It was the second morning after I'd been brought to the orphanage.
　My first bed was a perfect place to sleep.
　I'm not sure I'll ever sleep on the ground again after knowing this: .......

"Okay, okay. When you get up, head to the mess hall.　It's time for breakfast.
　At the maid's words, we all woke up and headed for the dining room.
　Nobody looked sleepy.
　We're always early in the morning to get food, so we were thankful to be able to sleep until this late.
　In fact, we slept longer than usual and I felt lighter.
　Maybe I was just tired from all this time.

　For breakfast, they gave us bread and milk.
　We could only eat these once a year.
Don't eat so cheaply. We'll get to eat every day from now on. Just put some meat in your belly. Now!
　As we were eating a little bit of it, because it was a waste, the collared maid in the room where I looked in last night laughed and took my bread and stuck it in her mouth.

''Mmm~!''
　I was surprised but panicked and gagged my mouth.

"Mmm. He'll eat well. Children are supposed to sleep, eat, play, and study. So let's not be shy. Okay?

'And I forgive you for last night, but ...... you have to get some proper sleep after this evening, okay?
　After I finished talking to everyone, the collar maid whispered in my ear.

''Nug!''
　I was so startled by his words that I swallowed the bread without chewing it well.

Oh, did you get choked up?　Hey, hey, hey, hey. You okay?　And drink your milk right.
　The collar maid patted me on the back and grinned as she handed me the milk and then went off to the other kids .

'Feng ......'
　I didn't know they were aware of it: .......
　How long have they been aware of this?
　In the meantime, it's best to assume that you won't be leaving your room after this evening .

'What's going on, brother?　You look like you're in a lot of pain, okay?
　I'm having a hard time believing it, when Cassie comes peeking in, concerned.

"Oh, yeah?
　I panicked and faked it.
　It's not good to make Cassie and her friends any more nervous.

Yeah, I know. Cassie will know.

Yeah, ...... Maybe you're a little weary from the change in environment.

'Yeah, ...... you don't have to push yourself, do you?　You don't have to look for food anymore, brother.

That said, though: ......
　I'm worried that there's no backstabbing ...... that could make eating a meal this easy .

　Then, after confirming that everyone had finished eating, the collared maid from earlier stood in front of everyone and began to explain.
"Okay, okay. Now we're going to be divided into three groups. First, Bill's group. We'll study upstairs to the classrooms. Second, Mr. Eldo's group. You'll be outside practicing your magic in the yard. Finally, Arth's group will head to the courtyard. We'll go to the courtyard to practice swords and hand-to-hand combat. You have the afternoon free so hang in there.

Then we're on the move!
　At the command, everyone looked at each other and started talking.

"Hey, what do we do to study?

'Well?　You could teach me the letters, couldn't you?
　He said something like that.

A letter?　Will you be able to read?

'What do you think?　In the meantime, we're going to head to class like you asked.
　We don't need to sit here and argue about it.
　I took my friends and headed for the classroom at the end of the second floor.

Okay. Okay, class is about to begin. Anywhere you want to sit.
　When I walked into the classroom ...... I saw the beautiful person in the room I looked in last night, the one with the cat-like ears, and a regular maid .

Before we begin class, I'd like to introduce myself and the two guys behind me. Let me first. My name is Anne. I'm an elf. Well, I'll tell you about my race later. I will teach you all about learning and magic.



I'm Lana. As you can see, I'm a beastman. I will teach them all sword and body mechanics.

"I'm Clara. I'm just the maid. I'm supposed to be taking care of people. I can help you with your studies, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

These three will be in charge of your building group. Basically, one of us is going to be with one of them, so you're going to have to be nice to them.
　Beautiful person ...... Anne smiled at that and smiled.
　I couldn't help but admire her smile.

You're not going to be so hard. But I guess that's no use. You'll just have to get used to it. For now, let's go study some letters today!
　Anne looked a little sad that we didn't respond, maybe because she was sad that we didn't respond.
　But her smile quickly returned to her face and she began to teach us how to read.

　Three hours later

That's it for today. If you keep up the good work, it won't be long before you can read.
　Then Anne erased the letters she had drawn on the blackboard.
　It was fun learning the letters.
　I learned that the characters in the city meant something like that.
　I'll work hard and hope to be able to read soon.

　Just as I was thinking about that, Kathy asked Anne a question.
"What is a book?
　Oh, I know, because he showed me the book, but you don't know.

What's a book?　Let's see, ...... yeah ...... okay . We'll have free time after lunch, so I'll read to you then, as well as introduce you to the book.

Yay!
　They decided it was too much to explain, and Anne agreed to read it to me .


　Then we had lunch and got together in a room, and Anne brought a book to me.
"Here's the book.

