After being chased away, Aleandro stood confused for a good minute. However, his identity as a professor took over and he forcibly entered. Celine, visibly panicked with steam practically coming out of her ears, welcomed him with a glare, while Serika and Lucinelle lay weakly on the ground, both exhausted.
Aleandro observed the pair, activating 'mind's eye'. On their bodies was freshly painted ink with obvious signs that it had been applied in a hurry.
"What's the meaning of this, Professor Celine?" Aleandro spoke in a grave voice, recognizing the patterns on their bodies.
'Runes. The runes Celine developed to prank students.' Ironically, they had become widely used in the academy because they were such a good measure against students who hadn't learned to resist or maintain power under such spells.
"W-well, you see…" Celine looked back at the pair behind her. Serika and Lucinelle were helping each other up, exhausted after the runes had settled onto their bodies.
They both gave Celine a pleading look, showing that they distrusted Aleandro.
Celine met their gaze but shook her head.
"Hah, that's only delaying the inevitable," Celine muttered, barely audible.
"… What?" Aleandro frowned at Celine's words. If this were any other person, he would've restrained them and sent them to the academy's investigation team.
Celine took a deep breath and made up her mind. She was sure the two were resenting her right now. More importantly, they were probably wondering how much this would affect their young lady.
"Well… Can you believe these two? They finally came back after a year, but with a brand in their bodies! No wonder they could already wield aura when I saw you with them." Celine just shrugged it off.
Serika and Lucinelle visibly paled. Right now, both of them were helpless. Their weapons had been taken, and their armor had been turned into ridiculous animal wear.
"…Are you telling the truth?"
"Yeah, I know. It's crazy, right?"
"Celine… As both a professor and your acquaintance, I will need to hear the full explanation from you. From the beginning of this matter."
"Eh, I'm only an acquaintance when we've known each other for years?"
"Don't veer off the conversation."
"Ugh, fine. So, basically…"
...
After a clear explanation of the situation, Aleandro remained stoic, though he was taken aback internally.
He knew there was something going on, but he didn't expect it to involve forbidden magic. To top it off, they had come as the Duke's subordinates and guards of his daughter. Some nobles and students who had come for the entrance exam had already seen them.
Aleandro thought of the man behind the academy, the figure countless talents aspired to become and looked up to, Astor Vitorre Ellios.
'Why did he let this be? If the brand is discovered by anyone else, it would've caused a stir and escalated into bigger problems.'
Had it been any of the opposing factions within the academy, it could only mean one thing for the Duke's faction and the Current Loyalists.
'The academy will be used.'
Fortunately, the two seemed particularly close to Celine, and she was the one who noticed the problem first. Yet it was a remarkable coincidence that the professor most capable of detecting the brand happened to be the one they had ties with.
Still, why did she place the runes on their bodies?
Aleandro used a different class of magic compared to Celine, but he was still an accomplished figure when it came to magic. Rune's can either be engraved or painted in one's body and the difference is is efffectiveness and visibility. Engraved runes are stronger, almost permanent and much harder to observe as opposed to painted runes that fades away after several uses.
"So you tried to hide the brand."
"… Yup, so? We shouldn't spare our abilities when it comes to saving talents, you know?"
"That still does not warrant your interference." Although he had to admit that, because of Celine's habit of poking her nose into things, a huge incident and scandal had been avoided.
"This matter needs to be decided by the headmaster himself."
"Sure, sure. Let's go, girls." Celine held out her hand, but the two refused to budge. Serika looked anxious and tried to pull Lucinelle, who seemed distracted, biting her lip.
"Don't try anything foolish. If you force my hand, things won't end well for your household and your master."
Aleandro, who quickly caught on to the girls' state of mind, spoke words that poured cold water on Lucinelle.
Celine saw Lucinelle biting her lip and could only shake her head. The calm prodigy she knew had become agitated and unlike herself.
"Don't worry, Luci. Nothing drastic will happen to the two of you or Carmillia."
"… Yes." Lucinelle gave a meek response, her hand held by Celine and the other by Serika.
"..."
Aleandro stared at them silently, giving them time to calm down.
