Chapter 3.35 – Thursday, July 21th, 11.10am

Living room.

As soon as we carried Restia and Ruby to the sofa, I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast while Principal is recovering Restia's mana deficiency with his own mana.

As for Dómr and the other magical beasts, they were out hunting as training.

"…Here."

Placing the bowl on the table with a resounding clatter, I patted Principal's shoulder, which he turned, glancing at the bowl.

"Meatball soup noodles?" He muttered, looking dissatisfied.

"…Yeah. I didn't have a proper meal for the past few days— I can't eat fried or spicy food for these few days."

Even if I had a deteriorating body, I still need to stay healthy to live for another six years.

"And what does this have to do with me?" He uttered.

Did he dislike noodles? I recall the cup noodles that Nightwalker prepared for him yesterday; he opposed it as well.

Anyways, he had his sounding point. After all, Principal made a complete recovery from the toxins and injuries— he's okay to eat anything, and he knew it himself, but…

"It's troublesome to prepare another dish for you, so just eat up." I retorted.

Starting from today, I need to prepare three meals a day for four people. It's a headache just to decide what I should prepare. I come to understand why mom wouldn't bother to change the menu whenever we feel like it.

"Urk…"

Like a kid forced to do housework, Principal unwillingly sat in front of the table, taking the chopsticks and chugging the noodles in.

I took his place and sat next to Restia, holding her hand. All I could do is to hold her hand, actually…

"…Are you regretting what you've done?" He suddenly asked.

Regret…? Even if I have, it's too late to start all over.

"I don't. This needs to be done." I replied.

"That's what I don't get it. You want me to take them away and leave you behind, yet you are forcing them to learn that teleportation spell."

…It was that obvious, huh.

"Now that my parents were gone, they can't live on if I'm gone as well."

"Nonsense. Their wills are stronger than you think— and you know that. You are giving an excuse to yourself because you are the one who can't live without them instead."

His piercing words made me squeezed onto Restia's hand.

"…Perhaps it is. However, I can't be selfish. You will be returning— there's no way I would want them to be trapped on this island forever."

"You know, I could always come back." He said blandly.

To be honest, after living together for four days— I'm confident that he could keep his words.

"Even so… those are our responsibilities. There's always a limit that you could help as dad's friend."

"Or… you could think of it as an investment, brat."

"Huh…?" I inadvertently uttered. "Investment…? Them?"

He clicked his tongue.

"You! You— you— you— you— you…!"

He repeated six times.

He reminds me over and over that it is always me that he wanted.

"Once you reach sixteen, you are going to enrol into my Imperial Knights Academy." He uttered. "And before you enrol, I want you to build up your physical strength to at least 200 times of an average human."

Two hundred!?

"That's about 2000G! What sort of investment is that!? Are you trying to kill me!?"

I could only imagine myself becoming a macho man in the future.

"You are still growing. There's plenty of time for your body to train and adapt."

"Why do I even need to do that in the first place!?"

"I have a gift for you during your enrolment."

"Wow. Now that really is a HEAVY gift." I replied sarcastically. "And what gift is that?!"

"It won't be fun if I tell you now."

He plays another mysterious card.

"…I can't believe my dad's favourite place— Central Imperial Island is ruled by a guy like you." I murmured while heaving a sigh.

"And it will be you soon, haha." He replied confidently.

…I can't believe it. Even if Principal doesn't look like it, he really shows no sign of hesitation to give away his throne.

"…Mnn."

Restia woke up.

"Restia…!"

While calling my sister's name, I faced her as I hold on to her hand.

"……Apologize." She pouted.

"Eh…?"

SLAP!

When I came to, Restia throws a slap on the left of my face.

"DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE ME AGAIN!"

She then hugs me, crying.

"N…"

I returned a hug.

I didn't apologize— even though Restia told me to. Because I knew I won't be able to keep this promise till the very end.

"You choose to forgive your brother after eavesdropping? Wise decision." Principal muttered.

