The next day.
　I was called to my room by Brother Xelloss.

"You're here. Yuki.
It's been a long time. It's been what, three years since I've been in this room?

　Things have changed a lot.
　There used to be a map of the territory and a book about the stories of this region, but now it's all about the Magic Guild and the contents of the exams.

　Brother Xellos is sitting behind his desk, with his back to the window.
　Because of the backlighting, it's hard to tell what he looks like.

'I want to make sure you know what's going on. That's why I asked you to come.
"Am I really the reincarnation of the 'Immortal Magician' or not?
It doesn't matter.
Does it matter?
"Whoever you are, I'm going to keep your secret. Do you believe that?
I believe you.
Why?
'Your brother is a proud man. He's a serious man and he'll do what he says.
Are you serious?
Yeah?
I see.

　My brother's shoulders slumped and he sighed, haha.

'You're awesome. 'Yuki,'
What is this all of a sudden?
'I've always had a hard time with you. I thought because you were a bastard and didn't have the same mother's blood in your veins, that's why I wasn't good at you. But I was wrong. I was never going to be as good as you. You were bad at it because you knew that...
It's not that big of a deal to me.
Yuki. Here.

　Brother Xellos took out a sword from the shadows of the desk.
　Brushing off the scabbard, pulling out the blade, and pointing the tip of the sword at himself - why do you offer it to me?

This is an oath. Xellos-Grossaria will be on your side no matter what. If you doubt me, press your sword and take my life.
No, I don't want you to take a knight's oath here.
That's a reminder. Yuki. You saved my life. And I'll pay for that.
My brother is too serious, don't you think?
It's in his nature.

　It wasn't Xellos brother's fault to begin with.
　He was under the influence of the teacher Kachel through the Amulet.
　That's why he was so critical of me.

　I'm just saying.

"No, I don't want to hurt you.
You're in trouble!

　You're too serious.
　My brother is too serious. You don't stop assuming things, and yet you care about your family in a weird way.
　That's what's so annoying about you.
　And for this reason, people can't just leave you alone.

Yuki-Glossaria accepts Xellos-Glossaria's vow to be on my side. I accept my brother's vow to be on my side. That's good enough for me.
It's still more than I owe you, though.
You'd better do something about your overly serious nature. Brother.
No, as a baronial son and heir, I have to be better than that.
That's what I'm talking about. Brother.
''Well I don't really understand what you're saying. Yuki.

　My brother nodded his head and laughed.
　As we were talking about this, there was a knock at the door.
　A maid from the main building has come to tell us that lunch is ready.

''You can eat at the main building too, Yuki.
No, Martha's waiting.
'You'll have to eat twice. You're a growing boy.
Don't be absurd, my brother.

　We walked out of the room with him.


　Thud.


　I heard a noise.
　I looked to see Lumiere standing across the hallway.
　She is staring at me and Xellos, oblivious to the book she dropped.

'Brother Yuki and Brother Xellos are getting along.........'
Lumiere?
I've been worried about you. Lumia. Me and Yuki are right here...
I haven't seen anything like this in years... I'm so happy.

　Tears spilled out of Lumia's eyes.

'Yuki niisamaa!
Hey, hey, Lumiere!
I'm so glad. Brother Yuki, you've always wanted to make up with Brother Xellos...
'Why are you hugging me?　Go over to Brother Xellos.
Brother Xellos has been so stubborn all along, I won't give him a hug.
No, I'm not.

　Brother Xellos, didn't you just look frustrated?

''Yuki will soon be a trainee in the 'Magic Guild'. You should spoil him while you can.
'Are you sure?　Brother Yuki.
It's not fair to ask me here.
I'm a legitimate son, so I forgive you. I'll tell my father.
'Thank you!　Now, Lumia will wash brother Yuki's hair for the first time in a long time.
'Don't try to drag me to the bathroom like it's natural. I don't want to be embarrassed.
'You've learned to wash yourself?　Brother Yuki.
"...so as not to take Martha's job.
I knew you were still bad at it.

　I don't like doing it myself because I get bubbles in my eyes.
　You know, they say that "vampires" don't like water.
　I was also called the 'King of Vampires (Vampire Lord)' in a previous life, so I don't mind water, but I don't like getting watery bubbles in my eyes. It makes sense.

　In a previous life, my body stopped growing, so I only had to wash my hair once a month.
　But now I'm in a growth spurt, and washing my head every two days is a chore, and I don't want to do it myself, ever. I don't want to do it myself, so I ask Martha to do it.

　Seriously, I'm just glad that Martha agreed to come with me to the capital.
　I didn't know what to do if I was alone.

"...Pfft.
What the hell, Brother Xelloss?
No, no, you're not very good at that either.
Some people are better at washing their hair than others.
You're no match for me. What was I fighting against, anyway?
Then let Lumiere wash your hair.
'I'm not going to take the fun out of Lumia,'

　With that, Brother Xellos moved his face closer to Lumia's.

'I'll tell everyone to get ready for the bath. Lumia, you can clean Yuki as much as you want. You must not be disrespectful to His Royal Highness. Yuki is the representative of our baronial family.
'Yes. Let Lumia handle it.
Brother Xelloss you'll remember that later.
Okay.

　I was angry at my brother who was smiling bitterly, though.
　........but I also wondered if the Baron family would continue to be okay from now on if it was like this.
　It's not a bad feeling.
　Maybe I'm starting to feel like a human being.

I'm glad. I'm so glad to see you like this, brother Yuki.
I'm just going to wash my hair.
'You're not the kind of person to let your sister wash your hair and not return the favor, are you, brother?
What do you expect me to do?
"Uh-huh.

　Lumiere, who is in a good mood, isn't listening.
　Both the maid and the butler's nails are looking at me. Even Martha is coming to the main building and........why are you following me? Why are you rolling up your arms, Martha? Didn't you wash my hair yesterday?

　And after this I had my hair washed by Lumia and her friends.

　As it was, they were able to go in and out of the main building freely.