Chapter Seventy-Two: What Do You Want to Do?

Perhaps it was the berserker’s thunderous roar, or perhaps she felt it was beneath her dignity to bully a newcomer right from the start.

Miss Sakura Bell, having let loose her harsh words, sat herself on the sofa, crossed her legs, and began to inspect her fingernails, adopting an air of nonchalance. She truly looked imposing—there was a certain flair when she crossed her legs. Harold’s past compliments had not been in vain; this long-legged “big sister” would indeed cut a fine figure pedaling a tricycle.

Yet now, as she put on this show, her fingers trembled ever so slightly.

Ahem, it’s true—this boy’s life force is quite vigorous. He really does look like he could shatter a stone table weighing several tons with a single blow... And rumor has it his skills are formidable, nearly on par with those Nightmares from the Red Fox Den who specialize in assassinating wizards...

Lilith and the others had already turned pale, casting anxious glances at their elder sister for the third time.

Sakura Bell’s face retained its cheerful smile, but under their gaze, her scalp tingled with a hint of tension.

It wasn’t simply the closeness of the situation—it was that Sakura Bell couldn’t help but imagine: if this boy really lost his mind, unleashing dragon-like power and nightmare-like speed, chain flail in hand, striding over in a single bound... Ahem, bullying juniors like this would be a disgrace.

She couldn’t help but sneak another sidelong glance at the boy, only to see him calmly polishing the heavy chain flail atop the table.

Lilith and the others were sweating through their sleeves.

Today, they rather regretted coming along with their sister—just what was the point of kicking down the door for no reason, sister? And who could have guessed this madman would be so eager to throw down the moment he arrived? Our presence here… only makes things harder for you!

Even Sakura Bell herself began to feel she might be off her game today—the boy’s desk didn’t even have a single wand, only that chain flail.

She had no choice.

Suddenly, Sakura Bell threw a flirtatious glance his way.

[Miss Sakura Bell uses “Heartthrob lv3” on you.]

“Little… ahem, handsome boy, won’t you pour your big sister some tea?”

[She realizes she’s failed.]

[She resumes inspecting her fingernails.]

[You don’t pour the tea, but simply smile and, one by one, set porcelain dolls on the table—right beside the chain flail.]

[You notice Lilith and her companions roll their eyes back and collapse weakly onto the sofa, on the verge of tears but afraid to cry.]

[Sakura Bell is dumbfounded.]

[A berserker with high mastery of Mind-Seal Arts and the Osyclis Mirror, possessing the agility of a Nightmare? The Miss Foxes’ hearts quaver.]

Seeing the little foxes abandon all pretense, Louis began to laugh.

What’s with all the posturing?

What’s with the bluster?

Sakura Bell had kicked the door open, intending to be brash and unreasonable from the outset, perhaps to tie up and discipline the young man in the office—she certainly had the status for it. After all, her aunt was one of the Ministry of Magic’s seven directors, so both within the Ministry and the Academy, her position was extraordinary.

So, not to mention disciplining a new wizard without reason, even if it were an old professor or someone like Triff, few would dare protest.

But it depends on the person—not every newcomer can be browbeaten by their seniors.

Today, she would learn a lesson—let her whole generation learn a lesson. Let them see just what kind of person had joined the Mysterious Office.

He would not use magic, nor would he resort to violence today.

He’d decided—today he’d only use his tongue.

He took a sip of tea and said blandly, “I have long heard of your illustrious name, Miss Sakura Bell. I did not expect to meet you here today—what a surprise indeed.”

[You chose A.]

[But the thread of fate seems to have become utterly tangled…]

Suddenly, Sakura Bell wasn’t afraid anymore.

She had been uneasy, fearing the boy was brainless enough to go berserk and drag everyone down with him—when she’d come in, she’d thought, ‘If he really intends to throw away his future and dares to assault a professor here at the Sacred Icon Tree, well, I… I’ll admit defeat!’

But clearly, the boy’s actions were rational.

As long as he wasn’t reckless, everything could be managed.

Yes, you’re just a temp at the Ministry of Magic, a student of Osyclis—what right do you have to throw your weight around with me?

Do you not care about your career, or do you wish for social ruin?

Even your teacher is under my protection—so why are you acting tough with me?

Suddenly, Sakura Bell regained her confidence. Her high heels tapped, her nerves settled, and she resumed inspecting her nails—resuming her airs.

But as she mulled over Louis’s words, her body stiffened again—her nose nearly wrinkled in anger.

What kind of person are you to speak as if we are meeting as equals?

This is posturing to the extreme!

No wonder Osyclis said her student had nearly driven her mad—this brat truly was in need of discipline!

Who do you think you are?

At that moment, Lilith poured the tea and handed it over, without sparing Louis a glance. Sakura Bell’s words took on a biting, sarcastic edge:

“No wonder you are the prized pupil of Osyclis, Sir Louis. These days, we must thank you for your ‘mercy’ toward the Little Foxes.”

With that, Sakura Bell sipped her tea, falling silent, her demeanor suggesting that unless matters were clarified today, it would be more than a loss of face—it would be a matter of principle.