"…Eavesdropping?" I inadvertently murmured.

"Huh? Did I say that out loud?"

"………………"

Restia is glaring at him with anger.

"Eek!?" Principal was terrified.

Restia is angry because he exposed that she was eavesdropping, which she was trying to hide from us; plus, Restia doesn't want to vent out her anger on me; that's why she releases it to Principal instead.

Actually, I also knew Restia was eavesdropping when I took her hand. Her pulse is excited instead of pulsating calmly, so I knew she's pretending to be asleep to eavesdrop on us.

Her reason? Girls are unreasonable on certain occasions, and it's pointless to argue with them, so I tend to play the fool.

"Don't be angry."

Saying that, I kissed Restia on her forehead and patted her head to calm her down.

"Mnn…"

Ruby, on the other sofa— woke up.

"Ruby…!" "Ruby!"

"M… Myaster…!" She's scared of me.

It's okay, I've got the plan to cheer her.

"Squid for dinner today."

"S-SQUID…! R-Really…!?"

Her eyes are sparkling.

Ruby loved seafood. Anything edible that you could find in the sea is her favourite, except trash. Seaweed and sea-urchins aren't an exception either.

"It's a compensation for what I did today." I told Ruby.

"It's not enough! Ruby wants more…!"

"Okay… how about adding a cuttlefish…?"

"Nnn…!" She nods her head crazily while trying to hide her drool. "Thank you myaster…!"

Then, she swiftly flies into my arms and hugs me.

"Is this a miracle…!?" Principal suddenly muttered with an unbelievable look. "Why are you forgiving him already!?"

"Because he's my big brother." "Because myaster is Ruby's myaster."

Their replies are much simpler than what Principal thought it would be.

"Hahaha…" He deliberately let out a laugh with an astonished look. "Is that so…?"

Principal then lifelessly sat on the floor, looking at a loss. It felt like he was reminiscing about the past.

Like I'd care about his past— it's none of my business.

For some reason, Ruby had some weird odour coming from her. It might be because I left her outside for four days— she could really get another shower.

"Ah, that's right… Can you get me some giant brushes and like, lots and lots of shampoos for the magical beasts out there?"

Telling him that, I went to search for my Black Card.

"Huh…? What's with the sudden urge?" He raised his head and asked.

"Even if Dómr forgotten about it, I promised him." I flicked my Black Card, where he caught it with his fingers. "To be honest, their foul breath and smelly fur are killing me— Ow."

Restia smacked me on the back of my head.

"Big brother, you are being rude to them." She scolded me.

"That's right that's right! Myaster is very rude!" Ruby also scolded me.

"…But they are— Ah, toothpaste too."

"Big brother!" "Myaster!"

"Yeah, yeah— sorry, haha."

"…Meh." He heaved a sigh. "I will be back soon." Which then, he snapped his fingers and disappeared after a flash.

Come to think of it, this is the 3rd time he's casting long-distance teleportation magic today. For an average person, a distance like that is already exhausting in just a one-way trip. Just how limitless is his mana pool?

Nah, it's none of my business.

I might as well head out and get them.

"Restia, Ruby— I'm heading out now. Your breakfasts are at the dining room." I muttered.

"Food…!"

After shouting happily, Ruby rushes straight towards the dining room.

Just before I could take another step, Restia pinched her fingers on my shirt from behind, stopping me from walking away.

"What's wrong…?" I asked.

"… Don't leave me alone." She murmured.

A droplet of tear from her right eye drizzled across her cheek.

…Her gaze looks so pitiful.

Unlike Ruby, Restia was terrifyingly scared that she would be left alone once again.

Facing that, I let out a tender smile.

"Don't worry. Unlike you, I can't go anywhere."

"…!"

Restia's expression was stunned surprised by my remark.

"I'm sorry… big brother…."

I made her realized that she had the freedom to go anywhere she could, unlike me.

She understands; that's why she apologizes.

"…No, it's my fault for not telling you clearly." I replied.

