39.
The young boy’s eyes reddened with desperately suppressed tears that appeared ready to fall at any moment.
Laiya BlackWinter felt a hint of confusion bubble within the depths of her heart.
For a brief moment, it was if she were looking at a hopeless, beaten up puppy abandoned instead of her fearsome second eldest brother.
It was a bit unfortunate, but with the memories of years worth of mockery and embarrassment at the hands of Stephan, Laiya thought she’d be better off pretending not to notice.
…I, a big person, will overlook your past behavior and give you a moment to yourself.
If she thought back, Roy wasn’t always a friendly black puppy to her from the beginning.
Of course, I will postpone attacking my second brother because his crimes were worse than my third’s lack of attention.
I didn’t forget what you’ve done, Second Brother… I just decided to punish you step by step later.
Laiya BlackWinter looked at the sky in a daze, giving her brother a chance to gather himself, she then lowered her head and looked into the distance.
“There is no one in this world who is not needed.”
Instantly, her second brother, having forgotten his teary red eyes, abruptly raised his head, their shadows stretched out so long behind them that they couldn’t tell whose was whose. Hmm… That shadow of his may be longer than mine.
Nevermind, thanks to the time spent in my past life, I’m much older and taller than my shadow implies.
“Everyone has a place where they can be of use, and I, whom my brother always called chaff, am no different. The same goes for my third brother, whom our second brother ignored and called worthless.”
“…Why are you telling me this?”
“Well, I don’t have a handkerchief for you, so these words are the only thing I can provide. Anyway, the same goes for you.”
In fact, you are a precious person too, brother!
Also, I thought it would be better to say something more full of dreams and hopes. Afterall, it seems like the people in this sweat filled, muscle enthusiastic household would react more to crude words like this.
Sure enough, Stephan, who had only moments ago looked like a drooping silver puppy, slowly raised his head. His eyes held a firmness that had been lacking under his teary gaze.
“What do I need to do to find where I am needed?”
“I don’t know. How would I know that? Each person has to find it all by themselves.”
“…”
Stefan looked disappointed.
Laiya didn’t know why he reacted with such obvious disappointment.
It’s not like she didn’t know his background priorly , she’d found out about it naturally a long time ago, but knowing didn’t change anything.
This family has established an environment where anyone can be hurt, will suffer, or sometimes be ignored for the sake of the ‘genius’ Kyle Blackwinter.
“But look at me. I, whom my brother called ‘chaff,’ did not give up when I was left in abandonment. Now, I believe I’m needed somewhere.”
And I do… I already know where I will be needed. No, I found my need.
“The best way to help yourself is to create a useful position for yourself. If that’s difficult, I’ll help you…. Well, at least just this once.”
Laiya placed her hands domineeringly on her waist.
“The plan I propose must be yours, brother, this will also be according to my plans. So think about it, where do you really need me?”
She received a wordless stare in return.
“Then think about it and let me know when you’ve decided. If you say you’ll do it, I’ll tell you how the rest of the plan will pan out.”
The little girl smiled mischievously.
“Brother, since you were born into this family with talent, live more confidently and don’t be discouraged like a fool. Heh. But instead, you’ve always made fun of me. It’s just funny.”
“Funny? What do you mean?”
“I mean, it’s not like a chaff like me can’t use a sword for the rest of my life.”
“…?”
Her second brother gazed at her, his eyes taking in the form of her soft laughter.
Not only his ears but also the nape of his neck turned red, his face flushed with embarrassment was a rare sight to behold.
“Then we’ll talk later.”
“Hmm, why do you—?”
Laiya’s giggles came to a halt.
Is he very eager to think over our partnership?
It’s good for me, but…
“Are you really going to help me? You might get scolded very harshly if they find out.”
“Huh, would that matter? I’ve already had a hard time getting scolded by father. Would partnering with you make much of a difference to how much I am scolded?”
“Hmm, even if I lose my father’s trust?”
“…”
A moment of hesitation crossed the boy’s face.
Well then, I guess this is difficult.
As Laiya tried to turn around, an urgent hand was placed on her shoulder.
Ugh, that hurts. He still can’t control his strength.
“Careful! You almost fell!”
“Ah… No, wait! Do you really think I’m that weak?!”
“What? That’s not the response you give to someone who just helped you. Who did you learn manners and etiquette from? In times like this, you have to apologize!”
“…”
“That…? You can just compensate with something else!”
Heh, what a twisted personality.
Laiya narrowed her eyes and grudgingly turned to face Stefan.
“So what is your answer?”
“Do it, okay. I’ll do it!”
“…Really? You might lose your father’s trust if you agree.”
“He doesn’t trust me anyway!”
Hmm, what should I do with the second and third child in this family…
At that moment, Laiya felt really sad for the the two brothers.
Not because of her second brother’s last response, but because the trust this guy so desperately wanted would never be given to the second child until he dies.
She knew as much as she’d read the story of her brothers.
Just like it wasn’t given to Roy.
Moreover, my second brother will die at a young age. Like me. He will be alone, and soon forgotten.
Laiya BlackWinter lowered her gaze.
“Okay, brother. Then, I will accept you into my operation. Our fates are now intertwined”
“Really?”
The situation has become strange.
I was definitely trying to lure Stefan willingly to my side—
Thanks to the fact that he came to visit me in person, it actually felt like I came here at his request, right?
…Nevermind. That’s better.