"Let's proceed to the headmaster's office." Finally, he walked out the door with confident, long strides.
He wasn't worried that the two would cause a commotion at all. From what he had seen, there was some loyalty to the household within them. It was difficult to believe that two of the academy's brightest geniuses had ended up serving that man.
Then again, the academy produced monsters every year. Not all of them chose the paths others expected of them.
Should they make a scene, it would be over for their master's academy life and their household.
But along with that, the academy he treated as home would be roped into the mess instead of remaining a neutral force.
That, he could not accept.
...
Headmaster's Office.
The pair obediently followed them there.
Aleandro spoke to Astor with Celine and the pair behind him.
"As the headmaster has ordered, I fetched the two guards accompanying the heiress of the Montagne household and confirmed their identities to be Serika Cranel, first-year Second Seat, and Lucinelle Bronquia, second-year First Seat, respectively."
"However, there were some issues discovered by Professor Celine."
"Hm, issues you say?" Astor replied flatly. Without the presence of his daughter to liven up his mood, he was like any other high-ranking official, giving off an overbearing presence.
Serika and Lucinelle felt cold sweat trickling down their backs.
If the headmaster's temperament by any chance led him to refuse to keep them in the academy and punish Carmillia, not even the duke would be able to do anything or make any response.
"If you would, Professor Celine."
"Yes, let me explain..." Then Celine began recounting the events and how she found out.
At first, when she saw them, they were using aura and were even fighting back against Aleandro's spell, breaking a barrier he had cast. However, the aura they used appeared to be boiling and churning despite maintaining its form.
After subduing them, she took the pair to her office and began inspecting them for any changes in their bodies. That was when she discovered the brand inside their bodies, rooted in their very hearts.
In an effort to keep it a secret and avoid outrage, she rushed to 'paint over' the brand using her runes. Then Aleandro came and saw her in action.
"That's the gist of it..."
"Hm, I see." Astor nodded thoughtfully and rubbed his beard. "It's good that you thought of the academy's interests first. Well done."
Then he stared at the pair and the professors.
"You may go now. Keep this matter under wraps."
"..?"
Serika and Lucinelle glanced at each other.
Celine betrayed a shocked and confused expression, while Aleandro remained expressionless.
"... I see. Then we shall be on our way."
"E-eh? Wait, Aleandro!"
Just like that, he left, and Celine followed after thanking the headmaster. The two students did the same and followed suit.
"Hey! Is that really it, Aleandro?" Trying to match Aleandro's large strides, Celine quickened her pace.
"Hm. Would you rather those two be punished by revealing the brand?" the man answered, still walking straight ahead.
"Of course, this is a good thing. It's just suspicious, isn't it?"
It was obvious that something was wrong with the situation earlier. The headmaster's reaction, his order to keep this matter under wraps...
"It is. But you don't need to concern yourself with it." There was a faint heaviness in Aleandro's voice when Celine heard his answer. It didn't seem to be the best moment to gossip with this inflexible man.
"Jeez, are you treating me like I'm dumb? This is why you don't have many friends, Alea."
"… I'll be troubling Miss Celine to help the pair get settled in the academy. After all, you seem particularly close to them." Aleandro halted his steps, causing Celine to almost walk into his back.
"I assume the two of you won't speak of this matter. As for the aura... until you can use it without any oddities, you are forbidden from doing so."
"Am I being clear?" When Aleandro turned and spoke those words, Serika and Lucinelle flinched, feeling some sort of danger to their lives, while Celine's expression became grave.
"Answer."
"Yes."
Serika and Lucinelle answered together.
"Good."
Celine spoke no more and let him go.
"My, he seemed pissed, girls. Make sure to give him a proper thank-you sometime later." Celine shrugged and reverted to her usual self.
Celine had known Aleandro for years, and this was one of the rare moments that he was having a hard time holding back his anger. And she understood very well why.
'The headmastr didn't even try to act like he knew nothing.'
They say corruption exists everywhere. The academy was a place where the greatest talents of the kingdom, and perhaps even the far reaches of the world, gathered to study and compete with one another. But it wasn't exempt from such human greed nor schemes.
