Allen swore that he had been watching the scene unfold with the detached amusement of someone watching a family sitcom. From the envious and resentful Lilia at the window to the Paul couple flirting and pinching butts in the courtyard.
He took the opportunity to identify everyone's faces.
First, Lilia. Her expression was somewhat cool, her features leaning towards an Eastern aesthetic. She wore round glasses and a maid outfit.
Paul had the Notos family's signature "scumbag" face. His features were rugged, and that tear mole under his eye actually made him look quite handsome. Combined with his muscular build, it was no wonder he attracted women so easily.
Zenith was the quintessential gentle, high-born lady, her blonde hair flowing smoothly.
Everything met Allen's expectations. Especially the 36E bust size, which the first wife shared with the mistress.
Paul, oh Paul. You lucky bastard...
Just then, Allen saw Rudeus—the protagonist of Mushoku Tensei.
The boy had inherited Zenith's soft hair and Paul's brown color. His features were very soft, almost feminine at this age. He was currently wearing a "helpless grin" as he dealt with his "father's" nonsense.
Suddenly, Rudeus seemed to sense something. His neck stiffened, and he slowly turned his head to look at Allen.
Allen instinctively remembered his Goodwill Mission.
So.
He mustered the most gentle, kind, and approachable expression he could manage, smiling benevolently at Rudeus.
The next second, Rudeus looked like he had seen a ghost. He launched a headbutt straight into Paul's chest.
Paul staggered back and fell, then turned to glare angrily at Allen.
His expression was decidedly unfriendly.
Allen's smile froze on his face. He felt that his subconscious attempt to show friendliness...
Might have just cranked up the difficulty setting for the subsequent Goodwill Mission.
Paul's annoyance flashed and vanished, replaced immediately by a composed expression. As the knight sent by the Fittoa Region to oversee Buena Village's harvest and safety, having strangers visit was a weekly occurrence.
He patted the dirt off his clothes and stood up.
During this process, Rudeus kept his back to Allen the entire time, his body moving stiffly—like a clockwork toy—until he was safely behind Paul.
Allen refused to give up. Attempting to salvage the situation, he squeezed out an even brighter smile.
"Excuse me, are you Sir Paul, the knight of this village? Is that your child? He's so cute~"
The moment the words left his mouth, Rudeus's face went pale. Hitching up his pants, he bolted toward the house like a rabbit.
He was terrified.
Allen's mouth hung open as he watched him flee, then he looked awkwardly at Paul.
Paul seemed a bit dazed. He didn't respond to Allen's greeting or comment on Rudeus's reaction. Instead, he silently scrutinized Allen from bottom to top. His gaze paused briefly on the sword hilt at Allen's waist, then swept over the tattered swordsman tunic.
Finally, his eyes locked onto Allen's face and didn't move.
Allen looked up to meet his gaze.
Paul was nearly 1.8 meters tall; Allen had to look up.
After a long moment, Paul seemed to snap out of it. He broke the silence.
"...Sorry, Rudeus isn't good with strangers. What brings you here?"
"It's like this, Sir Knight. I am a wandering adventurer. Unfortunately, I lost my funds in a labyrinth, so I'm looking for work to earn some money. By chance, I met a blue-haired Demon magician on the road here. She suggested I might try my luck to see if your child needed a swordsmanship teacher..."
"Why lie?"
Paul pierced through Allen's lie instantly. He looked down at him sternly, like an adult lecturing a child.
Allen didn't panic. He just narrowed his eyes, smiling as he looked back at Paul.
"What makes you say that?"
"...You might have met Roxy, as you claim. But she knows perfectly well that I am Rudeus's sword teacher. He doesn't need an extra one. So, you came here on your own volition, not on her recommendation."
Allen lowered his eyes.
Hard to fool, just as I expected. If I say I just want to be Rudeus's tutor now, my motives will look suspicious. If I say I'm just here to make money, there are better opportunities in big cities; coming to this tiny village makes no sense.
All roads are blocked... Is revealing my identity the best choice?
"However... having you as Rudeus's sword teacher might actually work."
Allen looked up at Paul, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
Paul was just staring at the sword at his hip.
"Honestly, as an 'Instinct Type,' I lack the ability to awaken Rudeus's passion for the sword. If someone else taught him, maybe it would have a miraculous effect..."
Before Allen could even process why Paul had suddenly stopped caring about his suspicious motives, Paul continued.
"I'm willing to hire you on a seven-day trial. If you can prove your talent during this time, I will formally hire you as our Rudeus's sword teacher. As for the salary... two silver coins a month. I won't shortchange you."
As he spoke, Paul leaned in close, staring into Allen's eyes as if trying to read his soul.
"But, not just any self-proclaimed swordsman is qualified to teach my son. You look a bit too young... Come, prove your ability. If you can pass my test, I'll give you that seven-day trial. How about it?"
Allen raised an eyebrow.
The plot progression is a bit rushed and unreasonable...
...No. This is reasonable.
Sunset stretched the shadows of the man and the boy across the courtyard.
Zenith and Lilia stood on the porch steps, looking anxious. Rudeus poked his head out from behind Zenith's skirt.
Zenith clasped her hands nervously, watching the scene. She tilted her head slightly and whispered to Rudeus.
"What's going on... Why is your father suddenly sparring with a child? Is he a swordsman? Rudeus, do you know what happened?"
Rudeus shook his head. He deliberately avoided looking at Allen, keeping his eyes on Paul.
"I don't know, Mother. They hadn't started talking when I ran inside."
What is happening? Did that pervert provoke Paul?... He dared to threaten me? Get him, Lord Paul! Time to show your authority as a father!
Paul drew the longsword from his waist—a double-edged straight sword. The guard was exaggerated, a trapezoid shape with hollow inverted triangles on both sides, looking somewhat religious. From the top of the trapezoid, the blade extended, a black fuller running its entire length.
He raised the sword above his head, assuming a standard High Stance (Jodan).
Allen watched Paul. His right hand caressed his handle as he drew. His blade was single-edged and straight, unlike Paul's. The steel was slender, with forging patterns rippling down to the tip, which curved slightly upward in a beautiful arc.
The single-edged blade sliced through the air and settled at Allen's hip, tip pointed slightly down and to the side.
It was a Middle Stance (Chudan), biased towards defense.
He looked at the sword in his hand and felt a fire in his chest.
Paul Greyrat. Advanced in three sword styles. In his prime, his comprehensive strength was quasi-Saint level. He's been retired for years, so his skills have degraded. Right now, he should be at the level of a normal Advanced Swordsman. But even so, he's stronger than the System rates me...
Allen licked his lips, looking at Paul, who seemed equally eager.
"So, shall we begin?"
Three meters away, Paul narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"From the moment you drew your blade, it already..."
Sword light curled up like fire, instantly appearing beside Allen's face! The blade hummed!
Paul's sentence finished.
"...began."
The voice was right in Allen's ear.