Considering how much you’ve been teasing me, wouldn’t it be nice to pamper you like this?
After working hard for a while…
Well, would you like to help me? So that we can change the story and make it out alive?
“Then it’s a deal, brother.”
Laiya smiled brightly at Stefan.
“First… there is a very important procedure to kick off.”
“W-what is it?”
A brighter smile appeared on the little girl’s face.
“In order to create some trust between us, can you swear on your Dantian and Mana to not betray me?”
After all, I have to make sure there is a guarantee even between family members, right?
***
“Hey, you crazy girl!”
The next day, Laiya began her morning with one ear covered and she frowned.
The cave where she had begun to learn magic was so big that Stefan’s voice ricocheted off the walls, getting louder with each passing second.
Oh, my ears hurt.
I wonder if there is any magic that can make that guy’s voice softer?
[Affirmative, it is possible with training!]
Oh, it’s possible? Then I really want to learn that magic first. Hehehe.
“Would you please follow me quietly, brother? Or do you want me to kick you out?”
“What?”
“Do you want us to get caught and kicked out?”
“…”
Stefan pursed his lips.
However, his face beneath the silver hair was full of dissatisfaction and doubt.
It was only natural since he came to a place he didn’t even know existed in the mansion he lived in since birth.
I felt the same emotions when I first stumbled upon the cave.
Laiya brought Stefan to her magical practice the very next sunrise after their new partnership was made.
And it was only when Laiya entered this place that she told him what she was going to do.
“What is this again?”
A moment later, a look of absurdity appeared on Master’s face when he saw Stefan.
Laiya was embarrassed when her master silently questioned why she had picked up something strange.
The second child in our family is a bit noisy, right?
“He’s my second brother.”
“Yes, I know that from his facial features, but how did this come in?”
“Oh, I see.”
No other people can be brought into this space.
Master said it would probably change later when I grew up, but for the not so distant future, it will remain the same.
…I was definitely planning on talking at the library at first before I brought my second brother here.
After greeting Kalidupen, who was surprised by Stefan’s rare appearance, Laiya brought him towards the portal where magic training was conducted.
She’d previously asked if she could use Ice’s ability to block sound for several minutes so that her brother wouldn’t alert anyone by accident. She didn’t want to bring him to her training cave.
After all, I just wanted to talk to him without anyone listening in.
However, Laiya discovered a surprising fact in front of the hole leading into the training space.
“They say my brother can join because the fairy blood running through his vein is so thick? Let’s go, Ice.”
“Yes? That’s right, the second guy’s house is… DendDrian, yes?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Surprisingly, Ice says that my second brother has strong fairy blood, so he can enter this space!
Of all the brothers, he was the only one with silver hair, so he stood out, but fairy blood played a role in his appearance as well!
I think this was my first time being so surprised by the novel’s missing plots.
“Hmm, definitely, if the fairy blood is dark, there are almost no space restrictions. Fairies do not originally belong to the material world.”
“Don’t talk about difficult things like that so openly, but anyway, he’s the second child in our family.”
Laiya tilted her head briefly.
Stefan gaped in surprise.
Laiya assumed he must have caught on to how much of a treasure this seemingly useless cave is.
Even the magic circle on the floor was shining with a subtle glow, and the teacher in front of her gave off an ethereal light.
He was a handsome young man wearing a wizard’s robe and a staff.
“You can’t fall in love with our teacher, brother.”
“Falling for?! Why would I fall for him? No, answer me! What on earth is this place? Who is that person?”
“Forgive my brother’s rudeness. He seems a little surprised.”
“What are you… that doesn’t matter.”
Even as Master nonchalantly commented, he grinned and levitated Stefan in the air.
Ah, you’re smiling, but the sarcasm is evident in your words Master.
If you look at it like this, you have a deep mind.
“This guy doesn’t look like your second brother. Rather, he looks a bit like that guy Kronos…”
“Lord DenDrian? No, he looks just like my mother.”
“Hmm, no, he looks similar to that guy Kronos.”
“Well, if you say so, that’s what it is… I think my brother has turned ashy, Master.”
Wouldn’t it be better to explain now?
Laiya looked at Stefan and slowly explained briefly about this space.
She found this space by chance, and she only received basic magic lessons from her teacher.
Laiya didn’t bother to say that she had great magical talent or that she could use any kind of magic.
Master frowned but did not intervene, instead, he chose to respect her silence.
“Ha? Our grandfather’s close friend?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Ah… Excuse me?”
Her brother questioned with a frown.
“Huh, this is the first time I’ve seen such a bold retort since my little student. I guess you have the spirit?”
Master lifted his finger, and Stefan fell to the floor.
Still, perhaps because he had learned something, he didn’t fall unsightly and instead used a trick of breaking his fall and landing on his feet.
Damn, I’m jealous. I fell on my ass!
“So why did you bring this guy here?”
She was able to understand her master’s hidden question.
Even if I knew he could come here, there was no need to bring him here.
“This is an operation to infiltrate grandfather’s room. He is a colleague who will carry out the operation with me. So, I came to say hello because I need your help, Master. The other one probably won’t get in here.”
“Ah, I see. Then perhaps this is the tool to end that incident?”
“Are we calling people tools now? Yes, he is a very useful tool.”
“Who’s the tool!”
Laiya grinned.
“Don’t worry, brother. Master sees me as a tool too.”
