What was Theresa's image in Kiana's eyes?
Putting aside her utterly unreliable childlike appearance, when Kiana had previously stated that her father, Siegfried, was missing, she hadn't seen the other girl show any sign of panic, nor had she expressed any intention of taking her to find him. Instead, she had told her not to worry about it anymore.
That's my father! Why would this person tell me not to worry about him? What right does she have to say that?!
Although Kiana had spent over a year searching for her father without finding a single clue, she had truly tried her best, one of the few times she had put so much effort into something. And now, her supposed aunt, the only relative she knew besides her father, had this kind of attitude? What was wrong with her?
Then, even though she was her aunt, her own relative, she wasn't planning to take her home, but to leave her alone in Nagazora City. Her attitude towards Evan at the beginning wasn't friendly either, and now she was putting on the airs of an elder and trying to decide her future, casually trying to send her off to school.
Kiana's impression of Theresa was not very good.
Of course, Theresa didn't know what Kiana was thinking. Hearing her decisive refusal, she immediately widened her eyes.
"If you don't go to school, what do you plan to do? Live in the same dormitory building as a boy for the rest of your life? It seems he has taken good care of you, and you're enjoying it, but what about later? This boy, hmm, his name is Evan, right? What will you do after he graduates from high school? Will you stay in this semi-abandoned dormitory, or will you truly live under the same roof with him?"
The scene Theresa painted made Kiana blush slightly, but her temper, or rather, her rebellious spirit, flared up, and she decided to be stubborn to the end.
"That's none of your business!"
What to do when your child misbehaves? A good beating will do the trick.
Theresa, who was a woman of action to begin with, darkened her face, turned to Evan, and showed a twisted smile.
"Could you please step aside for a moment? I think I need to give my lovely niece a lesson in love."
Seeing this, Evan scratched his face in distress.
"Um, if Kiana really plans to let me take care of her and live a life of eating and waiting for death, I don't mind."
Evan's words made Kiana's face light up with joy. She didn't think too much about it; she was just purely happy that she could continue to be a lazy bum in the future.
"...You shouldn't make such promises so casually, kid. Because you have no idea what you'll have to pay, what you'll have to face. This is no longer a problem that can be solved with money."
After speaking meaningfully and seeing that Evan had no intention of leaving, Theresa randomly chose a vacant dorm room, kicked the door open, and dragged Kiana inside by brute force, saying.
"I'll pay for the damages later, so please give me a moment."
Theresa felt she had to show her authority as an aunt now and teach her disobedient niece a lesson. On Kiana's side, having fought Honkai Beasts and zombies with her father before, she didn't think she would lose to this shorty who had suddenly appeared. She didn't resist violently and followed Theresa into the empty room, eager to face this aunt she had a bad impression of.
"Are we going to fight? I know I shouldn't bully a child, but since you're putting on the airs of a superior elder, I can put aside that concern."
"Is that so? I think you'd better use your full strength. Let me see how much of Siegfried's skills you've learned."
Hearing this "family-friendly" conversation, Evan felt he shouldn't disturb them. He leaned against the wall outside the room Kiana and Theresa were in, listening to the "friendly" exchange of sounds coming from within.
Bang... Thud, thud, thud!
A series of loud noises echoed.
One minute later.
"I will handle the enrollment procedures for you. I'll send you to Senba Academy next semester. I hope you will reflect on your actions until then."
Theresa clapped her hands, a look of accomplishment on her face.
Tears of pain welled up in Kiana's eyes as she held her head where Theresa had struck her heavily. There was likely a large bump there now. Although she was full of dissatisfaction and unwillingness, Kiana couldn't say a single word of refusal.
This person's strength was abnormally large, and she possessed incredibly rich combat skills. Kiana, who considered herself a warrior against the Honkai and was steadily approaching her father's level, was completely outmatched by Theresa.
Kiana didn't ask Evan for help. In her eyes, Evan, who was probably just an ordinary person, couldn't even beat her, let alone the stronger Theresa. This was also why she had been willing to stay in this dormitory in the first place; she didn't think Evan had the power to force her to do anything.
Her silence now was equivalent to admitting defeat. Seeing this, Theresa nodded in satisfaction, walked out of the room, and seeing Evan in the hallway, thought for a moment before leading him outside the dormitory, far away from Kiana.
"I'll leave her in your care for now. Also, you'd better not use any sweet talk to deceive my lovely niece, or I'll let you taste my strength too."
Theresa shook her fist at Evan threateningly, but with her voice and appearance, it lacked any threat and was only cute.
To be honest, Evan didn't think he would be completely helpless against a bare-handed Theresa now, but he wasn't going to be confrontational with someone who had no ill intentions. It would be detrimental without any benefit.
"Okay."
Evan nodded.
Seeing him so agreeable, Theresa let out a breath of relief, then changed the subject.
"Please take care of her for this period of time. I will reimburse you double for any money you spend. Also, after the next semester starts, if Kiana is unwilling to live in the Senba Academy student dorms, I hope you can persuade her. It won't do you any good if word gets out that you're living with Kiana; in fact, it will be very dangerous. Please believe me."