Sophie had just stepped outside when she spotted Charles walking toward her with a tall, imposing man.
"Charles, what happened?" Sophie eyed the stranger warily, wondering if Charles had been taken hostage.
"Mom!" Charles sprinted into her arms. "That's Yakx's father! He came to pick him up. Where did you take Yakx? I couldn't find you—I thought you abandoned me!"
"Of course not! What kind of mother would I be to leave such a good boy?" She kissed his forehead, then frowned. "Wait—what happened to those two jerks?"
"Jerks? Oh, the ones who beat up Yakx? I dragged them to Master Nash! Then he called Yakx's father."
The man stepped forward. "You must be Teacher Sophie. Yakx has mentioned you often. I'm Castro, his father. A pleasure."
Sophie's mind conjured an image of a cawing crow. *"Yeah, I bet Yakx *loves* talking about me..."*
"Nice to meet you," she said politely. "Yakx is resting in my dorm. He was badly hurt, but my friend healed him. He's sleeping now—best not to wake him yet."
Castro nodded. "May I see him?"
"Of course."
Inside, Sophie watched as Castro gently brushed Yakx's cheek. Though the wounds were gone, the bloodstains and torn clothes spoke volumes.
"Teacher Sophie, would you mind keeping him a bit longer? I have... unfinished business. I'll fetch him tomorrow." Castro kept his voice low, hiding the storm in his eyes.
"Of course. Yakx is a brave boy—he didn't cry once, even when hurt badly."
Castro's lips twitched. His son was stubborn, but he had pride.
After bidding farewell, Castro strode toward the city's central manor. The "Leopard of Chirelia" had awakened. Years of quiet grief had made people forget the ruthless, cunning lord of Casina. But harming his son? That was a mistake.
**Vengeance had just begun.**
---
"Idiot boy! Of all people, you had to pick a fight with the *count's son*?!" Captain Rob jabbed his bruised son, pacing furiously. "I spent half my savings to get this post, and you ruined it in one day!"
Patting his swollen face, Pad wisely kept quiet about *how badly* his guard had beaten the young noble.
By the time Pad's family lost everything, they still didn't grasp their crime. That Castro let them live at all was mercy. The old Castro would've made them beg for death.
---
Sophie simmered a pot of Eight-Treasure Porridge, with Libor scrambling across town for ingredients—after she promised him a share.
When Charles returned from delivering Libor's portion, Sophie ladled a bowl for Yakx. "Wake up, sweetie. Eat something."
Yakx blinked drowsily. "Angel... where's Mother?"
*"Angel? Wait till he's fully awake—he'll call me a demon again."*
"It's Teacher Sophie. This porridge will help you heal."
Reality dawned on Yakx. This gentle, beautiful woman... was *Sophie*? He sipped obediently, tears streaming.
"Does it still hurt? Don't worry—I taught those bullies a lesson."
Yakx sobbed harder. "I'm sorry, Teacher!"
Sophie smiled. "We're friends now, okay? No more tricks." (*Mostly because I've won.*)
Yakx nodded fiercely. *"I swear on the Orphiel name—I'll protect her like she did me."*
---
That night, the cramped bed led to disaster.
*THUD!*
Sophie hit the floor.
"CHARLES!!"
The boys woke to her roar, then burst into laughter at the sight of her sprawled on the ground.
"Ungrateful brats!" Sophie grumbled. *"Should've let them sleep."*
---
The next day, freed from tension, Sophie's class begged for stories instead of dull history.
So she spun a tale: *The Legend of Richard-Liu Shocking*, a mighty mage who wielded magic, strength, and charm.
By sundown, demand for magic turtle eggs (said to grant Herculean power) skyrocketed.
"Teacher! What's next?" a child yelled as she entered class.
Sophie grinned. "No story unless *everyone* masters a basic fire spell—a 5-minute flame in your palm!"
The room erupted.
"I can't even make a spark!"
"Whoever fails ruins it for everyone—prepare for *consequences*!"
Sophie smirked. *"Nothing motivates like a good cliffhanger."*
Her accidental genius made her Peter Academy's most beloved teacher—with the fastest-improving class.
And as Yakx raved about "amazing Teacher Sophie," Count Castro smiled.
**Perhaps a private chat was in order.**