Mushoku Impact

"Master Paul...Master Paul...it's time to wake up..."
"Hmmm...?"
Opening his eyes, Paul was nearly startled out of his skin when he saw Jean's face mere centimeters away from his own. Only the head of his bed was adjacent to a wall, so he nearly ended up falling off the other side till Jean promptly grabbed his ankle, stating, "Sorry, it was not my intention to startle you..."
Recovering from his initial shock, Paul gave his chest a comforting pat as he looked at the nearby clock and asked, "What are you doing here so early, Jean? Did something happen...?"
Releasing Paul's ankle, Jean shook her head, explaining, "Yesterday evening, you asked me to help with your training. I usually start a few hours before sunrise, but we can wait till later if you'd prefer to sleep in."
"Ah..."
Recalling that he had, in fact, asked Jean to help him train, Paul fell into a contemplative silence. He knew Jean was a very 'earnest' woman, but waking him up at 2:30 AM when the sun wasn't supposed to rise until 7 AM was a bit extreme...
Shaking such thoughts from his mind, Paul reminded himself that true power wasn't something he could obtain without effort. If he wanted to keep up with people like Xiangling and Jean, he needed to train at least as hard as they did.
"Understood. Give me a few minutes to wash up and get ready."
Seemingly anticipating Paul's words, Jean hefted a steaming bucket of water off the floor, saying, "Allow me. I've prepared warm water and a fresh towel. Please remember your shirt, Master Paul."
Raising his hands, Paul's smile began to cramp as he said, "Thanks, but I can-"
"I'm afraid I must insist, Master Paul. It is the duty of a Maid to attend her Master. The other members of the Aristocracy might ridicule you if they learned that you, the First Son of a Great and Noble House, bathed yourself."
Recalling Zhongli making a similar argument when she first intruded in on him in the bath, Paul's teeth briefly rattled before he got his nerves under control and asked, "You're not going to let up, are you...?"
Returning a faint smile, Jean answered, "It's either this or we head to the bath. Master Paul's current form is still young, so I don't feel guilty about bathing you. Just mind your hands and eyes."
As if the matter was already decided, Jean leaned forward to help Paul unbutton his pajama top. He was tempted to smack her hands away but ultimately decided against it. After all, while he had frequently insisted on taking care of himself, it was a fact that other Nobles in his position had entire teams of Maids and Attendants to help them prepare for their day. When he had initially set out for the Academy, his mother had been justifiably concerned that Paul would be bullied once the other students discovered he was without so much as a single servant. Instead, thanks to Zhongli, Xiangling, and his Demon Eyes, Paul had earned a reputation as someone with a discerning eye...
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"As Master Paul has undoubtedly learned, the most critical aspects of mastering swordsmanship are relaxation, balance, and footwork. Speed is also an integral component, but mastery of the other three allows you to brandish your blade swiftly and react to virtually any situation. In its penultimate form, proper swordsmanship resembles a dance...one that takes advantage of the opponent's flow or breaks it outright..."
While providing her explanation, Jean was executing a series of graceful sweeps using a thin, rapier-like wooden sword. She wasn't exaggerating when she said it resembled a dance. As someone with nearly two years of experience with ballroom dancing, Paul felt like he was getting drawn into her pace just observing her.
Concluding her performance with a graceful, three-hundred-and-sixty degree sweeping pirouette, Jean exhaled a tiny plume of condensation before adopting a neutral posture and jokingly appending, "This is much more difficult than I remember..."
As someone that had received her Vision at a very young age, Jean was accustomed to the feeling of her blade gliding through the air with little resistance. She was capable of executing the same movements without a vision, but her still-developing body lacked the strength necessary to wield her sword freely. Paul might not have noticed it, but Jean felt like her sword was the one leading her. The near-freezing air temperatures weren't helping any.
"Do you need to rest...?"
Adopting a faint smile, Jean swept her sword in a graceful arc towards the center of her body, her eyes peering at Paul from behind the thin, wooden blade as she said, "I'm still getting warmed up. There are four hours until sunrise, and I intend to use every second of them..."
Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, Paul took a step back, his body turned sideways and sword held aloft in a manner known as a hanging guard stance. The only thing preventing him from entering the Intermediate Rank of the Water God Style was his small stature and lack of strength. He had all the Beginner forms down, so he was able to catch the tip of Jean's preliminary slice.
