After returning from the border forest with Roswaal, Ram stood waiting in front of the courtyard.
Upon seeing the dark circles under her master's eyes, her attitude toward Adam grew even more caustic and sharp-tongued.
Really, what a petty woman.
Though he was partly to blame — he had given Roswaal two solid punches, after all!
But that didn't mean he had forgiven Roswaal. If anything, he was even angrier.
Roswaal's injuries weren't due to Adam's strength — the clown had deliberately held back just to let him vent his frustration.
How infuriating! Such twisted people with their bizarre logic! Who could understand what went on in their heads?
And what made his blood boil even more was the knight's uniform that appeared on the third morning.
Identical to yesterday's!
"Hey, Ram."
"What is it, lazy guest? Ram has work to do, so why don't you get up early and stop causing trouble for Ram?" Her words had grown sharper, now openly displaying her true feelings.
Looking at the white clothes before him, Adam sighed and asked, "Why is this knight's uniform here?"
"My, has the guest's eyesight gone bad?" Ram first made a cutting remark, then spread out the clothes, "This is clearly a new knight's uniform, since yesterday's was burned beyond repair."
That's right.
During yesterday's duel, he had deliberately burned his knight's uniform to defy Roswaal and show his displeasure, hoping to be rid of it for good.
But to his surprise, Roswaal had another identical uniform ready and waiting!
Tch. Just burn this one too — that would solve everything.
As if reading his thoughts, Ram delivered Roswaal's message before he could act.
"Lord Roswaal said he has prepared many uniforms for the guest, enough to last a month even if you burn one every day."
"..."
As expected of someone who had lived for 400 years — Roswaal's experience was formidable. Continuing this defiance would only make Adam look childish and petty.
Fine then.
"Ram, please help me." Adam removed his sleepwear and asked for her assistance with the knight's uniform.
Ram stepped forward and helped him dress with gentle efficiency, while making a caustic remark, "Hmph, the useless guest should properly thank Ram."
"Mm, thank you, Ram." He thanked her with genuine sincerity.
Ram suddenly looked up at him in surprise.
"What is it?"
"Why, when Ram has been acting like this..." Adam smiled gently, "Ram may like being sharp-tongued, but you always help me, don't you?"
"..."
She said nothing more, but her movements became even more efficient.
After finishing with the uniform, he thanked her again.
A moment later, they left the bedroom — one headed for morning training, the other to make breakfast.
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Upon arriving at the courtyard, Adam found Natsuki and Emilia engaged in their usual morning training — but today there was an unexpected addition.
Rem was there too!
Though she wasn't participating in the training, she had moved from yesterday's secret surveillance to openly watching the pair under the pretext of serving Emilia.
It seemed she had taken Adam's words from yesterday to heart and wanted to further evaluate the schoolboy's true nature.
However, her presence caused an unexpected problem. With Rem occupied watching the training, Ram had to handle the cooking — and her skills were extremely poor, far inferior to her sister's. The only dish she could manage was sweet potato.
Sure enough, breakfast was another sweet potato feast — the fourth such meal in a row.
Everyone at the table was visibly uncomfortable. Even Roswaal could barely swallow it, his already blue face turning three shades bluer.
Only Ram remained proud, completely oblivious to the situation.
After breakfast, Adam found himself at loose ends. He considered seeking out someone to learn new skills from, but couldn't decide who to approach.
Finally, following Puck's suggestion, he made his way to the forbidden library.
To find Betty!
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"Yo, Beatrice."
"...Oh, it's you." Beatrice frowned in displeasure upon seeing Adam.
Though she had lived for 400 years, she looked like an adorable little girl. Having stayed in the forbidden library for so long, her mentality remained rather childish — in essence, she was a classic tsundere.
"How did you get in?" She asked curiously.
"Natsuki helped me open the door. I don't know how to quickly find the Door of Providence yet."
"Tch, that troublesome boy." After cursing under her breath, Beatrice said, "So? What do you want here? If you don't have business, leave quickly and stop bothering Betty."
"I do have business with Beatrice!"
To prevent her from immediately throwing him out, Adam quickly explained his purpose.
"I heard that you forcibly drained Subaru's mana before. Is that right?"
"...What, are you here to stand up for that rude boy?" Beatrice's expression darkened as she assumed he was trying to settle old scores.
"No, no, it's good for Subaru to suffer a bit." Adam said, shaking his head, "That guy was too impulsive and rude to you. He deserved your punishment, Beatrice."
"My, I didn't expect you to think that way." Her mood improved considerably at his unexpected response, "So, what's your purpose for coming today?"
"I want to learn that technique from you, Beatrice!" Adam revealed, "Not just that technique — I actually want to learn more Yin Magic from you!"
"No!" Beatrice refused without hesitation, "Betty has no obligation to teach you, nor does Betty want to."
She had always disliked humans, so she immediately rejected his request.
Adam stopped trying to persuade her and instead turned to leave, feigning disappointment, "Ah, what a shame~ Even though Puck sent me here, Beatrice refused. I guess I'll have to tell Puck about this... Ah-! I'll just have to tell Puck-!"
To ensure she caught his meaning, he repeated himself loudly.
As expected, Beatrice's demeanor shifted instantly.
"Wait!" she called out as he approached the library door.
Adam suppressed a smile, turned around with a puzzled expression, and asked softly, "What is it, Beatrice?"
"Since it's big brother's request, Betty supposes teaching you wouldn't be impossible." She conceded.
"Really?"
"Hmph, of course." The brother-complexed Beatrice snorted, "But let me make this clear — if you're not suited for Yin Magic, Betty won't waste time teaching you."
"Ah, don't worry about that. I actually have quite a talent for Yin Magic." Adam said confidently.
Beatrice muttered disapprovingly, "Hmph, arrogant boy. I'll make you give up soon enough."
Then, she began teaching him〘Yin Magic〙.
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