Ocilia POV

The ceiling is so white, so pure, so uncompromising. Everything inside of me wants to be like this. Undisturbed by anything, an ice-cold wall. Something which can only be broken if all the walls crumble.

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Rolling to the side for what felt like the 100th time this morning, all the tears had already dried up, and I couldn't cry anymore.

My brother attacked me for some pitiful reasons, and now I feel terrible about what will happen to him, depending on my actions.

What should I do now? Go to Master and tell him everything? The consequence will be big brother's execution.

Not to say anything? Not an option since if this were found out, everyone in the known would be executed. I will not put my family on the line for this.

This conundrum reminded me of my dream, as there was no correct answer. Should I be the ideal I always wished for, or should I stay realistic and be safe by letting Lepto be killed?

There was no right question. Even if a Mana contract enslaved him, he would literally be less worth than the garbage found on the street, 'Could I really do such a cruel thing to him?'

I need to decide the punishment and beg that Lepto will live on without being a slave.

Thoughts of the white hatchling came to my mind. She was uncompromising in her beliefs and brilliant like the sun, unperturbed by anything worldly, only following what she believed in.

Chivalry to uphold righteousness till the end and fairness against those who did evil, 'I made my decision.'

I can't go against my ideals, and I will uphold them even if I shatter my pride and dignity.

...

I stood slowly up and first acclimated. My legs felt weak and wobbly, while my heart was beating so fast, it could jump out every moment.

The disbelief didn't go away about what happened, and the anger inside of me suddenly raged through, 'How he could put our family in such disarray because of his stupid pride! '

He will pay for it, but on terms I find acceptable. There is no way in hell that I let my parents suffer even more.

This is a naive mindset, but I can't let him die, and furthermore, I can't put my family in danger by not reporting what had happened. So, all I have is hope that Mr. Alexander will hear me out and grant me my wish.

*clank*

*tap*tap*tap*

Going out of my room and towards the dining room, I saw how my Mother and Father were sitting and probably waiting for me.

Mother looked terrible, with giant bags under her eyes and a worried face I had never seen before.

Father was so tense, I could see his bandaged up hand, as he was probably in a fight to calm himself down, 'I hope he will not go back to his old days.'

They both stared at me, and I tried my best not to start running towards them and crying again, 'Be prideful. You want to be different, something which can be admired and hailed by others. Be the one who you are aspiring to, no matter what.'

I walked towards them and greeted them, "Good morning. I will go now to Salyna and tell her what happened."

Mother choked up and barely brought out her words, "Lia... are you alright? You know what..."

Dad interrupted her by touching her shoulder. He stood up and nodded towards me,

I shook my head. The tears wanted to come out, but I could hold them back as my voice was full of hope, "Don't worry, he will be punished, but it will not be death."

Clenching my hands, I observed how my parents reacted, Mother cried, and Father was biting his lower lip so hard that blood came out, but he nodded towards me.

I nodded back and replied, "I will go now, don't worry. Lepto will live."

...

*****

Salyna POV

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Propping up my head on my cupped hands, this news I heard right now was nothing less than serious, 'This is no good.'

Attacking an apprentice of a noble is serious but attacking Mr. Alexander's apprentice is quite severe. I understand that she wants her brother to live or not be enslaved, but this depends on how her Master will react.

As I looked at Ocilia, she was pretty serious about deciding on the punishment, which was unheard of, but I can't really blame her. She is learning under that "archmage puppy," so her somewhat skewed worldview is expected.

Nobles usually had a charm around them that pulled commoners in and made them do their bidding, but that charm mainly depended on their looks or tone. More intelligent individuals could discern their superficiality and shallowness.

On the other hand, everything Mr. Alexander did and how he conducted himself was different, and his charm was contagious.

He was a hothead but explained everything in a sound and logical manner to us, and you could see the passion in his eyes every time, and you knew that he believed what he talked about. Lia probably copied him without knowing it as she had the same look as he has while speaking.

