Chapter 39: You’re the Child

This is what Yilu hates about things like this.

Help?

To some people, it is not out of kindness, but out of pity; they see the other person as pathetic, so they decide to offer a hand.

Or, perhaps, it is to satisfy their own vanity, believing that by helping others, they appear superior, placing themselves on a higher pedestal than those they help.

Where in the world are there so many kind-hearted people? In the end, most do it just to satisfy themselves.

“To be honest, that is part of the reason,” Lyr said, admitting it candidly without noticing the change in Yilu’s expression.

This made Yilu click her tongue. The reason she prefers to walk alone and dislikes excessive contact with others is that she absolutely loathes feeling looked down upon.

The “help” Lyr spoke of falls into that same category.

I thought you were different from those people, but you’re just as hypocritical.

“If that is what you are doing, there is no need. I also…”

She did not finish her sentence; before the disgust could be expressed through her words, Lyr continued.

“But if we put that aspect aside, I think you are quite impressive. It would be a pity if you just destroyed yourself like that.”

“…” Yilu froze.

She did not know if she was choked by the words she had yet to say, or stunned by Lyr’s unexpected reply.

After a long moment, Yilu said with some skepticism, “Impressive? Me?”

She did not know if others had said this about her behind her back, but Lyr was truly the first to say it to her face.

Yilu knew what she looked like in the eyes of others; she had a clear self-awareness.

Arrogant, thorny, and unfriendly to everyone.

She knew this was just a part of her stubbornness.

No matter how you look at it, she is far different from everyone else, and this stubbornness is meant to hide her internal sense of disparity.

If she showed any sign of humility, those guys would only mock her even more recklessly.

“That’s right,” Lyr said. “You dare to hunt Magical Beasts alone. I didn’t even dare to do that when I was at the Academy, and even now, many noble scions wouldn’t dare either. For that alone, I think you are quite impressive, though I must say, it is still very dangerous.”

Not to mention the past, some nobles might not see a Magical Beast a few times in their entire lives.

Most of what they learned at the Academy was like ornaments on clothes, serving only as decoration.

In contrast, Yilu is already putting it into practice, which is quite rare.

“Oh…” Being complimented to her face like that, Yilu felt embarrassed. She vaguely felt her ears burning and subconsciously avoided Lyr’s gaze. She reached up to twirl a strand of her hair, and after a while, she squeezed out a single word. “Thanks.”

She had not been complimented much by others and did not know what expression to wear at a time like this.

Her usual ferocious demeanor was completely useless here.

“Also, I truly don’t like your style of fighting. It’s too suicidal; you need to change that.”

“Just like today, you cannot be that reckless when facing such opponents.”

Lyr used to like that style too—swinging wildly without leaving any path for retreat.

It was not until he went to the Knights and the Frontier that he learned how dangerous that truly was.

He could guess that if Yilu kept acting like that, something would go wrong sooner or later.

Giving a piece of candy, and before the person could even enjoy it, following it up with criticism.

Deliberately creating this kind of atmosphere does not work on everyone, as seen with Yilu.

The feeling of “he’s not a bad guy after all,” which she had finally managed to foster, was washed away by Lyr’s words in an instant.

She puffed out her cheeks and glared at Lyr.

“Teacher, did you forget that this isn’t the Academy? Please save your lectures for when you’re back at the Academy.”

Without giving Lyr a chance to react, Yilu pushed him toward the door with both hands. “I’m sleepy. I’m going to bed, don’t disturb me again.”

“Eh, so soon?”

“Don’t worry about it!”

Just like that, Yilu personally pushed Lyr out of the room.

Before closing the door, she gave a little huff at him. “I’ll be honest, too: I really hate that ‘teacher’ attitude of yours.”

After closing the door, Yilu leaned against it and pouted. “Honestly, he had to add that last part.”

Lyr gives her a strange feeling—sometimes good, sometimes bad.

Just when she feels he is decent, he shatters that feeling; and when she feels he is bad, he inexplicably manages to soothe her.

Yilu walked to the table and picked up the cup.

There was still a faint warmth lingering on it, and she could smell the light sweetness of honey as she brought it closer.

She held the cup to her lips, but instead of drinking immediately, she thought about Lyr’s expression just now.

“So annoying.”

*

At the doorway, Lyr scratched his head. Yilu’s mood changed too quickly, and he could not keep up.

She was clearly talking nicely just a moment ago, but now she had suddenly pushed him out.

He really could not understand what was going on.

Just as he was about to return to his own room, he passed a corner of the hallway and was startled by a silhouette leaning there.

Looking closely, it was Tif, who had been looking for him earlier; she had been standing there the whole time.

“Tif, why are you still up?”

He thought she had gone to sleep after leaving his room.

Tif crossed her arms, opened her eyes, and revealed a look of disappointment and helplessness.

She did not forget to shake her head when looking at Lyr.

“What does that mean?”

Lyr never thought that there would come a day when his own sister would look at him like he was garbage.

“Do you know what makes you so annoying?”

Lyr looked at Tif in confusion, not understanding what he had done wrong this time.

Tif knew that her idiot brother would not be able to figure it out anytime soon.

His mind was filled only with the thought of seeing new and novel things in the outside world.

If he weren’t a noble scion who had never studied etiquette, he would be nothing more than an idiot full of energy and no idea how to vent it.

Tif vented her dissatisfaction along with her words. “You always like to treat others like children. To put it bluntly, if you keep acting like this, one day you’re going to get hit by a kid.”

“What child…” Lyr was amused.

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore, I’m going to sleep too.” Before leaving, Tif did not forget to add, “Actually, you are the child! Even more childish than a child!”

This way of treating people, if the other party were truly a child, might make them feel comfortable and friendly.

But once they are a bit older, using this approach is simply impolite.

Looking at it this way, Lyr is actually the child himself, which is why he always treats everyone else as if they were children.