Though she had never encountered the Water God Style before, Jean's expression remained as calm and serene as a frozen lake. The moment she realized Paul was stepping forward to try and knock her off balance with his shoulder, she seamlessly slipped past him, their faces coming within 3cm of each other as she whispered, "Good reaction..."
Opening his mouth, Paul was left at a loss for words as Jean finished slipping past him, the tip of her sword running from his armpit to his thigh as she said, "But still sloppy. When you step in with your sword raised like that, all the vitals on the left side of your body are exposed. The stance compensates by having you turn away from your opponent, but it's useless if you let them slip past you..."
"..."
Adopting a neutral posture with the pommel of his sword located just above his groin and the tip angled toward Jean, a stance unironically referred to as the Dragon Horn Stance, Paul relaxed his body and said, "Again." in a resolute tone.
Though she raised her brows at Paul's rather unorthodox stance, Jean didn't underestimate it. She realized from their initial exchange that Paul was a lot stronger than her. She had the advantage of speed, skill, and flexibility, but his snap-parry had nearly knocked her sword clean out of her hands.
Raising her sword in the same manner as before, Jean silently observed Paul's stance. One of the significant weaknesses of the Water God Style was that it had few offensive techniques. It revolved around waiting for your opponent to strike before counterattacking with extreme swiftness or disruptive force. Jean immediately saw through this particular defect, a faint smile developing across her face as she stated, "The Water God Style does not suit you..."
Believing she was trying to bait him into lowering his guard, Paul didn't respond to Jean's words. Instead, his focus continued to increase as he focused on her knees, thighs, and hips. They were the first parts of the body to move when a person was preparing to strike. Women also had lower centers of gravity than men, so it was difficult for them to perform even small movements without swaying their hips.
Feeling a little unnerved by Paul's intense focus on her lower body, an awkward smile developed across Jean's face as she inquired, "Master Paul...you aren't using your Demon Eyes of X-Ray Vision, are you?"
Startled by Jean's words, Paul's eyes and mouth widened as he raised his head with the intention of defending himself. In that exact moment, Jean thrust forward with significantly greater speed than anything she had shown before, the tip of her sword tapping the underside of Paul's chin as she remarked, "The Water God Style's alleged weakness against feints and taunts is proving to be accurate..."
Brandishing her sword to the side, away from Paul's neck, Jean took a step back and added, "Training should be regarded in a similar light as actual combat. Rules are important, but they are ultimately pointless if adhering to them gets you killed. When we train, I want you to view me as an actual enemy. I will use any means to secure victory against you, so you should do the same. Understood?"
Without waiting for Paul's response, Jean sliced towards him with a reverse, sweeping motion. He managed to step out of her range and angle the tip of his sword toward her face, but Jean managed to slide forward, narrowly evading his blade by ducking underneath it. In the same motion, she thrust the tip of her sword just above his navel, her face an expressionless mask as she calmly stated, "And that makes three..."
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When Jean first mentioned she was just getting warmed up, Paul had seriously underestimated the weight of that statement. As a five, nearly six-year-old kid, his stamina was spent after around twenty minutes of active sparring. He could perform routine training for hours on end, but as any fighter, boxer, or mixed martial artist could attest, actual combat was incomparably exhausting.
Though Paul had persevered for a full half-hour thanks to his Healing Magic, Jean immediately followed their sparring session by resuming her sword dance. Her body was completely covered in sweat, so much so that a visible cloud of steam was rising from her tiny frame, but she simply refused to stop. When Paul asked her how she could keep going, Jean took a moment to catch her breath before answering, "Because I must...shortcomings do not overcome themselves..."
After sparring against Paul, Jean had a much better understanding of her current capabilities. She wasn't particularly disappointed, but she was nowhere near satisfied with her immediate strength. Thus, taking advantage of the fact that people in Mushoku Tensei developed faster than people from her world, Jean intended to exceed her original self by the time Paul was preparing to graduate. After that, she was determined to reach the Ranks of Sword King and Sword Emperor by the ages of 15 and 20, respectively.
Fearing that Jean would continue for the remaining three hours without a break, all while he just sat on the sidelines, Paul begrudgingly pushed himself to his feet and began swinging his sword. His body cried out in protest, but he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he established the precedent of simply watching others improve.
Seeing Paul pick up his sword, an approving smile developed across Jean's face as she observed him out of the corner of her eye. He still had a long way to go in terms of disposition and mentality, but those were seldom the factors that allowed people to surpass themselves. Instead, it was sheer determination and hard work that allowed even the average to become extraordinary...
