Raise Me, So That I Can Eat You Up - Chapter 11

“Hey, I don’t like it either. Your Ari is making me do this.”

Leon grumbled to Oscar, who was glaring at him with a sullen expression.

The Hayworth family’s training ground.

It was the day they had decided to test Oscar to keep the promise to Ariella.

“Give me the sword.”

It seemed he was also pushed into this by Ariella. Oscar thrust out his small hand.

“What’s that? A lollipop? How insolent, coming to practice. Won’t you spit it out?”

His attitude was very poor from the start. Coming to sword practice while sucking on a lollipop.

“No.”

“Spit it out.”

“Ari gave it to me. Ari said it’s okay.”

He meant that if his sister had allowed it, why was Leon making a fuss.

“Ari said to eat it so I won’t get angry.”

It was a reasonable point. Oscar didn’t get along well with Leon.

It was obvious that his mood would worsen after sword training.

And if his anger exploded and he turned into a hatchling, all the employees would see. It seemed the lollipop was given to prevent that.

“Hah… Fine, do as you please.”

Leon shook his head, feeling a headache coming on.

“You want one too?”

Oscar held out the lollipop he was holding with his maple-leaf-sized hand.

“What flavor is it?”

“Just kidding. Everything Ari gives me is mine.”

“You little!! Are you mocking an adult?!”

Annoyed by Oscar quickly withdrawing his hand, Leon burst out in anger.

“I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a dragon. A sword isn’t something anyone can touch. You need to have respect for the sword.”

“……”

“I was known as the demon instructor in the knights’ order, so be prepared.”

Oscar frowned at Leon’s speech.

Well, telling him to respect something he could crumple with one hand didn’t make sense.

For Oscar, it was nonsense.

“Respect for the sword means a strong body and an unbreakable spirit. Now, run 100 laps around the training ground. Start.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Oscar started running.

‘That cheeky little brat……’

To conclude, Leon had no intention of teaching Oscar swordsmanship.

Leon was dumbfounded, unable to continue speaking, as he had expected Oscar to cry that 100 laps were too many or to throw a tantrum and refuse.

‘Even if he’s a dragon, he’s still a child who often cries about his legs hurting. He’ll give up as he runs.’

But the situation unfolded contrary to Leon’s expectations. It was an incredible display of speed and endurance.

“I’m done.”

Oscar, who had easily completed 100 laps, didn’t even sound out of breath.

‘…What’s with that insane stamina.’

Leon rubbed his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.

“What next? Should I run more?”

“…Ah, no. Now we’ll work on arm strength. See that pull-up bar over there? Hang on to it… never mind.”

As Oscar bent and pulled out the pull-up bar, Leon automatically mumbled.

‘You can’t lose. You can’t chicken out. Leon.’

Though he felt dizzy remembering how dragons had torn his comrades in half, he couldn’t let himself be looked down upon.

“Hey. Do you remember why Ari told me to teach you swordsmanship?”

“Ari said Oscar should control his strength.”

“Then huh? You’re destroying valuable assets of the training ground??”

Leon’s eyes bulged.

“But… it’s hard to control…”

Oscar looked dejected and lowered his gaze. Seeing this, Leon’s heart softened.

‘Ah, damn. I’m too kind for my own good.’

It seemed this life was ruined due to his weak-minded nature.

“Alright. I’ll decide after seeing how you handle a wooden sword.”

“Really? You’ll teach me?”

“We’ll see how you do.”

Though he wasn’t thrilled about it, what could he do? Leon handed Oscar a wooden sword.

“You know the wooden sword will break if you use too much force, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Think of the wooden sword as Ari. You’d be sad if it broke, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“So, gently. Control it well. Here, look. Hold it like this, wrapping your hands around it.”

Leon held both of Oscar’s hands and helped him assume the correct posture.

“One!”

“……”

With the command, the wooden sword sliced vertically through the air.

“Follow me. One!”

“O-One!”

“Now, do that ‘One’ a thousand times. Begin.”

As soon as Oscar swung the sword by himself, the wooden sword snapped.

“There’s a mountain of wooden swords beside you, so practice until you can do a thousand with one without breaking it.”

“Leo meanie.”

“How dare you use your master’s name so casually. Insolent!”

“Pink bastard.”

“What?”

He meant to say ‘pink bastard’ but caught himself, fortunately, Leon didn’t seem to understand.

“Call me Master. In swordsmanship, I am your master!”

Leon crossed his arms and sat on a chair in the training ground.

Oscar seemed to get competitive and did as he was told, but the wooden sword broke soon after.

It was a cycle of practice and breaking, but gradually he seemed to get the hang of it, and the intervals between breaks grew longer.

