Chapter 56

The strange thing was that even though he looked elegant, he didn't seem like a girl at all.

Anyway, why is he here?

Surprisingly, from the way he straightened his posture against the wall, it seemed he had been waiting for me.

Why is he waiting for me?

But he probably has no other business at the beginner's institution.

It seems he really did come looking for me.

"First, I just want to confirm, did you come looking for me?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I want to talk."

To my straightforward question, he gave a short answer.

Frowning, I glanced around the corridor.

The children had all gone home, so there was no one in the corridor.

"Whatever you want to talk about, make it quick. What's the matter?"

"......"

If it were the previous cycle, I might not have known, but in this life, there was no major reason for us to meet.

In fact, at the family meeting a week ago, I had even thought about correcting his character.

But that plan was scrapped when I got the chance to go to the Dragon Festival.

'He's a capable guy, so he'll do fine, I guess.'

Moreover, if things went well and I stayed at the Dragon Duke's house and didn't return, it would be to the eldest's advantage.

'Probably the head of the family in this life will be Agnor or him.'

Belus had a cold expression but stared at me intently, then showed a slightly puzzled look.

"......Why are you in a fighting stance?"

"Didn't you say you want to talk?"

"So?"

"Your talk isn't going to be a verbal one, is it?"

How could I not know?

Belus may look like that, but he's not the type to have a calm conversation.

"Come on, then."

My eldest brother was the most cautious among my siblings, but...

'He only moves when he's sure he can win or when he's sure he can beat the other person.'

Belus slowly blinked.

"......No."

Huh? His expression suggested he found it absurd.

"Calypso Aquasiadel. I wouldn't challenge you to a fight in a bright corridor in the middle of the day."

"Lie. A fight can be moved to another place, can't it?"

I frowned, my eyes full of distrust.

"You didn't come to fight? You only move when you're sure."

"Sounds like you know me well."

I replied calmly.

"If you gather all the information about the great eldest in this mansion, what's so difficult?"

"Indeed, that's true."

Belus crossed his arms.

I realized that wasn't a good sign.

Crossing his arms was something he did when he was in a bad mood.

'Am I at a level where I can read Belus now?'

I took a step back, ready to strike first if necessary.

First strike, win! ...I don't know if it will work on this guy, but the place must be here.

'The place can't be moved. He wouldn't dare attack here after seeing Bayyan's punishment.'

Fortunately, this was a corridor.

Just like with Bayyan, if a fight broke out, it would be entirely to his disadvantage.

'I thought he would come at night, but to come looking for me like this...'

That means there's a higher chance he wants to take me somewhere.

'I have to be careful of the nape of my neck, then.'

"You seem to be misunderstanding. I really didn't come to fight."

"Lie. You're in a bad mood, aren't you?"

"......I don't know how you knew that."

Belus narrowed his eyes.

At the same time, a stream of water flowed beside Belus and swayed gently.

"I just thought you were strange. I thought you would know since you heard about my reputation? I'm just a well-behaved student at the intermediate institution, nothing more, nothing less."

"......"

I didn't close my mouth in agreement, but in disbelief.

...You're a model student? You might as well say that a whale is a herbivore.

"Besides, I've never engaged in unnecessary battles unless they were provoked."

The thin stream of water thickened, and more streams of water suddenly appeared in an instant.

"How did you know I like fighting?"

I was shocked.

'Crazy, how many streams of water is he making now?'

The power of water can be gauged by how many streams of water can be created simultaneously.

At least, he was definitely not at the same level as someone his age.

He could easily handle most adults.

"There's no such thing as a whale that doesn't like fighting!"

"Hmm, did someone I dealt with talk? Who? To talk after getting beaten up like that."

...This guy is reciting it like he's reading a script.

He's reciting it as if he wants me to hear.

'I messed with the wrong person.'

I was taken aback when he mentioned being a model student, but I gradually realized that the current Belus was not the same as the one I knew.

How could I have known he was putting on an act?

I had heard by chance in the previous cycle that Belus was well-behaved at the educational institution.

I didn't know he was putting on an act!

"Who, who? Just drop it. Are you planning to call the principal?"

"......"

It seems he hasn't killed anyone yet.

I can tell he's been doing something behind the scenes.

What did he do to suddenly become so aggressive?

"I don't like fighting, so even my grandmother calls me boring."

"......What does that have to do with me?"

At that moment, the stream of water that was gently swaying Belus's head disappeared all at once.

"I'm serious when I say I don't want to fight you. I'm not stupid enough to make the same mistake as Bayyan."

"Who knows if you'll suddenly grab my neck and beat me up in an empty place?"

"True, I did think about it... but it's amazing. It's like you can read my mind."

"Are you admitting that again? Crazy guy."

"I've never heard that before."

Belus answered with a pretty and cold expression.

I replied regardless.

"The conversation won't be short, so are you going to keep tensing up?"

"I don't believe anything that's not certain. If you want to talk, say what you have to say and leave."

Seeming to realize I wouldn't budge, Belus took a half-step back.

"Fine. I just wanted to say that Bayyan's situation is a great opportunity for me, and I have no intention of doing anything foolish."

"The more you say that, the more you want to eliminate your rival, don't you?"

"......"

"I'm still weak and easy to handle. If you injure me permanently or kill me when you're stronger, it would be to your advantage to take care of me now."

Belus was slightly surprised.

"Amazing. Uncle and Aunt definitely think that way."

A faint smile appeared on Belus's face.

"And I think the same."

There, crazy guy. Showing his true nature and smiling.

I had an incredulous look on my face.

"Alright, I heard your introduction. You saw at the family meeting that if you attack here, you'll be the one in trouble. I'll let you go, so leave."

"But I came here because I genuinely care about you. Calypso Aquasiadel."

"Care? About me?"

It seemed like he might be serious.

But after threatening to kill and hurt me, saying he cares sounds too kind.

Belus didn't move.

Instead, he answered calmly.

'Maybe I can call Laïla or a teacher if I break something here.'

I noticed earlier with the water streams.

No matter how much I prove my excellence, to him, I'm still a minnow who can't even create a stream of water.

He probably sees me as a bothersome piece of food stuck in his teeth.

Annoying, but not worth getting rid of yet.

But he's confident he can get rid of me whenever he wants.

That's why I easily realized that Belus's genuine interest wasn't in me.

"Take your concern back. I don't want to talk either."

"Why?"

"Your real interest isn't in me, but in Dad."

In the previous cycle, even after becoming my subordinate, Belus always regretted one thing.

"I regret not being able to fight the strongest person. I always wanted to see him in action."

"Who?"

"Pierre Aquasiadel."