Watching them gluttonously taking the foods was enough to make John felt sick. Some just took a bite and left the rest of the food sat on their plate, some took the different variety of foods and never touched it, some ate like they hadn't eaten for a whole week, and little just watched from the corner of the wall.

"And we were grateful enough to be able to eat a single piece of bread as our dinner." Lilac muttered.

At first, John himself thought she would immediately run and take as many foods as she could, but seemed like she also realized about the truth behind of those foods.

"I wonder what do they eat right now." Said John, frowned at the personification of gluttony that happened right in front of his eyes.

Watching them ate. In his mind, John counted the amount of tax Mother needed to pay each year. One silver coin for each child, including her that meant she needed to pay 23 silver coins. Clicking his tongue, John only wondered how the small thin woman managed to do that every year.

But there was another thing that bothered his mind as he watched several adults whose not wearing their uniform wandering around, making a small talk with the new Trainees.

John, who was starting to feel uncomfortable, tried to leave the room but got stopped by a man. He stood almost at the same height as John but three times wider. Smooth long brown hair gracefully fell from his oily cheek and curly brown moustache awkwardly covered half of his face. He wore a gaudy purple outfit with the same coloured ankle lace trouser and purple coloured beret hat with a single white feather as the accessory, his boots were high enough to reach until his knees and his fingers covered with rainbow coloured rings. His right hand was holding down a piece of chicken meat and a glass of wine on the other hand. If John didn't know better, he would say the man was something he often saw in historical books.

The man, most certainly a noble was giving the hand signal to one of his servants. Faithfully nodded, the servant was looking at the PhoneBook and then whispering something to him.

With a big grin, this time he gave another hand signal, and another servant was bringing a plate, letting him to put the piece of chicken meat onto the plate. Clearing his throat, he said. "John Lemon, I recognized you haven't touch any food yet, does something matter?" And followed by him offering a handshake, didn't even bother to wipe his hand first.

But disgusted or not, from his demeanour itself it was clear enough for John to recognize him as a noble. Between his neck or the disgusting handshake, John chose the later. With a smile on his face, John accepted his handshake. "Yes, this one is John Lemon. But what business does milord have with this one?" Said John. As his left hand were giving a signal to Lilac to get away from this place.

Thankful enough, she saw John's hand gesture and slowly moving away to join with the twins.

Smiling, the man snorted and laughed. "Gahahaha!! So there is a G-rank brat that knows some manner." He said. "Brat, I like you. Why don't you work as my servant?  I know it is hard when you see some unfamiliar foods, but if you're working with me, I can be your sponsor and give you foods far better and delicious than the one this Academy can prepare."

Fuck. John thought, trying at his best to not frown.  

Most of the times, when a noble was asking a question, it wasn't a question but an order. And seemed like this unknown noble somehow thought John was overwhelmed by the numerous amount of foods that were lying down right at his face. And the only way out was to make him think John was a useless one. "This one believe myself wouldn't be useful as your servant milord. Milord might not know yet, but this one is taking Extermination as this one major program."

But, why me? 

Indeed, it was their first day and John hadn't done anything praiseworthy in particular. Maybe because he was having a favourite? most likely that would be the case since doing an administration in the capital meant some people could access his Status. "-Sigh- this is why I hate talking with a G-rank citizen, like I said, in case you are too stupid to understand, I will be your sponsor, it is an easy task for me to change your major program course."

But there was another alternative.

The data from the test to determine whether or not they could enter the program of their choice was leaked. Or the test itself was something the Academy prepared on the first hand with those nobles were watching them.

And yet, John itself believed he didn't do anything special in particular. In his mind, if he wanted to recruit someone, he was sure enough to recruit someone far stronger than him. Smiling, John said. "Pardon me, Milord. Indeed, this one is unfamiliar with the word 'sponsor'. Then, as a token of gratitude, allow this one to tell Milord about someone far stronger and useful than this one."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Finishing his words, John pointed to the boy that managed to defeat the golem in a single slash. Hoping the noble would change his mind, but he only looked annoyed. "Hmph, I don't need that one."

John's heart gave a horrible jolt when he heard that. It was true that the man in front of him was a noble, but most likely he was a middle rank or low noble that couldn't afford to recruit him or couldn't win against his other sponsor. Then It all began to make sense why he chose John from out of the rest Trainee. He was an orphan, a G-rank citizen, just one rank away before he became a slave, a perfect target for the low nobles to add another slave into his house.