"Mnn…" Restia shakes her head to disagree with me. "You know I definitely wouldn't listen."

"It's okay. I already have my apology." I rubbed Restia's head. "Come find me with Ruby after you are done, okay?"

"N…"

After Restia seems to have cheered up, I head towards the front yard, looking for Dómr and the others.

"Whoa."

Suddenly, a gust of wind hurls towards me. It's created by the swing of Dómr's claw.

I knew they are training, but I didn't imagine it'd be a direct 1 vs 6 brawl. It's Dómr against Forsjá, Felix, Pearl, Asha, Fortuna, and Fylgja.

“Fallið aftur, ljón!” (Fall back, lion!)

Asha is guiding the flow of the battle by giving commands.

Fylgja, the weakest of them, was injured by one of Dómr's ice crystal magic. Forsjá immediately pulled her back to take cover at their battle formation, healing Fylgja's wounds with her magic.

As Dómr shoots more ice crystals, strangely, some ice crystals missed their targets and some breaks to pieces before they could reach them. It seems Felix and Fortuna defended them with their good and bad luck manipulation ability.

Since his magic failed to land his target, Dómr shifted to close combat by lunging towards their formation— and was blocked by Pearl's invisible body.

"Hmm…?"

My voice inadvertently escaped from my lips.

I was surprised by myself.

Because even if Pearl is invisible, I could roughly tell where she is.

…I could tell where she is through her presence.

This is such a terrifying ability— I never knew all it takes was for one morning for me to awaken this power.

Let's test it out further…

If I'm correct, Dómr would then step back and fires his powerful beam just like how he smashed the 'Hellhound' to pieces.

Eh…!?

"Stop it, Dómr!" I yelled.

"GROWL…!"

BOOM!

It's a warning shot, missing them on purpose.

Though I could tell his next attack through his presence, yet I'm still unsure about his attack's precision. Looks like I could still improve this.

Because of my shout, their training came to a halt.

I took my time walking to them while listening to their complaints regarding their battle just now.

"That's not fair, teacher!" Asha complained about Dómr's attack. "A little more to the right you would've grazed my lady!"

She's still calling Pearl 'Lady'…?

"Nya! Can't you see Pearl is terrified!?" Felix added.

…It brings me to tears to see them getting along.

"Nonsense." Dómr retorted. "If I don't, she would've slammed my face with her tail."

"But still, you shouldn't use that dangerous shot, Dómr." I said to him while placing my hand on his paw.

""""Master…!""""

Hmm…? Did I just hear Forsjá's voice during their greeting…? It seems she learnt how to pronounce 'master' correctly.

"…Young master." Dómr greeted me. "It's alright. Unlike the hellhound, they could survive this blow."

"""…Not!"""

They completely disagree.

Well, after taking a quick glance at Fylgja's wound on her left hind ankle, my eyes inadvertently set at Dómr.

"Are you always that dense?" I asked.

"What are you talking about? Of course not—"

"""He is, sometimes."""

"Growl…?!"

Felix, Asha, and Pearl— three of the four that were the closest to him, synchronously agreed before Dómr could deny.

Well, Dómr is surprised as well, haha.

I then walk past the paws of these giant magical beasts, checking on Fylgja— which was resting while letting Forsjá healing her injuries.

Though it may seem small to them, that ice crystal is still big enough to crush me completely.

“Er í lagi með þig, Fylgja?” (Are you okay, Fylgja?)

"…!?"

Fylgja was utterly surprised and confused that I could speak her language.

Ah, I guess that reaction was as expected since she hadn't met me— her real master, yet.

"M... Meistari…" (M… Master…)

“Ekki hafa áhyggjur. Þú getur treyst færni Forsjá. (Do not worry. You can trust Forsjá’s skills.)

Telling her that, I gently touched Fylgja on her front paw. She's surprised that I would touch her— or rather, she didn't expect that I would care for her.

Nevertheless, I'm sure she would change her impression of me after this, my role as her master.

