Summoned and Unwanted

“Then...”

Aceon nodded. “Yes, it is as you both are thinking. Duchess Karta became his student and returned after awakening, advancing to a Witch Class. ”

“Duchess Karta later mastered the elemental flow of mana and became compatible with three total elements, awaking to advance to the Sage Class.”

Lilith peeked at Vincent and felt embarrassed she didn’t know much about the kingdom she had lived all her life in.

“I only knew that royal guards were strong enough to keep us safe. I don’t know how many there nor their strength.” She said in a saddened voice.

“I stopped caring about those who protect everyone because they never tried to save me. ” Lilith spoke words showing how she should dislike or even hate Karta as it didn’t make sense to have suffered for ten years when someone as strong as Karta was around.

However, on Lilith’s face wasn’t an expression of hate, distaste, or annoyance. Instead, she lifted her gaze to look at the sky with a sparkle in her eyes.

“Even though I should hate how the strongest mage that could wipe the Blackheart family in less than a day never saved me, I have met the man who gave me a new and eventful life because she didn’t save me.”

.....

Lilith looked at Vincent and noticed how he looked worried she was feeling down because of her past. Lilith held Vincent’s hand and said with a warm smile, “It seems that even the strongest frogs at the bottom of the well can never see everything. We can never be alone.”

“How romantic. ” Tiffi said with her cheeks lightly red. “My savior and his wife think alike. I hope I can find a man like...”

“Nonsense, my sweet Tiffi. You are too young to find a man.” Aceon interrupted. He acted as if he wasn’t ready to see his daughter leave his side yet.

Vincent and Lilith chuckled while Aceon and Tiffi chatted as if the previous event had faded from their minds. The unhappy and stressful mood was overshadowed by the appearance of the royal guard Karta and her unique personality, with each word not difficult to comprehend if she was being serious or joking.

The fresh peace of mind returned to the four beside the wood gazebo. It allowed them to chat casually about the academy and become friendly enough to stop using titles in front of their names.

[This mana is familair. Oh, I can see Maria coming closer. The others must have returned as well. Time feels slow when being in front of an unpredictable woman like Karta.]

“I would like to introduce a great and wonderful teacher from the academy.” Vincent looked at the woman approaching them and continued, “The graceful woman using ice magic to offer aid is Maria.”

Maria arrived while Vincent was introducing her to the two nobles sitting in front of them. “I thought something happened when I felt mana being used four consecutive times.”

Maria looked around and continued, “I can only feel the mana presence of ordinary unrefined mana now. It was so pure that I could distinguish it wasn’t here anymore. It seems the person using the mana has regrettably left. I wanted to meet a person stronger than teacher Darwin.”

“Ahem!” Vincent loudly cleared his throat. “Please do not feel disrespected if teacher Maria didn’t greet you back.”

“We don’t mind.” Aceon responded. He looked at Maria and continued with a friendly smile, “Thank you for helping us. I am Viscount Aceon Ponalis, and this is my sweet daughter, Tiffi Ponalis.”

“At least these nobles have manners, unlike the usual ones I see. ” Maria said with her arms crossed.

Vincent, Lilith, and Kazumi felt anxious to hear Maria talking to Aceon and Tiffi as if she was talking to the students. However, Aceon didn’t look bothered. Instead, he looked at Maria curiously.

“Did you say Lord Darwin is your teacher? Are you the girl... I mean, woman that he took in as his only student?” Asked Aceon.

“Yes.” Maria briefly answered.

“You look interested in teacher Maria. Is it because of Tiffi?” Asked Vincent casually now that the two had become closer.

*Sigh* “Vincent. Why do I feel like I am being sold...”

“Teacher Maria can help Tiffi learn about the basics of mana flow and control.” Vincent interrupted.

“Wonderful suggestion Vincent.” Aceon looked at Maria with a warm smile and continued, “Thank you Maria, disciple of Lord Darwin, for helping my daughter.”

*Sigh* “What do you mean? I haven’t accepted...”

“Thank you very much, teacher Maria. I will do my best not to let you down. I will master controlling my mana and never lose to my Flame Sigil spell ever again.” Tiffi interrupted cheerfully as if Maria had accepted teaching her.