As John silently trying to take a look at Lilac, another noble also reached out to her. Should I just turn his offer down? but if he gets mad then most likely Mother's orphanage will be in danger. 

Already too tired to speak politely to the noble in front of him but John still trying at his best. "Then, is there some kind of test this one should do to prove himself?"

Smirking, like a kid that just got a new toy. "No, just wait and someone will do the change."

But from out of nowhere, a woman slightly taller than John stepped in. Her skin was white, she had pointed face and big green eyes with her golden hair hung just slightly above of her shoulder. She wore a white smooth jacket and blue satin silk formal dress perfectly placed slightly above her knees, a piece of a silver necklace rested on her neck, a white blue flower on her left chest and a wedding ring.  "If I'm not wrong are you John Lemon?" She said.

From her behind a girl with the same uniform as John stood straight, she looked almost identical to the woman that disturbed with the only difference was hers left eye was blue instead of green and a slightly round face with a long hair.

Another one?! John thought, Inwardly sighed. "Yes, he is me." Said John, smiling and making a small nod to the woman.

But dumbfounded by her sudden appearance, the noble in front of John changed his attitude. His smug and all mighty attitude was gone and he was doing a perfect smile when he addressing the woman. "Ah, good evening Madam Work." He said, bowing his head with four of his servants doing the same thing.

"Yes, good evening indeed, Baron Serdo." Madam Work said with a warm smile on her face. "Now, if I'm not bothering you, can I talk to him?" She continued.

Still smiling, the Baron called Serdo excused himself and left from their side.

"Then, please excuse me." Said Madam Work. John could only tilt his head when he heard her saying that words.

"Yes, thank you for your help mother." Said the girl, perfectly bowing at her mother as Madam Work turned her body and walked away. Releasing a breath of relief. "That was a close call, right?" Asked the girl, with a friendly smile directed at John.

Who? But if she calls her mother then she is a noble right? John thought, confused about the identity of the girl in front of him. ??? She's not in my barrack, either.

But then the girl gracefully covered her mouth and gasped. "Oh, my. I'm so sorry if you wanted to take Baron Serdo offer." She said. "Please, allow me to fix this mistake." 

"No. Milady did do the right thing. Thank you." Said John.

"No, no, no." She said. "It's fine to use your usual tone with me John, but oh my, how rude of me to not introduce myself. My name is Svetlana, Svetlana Work. Pleased to meet you." Svetlana said, nodding her head in a perfect angle. But even though she told John to talk casually, somewhat she still talked to John with a hint of mannerism.

"Yes, my name is John Lemon, pleased to meet you too." John replied, and with a slight hesitation, he continued. "Erm, forgive me if this sounds rude, but have we met before?"

Nodding, she continued. "Yes, we have already met in this afternoon. And don't worry about Lilac, the one that talked to her is my father." She said. "Oh, right. You might not recognize me, but I was the one that wore the full body armour, remember? silver armour? big lance and tower shield?" She continued, pointing her own face as she addressed her ironclad appearance.

"Oh, sorry I didn't realize that." Said John, nodding a little bit, slightly confused whether or not he should feel guilty.

And from the corner of John's vision, he could see Lilac, happily skipping her way to John. "Yo! John! Svet!" She said. Raising her hand, asking for a high five from Svetlana. In which she complied with Lilac act and did a high five with her. 

Watching from their back, John could only twitch his eyes. Did she just say that casually?! and since when those two already know each other?! 

In front of him, Lilac was waving her hand right in front of John's face, asking for another high-five. "Ignoring me?! Geez~" Said Lilac, whacked her lips. Though the only reason he ignored her high five wass because of his hand was full of oil and grease thanks to one particular noble.

Then she turned around and facing Svetlana. "See? He doesn't scary right?"

And slowly, Svetlana body wildly shook, tears appeared from the corner of her eyes and she leapt, hugging Lilac while saying. "Huwaaa~ I did it! I talk to a guy without anyone else accompanying me!!"

How, when or where Lilac could make a friend with Svetlana was a big question in John's mind right now. While awkwardly watching them, another notification coming at John.

You follower has been increased by 1.

+1 Agility.

"Oh." John muttered, but then he heard a thunderous rumbling sound coming out from Lilac's stomach. Sighed, "Lilac... If you're hungry just eat." Said John.

"I'll eat only if you eat with me." Said Lilac, still being hugged by Svetlana while patting her head.

Sniffing, "If you two are eating, then I'll eat another plate." Said Svetlana. Somehow with each words coming out from her mouth, her image of being a noble girl was crumbling.