However, as their master, I should also give my 'intimidation' to a test.

"And you, Asha." I intimidated.

My intimidation frightens them that they instinctively retreated a step backwards. It works way better than I thought.

"W-What's wrong, master…?" Asha asked me with a shaky voice.

"Why aren't you calling Fylgja by her given name?"

"Not only her." Asha then calmly replied. "That little puppy, too."

Forsjá too…?

"May I know the reason?"

"They are being disrespectful to master. You could speak our language— why shouldn't they learn how to speak your language? I would only call them by their name once they are able to speak master's language."

Hearing that, Forsjá and Fylgja immediately went depressed. Fortuna is an exception because she couldn't speak from the beginning.

"Hehe, is that so?" I'm honestly happy by her remark. It made me caress her paw, which she enjoyed it.

"If that's the case, I'm fine with your reason. As for you two, might as well work hard on my language, okay?"

“Yes… master.” “Já, meistari.”

"Strict leopard. This is why you don't have many friends." Felix retorted.

"Says the one who has lesser friends than me."

"N-Nya…!?" Felix panics for a moment. "I have Pearl, Forsjá, Fortuna and R-Ruby! What about you…!?"

Felix seems hesitant to speak Ruby's name. Because Ruby's position is, well— special, to me.

"I have my lady…." Asha then immediately came to a pause. "G… Grawl…!?"

She's panicking.

"Hiss— You should learn how to get along with others, Asha." Pearl said to her.

"B-But my lady… you aren't even as better than me…!"

"Aside from dearest master and dearest teacher… Everyone here is my friend— Hiss." Pearl replied blandly.

"G-Grawl……!?"

Everyone who heard Pearl's statement immediately stared at her with shock and embarrassment, aside from Asha. She was so stunned to the core that her colour was drained even whiter than she already is.

"I think she's fine the way she is." I remarked. "She's doing this for my sake so I don't mind at all."

"M… Master…!"

She snuggles her head on me. So cute.

But god, her fur is so rough and smelly.

"Ah, listen— everyone is going to have a bath later."

"Nya!?" "Grawl…!?" "Hiss—!?" "Growl!?" "Growl…!?"

I'd heard that animals hated water baths— it seems like I'm finally witnessing this for the first time. Dómr's the only one who looks happy about this.

"…So you do remember." He murmured with a grin.

"This is what I promised to you, didn't I? But I can't literally wash every of your pack— it's only for those who are currently here."

His tail is wagging.

"It's fine. After all, I'm the only one who likes it."

Hearing his statement, I turn to face the six of them, where they retreated.

"I-I don't nyeed a bath, myaster…!"

Among them, the first one who attempted to run away is Felix.

"Oh, no, I insist, Felix." I caught her on her nape before she could run. "I will be washing you with lukewarm water, massaging with my acupunctures techniques, and finally, a fine grooming— it will be so relaxing that you would hope this to last all day—"

PAK!

Felix throws a cat slap on my face.

When I came to, she's already halfway to the house, which is about twenty steps away.

Why is she running there for…?

"Anyone want to catch her?" I asked.

They refused by shaking their head.

Ah, right… Felix is the second strongest after Dómr.

"Not a single one of you is allowed to run away." I warned them. "COME BACK!!!"

Then I immediately chased Felix.

"N-Nya…!?"

Felix increased her speed.

"Restringunt!" (Paralyze!)

"NYA!!?"

Just moments before Felix could jump to the roof, she was stopped mid-air by Restia with her magic.

"Big brother…! Are you playing chase…?" Restia shouts to me.

She had to because we were pretty far away.

"No! She's trying to escape from taking a bath!" I replied.

"Noooo! It's not nice to reject myaster's kindness— especially bathing…!!!" Ruby complained to Felix.

She must've heard the commotion and came rushing out from the door.

"B-But…! Baths are scary nya…!"

"Don't worry! Fortuna will be joining you…!" I shouted.

