When we arrived at the academy, a grand building stood before us, its age betrayed by the worn-out walls. I was the first to get out of the carriage, then I helped the young master down.
Although I thought we had arrived early, the place was quite crowded. This was a vast academy filled with nobles. As soon as I stepped inside, the scent of ego and arrogance hit me.
It was a place where many looked down on others, a place where distinction was blatantly made. I knew such academies well; my father had been a teacher at one. The only problem was that he was from the common folk. Most of the teachers at the academy were nobility. He had reached a good position through his intelligence and hard work, but it hadn't earned him the respect of others.
One day, my mother and I had gone to the academy where my father worked. We had waited for him after school to make him happy, but the condescending glances from the other teachers and even the mocking expressions of the students were still vivid in my memory.
As I continued walking with the Young Master, we stepped into the academy's garden. It was just as crowded as the inside. The Young Master suddenly stopped, and I stopped with him. Three young men were coming toward us from the opposite direction.
All three were of similar height, but the tallest one stood out with his wavy brown hair and blue eyes. His sharp facial features gave him a charismatic aura. The way people greeted him and he waved back made it clear that he was quite popular here.
The young man with black hair, who was standing next to him, had his hair combed back. It was obvious he cared about his appearance. The last one was a little shorter than the others and wore glasses. His chestnut-colored short hair gave him a distinct charm.
"Young Master, we thought you were late," said the one with glasses. As he spoke, our eyes met.
"Are you Young Master Lemi's new assistant?"
I nodded slightly and confirmed, "Yes, sir."
The tallest one suddenly cut in and voiced what everyone else was thinking but hadn't said out loud.
"You're Lemi's new toy, huh? Be careful not to break."
I ignored him while he laughed to himself.
The black-haired one was examining me from head to toe. What's the matter? Do I have an extra leg or something?
"Lemi, what kind of tests are you having your new assistant do this time? I'm curious," the one with glasses said with a slight smile.
I thought the Young Master would stay silent again, but unexpectedly, he spoke up.
"This time, I'll do something special—everything."
While he smiled mischievously, the others looked at me with pity.
"Everything?" What, is he going to use me as a test subject? If you weren't my employer, I'd punch you and run away.
You heartless bastard, I hope you get beaten up in today's sword class and writhe in pain.
The one with glasses sighed and adjusted his glasses.
"Well then, it looks like we'll be choosing our sparring partners in today's sword class. Who are you going to pick?"
"Where did you hear that from?" asked the tall one, curious.
"I overheard the teachers talking," the one with glasses replied.
"I'll choose you, Henry," said the tall one, slinging his arm over the shoulder of the one with glasses. So, the one with glasses was named Henry.
Henry immediately tried to push him away. "Stay away from me, Ollie."
The tall boy who thought he was funny was named Ollie.
Although Henry tried to push Ollie, he didn't budge even an inch. The result of the sword match already seemed clear.
"Lemi, will you pair up with me?" asked the black-haired one.
The Young Master was probably going to pair up with him, but something felt off. I could tell from the sudden shift in his green eyes. A bad feeling stirred inside me as he smiled mischievously.
"No," he said, without taking his eyes off me. "I've already found another partner."
We were all staring at the Young Master, but he was looking at me.