Mushoku Tensei Redundancy (LN) - Volume 1 - Chapter 4.2

Chapter 2:

Lucie’s First Day of School (Part 2)

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I used the back roads. Even then, I felt like the disguise was drawing attention, but it was all in my head. Generally speaking, people aren’t that interested in other people—unless they’re dressed like Orsted, I guess, because I really was getting a few glances. That was only natural. Some time had passed since Orsted set up his offices on the outskirts of this town. Not many people had seen him, but they generally knew what he looked like. To them, someone wearing this black helmet and white coat could only be Orsted. Given I didn’t have the curse, maybe “he” was leaving a good impression. 

In that case, maybe I could try the main street. I could do good deeds to improve Orsted’s image, like I had with Dead End. The main street was closer to the school too.

“Yeah, let’s do it.” It was two birds with one stone. If Orsted’s reputation improved, it would work out in my favor too. Oh, I got an idea! I could suggest we hold a “Dragon God Festival.” Everyone would dress up in white coats and helmets and party all night.

With that thought brewing in my mind, I headed for the main street.

“Wha?!” I spun around to duck into a shadow. A redhead I knew well had appeared on the main street. She was leading a big white dog with two children on its back along for the ride. It was Eris and Leo. Riding on Leo’s back were Lara and Arus. 

Leo, you disloyal mutt. After weaseling out of a walk with me, now you’re out with Eris?

Well, okay. With me, it was different. I was pretending to go for a walk for my own selfish reasons, but Eris and Leo were patrolling the perimeter, going for a real walk.

Anyway, I was in a pickle. I hadn’t thought I’d run into Eris here. But hey, this was Eris—maybe we could be in cahoots on this thing.

Hmm. How would I explain my outfit, though? She wouldn’t suddenly draw her sword on me, would she? Besides, I had to consider the kids. I was blatantly doing something wrong—I was breaking my promise to Sylphie. Should I let them see me like this?

Absolutely not.

This really wasn’t good. I was in disguise and everything. 

Maybe I should go home after all… I’d come this far, but for a fleeting moment, I wondered if it wouldn’t be better to just head home and wait for Lucie.

Hmmmm. Ahh, but I really did want to see Lucie on her big day. It was selfish; I knew that. It wasn’t like what Sylphie had said. I wasn’t doing this because I didn’t trust Lucie. I wasn’t here to help Lucie from the shadows. 

I swear to God that I will not interfere. Not even if Lucie looks like she’s going to cry.

Once she was home, I’d get the story from her. That’s when I’d help her and give her advice.

Got that, Rudeus? That’s the line. You cross it, you break your promise to Sylphie. 

I’d made that up without consulting Sylphie, but so long as I stuck to it, I wouldn’t be doing anything wrong. Of course, once this was over, I’d be sure to talk to her and apologize. “I was so desperate to see Lucie in class that I went,” I’d say. “I couldn’t restrain myself,” I’d say.

Got that? You can handle that, right? You’ll accept your scolding, yes?

I sure will!

All right! Good boy, Rudeus!

“Woof! Woof!”

Bah. Looked like Leo had noticed me. His nose was twitching and pointed in my direction.

“What is it, boy? What’s up?” Eris was going to notice me too. It wasn’t like it’d be a big problem if they found me, but explaining why I was dressed like this would take a while. I didn’t feel like getting held up, so I’d have to take a detour. 

“You, skulking back there! Show yourself now!” The thought came too late. Eris had already noticed me. This is what happened when you stood out…

Okay, what now? Did I show myself or not? And if I did, what did I say?

But wait, hm. They’re still far away. At this distance, I might keep my cover.

I stepped halfway out of the shadows. Eris had a hand on the sword at her hip, and Leo wagged his tail. Then, my eyes met those of the two sitting astride Leo—Lara and, sitting with Lara’s arms wrapped around him, Arus. They gaped at me with eyes full of innocence.

“Orsted…?” With a dubious look, Eris took her hand off her sword, at which I turned and walked away. Casual-like. We’d just happened to run into each other.

“Wait a minute,” came Eris’s voice after a moment.

