"No... Bullying? That can’t be true..."
"It’s often difficult for educators to notice bullying. Yulia testified in writing, you know? Are you saying Yulia is lying right now?"
"Yes. That’s probably the case. After all, Yulia has already subdued her seniors and formed a position where no one can touch her within the school..."
"…What?"

I was momentarily stunned by the dean’s answer.
What on earth is this?
Are you saying Yulia wasn’t being bullied?

"Please explain further."
"First, it was the senior students who initiated the conflict. But it’s also true that Yulia’s response was somewhat excessive."
"So you’re saying that the seniors tried to pick a fight with the juniors, and Yulia just defended herself?"
"Although it sounds a bit crass, that’s exactly what happened."
"…."

Hmm. So that’s how it is.
Yulia, that girl...
In a school where I sent her to study, she’s beating up seniors?

"I knew it! It seemed strange! Yulia is not someone who would get bullied!"
"…What?"

Good for you, Yulia.
She truly is the protagonist.
Even though I’ve stolen away my mentor Silvia, my companion the spirit mage Yulia, and my magic knight companion Charlotte, the protagonist must be strong.
Indeed, that’s how it should be.

While her letters initially seemed to suggest she was being beaten and feeling dejected,
it turned out to be all an act to get my attention.

Oh, thank goodness.
If Yulia had really been beaten, the list of participants in the blood festival would have increased.
One person on that list is enough for me.

"Are there any other special circumstances regarding Yulia?"
"Um... She seems to be a rather ambitious student. She’s audaciously taking more courses than the maximum allowed and seems poised to declare a double major. She’s taking nearly every class available to combat magic students, in addition to her major in magical arts. Even her quiz results show that her grades are excellent."
"…."

I expected it, but it seems she is indeed interested in combat.
A throbbing pain started at my temples.
I had enrolled her in magical arts to keep her away from that side.

I had even attached the condition that her grades had to be good to maintain the sponsorship to keep her focused on her major.
And yet this protagonist is excelling while pursuing a double major.
What an annoying kid.

'But I suppose it’s a relief, right?'

Instead of being bullied, she’s actually making the seniors her underlings.
Her grades are excellent, and she seems to be doing well...
For some reason, that thought leaves me somewhat satisfied.

It’s certain that she’ll come after me someday.
But for now, she’s just a kid.
It’s far better for her to grow stronger, fueled by her anger toward me, than to come back darkened.

That’s more in line with a protagonist.
That’s the way of the hero.

"Well then, thank you for your hard work."
"Hm? Are you leaving?"
"Yes. Do you have business with me?"
"Not really... Were you really just here to confirm whether Yulia is being bullied?"
"Yes, that’s correct. Is there a problem?"
"…No."

Since it was confirmed that the bullying was not true, my business here was concluded.
What if it had been proven to be true?
Hmm. I’m not sure what I would have done.
I would probably have been foaming at the mouth and summoned those so-called seniors right in front of me.

'That clever brat.'

Yulia got me this time.
If I hadn’t written a reply from the very beginning, it would have been one thing,
but this time, unable to resist the feeling of crisis, I ended up writing a reply, so it would be impossible to keep ignoring her.

A reply...?
She seems to write letters almost daily, do I have to respond to each one...?
Just imagining it feels bothersome.

That girl, despite not looking like it, has quite the girlish taste, making it difficult to know how to respond.
Surprisingly, she likes things like hats with frills and dolls.
Get real, come on.
She might act manly outside, but it seems she reveals her true self only to her sponsor.

'Well, since I sent her some allowance, she should be able to buy whatever she wants.'

I sent 1 million Lark, so she should be able to buy anything she desires.
That should be enough for her to live comfortably.
And from now on, I need to firmly tell her to write letters about once a week.

'Before I run into her again, I should leave quickly.'

I was afraid I might run into Yulia again.
Just as I was about to leave the dean’s office and head towards the carriage,
a familiar voice behind me made my body freeze.

"Aslan Vermont...!"
"…."

Yulia...
Isn’t it supposed to be class time for her now?
I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment before turning around to manage my expression.

