BXBX NOVEL Chapter 20 – Shopping (3)
There is a peculiar trait among the people of the Vermont family, almost like a hereditary disease.
When they experience intense anger, an overwhelming killing intent emanates from them.
Typically, such a killing aura would only be visible when one uses mana infused with strong emotions, but for them, it just bursts out of their bodies involuntarily.
It doesn’t matter if they suppress their anger or let it fester inside.
Whether they want it or not, just feeling anger is enough to release the killing intent.
Because of this, members of the Vermont family often found themselves ostracized, unable to fit into social settings.
But Aslan was an exception.
The reason was that Aslan would lash out irritably even before he felt true anger.
Like a scared Chihuahua, he would throw a tantrum at the slightest provocation, leaving no room for actual anger to build up.
Hence, Aslan was a peculiar existence in many ways.
He was always angry, but no one feared him.
They merely saw him as a bad-tempered dog. Aslan was hated by many but feared by none.
He was such a lightweight human that he had never experienced true anger.
Sylvia witnessed it for the first time today—Aslan Vermont exuding a killing aura.
“Mister, mister!”
“…?”
“Stand guard for a bit!”
“Guard?”
The signs were there from the beginning.
Charlotte and Julia darted to the bakery, dividing tasks with practiced ease.
Julia kept watch while Charlotte grabbed the bread, returning triumphantly like a lioness after a successful hunt.
But what greeted them was a faint yet unmistakable killing aura from Aslan.
“Here! Eat up!”
“…”
“Huh?”
Although it was much weaker than the explosive killing aura Irene could unleash, it was still there, and it was enough to freeze Sylvia in place.
If even Sylvia was this startled, how much more would the kids be affected?
They might not know what a killing aura was, but they could feel it.
The laughter disappeared from their faces, and they began to tremble.
“You know what you did wrong, right?”
“Only giving you one piece of bread…?”
“…”
Charlotte mustered the courage to offer both pieces of bread.
At that moment, the killing aura dissipated in an instant.
His anger… subsided?
Aslan chuckled.
The killing aura was gone, but his chilling smile sent shivers down their spines.
“You dare to steal under my watch? This is an insult to me and a disgrace to the Vermont name.”
“Ah! I’m sorry… I didn’t know…”
“I-I’m sorry…”
The two children immediately bowed their heads in apology.
Despite their lack of formal education, they seemed well-versed in the act of apologizing.
Aslan sighed deeply, bent down to meet the children’s eyes.
Startled by Aslan’s reddish eyes, Charlotte and Julia hiccupped.
Despite seeing them for days, they still weren’t used to that gaze.
“So, why shouldn’t you steal?”
“For mister’s… for Aslan’s honor…”
“We shouldn’t damage your dignity…”
“I see you’ve made a mistake. My honor is my concern. What you should care about is your own dignity.”
The children tilted their heads in confusion.
Aslan suppressed a laugh and continued with a stern expression.
“I don’t care if you steal as long as it doesn’t affect me. But from now on, think about whether stealing tarnishes your soul, your dignity. How does it feel to steal? Is it embarrassing?”
“…Yes.”
“Why is it embarrassing?”
“Um… I don’t know…”
“Perfect answer. Even if you don’t know why, feeling embarrassed is normal. It means you’re still decent human beings. Whether you live with that shame or choose to rise above it is up to you. What do you think now?”
“I need to apologize… to the baker…”
Mumbling in genuine embarrassment, the two children hung their heads.
Only after confirming that they weren’t looking at him did Aslan allow himself a small smile.
A normal, non-threatening smile?
Sylvia was taken aback.
Since when could Aslan smile like that?
It actually made her feel uneasy.
“Good. Go ahead.”
“Yes!”
“Yep!”
“Use this money to make amends.”
Ting! Aslan flipped a silver coin to Charlotte and Julia, who sprinted to the bakery.
Though their words weren’t clearly audible, it was obvious they were bowing deeply and speaking loudly.
The baker, initially furious, calmed down after a loud “Ahem!” from Aslan.
The single silver coin was far more than necessary to compensate for two loaves of bread.
The issue resolved itself amicably, and the children returned, their steps lighter and their burdens seemingly lifted.
“We apologized… mister.”
“We said we were sorry and promised never to do it again, so he forgave us!”
Their relieved faces and energetic voices prompted Aslan to turn away indifferently, urging them forward.
Charlotte quickly caught up to him, tugging on his sleeve.
“The baker said we could keep the bread after compensating. This time, we didn’t steal it. Will you eat… it?”
Charlotte’s voice quivered as she carefully offered the bread.
Sylvia couldn’t see Aslan’s expression because he had pulled his hat low, hiding his face.
