Mushoku Tensei: The Mad Witch's Magical Redemption

After that day concluded, the magic lessons became a part of a newly established schedule alongside tutor sessions and sword training. 

Every day started with a quick sparring match to sharpen reflexes and strength, followed by a lesson in math, language, or science to expand my intelligence. The day concluded with a magic lesson, where a new spell was learned and practiced, fostering both mind and mana.

At first, this continuous schedule was engaging and delightful to the point I even bragged to the original Eris about it every time I slept, though she never listened to a word I said.

But as days turned into weeks, the initial thrill wore off. Sword training felt more like a simple chore than a challenge. The lessons became so repetitive that I stopped pretending to be a novice. And magic training? That was the only part that still kept me entertained.

Sigh... What went wrong that led me to feel this way?

"Are you alright, Eris?"

Rudeus' voice called out to me, interrupting my thoughts for the hundredth time. He kept on repeating the same question, breaking through my internal monologue every time.

"I'm fine, Rudeus."

"Are you sure? You seemed restless for some reason." 

"I said I'm fine! Quit worrying about me!"

My sudden outburst startled Rudeus and even myself. I didn't know what had just come over me, but it was certainly not fine.

Rudeus stepped back slightly, clearly startled by my tone. "Alright... if you say so."

His hesitant response only made me feel worse. I bit my lip, suddenly conscious of the regret pressing down on me.

"I'm sorry, Rudeus," I apologized earnestly. "I didn't mean to yell at you."

"What's wrong, milady?" Ghislaine asked, noticing that she had been with us the entire time.

Glancing between her and Rudeus, I finally admitted, "The truth is... I was bored."

Both of them widened their eyes as if I had said something shocking. Rudeus even dismissed the tutor session early, ushering me out of the room.

"That's weird. What did I do?"

Confused by the situation, I found myself wandering through the manor hallways, attempting to understand my boredom. I hadn't felt this way before, but my body seemed to disagree.

An hour had passed before I encountered three beast maids walking toward me, one of them holding an overly frilly dress.

"Lady Eris, please come with us and wear this dress," said the maid with rabbit ears, her tone polite yet insistent.

I examined the garment, its design seemed tasteful and suited for an outing. "Why?"

"Master Philip instructed us to do it," a dog maid explained. "He told us that Lord Rudeus has invited you and Miss Ghislaine for a stroll outside."

"That's right, nya," the maid with cat ears chimed in, nodding eagerly.

Their responses sparked a twinge of curiosity within me. An outdoor stroll? That sounded like the perfect change of pace.

"Alright," I agreed with a small smile. "Let's do it quickly."

The three beast maids nodded and guided me into a room, where they helped me put on the outfit. As they adjusted the final detail, I couldn't help but feel comfortable.

As I headed outside, I noticed Rudeus and Ghislaine were waiting by the front gate.

"Ah, you're here," Ghislaine greeted calmly.

Meanwhile, Rudeus observed my attire. "You looked wonderful, Eris."

"Thank you," I replied, his complement easing my earlier frustrations.

Ghislaine smiled, looking satisfied. "Let's go."

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As the three of us exited the Boreas Manor, we set out to explore Roa in its entirety. From the towering walls of the citadel to the bustling streets filled with activity, I found it fascinating to take in the full extent of the original Eris' homeland.

The residence of Roa reflected the stronghold's prosperity. Sturdy wooden houses lined the streets, their windows adorned with intricate stutters, while larger, more elaborate buildings hinted at the wealth of the local merchants.

What stood out even more was the rich diversity of races walking in the street. While humans formed the majority of the crowd, beastfolk, dwarves, and elves mingled seamlessly among them. However, only a handful of demons could be seen blending into the society.

As I marveled at the sceneries, Rudeus walked slightly ahead of me, explaining tidbits about the culture of this region.

"Hey Eris, do you know that Fittoa was known as the land of perfume?"

"Why?"

"It's because the Vatirus flower, which is cultivated in Buena Village, was a main ingredient of perfume production in the province."

"Hmm, neat."

Meanwhile, Ghislaine silently followed us from behind, her observant gaze scanning the area for any potential threats.

"You don't need to be so tense, Ghislaine."

"But milady, I need to stay vigilant to avoid another incident."

"I see... carry on then."

Eventually, we wandered through a festive market square, where street merchants called out to passersby, hawking everything from fragrant spices to colorful trinkets.

One stall caught my eye with its vivid array of gemstones. I slowed down, letting my curiosity draw me closer.

"Interested in jewelry, Eris?" Rudeus asked, noticing my curiousness.

Without looking at him, I leaned in to inspect a specific ring. "This one looks nice."

"Great choice, young lady," a voice responded, acknowledging my choice.

Looking up, a plump yet gentle-looking man appeared behind the stall. I deduced he was the merchant who hawked these products.

