Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 223 Brother
Although the Goddess of Bath had not heard directly about her adopted sister, Ritas, before, she could sense from some indirect information that the relationship between Ritas and her sister was not very good.

Ritas would occasionally mention a very mean person who had been in his life before.

Fearing she might inadvertently touch upon Ritas's inner turmoil, the Goddess of Bath refrained from pressing the matter. However, she sensed that the harsh person was Charlotte Elson.

Therefore, both Ritas and Cortriene remained perfectly calm when Charlotte was mentioned. It was only then that the Goddess of Bath became curious about yet another "Elson".

"What kind of person is Xia Luoluo?"

"Um"

Upon hearing the question from the goddess of bathing, Cortriene and Ritas pondered for a moment before surprisingly offering similar answers.

"Is he just an ordinary person who's a bit slow-witted?"

"A very ordinary person?"

"I see."

Although the goddess of bathing didn't expect any earth-shattering answers, the fact that it was so ordinary made her slightly disappointed.

Because Ritas always speaks with various concerns, whether in public or private, Cortriene's assessment of him as "somewhat clumsy" would be more accurate.

"Don't let Ritas's fame in academic circles fool you. Once you're in the Western Territory, besides Uncle Roland, the most famous Elson is probably Charlotte."

Cortrienne said in a very complicated tone.

"real or fake?"

The goddess of bathing asked, somewhat incredulously.

How did the "ordinary" Xia Luoluo get such a resounding reputation?

"Strictly speaking, it can't be considered a good reputation."

Ritas shook his head slightly.
"It is widely rumored in the Western Regions that Xia Luoluo inherited the magical talent of the 'Sword Saint' and the swordsmanship skills of the 'Witch's Disciple'."

"Huh? This isn't a good thing? Ah."

A beat too slow, the goddess of bathing realized the viciousness of those words.

The Sword Saint possesses magical talent. Therefore, Charlotte has no swordsmanship talent.

The witch's disciple possesses swordsmanship skills. Therefore, Charlotte also lacks magical talent.

Rather, the fact that Xia Luoluo was only described as "ordinary" given her outstanding parents speaks volumes.

"If I had known, I would have knocked out a few more of his teeth back then."

Cortrienne muttered to herself with a displeased expression.

Ritas then gave a brief explanation of what happened back then.

She was a tutor hired by the Elson family. However, this tutor was so frustrated by her inability to teach Charlotte properly that she resigned.

Later, perhaps it was just drunken talk, or perhaps it was for the sake of his reputation, the tutor made such outrageous remarks in the tavern.

At that time, Cortriñe, who was at the most volatile age, was naturally furious upon hearing these words. So, when she went to settle the score, she beat the other person severely.
"Even without those words, people with ulterior motives would still spread rumors about Xia Luoluo. And what difference is there between you attacking that tutor and admitting to those rumors?"

"Ahaha"

Cortrienne scratched her face and chuckled awkwardly.

Ritas, who saw through Cortriene's "I'll do it again next time" attitude, simply sighed and continued to shake his head.

Why would someone with ulterior motives spread rumors about Xia Luoluo?

The goddess of bathing asked, somewhat puzzled.

Wasn't Xia Luoluo just a little girl many years ago?

"Maybe it's because she's 'Elson'."

Cortrienne, who had grown older and gained more experience, was now able to understand many things she couldn't before, and said with a touch of helplessness.

As for Ritas, who always understood "why," he chose to remain silent.

Perhaps the Elson family, where Ritas resides, is alright. However, within the entire Elson family, there are undoubtedly many undercurrents.

Sometimes, being born into a special family can turn "mediocrity" into an original sin.

As the only biological daughter of the current "Lord of the West", Xia Luoluo has naturally been under the spotlight since childhood.

As for Sword Saint Roland, although he had clearly signaled that he would not allow his children to inherit the position of family head, he was worried that his actions might hurt Charlotte, so he could not make such a statement in public.

Originally, Roland's attitude might have garnered the "patience" of those with good intentions. However, an unusual variable was introduced into the already somewhat complicated situation.

Thinking about similar things, the goddess of bathing couldn't help but focus her gaze on that "variable".

Ritas.

If Ritas were just as mediocre, it wouldn't be so bad. But the problem is that Ritas is practically at the other extreme of mediocrity.

So how could his existence not make those with ulterior motives in the Elson family think twice?
Was Roland really just lucky?

