[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
Paul glanced at Philip, then at Allen, noticing that the latter had no objections.
Under the table, he gently touched Zenith's hand before turning to look at Rudeus.
The latter, with the demeanor of a little adult, shrugged helplessly.
"Since Allen has agreed, I have no objections. As the eldest son, I should contribute to the family's well-being," Rudeus said.
Paul, deeply moved, looked at Rudeus, unaware that the boy was cursing him in his heart.
Just as Paul was about to respond to Philip's intense gaze—
Clang!
Someone moved!
The poor chair in front of the table was being toyed with by Lady Eris, trembling and shaking under her control.
Meanwhile, Eris herself, dressed in a noble's dress and small leather shoes, strode forward with a wild, almost predatory gait. Her body leaned forward, resembling a feline stalking its prey.
This afternoon, the focus seemed to always fall on this emotionally volatile "mad dog." Everyone's thoughts were instantly interrupted as their eyes followed the red-haired whirlwind.
Allen, who had just turned his gaze away from Philip standing beside him, looked at Eris's domineering approach and was momentarily stunned.
He subtly took a step back, his body language honest and natural, as he positioned Philip in front of him as a shield.
However, Eris shoved her own father aside, ignoring his wry smile, and charged straight up to Allen, grabbing his clothes!
She looked curiously at Allen's dry clothes, then turned to Philip, who was drenched from the rain.
With a commanding tone, she demanded, "I heard you're stronger than Ghyslaine? It's raining outside, so why aren't your clothes wet?"
Allen looked at the little lioness's face and initially thought of explaining things properly. But then he realized there was no point in reasoning with this illiterate mad dog.
In situations like this, no matter what you said, she'd just raise an eyebrow, say "Huh?", and then punch you, right?
Allen smiled, effortlessly freeing himself from Eris's grip. He casually reached out and "touched" Philip, then opened his palm in front of Eris.
In his hand was a crystal-clear raindrop, suspended in mid-air, continuously deflected by the Flow technique. The droplet rolled, struggled, and bounced but couldn't escape its "prison."
Eris's eyebrows shot up as her crimson eyes fixated on the water droplet, completely captivated.
Then, Allen's voice reached her ears.
"Can Ghyslaine do this?"
Eris instinctively replied, "No."
At that moment, Allen stopped the Flow technique. Before the droplet could fall, he flicked it with his finger, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
'Purple.'
The droplet burst against Eris's forehead, forming a tiny, transparent flower that scattered in front of her face.
Of course, it had no real force behind it.
Eris froze.
The room fell silent.
Philip stared blankly at the scene, letting out a confused "Huh?" from his throat.
Sylphiette, who had been about to stand up, slowly sat back down.
Rudeus covered his face, peeking through his fingers, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
The next moment, Eris's expression darkened.
"You!!"
She suddenly raised her fist, channeling the speed of a beginner Sword God style, and swung it toward Allen's face.
However, a single extended finger was already waiting for her.
The Flow technique activated, dispersing the force and causing the air to ripple.
Eris's fist wobbled in front of Allen's finger, unable to touch his skin.
After a second, her fist came to a complete stop, hovering just before his fingertip.
Allen lowered his finger.
"Can Ghyslaine do this?"
Eris scowled, then kicked Allen in the leg.
Feeling that she had landed a solid hit, a look of satisfaction flashed across her face before she turned and walked away.
"Tch! Arrogant! Just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean Ghyslaine can't do it!"
Her footsteps echoed as she left, and the poor chair once again fell victim to her restless energy, creaking pitifully.
Allen patted his leg and shrugged under everyone's gaze.
It hadn't hurt at all.
In his previous life, Allen had no experience with comforting children—only with scaring them.
Now, with a little sister who shared his surname, he felt a bit lost.
Maybe letting children win a little and taking some losses himself would calm them down?
He really didn't know.
He wasn't good at dealing with kids like this.
Come to think of it, Eris was two years older than Sylphiette, but she was nowhere near as mature.
In fact, Sylphiette seemed even more sensible and gentle than in the original story.
Hmm… Was it because both the anime and the novel didn't focus much on her childhood, making her character seem one-dimensional?
Thinking this, Allen glanced at Sylphiette.
She wasn't looking at him, just staring down at the table in front of her.
—
Paul looked around the room. Aside from Allen and Eris, who were still "alive," everyone else seemed frozen in place. He quickly coughed twice to break the tension.
Everyone snapped out of it.
Philip's eyes were filled with amusement as he ran a hand through his wet hair.
Rudeus looked at Allen with admiration, though he secretly lamented not getting to see more of the spectacle.
Paul turned to Philip and said, "Alright, let's set off tomorrow. Pack your things today, and I'll prepare a guest room for you. Philip, you'll have to make do for the night. I'll cook something extra—"
"No, it's better to act now. We've already wasted more time than I expected. I originally planned to return by nightfall."
Paul was taken aback. While he thought it was fine for Rudeus and Allen to study under Philip, he wasn't fully prepared.
"Huh? So rushed?"
"You know how my father is. If we don't stick to the plan, I'll probably get a thorough beating when we get back," Philip said, pointing to his face with a wry smile.
"It's been a while since you've seen him. Why don't you come back with us?"
Paul's mouth twitched, and he quickly waved his hands.
"No, no, I have kids at home. It's not convenient. But if you leave now, won't you be traveling at night? And it's still raining outside…"
Allen, after a moment of silence, suddenly chimed in.
"It's fine. Let's go today. Rudeus, go pack your things."
Rudeus blinked, glanced at Sylphiette, then at Allen, who was looking at Sylphiette's back, and nodded.
"Okay~"
Allen nodded as well, walking past Eris. Their eyes met briefly.
Allen's gray eyes were calm, with only a faint hint of amusement.
Eris's crimson eyes were filled with arrogance, like a little lioness looking down on the world.
Allen quickened his pace, forcing himself not to glance at the beast girl's swaying tail. He reached out and ruffled Sylphiette's white hair as usual.
"Sylphiette, come help me. We'll pack faster together. Looks like we'll be busy tonight~"
Sylphiette kept her head down, her white hair shimmering in the candlelight.
Her expression was unreadable.
"…Okay."
"Allen."
Her soft voice reached Paul and Zenith's ears. The couple exchanged a complicated look.
Paul turned to Philip, opening his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 157 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 90 power stones I will publish the next chapter.