Intrigued by his words, I pointed at the ring. "Tell me more about this item, sir."

"That is a reconnaissance ring," he explained. "It's a magic item that allows the wearer to find a specific person wearing the same item over a large distance."

"Sounds interesting," I remarked, interested in the item's concept. "How does it work?"

Responding to my question, he put the ring and another on my finger. Ghislaine was alarmed by this, trying to reach for her sword, but I waved my hand to stand down.

"O-okay," the merchant stammered, clearly nervous. "First, you chant 'guiding light, direct me to,' followed by the name of the person wearing the other ring," he explained directly. "What's your name, young lady?"

"It's Eris Boreas Greyrat, sir," I introduced myself politely.

The merchant's eyes widened in shock upon hearing the name. He immediately stepped out from behind the stall and prostrated himself before me. 

"Forgive me for not recognizing a member of the Boreas Family, young lady."

The abrupt gesture caught me off guard, glancing back at Rudeus and Ghislaine, who merely shrugged their shoulders.

Returning to the merchant, I kneel to his level. "It's alright, sir. I forgive you."

"Really? Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, his eyes flashing as he raised his head. "To show my gratitude, I'll give you a discount on the ring you chose."

"Eh? Are you sure about that?" I asked nervously.

He nodded enthusiastically. "Naturally, it's an honor to benefit you, young lady."

Considering his proposal, I hesitated. I hadn't asked Philip for an allowance before leaving the manor, so I wasn't sure I should accept... or maybe I could work something out.

"Would it be possible for you to keep three of these rings so I could buy them tomorrow?" I asked. "It seems I had forgotten to bring money with me at this moment."

"Certainly, young lady," he agreed immediately. "I shall reserve them for safekeeping."

Satisfied, I returned the ring that had slipped onto my finger to the merchant and wished him farewell. Rudeus and Ghislaine followed me, clearly pleased with how I handled the situation.

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Moving on from the encounter, we continued to explore the market square and inspect other stalls and merchandise that might caught my attention.

While glancing around, I noticed Rudeus standing slightly away from us. He seemed to be in front of a particular stall, scribbling in his notepad while chuckling softly.

Feeling curious, I quietly approached him and glanced over his shoulder to see what he was writing. It was in Japanese, and when translated, it read, "Aphrodisiac, worth ten gold coins, should be purchased in the future."

This guy... He has the nerve to take note about buying something so absurd. But then again, I recall this happening in the novel, and it didn't end well for him when the vial broke. Should I even bother confronting him about it? Probably not.

"Hey Rudeus, what are you writing?" I asked, revealing myself while feigning ignorance.

Startled, he snapped his notepad shut and turned to meet my gaze. "O-oh, I was just writing down the names and prices of some interesting products I just saw."

"Really? What kind of products?" I pressed, testing his reasoning.

Sweating profusely, he stammered, "W-well, you know... products that might be useful in the distant future."

While it was obvious he was lying, I chose to let it slide. It wasn't worth the effort to call him out—this time. Before the suspense could linger, Ghislaine approached, and Rudeus quickly came up with a diversion.

"How about a little quiz to test your math skills, you two?" he proposed brightly.

 Intrigued by his sudden shift in tactics, I place my hands on my waist. "Alright, let's hear it."

"Okay," he began, pointing toward the stalls. "See those products over there? One store was selling them for five copper coins each, but another store sold the same items at four."

I recognized this scenario immediately. This was the question the original Eris couldn't solve.

"Now, here's the question," Rudeus continued. "If you negotiate the price down to three coins here and sell it for four at the other store, how much profit do you make?"

"What an intriguing question to ask," I remarked before answering confidently. "The answer is one coin because four minus three is one, right?"

Rudeus blinked, surprised by my answer. "That's... correct! Well done, Eris!"

Ghislaine gave a small nod of approval, though I could see the dissatisfaction in her eyes as if her opportunity to answer was robbed. Forgive me, I got carried away.

"Anyway, let's head over to that bookstore," Rudeus suggested, walking ahead of us.

While he strode away, I had an idea in mind. Glancing at the stall Rudeus encountered earlier, I leaned forward and whispered something to the merchant.

"Psst, I have a favor to ask, sir."

"What is it, young lady?"

"I want to order something special tomorrow."

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After securing a favor with the merchant, Ghislaine and I hurried to catch up with Rudeus. We followed him into the bookstore he had suggested, stepping into a peaceful area.

The scent of medieval paper and wood hung in the air, giving the establishment a comforting sense of tranquility. Each shelf showcased an extensive collection of newly published books, their spines secured with chains to protect them from theft or loss.

Rudeus and I wandered through the store, looking for something enjoyable to buy. Ghislaine, however, stayed close, occasionally picking us up to reach the upper shelves.

"Did you find anything interesting up there, Rudeus?" I asked, watching him being carried by Ghislaine while scribbling something in his notepad.

