Rudy's love triangle?

Not long after breakfast, Allen remembered what he had forgotten.

He had forgotten about Sylphy.

While the three were summarizing yesterday's battle, and Lokkishi sat by, listening and nodding in admiration from time to time, she arrived.

Sylphy stood outside the courtyard as usual, still like a passerby who had coincidentally come by, staring at the weeds at her feet.

But when she glimpsed the blue-haired girl in the courtyard, she suddenly turned around, blinking as she looked at Lokkishi.

Lokkishi also gazed back at her curiously.

Both of them stared, stunned.

Even more stunned were Rudy and Allen's expressions.

Seeing this scene, Rudy suddenly stood up and clutched his head, displaying an expression that screamed This is bad!

It's over! I forgot about Sylphy! This familiar dating sim scenario! What if Lokkishi thinks Sylphy, who's around my age, is my little girlfriend?! It's over, it's over! No, wait!

Lokkishi has never seen me as a potential romantic partner, and now with a girl my age here, won't that just reinforce the idea that I'm just a child in her eyes?! Nooooo!!! Although I've always respected her, Allen's words made me hold onto a glimmer of hope for the future!

Allen, meanwhile, was wailing internally.

Damn it, I forgot about Sylphy! This familiar dating sim scenario! What if Sylphy thinks the young-looking Lokkishi is her love rival, damn it, damn it, Rudy's Asura's Arena is going to play out early!! What do I do?! No, wait!

...What does Rudy's Asura's Arena have to do with me, Allen??

With that thought, Allen found his mind cleared. He met Rudy's pleading gaze with interest, then pretended not to see it at all. He even, quite amusedly, propped his chin on his hand and squinted at Sylphy and Lokkishi staring at each other.

Haha, Rudy, Rudy, in the original story, you cleverly avoided various potential Asura's Arena situations, and with Sylphy's doting consideration for you, you smoothly started a harem—that's unscientific! I finally understand the meaning of this Mushoku Tensei transmigration! The meaning is for me to personally come and stir up the butterfly effect to specifically punish you, you scumbag, haha, receive the heavens' punishment for toying with a divine cult believer! This is the price for having women left and right in the future!

But I have to say, even though Sylphy is young, she's still a woman at heart. That look even carries a hint of vigilance. Oh, Asura's Arena scenarios are just too good to watch! Quick! Fight! Fight! I want to see blood flow!

Sylphy only remained stunned for a moment. Then, at Paul's call, she silently walked over to Allen's side, sitting obediently next to him, her reddish-brown eyes still fixed on Lokkishi.

The latter's deep blue eyes returned the gaze.

Seeing this, Allen quickly looked at Rudy, finding the latter's pupils already unfocused. He couldn't help but cover his mouth with his hand.

He was genuinely afraid of laughing out loud.

But the next instant, Allen's expression stiffened.

The Ruyan System appeared right before his nose.

[Sylphy and Lokkishi's favorability towards the host have slightly increased. Mushoku Tensei major event participation score has increased.]

[Current stage: Childhood, cumulative participation score: 65 points.]

[Evaluation: Everyone laughs at Rudeus, everyone is Rudeus.]

[What is the meaning of transmigration? This is the meaning of transmigration, Allen-san! What is female competition? This is female competition! (Leans back)]

Allen watched, wide-eyed, as the System panel dissipated. He stared blankly up at Lokkishi, then looked at Sylphy beside him.

What in the world???

The next moment, Lokkishi and Sylphy's voices sounded in unison by his ear.

"...Allen, who is she?"

Allen was stunned for a moment at her words, then swallowed hard, looking at Paul in surprise.

The quick-witted Paul had already retreated at light speed when he realized something was off. He was currently looking up, admiring the clouds in the sky.

Rudy, amidst the unexpected turn of events, quickly reacted. With the pleasant surprise of a role reversal from spectator to participant, he looked at Allen's blank expression and couldn't help but giggle.

