Mushoku Tensei: The Fool Magician

The man's aura was commanding, his sharp gaze exuding the natural dominance of someone accustomed to wielding authority. Coupled with his rugged appearance, it was enough to make most people instinctively avoid eye contact.

Faced with such a presence, Rudeus unconsciously took a step back. He had always been uneasy around strong-willed individuals—especially those like this man, who seemed both volatile and unyielding.

Roy, however, was unfazed. His amber-gold eyes locked onto the man without a trace of fear. While Rudeus shrank away, Roy stood firm.

This was Sauros Boreas Greyrat, the lord of Fittoa and grandfather to Eris. A brash, larger-than-life figure with little regard for convention. Eris's fiery temperament was undoubtedly a product of his indulgence, her ambition to emulate his unrestrained and domineering persona clear for anyone to see.

After a few moments of silent confrontation, Roy broke eye contact. He wasn't here to pick a fight; he was here to teach. Offering a polished noble's bow, he introduced himself. "Good day. My name is Roy Greyrat, son of Paul."

Sauros raised an eyebrow, his expression bluntly curious. "Paul's son? Hah, and here I thought he'd produce a more… masculine child."

Roy's lips twitched, a shadow of annoyance flashing across his face. He didn't reply immediately, though his narrowing eyes spoke volumes.

Sensing the brewing tension, Rudeus quickly stepped forward, trying to diffuse the situation. "A pleasure to meet you, sir. My name is Rudeus Greyrat. You can call me Rudeus."

Sauros nodded approvingly and gestured toward Rudeus. "Now that's what a boy from our family should look like. But you…" He glanced back at Roy, a smirk curling his lips. "Hmph."

Roy's arm stiffened under Rudeus's grip. The younger boy could already tell things were about to escalate. His brother wasn't the type to silently endure such pointed jabs—especially when they touched on his appearance.

With deliberate steps, Roy moved closer to Sauros. His voice was calm but tinged with steel. "What did you just say?"

"Oh?" Sauros leaned forward, scrutinizing the boy who dared challenge him. Their gazes clashed again, Roy's sharp and unyielding, Sauros's slightly amused but probing.

The towering lord, standing a full head taller than Roy's 165 cm frame, loomed over him with an air of dominance. "Are you questioning me, boy? Or do you think I said something untrue?"

Roy exhaled sharply, his patience at its limit. Without a word, he shrugged off his coat and tossed it to Rudeus.

The air around him shifted as he began channeling his mana. Muscles that were typically hidden beneath loose clothing suddenly swelled with definition, his athletic physique on full display. With a slight flex, his biceps bulged, and his frame seemed to expand—transforming from a slender youth to a towering figure nearly 180 cm tall.

The sound of cracking joints echoed as mana coursed through his body, emphasizing his raw physicality.

Roy grinned, exuding an undeniable aura of strength. "Old man, don't underestimate me. Be careful, or I might just crush you with a single punch."

He punctuated his words with a taunting smirk, one that, unfortunately, lacked the sharpness to fully sell the threat. His androgynous features, caught between youthful elegance and an imposing presence, softened the impact of his expression.

But appearances aside, his sheer physicality made up for any lack of intimidation in his demeanor.

Standing nearby, Ghislaine's brows furrowed. She rarely felt any semblance of unease, yet there was an undeniable weight to the power radiating from Roy.

Sauros was momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered. His hand clapped against Roy's solid muscles with a satisfied grin.

Roy, however, recoiled, slapping the older man's hand away with enough force to leave Sauros's arm tingling.

"Enough with the touching, old man." Roy muttered, his expression one of mild disgust.

Sauros flexed his fingers, testing the residual numbness. Rather than anger, his lips curled into a broader grin. "Well, well! People really can't be judged by appearances. I like it—you've got spine, and you know how to stand up for yourself. That's the spirit of a true Greyrat."

"Sure, you look a bit… delicate, but that's nothing that matters in the grand scheme of things. What counts is strength and dignity. I acknowledge you, boy."

He gestured toward the interior of the estate. "Now, off you go. Philip's been waiting for you two for quite some time."

With a hearty laugh, Sauros strode away, his voice booming through the hall.

Unseen by Roy, however, the old man winced as soon as he was out of sight. He sucked in a sharp breath and looked down at his hand, now red and swollen from Roy's retaliatory slap. His expression was a mix of frustration and begrudging admiration.

Roy furrowed his brows, puzzled. What just happened? He'd been trying to provoke the old man, yet somehow ended up earning his favor. Was this still considered a successful confrontation?

Confused, he shook his head, only to feel Rudeus tugging at his sleeve. The younger boy gave him a thumbs-up, a sheepish grin on his face.

Roy shot him a cold look and scoffed. "You're such a coward. When are you going to grow a spine?"

Rudeus scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "I'm not like you, big brother. Besides, I thought we were about to lose our jobs just now!"

Roy rolled his eyes but said nothing. While Sauros's unexpected reaction had caught him off guard, his familiarity with the original events reassured him that Sauros wouldn't hold this against them.

Gradually, Roy let the mana coursing through him dissipate. His body shrank back to its original 165 cm frame, and his imposing muscles vanished beneath his now-loose clothing. In a blink, the towering powerhouse reverted to his usual image—a slender, fair-skinned youth who looked like he couldn't harm a fly.

Rudeus, watching this transformation, twitched at the sheer absurdity of it all. He wisely kept his thoughts to himself.

The two continued into the drawing room, where a man with sleek, chestnut-brown hair sat casually in the center. His demeanor was relaxed, his slender frame clad in the elegant attire of a noble. At first glance, he exuded politeness and charm.

When the trio entered, the man stood, offering them a warm, welcoming smile.

Roy stepped forward and performed a perfect noble's bow, his expression cool and composed. "Greetings. You may call me Roy. I'm a boy, by the way."

He emphasized the last three words, subtly reinforcing the fact to avoid any potential misunderstanding.

Following his lead, Rudeus mimicked the gesture, bowing respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You can call me Rudeus."

The man nodded, his smile widening. "I'm Philip Boreas Greyrat. To be honest, I never expected Paul to father such a… 'beautiful' son. But it seems you've already made an impression on my father."

His tone was lighthearted, even teasing, but Roy's amber-gold eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his displeasure evident.

Rudeus felt a cold sweat bead on his forehead. Oh no. Please don't let him snap.

Unfortunately for Philip, Rudeus's concern was well-founded.

The thought of pummeling the man briefly crossed Roy's mind.

***

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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