Progress

'That boy...' Puck thought with a frown as he watched Julian leave.

The boy was an enigma and a headache in one. Until now, Puck believed that the guy was a sort expert manipulator blessed with some magical ability and a strong physic.

A lustful and cunning bastard having sight on his Lia, so masterful in controling his intent that he was even capable of fooling his empath embility.

He still believed it, to a point. But it was more his cynical side coming from his age talking.

But he had been seriously wrong on certain things.

No nobody with 'some magical skills and a 'strong body' could absolutely wreck the bowelhunter and then make her his loyal servant afterward.

He was still baffled by that. The event simply made him more wary of the boy, who knew if he could do that kind thing on other people too.

Then there was the fact he had somehow made the old sociopath that was Roswaal take him as an apprentice, of all thing.

And THEN, he went and brought back Rem from the dead.

He had been assleep at the time, but it had been easy to get a reenactment of the scene with Betty's help who had witnessed all of that personally.

Initially, he thought that despite the danger the boy represented. He could be a useful pawn to Lia's cause, while Subaru could serve as a friend to her since unlike his taller friend, he was fine, if only helplessly striken with his daughter – but that was only natural.

But now it was obvious that the boy was no pawn, he was a menace. Not neccessarily to Emilia, but to the world as a whole.

He stank heavily of secrets. And his magic improved at lightning speed, it's been only five days yet, he already had a basic proficency in every elements and a strong one of the yang element.

He knew, since the boy wasn't really being sneaky with his training and practice.

At this point, it was evident that a reassessment of him was needed. As he could very well be the one to make Lia's dreams come true.

And in the end, her happiness was the only thing that mattered.

Speaking of that, Subaru's death was unfortunate. He was a good kid, and his death devastated Lia.

He could only inwardly grumble about that, as the speech Julian had given — he had to admit — was decent if blunt. That was exactly what Lia needed. To stop laying all blames on herself as it would only hurt her more in the long run. And unfortunately, he didn't have the guts to tell her these things himself.

Also, he didn't think Julian had lied once during his talk. He may be able to fool him with his intent, but unless he had a lifetime of deceit in experience. He would not be fooled by someone so young's words, ever.

Shidfting his attention to the matter at hand, Puck landed on Emilia's shoulder and gently patted her cheek in support. It had been a rough week for her, and it was high time she got some rest. Hopefully, the boy's talk would help her with that.

"I think you should take a break from your studies today, we both know the last couple of days hadn't been as productive as they could be. It's useless to try learning if your mind isn't into it."

"Nnh, you're right. I think I'll just lay down and try to... sleep... a bit." Nit even protesting, Emilia rubbed her eyes and began to lay down on her bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out.

"Yeah, you do that. Meanwhile, I think I'll go talk to Betty." Puck smiled ruefully as he covered his daughter with a blanket.

Of course, he didn't leave her totally defenseless.

He knew too well nowhere was truly safe in this world for that.

—————

~ A day later in the manor's kitchen

"This is impressive work. I wouldn't have thought Julian-Sama so skilled with a knife." Rem commented.

Pausing in the middle of his onions peeling for a second at the comment, Julian looked over at Rem. "I never bothered trying to learn how to cook at home, since my dad's so good at it. Now I guess is as best a time as any. I'm ambidextrous anyway." He said, skillfully twirling the knife with his sole remaining hand.

"If Julian-Sama has a home already, why stay here?" Rem asked curiously, peeling her piles of vegetable masterfully without even looking.

"Hey, you know. Lame things, save the world. Kill bad guys." Julian shrugged and smiled.

Ram rolled her eyes while she prepared the dinner like the other two. Only while Julian and Rem pile of vegies were almost done, her was barely entamed. "So playing the hero?"

"I'd let you humbly know in the very faint possibility that your words were said with a mocking intent. That guy playing hero saved your sister." Julian replied casually.

A faint chuckle sounded out before abruptly stopping as Ram sent a betrayed look at her sister who was suddenly very focused on peeling a carot.

"These kind of things aren't supposed to be funny." Not one to give up easily on trash talking, Ram replied back.

"Depend on the people concerned. Besides, expect to get burned when you play with fire. Wake up to reality, you never outwited me until now, and you'll never outwit me in the future."

Ram, instead of anwering, simply squinted and said nothing.

...

"You didn't answer Rem's question." Ram changed the subject after some time.

"Why would I open up further if you will not?" Julian rolled his eyes in exasperation.

With these words hanging in the air, the subject was close for the day.

Ram an Rem exhanged conflicted glance with each other. Glances filled with all kind of hidden emotions, emotions who differed vastly between the two recipients.