"This mission may be easier than I initially expected..."
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Though every muscle and tendon in his body screamed out in pain, Paul had a deadpan expression on his face as Xiangling held up the edges of her dress and shifted her weight, barefoot on his back. She had noticed him lying limply on the sofa when she exited her room and, after a bit of back forth, proposed giving him a massage.&nbsp;
After being 'tormented' by Jean during training and subsequent bath, Paul didn't have the willpower to refuse Xianglin's request. Instead, he just rolled over onto his stomach, occasional grunts escaping his throat as her surprisingly warm feet, soles, and toes dug into various pressure points on his back. She had learned how to give massages to repay her father for all the pans and woks she ruined in her previous life, so, with Jean taking over her duties as Paul's training partner, Xiangling felt that giving him a foot massage and cooking a hearty meal was the least she could do...

"Master Paul, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Seeing the Headmistress of the Milbots Academy waiting alongside the group of coaches prepared to escort him back home, Paul's brows raised as he asked, "Mrs. Greenbull? I didn't expect to see you here. Tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
As a gesture of respect, Headmistress Rumina performed a polite curtsy, her hands raising the hem of her thick, winter robes as she said, "As the Headmistress of Milbots Academy, it would be remiss of me not to send the First Son of our greatest patron off personally."
"I see. Your consideration is duly noted. And worry not, as I will be sure to inform my father that the Academy is in reliable hands. These past ten months have been an overall pleasant experience. For that, you and your staff have earned my recognition."
Since it wouldn't be 'proper' for him to express his gratitude, the highest compliment Paul could give the aging Headmistress was his recognition. In many ways, this was better than something as 'base' as gratitude, as it virtually guaranteed the Academy would be receiving a sizeable donation in the future.
Relieved by Paul's words, a smile that made her appear ten years younger developed across Rumina's face. Her family had been responsible for the Milbots Academy for generations. If she somehow managed to offend the next Lord of the Region, the consequences would be disastrous.
Offering a much steeper curtsy, Rumina's expression and tone softened as she said, "I wish you and your attendants a safe and expedient return. The Milbots Academy will always welcome you, Master Paul."
With Paul promptly gesturing for her to rise, Rumina directed a curt nod toward Zhongli and Xiangling. The two were among the best students in the Academy. Their standing as Servants made it difficult for Rumina to recognize them outright, but she had great expectations for their future.
Noticing the almost otherwordly beautiful Jean standing next to the two girls, Rumina also supplied a curt nod to her. She had no idea who Jean was, but everyone around Paul possessed a remarkable talent. Given her close proximity to Paul himself, Rumina had no doubt princess-like youth would become yet another prodigious student of the Academy...
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Though it was generally considered improper for Servants/Attendants to ride inside the carriages intended for members of the Nobility, Paul broke custom and insisted that Zhongli, Xiangling, and Jean be allowed to share his same coach. A few of the Soldiers and Adventurers had been looking forward to teasing the trio of girls, but none were bold enough to try and challenge Paul's decision. Thus, without any significant delays, the eleven carriage convoy departed the Milbots Academy...
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"This is a lot more boring than I expected..."
Having never been the type to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time, Xiangling was beginning to feel restless less than an hour into the journey. It didn't help that the interior of the cabin had been eerily quiet since their departure.
Nodding her head in agreement, Jean appended, "The journey will be even more arduous if we just sit in silence for eight to ten hours a day. Perhaps we should play a game? I'm not particularly well-versed with such forms of distraction, but I'm confident I can learn."
Though she would have preferred to read in silence, the books Jean was most interested in were something only a handful of female nobles could enjoy. She could ask Paul to help her acquire one, but the mere thought of such an exchange was enough to make her ears turn red...
Voicing her thoughts on the matter, Zhongli calmly replied, "Yes. I believe that is a splendid idea. Moments such as this are an excellent opportunity to strengthen our bonds as Master, Servant, and companions."
Exhibiting her comparative naivet&eacute;, Xiangling tilted her head to the side, asking, "What do you mean...?"
Adopting a faint yet discernibly sly smile, Zhongli explained, "Without any cards, dice, or board games on hand, our options are limited to wordplay, debate, and riddles. In my spring days, before I was the Lord of Geo, one of the games people played was known as the Whimsy of the Adeptus. It was originally played using alcohol, but that aspect was lost as it became popular among children."
