Positive little sun, magical girl, I am awesome

There was a new topic of conversation in the tea room of the Security Hall in Goletia City.

——Two unusual guests were imprisoned in the prison today. They were students from the Gladia Academy.

"Isn't this normal? Those guardians learn how to fight every day."

A sheriff who had just returned from patrol found his teacup and took a big sip of cold tea before joining the conversation. They saw a lot of the world during their daily patrols and were quite nonchalant.

"That's different. It doesn't matter how much trouble they make at school."

A middle-aged woman nearby pushed her glasses up, her frown showing that she was clearly very dissatisfied with the Guardians' actions.

"They assaulted an outsider, an ordinary person who had no power to fight back! Many people present testified that it was the guardians who blocked the carriage and attacked without any reason."

"The poor gentleman is a respectable businessman registered with the city hall and has no criminal record," someone added.

"Ah, the academy has been expanding without any order in recent years. I knew there would be trouble sooner or later. After all, they are a bunch of simple-minded but strong-limbed guys."

"Don't say that. It's not like you don't know where they're going to end up."

"...Tsk, I'm in trouble again!"

"No, I have to go and see who these young people who are causing trouble are. I'm afraid they're going to happen more often in the future."

An old sheriff had some complaints about those troubled teenagers. He pushed open the door, muttering to himself, holding a teacup, and walked towards the prison deep in the security hall.

……

Behind the thick iron bars, two figures sat on the ground against the wall, each occupying a corner of the cell. Their neat school uniforms looked particularly out of place here.

"Will we be expelled?"

Lucas spoke first, breaking the silence in the prison.

Ian had been looking up with his eyes wide open at the tall window above Lucas's head that let in only a ray of light.

There was an obvious scratch on one side of his face, caused by the security team who arrived and pinned him to the ground. At this time, spots of blood scabs had already formed. He came back to his senses when he heard Lucas speak, and then replied:

"Isn't that good?"

Lucas obviously didn't react: "What?"

"You are already capable of gaining a foothold in Goletia. After leaving the academy, you can also find a job in the city to support yourself. Isn't it what you have always wanted to live a stable life with your mother and sister?" Ian's tone was filled with genuine confusion.

Lucas was stunned.

Yes, isn't this the life he's always dreamed of? Goletia City is nice and safe. After leaving the academy, he no longer has to sneak over the wall and squeeze out all his spare time to work, nor does he have to work for the Bishop family in the future...

As he thought about this, all that flashed before his eyes were the little details of the academy, the banter at the cafeteria table, and the sweat shed on the training ground.

Should we abandon them?

"...Then all the suffering I've endured in training sessions over the years has been for nothing?" Lucas shook his head decisively, looking at Ian's nonchalant expression, which was irritating. "You only blame me, but what about you? You're the main culprit."

Although Lucas insisted that he was arrested because he instigated the incident, it was Ian who did it after all. How come this guy is not nervous at all?

"I'm fine." Ian bent one leg, his eyes still following the light above Lucas's head. "Even if I'm expelled, I'll still go to Ozler with Lilith. I'm her protector."

"Ian, why on earth did you..." After calming down his initial nervousness and confusion, Lucas finally asked the reason for the beating.

Ian didn't answer him, he just said again: "I'm serious about my suggestion just now."

"........."

"Your brother-in-law is not a good man. He's like some of the people I've met before. They believe in a barbaric way of survival. Only fists and power can intimidate them. Even if you give in again and again for your sister, it won't earn him respect and love for her."

His tone was as calm as when he discussed training techniques with him in the past. Lucas was finally stunned. They saw each other almost every day, but he seemed to have only gotten to know this taciturn friend today.

"Either you beat him until he's scared, like I did, or you become someone who needs his favor. There's no better way." Ian rarely spoke so much, and he himself was a little uncomfortable. After a pause, he added, "You can also do business in the city. I think Lilith would be willing to help you."

"Don't blame your sister."

Ian never looked at Lucas. He stared at the patch of light in the sky, his eyes seeming to penetrate time and return to his distant childhood: "Poverty can wear away many of a person's qualities, making them short-sighted, timid, and even giving up their dignity. With limited choices, she has done her best."

"Ian..." Lucas looked at the black-haired boy whose face was half hidden in the darkness. His expression was unclear. He asked cautiously, "I remember you had a—"

“Brother.” Ian didn’t deny it. The shadow of the cell seemed to deepen on his deep features. “Back then… our situation was probably worse than yours.

He was a coward, and although he had a few good days afterwards, he still died. Cowardice was ingrained in him, and when danger struck, he chose the most cowardly path.

Ian was silent for a moment: "At that time, I had no choice."

Lucas seemed to finally understand the source of Ian's silent anger today...

Thinking of Ke Luo's always uneasy eyes, Lucas pursed his lips into a slit.

"...I will seriously consider it." He thought for a long time and said solemnly to the opposite side.

Although he might face questions from the teacher, confusion from classmates, and even be mocked as a deserter, he couldn't bear to watch Ke Luo wither away before his eyes...

The prison became quiet again. Ian didn't want to speak again after he mentioned his brother. He closed his eyes and prepared to take a nap.

Seeing that he was not worried about the situation at all, the usually heartless Lucas became the one who became restless.

"Hey, even if you're not afraid of going to jail or worrying about whether you can graduate, what about the prom? Are you going to miss it?" Lucas moved his butt forward, a few steps closer to Ian.

"Where's the dress? That's the ball gown Lilith designed for you. You're not going to wear it?" He looked at Ian's fluttering eyelashes. "Tsk, how can you be so relaxed? We're in trouble..."

Ian was so nagging that he could only open his eyes again: "After I got into trouble last time, I came to Goletia and met Lilith and you. So, getting into trouble is not a bad thing for me."

Lucas was speechless: "You are so optimistic, who gave you the confidence——"

Before he finished speaking, brisk footsteps were heard in the corridor outside the prison, followed by the crisp clatter of keys, the lock cylinder turned, and the heavy iron door opened.

A familiar figure bent down and came in neatly.

"It's settled." Lilith clapped her hands, her tone as relaxed as if she was calling them to dinner, "Let's go."

Lucas: Okay...