“It’s delicious. But I’m full.”
Aslan took a large bite of the bread, then handed it back to Charlotte.
Holding a large piece of bread in each hand, Charlotte and Julia followed Aslan, munching as they went.
When did it start?
At some point, the kids, who had been excitedly running ahead, were now walking alongside Aslan, one on each side.
“This bread is so good! It’s better than what the mansion’s baker makes!”
“Julia, is yours that good? Let me try. Ah.”
“It’s the same bread as yours…”
“Young master.”
“…?”
Sylvia, amidst the children’s cheerful chatter, called Aslan aside.
“What was that about? The Vermonts teach their children to use any means necessary to achieve their goals, even if it means committing crimes…”
“Are they Vermonts? No.”
“I have nothing to say to that.”
“And if possible, I‘d like to raise them to my taste. Even if I have a taste for bad women, I don’t have a taste for cheap women.”
“…”
Leaving behind words that left her unsure if he was serious, Aslan returned to the children.
Sylvia stood rooted in place, shivering.
“The maids were right…”
Aslan was raising the children to make them his wives…?
Initially, she thought it was just the maids’ idle gossip.
But the more things matched, the more it gave her chills.
***
At the Imperial Magic Academy’s dormitory cafe.
The heavy footsteps of leather shoes echoed, causing the girls to flinch.
Imprinted fear.
“Ah, ah!”
“The mad dog is coming!”
“Everyone run! Ahhh!”
The pride of noble girls, honed over decades, vanished.
In its place remained only animalistic instincts.
The girls hurriedly fled, not caring if they shattered teacups or toppled tables in their haste.
“Ahh!”
“I’m sorry! We have to survive!”
One girl, tripping over a chair, was left behind by the others.
Grasping her swollen ankle, she whimpered, a long shadow looming over her.
“Do noble girls leave without cleaning up?”
The person who appeared was none other than Yuri Brussels.
The youngest first-year student, the only commoner, and the sole special entrant.
Yuri was a bundle of ‘unique’ titles, an exception in every way.
“Ah, please don’t hit me! I have no money!”
“Do I look like a thug to you?”
Yuri, looking down at the crying girl, laughed bitterly.
Every time the other girls saw Yuri, they fled.
This ridiculous farce was all due to yesterday’s incident.
Apparently, the tradition of extorting new students for seating was still a thing.
Whether it was at the cafe, the library, or anywhere else, there were no exceptions.
Yuri, who was shocked to see this, took action.
He confiscated the money taken from others and returned it.
Word spread, and the senior boys sought revenge, leading to a fight.
Despite being outnumbered, Yuri emerged unscathed while several senior boys ended up in the infirmary.
Witnessing this, the students nicknamed Yuri ‘mad dog.’
‘The real mad dog is someone else.’
Yuri disliked the nickname.
They hadn’t seen Julia throw a tantrum from lack of sleep.
If they had, they wouldn’t have called Yuri that.
With a smile, Yuri helped the girl up.
“Ah, please! Don’t hit me, mad dog!”
“You don’t even know my name. It’s Yuri. Yuri Brussels. Call me that from now on.”
“Uh, okay… Yuri…”
“Your ankle is quite swollen. You need some ice. I’ll carry you. Is that alright?”
“Hawawawa!”
Flush.
Yuri effortlessly lifted the girl, causing her cheeks to flush.
Despite being a commoner, Yuri looked rather handsome up close.
“…What is this commotion?”
“Ah! Headmaster! I’ve been looking for you!”
“Ah!”
Yuri, spotting the headmaster, brightened and unceremoniously dropped the girl, rushing over.
“It’s getting harder to cover for you. After the fight and this mess at the cafe…”
“That wasn’t a fight; I was ambushed. The cafe was already like this when I arrived. I’m innocent.”
“Haa… Your tone is as crude as ever. There are numerous complaints about you. Why not try to get along?”
“I’d like to, but they have to be worth getting along with. Anyway!”
“…?”
Yuri spread his palm wide, as if expecting something.
When the headmaster didn’t react, Yuri’s face fell.
“Still no reply from my sponsor?”
“I haven’t received any letters.”
“Are my letters even getting through? How come there’s no response? I’ve asked so many questions. Should I take this as a refusal to answer?”
“I wouldn’t know…”
Seeing Yuri’s anxiety, the headmaster broke out in a cold sweat.
Word had it Yuri’s friends were held hostage at the Vermont estate.
If Yuri found out, what would happen…
‘Aslan Vermont, you bastard, you’re making us walk a dangerous tightrope.’
Would Aslan Vermont alone face retribution?
No, the headmaster would also pay dearly for hiding the truth.
He deeply regretted bringing this uncontrollable mad dog to the academy.