chapter_0171

172 – Proper Dog Walking Methods

172 – Proper Dog Walking Methods

The Sylvester Mansion, where Helen lived, was quiet.

Normally, the servants would be bustling about in this space, but it was filled with silence.

Chirp, chirp.

Gurgle, gurgle.

Only the sound of birds singing and the flowing water of the fountain filled the garden.

“This is the first time I’ve seen such a quiet mansion.”

Even when the owner was away, the servants usually took their place.

“Is Veron not here either?”

Veron, the third son of the Sylvester family, was the commander of the 2nd Knights Brigade, so I had heard he stayed in the capital unlike the other Sylvester children.

Could it be that he is also not here?

I finally realized the meaning of Helen’s letter, which said, “There is no one here.”

“Really… it means there is truly no one here.”

And in that moment, I could guess why she had called me.

Inviting a man into a house where a woman lives alone.

That is…

“I suddenly feel embarrassed.”

Of course, I was just someone who provided that kind of service for her.

I didn’t have any emotional elements attached to it.

“It would be troublesome if someone misunderstood that I took her virginity.”

Helen was the eldest daughter of the Sylvester family and was considered a genius in the empire.

Considering her family’s power, it wouldn’t be long before she became a powerful official in the central government or the best Spiritualist, living a life of luxury.

Am I also a genius magician?

Isn’t it the same?

There wasn’t much a commoner Illusion magician could do without any backing.

In the first place, the treatment of Illusion magicians wasn’t that good, and it was even worse if the person was a commoner.

Even among geniuses, the levels were different.

As I opened the door and passed through the garden, I entered the mansion.

“S-Sensei, it’s been a while. Hahaha.”

Helen awkwardly greeted me.

Thinking of the cheeky words she had said to me upon our first meeting, this was a completely different side of her.

“Maybe it’s because I came wearing glasses.”

Before entering Helen’s mansion, I had put on silver glasses.

I thought that was the appearance she wanted.

In the illusion, and even before entering the illusion, she had always…

“Could you please wear glasses?”

She had asked me that.

She wanted to see me wearing those glasses even in reality.

So, Helen’s face turning red and her fidgeting might be because of these glasses I was wearing.

“Have you been well?”

“Ah, yes… thanks to you.”

Helen, with her face still flushed, stared at my face and body.

She swallowed hard as she made eye contact with me.

“Oh, you came wearing glasses?”

“Yes. I thought you would like this look.”

“Ah…”

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

It seemed that was the right choice.

“I wanted to see you while inspecting the territory.”

Inspecting the territory?

“Did you go to inspect the Sylvester territory?”

“Yes. I went around with the head of the family.”

Ah.

I realized why she had called me here.

“Then it seems we will have fewer opportunities to meet from now on.”

“Yes? W-What do you mean…?”

“I’ve heard the rumors. They say that the Sylvester Marquis is taking his children around for heir education.”

Now Helen would be returning to the Sylvester territory.

It was the season for graduating from the academy, so it was a natural course of events.

Helen’s abilities were undeniably impressive.

It was only natural for her to catch the eye of the Sylvester Marquis, who prioritized ability above all else.

She probably wanted to be evaluated as a candidate for the heir.

“If Helen leaves, I will lose a regular customer like this.”

It was a pity that she was leaving.

Helen had been a loyal customer who frequented our shop without a doubt.

“Shouldn’t you be going back to the Sylvester territory?”

“Ah, about that…”

With a slight smile, Helen continued.

“I’m not going to go down.”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

“I refused. The heir competition.”

She turned down that position?

“I decided to stay in the capital.”

“I thought you would return to your family.”

This was truly unexpected.

The Helen I knew was someone who valued her family more than anyone else.

She was someone wrapped up in pride and self-esteem for being part of a great family.

That confidence in her abilities led her to achieve brilliant results at the academy.

But she wouldn’t seize this opportunity?

“I was going to do that too…”

Helen, who had been staring at me, smiled and said.

“My mind has changed.”

“Then you plan to build your power in the central government.”

“Yes. That’s how I received this house.”

“Is it okay to share all of that?”

