Reborn in Mushoku Tensei

Luke's eyes fluttered open, his body heavy with exhaustion. His limbs ached, a dull soreness settling into his muscles, but the pain wasn't unbearable. As his vision adjusted to the dim light of the room, he took in his surroundings ornate walls, velvet curtains, and the lingering scent of perfume mixed with the crisp night air. He was in the palace.

His gaze shifted toward the balcony, where Ariel stood bathed in moonlight. The gentle breeze played with her golden hair, making it sway in rhythmic waves. She looked almost ethereal.

"Oh, Luke. You've finally woken up," she said, her voice even, composed. She didn't turn to look at him.

Luke pushed himself up, wincing slightly as he rolled his shoulders. "Yes, Princess Ariel. I'm awake. My injuries aren't too bad just a slight ache." His voice came out rougher than intended, but he straightened himself, ignoring the discomfort.

"That's because Rudeus Greyrat, the mage from before, healed you. Only partially, of course," she added.

Luke exhaled softly, letting the name settle in his mind. Rudeus Greyrat. That boy… He had only glimpsed him before losing consciousness, but now, hearing that he was capable of healing magic made him a little more shocked at the versatility and power of the boy.

"You know, Luke," Ariel continued, a hint of amusement lacing her tone, "I've entered a partnership with that boy."

Luke frowned, caught off guard by the sudden revelation. "A partnership? Has he become one of your guards?"

Ariel hummed in response, finally turning to face him. The moonlight illuminated her delicate features, but there was something sharp in her gaze, something that sent a chill down his spine.

"No," she said smoothly. "Something better. From what I've gathered, he's going to help me become king."

Luke stiffened. His mind momentarily went blank, unable to process the words he had just heard. "King?" he repeated, taking a step forward. "My princess, you never told me you intended to claim the throne."

"I didn't. Not until today." Ariel's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "But after seeing him and that girl… after watching them silent cast… something in me shifted. That was the moment I decided. My ascension to the throne begins now."

Luke swallowed, his heartbeat quickening. Silent casting. That was a skill reserved for only the most elite of mages those with terrifying potential. If they could do such a thing at their age… He could understand why Ariel would be intrigued.

"And that's not all," Ariel continued. "That boy he possesses immense potential and ambition. He also claims to see into the future. That alone makes him a valuable ally. So, I've decided… I will aid him in killing the prime minister."

Luke stared at her, utterly stunned. He had thought himself prepared for anything, but this… This was beyond reckless.

"Killing the prime minister?" he repeated, his voice tight. "Princess, aren't you being hasty? You've only just met this boy. And now you want to stake everything on him?"

Ariel shook her head, unfazed by his concern. "Luke, after our conversation, I've learned everything I need to know. And after thinking it over, again and again, I've come to one conclusion this is the best path for me. For the kingdom."

She took a step closer, her expression unreadable. But her eyes they gleamed with something unfamiliar. Not just determination. Not just ambition. It was something more dangerous.

"That boy," she murmured, "will grow into something far more powerful than you or I can imagine."

Luke let the words sink in, struggling to form a coherent response. He hadn't been awake to witness the full extent of their abilities, but… they had defeated that man. That alone was proof enough of their strength.

After a long moment, he let out a slow breath and straightened his back. "I believe in any decision you make, Princess. And wherever you go, I will follow." His voice held steady conviction. No matter how reckless, how dangerous his loyalty to her remained unwavering.

Ariel chuckled, the tension in the air breaking just slightly. "I didn't expect anything less from my loyal knight."

Then, her expression sharpened once more. "Now, Luke, we have preparations to make. There's important business ahead of us."

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

"Eris, I don't think you should come with us." I exhaled, already feeling drained.

She'd been on my case since breakfast, ever since Sylphie with her complete lack of discretion casually mentioned that I'd be going back to the Water God dojo.

"Rudeus, are you sure about this? It could be a trap," Ghislaine said, arms crossed, her sharp gaze drilling into me.

I nodded, forcing confidence into my voice. "If she wanted me dead, she had plenty of chances yesterday. The fact that I'm still breathing means she has her own reasons for keeping me alive. And if I don't go, well… she might not have that reason anymore."

I wasn't exactly sure why she spared me, but I wasn't about to question my survival. If anything, I'd use it against her turn her generosity into a weakness.

"Please, Rudeus, I want to make sure the watergod can't touch you!" Eris looked up at me, eyes wide with excitement.

I resisted the urge to groan. She wasn't asking because she cared about my safety. She just wanted to test herself. The problem was, I knew exactly how that would go. She'd charge in, all fire and fury, get humbled by some random kid, and spend the next week training to beat that kid.

I rubbed my temple. The headache was already forming.

"Rudy, wouldn't it be helpful? She could get a better understanding of her counter style," Sylphie chimed in, glancing between us.

I hesitated. She wasn't wrong sparring against unfamiliar styles would help Eris grow. But at what cost? My dignity?

"Rudeus, let Eris go with you. This is crucial training she won't get anywhere else," Ghislaine said, tone firm. That was the end of the argument.

I let my body droop in defeat. "Fine."

"YAY!" Eris practically bounced in place, eyes sparkling with excitement.

The walk to the dojo was uneventful, but the second I laid eyes on the place, my instincts screamed at me to turn around. The building loomed ahead, exuding a heavy, ominous aura like a place people entered but didn't leave the same.

I spun on my heel. "Nope."

Before I could escape, Eris grabbed my collar, yanking me back. "Come on, Rudeus! I want to fight!"

And just like that, I was dragged into hell.

My confidence? Gone. Reduced to nothing.

