Please Let Me Live a Lazy Life!

Chapter 12: I Just Want to Sleep (3)

But even if Edward didn't have to worry about finding his brother in the shadier side of town and doing questionable activities, his self-care was something that eldest never thought he would have to worry about. After all, Thomas had maids and servants to take care of him (and the majority of them did things that were beyond their paycheck to make sure their little master was healthy and happy.) But his little brother had a strange habit of napping in places hidden from view without a care for his appearances and if it weren't for the attentiveness of the household servants, the child would probably be lost to them somewhere in the mansion.

Half of the time, Thomas needed to be awakened to eat, to bathe, or to do any other activities outside of sleeping, and Clarisse had bravely expressed her worries to the eldest young master of the estate in light of their developing relationship.

Usually, only noble students in the last few years of secondary education could bring servants and they had to obtain permission from both their guardians and the school board. They could only bring two servants at a time and their magic signature had to be recorded by the academy.

Since Evadne Academy was a place that many noble children, and even the Crown Prince, attended classes and received their training and education, security would obviously be an important factor to the parents and for the future of Astria. At first, there were guards and teachers placed around the academy grounds, but the school was too big and they did not have enough manpower to cover everything, so there were always a few kidnapping incidents and a lot of trespassing from suspicious characters.

The fourth headmaster, a well known Rune Scholar who had made many breakthroughs in rune magic and applying it to defense magic, created a complex barrier that could pinpoint and individually recognize the magic signature of the staff and students. Everyone else not within the system was repelled. Even the parents had to either get special permission to enter into the academy even if they were former students.

Therefore, Evadne Academy's security was ranked the highest in comparison to the other magic academies in the country. Other than the city's own barrier system, there was barely any barrier technology that could compete.

Thomas was still a few grades under the requirement and, by school policy, was not allowed to have his family or personal manservant -Clarisse- attend with him during his class hours. This was a concern because if his younger brother had a choice, he would probably sleep through his entire time in the academy-- including lunch time.

"I apologize for my impudence, but Young Master Thomas has become much thinner lately," the worried maid informed him just as he was about to enter his carriage, though he couldn't help but recall the big breakfast his little brother had devoured every morning within ten minutes... What part of him looked skinny? "I know Young Master Edward is very busy, but may I implore Young Master Edward to check on Young Master Thomas during lunch time to see if he is eating properly?"

Both of them were aware that if there wasn't someone to help place the food in front of his younger brother and to keep him awake, the child would probably have slept through his hunger, but didn't say a word to each other about their (most probable) assumption.

In all honesty, since Thomas usually ate late, had a large breakfast, and left classes earlier than most people, Edward thought it wouldn't hurt his younger brother to miss lunch, but he couldn't say that to the stone-faced woman out loud. He would end up getting into an argument that he probably wouldn't win against the maid despite being her employer.

Therefore, aware of the youngest's sloth-like nature, and softened by Clarisse sincere worries, Edward temporary abandoned his lunch with best friend to check on Thomas. Xander sulked at first, mumbling something along the lines of their morning interactions being stolen nowadays and now he didn't get to have his best friend for lunchtime? The blond nobleman was more amused than exasperated by the red-haired teen's grumbling, though he did feel a bit guilty for leaving even if it was only for a little while. Between classes, learning the trade, work, and other things that often took a majority of their time, it was already difficult enough to talk to each other even for just a few minutes.