The first day was at its end. With nothing else to do, Sam and Jim parted with the girls to their separate dorms.

"Shouldn't we take the physical trials?" Jim asked Sam looking at the long queue in front.

"There is no rush. There are still four more days left."

The two walked towards their house at the back of the campus.

Astra waited at the door for her young master. The frilly black and white maid outfit was a good contrast to her brown skin tone. To her, it was the most comfortable clothing she could imagine handpicked by her master and lady of the family, Lady Valerie, a grand magister of the council of mages, tier 10 elemental mage and Sam's mom.

Ever since she was a child she was brought up and cared for as if a daughter. Astra knew she could never repay the kindness Valerie showed her. So the best thing she could do was serve the young master however she could.

Astra waited right next to the front door waiting for Sam. She had already cleaned the place. As an artificer, she only had classes till noon. The rest of the time they were free due to a lack of tutors.

She constantly ran her hands around her body making sure everything was pristine. A perfect maid. She had already sworn to serve young master Sam for life. The little tail was safely tucked under her skirt. She knew Sam loved pulling her tail but it still made her uncomfortable.

"Wait till I can marry. I will make you my first concubine." She still remembers the promise Sam once made her when they were little. What an honour it was! The first concubine of the young master. Astra would dream every day of Sam tying a knot on some noble lady.

When Astra was a little girl, her father sold her to the local tavern. The girl had no talent and was only suitable for entertaining house guests. The little perk she had was perfect too for the job. The tavern gave her a small job and supported her. After all, the law prohibited adult services under the age of fourteen. All they could do was keep the girl around hoping she would grow to become a decent beauty.

One day Sam who was returning from lower school with the house butler saw Astra washing the clothes of some tavern guests. Seeing the little girl Sam asked his Butler if he could bring her too home. Sam's mother, who was always looking for a companion to keep Sam company, was thrilled that Sam found a girl and went to the tavern with the butler. She bought the girl from the tavern keeper for 25 gold.

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From that day till Sam became old enough to put his pants on his own, Astra was always by his side making sure everything was perfect. Although Lady Valerie was not delighted with Astra sticking around Sam all the time, she gradually grew to like her. Astra's ability as a crafter was later discovered and Valerie decided to keep her.

"You don't have to wait for me every day," Sam said to Astra who curtsied the moment he walked in the door with her head held low. He knew it was pointless. But did she really have to put on a maid dress? Although she wouldn't stop him, it was still inappropriate to grab under a girl's skirt. Besides Jim was always in the room. 'Maybe I should order her to change into shorts.' Sam thought but suddenly shook the idea off.

Astra loved that outfit. He knew how much it meant to her. The maid outfit of House Valerie. He knew Astra would rather die than let go of that dress. He also knew how heavy the oath she took was. To put someone else above her own life, honour and dignity. Sam knew he could never let anything happen to his precious companion.

"She is so docile at home," Jim commented laughing at this daily banter. He was immediately rebuked by Astra. "Shut it trash."

"You know I can take your head for that right?" Jim said, shaking his head. Jim was the son of two knights. By status, he was nobility and Astra was just a village girl.

"Young master, I already made dinner and cleaned the sheets. I should go back to my dorm soon. Is there anything else that you need me to look into?" Astra said, lowering her head again.

"Are you really going out like that? Why don't you change into something more comfortable?" Sam knew what the outfit meant to the others. With an academy filled with prodigies from different families of the highest nobility, a maid was sure to get scuffed at. "Please. I want to." Astra looked at Sam with pleading eyes.

"Do take Justin to your room." Sam reminded Astra as she left the place walking towards the girl's dorm.

"She's madly in love with you, you know," Jim said softly standing by watching.

"Yeah, I know. I'm pretty sure she would kill herself rather than be forced on to someone else."

"Lucky for her, her master is the archduke."

Sam smiled looking at the fleeting shadow of his first retainer.

Girls Dorm

A few girls were surrounding Justin showering verbal abuse at her. Justin, who was kneeling on the floor, sat with both hands over her head, saw a maid walking towards her through the small slits between the girls.

"Let her go, NOW." A loud mana induced voice echoed through the hall stunning everyone present.

Justin looked up at the familiar face shocked. To wear a maid outfit and still walk over these noble ladies, she wondered what this girl's real identity was. Grabbing her hand, Astra easily lifted her and dragged her to their room.