Turning Evil Makes You Five Times Stronger; Redemption Makes You Three Times Weaker (5.5K) (Continued)

Nunnally felt a mix of disappointment and shame.

But just then, she seemed to smell something, sniffed with her little nose, and said with slight surprise:

"Alpha... is she here too?"

Mahiro was slightly surprised when he heard this, but it made sense.

When a person goes blind, their other senses are amplified many times over; whether it is hearing, smell, or touch, they become much more sensitive.

Nunnally falls into this category.

"Yes, that's right. She's here too."

Mahiro nodded and waved to Alpha to come over.

"Ah, it's true... it really is Sister Alpha!"

The person hadn't arrived yet, but Nunnally recognized the footsteps and smelled the fresh, forest-like scent in the air, and immediately called out happily.

"I'm here, Nunnally!"

Alpha quickly approached Nunnally and, mimicking Mahiro's Mahiro, took her hand, a stunning smile appearing on his usually stern and aloof face.

Perhaps it was a case of loving someone because of their love for them, but seeing how kind Mahiro to Nunnally, Alpha naturally also doted on Nunnally.

Just like how we cherish the children in the Shadow Garden.

"That's wonderful... Brother, I love your gift."

Nunnally was so moved that she shed tears again.

"How can you blame Lelouch? Even without him, I would still have come to see lovely Nunnally. After all, I've taken up a position at the Ashford Academy just to see you."

Upon hearing his words, Nunnally was momentarily at a loss for how to continue the conversation.

Her cheeks flushed slightly with shyness.

When they were little, Mahiro would always tease her and her older sister Euphemia like this, and they would always end up blushing.

However, what surprised her even more was--

"Mr. Mahiro, are you going to take a position at the academy?!"

"Yes, I'm just a country teacher with no real skills. All I can do is my job and get a teaching position from old Ashford."

"..."

Nunnally and Lelouch were so surprised they were speechless.

Even though Lelouch already knew that Yotsuba Mahiro a teacher at the school.

But even if a royal tutor were to teach at a school in Area 11, it would be completely unqualified, even if it were a prestigious school in Britannia.

Not to mention, with Yotsuba Mahiro's reputation within the royal family, she would be more than qualified to be the headmaster.

Even Ashford might be more than happy with this, as it would be like finding another powerful figure to rely on.

However, the shock came and went quickly, and Nunnally's attention was soon diverted by Alpha.

Alpha chatted gently with Nunnally.

This is what Mahiro means.

Both Lelouch and he had something to say to each other.

So he and Lelouch left the room and followed the footsteps to the rooftop.

The setting sun painted the sky a deep red.

Mahiro stood on the edge of the rooftop, gripping the railing, looking down and taking in the entire scenery of the academy.

A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling his short, jet-black hair. His dark, inky pupils and well-defined features exuded masculinity, while the corners of his mouth, which always seemed to be smiling, slowly curled up, outlining a frivolous smile.

This gave his otherwise solemn appearance a touch of a wanderer's charm.

"You called me out specifically, so you must have something to say to me, Lelouch."

Mahiro chuckled lightly and asked the handsome man standing next to him.

I don't know how this guy grows up like this. He's only 16, but he's already a head shorter than me...

Oh, he was already over 1.8 meters tall when he was sixteen, that's alright then.

"I have something to say, but you do too, Mr. Mahiro."

Lelouch bent down, relaxed his straight body, leaned against the railing, and tugged at his collar.

Those deep purple eyes seemed to see right through his heart.

"Well, I guess so. But I'd like to hear what you have to say first."

"After all these years, teacher, you still talk in such an irreverent way."

"???"

Mahiro slowly typed out a few question marks.

Just as she was about to ask what he meant, she turned around and met Lelouch's eyes, and immediately understood.

He was referring to the things he had just said to Nunnally.

"You were lying just now, weren't you?" Lelouch suddenly asked again.

"How so?"

"A man like you, though frivolous, wouldn't do something like taking a job at the Ashford Academy just for Nunnally."

Are you so sure?

