Leyang didn’t hesitate to strip Chester Baroli’s shirt off. The latter instinctively hugged himself. Seeing the patches of bruises covering his body—some still fresh—Leyang was slightly taken aback. This was clearly the work of a brutal beating.

And the attacker was clever. They’d avoided his face and other visible spots, targeting only areas hidden by clothing. Unless Chester Baroli spoke up, no one would notice a thing.

“Don’t look… wah-wah-wah…”

“What’s with the crying? Put your shirt back on.”

“You… you weren’t going to beat me?”

“Why would I? You never provoked me. Hurry up and cover yourself. Running around half-naked is disgraceful.”

“But you were the one who—”

“Hm?”

“I’ll put it on right now!”

Haunted by their last encounter, Chester Baroli still feared Leyang. He scrambled to dress, hiding the bruises beneath his clothes.

“Who did this?”

After a pause, Leyang asked quietly.

“Huh?”

Chester Baroli looked confused.

“I asked who gave you those injuries. Aren’t you from the Chester family? A viscount’s son, humiliated like this without a word? You’re pathetic.”

Leyang didn’t mince words.

“What do you know about me?! I don’t want to be bullied either, wah…”

Chester Baroli shouted, his voice growing weaker until tears threatened again.

“Suck those tears back in. Tell me what happened. Someone’s bold enough to target Class A?”

Leyang shot him a glare. The tears vanished instantly.

“It’s my twin brother, Chester Owen. I’m the Chester family’s second son. Since childhood, he’s outshone me in everything… and loved bullying me. Stealing my things. He’s fiercely proud. After the placement test—I made Class A, he got Class B—he’s tormented me daily. These bruises? His doing. And his friends’. I can’t take it anymore.”

Baroli clutched his head, looking on the verge of a breakdown.

“Did you tell your family?”

“At first, I did. But they always took his side. Called me childish. Then he only got worse. What could I do?”

Family violence. So even nobles weren’t spared. Under their system, privileges and affection flowed to the eldest son. Others got scraps. Chester Baroli’s plight was likely common.

“Want revenge?”

*Sigh… He’s Class A. My class. As deputy monitor, I can’t ignore this.*

“Revenge? H-how?”

Baroli froze at the question.

“Simple. I’ll help. You said they come for you every day?”

“Y-yes.”

“Here?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“A-after school.”

“Got it. Act like a man. Stop sniveling. Go rest. Tomorrow, I’ll handle it. They won’t dare touch you again.”

Leyang gently patted Baroli’s shoulder.

“Why help me? After what I did yesterday…”

Chester Baroli stared at him, hesitant.

“Because I’m Class A’s deputy monitor. And you’re under my protection. Understood?”

Leyang waved him off and strode out of Kamila Noble Academy, avoiding Baroli’s gaze.

Leyang staked out the same spot all night. Still nothing. Two days straight, and the damn underwear thief hadn’t shown. Had he stolen enough lingerie to retire from his “career”?

His body stiff from sitting, he returned to Kamila Noble Academy at dawn.

In Class A, Leyang’s eyes flicked to Chester Baroli’s seat. The boy had arrived early, his expression unchanged.

“Good morning, Lord Leyang.”

“Good morning, Leyang-sama.”

“Morning, Phoenix. Morning, Princess Lumei.”

Leyang slid into his seat. Before Soya Jemi arrived, he needed to brief Phoenix and Princess Lumei about Baroli. To truly stop the bullying, Lumei’s status was key. Violence was risky—academy punishment loomed.

“Phoenix, Princess Lumei. Lean in. I need to tell you something.”

“Hmm? What’s so secretive?”

After Leyang finished, both girls fell silent.

“Is this confirmed?” Lumei whispered.

“I saw Baroli’s injuries myself yesterday. And today, we’ll catch them red-handed.” Leyang nodded.

“How could brothers do this?” Phoenix’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Noble brotherhood isn’t as pure as you think, Phoenix.” Leyang’s tone was grave.

“The same poison runs through royal blood,” Lumei murmured, her voice heavy with understanding.

“We should inform Mentor Jemi. She’d never tolerate this.” Lumei suggested.

“Tell the mentor? And then what? The academy will call it a ‘Chester family matter.’ At best, they’ll expel both brothers. Baroli’s life would be ruined. That’s not help—it’s a death sentence.” Leyang shot Lumei a look. *Was she really this clueless? Or did she not care about her own class?*

Lumei’s cheeks flushed. She fell silent. Her suggestion *had* been reckless.

“So… we won’t tell Mentor Jemi?”

“We will. But not yet. We’re defending Class A’s honor. If trouble comes later? We’ll face it.”

“Understood. We’ll follow your lead.”