Return

After Leta pushed slightly, the dead body fell on its back, and she began to look around the house, but only empty bottles and a duffle bag with clothes under the bed were here. She returned to the body, and carefully, to not dirty her clothes with blood, rummaged through the body's pockets.

Besides coins, there was also a bronze badge.

'Hm, Bartof City Adventurer's Guild. Adventurer Brick, third bronze level, only the beginner adventurer.'

She returned the badge and money to the pocket.

'Guess I worried too much. It was just a simple robbery attempt. I should return.'

Leta left the house.

***

Yawn.

"Are you tired, my dear?"

Asked Leta. It was too sudden, and because he wasn't used to hearing such addressing from her, Ethan's eyes became wide open at first, but after his face blushed, and he looked down.

"Um, yes."

His reaction was cute, and a warm smile formed on her lips.

'I shouldn't overreact.'

Remembering his teacher's words, Ethan took a deep breath to calm himself.

"Um, right."

Ethan took out the vial with the perfume and moved it to Leta.

"What's the meaning of this, my dear?"

She tilted her head.

"Um, it's a gift I prepared for you, m-my dear Leta."

His face became red. And Leta took the vial.

"An perfume?"

She was able to smell a faint scent of roses.

"Um, yes. I thought it would be the perfect gift for you."

But on her face was the usual half-smile.

"Are you not liking it?"

Ethan rubbed the nape of his neck, waiting for her answer.

"It's not like that. I just don't know where I can use it. But I appreciate it. Thank you, my dear."

She smiled warmly and put the vial under her clothes, around her chest area. And seeing her smile, a smile formed on Ethan's face too.

"You are welcome!"

She brought her finger to her cheek and tapped slightly, smiling mischievously.

"I should give you something in return. What about another kiss?"

Ethan's face heated up instantly. In the first place, it wasn't able to return to its usual color after his interaction with Leta.

"N-no!"

"Haha, I'm just teasing you, my dear Ethan."

She patted the cushioned seat on which she was sitting.

"Come here, my dear."

Ethan moved hesitantly from his seat to Leta's. And she patted her lap lightly.

"Um, what do you want from me?"

"We have some time before we reach the mansion. So why don't you have some sleep at this time? And my lap will be more comfortable to sleep on than the cushioned seat."

"Um, is this appropriate?"

"Hehe, no one will find out about it. And if you want to grow strong and healthy, you need good sleep. Consider this as my gift."

"Um, okay."

Ethan placed his head hesitantly on her lap, and Leta started stroking his hair gently. Her lap was soft and warm, and Ethan was tired, so it didn't take long before his consciousness fell to the dreamland.

"No one will harm you when I am with you."

Leta muttered quietly, looking outside the carriage and continuing to gently stroke his hair.

***

"Wake up, my dear."

Hearing Leta's soft voice, Ethan opened his eyes and sat up, removing his head from her lap.

He yawned, stretched his body, and looked outside the window, only to see how the carriage moved through the main gate of the mansion.

"Did we return?"

"Yes. Do you sleep well, my dear?"

"Um, yes. Thank you."

"It's my pleasure."

Ethan stood up and returned to his seat.

After some time, the carriage stopped in front of the mansion's front door. Ethan and Leta came down from it.

Lena was already waiting for them.

"Welcome back."

"Um, we're home."

The carriage moved towards the stables.

"How was it?"

Asked Lena eagerly. And Ethan wasn't sure how to answer. But Leta was with him.

"You shouldn't bother the young master right away, Lena."

Leta moved to Lena's side and poked her left cheek with her finger, which Lena brushed away straight away.

"But he left me in the mansion, so I'm very curious why."

"I think the young master has his reasons for it. Isn't that right, young master?"

"Um, right."

Ethan took out the silk scarf from his ring and gave it to Lena.

"Wow, how pretty! Em, but why are you giving it to me, Ethan?"

"Because it's your gift. Congratulations on the completion of your studies, Lena!"

"Really! Haha, thank you very much!"

She smiled happily, with slightly rosy cheeks.

"You're welcome!"

Ethan too smiled happily, and seeing their interaction, a warm smile formed on Leta's lips.

Lena tied a scarf around her neck.

"How does it look?"

She asked Leta.

"It looks great on you, but don't let Christa see it."

"Ah, shoot!"

Lena reluctantly removed the scarf. And as if remembering, she turned towards Ethan.

"Master Karl wishes to see you, Ethan."

"Um, okay. Then I should go to see him. Where is he right now?"

"In his office. Should we go?"

Ethan almost nodded.

"Young master, can you leave Lena with me? We can use more helping hands for preparation."

"Um, I don't mind if Lena doesn't mind it."

"I don't mind. And it should be more fun than simply waiting in the hallway."

"Then it's decided. Let's go."

"Okay!"

They, along with Ethan, went into the mansion, then separated and walked to their own destinations. The maids go towards the kitchen, and Ethan goes towards his uncle's office.

Ethan had some time, so he decided to ask his teacher.

[Um, teacher, do you really want to make Mr. Ash your personal guard?]

[Yes, but don't be mistaken—not mine but yours. He might become a pretty loyal guard if he agrees.]

[But if he's a bad person like Mr. Brick? And his siblings did bad things.]

[Hm, I see. Do you not trust my judgment?]

Ethan stopped before the stairway leading to the second floor. He wanted to say 'No', but he already doubted his teacher, so silence became his answer.

[I see from where your doubts come. Isn't it because you mistaken Brick's personality?]

[Yes.]

Ethan sighs in resignation.

[Everyone makes mistakes. After all, it's part of our lives.]

[Even you, teacher?]

[Even I. Do you remember the first version of the sphere around your mana heart? I made many mistakes then. But instead of self-doubting, I learned from them. So, you too shouldn't worry about making mistakes, but instead learn from them.]

[But magic and humans are different.]

[Yes, but learning processes are the same. As you need the necessary knowledge and experience when handling mana, the same is true for humans. You need the necessary knowledge about the world and about human psychology, as well as experience from interaction with different people, to properly judge them. And I can teach you about human psychology and how the world works, but only you and yourself can gain the necessary experience. So don't be afraid of making mistakes or of interacting with other people.]

[Um, okay, I can try.]

[Good.]

Ethan started to walk upstairs.

[Um, but why are you so sure that Mr. Ash might become loyal to me?]

[By judging his and your personalities. He's an honest guy, and you are very friendly and kind.]

[Are you sure about it, teacher?]

[Yes. Because, thanks to your friendliness, you already have at least one person loyal to you.]

[Um, who?]

[It's your maid, Lena.]

[Really!?]

Ethan stopped, with wide, open eyes in the middle of the stairways.

[Yes, are you doubting me again?]

[No! But... Hehe, I'm happy to hear it.]

[Whatever. You shouldn't let your uncle wait. And we can talk later.]

[Um, okay.]

He resumed his walking and shortly reached the door leading to his uncle's office.