The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 10

“If you want to do it, you can. It’s up to the little one to decide.”

I silently thanked Dedric for his excellent support, without Luwen noticing. I sent my gratitude through my eyes, but he should have understood. Even if he didn’t, it’s not my fault. I was grateful.

Only then did Luwen’s expression change. Just as I thought I saw desperation in his eyes, the hand that had been holding mine one-sidedly became mutual. I felt a small pressure on the back of my hand.

“Th-then… I-I want to learn.”

…What’s this? Why am I touched? Is it because Luwen held my hand first? Or because he said what I wanted to hear? Usually, I would have organized my thoughts clearly and come up with an answer, but I couldn’t calm down.

Let’s focus on what’s important first. Luwen was nervous, so I needed to answer quickly. If I readily grant his first request, he’ll feel more comfortable making a second one.

“Okay. Well done. From now on, if you want anything, just tell me like you did now.”

“Can I really do that?”

“Of course. Ask for anything. I’m already excited and looking forward to what Luwen will ask for. Don’t keep me waiting too long, okay?”

Luwen hesitated, then slowly nodded.

Good. Well done. I wanted to hug him tightly, but considering how he ran away earlier, it might be better to hold back.

Hah, my patience has grown a lot. No, is it still growing?

“Then shall we grant Luwen’s memorable first request? I think it would be good to learn from Dedric…”

I kept glancing at Dedric, then turned my head abruptly and asked while trailing off.

“What do you think, Dedric?”

“Hmm.”

Dedric didn’t answer immediately, drawing out the time. As this was one of the reactions I had anticipated, I calmly looked at his face and waited for his answer.

Currently, Dedric only visits the Duke’s mansion once a week to manage the knights. The rest of his time is spent on monster subjugation in the outskirts of the city. As a commoner-born senior knight, he tries to protect people living precariously in places beyond the empire’s gaze.

That was his belief. Father respected Dedric’s beliefs and ideas, and so he made many accommodations to allow him to do what he wanted.

However, managing a knight order with a high average level and teaching a child who knows nothing are completely different. It was a matter of having to devote much more time. Just like he did with me before. So it’s natural for him to hesitate.

Moreover, I can’t give Dedric proper compensation like Father can. It’s like asking for free service.

But Luwen is definitely a rising star. When he becomes famous later, Dedric’s reputation as the master who raised him will also rise. Even if the only reward I can give right now is gratitude, in the long run, it’s beneficial for Dedric too.

“I don’t intend to interfere with your work. Lessons once a week, setting aside a little time when Dedric visits the mansion, should be fine.”

“You know, Young Master. That’s not enough to properly teach the little one.”

“Luwen is a brilliant child who learns ten things when taught one. You can just give him homework for the week, can’t you?”

“He does seem like he’d learn well, but… ugh.”

Dedric scratched the back of his head with one hand and groaned. It seemed he recognized Luwen’s talent and was tempted, but didn’t like the idea of taking on a disciple only to neglect him. I never intended to give all of Luwen’s time to Dedric in the first place.

“I’m also well-versed in theory. I can watch and advise to prevent bad postures from becoming habits. And…”

I briefly looked at Luwen, who was quietly listening to our conversation, then got up and approached Dedric. Since precocious children often read adults’ moods, I wanted to hide what I was about to say.

I grabbed Dedric’s unnecessarily tall arm tightly and stood on my tiptoes. Then I lowered my voice, speaking close to his ear so Luwen couldn’t hear.

“You know my situation. I can’t find another teacher for him.”

As I finished the short sentence, I squeezed his arm firmly. Dedric’s eyes, which had been looking at me, glanced at the arm I was holding before returning to my face. Meanwhile, I desperately recalled the most embarrassing moment of my life. My face grew hot as I summoned a few black history moments in my mind.

This should look like quite a courageous request, right? Why would I go this far? It’s all because of Luwen.

I’ve thrown plenty of messages for Dedric to understand. If he doesn’t want to disappoint me, he’ll surely give a positive answer.

“Argh, this is really frustrating.”

It seems like he has a lot he wants to say to me. However, Dedric just messed up his hair as if punishing himself, then put his hands on his hips and said,

“Little one. Since the Young Master wants it, I’ll teach you swordsmanship.”

Was he tense? Luwen, who had been holding his breath, smiled with a face bright enough to end winter. It felt like I wouldn’t mind sacrificing my life to protect that smile. It was such a wonderful smile that it seemed far more valuable to do so.

I feel proud. How long has it been since I felt this emotion?

“Thank you!”

As Luwen greeted him energetically, Dedric, who had already switched to his teacher mode, spoke in a rather solemn voice.

“You have innate physical talent. But whether you can bloom it depends on your effort. Can you keep up well?”

That won’t be a problem. He’s someone who managed it alone.

As I was expecting Luwen’s confident answer, suddenly the child tugged firmly on my sleeve. Does he have something to say? And something he needs to whisper to me specifically?

Curious about what he wanted to say, even postponing his answer, I bent down. Luwen whispered in my ear with a voice like a lark.

“How should I address the Sir Knight?”

Is Luwen trying to assassinate me by assaulting my heart? This is really too much, how can he be so cute! As serious as Luwen’s posture was, I also lowered my voice and whispered to protect his innocence.

“Call him ‘Master’. He’ll like that.”

His sparkling eyes turned straight to Dedric.

“Yes! Master! I can do well!”

Dedric, who had roughly guessed what we had discussed, laughed boisterously. His thick hand, calloused from work, ruffled Luwen’s hair vigorously. Even though he was shaken about like a doll, Luwen kept smiling brightly.

Hmm. They seem to be getting along well. Has he already disarmed Dedric?

“There’s no need to wait a whole week, we can start right away, right? I’ll teach Luwen in my training ground, so let’s move there.”

Eager to score points and get close quickly, I hurriedly spoke. It’s more effective if I say it before Dedric.

Luwen’s head whipped towards me. If he were a normally raised child, he might have been jumping up and down in excitement, but Luwen just took a deep breath, puffing up his chest, and his shoulders quivered slightly.

“That’s true, but are you really lending out your training ground, Young Master?”

“Yes.”

“But he can’t use it alone without you there, right?”

“Luwen is my personal attendant, so he can’t leave me alone for hours.”

Of course, it would be fine if I allowed it, but knowing the risk of injury, I have no intention of leaving him alone. Before Dedric could object, knowing that I had been going around alone despite having Merin as my personal attendant, I quickly continued.

“So I’ll be accompanying Luwen. How about using the knights’ training ground together?”

Even without mentioning the pressure and reluctance the ordinary knights would feel, Dedric shut his mouth. It was Dedric who always caught me when I used my power to push those people around, but…

“It would be better to use Young Master’s training ground.”

If you agree so readily again, it’ll twist my mood. Even so, all I can do right now is lift the corners of my mouth.

Thanks to Luwen, my patience is growing, growing.

* * *

Since it was the first lesson, Dedric didn’t have much to teach. Even just the basic cutting stance had several forms, so they would learn them one by one, step by step. Just like I did in my childhood.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The sound of the sword cutting through the air was quite rhythmic. Despite sweating profusely in the cold weather, his flushed face looked quite happy. It was pleasant for me too to appreciate his fresh and lively appearance fitting his age, but…

It’s cold.

After standing still for about two hours, it’s quite cold. I’ll have to bring a thicker cloak from tomorrow.

As I was shivering and huddling up, Dedric approached and spoke to me.

“I’m doing this because you want it, Young Master… but will it be okay?”