NOVPUBThe next day.
In the clear winter morning, the dawn light poured through the thick mist and cast itself upon the marble walls of the Lord’s Mansion in Lilom City.
The mansion was situated towards the back of the city, surrounded by an exquisite garden. Far away, the forest could be seen, and the fine carvings on the crest above the main gate shone, heralding the beginning of a new day.
Viscount Francis stepped out of the dining hall on the first floor of the mansion with Lanci.
Inside the mansion, the Magic Furnace dispersed the winter chill.
"I hope you’re accustomed to our Northern Continent style of breakfast,"
Said Viscount Francis with a smile. His voice was deep and courteous.
"This is the best hospitality I’ve ever received, thank you,"
Lanci replied.
After the two had happily finished breakfast, Viscount Francis and Lanci walked along a long corridor in the mansion. Portraits of generations of viscounts hung on the walls. The carpet, imported from the South Continent, with its intricate designs and colors, evoked a warm and tranquil feeling.
"You’ll have your work cut out for you up next. Please don’t feel pressured, regardless of whether Miss Zestira will accept your guidance smoothly,"
Said Viscount Francis.
"I will do my utmost, Lord Viscount."
They finally reached a door adorned with exquisite wood carvings.
Viscount Francis knocked gently on the door. There was no response from inside, yet he waited a few seconds before slowly opening the door.
What appeared before their eyes was a breathtaking private space. Miss Zestira’s room was arranged like a small museum - books, Magic Crystal Stones, artworks, and antiques were neatly arranged.
A large window allowed the winter’s natural light to gently fall into the room, vividly illuminating the room’s collected decorations.
And the silhouette of a young girl could be seen by the desk near the window.
"This is Mr. Rocky, your new tutor. He comes from the South Continent. I think the culture there is different from ours,"
The Viscount stood at the doorway, holding the doorknob, musing in thought.
The figure in the room only glanced back at Viscount Francis and Lanci, then ignored them, continuing to read her magic book.
It seemed that even that slight look back was only to save face for Viscount Francis.
"Mr. Rocky, please forgive her,"
Viscount Francis shook his head.
"Leave it to me, Lord Francis, thank you for your family’s grace,"
Lanci bowed his head.
"...Then I’ll be off to my work."
Viscount Francis patted Lanci’s arm and closed the door behind him.
Outside the window of Miss Zestira’s room, the winter sun gradually rose high, and a new journey of tutoring and learning was about to unfold.
Holding a book, Lanci walked to another chair in the room with a smile and sat down.
He kept a certain distance from Zestira, as if to assure he wouldn’t intrude into her territory.
Then Lanci began to take out his pen, writing on his teaching materials without any intent to lecture.
The silhouette sitting by the wall had a pair of horn resembling fine blades gleaming metallically. Her jet-black hair carried a hint of azure, and the most striking feature was her somewhat ferocious and aloof vertical pupils.
The Cat boss hid in the shadows quietly observing. The young lady looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years of age. No wonder she was at a preparatory level. 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝙢
Even at her young age, her magic power surpassed that of Lanci, at least at the stronger end of Second-order.
The Cat boss had never seen Lanci teach, so it didn’t know what Lanci’s teaching skills were like.
So it went, Lanci did not speak to her, and she ignored Lanci. This lasted for almost half an hour.
Zestira neither dismissed him nor put down her reading. It seemed as if this new tutor was just another piece of furniture in the room.
But over time, Lanci seemed even more indifferent.
The usually immobile Zestira finally changed her pace of flipping the book.
She felt a bit confused.
Although this new tutor didn’t bother her right away, he just squatted here and didn’t leave, making her uncomfortable.
"Have you had breakfast, Miss?"
Lanci finally spoke up. He still did not look up, focusing on his writing.
"None of your business."
Zestira didn’t even want to look at him, having no desire to communicate.
She said this just to get rid of him as soon as possible.
After all, this guy had only made a small fortune, was trying hard to hide his internal hostility and superiority complex, and had reluctantly come to teach her, a member of the Demon Race.
All humans are the same. Sometimes they harbor more disgusting malice than the Demon Race. Some will try to hide it according to their status and position, while others will be blunt.
"I’m sorry,"
Lanci quickly said,
"I’ve been of low status since I was a child, and I don’t know how to talk to a young lady from a noble family…"
Listening to the conversation between Lanci and Zestira, the Cat boss in the shadow thought for a moment.
Don’t you usually travel happily with the Duchess of the Hutton Kingdom?
I’ve never seen you being humble.
"…"
Zestira glanced at Lanci’s dejected posture.
The room was still as quiet as ever.
But during the silence, she felt a bit prickly in her heart.
Usually, others looked down on her, so why would there be a time when she looked down on others?
She won’t do something so despicable.
"I’ve eaten."
Zestira said and ignored Lanci.
"Thank you."
After Lanci said this, he didn’t continue the conversation and kept working.
The dim light in the room gradually brightened, reflecting a warm glow from the wooden floor. The old clock mounted on the wall ticked away, its sounds slower amidst the warm light.
So passed another ten-plus minutes.
"Miss Zestira, can I be friends with you?"
It seems that Lanci had completed a phase of his work, he closed the book in his hands, looked up and asked.
"Who are you?"
Upon hearing this, Zestira retorted rudely.
Like a defensive counterattack of a touched hedgehog.
"I’m sorry, I’ve been bullied because I had no friends since I was young..."
Lanci turned his head away, looking downcast, no longer looking at her.
"..."
Zestira was silent for a while.
For some reason, she felt awful.
She understood what it was like to be friendless and bullied from a young age.
This overly gentle and friendly young man indeed seemed like the type to be easily bullied.
"If anyone in Lilom City bullies you, tell my father."
She said.
"Thank you."
Lanci sincerely thanked her.
"And now, you have a friend."
Zestira added.
"Who?"
"Me."
"Thank you."
Cat boss: "???"
Is this kid acting pitiful here?
"I’ve received a lot of care from Viscount Francis, and I’ve heard him say that you have great talent in magic..."
Lanci thought for a moment, then said hesitantly.
"Enough, it’s impossible for you to teach me. Only this matter is off-limits. I don’t want to learn the magic family tree or magical engineering. I only want to learn practical magic skills. Scholars like you should not waste time with me."
Zestira raised her hand to refuse.
"I’m sorry... I have no magic talent since I was young, I’m not good at casting."
Lanci apologized again.
The cat boss suspected that this has become Lanci’s triggered combo move!
"..."
Zestira finally turned around, looked at Lanci, remaining silent and hesitant for a long time,
"Why don’t I teach you how to cast spells."
She said.
Then he wouldn’t be bullied.
"Please guide me, miss."
Lanci finally smiled.
"Come here."
So, Lanci sat next to Zestira’s long table and listened to her talking about the basics of spellcasting.
...
Unknowingly, more than an hour passed.
Viscount Francis, who had just finished his work, came anxiously to the door of Zestira’s room.
The secretary said, Mr. Rocky wasn’t driven out by Zestira halfway through.
"Could he really have a smooth class with Zestira?"
The Viscount paced back and forth in the corridor outside, he tentatively tiptoed closer, yet didn’t dare to get too close to disturb Zestira.
But it was also precisely because the room was too calm that made Viscount Francis unsure of what was going on.
He couldn’t help but listen to the situation inside from the door.
Gradually, his expression turned puzzled.
He moved his ear closer to the door, doubting if he had misheard.
Until he finally confirmed the situation in the room.
The Viscount was stunned.
This was the first time he saw a tutor able to get along with Zestira in such a peaceful and friendly exchange.
And...
Why was Zestira teaching him?!
