[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]
===
The dust floating before Allen's eyes suddenly stilled, as if surprised that he could say such words at this moment.
Then, it gently dispersed before him, drifting like the morning mist in the Boreas courtyard before dawn. It brushed past his shoulders, carrying a hint of helplessness, yet also something akin to relief.
After a moment, it coalesced once more.
Words appeared before him, clear and distinct.
[Good.]
[Allen.]
[Twelve years since your rebirth in this world, you've finally reclaimed your youthful spirit.]
[Since you've crossed over, you should cast off the past. There's no need for such weariness, such relentless pragmatism, such caution.]
The words seemed almost cheerful, dancing before his face like musical notes.
[Sometimes, the more you hesitate, the more mistakes you make.]
[Good. Keep it up.]
[This.]
[This is the future you want to move toward.]
Allen stared blankly at the words. He had expected the system to mock him as usual, but instead, it offered comfort—even something resembling pride.
Wait, where was the usual snarky, bratty, teasing system?
Where was his damn system?
Just as he was lost in thought, hurried footsteps echoed from around the corner.
Allen's expression shifted, and he looked up in surprise.
From the sound—slightly dragging against the floor—he already knew who it was.
A figure rounded the corner and skidded to a stop in front of him, her rabbit ears bouncing.
It was Arefa.
Her eyes widened for a moment upon seeing him, then she eagerly thrust out a slightly bulging envelope, shoving it right in his face.
"Mas—er, Lord Allen! I went to check the mail at the town's courier station, and there was an urgent letter for you! It finally arrived! The postman hadn't delivered it yet, so I brought it back myself!"
Allen blinked, his gaze shifting to the envelope.
It bore the seal of the Shirone Kingdom.
It was from Roxy.
He reached out and took it.
"Thanks."
Arefa's face stiffened, her pupils trembling as if he had just uttered something terrifying.
"Ahhh! Don't thank me!! You mustn't thank me!!"
Allen: "..."
"Good job."
"Ah… thank you…"
Allen: "..."
"I'm leaving. You… take a moment."
"Okay…"
Allen glanced at the letter in his hand, then stepped around Arefa—who had slumped to the floor in a daze—and headed down the hallway, descending the stairs until he reached his dorm room.
He pushed the door open, leaving it slightly ajar, and walked to his desk.
But instead of immediately opening the letter, he set it down and simply stared at it.
For the past month, he had been waiting for an uncertain, possibly premature response—entrusting his fate to ephemeral luck, clinging to hope.
Waiting for a maybe.
If it worked, he could perfectly execute his plan—completing the triple-layered task (with its three expectations and 24-hour intervals) during his tenth birthday banquet, securing thirty points of Mushoku Tensei participation.
But that kind of thinking was too… cowardly. Not resilient enough, not true to himself.
And now?
He had already made his decision. There was no need to leave his fate to some uncertain reply.
He could read Roxy's letter as usual tonight, paired with a silent video.
As for tomorrow's plan…
Allen leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
Even if it wasn't perfect, he would talk to Sylphie after the banquet.
He wouldn't make Hilda wait—so he shouldn't make Sylphie wait either.
That was only fair.
He mentally reviewed his revised plan, confirming it was sound.
But Sylphie and Rudy still hadn't arrived. The Boreas library was massive and far from here, so it made sense they'd take time.
He considered going to look for them, but his gaze drifted back to the letter on the desk.
An urgent letter? And it felt like there was something inside… something bulky.
A new gift?
Allen glanced at the door.
He picked up the envelope, running his fingers over the bulge, about to tuck it into a drawer for later—when his expression froze.
He turned his head slowly, staring at the letter in surprise.
Then, with sudden urgency, he tore it open.
Carefully, he pulled out its contents.
A necklace.
Allen numbly reached for the one around his own neck, holding them side by side.
The same hemp cord netting.
The same slightly rough but lovingly handcrafted design.
The same irregular magic stone.
Only two differences:
Shape and color.
The shape was unavoidable, but as pendants, they complemented each other perfectly.
As for the color—his own pendant held a deep blue magic stone, shimmering like Roxy's hair and eyes.
But the one from the letter held a gray-black stone. Sunlight streamed through the window, catching the swirling dark mana veins within, radiating an eerie beauty.
The color of Hilda's eyes.
Gentle, dignified, with a touch of elegance.
It would look stunning against white.
Allen stared at the necklace for a long time, lips parting slightly, his eyes widening by the second.
He plunged his hand back into the envelope, but found only the letter.
He unfolded it carefully, spreading it on the desk.
Dust swirled before him once more, twisting into words.
[Some things are but coincidental chances.]
[Yet the result is the inevitability of fate.]
[Luck and destiny are always so mystifying.]
[All that remains is for you to take that final step.]
[Enjoy it, Allen.]
[This is your Mushoku Tensei.]
Allen barely registered the system's words. His eyes remained fixed on the letter.
His expression shifted—from shock, to amusement, and finally…
To something unbearably tender.
He had been forgiven.
Roxy's handwriting was as neat and precise as ever, making him picture her hunched over a desk, writing with utmost seriousness.
But this letter was different.
Normally, she hid her longing in rambling anecdotes, carrying that signature Roxy clumsiness and a touch of playfulness.
Only occasionally would she slip in a veiled confession.
She even liked rewriting her letters, often making Allen miss the important parts.
But this time, it was nothing like before.
The letter was concise. The words were few.
But they were enough.
Allen,
No matter what you ask of me, I will say yes.
Even through a letter. Even through words.
Even if I can't hear your voice or see your eyes.
I will say yes.
This necklace is for Sylphie.
Put it on her yourself.
"Our" adventuring party has three members, after all.
—Roxy.
===
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 270 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 40 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
https://patreon.com/roooaaa