"Let's go. First, we need your uniforms and rooms. Also class schedules..." Celine didn't dwell on it and focused on the pair.
…
"Is this part of the punishment?"
Xian leaned forward at his table, drained. After homeroom, next was History, Monster Ecology, and State Law, subjects he had no knowledge of. From what he remembered, the player only had to choose between Academic Class, Training Grounds, and the respective Mana or Aura Path Class.
'What are these subjects? And they're mandatory?'
Looking at the pamphlet handed out earlier, all morning subjects were mandatory classes one had to complete. In the afternoon were the training subjects of magic and physical combat.
"You look quite energetic, butler. Remember, you still have your duties later, fufu." Carmillia, seated beside, found herself unexpectedly entertained by seeing Xian struggle, but then she frowned as if realizing something unpleasant.
The academy bells rang, announcing the end of the morning lectures. Just then, Carmillia slammed her palm on the desk and stood up to leave.
Xian quickly followed suit.
As they walked, Carmillia looked back just enough to see Xian.
"So? Where do we eat, butler? Have you made an arrangement? Or any plans at all? A booking?"
The villainess spoke as a matter of fact.
Those words struck like lightning in Xian's head. Butlers existed for the convenience of their masters, and right now he was in the unfortunate position of failing at it.
'Where should I bring her? And the money? The waiting line?'
It startled him for a moment, but as an experienced player of Rozenfall, he knew more than one place that served food the heroines liked.
First, he had to choose a restaurant and a place fitting for her status.
So they walked out of the academy, and since he hadn't arranged a carriage, he had to call a premium one.
Carmillia had an obvious look of disapproval when she boarded the carriage, finding it significantly worse than their own.
Next, escorted by him, they arrived at a famous restaurant...
At least in his memories.
"What place is this?"
The place looked rather mundane despite its brightly lit and clean environment. There were hardly any people, and most of them ate at simple tables, clearly making it a middle-class establishment.
Xian was sweating bullets. This was the famous restaurant he brought Fahna to back in the game.
But now, it wasn't famous yet.
'Damn it. But it'll be fine as long as that chef is here.'
"I assure Milady that the food and experience here will be worth your while."
"… Tsk."
Carmillia entered, drawing many eyes and much attention from the customers.
Upon sitting down, she shifted uncomfortably on the metal, unpadded seat and observed the tableware. Laid on the table were a fork, knife, plate, and napkin.
"What's this?"
She looked as if she had seen something inconceivable, staring at the incomplete dining ware before her as her expression visibly darkened.
Only for Xian, who had come in clutch from the kitchen, to set every missing piece down.
"Hmph."
Soon, tea and an assortment of bread were brought to the table, albeit by an obviously nervous waiter.
Beside him was a man wearing a chef's hat, sporting a long, pointed mustache and a smile full of confidence.
Lucky for Xian, they seemed to realize a big shot had arrived at the restaurant, and the owner was quick on his feet.
"A-ahem, it's my pleasure to have Your Grace in my humble establishment. May I know which lady I will be serving?"
Seeing students in academy uniforms wasn't a rare sight, but the white-and-gold uniform of the Royal Class was akin to a shooting star.
Carmillia remained silent as Xian spoke up.
"This is Lady Carmillia Montagne. We would like your best recommendations during our break."
Meaning, Xian was asking for the best the restaurant could offer in the shortest amount of time.
It was an unreasonable request, but hearing the identity of the lady before him gave the chef quite a scare.
"D-Duke Montagne's...?" The chef swallowed his next words.
"Y-yes, of course! It would be my honor!"
When the chef left in a hurry, Xian sighed in relief, but he did not dare sit nor slacken his posture. As a butler, he could not dine at the same table as his master.
"We rode in an uncomfortable carriage and came to a place like this only to wait for food after sitting down, butler?"
"Is this a form of revenge for the other day, hm? Truly, what an unconventional butler you are."
She flashed Xian a smirk tinged with contempt. Her string of remarks instinctively made Xian check her affection points, fearing they had dropped into crimson.
[Black Heart: 54]
'It's higher?'