But if I even grant her that her argumentation made sense, which it did, there is no way for me to grant her wish.

A commoner, regardless of what kind of apprenticeship, is, in the end, the same as other serfs, only in a more prestigious standing. But this doesn't apply to apprentices of Mages/Scholars, and the combination makes her basically someone of higher status than some of the wealthiest merchants.

Her situation is a tricky one.

She had luck as she came to me. Noriken is much more rigid in such things, so he would probably beat her up as what she demands is being a judge, basically taking divine noble right into her hands... commoner's hands.

I glanced into her eyes, and she had the same look as Mr. Alexander. The one which showed that she would do whatever she needed to achieve her goal, 'This got more complicated... I need the Lady to decide.'

This hatchling just stood there with her hands behind her back, acting as proud and arrogant as possible. Combining this with her request was nothing less than an affront to Noble's conduct, 'This... calm down Saly, she is very young and talented, give her some leeway.'

A headache was slowly building up, and I rubbed my temples, "Let us go to the Lady and discuss it with her. She will decide."

Her answer was a nod.

*****

Marisia POV

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The day actually began so lovelily, without any worries and stress. Alex told me that I needed to relax as much as possible for the puppy's sake, and I find his argumentation enduring, but it was sometimes impossible, like today.

Before I was Saly and Lia, the look on their faces after telling me everything was full of anxiety. Even if Lia was trying to conceal it, I could notice all the minor signs which gave it away.

I supported my head with my hand while sitting with my legs crossed. Thousands of thoughts shot through my mind as this somewhat surprising situation showed itself. Usually, families from a lower stand will not chop the head off of their golden egg-laying goose.

While I spent most of my time with commoners, I can't seem to understand them. Since I am forthcoming and even married a "commoner," they usually think I can understand them, but I don't.

The policies I follow are purely from the Leonandra teachings we practiced for centuries since we slaughtered the crown and weren't allowed to hold a title higher than the Knightage.

My husband itself is a high-ranking member of the temple, and even though he is a commoner in some sense, his status is somewhere between Baron and Count. But the common folk associate druids usually with commoners, and marriage like this also brought me a lot of goodwill with our people, not with aristocrats, though... 'I drifted away again... damn it, these "hormones," Alex talked about are so annoying.'

So, where was I? Right, this hatchling wants to play judge. Otherwise, I would just cut her brother's head off or enslave him.

She is nervously waiting for me and is trying not to show it, but the scent of sweat, the tightening and relaxing of her hands, the slight and barely noticeable color change in her eyes. She wants her brother to live but also knows that he needs to be sufficiently punished and hopes that we allow her to do it, 'What a courageous hatchling.'

A smile emerged on my face and widened from ear to ear. This was an excellent test to see how Alex would react and a perfect test for his protector, which I chose a couple of weeks ago.

Using the armrest to prop myself up, I walked beside them, "Follow me. We need to get Cross and Maurice since it will probably be a little rough later."

...

*****

Maurice POV

*clank*

Who is this so early? I thought my training would start hours later?

I walked towards the door, looked at who this was, and instantly went on one knee, "My Lady! Why do I deserve this honor?"

As I hung my head low, the voice from the head maid resounded in my ears, "Hehe, relax, Maurice, we are here to get you to Mr. Alexander."

Wait? Is it time! I have waited for this day since I became Tier 2 some years ago!

Many applied for being the personal protector of Mr. Alexander, and only

I came out on top... I am not even the strongest, but I somehow made it through the assessment process.

The training afterward was insane, and there was no indication if I even made it, but I trained and trained with the hope to make it, while all the others failed through after another.

Hundreds of moral tests and day-to-day hellish training, but there was no answer when I could introduce myself.

I held my hope high that, at some point, I could get a chance, and here it is!

My father was a soldier, my grandfather was also one, and it goes back for multiple generations. Being in the military is a tradition in our family, and I just followed it... after some attempts in other fields.

If I can become a protector, I will be the first one in my whole family, and they will be so proud of me!

