Vol 3 Chapter 14 – Boyhood: Early Summer at Twelve・Part 4

I’ve always been a voracious reader—even in my past life, I devoured books across all genres.

At one point, while researching female psychology for a text-only role (no fake girly voices, I swear!), I somehow fell headfirst into Harlequin Romances.

You know the deal: heroines getting swept off their feet by absurdly perfect, domineering CEOs who borderline kidnap them. As a guy, I’d scoff, “Yeah, right, like these guys exist.” But now, being the “heroine” in this scenario? Let’s just say the fantasy lost its charm.

Wait, scratch that. It’s a nightmare.

“Professor, are you still obsessing over this?!”

“But he’s too cute not to! Out with this dull doublet—let’s stuff him into a frilly white gown! Replace those lumpy pants with something skintight! Knee-high boots! Gloves! And a lacy parasol for flair!”

Even the ghostly boobs I’d been shamelessly ogling earlier now felt… hollow. God, I miss home. Are Mom and Dad okay? Is Brother surviving? Maybe Miss Mina’s already knocked up. Margit better not be causing chaos…

“And this one needs more black lace! Triple the ruffles! Inflate the skirt with a pannier! A fan, too! Who cares if it’s impractical for a kid? The mismatch is genius!”

I tried zoning out, but Eliza’s death grip on my hand yanked me back to hell. Why am I here? This lady’s motor-mouth could outrun a typhoon.

“Ani-sama… she’s scary…”

“Endure it, Eliza. We’ll survive.”

I squeezed her hands as she whispered into my ear. I’m terrified too—just not only of her.

“Regardless, young Erich’s apprenticeship contract is legally binding. His parents signed every page.”

A fresh stack of documents slammed onto the table, finally halting Lady Reisen’s word hurricane.

“Even if you ask so flippantly…”

“Ugh…”

Lady Reisen groaned, her arms squeezing Eliza and me tighter. Hello?! Let go already! I’m too young for yandere imprisonment arcs!

I glared at Master. Negotiate faster, you gremlin! This had to be about squeezing concessions. Just end this!

Get me out. Getting fondled by a ghost with a life-coach complex was bad enough, but now my dignity meter was nosediving faster than Eliza’s family tree credibility.

“Well, this does hinge on Erich’s choice…”

Traitor! Master yeeted the decision into my lap. Before I could blink, Lady Reisen’s hand clamped onto my shoulder like a possessive vice. Why is my life a dating sim gone wrong?!

“Dear Erich. How about becoming my personal guest auditor…?”

“Hard pass!”

My refusal slid out slicker than a soap bar in a yandere’s bathtub. Never let the obsessive lady finish—Survival 101.

“As a mere apprentice serving Lady Staal, such an offer would… overwhelm my humble station.”

Flimsy, but my “lowly apprentice” shtick was all I had. Sure, magic upgrades sounded neat, but not with this stage-five clinger!

Just as I tasted victory, Master’s lips twisted into a grin only a chaos demon could love.

Oh no. He’s plotting.

“Ah, but Erich yearns to fund his sister’s education! Surely granting him… flexible hours would benefit everyone~?”

Flexible hours?! That phrase reeked of more schemes than a yandere’s marriage ultimatum. Master’s smirk screamed, “You’re my sacrificial lamb now.”

“…Explain. Now.”

Lady Reisen’s face puckered like she’d bitten a lemon. Meanwhile, Master smiled like he’d sold her my soul.

“First, I need a break. Twenty-one years of fieldwork is exhausting, no~?”

“…Six months. Take it.”

Six months?! For nobles, that’s a nap. For peasants? A lifetime supply of “nope.”

“Second, I’ll need two to three years to compile my research…”

Lies! Those reports were done before I was born. Even without [Bullshit Detector], I could tell.

“Two years. Impress me.”

“Ohoho~ I’ll exceed expectations~!”

Two and a half years?! Enough time for Master to auction me to a cult. Thrice.

“Lastly, I’ll need to… reconnect with academia post-publishing.”

“Take all the reference letters you want!”

Why am I worth this?! Eliza? Sure. Me? I’m the bargain-bin protagonist!

“Well! If you’re offering this much special treatment, I can’t exactly say no to your generosity~!”

When did she plan this?! If she’d schemed to use me as her pawn from the moment I became an apprentice, I might actually lose my mind. Just let me rescue Eliza and become a broke adventurer in peace!

I never signed up for handsy aristocrats and their ✨aesthetic obsessions✨.

【Tips】 Imperial mage researchers receive fat government grants. Make a big discovery? Enjoy medals, cash bonuses, and a lifetime pension.

And so, under this shady deal, I—sold to a life-worshipping freak—ended up…

…dragged to a high-end boutique in the noble district. Why.

“My, what lovely blond hair! White fabrics will glow on him!”

“Wait! This navy velvet from the western trade routes would pair beautifully. Gold embroidery, perhaps?”

“Should we keep the collar simple? Minimalism is trendy with youths these days…”

“A scarlet scarf for contrast! It’ll highlight his dashing features!”

I’d been hauled into a “no peasants allowed” boutique, stripped to my skivvies while four seamstress harpies swarm me with tape measures. Every time they draped fabric worth Dad’s entire farm over my shoulders, I prayed I wouldn’t sneeze and bankrupt generations.

Run? Can’t. The client (read: yandere sponsor) ordered this. Endure.

“Ani-sama… I’m tired…”

“Hang in there. I’ll buy you triple-scoop unicorn sundae later.”

No way I’m bailing before Eliza! Big bro duty demanded I stand guard.

Lady Reisen, meanwhile, reveled in her new dress-up privileges—ordering custom outfits like she was picking convenience store snacks. The extras alone would bankrupt a small nation.

But hey, perks!

First: She’d let me use the Mage Academy’s “VIP Quest Board”—a jobs board for mages, by mages. Jobs ranged from “carry my shopping” (trustworthy lackeys = rare) to “be my dungeon guinea pig.” Some professors even posted “attend my tea party and eat free cake!” gigs. Student heaven.

Second: Access to the mid-tier library… with Lady Reisen as my “study buddy.” Sure, she’s a certified weirdo, but learning from a 200-year-old genius? Worth the occasional ✨casual groping✨.

If enduring dress-up hell gets me magic cheat codes, sign me up.

“Lady Reisen! What about hats? The wide-brimmed ones with feathers are so chic!”

“Yes! Fluffy with dramatic plumage! Like that one I saw at the—”

…I’d rather stock convenience store shelves. But I’ll suffer—for Eliza. She’s got five seamstresses attacking her. Godspeed, little sister.

【Tips】 Triple Empire nobles technically worship ‘humble living’—emphasis on ‘technically.’ Compliance rate: 0% since forever.