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The voice of Lady Eris boomed loudly, as if amplified by a small megaphone, leaving everyone's ears ringing! Paul stood with his mouth agape, staring at the shattered carriage door, completely unprepared for how things had unfolded.
Meanwhile, Allen, still dazed, shifted his gaze from Eris's hair to Philip, who was smiling calmly and about to speak.
If you want to see if there's life beneath a calm surface, the simplest way is to throw a stone into the water.
If you want to see if someone possesses a certain ability, the simplest way is to push them into an unexpected situation!
This was how Philip usually "tested" people.
And so, for this visit, he had prepared two variables.
First, a sudden visit from his "great and enlightened father," giving Allen a "pleasant surprise."
Second, his unruly, wild "little sister," who was as fierce as a rabid dog and impossible to tame, giving Allen a "shock."
He didn't even bring Ghyslaine, the only one who could rein in the "rabid dog," and instead brought a beast-eared maid as a substitute! How fitting.
Allen gritted his teeth, glaring at Philip, who looked completely at ease, as if he had done nothing wrong.
'You're really my father, huh?!'
'This logic is exactly the same as the original plot where Eris beats up Rudeus to observe his reaction and determine his worth as an investment!'
'It's all about testing the subject's ability to handle sudden changes.'
'Are you really doing this to your own son?!'
'Damn it! Damn it!!'
Allen then turned to look at Eris, his expression instantly shifting to one of pure joy.
'Damn it! My little sister is so adorable!!'
The system panel hadn't disappeared yet because it still had a task to assign. Perhaps stunned by Allen's sudden change in demeanor, the text in the air paused for a few seconds before rearranging itself into a new mission.
[Immediate Task Issued.]
[Encounter with Little Sister—Eris.]
[The wheels of fate are turning, and I've already said enough about the butterfly effect. In this moment, under an inevitable "coincidence," you have met Eris.]
[Task Description: Within 48 hours, earn the respect that a little sister should have for her older brother.]
[Be careful, this task isn't easy.]
[Task Reward: Unlock the Divine Strike Magic Slot.]
[Task Begins.]
[Eris: Countdown: 48:00:00. If completed, the Divine Strike Magic Slot will be unlocked.]
[Good Luck.]
'Got it, got it. Now move aside, I want to see my red-haired mom!'
[.]
[How fitting.]
Philip watched as Allen's expression shifted rapidly, his gaze darting between him and Eris, his face cycling through despair, joy, frustration, and excitement.
'Is he scared of Eris? He does seem a bit startled, but he's also clearly curious about his little sister. The affection and happiness in his eyes don't seem fake. Is he a child who values family? Does he only resent me? But with such an expressive face, he's still just a kid.'
'Bringing Eris was the right move. I needed a variable to learn more about Allen.'
He then turned to the equally stunned Greyrat family, subtly glancing at Rudeus, who was slowly inching behind Allen, trying to maintain a terrified expression.
"You've misunderstood. The simple job I mentioned is exactly what it sounds like. Our family happens to have a... well, let's just say Eris is in need of two sturdy tutors."
"It's been hard to find teachers for her. The only ones she likes are Edna, who teaches etiquette, and Ghyslaine, who teaches... the Sword God style. She doesn't have many friends her age."
"Allen, being a boy like Rudeus and close in age, will likely get along well with her. They can receive elite education together."
"If he can also teach Eris some arithmetic, it might spark her competitive spirit. The children can grow up happily together, and there's even a salary involved. Isn't that a good deal?"
Allen, who had been busy admiring the living, breathing Eris, couldn't help but facepalm at Philip's words.
As for Eris, the young lady of the Boreas family, she wasn't one to listen to others, but she clearly caught Philip's mention of "two children."
She stood with her arms crossed, her lips pursed into a slight frown, her fiery red eyebrows raised in an inverted V-shape as she scanned the room.
Sure enough, as Philip had said, there were two children present.
One was a white-haired girl with shoulder-length hair, pointed elf ears, and a look of utter disbelief on her face, as if she were thinking, "How can such a person exist?" This was Sylphie, whose earlier unease had been completely overshadowed by the young lady's antics.
The other was a boy with a terrified expression, his entire body screaming, "Don't come near me!" This was Rudeus.
Eris's gaze lingered for a moment on Sylphie's white hair and pointed ears.
"You must be Rudeus!" she declared.
Sylphie: ?
Rudeus: ??
Before anyone could respond, Eris turned her attention to Rudeus, who was still trying to hide behind Allen, and shouted, "You must be Allen!"
Sylphie: ?
Rudeus: ??
Allen: ????
Rudeus was utterly baffled. He couldn't understand what this red-haired young lady, whose hair looked like it had been drenched in paint, was doing.
He frowned and instinctively replied, "Me? Allen? What are you—"
Slap!
Eris's hand struck Rudeus's face with a sharp crack, sending him stumbling backward. She then turned to Philip and complained loudly, "What's the deal? This kid is even younger than me! How can someone like him replace Ghyslaine and teach me swordsmanship?!"
Philip, stunned, looked from Eris to Rudeus, who was clutching his cheek in confusion, then to Paul, Zenith, and Lilia, who were all equally shocked.
Finally, his gaze landed on Allen, who was now covering his face with his hands.
But the gaps between his fingers, the corners of his eyes crinkling with joy, and the twitching of his cheeks betrayed his true feelings.
If you've traveled into the world of Mushoku Tensei and haven't witnessed the iconic scene of Rudeus getting slapped, then what's the point of being here?
Oh, you say there's a slight deviation? Eris was supposed to slap Allen, but instead, she hit Rudeus?
No problem.
Allen is just a name.
You can be Allen.
I can be Allen.
And Rudeus can also be Allen.
That makes perfect sense.
Right?
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 150 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 60 power stones I will publish the next chapter.