Awareness

As part of Paul's training, Augusta would periodically ask the Saint-Ranked Water Magic Instructor to lend him ten of her students. He would then have them encircle Paul and, every 3-10 seconds, fire low-powered Water Balls at him.

Due to a combination of envy and other negative sentiments, there were a substantial number of students volunteering to 'help' out in Paul's training. Many viewed this as their only opportunity to 'get even' with the 'arrogant boy' who frequently showed them up or humiliated them in virtually every class. Others simply viewed it as an opportunity to pelt a higher-ranking Noble with a Water Ball. Regardless of their reasons, Paul, Jean, Barbara, Xiangling, and Xinyan were never left wanting for training partners.

Fortunately, as petty and vindictive as the training appeared, Augusta wasn't wrong when he claimed it was extremely effective. The core of the Water God Style was learning how to read the Flow and intentions of your opponents. Once mastered, Flow would allow the user to redirect virtually any attack, magical or otherwise. For this reason, it was considered to be the heart, soul, and backbone of the Water God Style.

By being surrounded by people who radiated hostility, resentment, and a variety of other emotions, Paul and the others were training to avoid one of the most common pitfalls of swordsmanship, tunnel-vision. Few people prepared to confront multiple foes from the start of their training, so one of the most common causes of death for 'untempered' Saints and Kings was simply being stabbed or shot in the back while they were focused on someone else. Often by a complete amateur...

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"Is this the best you can do, kid? Or maybe this is just how Great Nobles take their baths...?"

Following Augusta's words, several of the boys surrounding Paul tittered and snickered in amusement. What they failed to realize was that Augusta was simply using their pettiness to both motivate Paul and provide him an opportunity to recover.

Snorting through his nose, Paul side-stepped a softball-sized Water Ball while simultaneously cutting through another. He ended up getting a fresh coat of frigid water, but his expression remained largely unchanged as he kept moving and weaving about within the circle he had been prohibited from leaving. Augusta had explained the purpose of the training to him, so while he couldn't help feeling annoyed, Paul took it seriously.

Feeling a chill spread through his body, similar to the feeling he would get prior to goosebumps, Paul spun around at nearly twice his usual speed to cut through a chunk of ice hidden within a Water Ball. The Noble who sent it at him turned pale but quickly relaxed when Paul didn't even bat an eye in his direction. Instead, he kept dodging the attacks of others without so much as a single break for ten minutes.

"Enough. You lot go and recover your Mana. The next round starts in half an hour."

Though a few of the older students wanted to stick around and boast, it was 'well known' that Sword King Augusta was a 'friend' of the Regional Lord. It was rumored he had come to Milbots Academy to help train Paul specifically, so, as 'sensible' young Nobles, the burgeoning Water Mages knew when to show restraint.

With the riff-raff tottering off, Augusta approached Paul with one of his characteristically wolfish smiles, stating, "You only lasted 628 seconds. With your strength and build, you should be able to endure nearly twice that amount. Stop performing big movements and swinging your sword around like an idiot. You aren't practicing Sword God techniques."

Despite his harsh words and severe expression, Augusta extended his hand to help Paul rise. The latter didn't accept it, but he also didn't bat it aside as he used to nearly ten months prior.

"I can stand on my own..."

Pushing himself to his feet, Paul did his best to stand tall as he made his way over to where Jean, Barbara, Xiangling, and Xinyan were waiting. The latter three were utterly exhausted after enduring a water barrage of their own, while Jean was her usual calm and stoic self as she proferred Paul a towel and said, "Welcome back, Master."

After receiving the towel, Paul took a moment to wipe his face as Augusta walked over and asked, "You ready for round two, goldilocks?"

Ignoring Augusta's words, Jean waited for Paul to finish drying his face before accepting the now damp towel and asking, "Would you like some warm tea or hot chocolate?"

Shaking his head, Paul answered, "Cocoa, please. It is a bit chilly with wet clothes."

Nodding her head in affirmation, Jean retrieved a thermos, merrily filling a cup for Paul while Augusta just stared at them with a sullen expression on his face. He frequently attempted to tease and provoke the girls in Paul's posse, but they largely ignored him. It was kind of freaky just how mature they all were.

"Anyways...there's something I wanted you to do for me, kid. Consider it a way to repay me for all the favoritism I've shown you and your little harem of prodigies these last couple of months."

Furrowing his brows, Paul turned to meet Augusta's gaze, asking, "What is it?" in an annoyed tone. Much of his hostility towards the man had waned over the past ten months, but they weren't on friendly terms. It didn't help that Augusta had knocked up the former Water God Instructor, Reva, four months prior.

Exhaling through his nose, Augusta took a moment to let Paul calm down before explaining, "When you get back to the Notos Estate, I want you to tell my wife not to come looking for me. Now that I have another wife and child on the way, I intend to travel up the Northwest coast and retire...for real this time..."

Though he was tempted to call Augusta a piece of shit, Paul had already come to terms with the man's situation. He also knew that he wouldn't be able to take back a woman that had been sleeping with someone else for the better part of five years. Thus, while he couldn't help thinking Augusta was a piece of shit, Paul couldn't really blame the man for wanting to start over elsewhere. He just hoped Augusta's next child was a boy.

"So be it...I will tell her..."

Nodding his head in approval, Augusta attempted to give Paul a firm clap on the shoulder, but the latter side-stepped it. This gave Augusta the urge to smack the young Noble on the head, but he held himself back. Instead, he adopted one of his characteristically wolfish grins and taunted, "Would you look at that...the Little Lord can actually dodge something..."

