Mushoku Tensei: The Mad Witch's Magical Redemption

[MC's POV]

It was rather an uncomfortable turn of events. Having Rudeus touching a young lady's chest, as well as pulling one's leggings was very scandalous yet somehow expected. I already knew he was a pervert from the novel, but I didn't have the guts to be mad at him.

"Eris, are you alright?"

I heard his voice calling out to me, realizing we were in the middle of a science lesson. I met his gaze, mildly concerned—probably guilty of what he did. I guess I'll have to reassure him.

"Ah, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"Are you sure? We could end this lesson if you—"

"No, no, it's alright. Please continue."

Ever since I forgave his actions, Rudeus has become more subservient, as if he were walking on eggshells around me. He kept offering to conclude our tutor session early to teach me the healing magic I'd requested. 

"If you say so... but tell me if there's any problems."

His cautious tone was beginning to raise concern. It wasn't like I wanted him to grovel on me endlessly. But dwelling on the incident wouldn't do us any good, and frankly, I didn't want to be reminded any longer.

Anyway, Rudeus continued his science lesson, delving into various scientific processes and explaining how they help heighten our understanding of magic.

"Learning these processes is crucial when casting spells," he explained, showing me a graph on a piece of parchment. "For instance, if you were to apply the heat of fire to water, it turns into steam. This process is known as evaporation."

The context of the lesson was simple enough, but I played along as if it was new to me.

"How is this going to help understand magic," I asked, curious about its connection.

In response to my question, Rudeus set aside the parchment and showed his hand to me. He then briefly muttered something and a tiny flame appeared on his palm.

"You see this flame?" he questioned.

I nodded, intrigued by what he was doing. "Yes, I can see that."

"Okay, now let's add some water," he declared, hovering his other hand over the flame.

A ball of water emerged and dripped onto the flame, creating steam that spiraled upwards.

"Wow, that's so cool!" I exclaimed, amazed at the demonstration.

Rudeus chuckled, putting out both the fire and water with a flick of his fingers. "I know, right? Do you want to give it a try?"

I hesitated for a moment, pondering his offer. A part of me suspected it was just an excuse to fulfill the request I'd made earlier, but it was an opportunity to learn elemental magic as well.

"Alright, let me try."

He nodded and stood up from his seat before heading toward the door. "But first, let's move somewhere spacious."

"Why? There's plenty of space here," I pointed out.

Scratching the back of his head, he claimed, "Well, since you're new to magic, there's a case that you might not control the output."

Ah, I see. He was worried about me setting the room on fire. Fair enough, I guess I'd tolerate his reasoning once again.

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We made our way out of the tutor room and down the hallway, eventually stepping into the manor's courtyard. The space was open and bright, with plenty of room for magic practice.

"Let's face over this way just in case," he instructed as he touched the ground and erected a stone wall in the distance.

It made sense, considering stone isn't flammable and could withstand impacts if I happened to misfire a spell.

Following his instruction, I faced the wall as well. "Okay, what now?"

"Raise your arm forward and follow my lead," he continued, extending his hand as he started vocalizing an incantation. "Let the great protection of fire be on the place thou seekest. I call the bold heat of a torch here and now. Fireball."

A small, crackling ball of fire materialized in his palm, slightly bigger than the one he had cast previously, and he launched it toward the wall, where it fizzled out harmlessly upon impact.

He turned to me with a smile. "See? Simple enough. Your turn now."

I nodded and raised my arm as instructed, taking a deep breath before trying to replicate the incantation word by word.

"L-let the great protection of fire be on the place thou seekest. I call the bold heat of a torch here and now. F-fireball!"

A flicker of heat ignited in my palm, forming an unstable flame. I stared at it, mesmerized yet wary, as sweat dribbled down my forehead. I launched the fireball, but as it flew through the air, the spell fizzled out early before reaching the stone surface.

"Darn it!"

I clenched my fist, frustrated at the premature failure.

"That's not too shabby for your first try," Rudeus comforted as he approached me. 

As I looked at him, I felt a sense of pride. "Do you think so?"

"Absolutely," he affirmed while effortlessly conjuring a fireball in his hand. "Not everyone can summon flames like you do."

Distracted by the fireball, I realized he casually invoked the spell like it was nothing. I couldn't believe I overlooked that just now.

"Eris, are you okay?" he called out to me, snapping back to reality.

I looked at him, pointing at the fireball. "How come you didn't chant that spell?"

"Ah, this," he acknowledged, "it's called voiceless incantation."

Voiceless incantation. Of course, how could I forget his greatest advantage in the novel? The mere ability to cast magic without uttering a word is rather useful for instantaneous combat.

"Can I learn it?" I requested nicely.

