Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are So Hot! [BL]-Chapter 113: A Debt Well Served

Damien remembered then that he had been banned from entering Theo’s rooms after destroying several magic devices. And he’d just accidentally broken yet another one moments ago. The thought of approaching Theo recklessly suddenly seemed a lot more intimidating.

"I called on our teacher, just in case," Sebas added, "though since Whitlock—whose magic capacity is smaller than Master Theo’s—was unaffected, I believe he will be safe."

Damien glanced toward the elf, who was rubbing his backside with a smirk, paying absolutely no attention to the conversation. So that’s why he’s here, Damien thought, fighting the urge to hit him. With the debts he now owed the elf, upsetting him wasn’t an option.

I’ll endure five more pats, he resolved. Four more now.

"So, what’s your opinion, Teacher?" Sebas asked.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. But first... I need a chair, you lovesick fool."

Damien realized he meant for him to fetch it.

Fine, he thought. That much I can handle. He grabbed a chair he assumed the doctors had been using and brought it over.

"Here, I’ve brought it."

"Did you hear me?" the elf sneered. "I asked for a chair. Did that low-functioning brain of yours miss that?"

"But... I did bring you one—oh." Damien finally caught on to the elf’s meaning.

I really hate this guy.

"So," Damien asked, forcing his frustration down, "are you saying I’d need to use a debt?"

"Hardly," the elf replied with a smirk. "But if you do sour my mood, I might make those terms a bit nastier when you repay me."

Damien knew what he was getting into.

Still, he really wanted to punch this elf.

Obviously, that wasn’t an option, so he obediently lowered himself onto all fours, placing his hands and knees on the ground.

"Ghh..."

The elf plopped himself down on Damien’s back without any gentleness.

"Hmm, very good seating. Hahaha! The high and mighty Damien, right under my rear... Despite his conquests, he’s beneath a lowly virgin like me. Quite humbling, isn’t it?" the elf snickered, clearly enjoying himself over something utterly ridiculous.

The elf, despite his fragile appearance, was surprisingly light. Damien had expected this whole situation to be harder to endure, but he found it less humiliating than he’d imagined. It reminded him of playing horse with his little brother, which was actually a bit nostalgic.

I’m fine with this, really, Damien thought, glancing over to Sebas to make sure Leonide was restrained; his servant looked ready to throttle the elf.

However, Damien seriously wished the elf would stop patting or smacking his backside. Just how much did this elf like his rear?

...

"Now that I have a suitable chair," the elf announced, "let’s continue our conversation."

Before he could start, Sebas interjected, "Teacher, before we continue, your throat must be parched. Would you care for some tea?"

The elf paused, considering. "Hmm, indeed, my throat is a bit dry. Very well, Sebas; it’s been a while since I’ve tasted your handiwork."

"Understood. Which tea leaves would you prefer?" Sebas asked smoothly. "There are some the doctors had been drinking earlier, or shall I fetch a more select variety?"

"What do you think? Only the finest tea leaves for me!"

"Of course. Please wait just a moment."

Sebas swiftly brought a small table in front of Damien and began brewing the tea.

Leonide, though calmed somewhat, continued glaring fiercely at the elf, clearly tempted to do more than just look.

Please, just hold on a little longer, Damien thought.

After a short while, Sebas presented the tea with a polite flourish. "Here you are, Teacher, the tea you requested. And I took the liberty of including a small treat, complimentary."

Damien couldn’t shake the feeling that Sebas’s tone was...off somehow. Perhaps it was just the easy familiarity between teacher and disciple?

"Ah, let’s see then... Excellent! Truly remarkable, Sebas. I dare say you’ve surpassed me when it comes to tea." The elf’s voice was filled with delight. "The sweets are exquisite, too."

Damien couldn’t see the elf’s face, but from his ecstatic tone, he could tell the elf was smiling ear-to-ear.

Watching him savor each sip and bite so enthusiastically, Damien found himself wishing he could try some of the tea too.

"Yes, I used the family’s exclusive Ceylome tea," Sebas replied smoothly.

"Oh! I don’t know what that is, but it was delicious! Well done!" the elf praised.

"Indeed, as per your wishes, I used the royal tea leaves gifted to us by His Majesty. A truly fine flavor, wouldn’t you agree?" Sebas added, watching with satisfaction as the elf sputtered, nearly spitting out his half-finished tea.

The elf’s tea sprayed a little.

Ugh, gross, thought Damien.

"Th-that was...no way..."

"The cost is just ten gold coins, nothing more," Sebas continued, unfazed.

Wait, he’s charging him? Damien wondered.

"Uh, well, I, uh...I don’t have any money on me at the moment... Next time! I swear I’ll pay next time!" the elf stammered.

"Oh dear... Teacher, I’m a little ashamed to hear such words from someone of your stature. Truly, it’s embarrassing for me as your disciple," Sebas replied with a sigh.

The elf’s shoulders tensed. "Grr... This tea can count as part of your debt to me!"

"I’m afraid I’ll still need payment. Otherwise, I suppose news will spread across the kingdom that the teacher couldn’t afford a single cup of tea, though it would be an undeniable fact."

"...Please, just put it on my tab..."

Weak! Damien thought, trying not to smirk.

To be fair, Sebas could probably be easily overpowered by the elf, yet here he was, politely accepting defeat. It was impressive—and unsettling.

"But, just so you know, this small debt doesn’t cancel out what Damien owes me!" the elf muttered indignantly.

"Understood," Sebas replied calmly.

Of course, Damien had expected as much, and likely, Sebas hadn’t intended it that way, either. But Damien—and probably Leonide too—had learned something important: this was how Sebas subtly stacked debts against this elf, bit by bit.

Thank you, Sebas.