SHAA…

What is that sound…?

"N-Nya…!? Meow…!!!"

"Kyaa…!?"

Felix suddenly broke free from Restia's magic restraints, falling to the ground.

… She's going to jump again.

"Stop her for a moment, Ruby!" I yelled.

While telling Ruby that, she immediately reacted by pouncing towards Felix.

"N…!"

"Nya…!? L-Let go…!"

Ruby caught Felix for a few seconds until Felix escapes with her flexibility to slip through any possible gaps on Ruby's arms.

"Hup…!"

Fortunately, I predicted that.

"NYA…!?"

Moments before she jumps to the roof, I stopped Felix by catching her like a Rugby, rolling on the ground a few times.

"Why are you running away…?"

She's trembling…?

"N-Nya…!!!"

Ignoring me, she slips through between the gap of my arms.

"You are choosing this the hard way, Felix."

TAK.

"N-Nya!?"

I temporary immobilized her by striking the acupuncture point on her back.

"When facing something you are afraid of, running away isn't the best way to deal with it." I said to Felix.

"I… I can't do this alone…!"

"Don't worry, Fortuna will be joining you."

"R-Really…?"

"Yeah."

SHAA…!

"WHAT'S WITH THAT ANNOYING SOUND!!?" I immediately turn and yelled.

"Big brother, Fortuna is trying to hide by digging a hole." Restia said to me.

When I look to where Restia pointed, I saw dirt sprayed into the sky— akin to a sandstorm.

Then, I felt something inside my head snapped— which then, I tossed Felix to Restia and immediately ran to Fortuna while yelling like a madman.

"DON'T YOU DARE TRY TO HIDE…!!!"

…………………………………

"Look here, brat— I know you are eager to give them a wash… but what's with all the dirt on you and that rabbit? Are you really THAT eager to do so…!?"

By the time I pulled Fortuna out from her rabbit hole with dirt on me, Principal had returned.

"Hurry up and take out the stuffs already!" I said, while making an annoyed look.

I'm not bothering to explain after the mess Fortuna made.

"Sheesh. So impatient."

Saying that, Principal summoned a storage magic circle on the ground, about 2m in radius, with hundred stacks of metal boxes floating up from within the magic circle.

…That would definitely bury us alive if it collapses.

"Okay, these are the shampoos."

"Eh?"

After the first pile, he moves the magic circle to its left, summoning more stacks of metal boxes—

“STOPPPPPPPP!!!!!!”

"What!? Aren't you the one who told me to take it out?"

"Are you a retard!? We don't need that much now!!! Just put those remaining ones at the basement storage!!!" I scolded.

"Screw you! I'm not your slave!" He refuted.

"Stop whining like a kid! You are the only human adult here…! Now go…!"

"Ughhhhhhh…"

With his head lowered shamefully and depressingly, he then walks in the direction of the house.

I then turn to the magical beasts behind me that are lowering their head.

"I WILL BE WASHING THE SMALLEST ONES FIRST— FELIX AND FORTUNA, THEN ASHA, THEN FYLGJA, THEN FORSJÁ, THEN PEARL, LASTLY, DÓMR! UNDERSTOOD!?"

""""Y-Yes…""""

Since Felix and Fortuna are small-in-size, it's easier for me to scrub them— as well as removing the fleas lingering on their skin. I plucked about fifty-six on Fortuna and six on Felix. They have been trembling all the way I wash and applied shampoo on them, but they enjoyed the grooming.

As for the large-sized Asha, Fylgja, Forsjá, Pearl and Dómr— they were cleaned by spraying water on them with Principal's, Restia's, and Ruby's water magic; scrubbed by a giant brush, and finally, eliminating the fleas by cutting off their heads and plucking them.

Among them, Fylgja had the most fleas on her body. She had about twenty-eight giant fleas and about five hundred tiny, normal-sized fleas.

As for Pearl, she had mites instead— but not that much.

Felix, Asha, Pearl, Forsjá, and Dómr are almost immaculate— especially Dómr, he had no fleas at all.