He stopped writing and looked down at me. "There's a plant encyclopedia worth seven gold coins over here. What about you?"

"Well, I haven't found anything that tickles my fancy," I admitted. "How about we should ask the store owner to order that book you discovered."

Rudeus contemplated my proposal for a moment before he shook his head. 

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass," he politely rejected.

Confused, I tilted my head. "But why, though?"

"I admire your generosity, Eris," he declared earnestly, "but I'll buy them with my own money."

His reasoning pained me, but it was understandable. He didn't want to depend on the Boreas family's wealth to acquire his desires. As for me, I was doing exactly that. But then again, the original Eris had always been spoiled by her family and why shouldn't I?

When we were about to leave the bookstore, I decided to do something stubborn.

"Rudeus, could you wait for us outside?" I suddenly requested.

He paused and glanced back. "Why? What's wrong?"

"I just noticed an interesting book," I replied, making an excuse.

Without further question, Rudeus walked out the door. I then headed to the counter, meeting gaze with the store owner.

"Sir, could you please reserve the plant encyclopedia?" I requested politely.

The store owner raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why? Do you want to give it to your friend?"

"Yes, I wanted to compensate him," I confessed. "But I haven't brought money today, so I will come back tomorrow."

"Sure, why not," he consented positively.

I smiled in gratitude and turned back to Ghislaine, who stood patiently by the door. Together, we stepped out to meet with Rudeus outside.

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As the sun was about to set, we finally decided to walk our way back to the manor, retracing our steps through the streets.

"Gasp!"

Suddenly, I heard Rudeus let out a loud gasp, causing me and Ghislaine to look back. We saw him gazing upwards, seemingly dumbfounded. Following his line of sight, I noticed something massive hovering in the sky. It's a floating castle—a familiar one at best.

"Is this your first time seeing that?" Ghislaine asked nonchalantly.

Rudeus turned to her, baffled. "So, you know about this, Raiden—I mean, Ghislaine!"

"You don't know?" she replied, raising an eyebrow. "That's Armored Dragon King, Perugeus's Sky Castle."

Ah, I remember this scene. It's when Ghislaine and the original Eris foreshadowed a character in the later part of the novel. The inevitable dialogue that followed was seared into my mind.

"Perugeus?" Rudeus repeated, tilting his head in confusion.

Remembering the exchange, I stepped in smoothly. "Perugius is one of the three heroes who defeated the Demon God Laplace."

"Laplace?" he echoed again, still perplexed.

This guy... He'll just prolong this conversation with more questions. It's time to accelerate the exposition a bit.

"Laplace is a very wicked person who tried to eliminate the human race. However, Perugeus, along with his twelve servants, went to the Demon God's stronghold and defeated him."

Hearing the full context, Rudeus was enlightened. "Wow, you're quite knowledgable, Eris."

"Why thank you," I humbly replied, accepting his compliment.

As we continued to walk home, Ghislaine chimed in, "Right now, it's the year K414 according to the Armored Dragon Calendar, which is a calendar adopted to honor the accomplishment of defeating Laplace."

"You should learn more about it, Rudeus," I suggested.

He nodded understandingly. "Sure."

With that conversation concluded, we eventually made it back to the Boreas Manor.

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[Rudeus' POV]

Ever since we took Eris out for a walk, her peaceful mood went back to normal. We will have one day off per week to regulate her stress.

"Hey Rudeus, look what I got."

Eris took out small boxes and one book from under the table, which made me curious.

"I borrowed some allowance from grandfather so I could buy these for us."

Allowance? Since when did she learn how to handle money like that? Oh well, I supposed the math lessons were paying off.

We opened the first box, showing three reconnaissance rings. Eris handed two of them to me and Ghislaine, gesturing for us to put them on, to which we complied.

"Alright, let's see if this works," she declared, slipping on her ring. "Guiding light, direct me to Rudeus Greyrat."

My ring and hers glowed bright green, indicating our proximity to one another.

"Now we'll never lose each other with these," she remarked earnestly.

Her sincerity was clear, and it was oddly reassuring to know she had thought ahead about a way to stay connected if we ever got separated.

Next, Eris placed a familiar-looking book on the table. It was the plant encyclopedia.

"Didn't I tell you I would buy this with my own money," I protested firmly.

Eris shrugged and replied, "I bought it for me, but you can borrow it for as long as you want."

This girl... She found a loophole in what I said yesterday. Her brilliance is quite dangerous.

Finally, we moved on to the second box. When I opened it, my eyes widened in shock. Inside was the aphrodisiac that one merchant had offered me earlier.

"E-Eris, why did you—"

Before I could finish, she stepped closer and leaned in, whispering directly into my ear.

"You better not break that vial, Rudeus," she said playfully. "After all, it's a product that might be useful in the distant future."

Crap, she's dangerous! Very dangerous!