"Oh, my God. It has writing on it. Isn't this what we learned today?
　Kathy and her friends opened the book and were happy to find the letters they had learned today.

Oh, that's good. Great.

Heh.
　Kathy smiled happily at Anne's praise.

Then let's read it. The story we're about to read is one of the most famous in the world.

Heh. What's the story?
　One of my friends asked Anne a question.

"And now I'm going to read it to you. Be quiet and listen. Once upon a time ......
　Then Anne started to read the book.
　The story is about a demon king who attacked them from the demon world, so people summoned a hero to save the world.
　You will be able to get the most out of the book and you will be able to get the most out of it.

...... Thus, the brave man and his friends defeated the demon king and saved the world. What do you think?

That was interesting!
Brave girl!
I want to fight the Demon King!
　When Anne finished, the little ones were happily discussing the story.

'Yes, that was good.

'Hey, what happened to the brave men who defeated the Demon King?　Could it be that you married a saint and a mage?
　Yeah, that's worrisome.
　Oh, but isn't that really a story that happened?

It's .......

Hey, guys. How are you guys doing?
　Just as Anne was about to respond, a voice came from the doorway of the room.

'Ah, Mr. Leons.'
　It was that guy standing in the doorway.

'Miss Anne, have you been reading to the children?

'Yes. . these kids said they didn't know the book.
　Hmm?　Has Anne's tone changed?
　And I think my expression has hardened a bit: .......

'Was it?　You should definitely read the book because it's interesting and it teaches you things you would never experience if it were just you.

Okay, okay. Hey, what should I call your brother?

What do you call it?　Yeah, I didn't tell you my name. Call me Leo.



"Okay. Brother Leo. ...... It's Leo!
　No!　Wouldn't you be offended by me calling you that lightly?
　I panicked and prepared to apologize.

　But ...... my fears were unfounded.
I've never been called that before. ....... Well, never mind. Call me whatever you want. Okay, I'll read to you and you can bring any book you want!
　Leleo said that to Cassie and the others without even pretending to care.

'Yay!'

Yeah?　What's going on?　You guys aren't going to go get your books?
　After seeing Cassie and her friends leave, Leo and I stayed in the room with my brother and I. He said.

"No. No. ......
　It didn't feel right to ask Cassie and the others to read with us.

You still nervous?

Yeah, that's ......
　I'm not sure. You can't tell him that.

Well, yeah, I guess so. If Cassie and her friends were in the dark, you'd be worried, too, wouldn't you?

Oh, what did you want us to do here?
　Really, that's what I wanted to know.
　I wanted to know why he bought this big house for us, all this fancy food, all this free stuff to study.

"Call me Leo. I don't really have any real purpose in doing this. ....... If I had to choose, I'd say it's to help Bill and his friends grow up to be great adults.
　A respectable adult?

You will learn many things here until about 14. After that, you can become an adventurer, try out for the entrance exams for witchcraft or knightly schools, or whatever you want to do. Of course, I'll pay for your guild membership, your first armor and school fees.
　Huh?　Are you willing to pay that much?

What's in it for you at all?
　Besides, where is that money coming from?

It's easy. If I hadn't brought you here, you'd be out there for the rest of your lives doing all kinds of banditry, wouldn't you?

'Oh, ah, ......'
　There's no denying it.
　It's a place where you had to earn your keep.

Normally, you'd have been picked up and put together and turned into crime slaves.

Ugh, ugh. ......
　We're slaves?
　So ...... you were doing something bad.

"But I thought that was a bit pathetic. Because it's not like you guys want to do it.

Oh, is that the only reason?
　You're doing this just to keep us from doing something bad?

Well. So, from now on, don't go off the rails, okay?　If you do the same thing when you grow up, I won't condone it, okay?

"Wow, okay. ......

I won't let you.

"Huh?
　Suddenly, Anne joined in the conversation and I couldn't help but make a strange sound .

''I'll make sure that I make sure everyone is a respectable adult and leave this place.
　As she said this, Anne stood up and put her hand on our heads.
　What a ...... Anne's hand was so comfortable. .......

'Yes, I'm sure Anne will be fine,'

Thank you.
　Anne lowered her head happily.
　Yeah, she needs to make sure she doesn't do anything bad from now on.

　Then Cathy and her friends came back with a book.
"Hey, Leo!　Read this!
And this one!
I'm with you!

Okay, okay. Okay, in order.

Bill: ....... That guy could be a really nice guy.

I don't know: "I don't know. ...... Maybe so.
　Maybe he's not a bad person.
　As I nodded at my companions' words and watched Leo-nii reading to Cassie and the others, I decided to revise my assessment of Leo-nii.