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Chapter 7: Just Want to Be with the Master

On the day of the special training, Roy took the little maid to the outskirts of the swamp early in the morning for a gathering.

This time, the special training mission was to hunt down the escaping experimental magical beast from the swamp, the Sequence 7 Black Demon Bird.

Defeating that thing isn’t too difficult, but the swamp itself is vast and treacherous, filled with other dangerous magical beasts, even a strong Sequence 6 beast lurking around.

So a single team is clearly not enough.

At this moment, several pairs of Sequence 7 partners had already arrived. Most of them were third-year seniors, with a few second-years mixed in.

So when Roy and Alice, a first-year duo, got off the carriage, it immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Noticing people approaching, Roy instinctively stepped forward to shield Alice.

Sometimes, being too outstanding isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Alice, being just a maid without any strong background, stepped into Sequence 7 early on, so it’s no surprise she faced disdain from the upperclassmen.

In the original story, Alice being bullied by seniors because of her rapid promotion was a recurring theme, though she would eventually be rescued by various heroines. But nowadays, with me around, I won’t let that little maid suffer even a bit of mistreatment.

However, to his surprise, the seniors’ expressions were surprisingly friendly.

“Roy, junior! It’s been a while.”

“Miss Alice! Long time no see; you took care of me during the last mission.”

“This special training isn’t easy; is a first-year really up for it?”

“Didn’t you barely pass the last test against them?”

The overly friendly banter made Roy a bit uncomfortable.

As the son of a Marquis and a new star in first year, it’s not strange to be treated with respect.

But Alice’s popularity seemed even higher than his, which was puzzling; she was still far from being a saintess!

Upon asking, he learned that Alice frequently participated in various after-school assessments, special training, and off-campus practices, gaining everyone’s recognition for her excellent skills. Plus, she was friendly and polite, even winning over those self-important seniors, earning their affection.

“As the master’s maid, I can’t bring shame to my master. Setting a good example and maintaining a positive image is only natural.”

“Here we go again! Alice can’t go three sentences without mentioning her master!”

Unknowingly, the little maid got wrapped up in the crowd, swallowed by laughter, while Roy found himself left out.

Though he felt pleased, he couldn’t shake off the loneliness.

What’s this feeling of watching a child grow and drift further away?

No, no, Alice being popular is a good thing.

I should just stay out of it and let her enjoy this harmonious friendship with her classmates.

Roy convinced himself and stepped aside, but he still had a sour expression, like a neglected old father.

“By the way, Alice, do you want to team up with us? The more, the merrier!”

Hey! You little brat, don’t think I don’t know what you’re plotting! That’s way too early for Alice! Besides, she’s into girls; you don’t stand a chance! Get lost!

But before Roy could intervene, Alice ran over from the crowd and quietly asked, “Master, someone invited me to team up. What should I do?”

Her sky-blue eyes were clearer than the sky itself, and under that gaze, Roy suddenly felt perplexed.

“Alice, what do you think?”

“Eh?”

“Do you want to team up with them?”

At times like this, he should respect Alice’s wishes.

She wasn’t just a pet.

Even if she wanted to team up with someone else, it was her freedom—

Though, just to be on the safe side, he would definitely follow along.

But the girl didn’t hesitate to reply, “Alice wants to be with the master.”

Roy blinked: “Of course, I’ll be with you.”

The little maid softly mumbled and tugged at his sleeve, unconsciously getting closer to him: “That means Alice wants to be with the master. Just with the master.”

The blonde girl tilted her little head up, asking cutely, “Is that okay?”

“Absolutely!”

If it weren’t in public, Roy would’ve lifted Alice up on the spot!

But sadly, he could only give her a gentle hug.

Even so, the little maid wore a cotton-candy-like expression, sweet as can be.

Roy had no idea that the one who invited her didn’t feel disappointed at all; in fact, they wore a look of full satisfaction.

“Although it’s a pity we couldn’t team up, seeing this moment makes it worth it!”

“Sure enough, the bond between master and maid is true love!”

Even though not like the other girls who had already cemented their couple status, Alice’s constant mention of her master made everyone recognize the reality.

Miss Angel’s fans had no ill intentions left, transformed into the master-maid support team reserve.

If some white-haired cat-girl were to learn of this, she’d probably cry tears of joy.

But alas, pessimism never connects among people.

Dressed somewhat messily, with hair in disarray and a dazed look in his eyes, Enwei staggered in due to a hangover.

He arrived to see those punks chattering away happily, and in the midst of the laughter was a young couple snuggling closely.

The handsome black-haired boy and the cute blonde girl gazed at each other lovingly—an eye candy for the support team reserves.

But for Enwei, it was a nauseating smell of romance.

Just yesterday, he was rejected by an ice princess, humiliating himself.

And now he’s stuck watching this clingy couple first thing in the morning.

A wave of unnamed anger suddenly surged through his hazy mind.

“Hey! What are you yelling about?!”

“Is this special training a playground for you brats?!”

The teacher’s reprimand sent the students scattering like birds.

Enwei proudly surveyed the scene, regaining his arrogant demeanor, but upon seeing the couple still glued together, he couldn’t help but feel a bit enraged.

“You are… uh, Roy, right?”

“Let go of her! This is a special training, not your playground!”

Alice gave Roy a questioning look, and he glanced back at Enwei with a light smile, “Don’t mind him.”

“He’s probably just lashing out after being rejected by some beautiful lady last night. Can’t drown his sorrows, so he’s here taking it out on students.”

“That sounds a bit pathetic.” Alice commented flatly, with no sympathy in her tone.

“Ha, very true.”

Meanwhile, Enwei’s face turned green with anger.

These two little brats actually dared to ridicule him right in his face!

“This is the highest difficulty special training; what are first-years doing here?!”

“Scram! Violating school rules will cost you credits!”

Roy chuckled at the furious hangover uncle: “Hey, the school rules don’t specify that first-years can’t participate in the highest difficulty special training, do they?”

“And didn’t I recall that teachers who are late to training activities might have their pay docked?”

 

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