Aiming to be the perfect butler for my lady

There were two main reasons why I couldn't teleport myself back to Belur along with Alatia.

First, I haven't tried teleporting a person before, and considering the distance, I didn't want to take a chance as well

Secondly, Alatia wouldn't allow me to exert myself this much because of my condition.

And third, yeah third, if the young lady suddenly appears in Belur people might start investigating who might be the mysterious teleportation user who not only got close to the Princess but used magic on her as well.

Too much hassle.

That's why we were in a carriage—heading back to Belur.

Collen didn't ask me how I arrived here since he knows the application of Chains of Slavery. What he asked me was the reason which forced Alatia to bring me here.

In response to that, I said, 'I went overboard with my training..and haha...' something along those lines.

Collen has never been a bothersome character so he nodded to that and didn't pry any further.

Now, as her butler it was natural for me to share the carriage with my lady...but the closeness I was sharing with the Princess was far from suitable for a servant to have.

"No one dares to look inside my carriage without my permission, so stop panicking and sit close to me." With her arm hooked in mine and her head resting on my shoulder, Alatia muttered in an uncharacteristic tone.

"Ala...you do remember we need to keep our relationship a secret, right? Then why take risks?"

Alatia tilted her head in the other direction and glanced at me with her eyes narrowed,

"You didn't accept my proposal so you aren't my lover right now. As such, why should I take orders from my servant? Hmph!" Saying so, she rested her head back on my shoulder.

I see. She wants to play it like this huh?

I checked my surroundings with Beta once before detaching my arm from hers, earning a questioning hum from the girl, before I wrapped my arms around her waist—earning a far greater reaction this time.

"Ah..." Alatia yelped as I pulled her closer and turned my head to bring my lips close to her ears.

In a whispering tone, I uttered, "Truth to be told, I am feeling the urge to commit the forbidden act between a mistress and a servant. What do you say should I give in?"

The tip of her ears had already turned alarming red when my breath hit her skin and upon hearing my words, from the top of her head to the base of her neck turned red.

Ehe~see, you shouldn't have teas-

"I-if you want...then I am not against it..."

"---!!"

My whole face turned blazing hot, as I let go of her waist and decided to sit across her.

This girl....she is too dangerous to be teased. What are those rounded innocent eyes and that submissive look? When did your cold beauty mask vanish?

Alatia giggled at my pitiful self before we both fell silent.

However, the silence didn't persist for long before Alatia asked, "Kyle, you did reveal your secret about being a Dark Mage, but what were you doing with those powers that caused you so many injuries?"

I didn't think twice before answering, "I was practicing my powers in the forest when a Demon caught my presence and I had to battle against him."

"Demon?! Are you sure it was a demon?" Her reaction was justifiable since in her eyes I wasn't prepared to face an actual Demon yet.

"I am sure, after all, I use the same energy with which that creature was demonized. However, since that Demon was not high ranked, I somehow was able to defeat it."

Although a C-rank demon is something even Alatia couldn't defeat yet, I called it 'low rank' otherwise Alatia would have gotten sick in concern.

"...why do you have to choose such a brute method of training? I am sure despite having the ability to teleport you chose to fight the Demon to get better at your skills."

In a way she is right, after all, if I really had stumbled upon a Demon at a random place then I would have considered fighting it—unless the said demon wouldn't have turned out to be above B-rank.

"I have no other option but to train my magical abilities in such a way, Ala. I need to hide my identity as well if I come across someone while training." Collen might be a very skilled warrior, but all I could ask him to teach me was combat.

Even for the next six months before the Academy starts, I need to keep training by going covert. Although Alatia didn't show any repulsion toward my secret, I couldn't just openly use Dark Magic and think that Alatia would handle everything.

I can't let her get troubled anymore because of me, and despite how fond her father was of Alatia, until I don't use my powers for some greater good, he wouldn't even listen to Alatia and release an order of my annihilation.

Alatia remained silent for a moment before she asked, "Do you know the Great Sage of Mist Mountains?"

I raised my brows before replying like a parrot, "The one who has lived for hundreds of years in the mountain to attain enlightenment and also teaches some specific students for the betterment of the world...I doubt anyone in the continent doesn't know about her."

In addition to that, she is Alatia's teacher as well, who attends her class once a week.

"Yeah, her. Do you want to be taught by her?"

I widened my eyes in panic, "That is impossible. Not only does she choose only special and talented students but she also strictly follows the path of Light. It would be disastrous to reveal my abilities to her."

"Kyle...you are wrong." I stared blankly at Alatia's quick rebuke.

She sighed before she took the seat beside me and said, "She is not like how the world perceives her. From what I have seen, the Great Sage doesn't stick to the route of Light and I believe she has knowledge of Dark Arts as well. She prioritizes talent over origin. She doesn't even care for what purpose her student likes to use those powers and only wants to see the dedication from them."

Alatia held my hand before she said, "Not only because I want you to not endanger your life that's why I am suggesting this, but also, in the future, we may have to face many challenges where we have to battle side by side. So please, for my sake...can't you even meet her once?"

Guh...again those round pleading eyes. She seems to have realized my weakness and strikes me without hesitation.

I remained silent for some time and contemplated.

The risk was high...but the benefits balanced out things.

I was forced to think what a tremendous leap I would gain by this training under one of the renowned mages of history.

After taking my time, I turned towards Alatia, before shaking my head up and down,

"I will come with you to meet her...but I won't reveal my secret to her unless she decides to get into an Unbreakable Contract with me. And also I will never reveal my identity to her."

"Deal." Alatia grinned before she rested her head on my shoulder and adjoined our palms with fingers interlaced.

I have a complicated feeling about this agreement. Now, only time will tell how this unfolds.

********

A/N:- I won't go through the training arc, as always, and after two more chapters(?), the academy arc begins.