Can you just go out and pick up a great mage who can also become a witch's disciple?

Why couldn't they find it?
Moreover, even setting aside these complexities...

Charlotte, who can't do anything right, probably won't have a good time with a sworn brother like Ritas.

More importantly, Ritas, as the person directly involved, was powerless to change anything.
Perhaps, the simplest thing Ritas could do was to show his talent and directly take the position of head of the Elson family.

However, Ritas, who is extremely protective of his adopted son status and refers to his family members as "the daughter of his adoptive father" and "the daughter of his adoptive father's brother," would never do such a thing.

"Tsk, I think I can understand your embarrassing past now, Xiao Li. Interpersonal relationships are really troublesome!"

Even the goddess of the bath could vaguely discern the conflicts within the "Elson family," which is not hard to understand—indeed, not hard to understand. But the trouble is also genuinely troublesome.

"Although I don't know what the goddess of bathing is saying, I am very grateful for your understanding."

Ritas, who was used to the words of the goddess of bathing jumping around, said this, and then added,
"Furthermore, if we must say, Charlotte herself has problems. She's already repeated two years at Baiano Academy, and it's uncertain whether she'll graduate next year. Because of this, there's already talk of 'Elson' in Baiano... well, that word is..."

"A ghost story?"

"Yes, it's a ghost story. Legend has it that 'Elson' is a spirit that forever wanders in the Baiano Academy, which is why there's a student with the surname Elson in every graduating class."

"Ritas? What do you mean? Who are you calling a soul wandering in Baiano?"

Beside her, Cortriene, who had joined forces with Charlotte to create the Elson Dynasty, had a dangerous smile on her face. She reached out and grabbed Ritas, habitually tucking his head between her ribs.

Cortrienne may have forgotten for a moment that she is different from when she was a child.

However, Ritas clearly felt this. So now Ritas didn't know whether to panic about the long-lost, unique pain or the unusual softness he could feel in some of the touched areas.

Fortunately, Cortriñe noticed this in time. Then, as if hesitant, she immediately let go of his hand.

Perhaps feeling a little awkward from the previous "intimate" contact, Cortriñe said something like she didn't want to stay in the dark corner and ran to the other side.

Ritas, meanwhile, turned his head, which seemed to be at a wrong angle, and lamented his "misfortune."

"Pfft, 'Eternal Elson.' Your adoptive father's sisters are truly something else. So why are they so eager to become mages? Is their family's wealth suffocating them? Also, you seem quite familiar with the Bayano Academy?"

"I wouldn't say I'm familiar with them. I only learned about them from a letter they sent back a few days ago."

Ritas had clearly made up his mind about increasing the number of staff at the "Tree Witch Research Institute." Therefore, he sent letters to the magic researchers he favored, who were scattered in various locations.

One of the replies from the Bayano Academy recorded this "interesting incident".

"He said that Bayano is probably the only place on this continent where mentioning 'Elson' elicits not reactions of 'Sword Saint' or 'Professor of Magic,' but rather 'Strange Tales.' Even though Bayano is located in the Western Territory, so close to Elson's fortress."

Ritas was speechless.

He bet he wanted to know more than the Goddess of Bathing why those two sisters who had repeated a grade were so eager to become mages.

"Speaking of which, Cortelene is close to Charlotte, which is why she came to pick her up. Your relationship with Charlotte seems rather complicated, so why did you waste your time taking time off to pick her up?"

As the conversation unfolded about the Elson family, the Goddess of Bath, knowing that Ritas wasn't so apprehensive, asked about the question that had initially been lingering in her mind.

"Because if I don't pick her up, she might feel I've neglected her. If she holds a grudge, she'll nag about it endlessly for a long time afterward. That would be a real waste of time. You see, Xia Luoluo's talent is only average; her background is extremely privileged. That kind of privilege is probably comparable only to royalty with high lines of succession. In other words..."

"She has all the typical traits of aristocratic young ladies? Willful, arrogant, bad-tempered, and so on?"

"Pretty much. The goddess of the bath can imagine a Noah who is louder, noisier, and completely unreasonable."

Ritas looked somewhat somber.

"Wow, that's too much. Although Noah is always angry, most of the time he just sulks and doesn't bother anyone. Besides, the way he looks when he's put up with a reason is kind of cute."

