(Silly Nissen: Tyler, are these three children decoys as per your arrangement-o? I haven’t overlooked-o something, have I?)

(Tyler: You haven’t. This is an unforeseen fortunate event.)

Tyler was calmly conversing with the stupid loli, the children were still making a ruckus, and Avril, at first glance, was standing there silently. In reality, her little brain had halted, her cheeks a bright red, seemingly emitting smoke.

(Silly Nissen: Avril’s confession to you seems imminent-o. Even a blind person could see that-o Avril is smitten with you now.)

(Tyler: A careless person like you usually wouldn’t survive past three episodes in a novel.)

(Silly Nissen: Eh? Why?!)

(Tyler: For a boy, it only takes five minutes to go from having a crush to confirming their affection, whereas a girl may take five days, or even five weeks or five months. A rash move might shift her focus from ‘Do I like him?’ to ‘Does he like me?’ Once the point of contention changes, the dynamics of the situation would reverse, turning from offensive to defensive… By then, the difficulty for Avril to confess to me would increase manifold.)

Though the stupid loli didn’t quite comprehend, she now knew that admitting her foolishness was enough.

After a while, Avril came back to life. Tyler tactfully chose to forget about the “marital” discussion and suggested escorting the children home. Later, on their way to Avril’s home, Tyler gave her some fresh meat, saying it was a gift from the village chief.

Avril was very grateful. She didn’t express it outwardly, but she knew in her heart that this was something Banning had specially brought for her, just like the grilled meat skewers from the previous barbecue party.

“Do you usually stay in the orchard until so late, Avril?” Tyler asked while walking.

“Hmm? I usually wouldn’t. It’s just that these past few days, I have been preparing for the ‘Rain Praise Festival’, so it’s been later than usual.”

(“Rain Praise Festival?”)

Considering that the Rain Praise Festival should be common knowledge around here, Tyler didn’t continue to inquire Avril, instead, he brought up another topic.

“I see… By the way, when I entered the orchard earlier, I saw Daed and Beeken running out in fear. Avril, do you know what happened?”

Tyler casually asked this question, but he was extremely keen on Avril’s reaction to it, not missing any signs of mental activity.

At first, Avril was a bit surprised. She didn’t expect Banning to ask her about this. Then, Avril gave an unusual sigh.

“Well… it’s a bit of a long story.”

Avril told Tyler that for some unknown reason, Daed and Beeken always seemed nervous when they saw her. Nine out of ten times, they would choose to avoid her, and sometimes they would even mysteriously run away in fright. The villagers said that Daed and Beeken were mentally disturbed, but they seemed quite normal when interacting with others. The village chief once privately asked Daed and Beeken why they were so afraid of Avril, but they always beat around the bush and refused to say anything. As time passed, everyone just got used to it.

“Tonight, Uncle Daed and Beeken were probably helping other parents to bring their children home. For some reason, they came into the orchard and saw me scolding the children and got scared away… Since this isn’t the first or second time something similar has happened, I didn’t bother chasing after them.”

Avril responded with utter honesty, Tyler discerned not the slightest hint of deceit. Upon hearing her explanation, he was reminded of similar words uttered by Granny Kana.

— “I cannot fathom why Daed and Beeken display such aversion towards Avril… At times, they flee as though terrified by her presence. I truly question whether something is amiss in their minds.”

(Quote from chapter 14: Dating and Psychology)

(Could it be a mental issue… But, is it possible to have such a problem directed only towards a specific individual?)

Tyler was certain Avril had spoken the truth. Before the mind-reading ability of the Divine Eye of Transcendence, no one could deceive him. However, Avril’s words failed to elucidate the peculiar mental processes of Daed and Beeken:

(Ahh! She’s still alive!!)

(She’s… she’s coming to kill us!!!)

Even those with mental issues must see “something” to foster such thoughts. What, then, did Daed and Beeken witness in the orchard?

Tyler decided he must seize an opportunity to investigate the brothers Daed and Beeken.

·

Upon waking the next day, Tyler found his Magic Energy fully restored. Calculations based on the numerical values indicated that a seven-hour sleep could restore at least thirty points of Magic Energy. A more detailed understanding of this rule required further data.

The villagers’ enthusiasm waned quickly. Yesterday, Tyler’s cottage was bustling with activity; today, it was deserted.

That was, until Tyler opened the door and discovered an unfamiliar young man waiting outside.

=====

Rhode, male, 16 years old, a resident of Ira Village.

Production Occupation: Fruit Farmer – Lv1

Manufacturing Occupation: Stonemason – Lv1

Combat Occupation: None

=====

(At last, I’ve caught you, Banning. I don’t care if you’ve saved the village…)

Seeing the young man’s hostile demeanor and expression, Tyler pondered for a second and then donned the mask of the ‘friendly big brother’ to greet him.

“Good morning, Rhode. Do you need something?” 𝗈𝒱𝗅xt.𝗰𝐎𝓂

“Yes, I came to… wait, how do you know my name?”

“I heard it from the village chief. I know the names of everyone in the village.”

Rhode was caught off guard by Tyler’s response.

“Oh…”

“So, Rhode, what brings you to me?”

“I… you… Ah, you’ve completely thrown me off my train of thought!”

Rhode ruffled his hair in frustration. He was not proficient in the delicate art of conversation, so he decided to be straightforward.

“Do you… do you fancy Avril?” Rhode glared at Tyler as if ready for a fight.

Tyler locked eyes with Rhode for a couple of seconds, then responded, “Are you concerned that I might take Avril away?”

Rhode was taken aback by the unexpected question and didn’t know how to respond.

Observing the situation, Tyler proceeded to press on relentlessly.

“Which is to say, you are fond of Avril, correct?”

“Wha—? What are you… I mean… I don’t…”

Rhode visibly wavered at the question, and Tyler promptly pounced on this opportunity.

“Given your affection for Avril, why didn’t I see you by her side, protecting her, the other night in the mountains?”

“Where were you, Rhode, when she was in danger?”

“Last night, I noticed Avril laboring in the orchard until quite late, and yet I didn’t see you staying behind to lend her a hand. Why is that?”

Rhode was at a loss for words, unable to answer the barrage of questions. Although he did indeed harbor feelings for Avril, his experience with affairs of the heart paled in comparison to Tyler’s adeptness.

“Rhode, allow me to offer you some advice.”

— [Combat Occupation Skill ‘Deceiver – Lv1’ has been activated and remains in effect…]

With an affable manner, Tyler draped an arm around Rhode’s shoulder.

“If you truly care for Avril, you should confess your feelings posthaste. Should I manage to seize the initiative, you might find yourself devoid of opportunities.”

With that, Tyler gave Rhode’s back a friendly pat, and strolled off nonchalantly.

—[Combat Occupation Skill ‘Deceiver – Lv1’ has been deactivated.]

Rhode stood, stunned by Tyler’s words, and took a considerable time to gather his thoughts. Several minutes later, he seemed to come to some kind of resolution, his fists clenched, and with a determined air, he headed toward the orchard.

(Silly Nissen: Why encourage him to confess his feelings? Aren’t-o you afraid Avril might reciprocate?)

(Tyler: Ever heard of the saying, ‘A confession is the victory chant, not the call to charge’?)

(Silly Nissen: Never heard of it, but it sounds quite profound-o.)

(Tyler: As long as he confesses, Avril will soon come to me to confess her feelings.)

(Silly Nissen: Oh~ Wait-o, hold-o on a minute, you’re jumping to conclusions way too fast-o! Can you explain the rationale behind-o this, Professor Tyler?)