Caius stared at the cup being slowly pushed toward him, speechless.

  "Enough. I'd rather have alcohol than water."

  "I'm just here to ask you something. No need to be so nervous."

  With that, he turned to Belle.

  Belle remained quietly standing there.

  Although her eyes were hidden, Caius knew she was looking at him. Unable to help himself, he asked, "Aren't you going to ask me what I want to know?"

  At his words, Belle shrank her small face into her high-collared sweater. Then, a soft voice emerged.

  "What... do you want to ask?"

  Caius: "..."

  "I want to know the names of the people who bullied you," Caius said.

  After a long silence, Belle finally spoke.

  "No one bullied me..."

  Caius wiped his face and said, "Tell me the truth. That way, I can lock onto the right targets and help you better."

  Belle remained silent, fiddling with her small hands.

  Great. A quiet one.

  Caius frowned and said, "If you don't tell me, I can't help you. You won't be able to attend school normally, let alone go to Hydis."

  "Then Granny Lunla and your little sisters won't be able to have a better life. Is that what you want?"

  In reality, the two matters were unrelated. Even if Belle was being bullied in Ocean City, she could still go to Hydis Magic Academy, since Holan had arranged a direct admission for her.

  But Caius was deliberately "threatening" her.

  Sure enough, upon hearing Caius' words, Belle became anxious. Her voice turned hesitant. "I don't want..."

  Before she could finish, Caius cut in, "Good. Then point them out."

  "Who's this?" Caius grabbed a portrait and asked, giving Belle no chance to retreat.

  Belle turned her head and glanced at it before whispering, "Frieda..."

  "Mm. And this one?"

  "Alana..."

  "This one?"

  "Linsa..."

  "And this one?" Caius finally pointed at the girl who had deducted fifty points, asking her name.

  When Belle saw the girl, she actually took half a step back, showing just how much of a shadow this girl had cast over her.

  "Man... Manasa..."

  Caius nodded in satisfaction.

  On the side, Granny Lunla let out an inexplicable sigh of relief as she watched this unfold.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Although Caius’ tone sounded like a threat, harsh and overbearing, it was surprisingly effective.

  Whenever she asked Belle about these things, she was always gentle, afraid of hurting her feelings. But now, it seemed that Caius' approach was actually more effective.

  If it were up to her, she would never have the heart to talk to Belle like that.

  She could barely bear to stop spoiling the girl, let alone interrogate her.

  "The culprits have been identified. Now, it's time for justice." Caius stood up and asked Belle, "What time do you go to the academy tomorrow?"

  "Five in the morning," Belle replied.

  After speaking, she felt a strange sense of relief. It was as if, now that she had spoken up, things would be alright. Her speech returned to normal, though her voice was still soft.

  "That early?" Caius asked.

  Belle nodded, letting out a tiny hum of confirmation, so quiet that even Caius almost didn't hear it.

  "Alright then. I'll come find you at five tomorrow, and we'll go together." Caius said.

  With that, he collected the portraits and strode outside, moving briskly.

  Just as he was about to leave, Belle suddenly remembered something and rushed after him, calling out, "Wait..."

  "What?" Caius turned back.

  "You forgot the deed..." Belle said, pulling out a neatly folded, old piece of paper from her pocket.

  Caius merely glanced at it before turning away, continuing forward, and leaving behind a single sentence: "Hold onto it for me. I'll take it after I pay the rest."

  With that, he walked out the door of the Orphanage.

  Belle watched his departing figure for a while before softly replying.

  "Okay."

  Then she returned inside and went to Granny Lunla, smoothing the folds in the blanket covering her.

  "He left?" Granny Lunla resumed knitting.

  It was autumn now, and winter was approaching.

  "Mm." Belle nodded slightly.

  "What do you think of him?" Granny Lunla suddenly asked.

  Belle was taken aback. After a brief silence, she said, "He's a good person."

  Granny Lunla chuckled and gently stroked her face. "I think so too."

  ……

  "Wake up, little cat! Time to work!" Caius called out urgently.

  Kiki rubbed her eyes groggily and looked outside.

  The sun was shining brightly.

  "What time is it, Meow?"

  "Noon." Caius picked up his backpack as he spoke.

  "We're leaving at noon, Meow?"

  "Originally, I planned to leave after dinner, but plans have changed. We’re leaving now." Caius said.

  He had thought Belle would leave for the academy in a few days, but it turned out she was heading there early tomorrow morning. That meant he had to hurry.

  Looked like another sleepless night.

  He planned to complete those two Silver-tier missions tonight and return before Belle left, so he could go with her to the academy.

  In reality, he didn’t have to rush. A few days' delay wouldn’t have mattered.

  But after hearing Eli’s words, Caius had come to understand just how vile Manasa and her gang were.

  Framing others was second nature to them, and that was just outside the academy. Who knew how much worse things were for Belle inside?

  He couldn't just stand by. Delaying even a day meant Belle would suffer another day of bullying.

  As he packed his things, Caius sighed.

  This damned sense of responsibility. I really am a good man!

  Once everything was ready, Caius hurriedly dragged Kiki downstairs.

  "Caius, you—hey?" Yvlan was about to speak to him when he suddenly rushed out of the tavern with Kiki, leaving her confused.

  "Why does he look like he's running from disaster...?" Yvlan muttered.

  But the next second, Caius dashed back in front of her. Like a magician, he pulled out a Mona Redbloom and, before Yvlan could react, gently tucked it behind her ear.

  "Beautiful!" Caius grinned in satisfaction before dashing out again, leaving Yvlan stunned in the wind.

  It wasn't until teasing voices rose around her that Yvlan finally snapped out of it.

  "You brat! Get back here!!!"

  Hearing the lion's roar from behind him, Caius laughed heartily and ran even faster.

  Once out of the city gates, he didn’t slow down—instead, he sped up.

  Kiki, who was being dragged along, found herself lifted into the air.

  Then, with a flick of Caius' hand, Kiki landed on his shoulder.

  The little catgirl quickly clung to Caius' neck, full of nervousness.

  Because Caius' speed was ridiculous. Faster than a carriage, he covered ten to twenty meters in a single stride. The scenery around them blurred as it raced past.

  Kiki feared that if she loosened her grip even a little, the rushing wind would fling her off.

  In response, Kiki’s body glowed, and a visible azure light surrounded Caius.

  Immediately, the air resistance decreased, and his speed increased even further.

  "Aren't we taking a carriage, Meow?" Kiki asked.

  "Nope. Carriages are too slow. We’re running!" Caius replied.

  "Huh?! It’s over a hundred kilometers! Are you serious, Meow?!"

  "Of course!" Caius grinned.

  "Hold on tight, little cat. I’m speeding up!"

  Kiki was shocked. Faster than this?!

  And indeed, she soon learned what real speed meant as veins of vital energy ignited around Caius.

  "Too fast! Too fast! I'm gonna fall, Meow!!"