Chapter Three: Return to White Emperor

Chapter Three: Return to the White Emperor

Three days later, beneath the grand walls of White Stone City, Shuster, still frail, walked slowly into the city with Sakuya's support. Along the way, Sakuya’s elegance and Shuster’s current sickly beauty drew countless admiring glances. Yet no one dared lay a hand on them. Don’t ask why—hadn’t you seen those few men writhing on the ground, clutching themselves in agony behind them? Those fools had attempted to harass them, only for a flash of silver to pierce the air—each of them left with a silver throwing knife lodged in their groin. The scene was nothing short of gory.

“Sakuya, weren’t you a bit too harsh? They were probably just a few spoiled brats—you could have just taught them a lesson,” Shuster said as they walked.

“Master, who knows how many people those villains have hurt? This is justice for the common folk,” Sakuya replied.

“Fine, do as you please.” Shuster found himself powerless against the head maid, always acquiescing to her demands.

“Please present your identification, or we will consider you as forcibly causing a disturbance at White Emperor Academy,” the two fifth-tier guards at the academy gate blocked their path.

“This is my student pass. May we enter now?” Shuster produced his student ID, which Sakuya handed over.

“Hmm… Shuster! Lord Shuster, our apologies, we were in the wrong!” The guards, upon seeing his ID, immediately returned it with both hands and let them through.

“Master, where to now?” Sakuya asked, still supporting him.

“Hm… let’s see the vice principal first. I want to visit my teacher,” Shuster decided after a moment’s thought.

A knock sounded. “Come in!” creaked a voice. Shuster pushed open the door and called, “Professor Jasenki, I’m back!”

“Hm? Shuster… What happened to you? Who did this?” Professor Jasenki, startled by Shuster’s appearance, hurried over to examine him, while Sakuya debated whether or not to draw her blade.

“Shuster, did you use some forbidden curse? Your magic source is badly damaged! With injuries like this, an ordinary person would be unable to use magic for a year at best, or become a cripple for life!” Jasenki exclaimed, deeply agitated.

“Don’t worry, Professor. I’ll recover in a month,” Shuster reassured him.

“That’s good, that’s good. And who is she?” Now calmed by this answer, Jasenki finally noticed Sakuya standing quietly by.

“She’s my—” Shuster began.

“I am Sakuya Izayoi, head maid to Master Shuster,” Sakuya introduced herself with a curtsey.

“Sakuya, is it? I have a feeling you could kill me in an instant…” Jasenki said gravely.

“Haha, Professor, your intuition is quite sharp!” Shuster couldn’t help but agree.

“Any enemy who stands in my master’s way shall be destroyed,” Sakuya declared, for reasons unknown.

“Well, you two must be tired from your journey. Go rest and recover,” Jasenki said with a gentle smile.

“Thank you, Professor. We’ll take our leave,” Shuster nodded and departed.

“Heh, interesting. Was that a threat?” Jasenki muttered to himself as they left.

—Scene Transition—

“What happened here? This villa is spotless!” Shuster stared in surprise at the immaculate house.

“Master, I just finished cleaning. Please, come in,” Sakuya said, placing a broom—who knows from where—by the door.

“I always forget how capable you are, my all-purpose maid. Let’s go inside,” Shuster said, covering his face.

“Huh? Why is no one inside?” he wondered aloud.

“Master, classes are still in session,” Sakuya answered, materializing behind him as if by magic. Shuster had grown used to her sudden appearances.

“Ah, I forgot. Well, I’m going back to bed. I haven’t slept well in days,” Shuster yawned adorably, summoned a set of pajamas, and retreated to his room.

Thus, afternoon arrived.

Shuster, enjoying a good sleep, was startled awake by a commotion downstairs. Rubbing his eyes, he wandered groggily into the hall—only to find Catherine, Somia, Emiru, and the others facing off with Sakuya, tension crackling in the air.

“What’s going on?” Shuster asked calmly, oblivious to the shirt that had slipped from his shoulders.

A chorus of startled exclamations erupted.

“Hm? What’s wrong? Why is it chilly in here?” Shuster remained oblivious.

“Master, your shirt has fallen off!” Sakuya said, covering her nose as a mysterious red liquid began to trickle between her fingers.

“Hm? Oh! Um, is something the matter? Is it too hot today?” Shuster asked as he put his shirt back on, noticing the women’s noses bleeding. Still innocently, he continued, “Is the weather too much for you all?”

“Yes, it’s far too hot—I’d best go cool off!” Sakuya, quickest to recover, immediately stopped time and vanished.

“We’ll go too!” The other three women dashed out the door after her.

“Eh? Oh well. I’ll ask Sakuya to make something light for dinner. I’d better visit the restroom,” Shuster said, stepping over Tong Hammer and Kavin, who had fainted after catching sight of his bare torso.

Five minutes later…

At the dinner table, everyone sat red-faced, attacking their meals in silence, hoping to eat away the awkwardness. But the unspoken tension only made the atmosphere more bizarre.

“I’m full. I’ll head back now,” Shuster, unable to endure the awkwardness, quickly finished his food and stood to leave. Now fully awake, he realized what he’d just done. Though he’d resolved the earlier standoff, he’d likely ruined their impression of him. At that moment, Shuster cursed his post-nap confusion.

“I’m done too! Excuse me!” Catherine, forgoing royal etiquette, ate as quickly as she could and followed suit.

The others soon excused themselves as well. Sakuya, watching them go, activated her time magic; in the blink of an eye, the table was spotless.

And so, this strange day came to an end.

The next morning, Shuster emerged with Sakuya’s support.

“Good morning, everyone!” he greeted the others in the hall.

“Brother, care to explain?” Catherine cut straight to the point, finally addressing the topic left unsaid amid yesterday’s awkwardness.

“To put it simply, this is Sakuya Izayoi, my head maid from the family,” Shuster replied awkwardly.

“Maid… a maid…” Catherine and the others looked at him as if he were some sort of beast.

“Hey, what’s with those looks? Don’t get the wrong idea—we’re just master and servant! I’ll knock some sense into you!” Shuster said, delivering a chop to each of their heads.

“You already have!” the three—Catherine, Somia, and Emiru—replied, rubbing their heads.

“Our relationship is perfectly pure, so don’t get any strange ideas. Now go study. Sakuya, you don’t have to support me anymore. In a few days, I’ll be able to walk normally.”

“Master, you’re still very weak and can’t go far on your own. Without me by your side, you’re not to stray too far, understood?” Sakuya insisted.

“I know. With my current strength, I wouldn’t dare go out alone here without you as company,” Shuster replied, chuckling at the thought.

“Wait, brother, you’re injured?” Catherine asked anxiously.

“Yes! Brother, you’re hurt? Who did this?” Somia cried, panic in her voice.

“Shuster, don’t keep things from us,” Emiru said, casting a nature spell to check his condition.

“Looks like Emiru knows everything. You can ask her,” Shuster said awkwardly. Was his injury really so shocking?

“Shuster’s condition is dire—his core once collapsed, and is now slowly reassembling itself. At present, he’s weaker than a normal person, walking with difficulty, and his magical source is severely damaged. He’s back to tier three, beginner level…” Emiru reported gravely.

“No way…” Catherine trembled.

“How terrifying…” Somia could hardly take it in.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine in a month,” Shuster said nonchalantly.

“Then we’re relieved. Please, focus on your recovery and get well soon,” Catherine said with a sigh.

“By the way, Catherine, do you have any information on the other academies for this upcoming war?” Shuster suddenly asked.

PS: Just consider the extra chapter a little joke!