“Tch…!” Was the game up? Eris was a Sword King; she’d be able to tell I wasn’t Orsted at a glance, wouldn’t she? 

No sooner had I stopped than Eris said, “No, just my imagination. C’mon, Leo.”

She turned away and started walking. Leo glanced back in my direction, but he didn’t chase me.

All according to plan.

My eyes met Lara and Arus’s. Lara looked dreamy and Arus was gaping—they were watching me. I imagined they were seeing me off.

I arrived at the school. Avoiding the main gate, I scaled a wall to slip inside, then headed for the classrooms. I’d attended classes for a few years, so I knew where the first-year classroom was. I set off toward it, staying out of the sight of the students who were between classes or taking their lessons outside in the sunshine.

Man, this place hasn’t changed one bit. 

It’d only been a few years, but the passage of time hit me hard. I didn’t recognize most of these kids. I saw more elves, beastfolk, dwarves, and such around than there had been when I was a student. There were quite a few demons too.

Roxy told me over dinner one night that students with ties to the leaders of the elves and the dwarves were in the student council. With the voices and position of non-humans becoming more powerful, the number of students of other races enrolling from around the world increased. The school had never looked like this while Ariel was student council president. Despite their increased numbers, the other races were getting along well. That was probably Norn’s legacy as student council president—she didn’t stand for interracial discrimination. She’d left her mark on the culture of the place. Some of the nobles from the Magic Nations apparently wrinkled their noses at that, but personally, I was proud.

Lost in thought, I walked along the corridor. Then, just as I was about to turn a corner…

“Hm?”

“Ack.”

I ran into the person who’d just come around it. They had five students in tow, or rather, five students clinging to them. “Clinging” sounded sort of unpleasant, but the gist of it is that they were popular. Given that the students were holding notebooks, presumably they were going over something from class they hadn’t quite understood. Very admirable. Whatever they wanted to know, this person would have the answers. Her lips only spoke the truth. I mean, okay, sometimes there were mistakes, but those mistakes were the truth too. 

You’re all receiving divine revelation. Only her words hold that kind of power. Hear me, O students. Listen faithfully, give their meaning careful thought, and apply them to your lives. O students, in this moment you are truly blessed.

“Orsted…?” At last she spoke, sleepy eyes narrowing in suspicion before turning up to look at me. A few seconds passed, and then those eyes widened. “No, Rudy? Rudy, it’s you, right? Isn’t it?”

You couldn’t get anything past Roxy. Her keen eyes could always find the truth.

“How…did you know?” I had to ask. I was a fool, and I had to know. I got it, all right? Roxy was brilliant. Sometimes, she probably just arrived at the truth without having to go on a whole journey to get there.

“The only one with the courage to pretend to be Orsted is you, Rudy.”

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

“Does Sir Orsted know about this?”

“Um, yes. In fact, it was Sir Orsted’s suggestion.”

“Really…? Then I suppose there has to be a good reason, right?” Roxy stared hard at me. It seemed she’d misunderstood me in just the right way.

Hmm. Was I going to deceive Roxy? Was I going to lie to her for a momentary attack of selfishness? Could I live with that? Rudeus, how could you?

“No, it’s not a good reason.” I could never lie to Roxy. Well, no. I might do it to save a life, but this was different. If I lied here, me from twenty years in the future would come swooping back in time to shoot a Stone Cannon at me. Or I’d lose my identity as I liquefied into a blob.

“Then why are you dressed like that?”

“I, um, I wanted to see Lucie…”

“Lucie?” Roxy echoed after a pause. “I thought you promised Sylphie?”

“I’m not trying to help her from behind the scenes or be an overprotective parent. I just, um, you know, Lucie in her lessons, I wanted to see her…” I mumbled. Roxy looked up at me. It was reproachful. The students around us weren’t sure what to make of this situation between adults.

Forgive me, forgive me.

At last, Roxy’s gaze softened, and she said, “All right. If you’ll be sure just to watch and not offer her any help, I’ll pretend I didn’t see you. We’ll say that Orsted came to inspect the university.”

“Mistress…!” I gasped.

“Just this once, all right?”

