[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
Lunch passed in an oddly subdued silence after the introductions.
Eris, having eaten her fill, glanced at Hilda—who was still stirring her untouched soup—then at the others.
Apart from Ghyslaine, who had already wolfed down her meal and was wiping her mouth, Allen, Sylphie, and Rudeus had barely touched their food, as if they had no appetite.
With a sudden burst of energy, Eris hopped up from her seat, announced she was taking her new tutors on a tour, and dashed out of the dining hall after Hilda gave a vague "Go ahead."
She then spent the entire afternoon dragging them through every corner of the estate.
By evening, they finally met Eris' etiquette instructor—Edna.
A middle-aged woman with gentle wrinkles and a round, kindly face, she exuded warmth.
A noblewoman from Roa, Edna had once personally re-taught Hilda the intricate customs of Asuran high society before her marriage into the Boreas family. Hilda held her in high regard, which was why she had personally chosen Edna as Eris' etiquette tutor.
Thanks to her mother's favoritism and Edna's naturally gentle demeanor, Eris—though still blunt—never gave her too much trouble.
After introductions, Edna, noticing their exhaustion and aware of yesterday's events, kept the lesson brief. She only taught the three new tutors some basic etiquette rules, promised to discuss teaching arrangements the next day, then quickly excused herself.
Notably, during the short session, she praised Allen's learning ability repeatedly, remarking how quickly he absorbed instructions and how much more precise his posture was compared to Sylphie and Rudeus.
This, of course, delighted Eris.
With each compliment, her pride swelled—leaning against the wall, arms crossed, nodding vigorously with a look that screamed, "See? This is the tutor I picked! Impressed, huh?" Her face tilted higher and higher until she was practically staring at the ceiling.
Edna's ability to charm both Hilda and Eris was impressive. No wonder she was the only tutor besides Ghyslaine to have survived this long.
The result?
By the time Edna left, Eris—riding the high of praise and running on two days without proper sleep—had dozed off against the wall.
A true warrior.
The kind who could sleep anywhere, even a stable's haystack.
Champions never complained about their environment.
By the time Allen, Sylphie, and Rudeus finished bathing, the moon hung high in the night sky.
Darkness couldn't penetrate the Boreas estate—hallways were lit by candlelight, warm orange flames stretching into the distance.
Three shadows swayed under the flickering glow.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Silence followed.
No one moved.
All three hands rested on their respective doorknobs, yet none turned them.
Rudeus glanced at Allen and Sylphie, then withdrew his hand to scratch his head.
"Y'know, this feels kinda weird. It's totally different from Buena. Back then, the only time we lived this close was when Roxy stayed over, but... well, Paul and Zenith were still around. Now it's just us three. Feels strange."
Sylphie's white hair was still damp. She peeked at Allen, then Rudeus.
"Mm... It's my first time away from my parents too. So much happened today... And now I have to sleep alone. That's new. I always slept with Mom before."
The moment they finished speaking—
Allen laughed.
They both looked up.
There it was—the familiar smile he used to wear in Buena.
The three of them exchanged glances, then chuckled for no particular reason.
But because of that, the tension that had weighed on them all day melted away.
The unease of being in a new environment vanished.
Because even though they were in a strange place, even though tomorrow was uncertain and the future still distant...
Right now, in the candlelight, they were surrounded by familiar faces.
No outsiders.
It almost felt like they were back in the Greyrat household in Buena, as if this were just another sleepover after two years apart.
That was the magic of it.
Seeing Allen's expression, Rudeus finally relaxed. The mood lightened, and he asked the question that had been on his mind all day.
"You seemed off today. Was it because you were back with your real family? Also— finally smiling, huh? Had me worried. You good?"
Sylphie nodded vigorously, her damp white strands bouncing and sticking to her forehead, still glistening with sweat from the bath.
"I was worried too."
Allen shrugged, his gaze lingering on Sylphie for a second before replying.
"It's... an adjustment. Even if I'm here as a tutor, it's still weird. Sauros clearly isn't thrilled to see me. But I'm fine."
"Sorry for making you two worry again."
He looked between them.
"Get some rest. We barely slept last night."
"Goodni— Actually, scratch that. 'See you tomorrow.'
"Sounds more hopeful, don't you think?"
Rudeus and Sylphie exchanged glances, their concern easing. Sylphie blinked.
Just changing the phrasing made a difference. Knowing she'd see Allen and Rudeus again tomorrow dispelled the faint anxiety of being away from home for the first time.
Looking at Allen's smile, she nodded.
"Okay. See you tomorrow."
Rudeus grinned.
As a former NEET, new environments only excited him—he didn't have the nervousness of a kid leaving home for the first time. He'd just been worried about Allen. Seeing him somewhat reassured, he relaxed.
Even though Allen was clearly the leader among them, Rudeus still saw himself as the oldest.
Which was why he always ended up feeling like a dad worrying over his kids.
"Alright~ See you tomorrow."
Amid their voices, doorknobs turned.
Rudeus and Sylphie stepped into their rooms.
Allen's eyes met Sylphie's one last time.
Allen on the left, Sylphie on the right.
Her white hair swayed, then settled as the door closed.
Allen shook his head, exhaled, then turned his own knob.
He pushed the door open—
And froze.
Blinking, he looked up.
Four beast-girl maids stood in a neat row, bowing in unison.
Their voices, though distinct, harmonized perfectly.
"Good evening."
"Master Allen."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 185 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 90 power stones I will publish the next chapter.