Mushoku Tensei: The Second Rebirth

Our period of travel has led us to the village watchtower, a tall wooden structure that overlooks the entire landscape. 

When we reached the tower a figure caught our attention and approached with a friendly grin. 

It was Laws, standing underneath the crow's nest. He had long pointed ears, shining blonde hair and lack muscles. Father-law hasn't changed one bit.

"There you are Paul!" Laws greeted Paul with a familiar tone in his voice. But then his eyes glanced toward me cheerfully with interest. 

"Oh, what do we have here? Hey Paul, you got a mini version of yourself." Rawls said jokingly. 

"Of course Rawls, he's the spitting image of me, he's my one only son after all." Paul replied with a mix of pride and amusement, asserting his connection to me.

Laws undaunted continued with his enthusiastic demeanor. "Speaking of children, I wanna introduce my daughter, come on out sweetie."

He eagerly encouraged his daughter to come forward, who was hiding behind tower stilts. 

I could hear my heartbeat thumping in my chest as the guilt and shame that was bottled up inside me, began to resurface once again.

I shouldn't have gotten drunk and slept with that prostitute all those years ago. 

If only I let Sylphy comfort me with her loving embrace despite my depressed state and words of rejection holding me back. She wouldn't have abandoned me and gotten killed.

I was completely lost in my own regretful thoughts until I finally caught sight of the most beautiful emerald-colored green hair.

It had been a long time since I had last seen Sylphy. Although I much prefer her white hair, I wouldn't mind if it stayed green this time around. 

Mmm, maybe I could give her a thesis paper that explains when a magician exhausts his or her mana the hair turns white temporarily, and when he or she goes beyond that the hair turns white permanently. 

It was really her, my beloved Sylphy, but this is the first time I had seen her this young. She is three years old just like me, and the baby fat on her cheeks were more noticeable compared to when I had first met her in my last life. 

Her dazzling crimson red eyes and cute face is a captivating sight to behold. I just wanna hug her soft body and rub my cheeks on her smooth skin like I'm walking on air.

"Meet my daughter, Sylphiette." Laws introduced the young elf girl and respectfully bowed her head to me and Paul. 

She looks timid with a shy aura surrounding her, almost ready to run away and hide. Maybe she's afraid I might call her an evil demon because of her green hair? 

I better address Sylphy kindly so I can remove any self doubt in her mind.

I greeted her with a warm smile and a genuine friendly attitude. "Nice to meet you Sylphiette, my name is Rudeus Greyrat." 

"Uhh, n-nice to meet you too…" Sylphiette responded hesitantly while stuttering in a soft spoken voice. Her eyes briefly glanced towards mine before she bashfully looked the other way. 

"Wow, your name is beautiful, Sylphiette. It sounds like a spirit of wind…May I call you Sylphy?" I complimented her name so she would feel more comfortable speaking with me while we spent quality time together.

"S-sure, I-I don't mind," Sylphy replied while rubbing the backside of her hair and blushing bright red, due to my romantic commitment. 

That wholesome and lovey-dovey scene caused both our dads to laugh out loud proudly. 

When our exchanges ended. Paul and Laws carried us up the ladder of the watchtower and told us to stay there and view the sights on the top of the watchtower. 

While they patrol around the village. In the quiet atmosphere of the watchtower, enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the village and forest in the distance. 

I instantly decided to break the silence and talk to her, so we could become childhood friends just like in my last life with her. "I also think your green hair is pretty too."

Her index finger twirled around a strand of hair. Then she builded up a small ounce of confidence and decided to compliment me as a gesture of kindness. "Thank you…Rudeus, your hair is cool just like your dad, and that mole underneath your left eye is pretty cute too."

"Yeah, I admire him for his strength and how deeply he cares about our family." I replied and Sylphy nodded with a fond and sincere smile.

Afterward, we shared stories about our own perspective fathers and the fun memories we shared with our family. 

"Hey Sylphy, you wanna see something cool?" I asked with a mischievous grin on my face. 

Her facial expressions alone showed that she was quite curious and interested. 

So I naturally focused on channeling my mana, casted a smaller version of wind blast. The gust burst out of the palm of my right hand and Sylphy was astonished with starlit eyes.

She was instantly attracted by the wonders of magic. It's like she opened the doors to something entirely new. 

"Wow, that is amazing Rudeus!" She exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment and sheer delight after witnessing magic for the first time. 

A wide smile spread across my face, impacted by her excitement. "Magic in this world is unlimited, once you realize that. You can basically do anything," Rudeus said, confidently to Sylphy.

Sylphiette responded, agreeing with my perspective. "It's incredible." 

Sensing her reaction, I extended my hand toward her, letting her feel the gentle gust of wind as a firsthand experience. 

"You wanna touch it, Sylphy?" 

Her hesitation was palpable, her fingers hovering before finally touching the enchanted soft wind currents, streaming out my right hand.

A soft gasp slipped out of her lips. As she felt the intentionally wind magic underneath her fingertips. Her eyes widened with admiration. 

"It feels like a gentle breeze…"

I nodded with approval, sharing in her fascination with magic. "Exactly! Magic allows us to use the elements of nature in a supernatural way."