“Of course. Once I get home, I’ll apologize to Sylphie too.” 

“Very good.”

God had forgiven me. I was in Roxy’s debt. From this day forth, I would face Roxy and pay her the deepest obeisance five times a day.

“Now, I have to help these students with their studies before the next class, so… By the way, Rudy, do you know where Lucie’s classroom is?”

“Yes, of course.”

“All right then.” Roxy gave my hand a quick squeeze, then walked off down the corridor. The students chased after her, asking, “Who was that?!”

She was a hit. Of course she was. She was my teacher.

“Right,” I said, psyching myself up again. I set off down the corridor.

***

I arrived at the classroom. I tried to peek in from the corridor, but then I figured that was a bad idea, so I went around from the outside. If rumors spread that Orsted was spying on classrooms, it could affect the fortunes of the corporation. Thinking quickly, I made a partition screen near the classroom window so no one around me could see me. Then, through the window…

“Wait. What if I just went to observe the class and called it an inspection?”

Roxy had given me the green light. I could just ask. If I’d just explained the situation to someone like Jenius, he’d make it look official. I’d miscalculated. Oh, well. For now, I’d be happy just to see Lucie. 

I opened up the Eye of Distant Sight and looked through the window. Rows of desks filled the classroom along with neat rows of first-year students, most of them adults older than fifteen. There were a few kids who looked around ten or so. Almost none were seven, and the ones who looked little were probably mostly dwarves. In addition to the ordinary humans, there were demons, elves, dwarves, and beastfolk. Some looked kind, some looked peaceful, some looked cheeky. A good variety. The ones sitting in the back of the classroom were hard-faced, probably former adventurers. They wouldn’t bully Lucie if she got tangled up with them, would they? No, even that lot wouldn’t bully a seven-year-old. Where was Lucie…? Ahah, there she was, right in the front. That’s my girl. 

The desk was so big it’d be hard for her to see over the front. That was a problem. She was listening to the teacher with a serious look on her face and taking notes, but she looked uncomfortable. It might be a good idea to have her take a cushion tomorrow. Beside her was a girl who looked about ten. Was she a dwarf? No, she seemed like a human. And from the way her hair was done up, likely a noble. Now and then she said something to Lucie, then stared at her magic textbook. Apparently, the custom of taking notes was unfamiliar to her. Serious-faced Lucie was pointing at the magic textbook and saying something. Maybe because she was whispering, I couldn’t hear her. Maybe she was teaching her something. Had she already made a friend her age? Had she settled in?

Maybe because it was the first day of classes, the teacher didn’t seem to be teaching them anything important. Based on what was on the blackboard, they were starting from the most elementary of elementary magic. Lucie had passed that years ago, so it was sure to be a piece of cake.

“Teacher!”

Just then, Lucie raised her hand.

“Yes?”

“I’ve heard that your mana capacity isn’t the same all through your life, that it increases depending on how much you use magic as a child. I think what you’re saying is wrong!”

What she was learning at the university and what Sylphie and Roxy had taught her didn’t quite line up. 

Lucie, sometimes it’s better not to say these things. You won’t find many teachers who’re happy to be told they’re wrong.

“What’s your name?” the teacher asked.

“I’m Lucie. Lucie Greyrat.”

“Greyrat…? You’re from Miss Roxy’s household, then?”

“I am!”

“Ahah. I see you’ve had an education!”

The teacher’s eyes glittered. She wasn’t going to disrespect my Roxy, was she?

No way they’d disrespect a parent in front of her daughter. I’d made up my mind to show restraint today, but tomorrow, all bets were off. Better not walk in any dark alleys tomorrow, buddy.

“It is true that such a theory is circulated by certain people, and perhaps it was so for your father and mother. It may also have been true for Miss Juliet. However, its veracity is, as of yet, unclear. Your father and mother and Miss Juliet may simply have been special. It may be that it does not apply to demons and beastfolk. It may even be that your father and Miss Roxy have misunderstood something. There has not been sufficient testing, and I was not involved in the research. As such, I teach that one’s mana capacity stays the same throughout one’s life. That is how it was for me.”

