The door to the training room had a security system installed. Only verified members could go in with their ID cards.

Thud.

Thud.

"Hmm? Who's there?"

"I'm Johan, a first-grade student. Can I talk to Reece Brock?"

"Bro, what? What do you want from him?"

"I... just need some advice."

"Advice? Pffft... AHAHAHAHAHA. What a weirdo."

"Let him in."

A guy who was dressed like a punk opened the door. For a second, he looked down on Johan with eyes like a snake. His tongue rolled around his lips.

"Come in."

Johan was traumatized. The gaze and the way he rolled his tongue made him reconsider life. It felt like r#pe. Just not in reality. Okay, I gotta stop this.

Going in, Johan noticed how there were only a few students in the facility but no teachers.

"So, who are you?"

In front of him was Reece Brock, one of the top ten newbie Rankers of Germania.

"I'm Johan von Parseval, a first grader. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Johan reached out his hand for a handshake. Reece looked at him and waited for a second before he shook his hand.

"I see. Well, Johan, it seems like you already know me and came here because you want something from me. Get to the point. What is it?"

"Well, since the tournament is coming up, I need some guidance. You're someone who has ranked high, and I was wondering if you could help me out?"

Reece's lips twitched. He was sitting on a bench in a training suit. His eyes had a deep red color while his hair was almost white. Johan assumed that he was another albino, but when he looked closer, he saw that they were just colored.

"Hmm. You want my help? Why should I do that?"

Johan almost choked. He had forgotten about that part. The letter he read earlier was still on his mind.

"Ahh... I... actually don't know." He scratched his head.

"So you want me to give you something for nothing in return. Interesting. Well, I could ask for something later. It doesn't have to be now. How about this: You get my help, and I ask you for something another time."

"That's... great! Thanks a lot!"

"My pleasure. I don't have time now, so just come here on weekends. I'll help you then."

"Yessir! Have a good training session. Until then."

"See you."

Johan left the facility.

"Reece, why did you accept his request? You have a tournament coming up."

"Don't worry about him. He is quite important to me."

It seemed like nobody in the room knew about Johan other than Reece.

"If you say so."

...

Trimur couldn't believe it. From student to teacher, they were all in on it. He had never felt this betrayed in his life. It was like he was born with a dark fate.

'F#ck all of them! I'll tolerate their bullying for now until I've become strong enough to take my revenge. I have to get stronger quickly.'

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

The teacher had mentioned the tournament that was going to occur soon. This was an event where every student had the chance to participate. He was going to do his best and train as hard as he could to score high and raise his Rank. One of the rewards for higher-ranking Rankers was a potion that would purify the connection to the core. This would strengthen the Aether connection significantly.

Setting a new goal, he started right away and went to the nearest gym to improve his basic stats.

...

Happy with his success, Johan went home. On the way back, he reread the letter sent by his mother.

'Johan, I love you, my son. I hope you're doing fine at your new academy. It must have been a lot for you in the last few weeks. Everything came all of a sudden. Marie is also worried. She asks me every day if you're going to come home soon. Anyway, I don't want to bother you too much. I wish you the best of luck! Don't worry about anything. We'll also be visiting you soon. In the little package, there is a gift for you. I hope you like it. Until then, goodbye.'

He had almost forgotten about his parents. He hadn't called them for days, and his little sister didn't even know about him being a Ranker. The thing that bothered him the most was why she hadn't just visited him or given him a call. His best guess was that she went somewhere where she could only send a letter to make it personal.

When he arrived at his penthouse, all of the maids were waiting outside the house. They were waving at him from afar.

"What are you girls doing out here? Did something happen?"

"Nope, but Rachel and Videl told us to greet you outside from today on."

'Hmm? Why did they do that?'

"Well, thanks for doing so. Now let's get in and have dinner together."

"Yes, Lord Johan," the group said in unison.

...

"So, today is our first official dinner in this house, and it's only possible because everybody participated in making it ready. As you already know, I've given everybody a reason to be here. From cooking to cleaning, everything is covered except for one part. That is combat. Yes, you've heard right. From now on, an instructor will train you properly and help you raise your Ranks. Don't worry, though, as nobody is forced to do this. If any maid doesn't want to participate, she is freed from it."

The maids looked uneasy because they didn't know how to respond. But Johan had already anticipated that. Rachel stood up and made a little speech.

"Everybody, listen. All of us know that the opportunity to work here is extremely rare. Lord Johan has gifted all of us a comfortable life here. We only have to follow his commands. The rest is secured. So, if you have any ounce of dignity, you will help the Lord in his plans."

When Rachel spoke, it was as if everybody was hypnotized. She used her ability proficiently. The girls now had a different look on their faces. Some of them were still a little nervous, but most had a look of determination.

"I... think we should do as told. Lord Johan, can you guarantee our safety?"

"Of course I can. In a bit of time, we will get a new security system installed in this house, and I'm also here, so there is no need to worry. Your stats will improve with the training as well, so you shouldn't be concerned."

"I see... then I'm for it."

"Me too."

"Me as well!"

The room lit up with the girls agreeing to his proposal.

"I'm happy that you all trust me. For this occasion, we will have a movie night. Rachel, get the TV ready, and you girls go and get your snacks after dinner."

"Yessir! Let's do this, girls!"

The evening went very well, and now Johan just needed one more thing: the instructor. He already knew who he was going to hire. Well, not really hire, but something similar to that.

"Videl, come to my room."

"Yes, my Lord."

Johan and Videl entered his room. He took out a syringe with a little bit of blood.

"What's this, Lord Johan?"

"This right here is your blood. But no worries, I took it when I healed you. Now I want something from you."

Videl didn't know about the blood.

"Yes."

"I will now use this to make you my Shadow Slave. It's an ability that allows me to bond with another person through a contract. This means that I can freely communicate with you and give you commands at all times. You will also be able to do the same. The reason why I'm choosing you is that I trust you the most."

"I understand. This is for you healing me, right?"

"Hmm, at first yes. But now I actually want to be closer to you."

Videl blushed once more in her life.

"C- Closer? But it's not like we know each other that well."

"Don't worry about that. We will get to know each other. Let's do it then."

He took the syringe and put the needle into his arm. It didn't feel weird or anything. Just a notice popped up.

Blood detected!

Shadow Slave position available.

Does the user want to use one place?

'Yes.'

Blood bound. New Shadow Slave: Videl da Silva.

"Nice. It worked. Now let's check it out."

He tried to communicate with her.

'Videl, bring me a towel.'

'Huh? Ah, yes.'

She left the room and went to get a towel.

"Yessir. This is awesome. The weird thing is that she didn't really resist or say much."

THE REASON IS THE ABILITY. IT MAKES HER SUBSERVIENT TO YOU. SO IF SHE IS WILLING AND DOESN'T REALLY DISAGREE MUCH, THEN THERE WON'T BE A LOT OF RESISTANCE.

"That's great. I will make her incredibly strong. I want her by my side forever."

....