I stood up, and I felt I couldn't control my tail as it waggled vigorously. Before I was - the Lady, Ocilia, Cross, and Salyna, 'What is going on?!'

I wanted to ask them why they were that many, but I didn't dare to, as I wasn't really familiar with the introduction process.

Cross came over and *slapped!* me on my back, almost making me fall over, "What are you looking like this? We are going to Mr. Alexander, so get your shit together. Go and get your armor and weapon."

I nodded hastily as my ears went up. I ran to get my armor and my mace.

*****

Marisia POV

*knock*knock*knock*

"Come in, except it is some weirdo wanting me to train your children, then get the fuck away!"

I started frowning, hearing this vulgar language, 'I can't believe my son is using such language... Kairo... what the hell did you teach our son?!'

I cleared my throat and answered, probably the future heir of the Estate, "It is me."

Almost instantly came his answer, "MOM! Come in! Why are you knocking?!"

*clanck*crrrrr*

As I opened the door, I wondered why the door was broken, 'Hm? Need to tell Aro to fix it.'

I came in, together with everyone else, and he, Alex, was sitting with papers around him, probably researching some new miracle.

All of my children are highly talented, but he is the one who was the most surprising, 'I hope the new puppy will be... easier to handle. One more "Alex," and we will certainly break the crowns treaty in the future. Even the situation right now with Sarah and Alex together is tricky ...'

Coming inside, I could smell all the insects in the room and see jars labeled with different numbers and letters, 'This definitely looks like a scholar's workplace.'

A cheery voice came from the pup sitting and waving at me, "How are you, Mom? Did you eat well and get enough rest? The more relaxed you are, the better the puppy will develop! Also..."

He started again... every time he sees me, he will start his questions and explanations anew... I am delighted that he is invested in the puppy, but this is sometimes too much. Even Sarah is not like this.

A sigh escaped me, interrupting him, "Alex, we are here for something serious."

He suddenly stopped and at last saw Lia, Saly, Cross, and Maurice beside me, replying worryingly, "Lia? What is going on?"

He looked back at me, "...did she do something?"

I shook my head and walked beside Alex pointing at Lia, "She will explain it."

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*****

Maurice POV

Standing behind Lia and listening to her story, I was overly shocked by what she told and wanted, but Mr. Alexander surprised me more.

He was more agitated with every word she said, growling and grabbing the armrest, which cracked as she was done with her telling.

The air in the room became... warmer and wilder?

Suddenly I heard a roar, which almost shattered my ears, "I WILL RIP HIS HEAD OFF!"

I couldn't believe that such a voice came from such a pup but again, it is less surprising if you know that he is the son of the Lord. Everyone who heard his roar before a fight would recognize this one.

He stood up and walked beside Lia, entirely ignoring her even while she tried to talk to him.

Out of nowhere, I heard my Lady speaking, "Maurice, stop him."

Is this the test? So, this is why Cross is here too, to control me if something goes wrong, 'Man, I am no good in such stuff...'

I walked in front of him. The next thing I felt was how something pushed me back, then his voice resounded through the room, a loud and deep growling tone, "OUT OF MY WAY!"

Trying to get a steady stand, the force became enormous and came from the other side. I tried to get my balance to the side from where the push came now, but out of nowhere, a more enormous pressure hit me from the opposite side, and I flew towards some bookshelves and crashed into the wall with a *bang!*

Damn it, it felt like Larry's charge, was this one of his spells?

Trying to get the debris away, I stood immediately up again and charged at Mr. Alexander, but as carefully as possible, 'I can't attack him, but what the hell was this?'

As I charged, I saw the look in his eyes, 'Impossible...'

My whole body froze up as I recognized it. This look should only belong to veterans after years of war and the bloodlust coming from him was enormous, 'How can a puppy be like this?!'

Suddenly, I felt the wind on my throat, and my instincts screamed to avoid it.

I jumped without hesitation to the side and could see how something flew beside my eyes, something invisible, and landed on the wall behind me.