As a native of Liyue, Xiangling was well aware of the game Zhongli was referencing. As a result, she began to fidget about, her cheeks turning a fair shade of red as she asked, "Are you sure that's a good idea...?"
Before Zhongli could convince Xiangling to go along with her antics, Paul interjected, asking, "What are the rules of this game? I can't help thinking it's something along the lines of Truth or Dare..."
Raising her hand, Zhongli held up her index finger, explaining, "Since we are lacking in cards, turn order is decided by each player concealing their hands before revealing between one and five digits. The combined value determines who is the Adeptus for that round. After that, the Adeptus has the authority to command players to reveal a secret. If the player refuses, they are given a value of Negative Karma. If they accept, they are allowed to request a prize of equivalent value from the player playing the Adeptus. &nbsp;If the Adeptus refuses to comply, they receive two Negative Karma. Once a player accumulates ten Negative Karma, they are obligated to serve the other players for the remainder of the game."
Surprised by how comprehensive yet balanced the rules were, Paul found himself at a momentary loss for words. The Whimsy of the Adeptus was similar to games like Truth or Dare and the King's Game from his previous life. It was just fairer, as could be expected from a game created in Liyue, the Nation that worshipped the God of Contracts.
Since he was also tired of just sitting idly in increasingly awkward silence, Paul paused for a moment before saying, "Very well. However, I'm placing a prohibition on any requests that are overtly immoral or obscene. For the sake of transparency, I'm just going to be as straightforward as I possibly can. I have absolutely no interest in 'playing around' with children. Even if we all possess mature minds, the thought of laying my hands on the body of a child makes me sick to my stomach."
Though he hadn't seen through Zhongli's intentions, Paul had the sinking suspicion she had been trying to 'entrap' him for the past few months. It was seriously starting to disturb him, so he wanted to put his foot down before they reached the Notos Estate.
Having been anticipating Paul's response for quite some time, Zhongli simply nodded, her expression unchanging as she said, "Very well. With that in mind, shall we begin the first round?"
Feeling as though he had just asked the Sun to stop shining overhead, Paul deflated in his seat. For a brief moment, he seriously considered asking Zhongli if her head was filled with gravel. Before he could, Jean offered him an ornate canteen, saying, "Here, drink this. You'll feel better after you've quenched your thirst."
Exhaling a sigh, Paul accepted the canteen, muttering a soft, "Thanks..." before removing the cap and downing several large gulps. Fortunately, the contents of the canteen were nothing but ice-cold water. Given the situation, Paul wouldn't have been surprised if it was filled with alcohol.
As Jean had attested, Paul felt a lot better by the time he was finished downing nearly half the canteen. He even regained a bit of his smile as he asked, "So, how do we start? Do we hide our hands behind our back or something...?"
Nodding her head, Zhongli explained, "The traditional method has the participants conceal their hands in their sleeves, but that should suffice. Now, for the sake of clarity, we will make Master Paul number 1, myself number 2, Jean number 3, and Xiangling number 4."
Since her Maid outfit lacked long sleeves, Zhongli concealed her hands by placing them in the pits of her arms. Everyone else followed her example, Paul included. A tense atmosphere immediately enveloped the interior of the carriage until Zhongli softly chimed, "The fates favor..." before she and Xiangling threw out their hands to reveal three and four fingers.
Following the Liyue duo's example, Paul and Jean threw out a single and all five fingers, respectively. This brought the total count to thirteen, so Zhongli completed her previous statement, declaring, "Master Paul as the Adeptus."
Though he couldn't help feeling as though the three girls had teamed up to ensure he was chosen as the Adeptus, Paul forced a smile as he asked, "What're everyone's favorite colors...?"
Raising her brows, a faint smile developed across Zhongli's face as she mused, "Ah, a safe and straightforward question. As for me, my favorite colors are, perhaps unsurprisingly, brown and gold. The color and aroma of fertile soil have always had a calming effect on my mind, and the luster of gold has a natural allure that makes it impossible to ignore."
Following her words, Zhongli shifted her attention to Jean, explaining, "It is customary for players to take their turns in the order assigned."
"Ah, okay..."
Not expecting Zhongli to address her so suddenly, Jean's mind drew a momentary blank before she ultimately revealed, "My favorite colors are green and white. I only wear blue because it matches with my eyes and ribbon...it's also my sister's favorite color..."