However, Yulia’s demeanor was quite different from when I saw her in the library.
Instead of the blazing rage I expected, she appeared somewhat calmed down.
She seemed to be trying to smile gently, but it didn’t quite work out, as her lips only quivered.

What on earth is she doing...?

"Ah, hello! It’s an honor to meet you. I know quite well about you, Aslan. I heard you recently completed the road directly connecting to the capital."
"…Who are you?"
"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier due to the rush. I am Yulia Brussels. Forgive my audacity, but I wished to serve you out of respect, and so I have come to speak to you."

"You want to serve me?"
"I happened to hear that you are establishing a security company, Aslan. Although I’m currently a student of magical arts, I pride myself on my strength. If you hire me, I assure you, you won’t regret it."
"…."

Bowing her head politely,
Yulia fixed her gaze on me, revealing the eyes of a fierce beast.
Oh no. This is bad.
Yulia is seriously attempting to approach me.

'She’s using a name like Yulia.'

Was her alias truly Yulia from the very beginning?
It’s too similar to Yulia.
Clutching my throbbing head, I slumped in the carriage like a melted ice cream.

'This girl is far too bold.'

I never imagined she would approach me so directly.
For now, I ignored her and left, like any arrogant noble would,
but it was clear Yulia wouldn’t stop her attempts to approach Aslan.

The intention is obvious.
It’s reconnaissance.
It’s basic to scout the enemy’s territory before launching an attack.
She’s probably trying to check the status of Yulia and Charlotte to calculate when to attack Vermont...

'Oh? Then wouldn’t this be a chance to appeal that Yulia and Charlotte are doing well?'

For a moment, I thought of turning the crisis into an opportunity, but.

'Yulia, now a spirit mage, and Charlotte, wielding a sword like a magic knight... and that oddly colored, brown servant...'

This is not good.
It feels like a terrible idea.
As my head throbbed again, I quickly dismissed the thought.

Unless the two kids had developed into something more credible,
they currently looked like minions who had been modified by a villain.
If I revealed those two to Yulia, it wouldn’t be surprising if I got killed on the spot.

What if Charlotte or Yulia were to say, "Oh, Yulia! They’re really good people!"?
Ugh. That would be the worst.
Yulia would definitely go off the rails, saying I brainwashed them.

'I need time...'

Ta-da! Revealing Charlotte and Yulia, whom she desperately wants to find, all of a sudden is far too risky.
I need to do it gradually.
I have to minimize the chance of Yulia going into a rampage.

'Maybe hiring her isn’t a bad idea.'

From that perspective, hiring Yulia to bind her to Vermont Security through a contract might not be bad at all.
But this girl, after I sent her money to focus on her studies, is now saying she wants to work.
What a frustrating kid.

"Aslan! Aslan!"
"Ugh! What is it!?"

At that moment, the carriage came to a rough stop.
Curious about what was happening, I pulled back the curtain and found a carriage blocking the road.
With a familiar emblem... a carriage bearing the Vermont family crest.
As soon as a red heel stepped out of the carriage, chills ran down my spine.

"Damn it! Reverse! Back up!"
"How do I reverse?"
"Just turn the carriage back to the mansion! I’ll walk back myself!"

The moment I jumped out of the carriage,
a loud bang and a gust of air swept past me, and I felt black hair brush against my face.

"…!?"

A gentle hand gripped my neck.
Sharp nails dug into my throat as I was thrown back into the carriage.

"Ugh!"
"Aslan. My cute little brother. Why are you still so carefree?"
"Help! Someone save me!"
"Shut up. Are you planning to spread family matters outside? What are you trying to do?"

With a boiling expression, Irene Vermont barged in, slamming the door shut behind her.
I’m in big trouble.
This is her serious anger mode.
I’m going to get killed here! I’m going to die!

Just as I sensed my impending doom and closed my eyes,
Irene grabbed my collar and shouted in an urgent voice.

"What are you going to do? Answer me, Aslan! The Emperor is scheduled to visit tomorrow! You must have a plan, right? Tell me you do! Quickly!"
"…What?"

What on earth are you talking about, sister?