"Hahahaha! Allen, accept your punishment! Lokkishi is definitely mine!"

He had meant to mock him telepathically, but his excitement made the words burst out in a very loud voice.

It echoed through the courtyard.

Startling everyone present, who all turned to look at him.

Paul, who had been watching the sky in the distance, could no longer remain aloof. He turned to look at his son in astonishment, his expression priceless.

Under everyone's intense gaze, Rudy's face changed several times in an instant, making even the still-stunned Allen across from him instinctively marvel that even Japanese people could change expressions so quickly.

The wind blew through the courtyard.

Rudy continued with difficulty.

"I mean, Lokkishi is definitely my respected teacher."

Lokkishi recovered from her surprise, blinking in confusion, then turned to Allen.

"...Why has the atmosphere felt so strange until now? Allen, from what Rudy said... are you asking me to take this beautiful Long-eared Race girl as my disciple?"

Allen blinked, quickly glancing at Rudy, who was staring intently at him. His mind worked lightning fast.

"Ah, yes!"

He clapped a hand on Sylphy's head. The latter blinked, looking bewilderedly at Allen and Rudy.

"This child's name is Sylphy. She's also a magic genius, and she can use Silent Casting! So I was hoping you could teach her for a few days, evaluate her current level as a Water Saint-ranked Mage, and then bestow upon her the title of Magician!"

With that, he lowered his head and smiled brightly at Sylphy.

"This is Lokkishi, the Water Saint-ranked Mage who taught Rudy magic. Rudy is very intuitive with magic, so you can ask Lokkishi about any magic questions you have!"

'Get out of here with your female infighting! Give me back the original master-disciple bond between Lokkishi and Rudy from the pre-transmigration timeline!'

When Lokkishi heard the words "Silent Casting," her expression subtly changed. She was about to politely decline, but Sylphy looked at her and obediently followed Allen's words.

"Hello, Teacher Lokkishi, I've heard so much about you. So you're Rudy's teacher! I thought you were Allen's acquaintance just now. My name is Sylphiette."

Lokkishi struggled to swallow the refusal she was about to utter and forced a smile.

"Hello, Sylphy, my name is Roxy Migurdia. There's no need to call me 'teacher.' All you kids can use Silent Casting, it's really quite frustrating. Although I can't be your teacher, I should be able to help you figure out what level your magic is at right now. It shouldn't be higher than Rudy's, right?"

Sylphy glanced at Allen, who was frantically winking beside her, and nodded, cooperating perfectly.

"No, it's not as high as Rudy's. I only started learning magic two months ago, Teacher."

Lokkishi:

'Silent Casting after two months? Seriously, stop calling me teacher… I want to die T T I shouldn't have listened to Allen and stayed here. So he kept me here to teach this kid. Allen is truly cunning.'

But just then, something unexpected happened.

"Paul! Is Allen bullying my Somal again?! You two better give me an explanation this time!"

Allen, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, froze again. He turned his head in surprise, looking with a stunned Paul at Mrs. Somal, who had suddenly appeared at the courtyard entrance.

She stood by the wall, squinting at Paul and Allen in the courtyard. But when her gaze fell on Lokkishi, who was opposite Allen, she paused for a moment.

After she thoroughly scrutinized Lokkishi from head to toe, her gaze lingered on Lokkishi's chest for a moment before she revealed a disdainful smile.

Lokkishi turned her head to glance at Mrs. Somal, then returned her gaze to Allen's face, silently watching him.

Allen mumbled, letting out a simple, heartfelt exclamation.

'Holy crap.'

Instant Task Issued: The Disdain of the Large Woman. Mrs. Somal once felt threatened by Lokkishi, who suddenly moved into Paul's house, but later realized Lokkishi lacked the necessary attraction to someone like Paul and gave up. Now that Lokkishi has suddenly returned, she seems to think you...

'Get lost!'

Oh.