Remembering her sister, Jean briefly cast a sidelong glance at Paul. She knew he didn't have any control over it, but, if possible, she would prefer he didn't summon Barbara to such a cruel world. She already struggled a lot back in their own; the world of Mushoku Tensei was too much for such a kind and caring person.
Interrupting Jean's thoughts, Xiangling chimed in to say, "My favorites are the color of boiled dumplings, the brown of braised meat, and the golden-brown of Guoba's fur. After that, I like pretty much every other color but black. I always feel like I can smell something burning whenever I see it."
Seeing Xiangling list off her likes with a radiant smile, Paul couldn't help adopting one of his own. Her answer was just so wholesome.
Unfortunately, just as Paul's mood was on the rise, Xiangling gave him a quick look over before pointing at the third button of his vest and saying, "I want that button."
"Pardon...?"
Answering in Xiangling's stead, Zhongli explained, "Rule number three, players who have revealed their secrets to the Adeptus are permitted to request a 'prize' of equal value. Since the question Master Paul asked was relatively tame, the-"
Before Zhongli could finish her explanation, Paul interrupted her, his left brow twitching as he asked, "Do you mean to tell me this is a game where the end goal is to strip the other players?"
Without so much as a single change in her expression, Zhongli answered, "Not exactly. It depends on the questions and the familiarity the players have with one another. Given our status, there are very few things we can 'reasonably' request from our own Master."
"..."
While reaching up to massage his temples and forehead, Paul couldn't help muttering, "This is going to be a long trip...". Then, after a moment of deliberation, he removed the button from his vest and added, "I draw the line at undergarments..."
Though she blushed upon hearing Paul's words, Xiangling accepted his button with a smile. It was formed from solid gold and had the emblem of House Notos engraved on its surface. Xiangling realized her request was a little unreasonable, but she had always wanted one of Paul's buttons for her collection. Thus, with an 'innocent' smile on her face, she slipped the golden trinket into the pouch at her waist before lowering her head and saying, "This lowly one thanks the Adeptus for their favor."
"Right..."
Shifting his attention to Jean, Paul's deadpan expression morphed into a slackjawed expression when she inquired, "This may sound imprudent of me, but might I ask you to hold my hand? Just for a short while..."
Believing the game was a method Zhongli had come up with to facilitate her mission, Jean suppressed the fluttery feeling in her chest as she held out her hand. She was surprised by just how nervous she was but quickly concluded it was a good thing when Paul nervously averted his eyes and asked, "Are you sure...?"
Nodding her head in affirmation, Jean extended her hand towards Paul, a faint smile gracing her face as she softly replied, "I'm certain..."
Swallowing the knot that had formed in his throat, Paul resisted the urge to wipe his hand against his trouser leg. Instead, he stared at Jean's hand for a moment, his heart beating in his throat as he extended his hand and linked his fingers through hers. It was far from the first time he had held a girl's hand, but there was 'something' about Jean that made Paul feel like a legitimate child experiencing his first crush...
Just as a smile developed across Paul's face, the perpetually calm and resonant tone of Zhongli broke him from his reverie as she extended her hand and said, "I would like to make a similar request."
Regaining his deadpan expression, Paul turned to meet Zhongli's gaze, answering, "I'll take the negative karma..." in a flat and emotionless tone.
Amused by Paul's reaction, a faint smile developed across Zhongli's face as she lowered her hand and remarked, "That's a shame.."

In the wake of Jean's summoning, Paul ultimately ended up with the task of getting her up to speed. He thought it would have been better to leave such things to Zhongli, but that apparently wasn't the case as even Jean herself seemed keen on hearing what he had to say. When Paul asked for the reason, Jean was the one to answer, "First impressions are essential in establishing trust and a baseline for comparison. Your behavior and the information you provide allow others to make an initial assessment of your character. Using that, I can later ascertain whether or not you were being deceitful by communicating with others."
"..."
Though he had expected Jean's straightforwardness, Paul was still a little taken aback by it. Fortunately, his nearly six years as a Noble had given him a fair amount of resistance against such things. As a result, he was quickly able to regain his wits, stating, "I see. If that's the case, I will do my best to present a detailed account as well as listing out my expectations for the future..."
Responding in the manner expected of a Maid, Jean folded her hands over her lap and lowered her head in a flawless display of courtesy, her voice calm and composed as she replied, "Thank you, Master Paul. Your consideration and willingness to listen to counsel have already given me a positive impression of your character."
