Allen stared silently at the sword tip mere inches from his eye.
Paul stood in front of him, both hands gripping the sword, shoulders lowered, body tilted in a stabbing stance, firmly planted in a horse-riding posture.
Their shadows didn't budge.
"He won! Dad won—mmph!"
From a distance, Rudeus had jumped to celebrate but was quickly pulled back down by Zenith, who also covered his mouth.
She took a deep breath, nervously whispering down to him:
"Rudy, don't shout and distract your father!"
Rudeus blinked in surprise, feigning innocence.
"Huh? But Dad already won. He even stopped his blade. One thrust and he would've pierced that guy's head!"
Lilia gasped softly, wringing her sweaty palms and whispering:
"Young Master, look again... Actually, Master is at a disadvantage. His surprise attack was anticipated. That opening duel was brilliant. That young boy, despite his age, has remarkable swordsmanship."
Anticipated...? What does she mean?
Rudeus turned back toward the yard.
A strange sound came with the wind—the constant screeching of metal scraping.
As the sun dipped lower, the shadows shifted, revealing a gleaming blade lodged perfectly into Paul's sword hilt, wedged precisely into the hollow triangle gap of the hilt's guard.
The blade trembled slightly, grinding against Paul's weapon.
It wasn't Paul who stopped—he was stopped.
The outcome was not decided.
Paul pressed down on his sword, trying to push forward. Allen, wordless, wrapped his arm in dōki (fighting spirit), applying counterforce.
Paul grinned.
"Sword God Style—Wrist Drop. Realizing my Sword God surprise attack couldn't be dodged, you instantly aimed for my wrist, forcing me to block with the hilt. A perfect offensive defense."
Allen looked along Paul's blade into his eyes.
"Sword God Style? Not North God?"
Paul narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"Oh? Are you saying I ambushed you?"
"Hardly."
Before Allen could finish, Paul's right leg swept toward his chest. Allen's pupils contracted, wrists twisting to flip the blade outward. He stepped to the side, positioning his chest behind the blade.
The sword, linking their torsos, became a steel wall.
Paul's kick stopped an inch before the blade.
He crouched and leapt backward several meters.
Allen reset his stance, blade ready as if nothing had happened.
"...Wasn't it all a setup? Even the high guard was bait. If I mistook it for a slash, your feint stab could've ended it."
Though he scorned the North God Style publicly, Paul used it masterfully. No wonder he once adventured with Ghislaine and managed to seduce all three female members of Black Wolf Fang, including Zenith.
Paul smirked, all traces of his earlier aggression gone.
"Excellent. A textbook Water God Style guard, and precise awareness of killing intent. A truly skilled swordsman. That being the case..."
Allen didn't respond, eyes fixed on Paul's hand.
Unexpectedly, Paul declared:
"You're hired. On a seven-day trial, of course. Come, I'll show you your room."
With that, he turned and headed to the door.
Allen sheathed his sword, dumbfounded.
That was it? He hadn't even warmed up. Damn, he should've gone all out. Not satisfying at all.
Watching Paul be welcomed like a hero, Allen saw Rudeus glance at him—then immediately avert his eyes and retreat into the house.
A hasty beginning, an abrupt end. Allen's job as Rudy's tutor was somehow easily secured.
He smiled and walked toward Zenith.
[Major Event Participation Score: Increased.]
[Current Phase: Childhood. Total Score: 35.]
[Immediate Task: Gain Rudeus's Favor.]
[Rudeus Timer: 79:13:21]
The system prompt returned.
"Your name is Allen, right?"
"Yes, Madam."
Zenith stood by a bedroom door and motioned him to look inside.
"You seem quite young. May I ask your age?"
Allen smiled at the familiar layout—it was Roxy's old room.
"Nine years and four months."
Zenith blinked and turned to him in surprise.
"You're tall for your age. Already an adventurer at this age? Impressive."
Well, not as impressive as your ten-year-old who toured the Demon Continent with a girl.
Allen turned to face her properly. She looked genuine in her praise, her lashes fluttering gently.
A true victim type, he thought. Paul, you bastard...
"You flatter me, Madam. Poor children mature fast."
Zenith smiled and pointed to the corridor.
"Paul asked me to tell you to go to the study after you settle in. I'll go prepare dinner."
"Thank you, Madam."
Allen emptied his belongings into the room—map, compass, blade—then stepped into the hallway.
From the end of the opposite corridor, a small head peeked out... and promptly disappeared.
Click. A door shut firmly.
(End of Chapter)
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