Welcome to Lampail
When I turned around, there was Brother Noel, smiling… though his eyes weren’t.
"Joan? What were you just about to say?"
"N-nothing at all!"
"Really…? Everyone, you're Joan's classmates, right? Has our little tomboy been causing any trouble?"
"""""""No, sir."""""""
"That's good. But if anything happens, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll make sure to give her a thorough talking-to."
"""""""…… Yes, sir."""""""
Behind Brother Noel, I could hear someone chuckling. Looking more closely, I saw Brother Gene, Young Master Eric, and Vee standing there.
"Huh? Vee, what are you doing here?"
"Heh… I thought I’d go to the Lampail estate too."
"Really? Ah, everyone, let me introduce you. This is my second older brother, Brother Gene. And this is my cousin, Vee… Vince."
"Hey! You totally forgot my name just now, didn’t you!?"
"I did not! I remembered in time, so it’s fine!"
"How is that fine!?"
"Jeez, don’t sweat the small stuff."
"You should sweat it a little!"
"Sigh… Joan, Vince, enough of the nonsense, okay?"
After being scolded by Brother Noel:
""…… Yes. Sorry.""
"A-and this is… my cousin, Eric Adams."
"My cousin is a bit shy, but once she warms up, she’ll talk just fine. Please take care of her."
"""""""Yes, sir!!"""""""
"Oh, right. Souya, Miu, and Massan—Vee is Professor Longest’s second son."
"""What!?"""
"What? What about Mother?"
"Auntie’s going to be giving weekly special lessons to Class 1-A’s Null attribute students. Today was the first one."
"""No way!"""
"Seriously!? No one told me!"
"Same here! What about you, Gene?"
"If Big Bro doesn’t know, how would I?"
Even Vee and my brothers didn’t know…
Surely, Father must’ve known though, right?
"So? What did she teach?"
"Well, she helped everyone find their hidden skills."
"""""""Hidden skills!?"""""""
"Aren’t skills only the ones revealed during the baptism ceremony?"
"Auntie said that people like me with Null might have more skills to compensate for the lack of magic attributes. So we used my Search S to check. And everyone had hidden skills!"
"""""""No way!!"""""""
Everyone was shocked, and we took turns explaining who had what hidden skill. Well, not me—Souya and the others did. And we didn’t mention Kosshi, since that’s personal.
---
Heading to Lampail
The group going to the Lampail estate consisted of six of us, plus Sarah, Annie, and Belle’s maid Zoey—so nine in total. Of course, Pearl and Rosso came too.
First, we traveled from the dorm to the royal capital mansion.
"Welcome home, Young Master Noel, Young Master Gene, Young Lady Joan, Young Master Vince. Welcome, Young Master Eric, Young Lady Belle."
"Welcome back."
Upon arrival, Liam and Martha greeted us.
"Young Master Noel, will you depart for Lampail right away, or shall I prepare tea first?"
"We’ll head out right away this time."
"Very well. I’ll take care of your luggage."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
With Brother Noel leading, we headed toward the room with the teleportation gate.
As we opened the door…
"Welcome back, Big Brothers, Big Sister!"
Two adorable twins greeted us. Behind them stood Mother, smiling gently.
"Hu, Ly, I’m home~"
I knelt to hug them at their eye level, and they giggled happily.
"I brought some friends with me today."
After Young Master Eric and Belle greeted them:
"Nice to meet you, I’m Hugo!"
"Nice to meet you, I’m Lyla!"
“"Pleased to meet you…… oops. Ehehe."”
They stumbled on their words in perfect sync, and even their bashful reactions were synchronized—pricelessly cute.
"Now now, let’s not stand around here. Noel, take everyone to the courtyard."
"Huh? The courtyard, Mother?"
"Hehehe. Yes. You’ll see why once you get there."
"… Alright then. Let’s go, everyone."
Mother prompted us, and we headed for the courtyard.
Why the courtyard, I wonder?
… Wait, isn't the Giga Treant still there?
Is that… okay?
As we followed Brother Noel, we saw that what used to be an open-air courtyard was now covered with a glass roof, transformed into a massive sunroom. There was a wooden deck, complete with wicker sofas, chairs, and tables—just like the ones at Grandpa Phantasmo’s mansion.
"Wow, it’s just like Phantasmo’s place."
"When did this happen…?"
"It was a normal courtyard just last week…"
I was simply amazed, while my two brothers looked utterly confused.
"I thought this would be the best place for them to understand what Joan is really like."
The voice behind us belonged to—
"Father!"
"Welcome back. How’s the academy? Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes! I’ve made friends—and Auntie’s even giving us special classes!"
"Yes, I’ve heard… You must be Eric Adams, the count’s son. Thank you for always looking after Gene."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Eric Adams."
"… And you must be Belle Burst, the count’s daughter. Thank you for being so kind to Joan."
"N-nice to m-meet you. I-I’m B-Belle Burst. Y-Young Lady J-Joan is a-always s-so kind to me…"
"I see. I look forward to your continued friendship."
"Y-yes…”
After Mother also greeted them, we all took our seats. Nancy and Gray brought out tea for us.
We chatted about the academy for a while, and once we were all settled, Father began to speak.
"Eric, Miss Belle—this may come as a surprise, but would you hear me out?"
Young Master Eric and Belle exchanged a glance, then turned back to Father and nodded.
""Yes.""
What do you think about this chapter?