For their teeth, Fylgja had the worst ones. There was even some broken tooth— Principal had to perform an operation to clean and restore her giant teeth.

Once again, Dómr had the healthiest teeth among them. He barely had any foul breath at all— unlike Fylgja's deceased father.

Finally, grooming.

Everyone likes their grooming, where Dómr seems to relax the most.

By the time we finished, it's dusk, and the sun is almost setting.

Dómr and the others were out hunting.

While Restia and Ruby were having their time in the bathtub, I was preparing dinner at the kitchen— with Principal watching from behind.

"Are you really fine with it?" Principal asked. "Spending your time like this."

"You know, you had that really tensed look ever since your memories returned— I guess you were worried. I don't know how I can cheer you up, so the only thing I could do is to let you relax like this."

"…I felt like a zookeeper."

"Really? You are grinning all along. Even now."

"Is that so…?" He vaguely replied, as if he's trying to hide it. "Hey… when will you appear again…?"

"If you check the lunar calendar… the next time I reappear will be 19th August— I believe we won't be meeting again by that time."

"…I see. The next time we meet… will be six years later."

"Ah, that's right— my memories will be sealed away with me… you need to teach both of my personalities the 'Force of Will' once again."

"Don't worry, I will be teaching you more than that. The only problem is… are they ready to leave you behind?"

He's talking about Restia and Ruby.

"… I'm not supposed to decide for them. But… yeah, they are ready."

"Then, Restia Nightwalker von Nightmare!" He purposely raised his voice. "You will be enrolling middle school at the capital city, Leiden, of Silesia Republic— Leiden Junior High School when you reach 13!"

Restia, who is eavesdropping at the corridor, steps into the kitchen.

"…Why there? Is it because papa's villa is near there?" She asked.

"Dad's villa is near that school?"

"…N." Restia nodded.

"That's not the main reason." Principal interrupted. "You ought to know how society works— since it's currently impossible for your brother, that's why you need to take his place. Of course, first, you need to learn Silesia's language before enrolling—"

“…Není potřeba.” Restia murmured. (…Not necessary.)

"Hmm… well, that makes things easier." Principal murmured, as if he realized something. "As for the second reason, it's because it's close to this island— if you are capable to teleport twice per day, I don't mind if you travel back and forth each day. It might as well increase your mana capacity."

"…!"

Restia looks more eager to enrol on school.

"The third reason— I don't want you to be sticking on your doting brother and rely on him too much. Think wisely, how many times had he stood in front of others just to protect you? You can't always hide behind him. There are times where you should handle things on your own, independently."

"………………"

…He's right, and Restia agrees too.

"By the way, it's not just you. Ruby will be joining you when she turned 14, which is… about five years later."

"Ruby don't want to…!"

Ruby suddenly shouted from the stairs as she came running down. Seems like she's been listening to our conversation as well.

I carefully placed the remaining fried squid on the colander, allowing the excess oil to drip off. Then I walk to Ruby— where she suddenly pounced on me.

"Are you scared that I'm alone…?" I asked Ruby.

While biting her lips, she nodded her head several times.

"What about Dómr and the others…?" I remarked.

"……!"

She realized.

"B-But… Ruby doesn't want to leave myaster…!"

However, she's not biting.

"Then… can you please stay with Restia for my sake? Besides, Selisia is famous for their fresh seafood products. If you wish to, you could buy what you like back home."

"R-Really…!?"

It works— it works too well. Her eyes are sparkling with glitters.

"Yup." I smiled.

"Yay…!"

…I'm glad things go well.

"…Myaster…?"

While thinking of that, I gave Ruby a hug.

"It's time, Ruby." Restia said to her while embracing me from behind.

"…N."

I then stood up, approaching to Principal.

"Well… this is a goodbye, Principal." I said while gently bumping my fist on his chest. "Please take care both of me from now on."

"…Sure." He replied, with a sentimental look.