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A few days before his return to the Notos Estate, Paul was unsurprised when Jean entered his room to inform him that Princess Andromeda had arrived. The silver-haired Princess had been trying to get him to invite her for several months, so he knew it was only a matter of time before she got fed up and came herself.

Breathing a sigh, Paul gave Xinyan's head a pat as he lazily droned, "Show her to the Drawing Room and have Xiangling prepare tea and snacks..."

Bowing her head, Jean replied, "As you will, Master Paul." before promptly turning around to carry out Paul's orders. At the same time, Xinyan raised her head from his lap, hair down and with an adorably grumpy expression on her face as she groaned, "So much for my reward..."

Adopting a wry smile, Paul attempted to coax the cantankerous brunette by saying, "It shouldn't take too long. When I get back, I promise to help brush your hair...deal?"

Though she nodded her head in affirmation, Xinyan spread her arms with a 'severe' expression on her face. A defeated sigh escaped Paul's throat, but there was little to no reluctance in his actions as he gave Xinyan a firm hug before punctuating the encounter with a chaste kiss. He continued to refuse her periodic requests to make out, but tamer displays of affection had become increasingly common between him and all of the girls. As for how he justified it? Well, even his mom kissed him on the lips...

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While waiting for Paul's arrival, Andromeda stared directly at Jean with her perennially impassive expression. She was fairly confident in her own beauty, but she felt like Jean was in a league of her own. To make matters worse, Jean didn't appear to be wearing any makeup whatsoever. It was a little infuriating...

Maintaining a professional smile, Jean pretended to be oblivious to the fact Andromeda was practically glaring at her. She had long since grown accustomed to the envy and hate-filled stares of other girls, so, while it still bothered her, it was impossible to tell from her expression.

Fortunately, just as Jean was thinking of excuses to leave the room, Paul appeared, saying, "We meet again, Princess Andromeda. Tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit...?"

Adopting a practiced smile that came nowhere near her eyes, Andromeda softly replied, "Heir Paul and I have been neighbors for nearly ten months. I thought on the matter for quite some time before concluding it would be rude of me not to visit at least once ere your return home..."

"Mmm...I see..."

Sitting on the sofa parallel to the chaise lounge Andromeda was seated on, Paul met the petite Princess's eyes for several seconds before asking, "And...?"

Closing her eyes, Andromeda took a slow and deliberate breath before exhaling, opening her eyes, and stating, "You must be very sure of your position to be this insensible...how enviable..."

Shaking his head, Paul refuted the Princess's words, stating, "That has nothing to do with my performance. I just don't go seek trouble when I can avoid it."

Furrowing her brows, Andromeda remarked, "So it truly was an act...how abhorrently uncouth..."

Shrugging his shoulders, Paul relaxed his posture, effectively dismissing with propriety as he said, "Given your circumstances, I would imagine you have first-hand experience with how troublesome politics can be. Though it is only a matter of time before I'm forced to act, my only interests right now are increasing my strength and taking care of my people. While I can empathize with your plight, I would only be inviting scrutiny unto myself if I played into your hand..."

Though he really did empathize with Andromeda's situation, Paul couldn't help her with his current status and power. It frustrated him to no end, but all he could really do right now was add her name to his list and hope her situation improved. The probability of that happening was minuscule, but that was just the way things were in Mushoku Tensei.

Interpreting Paul's words to mean he knew the exact circumstances of her situation, Andromeda's impassive mask cracked for the first time as she shakily questioned, "You would consign me to my fate with a smile on your face? It would appear I was wrong about you, Paul Notos Greyrat..."

Rising with a start, a layer of moisture could be seen developing across Andromeda's face as she stated, "You aren't better than the other Nobles of this Kingdom. You are much, much worse..."

Storming towards the door, Andromeda attempted to leave but found her exit blocked by Jean. Her face immediately became red as the tears in her eyes burst forth like a deluge. At the same time, she shrieked, "Get out of my way, you-!"

Interrupting Andromeda's scream with a crisp smack, Jean's expression hardened as she said, "You are not the only one in a precarious position, Princess. Master Paul is doing his best to make the entire world a better place. Don't you dare to compare him to those monsters in human flesh..."

Without paying any attention to Jean's words, Andromeda held her cheek and muttered, "You...you hit me..." in a sobbing tone. Almost immediately after that, however, unbridled rage appeared in the depths of her eyes as she reared back her hand and shouted, "How dare you strike a member of the-"

Smacking Andromeda on her unswollen cheek, Jean said, "Be quiet and sit down. We are going to get this matter cleared up before you leave. I don't care what your status is."

"Jean..."

Though he understood Jean's frustration, Paul couldn't help thinking she was taking things too far. Her country had effectively abandoned her, but Andromeda was still a Princess. It could cause an international incident if word got out that a 'servant' had struck a member of foreign Royalty.

Exhibiting a rare bout of anger, Jean looked towards Paul and said, "No. I won't let this ignorant...child..."

Realizing that Andromeda was only 6-7 years old, Jean's words gradually trailed off as the anger faded from her expression. She was so used to the notion that everyone in Paul's group merely resembled children that she had momentarily forgotten not everyone was like them...

Shaking his head, Paul began using Healing Magic on Andromeda as he whispered, "Go. I'll take care of things here..." before Jean could offer an apology. In this situation, an apology would only make things worse, so, even though he knew Jean was sorry for her actions, Paul compelled her to leave the room with a severe look that left no room for argument...

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