Was it because I hadn’t shown off in front of girls for so long? Or because I’d suddenly become the center of attention? As I was teaching a few delinquents a lesson, I couldn’t help but feel my face growing warm.
“Academy Rule Number One: As the future blossoms of Rosric, any criminal act shall be punished doubly.”
After seeing their “young master” knocked out by a wine bottle, the remaining three lackeys charged at me fiercely.
But this threat was nothing compared to my dad’s “loving iron fist.”
Quickly, I twisted one guy’s arm, pinned it behind his back, and slammed him to the ground.
“Aren’t you even worse than foxtail grass?”
The loud commotion, overturned tables and chairs, and spilled drinks finally caught other patrons’ attention. Even the proprietress came over at the sound.
But she didn’t try to stop me. Instead, she handed a glass of juice to Beren, who stood dazed to the side.
“How nice to have a man who acts on impulse to protect you. Ah~ Youth is wonderful.”
“Hey! Madam, don’t say weird things!”
And Beren, stop blushing! Where’s your “noble dignity” as an Elder Elf!?
Ahhh! Why am I blushing a little too?
Hmph, blushing? No way! It must be the remaining two delinquents provoking me!
I shot them a fierce glare, then slowly walked over, fists clenched, accompanied by their wails of pain.
Soon, hoarse male wails echoed through the brothel.
…
Several dozen minutes later, outside the brothel.
Facing the academy’s discipline officers who’d come to “assist,” I dragged the four delinquents—tied up like dumplings—one by one before them.
“That’s all of them. For now, take them to the academy’s penitence room to reflect properly on their violations.”
I tugged at my collar and glanced at Beren beside me, wearing my coat over her shoulders.
The night air was already chilly, and this elf seemed badly shaken by the “human attack” incident. She still hadn’t snapped out of it.
“Understood!”
The academy’s discipline teacher glanced at Beren and held back his words.
“No, but one of them seems injured?”
“Ah… about that.”
I looked at the “young master” who led them.
Back in the brothel, I hadn’t done anything too excessive to these delinquents. Pure violence is wrong, so I’d only used “righteous joint locks” to make them scream a few times.
As for why the young master’s head was bandaged… hahaha…
“He attacked Teacher Beren, hahaha, so I just lightly tapped his head with a wine bottle.”
Right! I had perfect control—I only broke the skin.
As a gentlemanly, excellent Hero, how could I do something like that cliché “touch my woman, and I’ll wipe out your family” thing? Hahaha…
So…
“Teacher, you should head back first. The royal palace will explain everything later.”
I watched as the academy’s discipline teacher and other staff dragged away the four human dumplings.
…
“Hah… this is troublesome.”
Only after their figures vanished completely into the night did I start sighing heavily.
Because of a moment of excitement, I accidentally bashed a noble young master’s head—how could I even explain that? Tomorrow, I’ll quickly consult my grandfather about how to clean this up. Anyway, it was that kid’s fault.
I turned to look at Beren walking beside me.
Today’s discipline inspection could be called “highly successful,” yet this elf didn’t seem happy at all.
She stared intently at her own arm that had been touched, lost in thought about something.
Was it a purity complex? I knew some girls were extremely concerned about their reputation and chastity…
Well, washing up at home should solve it.
“As expected, I’ll amputate it tonight…”
“Hey! Wait a minute…”
Correction to my earlier words—this elf’s obsession with “discipline” was truly terrifying.
…
In the end, worried that Beren might actually do something “foolish,” I decided to escort her back to the teachers’ dormitory.
Perhaps the cold night wind finally cleared this elf’s head. By the latter part of the walk, Beren’s expression had softened considerably.
“Um… sorry for, for troubling you.”
Not just her expression—even her attitude seemed softer.
“No problem. Protecting you was my duty anyway. And back then, I left suddenly without thinking—it was my negligence.”
Besides, how many men would dislike protecting a girl?
Just as I was wondering if the atmosphere was too awkward and if I should slip away early, the elf beside me abruptly asked,
“Th-that! Are your parents still alive!?”
Beren pulled my coat tighter around her, body stiff as a board. “Wh-what are their criteria for choosing a son-in-law!?”
Hey, why are you asking questions only asked during matchmaking?
I thought about it but didn’t dare say “the more the better” out loud.
“Do you… do you dislike females of races other than humans?”
Nervous Beren was stumbling over her words.
I suddenly remembered what the enchanting proprietress had said to me back in the brothel.
[That elf likes you]
Right. Though I couldn’t recall anything “caring butler Alisha Da” had done to win Beren’s favor, this scene looked exactly like Beren was beating around the bush for a “confession.”
Obscure and dragging her feet—it fit Beren’s troublesome personality. But annoyingly, I couldn’t muster the thought to “run away.”
“Not at all.”
No sooner had the words left my mouth than Beren beside me excitedly jumped up.
Then she started muttering softly things like “Beren, you can do it,” “Queen’s blessing,” “Mother’s protection.”
Your mother would probably kill you if she knew you liked a human man.
“Th-then what about elves? Though this elf is a bit rigid… unromantic, clueless about life’s pleasures… and has been single for many years without marrying… sniffle…”
Alright, alright Beren, stop self-destructing.
Suddenly, she took a deep breath and spread her arms to block my path.
Behind her was the academy’s faculty dormitory—this must be her last “chance.”
“I… I don’t… don’t dislike you. Th-though I might be very… old, and not as cute as other elves, I’m still a genuine virgin, you know!?”
In her excitement, Beren probably didn’t even know what she was saying.
But that last sentence came out crystal clear.
A heartfelt confession that gave me the biggest headache.
“So, c-c-could you… try dating me?”