Mahiro almost laughed, but he held it in.

But Lelouch said with certainty:

"I must have analyzed the reasons behind my statement."

"Hmm, I'd like to hear more."

"First, if you truly loved Nunnally that much, you wouldn't have left Britannia without saying goodbye."

It seems Lelouch has absolutely no memory of that witch...

Mahiro nodded, seemingly understanding, and asked:

"And what's the next reason?"

"Secondly, with your abilities, teacher, you should have known about my mother Princess Marianne's murder and our being sent to Japan long ago..."

When Lelouch spoke of this, a clear look of hatred appeared in his eyes.

"So I conclude that you appeared at this time not for Nunnally, nor could you possibly be there for me."

Teacher, what exactly is your purpose?

In the end, Lelouch's words had turned into a question.

That makes sense, though.

Lelouch is now like a wounded beast, abandoning his name and hiding in this seemingly peaceful school to lick his wounds.

He showed no hesitation in baring his fangs at anyone who might harm Nunnally.

Especially for members of the Britannia royal family.

But for Mahiro, Lelouch's intimidation was far too weak. Whether in terms of aura or actual threat, he couldn't even compare to Charles.

Instead, he replied in a very comfortable tone:

"Hmm, your analysis is quite good, you could say it's logical and well-organized, which means those two years of teaching you weren't a complete waste..."

"Stop talking nonsense, what exactly is your purpose!"

"Look at you, always in such a hurry."

Mahiro extends his hands in a gesture of surrender, but a playful smile plays on his lips.

"I just wanted to tell you that your analysis is indeed correct, but you're overthinking it. I came here simply to see Nunnally."

"You think I'd believe such nonsense?"

Whether you believe it or not is your business.

Unlike Lelouch, who resembled Hakimi in his Spinosaurus form, Mahiro remained indifferent.

He said slowly and deliberately:

"Even if I really wanted to do something to Nunnally, what could you possibly do?"

"I...!"

"Don't let anger cloud your judgment. I am not your enemy, Lelouch."

You should be very clear about this.

"..."

After hearing that, Lelouch did indeed calm down.

Just as Mahiro said, if he really wanted to do something, he wouldn't be able to protect Nunnally with his current strength.

Not to mention...

Not to mention uncovering the truth behind his mother's death, and seeking revenge against that ruthless man who showed no mercy even to his own children—Emperor Charles D. Britannia of Britannia!!!

At this moment, Lelouch was no longer blinded by anger and had completely calmed down.

Yet, his heart was already consumed by the flames of revenge!

Seeing Lelouch facing the horizon, his hands clenched into fists, his body trembling slightly, Mahiro couldn't help but smile slightly, adding fuel to the fire as he said:

"Lelouch, I'm asking you, do you want revenge?"

"Do you want to avenge your mother, Princess Marianne?"

"Do you want revenge for Nunnally?"

His questions, one by one, were like sharp nails driven into Lelouch's heart, like the whispers of a demon echoing in his ears.

"I think!"

Lelouch gritted his teeth, almost spitting out the word through clenched teeth.

How could he not want revenge?

To avenge the group that killed her mother, to avenge that cold-blooded man, and to avenge everyone who hurt Nunnally.

Avenge the entire Britannia!!!

The flames of hatred have reached their peak.

But...

"But I have no power, no power to fight against Britannia!"

Lelouch had never craved power so much.

He recalled that when the Britannia army launched a massive invasion of Japan, he had never felt such longing.

Immediately afterwards, Lelouch felt a hand land on his shoulder.

Mahiro gently patted her and said:

Don't worry, it will happen.

Are you so sure?

"Of course, haven't you heard the saying that going evil makes you five times stronger and going good makes you three times weaker?"

Mahiro smiled and said, "Don't worry, keep this heart of revenge, and one day you will get everything you want."

"When that time comes, if you feel you are not strong enough and need help, come to me, and I will help you."

... help me?

"Why?"

Lelouch was about to ask what was going on when he turned around and found that there was no one behind him.

It was as if Yotsuba Mahiro had never existed.