Pulled into Jean's pace, Paul found himself offering a markedly less but still courteous bow as he said, "You honor me with your words..."
Realizing the error he had just made, Paul's body briefly tensed. Jean's disposition and bearing were just so far removed from a Servant or Maid that he couldn't help regarding her as a Noble...
Fortunately for Paul, this seemed to bolster Jean's impression further as she adopted an approving, squinty-eyed smile...
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Several hours after Paul's explanation and a small party to welcome her to the group, Jean was lying silently in bed, her pale-blue eyes focused on nothing in particular as a faint knock sounded at her door.
Rising to a seated position, Jean habitually checked herself over before calling out, "Please, enter."&nbsp;
Fortunately, not that she had expected him to enter her room in the middle of the night, the person at the door wasn't Paul. Instead, it was Zhongli wearing a vanilla-colored nightgown that reached down to her ankles.
"Having trouble sleeping...?"
Adopting a weary smile, Jean answered, "To be fair, I rarely got more than three hours of sleep back in our world. My duties and aspirations left me little time for things like leisure and relaxation..."
"Mmm..."
Making her way over to Jean's bedside, Zhongli pulled up a chair before taking a seat and inquiring, "And what is your 'initial assessment' of our new Master?"
Averting her eyes, Jean deliberated for several seconds, memories of the past few hours resurfacing in her mind as she answered, "I believe he is a good, honest man. But I can also tell he's hiding or, at the very least, holding something back. In a way, he reminds me of my younger sister...someone with great potential, but burdened by the expectations of others..."
Adopting a faint smile of her own, Zhongli remarked, "It's no wonder Grandmaster Varka entrusted the matter of protecting Mondstadt to you. Your insight and ability to ascertain a person's true nature are truly remarkable..."
Turning to meet Zhongli's gaze, Jean was about to ask for her opinion but remained silent as the former willingly explained, "Our predicament has placed a tremendous burden on Master Paul. Though he was given the option of whether or not to help us, his nature has compelled him to believe he 'must' help us. While that is certainly beneficial for our cause, I fear it is only a matter of time before he breaks under the strain of his perceived responsibilities. For that reason, I am relieved that you, of all people, were summoned. It appears Fate truly is on our Master's side..."
Understanding what Zhongli was trying to say, a self-deprecating smile developed across Jean's face. During her relatively short tenure as the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonia, she had worked herself to exhaustion on several occasions. She had gotten better at delegating towards the end of the Stormterror incident, but she still had first-hand experience deferring to and nearly breaking due to others' expectations.
"What would you have me do? I could offer him advice, but I fear it may sound illegitimate considering I'm in a similar situation. With the fates of two worlds on the line, even resting here in my room feels...negligent...I understand there is little I can do at the present moment, but it doesn't prevent me from feeling like I 'should' be doing something..."
Contrasting Jean's expectations, Zhongli responded with an affirmative nod, saying, "Good. That is, precisely, what you 'should' be doing."
"I'm afraid you've lost me..."
Amused by the doubtful expression on Jean's serious yet childish face, a soft chuckle emanated from Zhongli's throat before she went on to explain, "Just as you are concerned about Master Paul, he will invariably be worried about you. In the beginning, he will see your hard work and feel driven to put in even more effort. The closer he comes to injury, the greater your concern for his well-being. In turn, he will attempt to ease your anxieties by taking things slower and advising you to do the same. In essence, your righteous natures will help you to refine and ultimately restrain one another..."
"..."
Furrowing her brows, Jean fell into a contemplative state with one arm crossed, the other resting on top in a manner that allowed her to thumb her chin and nibble her index finger. Zhongli's words made it sound like she was advising her to become Paul's rival, but Jean got the distinct impression there was much more to it.
Seeing through Jean's thoughts, Zhongli removed any room for doubt by supplementing, "Your suspicions are correct. I'm asking you to fall in love with him. If there is anything I've learned from observing humans, it's that emotions like love allow them to overcome just about anything. What our Master needs, more than anything else, is a legitimate reason to dedicate himself to our cause. There is a distinct difference between simply doing what you believe is right and fighting to protect the people you love..."&nbsp;
While others might have felt offended or betrayed by Zhongli's words, Jean's expression hardly changed as she asked, "Are you sure I'm the best suited for the task? Based on my observations, there seems to be a burgeoning relationship between Master Paul and Xiangling. If that's the case, I may complicate matters by being too...persistent."
