from........

[School?........]

It seems there is a Magic school. Even though Roxy has some slight criticism to the Magic school's, I should be able to enter it.

[Is Rudei going to school?]

I mutter to myself, and Sylphy looks at me with very uneasy eyes.

Every time she turns her head, her green hair will also move.

With some frequency I told her every month [It's better to keep longer hair] and it has finally succeeded, lately Sylphy has started to let her hair grow.

Even though the length is only about a girl's short hair, the slightly untidy emerald like hair will move along with her head.

It feels great.

There's just a bit left for a ponytail.

[I won't go there. Father also says I will get bullied and I can't learn anything there.]

[But Rudei is strange lately.]

Really?

I didn't realize that. Did I do something stupid again?

Even though I'm carefully trying to act like a Donkan character in front of Sylphy.

[I'm quite strange since my birth]

I reply with half of an intention to inquire about it, Sylphy creases her forehead and shakes her head.

[It's not that. How should I say it, like you're not energetic.....]

Oh, it's that meaning.

I think too much. I thought I did something stupid again.

I got her worried.

[That's because I'm feeling the bottleneck. I didn't improve much on Magic and sword techniques.]

[But....... Rudei is really amazing?]

[For my age it's probably so.]

Indeed, in this world, I might be really amazing at my age.

But, I still haven't done anything. Magic as well, I'm just relying on my past memories and managed to notice how to use voiceless incantation, perhaps do it slightly better than others.

But because my past life's ability to memorize things was low, now I have already reached my limits, and I'm unable to advance. How many times have I regretted not being able to learn more things, not like I can relearn it. Also, my past life's common knowledge might not work here. There are many rules in this world that I don't know. I can't keep relying on my past memories, right?

Magic is this world's logic.

So I need to understand this world.

[I feel that it's time to move on to the next stage.]

Sylphy's magic is getting better and better, and she has become smart.

Looking at her, makes my heart burn with anxiety. I'm useless for being the only one not moving forward.

Even though I keep saying I'm a donkan protagonist, but after I grow up, I might be ditched by Sylphy.

[Are you going somewhere?]

Sylphy asks me with her brows creased.

[Indeed. Father also says that it's better for me to become an adventurer and enter the dungeons and there aren't a lot of things I can do in the village...... If I want to, I should either go to school or become an adventurer...]

I didn't think too much and just randomly said it.

[N.... No!]

Sylphy suddenly shouts and hugs me.

Woah. What what what's wrong?

A love confession?

When I am thinking about that, I realize Sylphy is trembling all over.

[Miss Sylphy Ett?]

[N, o, no...... no!!]

Sylphy tightly hugs me till the point I feel I can't breathe.

Did Sylphy feel something over the lost and silent me.......

[N, no, don't go...... Uuu, uuu, hic.]

She sobs.

Her small shoulders are trembling violently, her face burying on my chest.

..... What, what. What's wrong?

I first rub Sylphy's head, and softly pats her back.

At the same time the butt........ No, no I'm not Paul.

Leave the butt alone.

I wrap my arms around her back, and use my whole body to experience Sylphy's touch.

She feels so warm and soft. I bury my face in her hair and I smell something nice.

Ah, this is great. This, is really great..... I feel like......

[Uu, I don't want you to go. Don't go, anywhere......]

I come back to my senses.

[Ah, ahh......]

I see. That's how it is.

Recently, Sylphy has been coming to our home at the morning a lot more.

Once she comes over, she will happily look at me practicing sword techniques, then training Magic or learning.

We have been doing something like this.

If I leave one day, Sylphy will be all alone. Even if she uses Magic to chase the bad kids away, she won't make any friends.

Once I think of her, my heart finds her to be even cuter.

She's only liked by me.

That's something that only belongs to me.

[I got it, I got it. I won't go anywhere.]

I actually have to throw away such a cute child behind to go somewhere else?

Improving magic?

So what? I already can use Saint-rank and advanced rank, if something happens, I'll be a teacher like Roxy. Before I can reach the age of an adult, I'll spend my time with Sylphy.

Let's do that.

Growing up together, raising her to suit my taste.

The Hikaru Genji project. (TL: Google.)

Hehehehehe.

................ Ha!

Nooooo! Calm down calm down calm down.

Didn't you decide to be a donkan type?

Why did you suddenly plan that......

But, but.

A donkan type isn't a reason for doing a Hikaru Genji project....... right?

Wait! What am I talking about!!

But.... Bah.  How much should I pretend not to know what this child feels?

She's only 6 years old.

She's sticks very closely to me. I can feel that her goodwill towards me.

But, that shouldn't be in the sense of romantic love.

Then let's keep it up like that.

But till when should I keep it up?

10 years old, 15 years old....... or later......?

What if I'm hated by Sylphy?

Even though the like score is MAX, there's no guarantee that it wouldn't drop.

During that time, can I hold it in........?

I ...... can't!!

There are things humans can do and cannot do!!