*CRANK!*

Looking behind me, there was a hole inside the wall, like you would make with an arrow, 'DAMN IT! I knew that he had talent with Mana, but not to this extent!'

Turning my head quickly back to him, his smile was like the one a demon would make, which reminded me of the Lord, 'This is no good...'

I wanted to be his protector out of respect and loyalty to the Estate, but who knew that he was perfectly fine protecting himself?!

The air became suddenly hot, and I could see how flames were gathering into a ball of fire and started spinning into a lance, 'FUCK!'

Taking out my mace from behind, the fire lance flew towards me. I struck out and hit that damn spell point-blank.

*Bang!*

I felt incredible heat and saw only red as I flew again towards the same wall and *crashed!* Into it with all I had, 'Fuck... how should I stop a god damn mage without hurting him?!'

Getting up again, but this time, my whole body felt like I was thrown into a forge, 'I am fucked...'

From behind Mr. Alexander came a high-pitched voice, crackling and stammering, "Master! Please stop! Listen to me!"

Mr. Alexander turned around while I stood ready to act and saw how Ocilia was crying and pleading.

The Lady was relaxed, obviously because Cross was here, and probably she also anticipated something like this to happen.

Ocilia kneeled down and *banged!* her head against the floor, bleeding and begging, "Please don't kill my brother! Let me decide the punishment! I beg you, Master *sniff*!"

From the side came the Lady's voice, "What will you decide, son? Will you follow your primitive instincts like some Monster, or will you show the side that a Noble should have?"

Mr. Alexander looked at his Mother and answered with his terrifying smile, "Mom, stop with your rhetoric. We are all, in the end, slaves to our feelings, and I want nothing more than to behead this little piece of shit..."

The Lady shook her head, "We have privileges nobody else has, and thus we need to be coldhearted and clearheaded in all of our decisions. Every feeling we might have will influence millions of people and our closest servants... look at your apprentice, crawling and crying before you. Do you really think that your childish and selfish act will have no effect? How do you think will Melina feel?"

Mr. Alexander's smile vanished, and all the scents inside the room disappeared suddenly. He inhaled strongly and growled so loud that my ears almost exploded, "ROOOOOAAAAAAR!"

A strong wave howled through the whole room, toppled all the jars over, and let the sheets of paper fly around, 'Damn it, how can this little pup have this kind of power.'

He looked towards Lia, who was breathing heavily. Her whole face was pale, and you could see that her determination was the only thing letting her not collapse, "You will decide, and if your decision is insufficient, I will personally take his head, do you understand?"

An almost silent whisper was heard before she collapsed, "Thank you... Master..."

*Fub*

The Lady exhaled strongly, clearly tired from this escapade, "Good choice Alex. Another thing, say hello to your protector, Maurice. Of course, if you only choose him to be yours."

He stared at me and frowned, "Hi Maurice, now swing your ass towards some healers and come back when you are fine. You are bleeding all over the place right now..."

I looked down, and he was right. I was bleeding profusely, and my feet were inside a puddle of blood.

He sounded suddenly disappointed, "...also, you are too weak, so you will start training when you return, got it?"

This... he is right. If I want to become his protector, I need much more power, and right now, even before he reaches his Legacy, he can wound me excessively.

Ms. Sarah never chose a protector because they were all too weak, but he chose me and wants now to train me... this is a chance!

I kneeled down and saluted, "I swear my loyalty to you, Mr. Alexander. Even if you betray the gods, I will always stay with you!"

I... said it wrong... oh no! But what I didn't expect was the laughter coming from him, "Hahahaha! Another Larry, it is fine. Go and get yourself healed. I will take your loyalty..."

Walking towards me, he laid his hand on my head and whispered into my ear, while I suddenly couldn't smell anything anymore, "...who knows? Maybe we will take down some gods at some point?"

My eyes went wide, and I looked into this pup's face. He was mockingly smiling at me, 'Did I accidentally choose the devil?'

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