I Kidnapped the Hero’s Women

Chapter 58 - A New Path

- Mister, I’ve decided to enlist.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Suddenly, my mind was racing with confusion.

A million thoughts flooded in.

Were there any warning signs?

Did I miss something?

Like a madman, I ran to my office, where I had carefully kept all the letters, dumped them out, and began rereading them.

- To the Dark Mister. I really appreciate the allowance you gave me... but you gave me way too much. All I did was mention that the parasol was pretty, and yet you sent me 300,000 Lark. That’s more than enough to buy the parasol and still have plenty left. Are you telling me to use the rest for food or something? It feels like charity, and I don’t like that. I’ll be sending back the leftover money.

Was it this?

Was it when Yuri got upset?

It’s true, I did tend to send generous amounts of money whenever Yuri said something was wanted.

Yuri didn’t like that.

So we compromised, and I began sending a regular monthly allowance of 100,000 Lark.

And whenever I wanted to send a gift, I avoided sending cash and sent items instead.

I thought everything had been smoothed over after that.

- I was invited to a party by some seniors! Things had been a bit tense, but they say they want to make up!

Ah, this.

I remember.

I was horrified the moment I saw it.

It was obvious they invited Yuri just to mess with him.

They’d lure Yuri in with smiles, pretending they wanted to reconcile, only to embarrass him in front of everyone.

It was so obvious.

- I made up with the seniors! I guess there were a lot of misunderstandings! At first, the atmosphere was a bit weird, but after I accidentally broke the door off the party room, everyone suddenly became really friendly! Hehe. I thought I’d have to keep my distance from them, but things turned out great!

…Or so I thought.

Yuri, being the protagonist, showcased extraordinary social skills and came back victorious.

Well, the party thing turned out fine.

So what’s the problem?

- I found some amazing pajamas at the shop in front of the school! I never really cared about pajamas before, but these look so soft and cozy, like they’ll help me sleep so well...

Could it be this?

After reading that letter, I got curious about why Yuri was so fascinated by pajamas, so I scoured the area in front of the academy.

I found just one place.

A store that exclusively sold women\'s pajamas.

- Are you sure you’ve got this right? I think that store only sells women’s clothes.

After sending that reply, there was a brief break in the letters.

Ah. This must be it. This is it.

Maybe Yuri enjoys wearing women’s pajamas.

Because of my narrow-mindedness, I didn’t respect Yuri’s preferences.

‘But Yuri wrote back again after that.’

The thrill of thinking I had figured it out faded quickly.

I discovered another stack of letters from after that incident, and I sank into deeper thought.

What was the real problem?

Why would Yuri suddenly cut off the sponsorship and decide to enlist?

"Haaah..."

We were doing fine.

Why are you doing this all of a sudden?

Can’t you at least tell me what I did wrong?

My vision was growing dim.

"It must be that, right..."

I rubbed my temples and leaned my head back.

I checked the letters to see if I had made any mistakes in them, but...

I knew from the start that I was barking up the wrong tree.

"It’s that rumor Irene spread..."

Obviously, the reason is the rumors that have been circulating about me and the children.

The timing matches.

And Yuri has every reason to be furious.

Yuri’s precious friends, even close ones, are said to be forced into marriage with a scoundrel. How could Yuri not be enraged?

"I have to stop it..."

Yuri can’t enlist.

That’s absolutely unacceptable.

How can I stop this?

- ...I realized I need power. Overwhelming power.

Reading the last part of today’s letter once again, I clenched my eyes shut.

No matter how much I thought about it, there was only one solution.

A solution I really, really didn’t want to use... but I had no choice.

"Sylvia!"

***

Life at the academy is enjoyable.

After all this time.

And after so much denial.

Yuri had to admit it.

At first, it was just a place Yuri entered because there was no other choice.

Lacking the power to storm the Vermont estate right away, Yuri saw this as a temporary path to learn magic and grow stronger.

But then, an unexpected sponsorship came in.

And the academy life turned out to be more fulfilling than Yuri had imagined.

Yuri slowly began to adapt to this place and found the experience becoming comfortable.

"Y-Yuri! You’re here! Sit down. I prepared a cushion, bread, and drinks for you..."

Yuri’s classmates were incredibly kind and thoughtful.

"Yuri, my junior! Oh, uh... the place where you hit me? Haha... It doesn’t hurt anymore... I’m fine, really... By the way, do you need a guidebook? I can give you a cheat sheet for the 1st-year Magic Arts Introduction exam."

The seniors were exemplary guides, always leading juniors down the right path.

"Y-Yuri... I’m really sorry about the grade manipulation last time... But taking more than the required number of credits violates the rules... b-but I’ll find a way to make it work! Don’t worry about it!"

Even the professors were people Yuri could learn a lot from.

It was fun.

For the first time since leaving the orphanage, Yuri felt like this was real joy.

‘I shouldn’t feel like this...’

Even now, Charlotte and Yulia were trapped, sold as slaves to the Vermont estate.