The teacher went on and on, either to convince Lucie or herself. Lucie listened seriously.

“From here on, you—all of you—will learn a great many things, both magic and otherwise. You will learn while you are at school, and you will go on learning after graduation. We are pioneers among magicians, and we will teach you a wide range of things. You may believe what we teach you or not—you are free to think for yourselves. You may claim we are wrong and prove as much. If you succeed in proving it, then it will be your turn to teach us. So, convince me.”

Good, good. With that open-minded attitude, she seemed like she wouldn’t be a bad teacher—she might even be a good teacher.

“That is all. Any questions, Lucie?”

“No! Thank you!”

“Good, then you may be seated. Let us get back to the lesson.” The teacher smiled, and Lucie sat down. A round of applause rose up from around her. Lucie turned to look at her classmates behind her, startled, then looked down, her face beet red.

Don’t worry, Lucie. You were correct. Forget whether it was really correct—everyone who thought so clapped. You should be proud. 

Just then, the girl beside Lucie patted her on the head, then said something. Lucie looked up and grinned.

That’s right, you be friends with my girl. You can fight, just so long as you’re friends. 

I went on watching Lucie’s lessons for a while longer. Some of her teachers were good, some were bad. Lucie didn’t hesitate to ask them questions and raise her doubts. The teachers sometimes answered and sometimes evaded; sometimes, they corrected Lucie’s mistakes while going on with the lesson.

Lucie stood out. A seven-year-old girl with a keen mind for learning had to be a rarity. A crowd gathered around her at the lunch break as she ate from her lunchbox, and by evening, Lucie was the talk of the school. People gathered around her asking her all kinds of questions: about her parents, her family, where she lived, and about Lucie herself. A genuine celebrity. Some of those people ­probably knew she was my daughter and were trying to ingratiate themselves. That was fine. Every new person was a treasure. Even if a relationship started with selfish motives, you never knew where it’d end up. And it’s a long life; it wouldn’t hurt her to get to know a few bad apples.

“Phew.” The final lesson ended. I was satisfied. It was only the first day, and Lucie was already settling into school life. Not that I’d been worried, of course. She was Sylphie’s daughter. She, Roxy, and Eris had all given her a good education, so I had nothing to fear. Okay, well, if there was anything, it was that she was my daughter. She could easily have spent her first day in a seat on the edge of the classroom pretending to be asleep, but she hadn’t pulled anything like that. She’d face challenges from here on out, but she’d be okay. Lucie would go to school every day and make lots of wonderful memories, and I’d listen to her tell me about them at the dinner table. I’d be able to enjoy my dinner with a smile.

Time to head home. But first, I’ll give Orsted his coat and helmet back. With that, I lifted the Earth Wall spell I’d used for the partition screen.

“Oh.” On the other side of the wall was a woman. She was slim, with white hair, and she wore comfy-looking pants and a sleeveless top. Her white arms emerged from her shoulders and extended down to where her hands were planted on her hips—and she looked annoyed.

It was Sylphie.

“Ahem… What seems to be the trouble?” I said, trying my very hardest to sound like Orsted.

“What are you doing here, Rudy?”

Oh, I was cooked.

“Oh, um… What brings you here, Sylphiette?”

“Lara said that she saw her father on her walk. She said your face was hidden, and you were dressed strangely.”

“Oh… Right.”

It was Leo. Leo had betrayed me! He hadn’t used his eyes; he’d picked me up with his nose. My scent might have been mixed up with Orsted’s, but if Leo said I was there, Lara would have figured it out, and Leo and Lara could talk. That explained it. 

At length, Sylphie spoke again. “You dressed up.” Her shoulders were trembling. That was anger. Sylphie was something else when she got angry. I couldn’t explain ­exactly how, but when Sylphie was in a bad mood, it ­usually meant I was so totally in the wrong that the whole family was mad at me. It made life super uncomfortable. I might have to spend a week in the dog house. 

“Do you really trust me and Lucie so little?” Sylphie started crying.

Shit. This is bad. This is worse than anger.

