After the mock match between Iris and Aena, I gave Iris a light training session.
　We mainly focused on mock sword fights, but her skills are still much better than before.
　Iris went back to the dormitory to wash off her sweat, and I was on my way back to the lecturer's dormitory.

"Oh, sir.
Oh, sir!　Aria and ...... Mercier.
"It's been a while, Alta-sama.

　I came across Aria and Mercier walking towards the entrance of the school.
　Mercier, dressed in a maid's uniform, bows politely.
　I politely return the greeting.

I heard from Aria that you are also an instructor here at such a young age. That's great.
"Yes, I've had the pleasure of doing many things. I thought Mercier was here too, but he was with Aria?
Yes. Yes, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a while.
I was surprised to see you suddenly in my room. You're very good at hiding your presence.
Not as good as you, though.

　Mercier smiles and pats Aria on the head.
　Aria accepts it with an indifferent expression.
　In this way, it is clear that the two are sisters. For Aria, including Iris, she has two sisters. ...... I guess that's how it is.
　However, when I think back to the interactions between Iris and Aria, sometimes the positions are reversed.
　In that sense, Iris and Aria are family and best friends, which is probably the right way to describe them.

Are you going home now?
"Yes. It's almost time for us to meet up with ...... Aria said she would take us to the school gate.
Is that so?
Yeah, it was fun, but only for a little while.
I'll see you soon.

　There was no mistaking her words. After all, she had told me that she had decided to attend this school.
　I'm sure she'll tell you about it later, but for now it's still classified.
　I'll keep it to myself.

Are you training with Iris?
Yes, I am. I was called in on my day off.
How was Iris today?
The same as usual. Even on her day off, she was full of energy.
I see. He's always in high spirits.
"Your sword training, Iris?

　Mercier asked with a slightly surprised expression.
　It seems that Aria did not talk about it either.

I'm sure you've heard from Aria, but I'm the sword instructor here. Well, it's kind of an extension of that.
By the way, I've been taught here too.

　Aria proudly made a peace. Mercier nodded his head in agreement.

I'm sure you're right. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
I'm trying to teach at a level that suits my students. I'm trying to teach at a level that suits the student, but students like Iris and Aria are exceptional.
I guess.

　Again, Aria followed my words with a self-satisfied look.
　I chuckled, but Mercier smiled at me.

I'm sure you'll be relieved to know that I'm asking Alta for help. I'd like to thank you for your continued support of my sister, Alta-sama.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

Yes, you're in charge.
I'll take care of you, doctor.

　And with that, I left them.
　If Aena is enrolled in this school ......, will Mercier also be enrolled? I haven't confirmed that yet, but it might be helpful to have her by my side to keep an eye on Aena.
　I walked towards the lecturer's dormitory with these thoughts in mind. Then I spotted a girl standing near the entrance of the dormitory.

"Chloe?
...... You're late, stupid brother-in-law.

　You're late, stupid brother-in-law. She's the same as she always was.

But why are you here?
I'm not a child. I can find out where you work.

　The fact that I'm working here is not exactly public information.
The fact that Chloe is here, along with Mariel, who said she was going to meet someone, naturally leads to the person Mariel and Chloe met.

(...... Commander. I'm not sure what you're talking about.

　I don't know what you're talking about, but Mariel doesn't seem to be around.

I don't know what you're talking about, but Mariel doesn't seem to be around. "Maybe your sister-in-law has disappeared again, and you should look for her at ......?


No, you're not. Your sister is ...... that .......

　At the mention of Mariel, Chloe suddenly stopped talking. It was clear from her demeanor that something was wrong.

"What's going on?
...... But first, I need to check something with you.
Confirm?
...... with Miss Iris. Iris-sama goes here and you are her instructor and her bodyguard, right?

　Chloe asks as if to confirm.
　As I could tell from her reaction earlier, Chloe didn't seem to have a clue about the nature of my work.
　I had been keeping my family informed about my work, but Chloe hadn't been informed about ....... Well, considering her age, she may have decided that she didn't need to know about my work, either.

"Oh, yes. I'll be by her side as her knight.
"...... Yes. Just so you know, I don't approve of you. I would never approve of a man who broke a Schweizer family heirloom. So I'll give you one piece of advice. Don't leave Iris's side for a while.
"......?　What does that mean?
No, no, no!　Listen to what I'm saying. I've told you what you need to know.

　And with that, Chloe hurried away from me.
　I could have stopped her, but I didn't want to upset her.
　As I watched her walk away, I remembered what she had said earlier.

"Stay with Iris," she said. It's not like there's anything going on because Chloe said so. ......

　If there is, it's probably Remyll who's involved.
　You may want to go and talk to Remyll tomorrow.

I've been thinking ...... of peace lately, but there's so much to do.

　I muttered to myself.
　I was thinking about Aena and Mariel, and before I knew it, I had more and more things to think about on my day off.