The moment I stepped inside the manor—
Boom.
Emotional explosion.
"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Father's voice echoed through the entire hall like he was personally about to declare war.
Honestly? Valid reaction.
We looked… mildly tragic.
Knights bruised. Clothes torn. And me?
Standing there in a sapphire dress decorated with very unplanned blood stains.
Mother didn't even wait.
She rushed forward and grabbed my shoulders, inspecting me like I was a priceless artifact someone had dared to scratch.
"You're bleeding—no, wait—where are you hurt? Selene! Call Doctor Aurelia immediately—"
"I'm fine," I said quickly, grabbing her hand.
She froze.
"I mean it. Kaelith healed me."
Her gaze shifted.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
Towards him.
Standing there like he didn't just casually wipe out a group of bandits five minutes ago.
---
"We were ambushed on the way back," Sir Alistair explained. "This man intervened."
Ron nodded.
"He saved the young miss."
Father's expression hardened, then softened as he looked at me.
"Evelyn… is that true?"
Before I could answer—
Mother stepped forward.
And bowed.
Actually bowed.
The entire hall went silent.
"Thank you," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "For saving my children."
…Okay.
That was new.
Even Kaelith blinked.
Once.
Father followed with a firm nod.
"You have my gratitude as well. Name your reward."
Kaelith didn't hesitate.
"I don't need one," he said flatly. "Just allow me to continue as her teacher."
Ah.
Straight to business.
I liked that.
Father looked at me.
I smiled sweetly.
Translation: Say yes or I will emotionally blackmail you later.
"…Very well," he said slowly. "If Evelyn agrees, then I have no objections."
Of course I agree.
Free overpowered mage tutor?
Yes, please.
---
What happened next was honestly impressive.
Kaelith walked past everyone like he owned the estate and started healing the injured knights.
One by one.
No hesitation.
No dramatics.
Just efficient, controlled magic.
I followed him like an overly curious assistant.
"You're staring," he muttered.
"I'm observing," I corrected.
"You're staring."
"Let me admire greatness in peace."
He sighed.
---
By evening, the chaos settled.
Kaelith was officially declared a guest of the estate.
Which meant—
He now lived here.
Permanently.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
---
Back in my room, Selene and the others helped me change.
Fresh clothes. Clean hair. No blood. Much better.
Then—
"Miss… where's Lumi?" Annie asked.
…Ah.
Problem.
Because Lumi = Kaelith.
And Kaelith = currently very much not a fluffy innocent creature.
Before I could answer—
Knock knock.
Annie opened the door.
And there he was.
Kaelith.
Holding…
Another Luminox.
Identical.
I stared.
He stared back.
"…You're kidding."
"The creature was trembling outside," he said calmly. "Likely frightened."
Oh.
So we're lying now.
Cool.
"I'll clean him!" Annie said, already grabbing the poor confused creature.
I leaned closer to Kaelith.
"You stole that, didn't you?"
"I relocated it," he corrected.
"That's kidnapping."
"It's temporary."
I sighed.
"Unbelievable."
---
Later that night, I was ready to sleep when—
Poof.
He appeared.
Because apparently doors are optional for him.
"What were you doing?" I asked.
"Handling things."
That was not an answer.
"That tells me absolutely nothing."
"Exactly."
…This man.
---
"Did my parents agree to let you stay?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Wow. You're officially part of the household now."
He didn't look thrilled.
"I preferred being left alone."
"Too bad. You adopted me."
"I did not."
"You literally did."
He ignored me.
Coward.
---
The next morning—
I was violently awakened by something attacking my hair.
"Lumi—stop—"
The fake Luminox stared at me.
Right.
Imposter.
This was getting confusing.
---
After breakfast, I spotted Kaelith outside the library.
Holding a book.
Reading.
Like a normal person.
Suspicious.
"Good morning, young miss," he said.
I froze.
"…Who are you and what have you done with Kaelith?"
He frowned.
"What?"
"You didn't call me brat."
"…Do you want me to?"
"No. But I'm concerned."
---
Lessons with Tutor Lioren were… different that day.
Quieter.
Softer.
"Evelyn… this will be my last lesson with you."
I stopped writing.
"…Excuse me?"
She smiled gently.
"There's nothing more I can teach you."
Oh.
Oh.
That hit harder than expected.
"You'll continue with self-study until you enter the Academy."
Academy.
Right.
Plot progression.
"Thank you… for everything," I said.
And I meant it.
---
At the training grounds—
Knight Seraphine absolutely destroyed me.
Three rounds.
Three losses.
No mercy.
"Stabilize your stance!" she said.
"I'm five!" I snapped.
Selene coughed.
"She's not wrong, Lady Seraphine."
"…Ah."
Seraphine blinked.
"I forgot."
Of course she did.
---
After training, I found Kaelith sleeping under a tree.
Book on his face.
Of course.
I poked him.
He grabbed my finger without looking.
"Done already?"
"Yes, your laziness."
"I'm conserving energy."
"You slept through my suffering."
"Skill issue."
I gasped.
---
Training began.
Mana gathered in my hands.
Blue light flickered.
"Focus," he said.
"I am focusing."
"You're complaining internally."
"…How do you know that?"
"Because you always do."
Rude.
Accurate.
Annoying.
---
Then came the crystals.
Fire.
Water.
Wind.
Earth.
Ice.
Light.
Darkness.
All responded.
Every single one.
Kaelith frowned.
"…Interesting."
"I'm amazing, I know."
"You're problematic."
"Excuse me?"
"Jack of all trades," he said. "Master of none. Yet."
I crossed my arms.
"I'll prove you wrong."
"I hope you do."
---
By the time training ended, I was exhausted.
Completely drained.
Barely walking.
"This is brutal," I groaned.
"I warned you."
"You undersold it."
---
At dinner, Kaelith didn't show up.
"Where's your… pet?" Theo asked.
"Resting," I replied.
Technically true.
Somewhere.
Probably.
---
As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling—
One thought echoed in my mind.
Bandits.
Magic.
Academy.
Kaelith.
This world wasn't slowing down.
And neither was I.
I smirked.
"Bring it on."
---