A Story That Becomes Someone's Nightmare -1-

Ruin was glaring at Hanna.

"What did you say?"

His blood boiled at the sight of the insolent junior standing there with her hands behind her back, looking up at him so brazenly. Now that's a stark comparison, huh? He couldn't just brush off her words comparing him to Ricardo. No matter how much he'd lost the foundation of his talent, he didn't think he was inferior to that guy in any way—personality, kindness, nothing. Grinding his teeth, Ruin spat back at the cheeky underclassman.

"Compare apples to apples, you little shit."

Hanna stared straight at Ruin. She gazed blankly at his face for a moment before bursting into laughter with a "Pfft!" Ruin clenched his fist.

"Puhaha! Ahahaha...! Ha... Senior, you say the funniest things. You could be a stand-up comedian. 'Compare apples to apples'? I nearly died laughing."

Ruin's lips were pressed tight, his expression plain as day to Hanna, who was a head shorter than him. She kept leaking snickers despite trying to hold back the rising anger, the fury that looked ready to explode at any second.

Hanna tilted her head with a sly smile. "Right?"

"..."

"It's hilarious to me."

"Shut your mouth."

"Oh? Telling your junior to shut up? Scary..."

Hanna covered her mouth in mock surprise. Behind her hand, a mocking sneer bloomed. Ruin could guess as much, grinding his teeth as he glared daggers at her.

Hanna met his murderous eyes head-on. "What? Wanna try me?"

With those short, blunt words, a faint brown aura flickered at her fingertips. Ruin shut his mouth like a mute drenched in honey.

"See? All talk."

Hanna spoke straight to Ruin, who was blocking the hallway. "Move. You're in the way."

Thud. As she brushed past his shoulder, Ruin slumped against the corridor wall like he'd collapsed. Stroking his face with dry hands, he stayed frozen in place for a long while.

*

Another peaceful day at the young lady's mansion.

"Hee hee hee! Fetch!"

-Groooowl!

"Eek! Don't bite me—go get the ball!"

-Gom?

The young lady playing in the yard with the massively bulked-up Gomtangi was venting at the dog who seemed intent on swallowing her head instead of the ball, thoroughly enjoying life.

"Eeeeek! Ricardo, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he's eating me!"

-Groooowl!

"Hiet...! No slobbering!"

I couldn't help but smile at the young lady's eco-friendly hands-on experience of nature's harsh laws. Thanks to Gomtangi keeping her occupied, I had more free time these days. Rocking in my chair, I leisurely watched her antics.

Is this the life of the successful?

"Guess I should pick up a toy for Gomtangi next time I head to town."

The rubber ball, covered in savage bite marks, had long outlived its purpose. Smiling at the barely intact ball, I sipped the tea on the table. Savoring the warm leaf aroma spreading through me, I gazed at the swaying branches and said,

"Hans, why don't you sit? Must be boring standing there alone."

Caught mid-invisibility, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Hans flinched, dropping the pen in his hand as he stared at me in surprise.

"Is my invisibility spell that pathetic?"

He looked genuinely shocked, speaking in a flustered tone.

Invisibility magic. It was heavily influenced by proficiency, but Hans's wasn't amateurish. I was just more sensitive than most, and thanks to Tirving's effects, I had sharp senses. In fact, Hans's spell was top-tier—good enough to fool even an archbishop.

I shook my head, answering his question. "No, it's me being weird."

"But still..."

"Hm?"

"Nothing."

Hans glanced at the young lady, shook his head to clear his thoughts, and muttered, Probably just coincidence.

Creak. As he sat in the chair, I tossed him a question. "What were you up to?"

"Oh, jotting down some needed supplies."

"Huh? Didn't I set you up in the annex? It's in the mountains, but it has everything for daily life."

Hans hopped down from the tree and sat beside me, handing over his notepad without hesitation.

"It's not for me..."

Smiling, I leisurely read the notepad he offered.

Not items for himself, but a densely packed list of mansion needs. His notepad, filled during times when the place was empty, brimmed with info that could pass for a steward's log— which lights were out, what was needed, even offhand mutterings he'd overheard and planned to fetch. At his calculated flattery, I burst out laughing.

"Why note stuff like this?"

"Felt antsy doing nothing."

"No need. It's my job."

"No, if it's a bother, I'll stop, but I wanted to help somehow..."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Seeing his solemn bow of apology, I waved him off to calm him. "No, it's actually a huge help, but I feel bad about it..."

His face lit up at the words, and he tucked the notepad away, saying like a fresh grad, "Then I'll keep at it."

Feels like I'm the sleazy boss not paying wages. Awkward smile at his unmatched enthusiasm, I steered to a productive topic.

"Speaking of, how's the academy faring?"

"Ah..."

Hans scratched his head sheepishly. "Worst it's been."

"What?"

"Public sentiment's sour, student council trust is in the gutter."

"That bad?"

I'd asked Hans a tough favor. With me guarding the mansion, he could slip away to scout academy trends. With Ruin's fall, the story needed watching—eyes on the ground were essential. Nodding along to his report,

"So the planned 'Orc Subjugation' assignment's canceled?"

"No, orc numbers surged near Hamel lately, so it'll double as training and extermination. They're upping security."

"Hm..."

No big story changes. I'd worried Ruin's absence would derail things, but it seemed fine. Time would tell, but no major incidents yet, and no Ruin-centric events. Plus, Hans would fill his shoes. Nodding, I thanked him for the hard work.

After his long report, Hans mentioned security. "And regarding this assignment, the student council floated a proposal."

"Proposal?"

"Yes."

Impressed by my capable errand boy, I nodded. Hans said calmly,

"Princess Shartia suggested something..."

"Suggested?"

"Well."

Hans pried open his reluctant lips carefully. What came out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was unexpected.

"They're pushing Malik Histania as the leader."

"What?"

"I was baffled too, but Hanna and Princess Shartia proposed it."

"Hm... Is that necessary?"

Hans shrugged. "Academy mood's toxic right now. They need a reliable powerhouse."

"But why Malik? Guy's swamped."

"He handled that incident as a knight, Histania name carries trust. And, not to brag, but cases like me prove it."

"Ah... Fair."

Hans smiled awkwardly, bowing his head. "Anyway, we can worry later."

Malik had solid skills, no shortcomings as leader. As we emptied our teacups,

Hans eyed me, pulling a glowing orb from his pocket. Awkwardly, he broached the awkward topic. "What to do with this...?"

Handing over the magic he'd stolen from Ruin, his gesture was pure loyalist. "Better deal with it quick, right?"

Return to Ruin or absorb? I shrugged, opting to hold off. "Leave it be for now."

"Huh?"

His face fell. "What if he learns black magic like me?"

I chuckled, waving it off. "Think he will?"

"Honestly... yeah."

"Hm, I don't. Let him suffer."

Smirking at the image of his shrunken Green Generation head at the academy,

"Even if he picks up black magic, no biggie."

"What do you mean...?"

I eyed Hans—this was his expertise. He'd get my drift. "From a black magic expert's view, Ruin's talent?"

"..."

"See?"

Yawning lazily with a grin. "Even if he goes dark, you block him."

"...Demon?"

"Nah, villain."

Grinning at Hans. "Boring?"

"..."

He smiled openly. "No."

*

And I...

"Long time no see, butler!"

Got shipped here instead of Malik.

Fuck.