Mushoku Tensei: the Apostle of God

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Allen's pupils contracted. His blade, unable to redirect in time, was powerless to stop Paul's sword. He extended his palm, exposing a portion of the hilt, and prepared to counter with the Water God style's secret technique—Flow Secret Art—to neutralize Paul's attack.

'No! This won't help me improve!'

Allen retracted the Flow Secret Art at the last moment, and Paul's blade struck the end of his hilt.

The strike, infused with battle aura, sent Allen flying backward. He struggled to adjust his posture and land firmly, but even so, without the Water God style's techniques to mitigate the momentum, his feet dug a half-meter-long trench into the ground.

The moment he stabilized, Allen channeled his battle aura and used the recoil to launch himself back at Paul with tremendous force!

Clang!

The two blades screeched as they ground against each other, locked in a fierce struggle mere centimeters apart.

Paul's sword was poised at his neck, and he glared at Allen, who instinctively glanced downward.

"Focusing on my neck? That strike had some potential! But now, where are you looking?!"

Allen gritted his teeth and twisted his blade, sending a flash of light through the air as he aimed for Paul's other side.

But in that instant, Paul's sword was already inches from Allen's throat.

'No! His Sword God style is faster!'

Allen pivoted on his feet, twisting his body to evade the blade while simultaneously slashing toward Paul's flank. Yet, Paul's sword once again intercepted Allen's strike with precision, deflecting it away.

Allen retreated, ready to charge again, but Paul raised a hand to stop him.

The usual playful expression on Paul's face was gone, replaced by a calm and serious demeanor.

"Allen, steady your breathing. Calm your mind."

He pointed to a spot an inch in front of his neck with his free hand.

"Focus only here. Forget about any follow-up techniques. Just feel the act of swinging your sword."

Paul narrowed his eyes.

"I'll count to three. Strike immediately. Understood?"

Allen took a deep breath, instantly regaining his composure.

He nodded solemnly, then closed his eyes.

In his mind, he whispered:

'...Faster than thought...'

Allen opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Paul's neck.

"Ready."

Paul, observing Allen's stance, licked his lips with interest.

"One!"

Allen lowered his stance, gripping his sword with both hands.

"Two."

He positioned the blade at his side, extending diagonally behind him in a slashing posture. His focus was entirely on the spot an inch from Paul's neck, his mind calm and collected.

"Thr—"

As Paul's tongue clicked against the roof of his mouth, Allen's pupils shrank to pinpoints!

In that moment, the light and shadows of the courtyard condensed into wisps of mist. The trajectory of falling leaves faded into the haze, the sound of the wind vanished into the void, and Paul's intense gaze dissolved into the ether.

Then.

The wisps of mist dissipated into silent darkness. The only light remained fixed on Paul's neck.

Suddenly, the darkness rippled—a tremor caused by Paul's voice.

At the same time, Allen heard his own heartbeat.

It was distant...

'...I see...'

But crystal clear!

'I cut!!'

The next instant, the world burst back into vibrant color. Gasps erupted from Zenith and Lilia on the second floor.

Allen blinked. The light in the darkness felt like a dream, an illusion, a fleeting moment of clarity born from a split second of imagination.

He instinctively looked up at the spot an inch from Paul's neck.

There, a blade hovered, trembling slightly, so clear it seemed within arm's reach.

No, not just seemed.

The blade was right there.

Allen followed the blade down to the hilt, which was firmly gripped in his own hand.

It wasn't an illusion.

He stared at Paul in shock, only to see a radiant smile spread across the man's face. Paul flicked the tip of the blade away with a finger, then pulled Allen into a tight embrace, giving him a hearty thump on the chest.

"Well done! Well done! That's the Sword God style! Remember this feeling! This is the essence of 'swinging the sword'! This is the Silent Sword!!"

Just then, a hesitant voice called from the courtyard entrance.

"Um, Rudy's ready. Allen, shall we go?"

Allen turned to see Sylphie, her green hair—now longer, reaching her chin—gently swaying in the breeze. Her expression was no longer as timid as it had been two months ago. She simply looked at Allen, her reddish-brown eyes filled with curiosity.

Allen blinked, then felt a push from behind. He stumbled forward, steadied himself, and turned to see Paul grinning as he rubbed his neck.

"Go on! Be careful out there. And remember, don't bring your blade that close during the match. Rudy's body isn't reinforced with battle aura."

Allen nodded.

"Got it! We agreed that if I get within a meter, it counts as my win."

From upstairs, Zenith let out an audible sigh of relief, a bit too loud.

Allen looked up at her and waved his sword.

"Don't worry, ma'am! If I get within a meter, I'll sheathe my blade immediately! You should be more worried about me getting blown away by one of his fireballs!"

Zenith chuckled behind her hand and waved goodbye.

Allen waved back, smiled at Paul, and then turned to follow Sylphie out of the courtyard.

Once Allen was out of sight, Paul's expression darkened. He lowered his hand from his neck, revealing a faint red mark with tiny droplets of blood.

'Such incredible battle aura quality... It almost broke through my own. Is this really the level a nine-year-old should be at? And to grasp the essence of the Silent Sword so quickly...'

He watched as Allen patted Sylphie's head in the distance, her posture slightly stiff. A genuine smile spread across Paul's face.

'Philip, you've truly given birth to a prodigy... I wonder when you'll finally reunite?'

——

When Allen arrived at their usual training spot on the hillside, Rudy stood at the base of the hill, arms crossed, his eyes gleaming with confidence—even as the tall grass reached his waist.

Allen couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"Ready?"

"This time, I'll definitely surprise you."

Allen turned to Sylphie.

"Wait for us on the hilltop."

Sylphie blinked, hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Rudy.

"Um... just be careful, okay? Don't go too far."

Allen was surprised. Sylphie's tone implied that Rudy might have the upper hand this time, which piqued his curiosity.

Once Sylphie reached the hilltop and leaned against a tree, Allen and Rudy had already positioned themselves a hundred meters apart.

Sylphie nodded as she saw them take their stances.

Her soft voice carried down the hill with the breeze.

"Begin!"

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 70 on my patreon, go take a look.