Yuri wasn’t supposed to be enjoying this.

Wasn’t supposed to be smiling.

This was the time to grit teeth and strategize a rescue plan...!

‘It’s all because of that Dark Mister.’

It’s the Dark Mister’s fault that Yuri was letting down his guard.

That person got Yuri into this academy.

Kept writing back, even though it was a hassle.

Provided support, sometimes even excessively...

Because of that person, Yuri kept finding the academy life enjoyable.

Maybe Yuri should cut off the sponsorship altogether.

Yuri had considered that, but...

"No... I want to know who he is..."

That idea was quickly abandoned.

That person had promised to meet Yuri upon graduation.

If Yuri didn’t graduate, he’d never get to meet the Dark Mister in person.

Their correspondence would end, and the relationship would be severed.

Yuri didn’t want that.

Desperately wanted to know who the Dark Mister was.

To meet him, look into his eyes, and say thank you.

With that thought, Yuri found it impossible to leave the academy.

‘Yeah. Let’s be honest with my feelings. What’s wrong with enjoying myself? Charlotte and Yulia wouldn’t want me to suffer constantly, either.’

Rushing wouldn’t speed up the curriculum.

Yuri decided to relax a bit.

To enjoy the good moments.

To smile when it felt right.

But never once did Yuri stop thinking about Charlotte and Yulia.

Thanks to the heavy course load, Yuri was able to take every class related to combat magic.

Though it was still at the beginner level, soon the first year would end.

Next year, Yuri would begin practical magic and would grow twice as strong.

The thought alone made Yuri’s heart race.

Just then, a disturbing rumor reached Yuri’s ears.

- Has the Count of Vermont really fallen for commoner slaves? A scandal erupts as it’s revealed they are just 13 and 14 years old...

The headline on the newspaper.

The whispers among the students.

The moment Yuri first heard the rumor, it felt suffocating.

What Yuri first felt was overwhelming rage.

"Aslan Vermont! That bastard...!"

That filthy animal!

That disgusting pervert!

How could a fully grown adult look at Charlotte and Yulia with such lecherous eyes...!

The more Yuri thought about it, the more the fury built, rising without end.

"Aaaah...!"

But soon after, despair settled in.

Despite feeling this much anger.

Despite wanting to kill Aslan and being consumed by rage, Yuri was overwhelmed by helplessness.

Just beginning to learn magic.

Finally understanding how to use mana efficiently, instead of the reckless way used before.

With just a little more, Yuri felt like he could gain strength rivaling a sword expert.

Just a little more...!

"You want to take second-year classes early? I’m sorry, Yuri, but that’s not possible."

"Please, Headmaster! Isn’t there any way?"

"There’s no way around it. Right now, it’s the end of the first semester, so it’s impossible to take second-year courses... Skipping grades is possible if you meet the required credits and complete the prerequisite courses, but taking second-year classes right now is out of the question."

Ah! Waiting until next year?

In this situation, where it wouldn’t be strange if Charlotte and Yulia became the Countess of Vermont by tomorrow!

Time is of the essence!

Yuri needed a way to get stronger as quickly as possible!

And the answer.

Was closer than Yuri thought.

Yuri’s eyes were drawn to the enlistment poster that had always been ignored.

"Hrgh... I wanted to graduate..."

The fastest way to learn practical combat magic.

That’s by becoming a soldier, no doubt.

Tears welling up, Yuri picked up the pen.

"Thank you for everything... Sn

iff. I hope this doesn’t seem like I’m just running away with a lame excuse after taking all you’ve given me..."

This is the end of the relationship with the Dark Mister.

It’s a shame, but Yuri would never be able to find out who that person was.

As Yuri wrote the letter, feelings of regret deepened, but the resolve only strengthened.

To save Charlotte and Yulia, this was the best option.

Becoming a soldier was the only way.

‘I’m not wrong.’

"Sob..."

The final letter to the benefactor was sent.

The next morning at dawn.

Yuri quietly said goodbye to the Imperial Magic Academy.

With a sniffle, adjusting the backpack and getting ready to leave the dormitory...

"Special delivery, special delivery! Are you Yuri Brussels, by any chance?"

"Yes, that’s me."

"Special delivery letter! Delivery complete!"

Someone appeared on horseback, handed a letter, and quickly disappeared.

Yuri remembered passing by the post office once and being shocked by the high cost of special delivery.

Who in the world would send a special delivery letter?

Bewildered, Yuri inspected the letter.

"It’s from the Dark Mister...!"

Seeing the sender’s name, Yuri’s face lit up with joy.

Thank goodness.

At least I can read one last letter from him before I leave.

With a flutter, Yuri opened the letter.

Expecting a farewell message, but what was written inside was completely unexpected, and Yuri’s eyes widened in shock.

"There’s a way to gain power!?"

Huh?

"My acquaintance is about to start a security company. I can introduce you so you can join as a staff member. That way, you can get stronger without having to drop out!"

A new path opened.