The goddess of bathing chuckled strangely a few times as she spoke, then turned her attention back to the present.
"So, where is that silly, little rich girl sister of yours who sounds like she won't even last three episodes?! Bring her here right now!"

Even if the goddess of bathing doesn't urge you...

Charlotte will appear automatically after the magic-guided railcar arrives at the station.

As the two were talking, a loud, noisy roar came from outside the station.

Soon after, some passengers began to slowly walk off the platform. Ritas, feeling the time was right, also began to emerge from behind the pillar.

Before long, the goddess of bathing and Ritas saw a woman carrying a large suitcase walk out of the platform.

It's unclear what happened to this woman, but her blonde hair looked extremely messy. If I had to describe it, it somewhat resembled the "snake hair" of Medusa, a monster from mythology.

This young woman was none other than Charlotte Elson.
".Ah."

Ritas, who was clearly not expecting Charlotte's hair to be in such a mess, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Faced with this rare scene, the goddess of the bath marveled and wondered if she could capture a "CG" image as a memento.

My first impression of Xia Luoluo was simply "ordinary." Even ignoring her messy hair, she wasn't stunning, but she wasn't too bad either. If I had to describe her, she was ordinary, but her youthful face gave her a slightly cute quality.

Cortrienne, who was the first to greet Charlotte, gave her a big hug typical of family, and then easily took Charlotte's suitcase as if picking up fallen leaves from the ground.

Charlotte was hugged by Cortrienne, and although she was clearly complaining about something, she was obviously very happy overall.

Next, the two mentioned Ritas, and turned their attention to Ritas, who was still a little distance away.

Seeing that Ritas had come to pick her up, Charlotte was clearly very happy. However, she deliberately pretended to be displeased, then turned her face away slightly with a "humph".

The reason why both the Bathing Goddess and Ritas could see these things was because Xia Luoluo's acting skills were really not good.

"Well, it might be impolite, but she certainly doesn't seem very bright."

"."

Being criticized so harshly by the Goddess of Bathing, Ritas genuinely worried about Charlotte's future.

Just as Charlotte was gazing at Ritas from afar, putting on a series of exaggerated performances that made Cortelene want to facepalm, saying, "Although I didn't ask you to come, I'm actually unhappy that you came, but since you're already here, I can't do anything about it, so I'll generously let you greet me," another figure walked out from the platform, attracting the attention of Ritas and the Goddess of Bath.

"She's a beautiful girl!"

Unlike Xia Luoluo, the Bathing Goddess was clearly very excited and shouted.

Ritas's gaze was also drawn to that black mass that seemed to be repelling the light.

She was a young woman with black hair. She carried a suitcase in each hand, and two identical hair ornaments parted her hair evenly to the left and right.

According to the goddess of bathing, only those with absolute beauty can pull off a middle-part hairstyle.

But what truly caught Ritas's attention, rather than the woman's face, was the strange symmetry that permeated her entire body.

The dark-haired woman had the same wide-open eyes as Ritas, seemingly about to pop out of their sockets, and incredibly deep black pupils. However, these eyes, which would seem extremely strange on their own, actually became a source of charm on a woman's face.

Just as Ritas was staring at the striking black-haired woman, an unexpected voice rang out from behind him.

"Huh? Junior? What are you doing here? Could it be... you're here to pick up the leader too?"

After instinctively turning around, Ritas indeed saw the somewhat comical figure of the carrier pigeon.

Just as Ritas slightly opened his mouth, about to ask a question, the black-haired woman on the other side also moved.

Charlotte, who seemed to know the black-haired woman, called out to her, wanting to introduce her to Cortelene beside her.

However, completely ignoring Xia Luoluo's attempt to talk to her, the black-haired girl simply let go of her suitcase and ran quickly ahead.

thump.
For a moment, many voices intertwined.

"Vayne?" "Is she someone I know?" "Ah, Captain!" "Huh? Is she running here?"

The next moment, Ritas, sensing someone approaching, turned around and saw the black mass hurtling towards him.

Then I felt someone rush into my arms and hug me tightly around the waist.

"I'm so glad to finally see you."

"elder brother."

In an instant, all the noise fell silent for a moment, then turned into exclamations of surprise: "Eh? Eh? Eh?"

At the eye of the storm, looking at the completely unfamiliar black-haired girl in his arms, Ritas, whose mind went blank for a moment, then, like everyone else, followed suit.

".Eh?"

(End of this chapter)