I glanced at Sylphie, hoping for some mutual reassurance, but she looked just as uneasy. Understandable, considering she wasn't much of a swordswoman, and now she was standing in a room full of them.

The inside of the dojo was alive with movement people sparring, training, shouting instructions. The air buzzed with energy, yet somehow, despite the sheer number of sweating bodies, it smelled… oddly sweet?

I barely had time to process that before a familiar voice called out.

"Hello, Rudeus."

I sighed. Of course.

Turning my head, I spotted Isolte, looking far more cheerful than the last time I saw her. A warm smile rested on her face as she gave me a small wave.

I stared. "You… do know I tried to kill you, right?" I pointed at her, just to be sure.

She chuckled a light, almost soothing sound. "I knew you wouldn't."

I squinted. That was dangerously close to blind faith.

"Rudeus, who's this?" Eris asked, looking Isolte up and down.

I sighed. "This is Isolte. She's the reason I'm in this stupid situation."

Eris took a step closer, sizing her up. This was bad. I could already see where this was going.

"You seem like easy pickings," she said, smirking.

Isolte's smile didn't waver in the slightest.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. How could one person be so nice? Or maybe she was pitying eris. Isolte could definitely beat Eris at the moment. If they fought right now, it wouldn't even be close. With her counter-style, Eris would get picked apart before she even realized what was happening.

Wanting to avoid that inevitable disaster, I decided to change the subject. "So, Isolte, where's your grandma?"

She tilted her head slightly, still wearing that infuriatingly calm smile. "She's here. She's probably already sensed your presence. Just go in the back."

A shiver ran down my spine. If she's already sensed me, why is she being so ominous about it?

I swallowed, turning on my heel with all the enthusiasm of a man walking toward his execution. My feet dragged against the wooden floor as I forced myself forward, leaving the two redheads behind.

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

The moment rudeus was out of sight, Eris wasted no time. "Since he's gone, do you wanna fight?"

Isolte's eyes flicked to her, that same serene expression never leaving her face. "Are you sure?" she asked, almost as if she were giving Eris an out. "I can sense your power, and while it's decent, I don't think you can beat me. Judging by how reckless you are, I'd guess you're a Sword God practitioner."

Eris blinked, momentarily taken aback by how casually Isolte dissected her. Then, her face hardened. "Who are you to tell me if I can beat you?" Her voice came out in a low growl, her entire posture shifting shoulders squared, eyes sharp, muscles tensed like a predator ready to pounce.

Isolte merely shook her head. "It's your funeral. I didn't want to embarrass you in front of all these people, but if you insist…"

Isolte steps up to the training area and grabs two spare training swords. She gives one to Eris, who takes it and grins.

"Let's see if you can match up to your friend," Isolte says while beginning to get into a stance.

Eris just scoffs at that remark, growing a little more irritated. "I'll win for sure." She gets into a stance.

She shifted into her stance, legs tensed, weight balanced on the balls of her feet. Their eyes locked, each silently assessing the other, looking for openings, weaknesses anything that could tip the fight in their favor.

Then Eris moved.

She shot forward like a cannonball, trying to overwhelm Isolte with sheer aggression. Her sword slashed toward her opponent's side, but CLACK! Isolte deflected it with ease, her wooden blade moving as if she already knew where Eris would strike.

Gritting her teeth, Eris launched another attack, faster this time. Again, CLACK! Another block. But she didn't stop. Her blade became a blur as she swung wildly, pouring all of her strength into each attack.

She perfectly predicts where Eris will strike, using the fast and wild nature of her attacks against her, making Eris's sword fling into the air. In a flash, Isolte has her wooden sword to Eris's neck, winning the battle.

Eris stumbles onto her butt, watching her sword spin through the air before landing on the ground. Isolte remains standing, her wooden sword still at Eris's neck. She looks around, noticing how quiet everyone has become while watching the sparring match unfold.

She grits her teeth and clenches her fists, her knuckles turning white before she goes berserk. She grabs the sword that was falling.

Isolte sighs. "Can you not accept a loss?" She gets back into her stance.

Eris uses all of her speed, appearing behind Isolte, who has not moved.

Eris mentally grins, rushing in. She moves to strike Isolte's back, but before she can, she is suddenly sent to the ground. Isolte is now at her side, pressing her wooden sword into Eris's back.

Eris falls, the wooden sword still placed firmly against her.

"All that bloodlust and anger are only holding you back. I could sense your movements multiple seconds before they even happened. I didn't even have to look behind me." Isolte wears a sad frown on her face.

She didn't enjoy embarrassing the girl like this there was no pleasure in it but Eris needed to learn this lesson. Yes, she was a Sword God user and probably intermediate at best, but even if she fought a beginner in the Water God style, she'd still lose.

That very anger and bloodlust that fueled her was exactly what made her predictable. Water God practitioners could sense emotions, and that made it easier to anticipate attacks.

"GET OFF OF ME!" Eris shouted, kicking and flailing under the wooden sword.

Isolte let up, watching as Eris leaped to her feet, glaring at her. Isolte sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to embarrass you," she said in a calm tone.

"I don't need your sympathy. Now fight me again!" Eris snapped, picking up the wooden sword and getting back into her stance.

"Here's a tip us Water God practitioners can sense emotions, and right now, yours are all over the place. That's why I could easily predict your attacks and land that move on you earlier," Isolte said.

Eris's emotions settled slightly, her expression going blank. She looked like she was actually thinking about this before she shook her head and gritted her teeth again. "So what? I'll just have to outspeed you."

Isolte thought to herself that this girl might just be really stubborn before shifting back into her stance.