The Sleeping Devil

Vol. 4 - Chapter 9 - Julius's Challenge

After Sheriel's departure, in the backyard still filled with sparks and dust, Julius was perplexed by the unexpected turn of events.

Not because his scheming had been exposed.

He had confidently assumed Sheriel wouldn't let go of her role as his student, even if her knowledge included his involvement. Both Dior and her husband Sergio, aware of Julius's role, had used it to their advantage.

Julius's confusion stemmed from Sheriel's inexplicable anger.

"Julius, what could make Sheriel so angry?"

"She found out about Dior. She blamed me for not telling her."

Sergio clapped his hands, understanding evident on his face. But soon, he tilted his head.

"But didn't we say she seemed fine with it? Sheriel might scold me instead of you, you know."

"Is that so? That's why I'm puzzled; I don't know why she's so angry."

As he pondered how things had come to this, Sheriel's tone began to carry anger when discussing Dior's situation.

"Our precious garden turned into a battlefield just because of that?"

"No, I casually mentioned it got complicated, and it started from there."

Sergio sighed heavily, placing a reassuring hand on Julius's shoulder.

"You're still quite the child, Julius. Refrain from calling women troublesome. Even Dior might turn the castle into an inferno."

"Even if you say 'women,' she's not really a child. Sheriel is smart, but she's not the kind of girl who seeks to be treated as a lady, right?"

Despite countering Sergio, memories of Sheriel getting angry at being treated like a child surfaced.

Things had become truly troublesome. Julius, usually adept at providing the words others wanted to hear, couldn't understand why it didn't work today. He was puzzled over it.

"Sheriel is a Beriard, you know? Julius, you understand she's not just a child by appearance?"

"Sheriel... Although she has the thinking capacity of an adult, her ideas are whimsical and childlike. She picks up anything, has a tendency to prefer animals over people, and her compassion for others relies on an ethical sense that prioritizes doing what's right over emotions. But, I don't quite understand that ethical sense. Did she mix something strange in with Beriard's education? And even though she should be dull with her own matters, she showed so much anger today. It's really incomprehensible."

Sergio burst into laughter without hiding anything, patting Julius's shoulder several times. Frowning at what could be so amusing, Julius fell silent in front of Sergio, who wore the delighted expression of a pleased parent.

"If you understand that much, it's sufficient. I'll tell you, Sheriel's mental age isn't much different from Didier's. Although Father criticized her as immature, be careful not to underestimate her; you might face some consequences."

"I've already faced consequences. Look at this disaster. If it weren't for me, I'd be dead. Moreover, she freely cast spells with the staff I made, draining a considerable amount of magical power."

Julius was at a loss about what to do next. Whenever there was a goal before, he could weave strategies like intricate spider silk to reach it. However, regarding Sheriel, the events had left him uncertain about the correct course of action.

As Sergio had said, he had expected Sheriel to be amazed but accepting. Regardless of the trigger, he believed she valued acquiring magic skills.

It was too late when he thought he should apologize. Asked what he was apologizing for, he couldn't provide an answer.

For the first time, Julius realized that human relationships were incredibly complex.

For Julius, people's hearts were mere information. If he could decipher what the other person wanted, all he had to do was return it.

In that sense, Didier, a thinker with similar thoughts, was both troublesome and an easy opponent. Understanding our intentions without being told and not reproaching us for it. Minor provocations were enjoyable banter, and the feeling of being seen through added a pleasant stimulation.

Sheriel, on the other hand, intrigued him in a different way. Giving her something would elevate it to an unexpected direction, returning it multiplied.

This time it took a wrong turn...

Is Sheriel still angry? Although accustomed to rejection from others, it felt uncomfortable. She seemed concerned about being killed by me, but I never treated Sheriel roughly. Did she associate it with how I treated Dalia?

Honestly, I'm still undecided on how to handle Sheriel. Initially, indeed...

"Sincerely, you have no choice but to apologize."

Sergio's voice interrupted Julius's thoughts.

"Do you, a Beriard, understand the meaning of sincerity?"

"Yes, of course. Do you know how much I've done to gain Didier's forgiveness? First and foremost, gifts are essential. I once spent half a day reciting poems expressing my love for Didier. I even took a whole day off work and went to the bedroom---oh, excuse me, it was too early for children, wasn't it?"

What is this man misunderstanding? Julius stared at Sergio with a disdainful look.

"Completely useless. Couldn't you use Didier as an example?"

"That's why you get scolded for treating her like a child. Anyway, listen to Sheriel's story and apologize properly. Hasn't Sheriel cooled down by now?"

In the end, Julius, without a clear plan, decided to head to Sheriel's room. Stepping on the crunching, unruly grass, Sergio's voice followed from behind.

"Wait, what about this garden?! Fix it properly later! The castle is falling apart in just a few days!"

Certainly, both Gardo and Dalia were my doing. If Sergio finds out, I'll owe him even more. Julius sighed softly at the thought.

What am I doing here? Repairing the garden to please a child... But, this might be considered part of peaceful daily life.

Approaching Sheriel's room, when he lifted his right hand to knock on the door, he hesitated. Perhaps it's better to wait a little longer. She's probably still angry. No, if I wait too long, she might completely distance herself. What state is Sheriel in now? Julius faced a dilemma he had never considered before, causing his cheeks to twitch involuntarily.

By the way, I haven't prepared the gift Sergio mentioned. Should I have Owens prepare it, or should I postpone the visit? As he pondered, the door swung open, and Didier came out.