Maria didn’t sigh this time. Instead, Maria looked at the four sitting in front of her with a baffled expression. She couldn’t believe she had accepted a side job without saying yes.

Tiffi stood up and approached Maria. She suddenly hugged Maria and happily said, “I will not let teacher Maria down.”

Vincent noticed Maria make the same puzzled expression Ester previously made when Tiffi became childish from her cheerful mood.

[I think we should leave these two together now that Aceon and Tiffi are feeling better after what happened.]

-I agree.-

“It looks like we are interrupting the lesson. ” Vincent said. He looked at Aceon and continued, “How about we check on the others? I also want to introduce you to my wives.”

“Sure.”

“But... but...” Maria tried to complain, yet her words entered from one side and left from the other instantly.

Maria soon saw Vincent, Lilith, and Aceon leave her alone with Tiffi’s hug holding her in a place like a chain. She felt terrible pushing Tiffi away after what happened.

*Sigh* “Why are you this insistent? How can a frightened person enter into a peaceful state of mind if their thoughts are restless?”

“I met mother Karta, and she made me feel better. I also wanted to see mother Karta for a long time.”

*Sigh *”I saw you shiver not too long ago. How can you change your emotions so quickly?

“Hehe, teacher Maria is silly. I have another magic teacher, and I feel too happy to be sad and afraid.”

Maria frowned. *Sigh* “I am your second teacher, then?” She didn’t like being the second teacher when she felt forced to accept.

“Yes. Teacher Ester is my...”

“Ester Lionheart? She is my student.” Maria interrupted.

“That means I am your first teacher and only teacher. Ester will be learning with magic you instead as my fellow student. If she helps you, she will help as a fellow student. Got it?” Maria demanded.

“... okay...” Tiffi responded. She felt it was better to say yes. Ester could be her teacher when Maria wasn’t around.

Vincent, Lilith, and Aceon approached the room where the two injured butlers were resting. They shortly saw Sofy leaving the room and the two royal soldier healers following her.

The first thing Aceon did was to ask how the two butlers were doing. He hoped there was no need for more treatment in the future.

The two royal soldiers informed how the first aid the butlers received was better than they expected an unlicensed non-human herbalist could offer.

The butlers didn’t need too much healing because of the first aid. It meant they would be less tired and wake up tomorrow morning instead of the evening or the following day.

After explaining the good news, Sofy led the two royal soldiers outside.

“What does race have to do with being a good herbalist? Iris is better than them.” Vincent complained after the royal soldiers left.

Vincent had to keep his tongue in check because they were royal soldiers working for Duchess Karta. Additionally, Vincent didn’t want any more trouble today.

[Yeah. Those two think too highly of themselves.] Kazumi agreed.

“I am also feeling unhappy those two didn’t treat my sister as a person.” Lilith also complained.

‘The comment was really inappropriate. I will tell Duchess Karta to inform her two soldiers how Iris is a noble and not an ordinary intelligent hob-goblin.’ Acone planned while entering the room.

Inside the room were the two butlers peacefully sleeping and the old maid sleeping on a sofa chair. On each of the old maid’s thighs sat two little maid girls sleeping on her.

Aceon remembered how Tiffi used to like sleeping on the old maid like the two little girls. This might be why the old maid could sleep peacefully after what happened.

“Everyone is healed, Lord Aceon.” Reported Iris.

“Please only call me Aceon, and I will only call you Iris instead of Lady Iris or Lady Saviour.”

Iris became surprised to hear Aceon speak so friendly and also act as if nothing terrible had happened today. Iris moved her gaze and saw Vincent and Lilith enter the room.

“Good day, Aceon. I am Iris, Vincent’s wife. I am delighted to make your acquaintance.” Iris greeted properly after she asked Lilith to teach how to greet people properly.

Iris smiled and relieved her cute dimples when Lilith gave her the thumbs up, meaning she did great. She moved out of the way and went beside Vincent and Lilith.

“You did great.” Vincent and Lilith said with low voices.

“I felt less anxious because little Clara and Beth remained with me. ” Iris responded with a low voice.

After spending a few minutes in the room, Vincent, Iris, Lilith, and Aceon went upstairs.

When Aceon entered the bedroom, he didn’t think he would meet a woman of the demon race taller than everyone and fitter than him. He felt intimated at first glance.