Julian decided to remain oblivious from this exchange. Finishing his own preparation for dinner, he watched and listened as Rem explained to him the how and why she cooked that and this ingredient in such a way. And then, after waiting for the dishes to be done. He left to do other things.

Like deciding what to do with his little prisoner.

—————

Elsa at his side, he came before the cell he had stuffed Meili in. Currently, the little girl was sitting in the corner of her jail, a blank expression on her face. An expression that cracked as she saw the older woman accompanying Julian.

"So, Elsa. You know what she did, she killed Subaru and almost killed Rem. What do you think?"

The one in question grimaced, a dark look crossing her face. "I never told you that she was part of the same organisation as I, nor that we were close. But ignoring that, why are you asking me if your mind is already made? I may be yours in mind, but this is distateful."

Ignoring her last comment, he fixed his thoughtful gaze on Meili. "I'm asking you because you comported yourself well while I was in a coma. Do choosing her fate is your reward so to say. Though I have to warn you that she will be your responsability, and she will have to go through the same process you did to be sure she do not do anything regretable."

Elsa's eyes widened in surprise, and she seemed to want to ask something, but refrained from it in the end. Settling instead for a simple. "I see. Then, I want her to live."

"What?... No. You can't let me live after that failure. Not in captivity, Elsa! You know what Mother–"

"Mother will do nothing, Meili. Not inside this Mansion, and not under our new master." Elsa cut off the little girl with a sharp look, throwing a searching look at Julian.

He grinned. "That 'mother', she's the one behind your society of assassin right? Shapeshifter with the authority of Lust. Troublesome, that one. She can heal instantly from pretty much anything too."

Ignoring the disbelieving look from both girls, he grasped ahead of himself, his wings spreading from behind him. And with an intense radiation of orange magical power and the crackling of significantly more tangible arcs of yellow lightning. Something cracked, and his aura vanished shortly after.

Slouching, he breathed out. "Still a big punch in the gut, but very much better than last time. Considering the timelapse is 15 days this time instead of one."

Opening his palm, and revealing a fool from his expendable and experimental Nephalem set. His grin widened in a sinister manner as his eyes flashed a deep yellow color.

"Anyway, if this Capella dares come here to mess with what's mine. She would makes my day." Turning himself toward a terrified Meili, his smile became playful and full of knowing irony. "Now, let's add you to my current crew of broken things, shall we?"

—————

~Couple days later, 17 days since Julian arrival in the manor

"Well well, Julian-Kun~ I'm counting on you to protect the manor and the girls in my absence. And on you Rem to keep it tidy. Should take 3 days at the latest to take care of this. This said~ Take cares~" Roswaal levitated a few feet up in the air, before suddenly blitzing away at astonishing speed.

"Well, that's that. You heard him, until he comes back. I'm master of the house. You all know what that means." Julian smiled darkly.

"That you have to do the paperwork while he's gone?" Emilia asked, puzzled.

"No, that doesn't concern you Emi, since you're an esteemed resident of the house. It concern more the servants that would normally fall under Roswaal." Julian pointedly looked at the two sister as Emilia shook her head and entered the mansion, understanding that the two were simply about to go about their usual banter again.

"I don't remember Roswaal-Sama giving you any kind of power over us." Ram calmly said.

"Well, I don't remember him not giving me power over you. And he's not here to clarify. Besides, I have the biggest fist here, and the bigger fist always have the loudest voice."

"Beatrice-Sama would disagree." Ram smiled lightly.

Shrugging, Julian waved her off. "It's just a matter of time anyway."

Crossing his arms, he continued. "My point is, I forbid you from slacking in your work for the next few days."

Ram's eyes narrowed. "You can't do that."

"Oh, I can. And I will. It's not fair for Rem that she do all the work around the manor, even your part while you got to laze around and sleep all days." Julian stated plainly.

Coming to the rescue of her sister who didn't dare meet Julian's gaze after his words. Rem spoke up and shook her head. "Rem doesn't mind. She likes doing chores. Besides, Ram has more important thing to do with her energy."

Instead of replying to Rem, Julian addressed the pink haired girl. "You find that fine?"

"I– I..." Ram looked unsettled as she struggled to give an answer.

"I know you're pretty sharp, Ram. So tell me, do you seriously see nothing wrong with she just said."

Rem began looking nervous as she saw the tension rising in the air coupled with Julian's words.

"It's none of your business!" Gritting her teeth, Ram finally found it enough and suddenly snapped at the blonde. Her regret at her own action was evident as immediatly after her face morphed into shame and guilt.

"I see... That's fair." Julian said with a soft smile.

"I'm not gonna insist anymore. But if you ever change your mind. My door stay open."

Shrugging, he turned to Rem. "You too Rem, if you ever want to talk to someone who isn't your sister."

Then, without another word. He left, a frown on his face.