The two pairs of eyes on the ground both repeatedly shifted their shaky gazes from each other to the man currently staring daggers at them, while their owners attempted to think of a way to explain themselves...

 

-Welp, my plans have officially screwed me this time...I think. After all, I’m a disavowed son, this is a singular building where rumors can flow freely like a sh*t-filled waterfall, and most importantly...this position is extremely compromising!!! Why didn’t I just shake her off, lightly, and jump away when I had the chance?!

 

Fate’s thoughts were awash with self-deprecation, while Liza’s were…well…

 

Liza -I can’t believe that we were…! No, no, no...calm yourself, Liza! You are a servant, he is your master...such situations should be expec...nooo! All the books mother made me read before I came here have corrupted me!!! Besides...he’s merely a child...I’m five years his senior, and I need to prove that as his...as his servant...no, as his friend…that I can be responsible!

 

Her thoughts seemed to be packed to bursting with strange thoughts and a desire to prove herself to her friend, her master. However, before her desires could be realized, a comically emotionless voice resounded…

 

Fate: “...I fell.”

 

Liza quickly stared at Fate, who now wore a deadpan expression, with shock, while the other interested party in the room simply raised his eyebrow in response.

 

He eyed the broken cot on the side of the room and then, once again, scanned both children. He still saw the messy hair on Liza’s head, Fate’s ruffled shirt, as well as Liza’s, now slightly loose arm-wrappings

 

Jacob then met Fate’s emotionless expression with a questioning glare…

 

Jacob: “You fell, young master?”

 

Fate: “Indeed, my servant was attempting to help me out of bed, but I was clumsy and managed to catch my foot on its frame. However, before I fell, miss Liza came to my aid, by catching me, despite her injuries. I was just giving her my sincere thanks when you happened upon us, now that I have explained myself, may you please explain the reason for your unexpected presence?”

 

Liza couldn’t help but suppress the laughter that surely would have followed hearing Fate’s attempt at a commanding tone, however, she was unable to hide her smile. Jacob, on the other hand, seemed to take it quite seriously, locking eyes with the boy who had dared to speak in such a manner to his soon-to-be instructor.

Jacob: “Young master, is your statement of the events that have transpired here true?”

 

-Y’know...I’m beginning to think that trying to be serious and attentive just isn’t my style...not to mention that I’m stronger now...I’ve already been afraid enough to have nearly killed someone that I cared about...

 

Fate suddenly broke his deadpan expression, allowing the corners of his mouth to form a frown while his eyes narrowed. A shiver ran up Liza’s spine as she could feel Fate’s aura growing cold...

 

Fate: “...I understand that you are to be my instructor in the fighting arts, but be that as it may…”

 

-Maybe, I just need to let it out a little...After all, I don’t plan on dying anytime soon... So why not have fun and enjoy myself?!~

 

Suddenly, specks of light began to form around Jacob, melding and taking the form of a short series of glowing blue needles that positioned themselves to strike at his vital points! However, Jacob didn’t seem to mind this.

 

It seemed that Fate didn’t mind though, as he flashed Jacob a devilish grin.

 

-He wants to f*ck with me?! Then I guess...since he’s already proven that he can beat me like an abusive alcoholic...I’ll have to make up for it with... SHOWMANSHIP!!! 

 

Fate: “You might have the upper hand in both skill and situation...and just one little rumor from the head butler, about a certain disgraced young master and his servant, might create a bit of a stir, but…~”

 

The bright blue needles now began to glow with a dull red light and began to change their target from the now somewhat, visibly displeased Jacob… Fate’s tone changed as if to captivate the attention of a nonextistent audience, while he began to laugh incessantly! Soon though, the new target had been confirmed, the door…

 

Fate: “...I think that one rousing explosion, enough to blow off...that door perhaps…”

 

New needles now spawned above Liza and Fate, poised to strike or explode! Liza looked on in awe, and somewhat in horror, at this showy display of magical power.

 

Fate: “Would be enough to prompt alarm, maybe a panic, causing unsuspecting maids, cooks, and other servants to come rushing to find a truly gruesome display!”

 

Fate was now presenting himself with a slight bit of madness, his tone became more and more sinister, his eyes opened wide, while his originally devilish grin now spread into a psychotic, ear to ear smile. The dull red lights now started to become brighter, as if responding to his apparent madness!

 

Fate: “What would they say if they found two, well-cooked bodies lying on the floor?!~ I think that being on top of this one here would just make me look good, I’d be the tragic hero, right?! You’d be the villain!!!”

 

The needles now radiated with the bright red glow, while Jacob’s expression seemed to grow more and more disgusted with every second! Liza could only tremble underneath her master, terrified and awestruck at this sudden, villainous change in character…

 

Fate: “So~are~you~in~the~mood...for your reputation to plummet, for whatever awaits after this moment?! Because I sure am! Now, it’s just about... SHOWTIME!!!~”

 

However, a small sound broke through the veil of demented laughter and danger...This moment caused Fate to slip, releasing the focus he had on maintaining his constructs, allowing them to fade into nonexistence. However, he was not concerned with the fact that his performance had just been ruined, in fact, he seemed to be paying much more attention to what had disrupted it.

-A...ring...?

 

Indeed, he had been disrupted and was now captivated, by a strange bronze ring with a red gem that had rolled to his feet. He turned his gaze towards Jacob’s face but was perplexed to find him stifling a laugh…

 

Fate looked down to check Liza’s response but found her unmoving, and it seemed as though she had passed out.

 

It took a moment for Jacob to be able to fully control his emotions before meeting Fate’s gaze and nodding his head at the ring, prompting Fate to cautiously reach out and pick it up. Jacob smiled as Fate began to run his finger across it, seemingly trying to memorize every detail of it.

 

He clapped his hands, causing Fate to drop the ring in shock.

 

Jacob: “A truly splendid performance, young master. However, next time, I wish you’d attempt to put more effort into your speech. After all, only rarely can someone truly insane be thoughtful enough to come up with a sensible plan, instead of resorting to desperate attacks or escape attempts…”

 

-Wha...I...damn f*ckhea…!

 

He proceeded to turn around, walking a few steps towards the door before grasping the handle and slowly pushing it open, however, he didn’t seem done talking just yet.

 

Jacob: “I suppose we can consider this your first foray into the world of assassination. However, I don’t believe that I would call this a lesson, certainly not one I would have taught you at this time...For now, though, simply accept that as today’s reward and await tomorrow’s lesson with excitement! After all, assuming you perform well...you may receive other rewards, who knows?”

 

Fate felt the fatigue of overusing his magic and his stress impose upon him, causing the strength that was allowing him to hold himself up to fade, allowing him to sink onto the floor next to the unconscious Liza.

 

Jacob: “Rest, young master. Know that for today, you have done well...but do not force me to raise my expectations so often, it is a problem for a person of my age. Until tomorrow, sleep well…”

 

Fate passed out on the floor, while Jacob slowly walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a smile on his face.

...

A note from the author

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Ahem...what the f*ck?! How did I manage to trend?! Why are there so many views today, there are over 1.6k?! Plus, there are new readers joining in the fun! Thank you, dudes, so much!