Mushoku Tensei: the Apostle of God

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By the next day, Paul's anger had subsided. After his earnest lecture to the two children the previous night and a couple of days of "rest and recuperation," he was full of energy. Right after breakfast, he took the two to the courtyard and gestured for them to assume their stances.

Once the three of them stood in a triangular formation in the courtyard, Paul put on his authoritative adult demeanor and addressed them.

"You've had enough fun these past few days. It's time to get back on track with your swordsmanship training! So today, we're adding extra practice, and I'll be supervising personally. Especially you, Allen. What kind of teacher spars with their student all the time? Have you even been properly teaching Rudeus swordsmanship these days?"

Rudeus, gripping the hilt of his sword, couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Since Allen's arrival, he hadn't been focusing much on swordsmanship. But the real reason was that Paul had been so obsessed with sparring with Allen that Rudeus's swordsmanship lessons had been significantly shortened.

However, now wasn't the time to bring that up. If he argued and ended up having his training hours increased again, it would be a huge loss.

Allen, on the other hand, couldn't help but twitch his lips at Paul's serious expression.

'I've only been here for a week, and most of that time has been spent sparring with you. When the hell was I supposed to teach him?'

Outwardly, though, he remained respectful.

"Sir, although I haven't been here long, I believe Rudeus has a natural talent for the North God Style."

'Using the Magic Armor definitely counts as the North God Style.'

Paul's face fell, and he scoffed. He had been teaching Rudeus the Sword God Style and the Water God Style because...

"The North God Style? That's just fighting with a sword. It doesn't even count as real swordsmanship."

Paul, who had considerable skill in the North God Style, looked down on it. Thanks to the second-generation North God, who had established a North God dojo in the Asura Kingdom, the Central Continent primarily favored the eccentric school. In Paul's eyes, this was probably too unorthodox.

Though, to be fair, Paul himself wasn't exactly a paragon of seriousness.

Allen cleared his throat and spoke respectfully.

"Then today, we'll have to trouble you to help us review the principles of the Sword God Style and the Water God Style."

Paul nodded in satisfaction and shouted, "Let's begin!" He drew his sword and pointed it excitedly at Allen's forehead.

"This time, you attack!"

Silence fell over the courtyard.

A breeze blew by, and a withered leaf landed on Rudeus's face, making him look like an outsider. He stared at the tense atmosphere between the two, his expression dumbfounded.

'Uh... should I just leave?'

Allen looked at the wooden sword pointed at him and, to Paul's surprise, reached out with two fingers to gently move the blade aside.

"Sir, I think it's more important to summarize our experiences after sparring. Perhaps today we can start by reviewing what we've learned. To be honest, I have many questions I'd like to ask you."

Paul blinked, suddenly realizing that Allen had a deep understanding of the Water God Style. It seemed he was asking for guidance on the Sword God Style, which he wasn't as proficient in.

"I see... Alright, but I should warn you, I'm more of a feel-based practitioner. I might not be the best at teaching theoretical knowledge."

"Even so, it's better than me trying to figure it out on my own."

The three of them each brought a small stool and formed a circle. The gentle countryside breeze blew around them, as soothing as Zenith's smiling face as she leaned on the windowsill upstairs, watching them.

Allen looked at Paul, who sat with his arms crossed, staring at him with a serious expression. Allen's own expression grew solemn.

His current level in the Sword God Style was still intermediate. As someone who had read the novels, he shouldn't have been stuck at this level for so long. However, the novels' descriptions of swordsmanship training were too abstract. If it weren't for his systematic training in the Water God Style since childhood, he probably wouldn't have been able to reach the advanced level just based on the books.

With that in mind, he turned to Rudeus first.

"I don't know if Sir has thoroughly explained the three sword styles to you before. I'm more familiar with the Water God Style and the North God Style, so let me explain the key characteristics of these styles."

Rudeus blinked.

"Actually, I already know..."

Allen smiled and asked,

"Then... what do you think is the core principle of the Water God Style?"

Rudeus scratched his cheek.

"Defense?"

Allen shook his head.

"That's just its outward expression. The core principle of the Water God Style is—perception."

At this, Paul raised an eyebrow.

'...This kid... is interesting...'

Rudeus, however, looked confused.

"Perception?"

"Exactly, perception."

As Allen spoke, he took a deep breath, his breathing steadying as his mind became as calm as a windless lake.

In his heightened senses, the rustling of leaves, the scent of soil, the curve of Paul's smile, the furrow of Rudeus's brow, and even the sensation of the breeze brushing against his skin were all vividly clear.

He opened his eyes and looked at Rudeus again, extending two fingers in front of him. As Rudeus looked on in confusion, Allen explained,

"Perceive all the information around you: the flow of the wind, the source of sounds, the vibrations in the air, the shapes of objects. On a deeper level, you can even sense the eruption of killing intent and the flow of magical energy..."

As he spoke, a falling leaf landed precisely between Allen's two fingers. His fingers twitched slightly...

At the same time, his words concluded.

"Then, based on the information you gather, make the most appropriate decision in the moment, find your opponent's weakness, and deliver a fatal counterattack."

Under Rudeus's astonished gaze and Paul's appreciative look, the leaf between Allen's fingers split cleanly in two, falling to the ground from either side of his fingers.

The motion was so smooth that Rudeus almost believed the leaf had willingly thrown itself onto Allen's fingers to meet its "end."

Snapping out of his daze, Rudeus suddenly realized something unusual in Allen's explanation and asked,

"I understand most of that. It's about keeping a calm mind, analyzing a lot of information about your opponent in a short time, and then choosing the best counterattack. I can understand sensing killing intent as something like sensing hostility... but... how can you sense the flow of magical energy? Isn't that something only the caster themselves can feel?"

Allen smiled.

"It's possible."

Rudeus's eyes widened as he stared at Allen, who sheepishly retracted his fingers and scratched his nose.

"However... I can't do it under normal circumstances yet."

Rudeus's face fell.

"So you're just messing with me..."

"He's not messing with you."

Rudeus turned to Paul, who had suddenly interjected. Paul nodded solemnly at Allen.

"High-level Water God Style swordsmen are said to be capable of such feats, but to be honest, I've never seen it myself."

Rudeus frowned.

"So it's still just a rumor... How could something like that be possible..."

"I've seen it with my own eyes."

Both Rudeus and Paul turned to Allen, who avoided their gazes and instead looked down at the sword at his waist. After a brief pause, he spoke.

"At the Asura Kingdom's Water God Style main dojo—Water God Reida Lia. She can do it perfectly."

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 60 on my patreon, go take a look.