Reborn in Mushoku Tensei

What the hell? What happened? I was just inside my bed.

I get up and burn the ropes holding my hands together. My heart races. I look around, my mind struggling to piece together the situation. Goddamn it, I should've kept a closer eye on him. I knew this would happen.

I got careless. We were kidnapped by Thomas and sold to that dirty noble. Now, I have to get us out of here.

I glance at the box Sylphie's in, quickly burning the ropes around her arms. She stirs as I shake her gently. "Sylphie, wake up," I whisper, my voice tight with urgency. Slowly, her eyes flutter open.

"Rudy… where are we?" she mumbles, her voice thick with sleep. Even in a moment like this, she still looks so cute. It almost makes me forget the gravity of the situation.

"We were kidnapped. Don't wake Eris just yet. I'll use Earth magic to break through the wall behind us, then we'll make a sneaky escape." I whisper quickly. Sylphie nods, understanding, her face serious as she prepares to act.

I burn through the ropes holding Eris, carefully lifting her into my arms. She's still groggy, but the moment I start to break through the wall, her confusion fades, and panic sets

"Eris, be quiet. We're escaping. We were kidnapped," I say, my voice firm as I focus on the task at hand. It takes a moment for her to process, but when it hits her, she starts to scream.

"GHISLAINE! GHISLAINE, SAVE US!" Her voice echoes through the room.

Fuck. I didn't think she'd still scream. Almost immediately, I hear two men running toward us. Sylphie reacts quickly, slamming her hand to the ground. A barrier of Earth magic erupts, reinforcing the door. We make a run for it.

"GHISLAINE! GHISLAINE, SAVE US!" Eris continues to scream at the top of her lungs.

I cover her mouth, panic rising in my chest. "Eris, shut your mouth! We will be killed if you don't! You're actively working against us. If you keep shouting, we'll leave you to die. Now, tell me: do you want to live?" I say, my tone cold, desperate.

Eris falls silent, her eyes wide. She looks at me, guilt and fear swirling in her expression. I pull my hand away from her mouth.

"Good girl. Now, let's find a carriage."

We spend a few minutes ducking through the shadows and finding a carriage. Finally, we find one, and I hold Eris close to me, keeping her hand tightly in mine.

"Eris, don't let go of my hand no matter what. Eris, stay next to me."

Eris looks at me, a frown on her face. "Why are you and Sylphie protecting me? I'm stronger than her," she says, crossing her arms, trying to look tough, but her voice betrays a slight hesitation.

I facepalm, trying to hide my irritation. "You've failed to remember something, Eris. Sylphie is a mage. When she uses a sword, she's at about 10% of her full power probably even less. The sword is just an add-on for her. You've never fought her at her best."

Her eyes widen as the realization hits her. She sulks slightly, her shoulders slumping. I give her hand a comforting squeeze.

"Don't think about it. Sylphie and I have been practicing since we were really young. I've been casting magic since I was one year old. You've been gaining strength much faster than I did. Don't compare yourself to us."

Eris punches me in the arm. "Ow! What was that for, Eris?" I act wounded, but it's just a play.

"Because you're an idiot," she mutters, turning her head and huffing but a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Just then, the sound of horses and men riding past us makes my stomach drop. They found us. I curse under my breath. If they're the ones I think they are from the book and anime, they should be weak enough for me and Sylphie to deal with.

"Okay, we're nearing the city. Remember, Eris, hold my hand and don't let go," I say as we jump off the carriage, moving quickly into the shadows. I activate my Demon Eye, seeing mana in front of us probably Thomas, and two more figures lying in wait in the alley to the side.

I nudge Sylphie, and she gives a nod, ready for what's to come. The moment Thomas steps into my line of sight, I hear the pounding of footsteps. They're rushing us.

As they get closer, Sylphie slams her hand down, summoning four massive Earth walls that surround us, trapping the men in with us

"Huh, you noticed us, huh? You brats are strong," one of the men, a tall figure with a smug grin, sneers.

"Yeah, and we're going to kill the both of you," his companion, shorter and stockier, laughs.

Both men draw their weapons, and I tense, preparing for the fight.

"Kid, we know about you," the tall one sneers. "You're a silent-casting magician. Plus, I'm a Saint of the North."

A Saint? He's a Saint? Damn, Thomas must have known about me and changed his plans. I should've anticipated this.

The shorter one speaks up, grinning widely. "And me, I'm advanced in the Sword God."

"You won't take her. I don't care what rank you are. I'll kill both of you before you lay a hand on her."

The taller one chuckles, eyes flashing with cruel intent. "Come on, kid, just give her to us. We'll pay you and that girl 100 gold coins. Think about it, kid. You can have anything you want."

"Money can't buy my friends. And your greed will be the death of you." My voice is hard as I conjure three fireballs, shooting them at him in quick succession.

He easily slices through them with his sword, showing just how skilled he is. He rushes at me, and I conjure an Earth sword, just barely blocking his attack

"Not bad, kid," he growls. "But you won't be able to keep up forever."

I'm on the defensive now. This guy is fast, and I can't afford to waste time.

POV: Sylphie

The taller man's voice rings in my ears as he grins maliciously. "An elf? My employer will love you, little girl."

I clench my fists. Rudy told me about people like this kidnappers who sell girls to rich, filthy nobles to become their concubines. I won't let them take me. Not from Rudy. Not from Eris.

"I won't let you take me," I mutter under my breath, already formulating a plan.

I focus my mana, summoning a Quagmire spell as the shorter man charges at me, sword raised. As soon as he steps into my range, his footing falters, and he sinks into the mud-like quagmire. He jumps up to escape I fire off a Stone Cannon, less powerful than Rudy's, but still enough to cause damage.

The man slices through the cannon mid-air, but I'm ready for him. I summon a barrage of Ice Shards, hurling them at him. He dodges, his sword slashing through the projectiles with ease.

I use a Wind Gust to knock him off balance, but it's not enough. He's too skilled. He lunges at me I conjure a sword made of earth and use Water God Style to parry his attack, pushing him back. I jump away, quickly forming a thick fog around us.

The fog engulfs both of us, and I focus on keeping my steps silent, using Wind under my feet. I run around, keeping my distance, watching for an opening.

"LITTLE GIRL, YOU THINK THIS CAN STOP ME? I'LL FIND YOU!" His voice roars, loud enough to shake the ground. The sound sends a shiver down my spine.

I smirk, then fire a Stone Cannon at his back. He blocks it with ease, but I don't stop. I keep running, launching more stone projectiles in quick succession, trying to find a gap in his defense.

As he's blocking another shot, I use Quagmire to sink one of his feet into the ground, throwing him off balance. Before he can recover, I send an Icicle Barrage toward him. He dodges the attack, but the moment his guard slips, I seize the opportunity.

I launch another Stone Cannon, aiming for his exposed side, but he blocks it. I knew he would. It's exactly what I wanted.

Behind the stone cannon, I throw a 50-pound stone sword, using the North God Technique. It flies toward him with incredible force.

The fog starts to dissipate, and I see the horror on his face. His eyes widen as he realizes what's coming. The sword is already too close, and he can't block it in time.

But then, I hear the short man shout, "Long Sword of Silence!" His voice cuts through the air, and in that instant, the tall man's blade swings down.

I watch, helpless, as the sword connects with my thrown stone weapon, slicing it cleanly in half. The short man's blade is headed straight for my neck. I freeze, unable to move fast enough.

My heart races as I feel the cold steel of his blade on my throat. I can't breathe. Am I going to die here?