Look at her, she's so soft, warm and gentle, she smells so nice.

She's trying to tell me her feelings, and I supposed to ignore that!!

That's too strange right?

If we're conscious of each other, I should move on to the next step.

I shouldn't hold it in by myself and not moving forward, we should move together as one!!

Should I waste my time on mistakes?

Even though I know it's a mistake and not correct it?

I decided!! I will raise Sylphy as a type that I like!!

Oh, I'm giving up as the donkan type!! Sylphy------------!!

[Hey Rudei......... There's a letter for you.]

Paul comes in and I return from my [World].

I hurriedly push Sylphy away.

That was too dangerous. I nearly became a scumbag boss character.

I need to thank Paul.

This time I managed to hold onto my true feelings, however I still have my limits.

I managed to restrain myself this time, but can I restrain myself the next time.......

The letter is from Roxy.

[Dear Rudei:

How have you been?

Time really flies, it has been 2 years since our farewell.

Now that I'm not continuing to drift, I can finally write a letter to you.

I'm staying at the Shirone capital. It seems that I became famous after entering a dungeon as an adventurer, and I got hired as the Prince's home school tutor.

Teaching the prince has made me recall of the days in Greyrait's family.

The prince is similar to Rudeus. Even though he's not as good as Rudei, his magic potential is distinct and he's also very clever. Also, he's the same like you when he spies on me changing clothes, stealing my pantsu. He's always full of himself and is different from Rudeus in that department, but your actions are alike.

Should I attribute that to heroes being lustful?

I'm worried, if I'm going to be attacked during this employment period.

What's so good about this weak and frail body......

Ah, am I being impolite and disrespectful to the crown by writing all these......?

Well, I'll talk about that later. I think it should be okay since I'm not talking bad things behind his back. The kingdom wants to appoint me as the court Magician, even though it's for a limited time.

The coincidence is that I'm doing Magic research during this time.

Oh that's right, I can finally use Water-king ranked Magic.

The library in Shirone's kingdom has books related to Water-king ranked magic.

I thought I am unable to take another step after learning Saint-rank, but I can actually do it if I try.

Rudeus must be capable of using Water Emperor-ranked magic by now. Or should I say, that all your other systems have reached Saint-ranked. The studious you might even have touched the Healing or summoning magic by now right.

Or have you started going onto the route of a swordsman?

Even though there's a bit of a pity, but if it's Rudeus, no matter which road you choose it's okay.

My target is to be a Water-God ranked Magician.

I have said before, that if you find you have a bottleneck in magic, you can try knocking on Ranoa University's doors.

If you don't have a written introduction, you will undergo a test, but if it's Rudeus you can easily pass it.

Well then, I'll end it here.

- Roxy

PS: By the time you reply, I might not be in the kingdom, you don't need to reply.]

This letter is such a wake-up call.

Damn it.

I search Shirone on the map.

It's a small country situated in the Central Continent southeast area.

It's not too away from a straight line. But the mountains in the Central Continent have red Dragons, so there's no way to pass it. You would need to go round a long way by the south side.

A faraway kingdom.

Furthermore, the Magic University in Ranoa requires traveling in a roundabout way to the Northwest.

[Hm......]

Roxy didn't teach me any King-ranked Magic......

It's because she didn't know.

On the reply letter I didn't write anything noteworthy.

That's because I didn't want Roxy to know of my useless status.

Even though I'm not sure how amazing I am in her eyes, I didn't want to disappoint her.

But coming back to think about it, Magic University?

Roxy once said that it was fantastic there.

But, it's too far away.

I can't throw Sylphy away.

What can I do......

Anyway, I added a PS on the letter:

[Also I'm sorry for stealing your pantsu.]

***

The 2nd day after the letter arrived, I state my thoughts when the family gathers.

[Father, can I have a selfish request?]

[No.]

I get immediately refused.

But, Janis sitting on the side, knocked on Paul's head. Lilia sitting on the other side, also added an attack.

Because of the pregnancy saga, Lilia also sits at the dining table to have her meal. In the past, she fulfilled her status as a maid by serving on the side, but now she's family.

It's okay for polygamy in this country?

Whatever.

[Rudeus. Whatever you need just say it. Father will satisfy you.]

Janis says gently while looking at Paul who's grasping his head.

[Young Master Rudeus has never said something selfish before. It's time to test Master's dignity and reliability.] (TL: Oops, Master Rudeus should be Young Master Rudeus)

Lilia helps me too.

Paul straights himself again, crosses his arms and raises his chin, making himself look important.

[Rudeus actually states that he's doing a selfish request, it must be something that's out of my league.]

Paul gets hit again and falls flat onto the table.

This are the small jokes during family time.

Then I tell them.

[Actually, I feel that my Magic learning has reached a bottleneck. I wish to go to Ranoa's University to learn.....]

[......Oh.]

[But after I told this intention to Sylphy, she started to cry and doesn't want to be apart from me.]

