27 Underneath

"Um, Sir Lucas?"

Ndulou called to his new servant, who had been standing beside him and helping him sort out some paperwork.

"Master, you don't have to call me Sir," Lucas pointed out. 

Ndulou was not yet quite used to calling Lucas his servant. He never had a skilled servant before, and it was always slaves from the slums or unskilled workers. That was why he felt intimidated by Lucas.

It caused him to subconsciously call him Sir. He also wondered what happened to Lucas' timid personality because, recently, all he could see was a perfect servant to serve a master. 

Lucas gives off a reliable aura and, surprisingly, showed off his skills, which seem to be at the same level as those of the head butler of the castle. Even Lucas' former co-workers were surprised by his sudden change.

Also, without Ndulou's knowledge, there was a rumor going around the castle that "the fifth son of the baron has powers to change a person's personality," and they were talking about Lucas and Ernesto's changes.

"Ahem!"

Ndulou cleared his throat before he asked, "Lucas, what was my role again?"

He asked such an obvious question, but he still wanted to hear the answer loud and clear.

"Ernesto Oliva's study buddy, sir,"

Lucas plainly answered while still focused on the papers in his hands.

"I am his buddy, right?" Ndulou continued to question him, to which Lucas responded, "Yes, sir."

"Then where is that young master I should accompany?" Ndulou's tone was mixed with annoyance, which made Lucas stop looking at the papers and turn his attention to Ndulou instead.

"He said he would sightsee, sir."

That was the excuse Ernesto gave him before he left. After going back from the baron's house, Ernesto looked anxious and kept reminding Lucas not to lower his guard.

Fortunately, the day passed with nothing bad happening.

On the other day, the two of them should meet their teachers and tutors. However, minutes before the first teacher came, Ernesto jumped out of the window and said he would go sightseeing. As a result, Ndulou was left alone to greet the teachers who were masters of their fields. Obviously, the first two teachers are disappointed. They did not even try to teach the baron's child alone, but left him with homework instead.

With the help of Lucas, Ndulou finished sorting out the two sets of homework—one for him and one for Ernesto. He cleanly tied the papers designated for Ernesto, as he planned to slap the thick papers into his study buddy's face.

The first two teachers left early, but he still needed to wait for the last instructor to come.

"haaaaaaa—"

Ndulou let out a long sigh.

"What if the Marquis hears about this? Is he going to send me back home? After all the trouble I got just for moving here."

Ndulou doesn't want to be sent home, gaining nothing. He at least hoped he would learn magic.

With an uneasy heart, he read the book related to his homework.

After looking at his pocket watch, Lucas informed Ndulou.

"Master, it is time,"

Ndulou nodded and fixed his clothes. He stared at the door, anticipating someone's arrival.

knock knock knock

Someone gently knocked on the study room's door and announced the teacher's presence.

"Young Master Ndulou, Viscount Sauco is here."

Ndulou's eyes sparkled upon hearing that the teacher was here. Viscount Sauco is one of the few well-known blaze magicians, and his ice attribute distinguishes him from others. He was a well-known instructor at Sibol Academy and one of the most respected mages at Toré.

The Viscount gently smiled, unlike the other teachers who instantly frowned the moment they saw Ndulou without Ernesto. Ndulou perked up from his seat because of the Viscount's warm welcome. He happily bowed down to him to greet him, "Good morning, Viscount Sauco. I am Ndulou Miyano, a study partner of Ernesto Oliva."

After he greeted the Viscount, Ndulou observed the Viscount. He wanted to record the appearance of the first instructor, who greeted him nicely despite having a lower status.

The Viscount is a middle-aged man with a lean build and medium-length orange hair. His hair is combed backward and held together with a gold hairband, leaving only a few strands hanging in front of his forehead. Ndulou thought that even Sauco's appearance was very approachable.

"Oho! So you're my only student for today, young master Ndulou? I hope I don't need to introduce myself," the high-pitched voice of the Viscount echoed in his ears.

"Of course, sir," Ndulou timidly answered. He then gestured to have him sit on the couch, but the Viscount went directly into the bookcases and picked up a book.

"Young master Ndulou, let's start our lesson?" Viscount Sauco opened the book and tapped the chair to make Ndulou sit. 

Ndulou hurriedly sat down and gazed at the Viscount with so much anticipation of his new lesson. Meanwhile, Lucas silently left the study room and stood guard at the door.

