Entering Sylphiette's Favorability Quest Early

"You have one day to complete it after activation… I'll set this aside for now and think about it."

The panel dissipated.

Allen watched Rudy lower the holy relic to his face, almost touching his nose, and quickly interrupted his casting.

"But if you go out to survey the terrain, you need to bring me along."

Rudy paused, squinting at Allen.

"Teacher, are you also interested in plants?"

Allen pointed at his own face with his index finger, saying each word clearly.

"As I just said, I want to be friends with you."

Then he glanced at Rudy's stunned expression, turned, and left the room.

Rudy watched Allen's retreating back.

Friends, huh?

Speaking of which, this guy named Allen seems a bit more mature than other kids his age. Maybe we'll have some common topics. But he looks like a love-starved kid. Paul also really approved of him becoming my friend. And this guy's face, aside from being a bit fierce, is actually quite ruggedly handsome. He's definitely going to be popular with girls in the future. So if I become sworn brothers with him, maybe the leftovers will flow my way.

Even though my looks aren't top-tier, if he's handsome enough, being with him will make me look good too.

Rudy nodded.

Girls who lack confidence will probably see me as a target. Compared to confident, aggressive girls, I prefer the more insecure types. They seem more suitable for… training… no, for nurturing~

It could work. Just like beautiful women bring plain women along as foils, I'll do the opposite.

***

Allen returned to his bedroom, collapsed onto the bed, and let out a sigh.

What happened today was a bit sudden and outside his control. Sure enough, even having read the novel, the addition of another person to the events brought unexpected developments. The plot couldn't unfold exactly as it did in the novel.

Thankfully, the general direction was still normal. Should I intervene early to save Zenith's mother, as Sylphiette suggested? It's fine when I don't think about it, but once I do, the thought of her being pelted with mud, insulted, and even beaten by her peers every day makes my stomach churn.

Her childhood experiences directly led to Sylphiette's boundless indulgence of Rudy later on. Even when jealous of Rudy's harem, she could still put herself in his shoes and even help him maintain harmony within the harem.

It was all because Rudy became the only friend in her village during her childhood.

Allen pondered, while also focusing his attention on his Dragon Saint Battle Qi Core Embryo.

A dull brown groove lay beside the swirling green, tree-shaped Magic Mark. It was completely bare.

The Detoxification Magic groove hasn't had a Magic Mark embedded yet. I remember Zenith knows intermediate Detoxification Magic and usually helps out at the village clinic. I should try to get that Magic Mark if I have the chance.

As for Sylphiette… Lokkishi's brief encounter caused a butterfly effect. For Sylphiette, I wonder if contacting her early would cause any problems. Could it make it harder for Rudy and Sylphiette to separate?

I need to think more. Think more.

His consciousness gradually blurred, and Allen drifted into sleep.

***

The gurgling sound of water flowed into Allen's ears.

Mixed with discordant shouting.

Allen opened his eyes blankly, feeling disoriented.

The scorching sun cast its rays across the crisscrossing fields. Birds chirped incessantly, and children's shouts were right beside him.

He turned his head to the side.

Waves shimmered with a firefly-like glow. A small river snaked past his leg.

'…What am I doing here? Why am I standing by the river so leisurely? Is it the weekend?… Is the company work finished? I'm just strolling around here. I need to get back to the company for overtime.'

"You stinky Demon Race kid, get out of the village!"

"Get out of the village!!"

"Take this!"

"You're such a loser, you didn't even hit! Watch this!"

"Hit him!"

A cheer erupted.

Allen turned his head in confusion towards the source of the sound. In the paddy field next to the river, three mud-covered boys were confronting a boy squatting by the riverbank.

Oh right, I transmigrated. No more work… So good… This… are three people bullying one? No, the three messy-looking ones are the bullies. They're only covered in mud because they went into the fields to get it…

The shouting resumed.

"Now, let's see who can hit his head best!"

"Alright, watch me!"

"Hit him!"

"Hitting the head is boring, let's hit his face!"

"Ow, hit him, hit him!"

"Tsk, this demon kid isn't resisting at all. How boring!"

"Come on, let's go, we'll come back tomorrow!"

Perhaps noticing the tall Allen, the children scattered, running into the village.

Allen felt his mind hazy; he didn't know why he was there, but watching the scene filled him with a pang of sadness.

The bullied boy was very short. He was so covered in mud he almost looked like a small mud doll, sitting listlessly by the river.

Allen cautiously walked closer.

His hair was a bit long, completely caked with mud, obscuring his expression. Beside him lay an old basket, filled with lumps that looked like mud.

But it wasn't mud; it looked more like bread or some other food, completely covered in mud.

The boy stared blankly at the basket, oblivious to the approaching footsteps. He was fumbling at his face with his hand, but Allen couldn't see his movements clearly due to his body blocking the view.

Instinctively, Allen wanted to help him up, but just as he reached the riverbank and extended his hand, his peripheral vision caught sight of the river surface. His hand froze, suspended in the air.

The river water was clear, reflecting a filthy face.

The owner of the face was constantly pulling clumps of hair from his mud-caked head, clenching them in his hand. Occasionally, broken strands would fall through his fingers into the river.

His hand movements were repetitive, and more and more hair accumulated on the water.

The hair floating on the water was washed away by the current, gradually revealing its emerald green base color.

Allen snapped back to reality.

Sylphi...

"...Don't do that, Sylphi."

Allen's hand trembled as he patted her shoulder. Sylphiette turned her head.

On her mud-covered face, only a pair of reddish-brown eyes were visible.

Lifeless, numb, empty.

Allen felt his throat dry. He opened his mouth, struggling to speak.

"...Don't pull your hair anymore. It's all muddy; let me help you wash it."

Sylphiette stared blankly at Allen, not responding to his invitation. Instead, she lifted the mud-stained hair in her hand.

Allen followed her gaze to her palm.

In Sylphiette's palm, clumps of freshly pulled hair were tangled with mud, appearing black, like foul, muddy weeds.

She said, "...If I don't wash off the mud, it won't be green anymore."

"Ah!"

A scream beside his ear woke Allen. He scrambled out of bed.

The river was gone, but there was indeed a boy in front of him.

Allen exhaled a turbid breath, looking at Rudy, who was sitting on the floor in shock.

It was a dream…

"...No, why are you screaming so early in the morning?"

Rudeus, who had come to wake Allen up, wore a look of being wrongly accused and frustrated. However, the scream had indeed come from his mouth, but the reason for his scream was undoubtedly Allen.

He pointed a finger at Allen's hand.

Allen looked down.

He saw his own clenched fist, wood splinters deeply embedded in his palm, the wound so deep the bone was visible. A corner of the bed frame had been crushed by his Fighting Spirit, which had spontaneously activated in his dream.

Allen looked at his injured hand, silent for a moment, then turned to Rudy.

"Can a Healing Spell heal a bed frame?"

Rudy looked at his hand, then at the bed frame, his expression showing surprise.

"I don't think so…"

Allen lowered his gaze.

Free Instant Quest – Gain Sylphiette's favor, issued.

[Confirm issuance? A reminder: Host has only one day. It is best to activate the quest after meeting Sylphiette. What if you don't find her today...]

Confirm issuance.

[Free Instant Quest – Gain Sylphiette's favor, issued.]

[Quest started.]

[Sylphiette: Countdown: 23:59:59. If completed, Barrier Magic slot can be unlocked.]

Allen raised his face and looked at Rudy, placing his bloody, yet still clenched, hand in front of him.

"Perhaps, do you know a Healing Spell?"