[Oh, this playboy, who do you resemble? Eh?]

Paul get hits a 3rd time with a 2 chain attack.

[So I want to go to school with her, but her family isn't as well off as us. So, I want to make a request to pay school fees for both of us.]

[Oh.......]

Paul puts both of his elbows on the table, and uses a sharp gaze on me like a superior officer.

This is the gaze when he holds a sword.

The only moment when Paul deserves respect.

[No.]

Paul says the same thing as before.

This time it's real.

Janis and Lilia are also quiet.

[There are 3 reasons.

Number 1, you're still learning sword techniques. If you put them down now, your skill will become undeveloped. As your teacher, I can't let you put them down now.

Number 2, about money. If it's only you, we still can handle it, but we can't do that if you want us to handle Sylphy's as well. The fees for the Magic University are not cheap, our household's money isn't like hot water where you can constantly run it.

Number 3, your age. You're only 7 years old. Even though you're a smart kit, there are many things you don't know. Your experience is severely insufficient. We can't throw away our responsibilities as parents.]

As I thought that didn't work.

But I'm not giving up.

Paul is different from the past. He is thinking about it and gives reasons. That means, if I satisfy these 3 conditions it will be fine. Don't be anxious. I don't need to go right now.

[I understand, Father. Then, I'll continue practicing sword techniques as usual, about the age problem how many years do I need to wait?]

[That's right...... 15, no, before you're 12 years old you must stay at home.]

12 years old hm.

I remember you're an adult once you're 15 years old.

[Can I ask why it's 12 years old?]

[Because when I left home, I was 12.]

[I see, I got it.]

12 years old to Paul is something that can't be negotiated.

Since I don't want to hurt his pride as a male, I can only shut up and nod.

[Then the final problem.]

[Oh.]

[Please introduce a job to me. Since I am literate, able to use maths, I can become a home tutor or teach magic. It's best if the salary is high.]

[Job? Why?]

Paul looks at me with serious eyes, as if to intimidate me.

[I'll earn Sylphy's school fees.]

[............ This can't be said that it's good for Sylphy.]

[Yes. But this is for myself.]

[.....]

Silence persisted for a while.

It's not a comfortable atmosphere for me.

[Is that right.......... I see......]

Paul seems to have thought of something and nods.

[I got it. I can help you ask about it, if it's this matter.]

Paul uses a reliable expression to reply me, different from Janis's and Lilia's troubled expressions.

[Thank you very much.]

I lower my head in thanks and dinner continues.

***

I can't believe Rudeus said something like that.

My son's growing up too fast.

It's usually when one at least reaches the age of 14 or 15 before they say something like that.

Even for me I was 11 years old, which is when my Sword God style reached the advanced level.

People who's unable to say something like that, will never be able to say that in their life.

[If you rush ahead too fast, you will die early...... huh.]

Once before, a warrior said something like that to me.

Of course, I ignored him when I heard that.

The people living around me are just too leisurely. The time when the Human race has power is very short, but no one wants to run. The things that can be done should be finished completely. Even if you get blamed for it, when it reaches to that point, one can always talk about it later on.

Well, even though I did all that and had a kid, I relied on my relatives on the Noble side for a way to become a knight.

I'll put this aside first.

Rudeus's lifestyle is even more urgent.

I feel worried when I look at him

when I was young, the people around me must have also thought of the same thing.

But Rudeus is different from me who's wild, anything he does is all planned out.

Is that Janis's blood?

[Well, let father tie you for a bit longer.]

I wrote a letter as I thought that.

A few days ago Rawls also discussed a matter with me, Sylphy's sticking way too much to Rudeus.

From Sylphy's viewpoint, Rudeus must be prince charming who rescued her from a hell-like childhood. Teaching her various things like an older brother and finally realizing their differences in gender. Rawls also said, if Rudeus can win her over it will be for the best.

I also thought that such a cute kid as a daughter in law isn't bad, but when I listened to Rudeus today I changed my mind.

Right now the situation is at the level of brainwashing. (TL: Yes Dad! Stop scumbag Rudeus!)

I have seen that type many times during the time when I was with the Nobles.

Relying overly on their parents, people who are like dolls.

Although it's still okay, if the relied upon people are still there.

Even if it's a doll, you can still act out an interesting play, if you control it well. If Rudeus still loves Sylphy, she will be alright.

But Rudeus has inherited my blood.

The blood for a fondness for women. (TL: You make it sound like you're a incubus.)

It's possible to have another relationship with a woman by accident. No, since he inherited my blood, he will definitely do it and more.

In the end, it's possible that Sylphy would not get chosen.

At that point, the abandoned Sylphy will be unable to stand. Like a broken doll, she will never stand again.

I will not allow this to happen, to let my son cause such a cute kid's life to be destroyed. It's not a good thing for my son either.

I write a letter.

I pray that I receive a satisfactory answer.

But the next thing.

How can I convince my son who's good at arguing.

I guess I'll use brute force.



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