Somehow, it hadn't dropped into the crimson heart and was even steadily rising. Which made Xian sigh in relief, the affection score wasn't totally restored but its better than nothing.
'Never mind, at least she's not going to try and kill me. Nor herself.'
Xian poured the tea provided by the waiter into her cup. Its pleasant aroma wafted to his nose, reminding him of floral perfumes.
He carefully added exactly three cubes of sugar, which Carmillia preferred. The reason was from his knowledge of her ridiculous deaths.
Choking on dessert and unsweetened tea.
After that, Carmillia occasionally took a sip and pinched off pieces of bread before taking out a small, familiar booklet and starting to read.
The contents were hidden by her locks of hair from Xian's view, so he couldn't determine their purpose, though he guessed it contained spells Carmillia was studying.
"..."
"..."
'Is this going to be a daily occurrence?'
The silence between them continued, drawing silent gasps from the people around them due to their picturesque appearance.
However, Xian was dying of boredom.
After almost twenty minutes, dishes started pouring in, accompanied by extra tables.
It seemed the chef had successfully followed the request to provide a meal quickly.
Before taking a utensil to eat, Carmillia smirked at Xian once again.
"Tell me, butler... Is this the part where I'm going to eat something that upsets my stomach? Or maybe get poisoned?"
Hearing those words made a nearby staff member shudder in fear, tears forming in his eyes as he ran back to the kitchen.
"... You jest, Milady. I trust the chef here enough to bet my life."
"Hm, is that so? That's amusing. So you're betting my life here, right this moment? You're really..."
Carmillia's words were cut off as she took a piece of meat. It was a small piece of chicken breast, likely quail, seared in some sort of savory sauce and served in several portions.
She curiously stared at the meat and took a small bite.
"Hm..."
Then she frowned, making Xian even more nervous.
But after she took several more bites, Xian's heart eased. She didn't even stop reading.
Her attention shifted to a cup containing an almost bubble-like cream with mushrooms in it. If the mushrooms weren't there, Xian would've thought it was some kind of frappe.
She took a spoonful to taste and went back for several more, discreetly licking her lips.
Xian's heart began to race the same way it did whenever he admired her beauty when he saw that gesture, finding it attractive.
Carmillia felt his gaze, and their eyes met.
"Sit."
"… Milady?"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"But…"
"Or maybe you want to faint from hunger so you can sabotage me and finally leave me alone?"
"… Of course not. Then, pardon me."
In a completely unexpected way, Xian ended up sharing a table with Carmillia, something he had never done as Adrian back in the game.
A sense of joy and accomplishment surged through his heart.
'The Carmillia right now doesn't seem like a villainess, but rather just an ordinary rich girl.'
Afterward, lamb and roasted duck arrived, along with some custard and tartlets.
The moment Xian tasted the food, he knew he'd been right to pick this place. The flavors were simply superb and hard to find a comparison for in his previous life.
Turns out, even a villainess can be silenced by good food.
'This might be the most peaceful time we're going to spend together.'
Xian was fully aware of what Carmillia was like when she went haywire. Well, he had gotten a taste of it just yesterday.
At least, he now knew that he could cherish moments like this as a reward.
Afterward, they took the same carriage back to the academy, much to Carmillia's displeasure.
Neither spoke about the restaurant along the way, but to Xian, the situation had gone better than expected.
'Black Heart: 55. It rose by another point.'
"Next time, there won't be a second chance."
While observing Carmillia, she spoke without looking away from the window, and Xian naturally understood what she meant and silently acknowledged it.
He wasn't fulfilling his duties as a butler befitting her status, neglecting even the arrangements she shouldn't have to concern herself with.
Unfortunately, he genuinely had no clue what he was doing. The household duties he had learned were different from what he was expected to do in the academy.
That was why he needed to stop by a 'certain place'. Even a day or two would be enough to supplement everything he lacked as a butler.
After all, the influence of a servant serving a high-ranking master over other servants was significant.
He didn't need any skills himself. He just had to be good at utilizing the right people for the job and learn along the way.
But that was before the next class began.
Fundamentals of Aura and Mana, where the class gets separated in mage and warrior categories, learning in different training grounds.