"Okay, young master, let's start with theory, okay?" Ndulou nodded in response. "First, let's talk about the most basic—Mana. Can you define this for me?" The Viscount sounded like he was very patient at teaching.

Ndulou actively responded, "Mana is the energy used to perform magic."

"Very good!" The always smiling teacher complimented him. "Now, to be more specific, it is the spiritual life force energy of any being to grant his desire. Of course, it focuses not only on magic."

"Not only magic?"

"Oh, no! Does the young master not know?"

The Viscount frowned for the first time, but returned to his lively smile after a few seconds. "It is a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being a source of power. It is an intentional force. You can also gain this by outer force, but it's unusual since it is dangerous. Now! May I know your growth of fire?"

Ndulou adorably tilted his head and asked, "Pardon, sir. What is my what?" 

"Growth of fir — you don't know? How about the mana harvest?"

Ndulou shook his head.

"Mana cost?"

Ndulou shook his head once more, and the Viscount continued to mention words he didn't know. The Viscount looked very surprised as he exclaimed, "What kind of education does the baron household have? You are two years older than the young master, Ernesto, but you are behind him? Oh my goodness! Don't tell me, young master, you don't even know the basics!" 

The Viscount may sound condescending, but Ndulou had nothing against the Viscount because he was telling the truth. Baron Miyano cannot afford to provide all eight of his children with their proper education and other needs. He only focused on his three eldest sons, and they homeschooled the younger siblings with their mother as their only teacher.

Ndulou rubbed the back of his neck as he awkwardly asked, "Well, what are the basics, sir?"

The Viscount sighed, "Tell me what you have studied so far."

Ndulou hesitated for a moment before answering the question, "Well, I already know mathematics, which includes statistics, algebra, and geometry. For history, I only studied until the reign of King Kylech Gobsleh. I still haven't studied economics, swordsmanship, or magic, I — I just know some basic terminologies. I am sorry."

"Oh, no! Oh no! That's a problem!" The Viscount rubbed his head and looked very disappointed.

It made Ndulou earnestly exclaim, "But I will work harder, sir! I will make up for what I am lacking!" but the Viscount shook his head and said,

"No, no, no, young master, I am not talking about your lack of knowledge. The problem is the young master, Ndulou, itself. I say this out of concern. Please don't be mad, but please stop your delusions."

Ndulou froze after hearing the last word the Viscount said, "My delusions?"

"Yes, if you think it suited you to be his study partner, please stop. Please don't pull down our young master, Ernesto. I don't know what kind of trick your father did, but if you continue to be his study buddy, you will only slow him down. The young master, Ernesto, deserves a suitable study partner that won't affect his growth, but will help him improve." Viscount Sauco looked very concerned while throwing all the harsh words toward Ndulou.

Ndulou just clenched both of his fists and mumbled to himself. "But the Marquis was the one who requested me to be one."

The Viscount heard his mumblings, "The Marquis? I heard he is a very generous man. Maybe he just pitied you?" Viscount Sauco walked closer to Ndulou and whispered to him, "Come to think of it, why did our young master, Ernesto, leave you here alone? Is it because he will get bored learning things he already knows since you are here? How unfortunate that a fifteen-year-old noble lacks basic knowledge. Young master, we can compare your knowledge to 7 years old."

This time, the Viscount didn't hide his mocking voice.

"Young master, please wake up and don't ruin someone else's life. It would be better if you alone remained low. Why drag someone else?"

Ndulou couldn't get his voice out. He could not disagree with what the Viscount was saying. He felt worse.

The Viscount observed his gloomy student, who was only looking down at his clenched fist. After a moment, Viscount Sauco smiled cunningly and thought to himself, "You lowly punk, how dare you wish to be educated by me? You better volunteer to leave so that I can recommend one of my relatives to be Marquis' son's study partner."

"Now, young master, I'll be leaving first. Please take it to heart. I hope your decision won't ruin someone else." 

Viscount Sauco said goodbye to him. He tapped Ndulou's shoulder one last time and left the study room, and he even instructed Lucas not to come in the room yet.

"He was doing an activity inside. Don't bother him. He said he would call you in once he was done." He told him it was an order from Ndulou, but in reality, he wanted his student to be alone, so he would drown in his own thoughts of dismay.

The cunning Viscount Sauco left the Marquis castle with a bright smile, while Ndulou was still left in the study room with his dark thoughts.