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed wearily. "Alright, but only if you promise not to abuse your magic for selfish reasons."

I nodded eagerly. "I promise! Now teach me!"

"Okay, fine," he conceded, extinguishing the flame on his palm. "First, you have to remember the feeling of mana when you cast the fireball earlier."

Ah yes, mana—a form of energy that exists in this world. I knew about its existence and felt it flow through my veins, but I didn't understand how it functioned.

"I remembered it, what's next?" I continued to press forward.

He extended his arm before replying, "Next, you need to replicate that sensation by dragging the mana inside your body to your fingertips."

I took a deep breath, focusing on the energy within me, forcing the sensation to gather at my fingertips. At first, nothing happened, but soon a small flicker of flame appeared in my palm.

Proud of my progress, I turned to Rudeus. "Look, I did it!" 

"Great! Keep it steady," he motivated. "Then adjust its size, speed, and strength to average."

"Okay," I complied, modifying the fireball to a reasonable parameter. 

Seeing my adjustment, Rudeus nodded. "Now fire at the wall."

I aimed at the target, and with a swift motion, I launched the fireball toward the wall. It flew in a straight path, glowing brilliantly, before hitting the surface and dissipating without a trace.

"You did it, Eris, nice shot," Rudeus complimented.

Feeling prideful of my accomplishment, I smiled at him. "Thank you, Rudeus."

"Y-you're welcome," he humbly accepted my appreciation. "Shall we move on to water magic or perhaps healing magic?"

Hearing him mention my earlier request, I sighed in resignation. "Sure, why not."

With that, we continued our magical endeavor, moving on to flowing waters and rejuvenating healing. Ah, learning magic is truly entertaining.

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As the sun was about to set, Rudeus and I ended the magic lesson, learning two magic spells—water ball and elementary healing. Not only that, but I could cast them without chanting.

"Well done, Eris," said Rudeus, his face filled with astonishment. "I never knew you could cast healing magic using voiceless incantation."

Listening to his comments, I felt a wave of accomplishment wash over me. "Thanks, I couldn't have done it without your guidance."

"I might have explained it, but you're the one who pulled it off," he retorted modestly, grinning sheepishly while scratching the back of his head.

After witnessing his humbleness, I looked up at the sky and noticed it was now streaked with shades of orange and pink.

"It's getting late," I pointed out before returning my gaze to Rudeus. "Should we head back?"

"Of course," he complied, walking beside me.

But just as we were leaving the courtyard, we were greeted by three people standing in the distance—Philip, Hilda, and Ghislaine.

"How long were you all standing there?" I asked cautiously.

Philip sighed wearily before answering, "For five minutes."

"Five minutes?!" I exclaimed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "You mean you saw—"

"Everything? Well, just most of it," he admitted honestly.

My face blushed with embarrassment, though I tried to conceal it. Meanwhile, Hilda stepped closer and pulled me to her side, shooting a fierce glare at Rudeus.

"Keep those magics away from my daughter!" she shouted defiantly.

Rudeus withdrew, terrified by Hilda's outcry. "F-forgive me, I was just following Eris' request."

"Nonsense!" she denied his reasoning before turning to me. "Eris, my dear, you wouldn't ask something like that, would you?"

"Well, I did request him to teach me healing magic specifically," I admitted. "However, the fire and water magic looked fascinating, so it was worthwhile to learn those as well."

Hilda widened her eyes, taken aback by my response. She was so speechless that her mouth was left hanging. Philip, on the other hand, was intrigued by my eagerness to learn magic, so perhaps I could use his approval to convince Hilda.

"Father, can I continue learning magic with Rudeus?" I asked nicely.

Philip took a moment to think over my request before nodding in agreement. "Alright, as long as you focus your studies, you can keep doing your magical endeavors."

"Really? Thank you, Father," I said, appreciative before shifting my gaze to Hilda. "What about you, Mother? Will you allow me to continue learning magic too?"

Hilda was reluctant, torn between her daughter's wishes and safety. She winced frustratedly before sighing in resignation.

"Fine," she conceded, turning to Rudeus. "But if something terrible happens to my daughter, I will not hesitate to kick you out of here."

Rudeus gulped nervously and bowed his head. "I understand, madam."

With that answer, Hilda turned her heels and left the courtyard. Meanwhile, Philip whispered something to Ghislaine before leaving as well.

The furry bodyguard approached us and announced, "Lord Philip told me to keep an eye on you two from now on."

"Very well," I acknowledged. "But it's getting dark, so let's all get back inside."

"Understood," Rudeus and Ghislaine simultaneously responded.

The three of us walked back toward the manor in silence, this day's event settling like a quiet flame in my thoughts.