Allen swore he was just watching a family comedy drama. From the windowsill, he observed Lilia, who looked both envious and resentful, and then turned his gaze to Paul and Zenith, who were flirting and pyfully pinching each other in the yard.

  He took the opportunity to study their faces.

  First, Lilia had a somewhat cold demeanor, with features leaning toward an Eastern appearance. She wore round gsses and was dressed in a maid outfit.

  Paul, on the other hand, had the cssic Notos family pyboy look. His sharp features, coupled with a teardrop mole, made him quite handsome. His sturdy physique also expined why he was so attractive to women.

  Zenith was the epitome of a graceful noblewoman, with soft, flowing golden hair.

  Everything matched Allen's expectations, especially the fact that both the wife and the mistress shared the same impressive 36E figure.

  Paul, you rascal...

  As he was thinking this, Allen caught sight of Rudeus—the protagonist of the Jobless Reincarnation world.

  Rudeus's hair inherited Zenith's softness and Paul's brown color. His features were gentle, and as a child, he even had a somewhat feminine appearance. He was currently wearing a resigned smile as he dealt with his "father's" nonsensical chatter.

  Then, as if sensing something, Rudeus stiffened and slowly turned his head to look at Allen.

  Allen immediately remembered his favorability mission.

  And so, with the warmest, kindest, and most approachable expression he could muster, he gave Rudeus a friendly smile.

  The next moment, Rudeus reacted as if he had seen a ghost, headbutting Paul in the chest.

  Paul stumbled and fell to the ground, then turned to gre at Allen with a rather hostile expression.

  Allen's smile froze. He realized that his attempt to appear friendly might have just made his favorability mission a lot harder...

  Paul's displeasure fshed briefly before he quickly composed himself. As a knight sent from the Fittoa Region to Buena Vilge to oversee the vilgers' harvest and protect the area, visits like this were a common occurrence.

  He brushed the dirt off his clothes and stood up.

  Throughout this, Rudeus remained with his back to Allen, moving as if he were wound up like a clock, slowly retreating behind Paul.

  Allen, still unwilling to give up, tried to salvage the situation by fshing an even brighter smile.

  "Excuse me, are you Sir Paul, the knight of this vilge? Is that your child? He's so adorable~"

  As soon as the words left his mouth, Rudeus's expression changed dramatically. He yanked up his pants and bolted into the house.

  He was terrified.

  Allen stared in shock as Rudeus ran away, then awkwardly turned to Paul.

  Paul seemed to be in a daze, ignoring Allen's attempt at conversation and Rudeus's reaction. Instead, he silently scrutinized Allen from head to toe, his gaze lingering briefly on the sword at Allen's waist before sweeping over his tattered swordsman outfit.

  Finally, his eyes settled on Allen's face and didn't move.

  Allen looked up and met his gaze.

  Paul was nearly 180 centimeters tall, forcing Allen to look up at him.

  After a long moment, Paul seemed to snap out of it and broke the silence.

  "...Sorry, Rudeus isn't good at socializing. What brings you here?"

  "Well, Sir Knight, I'm a wandering adventurer who lost my money in a dungeon, so I'm looking for work to earn some cash. Coincidentally, I met a blue-haired魔族魔术士 on my way here, and she suggested I come see if your child might need a swordsmanship teacher..."

  "Why are you lying?"

  Paul immediately saw through Allen's lie, looking down at him with a stern expression as if scolding a child.

  Allen, however, didn't show any signs of panic. He simply smiled and looked back at Paul.

  "What makes you say that?"

  "...If what you said were true, you might have indeed met Roxy. But she knows perfectly well that I'm Rudeus's swordsmanship teacher. There's no need for an additional instructor. So, you must have come here on your own, not on her suggestion."

  Allen lowered his eyes.

  Just as I expected, he's not easy to fool. If I say I just want to be Rudeus's tutor, it'll make my motives seem suspicious. But if I cim I'm here to earn money, it doesn't hold up because there are better opportunities in bigger cities. No reason to come to this small vilge.

  All paths are blocked... Is revealing my identity the best option now?

  "However... becoming Rudeus's swordsmanship teacher could work."

  Allen's eyes flickered with surprise as he looked up at Paul.

  Paul's gaze was fixed on the sword at Allen's side.

  "To be honest, as an instinctive fighter, I ck the ability to ignite Rudeus's passion for swordsmanship. If someone else were to try, it might have a better effect..."

  Before Allen could process why Paul had suddenly stopped questioning his intentions, Paul continued.

  "I'm willing to hire you on a trial basis for seven days. If you can prove your skills during that time, I'll formally hire you as Rudeus's swordsmanship teacher. As for payment, two silver coins a month—fair enough, right?"

  As he spoke, Paul leaned in closer, as if trying to get a better look at Allen's face.

  "But not just anyone who calls themselves a swordsman is qualified to be our family's instructor. You seem a bit too young... Come on, prove your abilities. If you can pass my test, I'll give you that seven-day trial. How about it?"

  Allen raised an eyebrow.

  This development is a bit rushed... It doesn't make sense...

  "...That sounds reasonable."

  The setting sun cast long shadows across the yard as two figures, one tall and one short, faced each other.

  Zenith and Lilia stood nervously on the doorstep, while Rudeus peeked out from behind Zenith.

  Zenith csped her hands tightly, watching the situation unfold. She tilted her head slightly and whispered to Rudeus.

  "What's going on... Why is your father suddenly sparring with a child? Is he a swordsman? Rudeus, do you know what's happening?"

  Rudeus shook his head, deliberately avoiding looking at Allen and instead focusing on Paul.

  "I don't know, Mother. They hadn't started talking when I ran inside."

  What's going on... Did that creep provoke Paul?... How dare he scare me like that! Go on, Sir Paul! Show him the authority of a father!

  Paul drew his sword from his waist—a double-edged straight sword. The hilt was somewhat exaggerated, with a trapezoidal shape and hollowed-out triangur designs on either side, giving it a religious aesthetic. From the top of the trapezoid, the bde extended, with a bck fuller running its entire length.

  He raised the sword above his head, assuming a cssic high stance.

  Allen watched Paul, then drew his own sword with his right hand. His bde was straight, but unlike Paul's, it was slimmer. The forged patterns extended to the tip, which curved slightly into a beautiful arc.

  The single-edged bde cut through the air as Allen positioned it at his hip, the tip slightly tilted.

  It was a mid-stance, leaning toward defense.

  Allen looked at the sword in his hand, feeling a surge of excitement.

  Paul, a master of three sword styles, was once at the peak of the advanced level, bordering on saint-level. Now, after years of retirement, his skills have declined, but he's still a solid advanced-level swordsman. Even so, he's stronger than what the system rates me as...

  He licked his lips and looked at Paul, who seemed equally eager.

  "Shall we begin?"

  Paul, standing three meters away, narrowed his eyes and smiled.

  "The moment you draw your sword, it's already begun..."

  A fsh of sword light, like a streak of sunset fire, suddenly appeared at Allen's cheek! The bde hummed!

  Paul's voice trailed off.

  "...Now."

  The sword was already at Allen's ear.