Mushoku Tensei: Sword, Magic Hats, and the Romance System [131]

Manor.
Second Floor.

Sunlight filtered through the glass windows, casting a soft glow across the hallway.

It traced the silhouette of Hilda, outlining her figure in Sylphy’s reddish-brown eyes.

Seeing this, Sylphy’s body froze. Her foot hovered on the step below and refused to move forward.

The bunny-eared maid, noticing Sylphy had stopped, smiled and gently took her hand, guiding her up the last step—bringing them to Hilda’s side.

Hilda hadn’t turned once, as if deeply absorbed in the view beyond the window.

Sylphy looked at her profile, lashes trembling slightly. Something clicked in her mind. She followed Hilda’s line of sight—

Outside the window, in the courtyard, were four familiar figures sitting together on the grass, deep in conversation.

Sylphy’s breath caught for a moment. Instinctively, she clenched her hand into a fist.

There was no doubt—those beastfolk maids had “coincidentally” arrived with towels earlier on her instruction.

And now, the words of the cat-eared maid, and the disappointed reactions from the others when Allen had refused to accompany her—

They all took on a different meaning.

That invitation... whose was it, really?

“Allen-sama declined to accompany Miss Sylphy. My apologies, Madam.”

The bunny-eared maid bowed deeply, hands folded in front of her.

It was only then that Hilda seemed to pull herself out of whatever thoughts she’d been lost in. She blinked, then finally turned around.

“Apologies—I got a little distracted. You’re here already? That’s fine. As I told Arifa earlier, it’s not important whether he came or not. I only said it would be nice if he did.”

Her voice was crisp and clean, like a blade slicing air.

But the content of her words was gentle—warm, even—laced with unmistakable kindness.

There was a distinct kind of feminine grace about her. Even though Sylphy was a girl herself, she felt drawn in.

“I’m sorry, Madam
”

“No need. You must have other tasks to tend to, right? Go on. And let Lyl know to keep an eye on the tutoring sessions downstairs. If something like today’s ‘accident’ happens again, be ready to assist.”

The bunnymaid glanced at Sylphy with a smile, then bowed and left.

Sylphy stood rooted in place, completely unsure of what to do.

Allen’s
 mother.

Why did she call me here?

Hilda turned to face her.

Her first sentence gently eased Sylphy’s anxiety.

“My apologies, Miss Sylphy. Eris is always a bit rough around the edges. She lacks the grace one might expect from a young lady... but she means well. Please take care of her when you can.”

Sylphy blinked.

“N-no, it’s really fine. Eris is great—she has lots of good qualities. She’s... straightforward, and really kind of cute.”

Hilda looked momentarily surprised by the response. She lowered her gaze to Sylphy.

Her white hair was still wet, falling past her ears, her long ears drooping slightly. She looked drained. Her hands were clasped in front of her, fingers twisting shyly. She didn’t look up to meet Hilda’s eyes, not daring to stare directly at the noblewoman who, to her, seemed almost radiant.

Hilda tilted her head slightly. Then she smiled.

And reached down to take Sylphy’s hand.

“Your white hair is rare, Miss Sylphy. It’s beautiful. And your eyes have a lovely sparkle. Come—I’ll help you get changed. You were wearing this same dress yesterday, weren’t you? I imagine your trip was a bit rushed. Didn’t have time to pack much?”

Sylphy was flustered and uncertain, but couldn’t resist as Hilda gently led her forward.

“Um
”

“No need to be nervous. Compared to the status of the Boreas family, I myself was once just a minor noble. I was lucky to receive a single invitation to a Boreas banquet—just one. And at that banquet, I caught the eye of a certain someone. I don’t even know what he saw in me. He sent word back later saying he wished to meet again
 and again... and eventually
”

Her voice faltered for a moment, her smile stiffening.

“
I was fortunate enough to marry into the Boreas family.”

“So there’s no need to be so formal. You’re already far more exceptional than I was at your age.”

Then, with a slight shift in tone, she continued as if making casual conversation:

“And to be honest, before I married into the Boreas house, I loved embroidery and needlework. Even after I joined the household, I’d sometimes lock my door and sew a few pieces on my own.”

“The dresses I design to fit my own aesthetic... Eris never wears them. She has better craftsmen, and frankly, better taste. So a lot of my work just sits in the wardrobe. No one ever even looks at them.”

Hilda glanced over at Sylphy.

“Miss Sylphy, would you
”

“
try some on for me?”

Sylphy looked up into Hilda’s deep gray eyes, mulling over her words.

And slowly, she nodded.

“O-okay. I
 I’m sorry, I don’t know how to speak in noble terms. But
 if it’s not too much trouble, Madam
”

Hilda’s eyes curved into a smile, remembering that glance Sylphy had given her during lunch, just before leaving the dining room.

“It’s no trouble at all.”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

---

In the courtyard, Eris looked up at Allen in surprise.

Her expression brightened instantly—eyes shining with unmasked excitement.

She looked like her exhaustion had completely vanished, as though her mana hadn’t just run dry minutes ago.

Allen blinked. He resisted the sudden urge to reach over and ruffle her hair.

Instead, he smiled gently and continued.

“Water God Style may look completely different from Sword God Style on the surface, but in truth, there are areas where they’re compatible. In fact, Water God can help cover some of Sword God’s weaknesses.”

Ghislaine raised her eyebrows.

“Oh?”

“For example
”

Allen took a deep breath.

Under the watchful gazes of the others, he lowered himself into the [Flow Perception] state.

Then—

Closed his eyes.

The sound of a tide echoed in his ears.

The world lost its color.

Centered around him, gray ripples spread outward like waves across a dead lake.

Three shadowed stones loomed nearby.

The tide lapped at their forms, refracting the shapes of their real-world counterparts:

One swayed its “neck,” bobbing excitedly.

One “propped” itself up with both arms, its presence radiating curiosity.

The last stood still, unmoving, the sharpness of its aura slicing through the mist.

From the ashen sky above the lake, tiny threads of white light streaked downward—

Like falling stars,

Like glimmering fragments.

Allen—

Sat quietly upon the colorless surface of the lake.

And from his throat, a new ripple spread—

He began to speak.

“Close your eyes.”

“Sense the changes around you. And when the moment comes—send your intent
 to where it needs to be.”

As his voice faded, Allen looked toward a falling thread of light.

He opened his eyes.

And the world returned to color—bursting back into his vision!

That glimmer—

In the real world—

Was a single falling leaf.

Which, in the next instant—

Was cleaved clean in two by the flash of a blade!

And as the pieces fluttered to the grass—

His final words landed with it:

“Open your eyes.”

“That was my blade.”

---

This is a fan translation of æ— èŒèœŹç”ŸïŒšć‰‘ïŒŒé­”æł•ćžœäžŽæ‹çˆ±çł»ç»Ÿ by æ„ć€–ç«çŸ 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!