It was clear she was intent on regaining her dignity.

“Professor Sakura Bell, you overstate the matter.” Louis smiled. “You and my mentor share such a close relationship. If such a trivial matter caused discord between the Foxes and Her Highness, it would be most regrettable.”

Though Louis’s words sounded sincere, the moment Sakura Bell saw him pull out the stack of IOUs, her nearly-twisted nose threatened to twist anew.

This boy was too audacious!

He was making a point—deliberately!

Sakura Bell’s eyelid twitched furiously; she suppressed her anger and forced a smile:

“It’s nothing. The Little Foxes were in the wrong, provoking Osyclis’s prized pupil.”

With that, she pulled out a stack of checks and slapped them down beside her.

—The total value added up precisely to five thousand gold galleons.

Though the names weren’t yet filled in, it was clear that Countess Sakura Bell was a woman of considerable means.

“If we cannot afford to provoke you, then money is all we can offer.” She spoke with aggrieved resignation, rubbing her wrist and surreptitiously aiming the small crystal ball at Louis.

Her next lines were prepared—something along the lines of “As outsiders, we dare not cross the Mysterious Office. If you want money, we’ll pay. Just spare my little sister,” followed by tears.

Then she’d take it to the Ministry of Magic.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

If not even your teacher or I can handle you, there are others who can!

[Clearly, Sakura Bell was a budding drama queen—Plan B was ready in a blink, her script prepared.]

“Calm yourself, Miss Sakura Bell.” Louis opened a drawer, took out a cracked crystal ball, and, bringing both it and the IOUs, walked over to the sofa.

He handed the crystal ball to Sakura Bell, then placed an IOU on the table. Afterward, he leaned back against the desk and sipped his tea, smiling.

Sakura Bell eyed the crystal ball suspiciously.

Suddenly, the crystal ball emitted a recording:

[A brazen voice: “Well, Sir Louis. Have you made up your mind? Or do you want to see the contents of the crystal ball again?”

A voice of righteous indignation: “Have you no shame? This is the Sacred Icon Tree Academy, a holy place! Do you know what you’re doing?”

(The little foxes jeer, mocking Louis.)

An angry voice: “As I’ve said, Miss Lilith, I never signed this. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to the Ministry of Magic? I am a disciple of Her Highness Osyclis, and you’re attempting extortion. Leave now, and I’ll pretend nothing happened today.”

(The little foxes laugh uproariously.)

Lilith’s cold sneer: “Now, you owe us five thousand gold galleons.”

(The little foxes’ wild clamor, mocking Osyclis, Helen, and others.)

A furious slam: “In broad daylight, in the holy city, you dare—”

(The recording cuts off.)

(The sound of black curses being chanted.)

(Sounds of blows, little foxes begging for mercy.)]

…

By this point, Sakura Bell’s face was ashen.

Today was a public humiliation.

She had come seeking redress.

Instead, they played these recordings, making everyone relive how he had disciplined her little sisters, and she had no grounds to protest. It was a slap in the face.

Her cheeks burned as she shot Lilith and company a venomous glare, sending them into a new paroxysm of terror.

She cursed them inwardly.

Her Highness Osyclis—how dare you speak of her?

I can, because she is my close friend, but who do you think you are?

And you fools! Did you not consider where you are?

This is the Sacred Icon Tree Academy!

Even in business, I’m never as brazen as you lot!

And now you’ve let yourselves be recorded—how foolish can you be, after all these years of my tutelage?

As for this black curse, even when I study it, I am cautious. You all are courting disaster!

Just because the family has connections in the Ministry of Magic, you act with impunity—do you think everyone in the Ministry is your friend? Do you realize how many eyes are watching us?

At this realization, Sakura Bell rifled through the IOUs. After a cursory glance, her eyes fluttered as if she’d been struck dumb. Then she understood, her face pale, and she tossed the stack onto Lilith’s lap.

Defeated.

Even I can’t guarantee victory in a contest with this brat; Lilith and the others have only themselves to blame for their downfall. They simply misjudged the playing field.

They weren’t even in the same league.

Whether in magic or in maneuvering, the gap was vast!

The IOUs spelled it out clearly: evidence of the Red Fox Den’s and the Mysterious Office’s various misdeeds over recent months.

If this were exposed, even she would be in serious trouble!

No wonder the boy spoke of “meeting”—he’d been waiting for her here all along!

On the other side, the little foxes, after receiving their sister’s glare, went pale. They had hoped to use the IOUs to regain some footing, but when she tossed them over, they saw the truth and were dumbfounded.

When they looked up at Louis, their gazes brimmed with terror.

Today marked the third time they’d been forced to reappraise this man. Each time left a deep impression.

Clearly, he was not someone they could challenge.

Lilith and the others suddenly felt their punishment was well-deserved.

“Boy, you tell me—what now?” Sakura Bell crossed her legs, her gaze fixed on Louis, who was tapping the IOUs with a half-smile, eyes glinting with murderous intent.