Chapter Seventy-Three: In That Case, I Won't Feel Sleepy Anymore!

"Kid. You tell me what we should do."
She narrowed her eyes, brimming with murderous intent, and glanced at the stack of promissory notes in Louis’s hand—if he weren’t a disciple of Auxicrisse, tonight she would have finished him off and disposed of the body without a second thought!
But this kid wasn’t just Auxicrisse’s student; he seemed anything but easy to handle. If he insisted on pressing his advantage, he might well try to squeeze some benefit out of her. In that case, she might just have to swallow this bitter pill.
Damn that Wolf...
This time, she’d really been outmaneuvered—by someone much younger, no less.
It wasn’t unfair, but it was frustrating, and hard to accept.
Sakura Bell picked up her smoking pipe—this time, she truly took a puff.
"Miss Sakura Bell, it’s not as serious as you think," Louis smiled, placing all the promissory notes on the table. "Please, take these. I didn’t hand them over earlier because I was afraid you’d be angry and wouldn’t give me a chance to speak. You have such a good relationship with my mentor; if this matter caused any unpleasantness between the Fox family and Her Highness, it would be a shame."
He repeated the same words deliberately, but this time, when they reached Sakura Bell’s ears, their meaning was very different.
She stared at the stack of promissory notes, momentarily stunned. Then she looked at Louis, sizing him up for a long while, finally nodding slowly.
He meant exactly what he said—and he had every right to say it!
"Auxicrisse truly found herself an excellent disciple." Now, the way Sakura Bell looked at Louis had changed; she nodded with profound meaning. "Sir Louis, the past few days, it’s the little Foxes who overstepped their bounds. Thank you for showing them mercy."
She no longer propped her feet up, nor did she intend to deal with him so roughly. Her words were no longer tinged with sarcasm, and their meaning was plain.
Yet, just a minute ago, Sakura Bell had thought Louis had no right to negotiate with her, that he was overestimating himself, and that his causing trouble in the Fox Lounge was reckless.
Now, she felt he’d shown restraint; Lilith's provocation was foolish, Daniel’s spells were reckless.
And letting him polish her shoes… had he not considered her and Auxicrisse’s feelings, things would not have ended so simply!
His retaliation was justified and measured.
Was this someone for these youngsters to trifle with?
He was a prodigy, qualified to sit face-to-face with herself, with Auxicrisse, and their peers!
Anyone who saw him as a newcomer was blind!
No wonder his mentor found him difficult to handle—this young man was extraordinary!
Sakura Bell tore up all the promissory notes right then and there.
[The Fox family’s respect for Auxicrisse +500, upgraded from ‘Affection’ to ‘Respectful Affection’.]
[You were summoned by three who prayed to change their fates. By altering their destinies, the Storybook gains more energy: Power +3]
‘Three people?’
Louis could only think of those three.
‘So I ended up shielding Auxicrisse again by accident?’
[Note: Sakura Bell has not yet decided to use her connections to write you a recommendation letter—it seems you still owe her a favor. Of course, there is a shortcut.]
After tearing up the notes, Sakura Bell displayed a trick; she transformed the shredded parchment into a swarm of butterflies, which fluttered into the fireplace.
Then, Sakura Bell nodded and smiled at Louis, before turning to scold Lilith and the others:
"Quickly, apologize to Sir Louis."
She no longer called Louis names like ‘little brat’, ‘pretty boy’, or ‘kid’. Her address changed several times, and her words became increasingly sincere.
Lilith and her companions had already submitted; now, after another scolding, they stood up and bowed, tears streaming down their delicate faces. This time, they didn’t sob aloud; instead, they wiped their tears quietly while apologizing, looking utterly pitiful.