Instead of insisting she was correct, Zhongli emulated Jean's posture as she answered, "Truth be told, this is mere speculation based on my part. All I know for certain is that Master Paul needs something 'more' to anchor him to our cause. It is no coincidence the Gods in charge of the Boundaries had us make certain compromises. This world is also a far cry from our own. The sensibilities of people here are less...refined. Master Paul is an exception, but that may very well be the reason for his inevitable breakdown. When one's views differ drastically from the rest of the world, it weighs heavily on the mind."
"I see...so what you're saying is I'm not necessarily the best option, just the most convenient given the circumstances..."
Nodding her head in affirmation, Zhongli adopted an apologetic smile as she said, "I've made an effort to break down our Master's defenses, but my actions have had the opposite of the intended effect. I believe I can achieve greater results once this body matures, but that is a matter for the future. For now, what our Master needs the most is someone he can compete against and grow alongside."
Though she could guess Zhongli's response, Jean asked the obvious, specifically, "And what about Xiangling?"
Closing her eyes, Zhongli explained, "I'm afraid Xiangling is a little too emotional and prone to negativity. She has improved considerably over the past few months, but her behavior has only added to our Master's perceived burdens. It will likely take several years before she matures to the point of being able to make rational judgments in matters such as this."
Nodding in both affirmation and understanding, Jean said, "Very well. It will take some time, but I'm confident I can fall in love if things progress according to your predictions. Given Master Paul's physical appearance and disposition, it shouldn't be too difficult."
Though she found the present Paul more adorable than attractive, Jean could tell he would grow into a handsome man. He also took his training very seriously, so it wasn't difficult to picture his physique developing in a favorable direction. Once he put on a bit of muscle, Paul would be well within Jean's underused but still-existent strike zone.
Believing their conversation to be finished, Zhongli rose to her feet and said, "Then I entrust this matter to you. Just keep in mind that it is not a duty exclusive to you. This world has very...open views on relationships. Instead of restraining him, you should consider actively supporting our Master's relationships with others. After all, given his status as the next Lord of Milbots, it may not be possible for the two of you to marry until we remedy the decay and corruption within the Asura Kingdom. Given that, Master Paul will likely be forced to accept a political engagement once he comes of age at ten. Keep that in mind."
Though she felt goosebumps spreading across her body when Zhongli mentioned the Asura Kingdom's remarkably low standard for adulthood, Jean still nodded her head in affirmation. Common sense told her it was utterly ridiculous to consider ten years old and adult, but as Zhongli had pointed out, her common sense didn't apply in this situation. If she were to go around telling people it was wrong, the vast majority would look at her as if she was the one speaking nonsense...
"I'll keep that in mind...thanks..."
Returning a nod of her own, Zhongli made her way for the entrance of Jean's room but stopped at the threshold, revealing, "Worry not...you're not the only one disturbed by this world's logic. Master Paul, Xiangling, and I have similar thoughts. If I still had my powers as the Geo Archon, I would have laid waste to the Silver Palace within hours of my arrival..."
Turning back to reveal a severe expression on her face, Zhongli added, "Our Master has yet to voice his thoughts on the matter, but he keeps a small journal within his breast pocket. He records the name of everyone he has failed to save. When the time comes, I have no doubt he will do everything in his power to 'redeem' himself..."
Understanding the meaning of Zhongli's words, Jean adopted a resolute expression of her own as she said, "Then that settles the matter. Even if I must sacrifice myself a thousand times over, I will continue supporting our Master till the end."
Offering one final nod, Zhongli muttered, "Well said, Dandelion Knight..." before departing Jean's room with a smile. Jean's arrival had solved a lot of the problems that were beginning to plague their growing group. Zhongli had no doubt others would appear, but having such a stalwart and unfaltering ally certainly made things easier...
...
..
.
Unaware that Zhongli and Jean had conspired together to effectively honeytrap him, Paul was taking advantage of his Demon Eyes of X-Ray Vision to write in near-absolute darkness. Jean's arrival, at least in his opinion, had completely changed things. He had no doubts she would rise through the Ranks of the Sword God Style like a rocket, so, even if the future promised pain, Paul was looking forward to polishing his skills against a truly prodigious swordswoman...

Chapter 16: MI16: Feedback Loop