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Chapter 32 - Chapter 32: Time Flies in Two Months, A Sword Must Be Faster Than Thought!

Around noon, Sylphy arrived.

She stood just outside the courtyard, leaning against the wall, head lowered as she stared closely at the wild grass beneath her feet. If not for her eyes occasionally glancing at the courtyard, Allen might've thought she was just passing by.

Paul, who had declared today would be a full day of training, relaxed visibly when he saw this and quickly shooed the two boys away to go play.

He was clearly suffering from a mental overload after facing ten thousand whys from the two kids.

Allen walked toward Sylphy with a smile, ready to wave—but froze mid-motion.

'Being seen naked by a child... well, whatever, haha, no big deal... though kids in this world do mature early.'

"It-it's fine, really. About yesterday... I-I don't mind."

'Why would you mind in the first place?!'

Allen rubbed his temple, slightly helpless.

"Then... let's pretend it never happened. Rudeus? Hmm? Rudeus?"

Turning, Allen found that Rudeus hadn't followed. A meter away, Rudeus was awkwardly greeting Sylphy—not just embarrassed about having been naked, but clearly also struggling to talk to a girl his own age.

Allen blinked.

'Rudeus is such a perv, but deep down he's a NEET. A loudmouth with no action. He even ran from Eris and ended up with ED.'

Chuckling, Allen slung his arm over Rudeus' shoulder and walked toward the gate, grabbing Sylphy's shoulder along the way.

"Let's go teach Sylphy some magic!"

"Don't sling your arm around me, Allen!"

"Huh? Shy much?"

"N-no, I need to go get the magic textbook!"

"Ah, right!"

"Hey."

"Sylphy, why are you laughing?? I'm getting the textbook for you!"

"I-I'm not laughing, Rudeus."

"At least control your expression if you're lying! Allen, what are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at how in the future you'll be weak and completely supported by Sylphy."

"??"

"??"

——

Two months passed in a flash, filled with laughter and lessons in swordplay and magic.

By late May, Sylphy had already mastered most of the magic textbook, showing prodigious talent as expected. She was now learning chantless casting from Rudeus.

Meanwhile, Rudeus spent his days secretly studying tactics behind Allen's back. Initially, he'd discuss ideas with Sylphy, but after she accidentally tattled to Allen once, he never revealed anything to her again.

June 1st.

After breakfast, Rudeus exchanged a look with Allen and ran out to prepare for their duel, receiving cheers of encouragement.

Allen, meanwhile, lazily helped clean up.

Zenith smiled at him.

"I was surprised to hear you two would duel today. Allen, make sure to go easy on him~"

Allen smiled back. He had a good impression of Zenith, probably because her personality felt familiar, close to people from his former world. She was kind to him too.

A strange warmth filled him... Was this what people meant by family?

He wasn't sure. After all, he'd grown up in an orphanage.

"Rudeus is stronger than you think. Rather than worry about him, you should worry about me."

Zenith gave a sly smile identical to Rudeus' trademark smug grin.

Allen shivered.

Then she added gently, brushing his hair near his temple:

"Allen, you're a genius too~"

Allen blinked, caught off guard.

Then her expression suddenly turned stern.

"So don't end up in the clinic again today."

Allen coughed awkwardly.

"That was an accident... I promise I've got it under control."

Zenith squinted, unconvinced.

"That poisoning incident was an accident too."

"Alright, alright—you got me. I'll be careful."

"Good. Go on then, be safe."

"Got it."

——

As Allen stepped outside, Paul was already in the courtyard waiting.

He smiled at Allen but noticed the boy stood silently, hand on his sword hilt.

"Still training this morning?"

"Yes."

"Huh? I thought you were going to duel Rudeus?"

"He's rehearsing one last time. Said I can't watch. Sylphy will call me when it's time."

Paul chuckled, looking down at his sword.

"Alright then."

Before the words fully left his mouth, Paul dashed forward—his sword a blur aimed at Allen's neck!

Allen's pupils shrank. He instantly gripped his blade.

"Nijuuzan (Twenty Slash)!"

Sparks flew as Allen parried and then immediately kicked at Paul's face.

Bam!

Paul blocked it calmly, arm raised, and gave Allen a narrowed glance.

"No good. You're still defaulting to other styles. That slash wasn't Water God Style... and that kick is textbook North God technique."

Allen backed off, frustrated.

Paul raised his blade into a high stance, aggressive and direct.

"If you keep relying on what you're comfortable with, you'll never improve your Sword God Style. I've said this how many times in two months now?"

"Sorry. Habits are hard to break..."

Even now, when under pressure, Allen instinctively used Water God moves. It's a product of his past-life mindset: always seeking the safest, most efficient solution.

He took a deep breath.

'Before mastering Light Reversal, Sword God Style relies on one core principle: be faster than your opponent. Whoever hits first, wins.'

But even as he focused, Paul's sword slashed toward him again, crashing against his blade.

Paul's voice hit him like a bell tolling in his mind:

"A sword must be faster than thought! So why are you still thinking?!"

Blades clashed again, the follow-up strike slicing the air beside Allen's ear—

(End of Chapter)

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