I got down on my knees. “No, it’s not like that, not at all. I just wanted to see Lucie being brave. I wanted to see her shooting her hand up to ask questions in class and studying as hard as she could. I, you know, it’s just, I haven’t been around much, you know? To help raise Lucie.”

When I’d stammered out my response, Sylphie looked at me, still crying.

“Really?”

“Really. I couldn’t help myself. I was going to tell you about it once it was all over.”

Sylphie regarded me for a moment, then said, “You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“It’s the truth. I was going to apologize.”

“You wanted to see Lucie’s class that much?”

“Yes.”

Sylphie held out a hand to pull me to my feet. Her tears had slowed. “Then I was in the wrong. You wanted to see her that much, and I forbade you from even getting a glimpse.”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. When you said it, I was convinced.”

“Mm… Oh.” As we stood there talking, Sylphie suddenly looked up with an expression that said, “Oh, no.”

When I turned around, the reason became clear. “Ah…”

At some point, all the students in the classroom had turned to look out the window at us. That obviously included Lucie. She was staring at me and Sylphie, and she was irked.

***

“Today, I made friends with a girl called Belinda.”

Sylphie and I walked home together with Lucie as a family. We walked in a row, each of us holding one of Lucie’s hands. I’d thought Lucie would sulk over the fact that I’d come to school, but she didn’t. It seemed she’d had all sorts of fun during her first day at school, and she told us about all of it, one by one.

“Belinda said she’s the daughter of a Ranoan minister. She’s little like me, but clever, so they let her start school. She said she wants to be the best in school and show her father what she can do.”

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

“Oh, and my first lesson was with Blue Mama. Everyone made fun of her and I was so cross, but then Blue Mama, she said she’d do a little magic and that made everyone go quiet. Then she said, ‘If you don’t want to listen to my class, that’s up to you!’ She was so cool!”

“Let’s tell Blue Mama that story at dinner. I’m sure she’ll like it.”

This wasn’t what I’d planned, but this was nice. I squeezed Lucie’s hand and walked side-by-side with Sylphie. It wasn’t good to block up the street by walking in a row like this, but hey, who cared? This was my town.

“Did you have fun at school, Lucie?”

“Uh-huh!” Lucie replied, glowing. I had nothing to worry about.

“Hey, Dada? I was fine, wasn’t I?” Lucie asked, like she’d read my mind.

“Yes, you were. You were great.”

“Am I your girl, Dada?”

“Ha ha ha. I think you might be too amazing to be mine.”

Lucie was a splendid young woman, no matter how you looked at it. She didn’t need a guardian. Now, her dada, on the other hand, he wasn’t fine at all. He did need a guardian.

“By the way, Rudy?” All of a sudden, Sylphie poked me.

“Huh?”

“How long are you going to keep that outfit on?”

I looked down at myself and remembered the thick white coat and the black helmet. I was still Shadow Orsted.

“I’ll give them back tomorrow.”

Yeah, tomorrow. Tomorrow would be fine. I hadn’t said I’d return them today, and Orsted wasn’t in a hurry as far as I knew. Man, the fabric of this coat was really nice… It felt similar to red dragon skin. Aisha would probably know what it was.

Just then, a question occurred to me. “By the way, Lucie?” I said. It was a small thing, just something I wanted to check.

“Yes, Dada?”

“Question: What color is Dada’s hair?”

I didn’t ask because I didn’t trust Lucie. I just wanted to check.

“Brown!”

“That’s right. You are clever, Lucie. I’ll be expecting big things from you. Yes, that’s my girl.”

“Hmph, don’t make fun of me!” Lucie said, pouting a little. Smiling at her, I arrived home happy. 

“Only, Rudy? You broke your promise to me, so you’ll have to go without for three days, okay?”

“Understood.”

Okay, so I’d live like a monk for a few days, but I was still happy.

The next day, an odd rumor was going about town. People were saying that Orsted was after Lucie. I mean, it was probably because I’d walked around in that outfit. Rumors came and went. I knew they had no basis in reality, and so did Sylphie and the rest of the family, so I wasn’t worried. And so, I went to return Orsted’s coat. He gave me a scary glare, and I had to work hard to come up with an excuse to explain myself, but…that’s a tale for another time.