- Boss. Did you call for me? -I came to the same building I was in last time. Sean is as in last time sitting on the comfortable-looking chair.

-Yes. According to the original plan, I wanted to transfer you to the dorm and start training, so that later I could make you a member of one of the 4 departments. However, Mr. Brainless asked me to find a commoner friend for his son. Very late, he remembered it, but apparently, it doesn't bother him.

-A commoner friend?

-Nobles sometimes take an orphan child to grow up with their son. They tend to become close friends. The nobles in such backwoods do not find friends of the proper status, so this practice appeared. If the son of a nobleman does something wrong, they punish the commoner in front of him, so that he behaves decently next time.

-Why? If the commoner didn't make any mistakes?

-Why would servants whip a nobleman? Only the parent or relative has the right to do this. So what if he didn't make any mistakes? This is a life, everyone suffers. Not always fair. But such ostentatious punishments help to improve the child's behavior. Well, or they don't help. Then the parents themselves have to punish the child. -Sean shrugged -Well, you'll be this kid's commoner friend. You are the only one who is the same as he is 12 years old. His name is Nick. A son born of the beloved concubine of the Brainless. After giving birth, she died. Unloved in the family, though the Brainless took the trouble to educate him.

-What am I going to do?

-Just serve him. Live with him. If you hear something important, my man is there, give him the information, and he will tell me. Maybe if you're lucky, Brainless will make you Nick's personal security guard. Well, if he won't like you, we'll go back to the old training. Is everything clear?

-Yes.

- Any questions?

-No.

-Then get ready. Tomorrow we are already going to Brainless. Call him Darius.

I tilted my head questioningly

-I knew it. -He rubbed his temples -Brainless is just his nickname. Got it? A nickname, not a name. And only when you talk to me, call him Brainless. No, don't. Call him Darius even when you're talking to me. You never know when you will accidentally make mistake. Okay?

-Okay

…

The next day we went in a carriage to the largest building in the city. To the castle.

We were stopped a couple of times along the way, but after Sean spoke about the purpose of his visit, everyone immediately let us through.

There were large walls with defensive towers. Beyond the wall was a contented expanse of space. The dormitories for the guards were almost pressed against the wall, and in the center was a 3-story stone castle. It was necessary to enter from the stairs that went up to the second floor. A man was already waiting there, and it looks like a boy was standing next to him. He walked slowly down the stairs and approached Sean with a smile.

-Sean, my friend. It's so good you found a commoner friend for my son so quickly. I knew I could trust you. -The man seemed very happy.

-Darius. I'm also glad to see you. This is the boy I brought. Murad. Diligent and quiet. He's the same age as your boy.

After Sean's words, Darius looked at me. Smiling, he said to me.

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-So it's you? Murad? I hope you get along with my son. Nick, say hello to him

The boy mumbled something a little stiffly, then said in an uncertain and quiet voice:

- Hi... Murad... nice to meet you. My name is ... Nick.

- Nice to meet you, Nick.

-Alright. I hope you take care of Murad. -Sean said.

-Of course. It was you who suggested it. I'll take care of him. I hope it will help my son to become more open.

-Then perhaps I should leave?

-No, no, how can I not invite you to dinner? Let's go.

Sean doesn't seem to mind. Entering the castle, Darius led us to the dining room. The servants had already prepared the table. I was seated next to Nick. There were quite a few dishes on the table. Everyone had already started eating lunch and talking about their own things. I reached out and picked up a dish. I put it in my mouth and chewed it, tasting the dish. The dish as I understand it is called a pie with honey. According to Nevie's memories, she had never tasted such dishes. But she tasted honey. From the memories, it seemed that they tasted better. Much more.

Losing interest in the food, I looked at Nick. He ate the pie with relish. However, noticing my gaze hesitantly stopped.

-Delicious?

-Yes. Very. We don't often eat this stuff. Usually, at such moments, my older brother is still present. I don't dare eat much in front of him.

-Elder brother?

-Kyle. My elder brother. He is 4 years older than me and is the heir of the family.

As if waiting for these words, a teenager entered the room. There was an air of authority about him. Short cropped hair. Firm posture and self-confidence. Very unlike his younger brother.

-Father, Sean. Greeting -He greeted them with restraint. Then he looked sharply at Nick, who was stuffing a mouthful of pie. -Brother. Observe table manners. Please, not in front of a guest.

-Yes. Sorry. Brother. -Nick said with his mouth full. Kyle shook his head and sat down next to his father.

After that, Nick began to eat slowly and carefully. Seeing this, Kyle nodded and stopped paying attention to him.

After dinner, we escorted Sean out. After he left, Kyle couldn't stand it anymore.

- Father. Why do you trust him? He's not the most trustworthy person. He's a commoner. Lowborn. Yes, he is a level 3 warrior, but still. He's still at the mortal level.

-It's about his connections. A Lowborn cannot become a warrior without talent. He is not deprived of it. Perhaps he can become a loyal servant of our little family. Perhaps he will soon be able to break through to a higher level.

-During this time, I may have time to become stronger. I am already a level 1 warrior.

-That's unlikely. *Sigh*. If you were gifted with the elements and became an elemental warrior.

-That would be great. -Kyle looked dreamy. But he quickly shook his head and said. -Father. Why did you decide to find a commoner friend for my brother? Isn't it too late?

-It can't be helped. His sister's companies had already affected him badly. He needs a friend, a boy. The same age as him. It can help Nick become open.

Why they discuss it right in front of him?

-Sister is already a bad influence on him. Father, if you'll excuse me, can I find a suitable suitor for her?

-No. It's still early.

-She's almost 15 years old! In 10 years, she'll be too old for a wedding! I wanted us to start preparing for that 2 years ago. 15 years is the best time for a wedding.

-You're not young either. You're 16. It's time for you to think about the wedding.

-This is not the time for that. With the current influence of our family, it will be difficult to find a lady of sufficient nobility. Maybe in 4 years

-Don't delay it until 25. Believe me, you'll suffer from it. Rumors about your impotence or other orientation will go for a long time. -Darius said, and Kyle's face was full of disgust.

-I wish I could execute anyone who's already spreading such rumors.

-What to take from them. The Lowborn just wants to talk nonsense -Darius said, grinning. -And we just need this nonsense to be useful to us. And kill the ones who talk something bad about us.

-I understand, Father. But still, if we don't do something about it, at least for the sake of appearances, there's a chance that these false rumors about my sister's uncleanness will spread to high society.

-*Sigh*... alright. Try to find a suitable groom. But try to find those who will NOT accept her as a concubine.

-I'll do my best. But it will be difficult.

-You have to find it. This is a sign of respect for my beloved.

-She wasn't your wife. She was a concubine. Your wife was my mother.

-But I loved her mo.…

-She was a commoner! Please, Father, don't say such shameful words. I respect your decision but still! I understand why you care about your brother. But her.

-Enough! You'd better go practice. Your teacher must be waiting for you.

-Don't put it off too long. You must accept that she was just a lowborn-With that, Kyle turned and left.

-*Sigh*. -Looking after him, Darius sighed. Then he looked at us and said, -I hope you get along.- Darius wanted to say something else, but he couldn't say anything, he could only turn and walk away.

Nick looked dejected.