Louis reached out to help them up, but said nothing to Lilith and her friends. He turned to Sakura Bell instead.
"Miss Sakura Bell, hearing their apology makes me feel a bit embarrassed. They’re all Helen’s friends; when they first came, it was only to joke around. The rest was just a bit of harmless mischief. I may have overreacted; please, when you return, don’t punish them."
Hearing this, Sakura Bell couldn’t help feeling a bit complicated—he’d placed her on his own level, treating Lilith and the others as children like Helen!
Professor Oliver was right: comparisons are odious—Auxicrisse’s student was indeed more impressive than her own.
"Just look at him, Lilith. You all spend your days causing trouble at the academy, never doing anything useful. Louis is two years younger than you, yet he’s already applied for the title of Grand Scholar. Whether he ends up working at the Ministry of Magic, or as a professor at the academy, or enters the royal court, you’ll have to show him proper respect and call him mentor..."
Sakura Bell scolded them at length, leaving Louis somewhat bewildered.
When did I apply for Grand Scholar?
Did Auxicrisse apply for me?
While his sister lectured, Lilith and the others wept anew, but this time it was different—judging by the way they wagged their tails, they seemed to be crying deliberately in front of a gentleman.
Lilith and her friends knew the matter was settled. Their sister didn’t get angry; much of her speech was meant to remind them—they might need to cozy up to him in the future!
The current Grand Scholars were either deans or deputy directors at the Ministry of Magic!
Especially the Grand Scholar title from Sacred Tree University—it carried immense prestige!
But he was only twenty; if he could earn this title so young, he might become another King Isolda or Emperor Francesco.
It wasn’t impossible—Auxicrisse was descended from King Isolda and was Francesco’s own daughter. As for Helen, she wasn’t King Isolda’s descendant, but Francesco was her aunt, so she too had witch-queen blood—a member of the Q family.
If he managed to win either of these princesses, he could reach the very top!
Of course, he might choose not to marry either, and create a new witch-king family—history had plenty of such cases.
But regardless, even if he didn’t reach the peak, as a young Grand Scholar, he’d have a great chance to become a university president or high-ranking official at the Ministry of Magic.
So, just getting this title guaranteed that, at minimum, his future would be as a high official or dean!
And so young—isn’t he worth investing in?
Isn’t it wise to cozy up to him early?
His sister was hinting at them—Daniel and the rest were nothing!
"...We only became acquainted through a little spat, Louis. I’ve heard much of Auxicrisse’s disciple, and today, fate has brought us together. Lilith and the others are still immature; please, look after them in the future."
[Sakura Bell actually spoke your lines—the fate lines are growing ever more tangled...]
After Sakura Bell made her point, Lilith and her friends wiped their tears, their big eyes glistening, long lashes fluttering as they gazed at Louis. No one tried to play the tough sister; they all acted sweet and pitiful.
Lilith pouted, her tail—quite deliberately—brushed against Louis’s leg.
Louis, however, didn’t notice; he was busy responding to Sakura Bell’s words, feeling strangely confused.
Why am I the one who’s supposed to look after them?
Who applied for Grand Scholar for me?
After a bit more conversation, Sakura Bell casually mentioned that she’d look after Louis at the Ministry of Magic—hinting at the possibility of turning his temp position permanent. She also mentioned, not so subtly, that she’d helped Auxicrisse arrange temp jobs for both Louis and Helen.
"...Since Auxicrisse calls me sister, it’s only right I look after her disciple." Sakura Bell said, smiling brightly.
Louis suddenly understood.
Sakura Bell was still a bit resentful—she was deliberately asserting her ‘elder’ status, trying to keep him in check.
After all, he’d shown her no deference before; now, she made a point of saying, ‘you ought to call me sister too’, and also implied, ‘if you want to succeed at the Ministry, as long as you keep me happy, I’ll cover you’.

But I didn’t give you face before, and now that I’m smiling, you think I’ll give you face?
You use my name to boast in Blackhorn Alley, and I haven’t even called you out for it. You want to cover me?
Who needs your protection?
None of my identities require your support.
None of you are qualified to shield me; only I am qualified to shield myself.
Louis smiled lightly, not taking all her words, only politely thanking her for arranging the temp jobs for himself and Helen—fulfilling an old favor. As for any further benefits, Auxicrisse had already paid her dues. Now, no one owed anyone anything.
He said nothing more.
His stance was clear—I do not need you!
Louis’s indifferent attitude, after Sakura Bell had just been all smiles, left her slightly displeased—the boy truly was capable, but a bit too arrogant for her liking.
She also refrained from mentioning the temp job further, made a few bland remarks, then donned her red wide-brimmed hat adorned with beautiful feathers, indicating she was taking her leave—the speed at which her mood shifted was remarkable.
Yet there were plenty willing to write Louis a recommendation letter; people eager to praise him filled pages of the Storybook—some even went to extreme lengths to discuss business with him.
So Louis really didn’t need her optional letter of support.
As the host, Louis escorted his guests to the door.
At the threshold, Sakura Bell spoke politely:
"Come visit me when you have time~"
"Certainly," Louis replied with a smile.
Sakura Bell was momentarily taken aback, then sneered quietly, said nothing, and sashayed away.
Louis smiled and said no more. He suddenly felt someone lightly spanking him; turning, he saw Lilith deliberately flicking his bottom with her tail.
[Spanked? That’s an inside joke...]
Seeing Louis’s surprised look, Lilith purposely ignored him, turned away with her little followers, but as she passed, pinched his waist sharply.
Zinnia and the others, as they left, tossed him flirtatious glances.
These little fox spirits were quite adept at seduction.
‘Interesting—these little enchantresses are deliberately teasing me. They say girls from other clans are bold and passionate; it’s certainly true.’
‘But I have no time for you today. The reckoning with your elders is still overdue.’
Sakura Bell had no idea Louis would actually remember her invitation to visit.
After all, he still bore a grudge against the Storybook’s previous arrogant (bootlicking) remarks.
That day, after sending off the nineteenth visiting goblin captain—and giving his dragon bodyguards a sound beating—Louis spent some time reading in his office.
After dinner, this fellow, ever top-scoring in reading comprehension, went to visit Sakura Bell that very evening.
......
Asking for a few recommendation votes.