Chapter 252

When Clael and Reina skied down to the base, they found Yurii and Meili already there.

"Hey, come on. Just for tea, at least."

"I won't do anything. I'll even treat you to a meal, yeah?"

"Um... this is troubling. Could you stop?"

Yurii and the others were being approached by a group of three men.

The men in their twenties, dressed in ski wear, closed the distance in a friendly manner, cutting off any escape routes as they spoke.

"Lord Clael, could that be...?"

"A pick-up... it seems."

At Reina's words, Clael nodded with a complicated expression.

Yurii was in her twenties. Meili was still a student, but her mature appearance made her look around the same age. They looked well-matched in age with the trio of men.

The only problem was... Yurii was actually a man.

"Hey miss, you're cute. Don't have a boyfriend or anything?"

"Please stop! Of course I don't have a boyfriend!"

"Huh? You don't? That's a waste, being this cute."

"Maybe I should volunteer?"

The scary part was that Yurii, who was supposed to be a woman, was more popular than Meili.

If they found out the truth, how would they react?

(Yeah... well, it'd definitely become a dark chapter in their lives...)

"Well then... shall we help, just in case?"

If they spotted Reina, things might escalate again.

Clael had Reina wait a little ways off and walked over to the two being hit on.

"Excuse me, is there something wrong with my companions?"

"Huh?"

"What's your deal? You a friend of these girls?"

"Yes, they're my colleague and student."

When Clael answered honestly, the men made displeased faces.

"Tch... so they're with a guy."

"Should we rough up this scrawny-looking dude?"

The men cracked their knuckles and looked at Clael with mocking eyes.

"Hey, we're just gonna borrow these girls for a bit."

"You don't mind, right? If you get in the way, we might have to get physical."

"Jeez... definitely the kind of pick-up artists you shouldn't leave alone."

Clael shook his head wearily at the intimidating men.

He didn't think picking up girls was inherently bad... but it should be done with decency.

Forcing someone to go somewhere or flashing violence was absolutely unacceptable.

It was the despicable behavior of someone who didn't deserve to be called a man.

"As an educator, I can't just overlook people like this..."

"What the hell are you mumbling about?!"

"I told you to get lost already!"

One of the trio raised his fist and lunged at Clael.

"Guard Up."

"Gwah...!?"

Clael activated a support spell and caught the punch.

He seemed to have some experience fighting, but... that was about it.

He was nowhere near the level of professional adventurers, warriors, or knights. Even without using support magic, he probably wouldn't have taken any damage.

"If you've got that much energy to spare, why not become adventurers and go hunt monsters? You'll earn money and even get thanked by people, you know?"

"Shut up!"

"I'll smash you!"

The men raged in the snow.

It was baffling how quick-tempered they were.

"Sigh... we were having such a nice time skiing, too."

Clael smoothly dodged the men's punches, kicked the first guy in the shin, elbowed the second in the stomach, and smashed the third's chin with a backfist.

Compared to the monsters or gangs he had fought before, these were laughably weak. The trio screamed one after another.

"Gyaaah!"

"Y-you bastard...!"

"Y-you'll regret this!"

The men left behind some cliché parting threats and dragged their feet as they fled.

They were such stereotypical thugs it almost felt fake. Like the kind of minor villains that show up in a game.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Clael!"

"Thank you, Mr. Byrne."

Yurii clung to Clael's waist.

Behind her, Meili gave a polite bow and expressed her thanks.

"Those guys were so persistent... it was really scary!"

"Mmm..."

Yurii looked up at Clael with sparkling eyes.

She even had tears welling at the corners of her eyes—truly the kind that stirred a protective instinct.

(Anyone who didn't know would probably fall for her... but still, she's a guy.)

As always, she seemed like someone born with the wrong gender.

(If her gender were different, maybe this would've turned into an office romance... It's kind of a shame, but also kind of a relief...)

"Mr. Yurii, you're a bit too close. Let's step back, people are watching."

"Aww..."

While Clael was lost in sentimental thoughts, Reina—who had come over at some point—peeled Yurii off him.

At the same time, the two students who had been late skied down to the base, and everyone was able to regroup once more.

Thus, Clael and the others enjoyed skiing until sunset, bringing the second day of their winter vacation to a close.

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