"Ah, today is such a pleasant day. The aroma of tea is filling the air, and I also get to enjoy it with the outdoor scenery. Not to mention, those pests that discovered my shop will finally be squashed like bugs. Don’t you think so as well, not-Sebastian?"

"It is as you say, sir."

The butler sighed with a tired look on his face. He had reminded Sir Marcus too many times that his name was not Sebastian, but the man had refused to use his real name.

In the end, he had decided to give up and allow the noble to call him whatever he wanted.

Since his master had shown himself to be an inconsiderate person, the butler had decided that he did not want their relationship to become any deeper.

’I want to go home. Can’t an accident happen? Then I can make an excuse that I am too shocked to work and head home.’

No sooner had the butler wished for it than the outside started to burn.

The fire started small, but it engulfed the trees and even the decorations, leaving nothing behind.

"W-What is going on here? Why is there suddenly a fire in my garden? S-Someone, do something!"

Sir Marcus yelled as he ordered everyone to quickly do something. But the butler could only say one thing about the situation.

"Sir, I am too shocked to move. Can I excuse myself and head home now?"

The butler asked in a shocked voice, and that immediately snapped Sir Marcus out of his own shock.

"What do you mean you want to go home? Don’t you see that it’s an emergency outside? From now on, I am banning everyone’s vacation days until this mess is resolved. Now, get out there and bring me the culprit behind this arson."

Sir Marcus looked like he was about to faint, so the butler hurried out.

He was about to open the door when it suddenly began to burn as well, and a small puppy...no, a beast entered the room.

"A-Am I dreaming? Butler, am I the only one who can see a beast standing in front of me?"

Sir Marcus asked in a shocked voice. But the butler saw the same thing his master was seeing.

"I am afraid that you have not gone senile yet, young master. There is a beast in this room. What would you like me to do?"

"What would I like you to do? Get rid of it! It’s small, so kill it or something. Just hurry up before it causes more damage."

Sir Marcus was so scared that he was hiding behind his sofa as he commanded his butler to get rid of Lyra.

The butler moved half-heartedly, but he was not able to get very far. A barrier blocked his way, and the butler let out a sound of surprise.

"What is it now? Can’t you even do such a small thing? Ugh, I should fire you and find a new one. Now get out of my way—"

Despite the fact that he was shaking, Sir Marcus walked toward the barrier and took out a magic tool he had purchased for a fortune.

The magician had assured him that it would be able to nullify other kinds of magic and also knock out anyone weaker than him.

So far, there had been no one who had stood against this artifact and survived.

"Beast, get ready to die. I will make sure to skin you and use you as a trophy—"

The artifact glowed, but the barrier did not break.

Lyra growled before she spewed out a ball of fire toward the artifact that burned it without a trace.

"Y-You devil! Don’t come near me...or else...!"

"Not only are you a coward, but you have a foul mouth as well. Can you watch what you say in front of this kid?"

Another young voice joined their conversation, and Sir Marcus watched with wide eyes as the kid from the magic shop stepped into his room.

The small beast also spewed out more fire, causing the furniture to catch fire.

"What are you doing here alive? You were supposed to be taken care of! Do you know how much I paid—"

"Unfortunately, money cannot buy ability. Well, in your case, it cannot buy a brain either. I came here to talk things out, but I have a feeling my efforts were useless."

The arrogant kid shook his head in a way that suggested he pitied Sir Marcus.

That did not sit well with the arrogant noble, and he decided he needed to teach this arrogant kid a lesson, no matter what.

But he had not even taken a single step when that blasted beast decided to block his way and spew out more fire.

Even the smallest spark was enough to break through his defenses, and Sir Marcus immediately took a step back.

"Oh my! It seems like you cannot even handle my puppy. How were you ever going to face me? Not that it matters to me. Now, sit down and listen to what you have to do next."

The arrogant kid walked toward the burned sofa, and Sir Marcus watched as the ashes started to twist and turn before they became a sofa once more.

It should have been an impossible feat that most magicians struggled to achieve, but this kid had done it as naturally as breathing.

"Hmm, this sofa is a bit stiff, but it will do. Lyra, come join me."

The kid patted his lap, and the beast obediently jumped into it before the pair looked at him.

Sir Marcus felt his limbs moving, and he knelt down in front of the sofa.

His insides burned with rage, but he could not break the hold that magic had on him.

’Just who the heck is this man, and how is he able to force me like this? Does he not realize who I am? Or...does he know and simply not care? Who is backing him?’

"Stop looking away from me, Sir Marcus. Or I will have Lyra make sure your attention stays on me. Butler, can you get me a cup of coffee in the meantime? I would appreciate it if you made it with a lot of sugar."

"Sebastian, don’t you dare—"

The butler looked at his master and then at Kael before making a decision.

It was clear that Kael had the upper hand, so the butler decided to switch sides.

"I will go and get the coffee with extra sugar."

The butler left Kael and his young master alone. He did not want to know what was going to happen in that room.

After all, ignorance was bliss.