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The Boreas household's schedule had no concept of an afternoon nap.
After lunch, with blood diverted to their stomachs, everyone except Allen and Ghislaine walked with unsteady steps. Logically, drowsiness should have set in—Allen had even braced for Eris to bolt to the stables for a nap the moment they turned a corner.
But she didn't.
Why?
First, sharing a meal with "companions" was a rare experience for Eris, who had grown up isolated. It was novel. It was fun.
The young lady was in high spirits, her steps light.
When immersed in the joy of a group, dopamine floods the system, making the idea of leaving that warmth unthinkable. For Eris, this meant no urge to skip class and sleep alone—even if she didn't consciously realize she was happy.
Second, Sauros' offhand praise had worked wonders.
As her top role model, his approval tied "learning" to "reward."
So for now, at least…
Class didn't seem so bad.
The Magic Lesson Disaster
Under Eris' enthusiastic lead, the group moved to the courtyard for the afternoon's magic and swordsmanship lessons—disrupting Rudeus' planned theory lecture.
Seeing Eris so lively, he relaxed.
This should go smoothly.
…
One hour later, reality crushed that hope.
"May the great blessing of water grace thy will—Water Ball!"
In unison, Ghislaine and Eris chanted.
With a plop, a marble-sized water droplet formed in Ghislaine's palm before splattering onto the grass.
Beside her, Eris' hand remained empty.
This was her 53rd failed attempt.
Rudeus, sweating, clapped.
"Good! Almost there! Just relax your arm—don't force the mana—"
Eris clenched her fist, as if strangling her failure.
"Are you mocking me?!"
Rudeus froze. His encouragement tactic—inspired by Sauros—had backfired spectacularly.
"Magic takes practice! If you just—"
"Why should I learn magic?!"
Here we go again.
"It sharpens the mind, and casting spells is rewarding—"
"I don't care! I have my sword! Ghislaine doesn't use magic!"
Ghislaine opened her mouth, glanced at her own tiny water ball, and scratched her head sheepishly.
Eris' eyes lit up. She pointed at Allen.
"Does Allen know magic?!"
Rudeus blanked. In his memory, Allen had never shown interest—even with Roxy around.
Allen, meanwhile, panicked internally.
Do I know magic?
Absolutely not.
Without Eris and Ghislaine chanting "Water Ball" 53 times, he wouldn't even recall the incantation.
His sole childhood attempt—a half-hearted gust spell—had been abandoned when he realized his "god-tier" mana recovery was abysmal, hindering his swordsmanship training.
But before he could confess, Rudeus snapped.
"Of course Allen knows magic! He just doesn't bother with it!"
"Liar! Ghislaine can't—why would Allen?!"
"Because he's a genius!"
"Prove it!"
Allen's eye twitched.
This is like kids bragging about their dads.
"My dad can fly!"
"Well, mine eats shit!"
…Except I actually can't do magic, Rudeus!
He opened his mouth—
—only to freeze as four pairs of eyes burned into him.
Then, as if summoned by the chaos, the system panel materialized.
[System Interlude]
Current Phase: Tutoring Period | Participation Score: 44
In just two days, you've left your mark on Phillip, Eris, Sauros, and Hilda.
Seemingly out of avenues to raise your score? Look closer.
The seeds were planted in childhood. When did Sylphie, Rudeus, and Eris ever study magic together before?
This reshaped "main cast" is your doing.
[New Quest: Rekindle Eris' Interest in Magic]
Objective:
Reignite Eris' curiosity (learning magic is secondary; deepening bonds is key).
Reward:
+6 Participation Points
Time Limit: 10 minutes
Allen stared.
You show up now ? When there's drama?
[Nonsense. I'm a professional.]
You're not even human.
[I'm your god.]
Piss off.
[Fine.]
The Bluff
Trapped, Allen sighed and stepped forward.
"…Fine."
Reciting Eris' earlier chant, he summoned a head-sized water ball—
—which immediately splattered at his feet.
Silence.
Eris beamed. "See?! He can't do it! So I don't have to learn!"
Rudeus groaned. "Allen… you genuinely don't know magic?!"
Allen coughed. "I, uh… forgot the part where you sustain the spell?"
Eris, triumphant, was about to declare victory when—
—Sylphie gently took her sword hand.
"I once wanted to learn swordsmanship too," she said softly. "But I chose magic instead."
Rudeus blinked, recalling their first meeting two years ago.
Eris frowned. "Why?"
Sylphie's smile was bittersweet.
"Because sometimes… what we think we want isn't what we need."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 195 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 70 power stones I will publish the next chapter.