‘That posture, that speed, that strength. The kid’s got potential.’

Seeing the talented Oscar, Leon’s blood as a swordsman began to boil.

“Master. All the wooden swords are broken.”

Oscar, who had approached Leon, tugged at his sleeve. It seemed he had already used up the mountain of wooden swords.

‘This cheeky brat calling me Master.’

Leon’s cheekbones involuntarily rose when he heard the word ‘Master’ from that tiny mouth.

‘He’s… he’s kind of cute…’

Leon was gradually warming up to Oscar without even realizing it.

***

A few days passed, and it was Wednesday again, time for the library quest.

[System: Quest! The due date for your borrowed books is today. Please return them within the time limit.

(Time remaining until the library closes: 3 minutes 30 seconds)]

‘It was so peaceful until now.’

I arrived at the library later than usual. With little time left, I was walking hurriedly.

‘Why do I have to do this personally?’

If it weren’t for the quest, I’d have a maid or Leon return the books.

Oscar wouldn’t let go of me, and it was too dangerous to take him out. It was maddening.

I deliberately didn’t let Oscar nap and played with him all afternoon. I even had Leon join in, mostly with physical games.

I intentionally fed him a very full dinner around 4 o’clock. I drew the curtains in the room and patted him to sleep.

The library closes at 6 o’clock, so I calculated that if I put him to bed early in the evening, I could sneak out.

Although it took longer than expected because Oscar resisted sleep, the plan was still successful.

‘He’s not here today?’

Benedict, who should have been at the librarian’s desk, was nowhere to be seen. Another librarian was sitting there instead.

‘Then why did the quest appear? How annoying.’

Could it be a bug? The original purpose of the quest must have been ‘Benedict O’Neil’.

I was quite irritated. It meant I’d lost a chance to increase my favorability.

I had rushed here, spending time and energy. It felt like a meaningless visit.

Moreover, I had to return an erotic book to an unfamiliar librarian. It was a bit awkward.

I returned the book with its cover turned down, staring elsewhere.

‘Since I’m short on time, I’ll just grab any three books from the nearest shelf.’

I wanted to borrow books about dragons, but there’s no helping it. Time was too tight.

Which bookshelf is closest? As I was looking around, there was a thud.

“Here you go.”

The librarian handed me a paper-wrapped package.

“For me?”

“Yes. The person who was here before asked me to pass this to you.”

“To, to me?”

“Yes. You are Ariella Hayworth, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“He said he had reserved some books for you in advance.”

What could this be? Carefully unwrapping the package, I found exactly three books inside.

<Trapped with a Handsome Slave> <Until Morning Comes> <The Circumstances of a Virile Male Lead 2>

The titles were still as vulgar as ever, perfectly reflecting my trashy pervert tastes.

‘Did he leave these for me in case I came?’

It was truly an excessive sense of professionalism. My face turned bright red.

“Is something wrong?”

The librarian asked worriedly as I stood there blankly. Fortunately, the librarian seemed completely oblivious.

“Ah, no. Thank you.”

“Alright. Please return them by next week.”

There was no time to hesitate. The library was about to close.

***

‘I’m doomed.’

I stood at the library entrance with a pale face.

Even though I had rushed to complete the quest and practically ran here, the library doors were closed.

‘Is it because it’s the Imperial Library? They really close right on time.’

It was my fault for not making it in time.

What should I do? It was frustrating with no one around to ask for help.

Should I go back to the reading room? There might still be staff there. It would be inconsiderate, but should I ask them to show me the staff exit?

As I was considering various options and about to turn around, that’s when it happened.

“Did you receive the books well?”

A voice I’d heard before. Mysterious purple eyes were staring intently at me.

It was Benedict.

“Yes. Thank you.”

I unconsciously hugged the book package tightly.

‘Still that contemptuous look.’

A gaze that scrutinized my face with slightly furrowed brows. It was utterly cold.

He looked alternately at the locked door and me, then casually asked.

“Do you need help?”

He nonchalantly dangled a key in one hand. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness. I was just wondering what to do.”

“It’s not good news, though.”

“Pardon?”

“It doesn’t come for free.”

What could he be up to? Not knowing his intentions, I became a bit uneasy.

‘Does he dislike me and want to extort money?’

I was disappointed, having thought well of him until now.

Anyway, I needed to get home quickly because of the separation-anxious dragon and the overbearing Hayworth men.

“I’ll compensate you. They’ll worry if I’m late.”

“It won’t take long.”

“What?”

“I accidentally brewed too much tea. It’s a very expensive tea leaf.”

Benedict smirked.

“So, would you like to have a cup of tea with me?”