“It’s fine. Because it’s you, Sensei.”

I may be tight-lipped, but…

“If I share all of that, I might inadvertently reveal weaknesses to others.”

“Are you worried about me right now?”

“It’s similar.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, Sensei.”

She smiled brightly.

“I’m also glad that Helen is going to stay in the capital.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes.”

Helen approached me with a bright smile.

“Helen is a model student who listens very well in class.”

What is this?

I felt a slight chill down my spine, as if I had just stepped on a landmine.

“Is it good that I’m a good guest?”

She asked me, narrowing her brows slightly.

I instinctively felt that I shouldn’t nod here.

It was like a survival instinct.

“That wasn’t the meaning.”

“I see… I understand. That can happen.”

Pouting her lips slightly, Helen grumbled.

“I even offered my virginity.”

Because she spoke so softly, Max couldn’t hear her complaints.

Helen felt a bit disappointed, but she understood Max’s position.

In a way, as he said, they were still in a relationship where he provided a service and she consumed that service.

They had never directly exchanged emotions.

In the illusion, they had shared feelings many times and whispered that they loved the teacher, but that had not carried over into reality.

Helen knew that.

However, her feelings of disappointment didn’t easily fade away.

“I know, but…”

They say that the closer your bodies are, the closer your hearts become.

Helen couldn’t take her eyes off the man standing in front of her.

That much.

It meant their hearts had grown closer.

“Come in. I’ve prepared a lot for when you arrive, Sensei.”

“Understood.”

And perhaps because of that rising dissatisfaction.

She threw a sulky remark at Max as he entered.

“But, you know. How long can you treat a student like this so seriously?”

“…Do you want me to treat you casually?”

“Yes.”

Max looked at her in surprise.

“If it’s what the guest wants, shouldn’t you comply?”

“That is true, but didn’t you just show a disappointed expression as a guest earlier?”

“You should use me while you can!”

“Are you aware of the difference in status?”

“What does that matter? Aren’t magicians considered minor nobles? If it weren’t for the Illusion school, you would have already received a noble title with your skills.”

“…That is true.”

“So hurry up and do it. Come on.”

Helen spread her arms as if she would accept anything.

Seeing that, Max slowly inhaled and replied.

“Let’s go in, Helen. My legs are starting to hurt.”

“Hehe, sounds good, Sensei.”

In that moment, Helen became an incredibly cute student.

“Then this way…”

Helen led the way.

To her room, filled with gifts she had prepared to call Max today.

I followed Helen’s guidance into her room.

It was a room that strongly felt like a woman’s.

The walls were painted a light sky blue, resembling her hair color, and the bed was covered with a veil adorned with lace, filled with sparkling jewels and cosmetics on the vanity, and various dolls.

Although she was always recognized as an outstanding student and had skipped grades, drawing everyone’s attention, the room showed that she was still a girl at heart.

“It’s pretty. It’s neatly organized too.”

“I’m really happy to hear you say that, Sensei.”

Of course, there was a desk filled with numerous books, but it was a room that felt like a little girl’s room to the extent that it overshadowed that.

“There are many books about spirits.”

There were indeed many books on how to handle the water and wind spirits she had contracted.

As I looked at the books, what caught my eye was:

– The Proper Way to Walk a Dog.

A dog?

Did Helen have a dog?

“Please stop looking at that and look over here.”

However, my curiosity soon vanished when I opened the bed that was covered with a veil in her room.

Why?

Because on the bed.

“These are the things I’ve prepared for you, Sensei.”

An eye mask, shackles, and a leash were neatly arranged.

In that moment, I realized that the book titled The Proper Way to Walk a Dog on her desk was not meant for a dog she would raise.

It was.

“Oh, please educate me again today. Woof woof.”

It was a training manual for Helen herself.

I couldn’t just leave it like this.

With those words, I grabbed the leash.

“I need to create an illusion that can encompass the entire mansion.”

At my words, Helen carefully grabbed my hand.

“Oh, today, instead of an illusion…”

“?”

“I want to experience it for real.”

Then she placed that book in my hand.

– The Proper Way to Walk a Dog.

“Woof woof.”