Mushoku Tensei II: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 21) – Magic Circle to the Sixth Stratum
After giving Roxy several days to recover from her month trapped in the labyrinth, they go back in, determined to find the magic circle that will lead them to the Sixth Stratum. Unfortunately, Rudeus’ book only goes to the Fifth!
Mushoku Tensei II: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 21) – Magic Circle to the Sixth Stratum
What happened?
Roxy couldn’t believe that she had been saved by a passing adventurer and was a little put out when he began to smell her hair! She obviously stunk after a month trapped down there and didn’t like the idea of anyone associating that smell with her. Strangely, the adventurer didn’t seem to mind. After a moment, Roxy introduced herself and then asked who he was! Rudeus was so shocked by her failure to recognise him that it made him physically sick… or was it the smell? At least, that’s what Roxy thought. On their way out of the labyrinth, Roxy told Rudeus that she did remember him, it’s just that he’s grown a lot since they last saw each other while she hasn’t changed one bit.
Roxy slept for several days once they were back. When she had recovered they had another meeting to discuss going back in. It was imperative that they did it soon or else Roxy would experience the curse (the equivalent of getting back on the horse when it kicks you off so you don’t develop an aversion). They showed Roxy the book that Rudeus had brought with him and told her to read it cover to cover. They would head back into the labyrinth in a couple of days, allowing everyone time to prepare. Back in the labyrinth, Rudeus showed the depth of his mana pool by easily outlasting Roxy. Sure, she’d been through a lot, but he had an almost inexhaustible reserve. No doubt that will come in very useful at some point.
Outside of the labyrinth, Rudeus and Roxy spent a lot of time together buying supplies and sharing a drink. When he mentioned Nanahoshi, she asked if she was his girlfriend. Of course, he immediately refused, but I don’t think that was the important part of the message. Back in the labyrinth, they cleared the Fifth Stratum and found a room with three magic circles. This was as far as the book could take them. One circle led to a trap, but what about the other two? Rudeus asked for a minute to consider the room and the situation which gave Paul a chance to offer some fatherly advice. Something about how he used two swords now and that Rudeus would understand one day… Anyhow, Rudeus worked out that there was a hidden passage in the floor that led to another magic circle. Could this take them to the Sixth Stratum?
What did you think?
Haha! I absolutely love Paul. His face when Rudeus suggested that he had gotten stronger was hilarious and paralleled the goofy expression that we occasionally see from Rudeus, such as when he was sniffing Roxy’s hair… Anyhow, it was clear to everyone but Rudeus that Roxy had become infatuated with him. She was like a lost puppy that had chosen to follow him around. Of course, Paul knew better than anyone what that might mean for Rudeus and his family. So, he did what any good father would do – he gave him some cryptic advice. Paul used to fight with one sword, but now he had two swords and if he tried to use just one, he would feel lost and empty. Maybe, Rudeus could learn from this… Probably not, if he hasn’t noticed Roxy’s attention.
Anyhow, I do feel like they’ve gone a little heavy-handed on that side of things, but then Rudeus has just lived up to the prophecy of how she would meet her soulmate so as far as she’s concerned there can’t be any alternative. It’s going to be very interesting when Roxy discovers that Rudeus is married and expecting a child. Other than Paul’s situation with Zenith and Lilya, we’ve not been shown anything to suggest that polygamous relationships are normal. If anything, you would have thought there would have been something with Eris’ family, but they were all having affairs with the Beast-girl maids… or at least that was implied. I also felt like Rudeus realising that there would be an underground staircase was a bit of a stretch as this room was nothing like the one they travelled to, to get there. Anyhow, the next episode should be exciting as they go to the Six Stratum. We may even finally find out what happened to Zenith!
Episode highlights
Other posts in the series
Series Information
| English Title | Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation |
| Japanese Title | Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu |
| Genres | Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy, Isekai, Magic |
| Demographic | Seinen |
Anime
Season One – Part One
Season One – Part Two
Season One – Side Story
| English Title | Eris the Goblin Slayer |
| Japanese Title | Eris no Goblin Toubatsu |
| Released | Winter 2022 |
| Animation Studios | Studio Bind |
Season Two – Prequel
| English Title | Guardian Fitz |
| Japanese Title | Shugo Jutsushi Fitz |
| Released | Summer 2023 |
| Animation Studios | Studio Bind |
Season Two – Part One
Season Two – Part Two
| Season | Season Two – Part Two |
| Released | Spring 2024 |
| Animation Studios | Studio Bind |
| Episodes | 12 |
| 13 | My Dream Home |
| 14 | Wedding Reception |
| 15 | Afar |
| 16 | Norn and Aisha |
| 17 | My Older Brother’s Feelings |
| 18 | Turning Point 3 |
| 19 | Desert Journey |
| 20 | Into the Labyrinth |
| 21 | Magic Circle to the Sixth Stratum |
| 22 | Parents |
| 23 | Let’s Go Home |
| 24 | Succession |
Paul made the right call in holding off on “the talk” for the moment. The team has a very good dynamic right now, exactly what one wants when facing dangers which are unknown but certain. Mess that up with sticky relationship stuff, and things can implode really fast. Paul himself has known that experience from the last time he was in an adventuring party. So, keeping things cryptic for the moment, to be pondered and understood later, is a prudent move.
I did want to smack Rudy at the start of the episode, though, for being such an idiot. Here Roxy is, working to help Rudy’s family, which she’s been doing for the last several years straight since the mass teleportation incident, and he thinks, “She doesn’t remember me!” That was one of his stupider moments, not realizing she just didn’t immediately recognize him is all, and also one of his most selfish, where he made it all about him and his feeling, to the point he has a mini-panic attack and throws up.
I *can* understand him not realizing Roxy’s suddenly into him. It is not something he has that much experience with, and now that he’s decided to be faithful to Sylphie, he’s just not registering it as of yet.
I agree that he was right not to bring it up directly for the sake of the group and that Rudeus is remarkably dense when it comes to this sort of things. I just loved the idea that Paul walked away from their conversation pleased that he came up with such a clever simile. That’s a great dad moment, for sure.
And yeah, Rudeus has not exactly done himself any favours by acting that way. Of course, she looks exactly the same and it’s hard to see change in yourself because you see it everyday. For her, he must have been like a different person and one she probably wouldn’t have expected to show up in the labyrinth to save her. But for him to assume she had forgotten him was dumb!
I wonder when the whole Sylphie – Roxy situation will be properly brought up and how everyone will deal with it?
I loved Paul’s analogy about his dual-wielding. That made me chuckle pretty hard. I am interested to see how Roxy handles the marriage/expecting a child. I was also put off by the sudden revelation of the stairs. It was a far stretch, but I suppose the story couldn’t move along without SOMETHING happening. I kind of rolled my eyes at that moment. It was cute how Roxy patted him afterwards, though.
Yeah, I laughed as soon as he said it. Wonder what Paul would think of Roronoa Zoro?
I think Roxy’s reaction when she finds out is going to be the most interesting part of it.