Mushoku Tensei: The Fool Magician

Roy stepped forward and offered his hand to his fallen father, pulling him to his feet.

Paul dusted himself off and sighed with a mixture of pride and nostalgia. "Roy, you've grown up. It's time you had a better teacher. In a few days, I'll ask an old friend of mine to train you in swordsmanship."

Roy immediately understood who Paul was referring to Ghislaine Dedoldia.

It seemed the story involving Eris was about to begin.

However, the thought of Eris's notoriously bad temper made Roy grimace. Unlike Roxy, who had a gentle demeanor, Eris was infamous for her unreasonable and brash attitude, especially toward strangers.

As Roy mulled over this, Paul broke his train of thought. "Roy, can you tell me how you managed to dodge that strike?"

Paul's curiosity was genuine. By all accounts, Roy should not have been able to avoid that slash. Yet the result was undeniable, leaving Paul both puzzled and intrigued.

Roy hesitated, knowing he couldn't exactly explain the skill he had awakened. Instead, he said, "It was instinct, I suppose. I could just sense how you would strike, so I moved preemptively."

Paul chuckled bitterly. "Your talent is downright terrifying, you know that? If my old master saw you, he'd probably beg to take you as a disciple on the spot."

After a moment of reflection, Paul turned toward Rudeus, who had been quietly spacing out nearby. "Rudeus, get over here. Time for training."

Rudeus gulped and forced a nervous smile. He knew his father well enough to see what was coming. Whenever Paul lost prestige as a father—like he just had with Roy—he tended to take it out on someone else. And that someone was often Rudeus.

But how could he possibly match Paul? Even with magic, he doubted he'd stand a chance.

Unsurprisingly, Rudeus ended up flat on his back, thoroughly defeated after a flurry of harsh blows and one decisive strike that knocked him out of the match.

Paul shook his head, exasperated. "Can't you learn a thing or two from your brother? The gap between you two is just too big."

Sprawled on the ground, Rudeus stared blankly at the sky and muttered, "Father, there's only one Roy in this world. He's practically a monster."

Paul sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "Fine, get up. Spend the next few days preparing."

Rudeus blinked. "Preparing? For what?"

Paul grabbed him by the arm, hauled him to his feet, and brushed the dirt off his clothes. "You're going on a journey. While you're at it, earn some tuition money for Sylphy. Our family has some savings, sure, but it's not enough to send two people to school—let alone three."

He then turned to Roy. "You'll train under Ghislaine. Once you've learned everything that muscle-bound woman has to offer, you'll move on to train with the Sword God."

The Sword God. One of the Seven Great Powers. His strength was nothing short of legendary.

The Sixth of the Seven Great Powers: The Sword God.

Of all the Seven Great Powers, the Sword God was the only human. Like the Fighting God, the title of Sword God wasn't tied to a specific name or individual, as humans had comparatively short lifespans. Those who earned the title were few, but each had climbed to the pinnacle of strength, securing their place among the world's mightiest.

In truth, humans weren't considered particularly exceptional. They lacked the longevity of the Elves, the unique abilities of the Demons, and the raw physical power of the Dragons. Humans were, in many ways, ordinary.

Yet, every so often, an extraordinary individual emerged—someone whose talent and determination defied expectations. The Sword God was the epitome of such individuals.

To bear the title of Sword God was to stand as the pinnacle of human strength in their generation.

Roy nodded in understanding. He knew that if he ever hoped to defeat the Dragon God, he needed to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

With that thought, his perspective shifted briefly to his Fool self.

"Has it started? Let's hope you don't disappoint me." 

He pulled up his status panel.

[Roy Greyrat

[Age: 10

[Strength: E-

[Agility: E+

[Stamina: E

[Intelligence: B+

[Talents: [Immaculate Soul (Phase One)], [The Fool (Phase One)], [Greed], [Sword Ruler (Level 1)]

[Skills: [Advanced Magic Knowledge], [Sword God Style (Advanced)], [Cumulonimbus (Water Saint Level)], [Magic Sword], [Magic Seed]

[Evaluation: You've just barely reached the qualifications to explore the world.]

This was Roy's current status.

To be honest, he was fairly satisfied with his progress. Simply through diligent training, he had reached this level. Moreover, his body had yet to fully develop, leaving significant room for growth and potential.

But it wasn't enough. Not yet.

His current strength wasn't sufficient to embody his vision of a Eminence in Shadow.

To Roy, a Eminence in Shadow was someone powerful and enigmatic, orchestrating events from the shadows with unparalleled finesse. Someone both commanding and cool.

Essentially, he aspired to be a more refined version of Ainz Ooal Gown.

Determined, Roy resumed his rigorous training regimen while experimenting with new ways to wield his magic.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

One morning, Paul called both Rudeus and Roy into the living room with an unusually serious expression.

Glancing between the two boys, his face softened briefly before hardening again the moment his gaze fell on Rudeus.

Noticing this subtle reaction, Rudeus felt a pang of exasperation.

After a moment of silence, Paul finally spoke. "Rudeus, Roy, today is the day you both leave."

Roy gave a calm nod; he had been prepared for this moment. Everything he needed was already packed neatly into a bundle, ready to go.

Rudeus, on the other hand, looked reluctant. Paul had mentioned that this journey would likely last a long time, meaning he wouldn't be able to see Sylphy for a while.

Clinging to a faint hope, Rudeus asked if he could bring Sylphy along.

Paul responded with a look that screamed, Are you an idiot? The sheer disdain in his expression left Rudeus thoroughly embarrassed.

Roy, however, was unfazed. For him, embarking on a journey was inevitable. Even if Paul hadn't said anything, Roy would have left eventually.

After all, the thrill of becoming strong had its charm, but the world outside was vast and full of opportunities. If even his projection in another world was striving for greatness, how could he afford to slack off?

The weather that day was pristine, the sunlight warm and golden.

From the distance came the sound of hoofbeats. A towering beastwoman dismounted from a carriage, her muscular frame cutting an imposing figure. She carried herself with an air of cold authority, her face adorned with a long, menacing scar and an eyepatch. Her features were sharp and striking, exuding the aura of a seasoned warrior.

Clad in revealing leather armor that showcased a body marked by numerous battle scars, she had the demeanor of a formidable leader. Her expression was aloof and intimidating.

Stepping off the carriage, her sharp eyes scanned the area. Spotting only Roy and Rudeus, she frowned slightly and asked in a flat tone, "Where's Paul?"

From the side, Zenith stepped forward to explain. "Paul is inside with his other two daughters. These are his sons. He wants them to follow you and learn under your guidance, Ghislaine."

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

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