"You're late. Make sure to apologize properly, Professor Julius."

Didier tapped Julius's shoulder with a smile that carried a hint of implication, then continued out of the room.

With a resigned feeling, Julius knocked on the still-open door.

"May I come in?"

"Oh, what do you need, Lord Julius?"

The chilly, transparent voice carried a sense of authority, even within its childishness. It was impressive to discover this side of her. Saying, "Let's talk a bit," Sheriel called for a maid and had tea prepared.

"Please, have a seat. I apologize for causing you trouble again."

Sheriel's eyes were like cold gemstones. There was no trace of anger, sadness, or even the warmth that should have existed before. For some reason, Julius found her emotionless gaze

 unpleasant.

"I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I couldn't understand the reason for your anger and ended up saying it was troublesome."

"No, I became too emotional. I apologize for not being able to explain calmly, Lord Julius."

Sheriel's apology drew a clear line in front of Julius.

She does this even at seven years old.

He regretted his carelessness, realizing he had angered a truly troublesome opponent.

"I genuinely apologize. I'm sorry for treating you like a child."

"It's fine. As you can see, I am a child. Perhaps everyone didn't tell me because I'm not worth talking about. Please overlook the tantrums of an inadequate child."

Indeed, if one can't be dealt with seriously, it becomes frustrating.

In this situation, Julius felt something he had lost long ago returning.

"I thought I could easily manipulate your emotions. I couldn't understand why you were angry. Like Sergio and Didier, I thought you would prioritize current gains over the process. I thought if I told you that you're different from Gardo and Dalia--- that you're the most important to me, you would understand. It was my negligence."

Sheriel didn't respond. Her blue eyes, still impossible to read, stared vacantly at the cup in her hands.

"I never intended to treat you rudely. I've shared my knowledge and skills generously, doing my best to fulfill your desires. So, I don't understand what went wrong. Please, help me understand your feelings."

Quietly placing the cup down, Sheriel gazed at Julius and replied with a flat voice, "Is it because you value me as a useful tool? Just like you would treat the horn of the Lord of the Forest with care? It's the same thing."

Julius didn't grasp what she was saying. If not that, then what? He was about to slip and say something like, "Regardless, I still cherish you," but stopped just in time.

"Lord Julius, people don't engage with others solely for utility. It's true that Beriards, except for family, see others as nothing more than tools. However, I thought of you as a brother or someone like Mary, as family. So, when I learned that Lord Julius didn't see me that way but as just another person, it made me sad."

Sheriel's momentarily lonely eyes, shown unexpectedly, evoked a strange and nostalgic feeling.

"Why do you think I'm treating you as a tool?"

"Well... I understand. Treating people with care isn't that simple. Lord Julius, you're good at pretending to cherish, though."

Sheriel couldn't know what Julius was intending to do. Still, her words, forecasting the future as if seeing through everything, introduced a new concept to Julius.

For Julius, family was merely a formal concept. Smiles directed at him and warm words were all constructed, and he believed that was how human interactions worked.

"Sorry, it seems a bit challenging for me."

He understood that an apology wouldn't solve everything. Fundamentally, their perspectives were different. What Sheriel sought was something he didn't possess, even if he gave her what she wanted.

"Is it difficult?"

"Oh, yes. I don't draw lines between others and family. I only see them as competent or incompetent, whether they become a hindrance or not. I can't understand the sadness of being treated as a tool."

Should I have forcefully concealed it? Should I have observed Sheriel's movements a bit longer and acquired appropriate behavior before approaching her?

When he thought about it, he felt a slight joy. It was too late. However, even if he took his time, gaining a genuine sense might not be guaranteed.

"Lord Julius, do you think of yourself as a tool too?"

"Yes, we all use and are used by each other. That's how the world works. There's no good or bad in that."

A faint shadow passed over Sheriel's eyes, and a sigh that seemed to surrender something escaped her.

Did I disappoint her? However, there's nothing I can do about it. Even if I pretended to understand now, she would probably see through it.

"I understand. With this, the role of a teacher is over, right?"

Deciding it was pointless to stay longer, Julius stood up. As if interrupting his movement, Sheriel's resolute voice echoed.

"Lord Julius, would you like to make a deal with me?"

"A deal? Are you okay with dealing with someone like me?"

Observing Sheriel's unexpected words, her silver-thread-like shining hair, transparent white skin, and sapphire-like eyes with long, fringed white eyelashes, Julius felt like she possessed a determined will as she gazed into the distance.

"Yes, I'm satisfied now. Please, teach me magic again. Share all the knowledge you have with me. Be my hands and feet, assist me in realizing whatever I come up with. Protect me with all your might so that I won't die. In return, I'll help you, Lord Julius."

A chuckle unintentionally escaped Julius. She's consistent in her demands, even after criticizing others so thoroughly. However, he had already come to recognize Sheriel as an equal. It wasn't about using her unilaterally; he felt the need to demonstrate his own value to her.

"You're truly... Haha... Seems like you're better at manipulating people's feelings than I am. Since I met you, I've been constantly surprised."

"Take it as a compliment."

"Will you forgive me then?"

"This time only, alright? There won't be a next time. Try to become a bit more human-like, will you?"

Sheriel's cheeks puffed up, finally showing some emotion. Despite being manipulated by a little girl, Julius found himself strangely relieved.

To be more human-like, huh...

"As you wish."

With a respectful bow, Sheriel turned her face away with a dismissive "Hmph!" But the coldness from earlier was gone.

A new challenge was added to the difficulties Julius faced.