She kept staring at the flowing wind pressure until her eyes met mine. A spark of extraordinary interest and amusement echoed in her eyes.

"Could you teach me magic too."

Ahha I got her hooked line and sinker. First I romantically complimented Sylphy's name and beauty to earn her acceptance.

Then I show her magic so she'll be interested in learning it and push past her limits when using magic at a young age. 

Finally, I'll ask for her loyalty in return by requesting her to keep our magical learning a secret from our parents. As a form of trust between childhood friends. 

My smile was encouraging and sincere. "Absolutely. With practice and determination, you can master the art of magic just like me. But let's keep this a secret between you and me."

"Huh, why's that?" Sylphy asked with a puzzling expression on her face. 

"I want magic to be a shared secret between you and me. To create a special childhood friend bond with you. It will connect us in a unique way."

"Oh I see…S-so you wanna be f-friends with someone like me?" Sylphy asked me, looking quite uncertain If I truly meant it with all my heart. Since there were plenty of children with normal colored hair compared to her green hair.

I responded with a genuine affectionate smile on my face. "Yes, I would love to be your friend Sylphy, if you're alright with that." 

"If that's really true, then I'll gladly be your friend Rudeus." Sylphy said with a happy lighthearted smile on her face as she grabbed both my hands compassionately atop the watchtower. 

Conveying that she'll gladly be my loyal and faithful friend. This was the start of me and Sylphy's newfound friendship.

Henceforth, Sylphiette and I began our campaign to learn and discover everything about magic.

"Okay, let's begin with a water ball spell first." I declared with my magic teacher's voice. 

"Mm-hmm, alright I'm ready when you are," Sylphy replied and nodded, looking quite eager to use magic for the first time.

I decided to take the lead and demonstrate how to use magic by having our hands outstretched and synchronized with the flow of mana. I said the incarnation at the top of my tongue.

"Let the great protection of water be on the place thou seekest. I call a refreshing burbling stream here and now. Water Ball!" Instantly the mana atoms materialized a crystal clear orb of water in my hand and I fired it.

"Okay Sylphy, now it's your turn. Feel the mana flow through your body and let the words align perfectly." I said, explaining the magic spell introductions to her.

Sylphy inhaled deeply, focused on her outstretched hand, and said the chant with hesitation. "Let the great protection of water…be on the place thou seekest…I call a refreshing burbling stream…here and now. Water Ball."

Her voice stammered and small water droplets manifested from the palm of her right hand. Then it fell on the grass outside and splattered.

It was a modest feat at her age, but it's a good step forward when learning magic for the first time. "Great job Sylphy, this time say it more confidently." I cheered, giving her the motivational boost she needed to say the water ball spell incantation correctly.

Full of determination, Sylphy concentrated on chanting the incantation once more. 

This time her courage and efforts produced results as a water ball formed with her fingertips stretched out. It was a true testimony of her bravery and prowess going forward.

"I did it!" She cheered, her scarlet red eyes shining with delight and accomplishment. 

We both grin from ear to ear, sharing in her triumph. "See. I knew you could do it. Now, let's take it up a notch with the magic spell wind blast." I said enthusiastically to my happy Sylphy.

Our magic spell practice continued and her confidence soared the roof with each elementary and intermediate rank spell I taught her. She's a natural prodigy just like me after all.

Unfortunately, Sylphy's mana reserve depleted and she fainted. That fault is on me, I forgot to tell her about mana exhaustion. 

I learned that the hard way in my last life when I first used the water ball spell and succumbed to mana exhaustion at two years old.

As the puddles of water spread through my short pants, making it look like I pee on myself. That was so embarrassing, it made me cry tears of shame.

Despite that setback, our determination didn't filter or slow us down. We kept moving forward, pushing past our limits with magical spells. 

At the crack of dawn, as the sun sets on the horizon. Upon our fathers, return from their respective guard duties.

Each of them swept us up, cradling us in their arms, and returned back to our prospective homes. We previously promised that we'll see each other again and said farewell to each other while our dads were carrying us.

As Paul lugged me back home, I saw the sun begin to set, casting an orange canvas above the sky and all over the wheat fields. 

Leaning against his strong shoulders, I decided to strike a conversation with him and talk about my day with Sylphy. "Hey daddy, Sylphy and I had lots of fun today."

Curiosity ignited in his eyes. "Oh? What did you two rascals get up to?"

I quickly gave him a suitable answer. "We talked, laughed, and shared different stories. It was nice spending time with her." 

"Sounds like you made a new friend kiddo." Paul said, showing a big grin on his face.

I nodded, agreeing with his statement. "Yeah she's really kind and fun to be around."

He laughed like an amused father toward his children. "I'm happy you enjoyed your time with Sylphiette. Having lady friends and crushes is an important part of growing up as a young man."

Classic Paul, some things never change. "Yeah, yeah I know dad. I'm grateful you showed me around the village. And meeting Sylphy and mister Rawls today."

"It was my pleasure son," Paul said, thanking Rudeus and continued. "You know Rudy, I'm sure you'll have more chances of seeing Sylphiette again in the near future." 

I responded with a bright smile on my face, upon hearing his words. "Wow really, I can't wait."