《Supersum [LitRPG Transmigration Fantasy]》Chapter 12: Apprentice
Advertisement
Alexander POV
Sitting on a cushion on a floor, with dozens of books surrounding me, like a small cage, I read more Literature about the System, especially its Philosophy, Ethics, and Morals, or how this Estate perceived it throughout history, as many of the books there very old.
While I would say that I am more of a STEM guy, humanitarian subjects are equally important. Like someone who focuses on Sociology needs to learn math and certain other aspects, depending on the research, the same goes for Biology / Chemistry and the need to at least know a bit about ethics or so.
There were so many books about it that I just ignored before, and it was good that I did it. If I compare it to Earth, their view on given aspects is a couple hundred years before the enlightenment.
Nobility and Royalty decide what a proper Legacy is, thus always putting themselves over others. They also don't write about the situational aspect of Legacy. In this sense, there are many supremacy arguments.
The best example is the Demon Anhiliation Divinity Line, which the Leonandra Clan has and is exceptionally niché. Because of this, many don't think highly of us. As such, our Legacy has no use in typical Noble/Royalty affairs. Similar stupid statements were seen in at least 1/3 of all books I read. Only that they focused on how the Leonandra's are superior since they are in our Estate.
Closing the book and inspecting the cover, it was insanely pretentious. One of my ancestors was sitting in an incredibly pompous chair, wearing a golden cloak with our emblem. 'This is cringe.'
However, other books were written about children's education and how it can highly influence their Divinity Line towards a specific direction, and they were much older furthermore much more enlightened. 'But this moron just puked out his stupid opinion without thinking about the consequences on some paper, and now it should be somewhat precious? Hell no!.'
Correspondingly, in other books, there were intriguing discussions on how high [Reading] and [Writing] Skills and relatively much lower fighting Skills could push children towards bureaucratic Divinity lines.
Without investments, the Divinity Line, seen by these cretins as valuable, is impossible to attain for poor commoners. In conclusion, they can justify their "Divine choosing" because they have a better Divinity Line, at least in their eyes.
On a side note, there are also some Legacies like the Leonandra one, specializing in slaughtering Demons, which can only be acquired through the right genetic disposition. But genetics and environment are never isolated from each other, so I conclude that I don't know shit since I have no additional research material.
Training the child is one of the most critical points you could do if you want a specific Legacy. Sitting and biting my nails, a habit I brought over from Earth as I was deep in thought.
These morons are not wrong, but if you hunger your entire life, the Legacy will obviously involve such an aspect, e.g., creating a small amount of food, which is valuable for the person in question but incredibly unproductive for society as a whole. To change it, you need a political overhaul. This was obviously a hypothesis as I had no accurate data.
However, if I go by the Leonandra records, a good portion of nobility thinks it has something to do with being a Noble, which is not wrong. It is more an indirect influence of the coin they have and how they use it, nothing more, I would suspect. 'They should know this aspect... I hope...'
Advertisement
They also used the notion of "proper Legacy," like there are good and bad ones. This is really grinding my gear, 'Snobby little brats who talk about "proper Legacy," so much trash literature.'
If I could get a Legacy in which I can create a massive amount of clean water, they would see it as rubbish and even mention this as an example of something "common" and "bad."
'Trash...' As I thought it, I threw it into the pile I declared as "trash" - need to see what I do with this.
Seeing what I did, a butler came over and said worryingly, "Mr. Alexander, this is a book written by one of our Ancestors. Please be careful."
Being freed from my anti-Mana collar, I am now more or less doing my training again but much less intensive and much more responsible - with breaks, which are enforced by a butler, specially appointed by mom... fun times.
Not even looking at him, I answered, without any notion of acknowledging this "ancestor," "This is nothing more than waste, full of incorrect information and obvious bigotry against commoners."
The butler looked a bit confused, which I could see from my peripheral view, but he tried to hold onto his demeanor, "But this is your Ancestor's work, Mr..."
I just interrupted him, "Don't worry, we will let it stand as our ancestor's failure of discerning the given information."
He scrunched his face up, obviously not pleased by my statement, and just cleaned up the books on my "trash pile."
As I was reading something new, this time more factual, I called out to him, fearing that he would put them back into their place, where they stood before, "Bring them back to the library, but we need to reorder everything there - I don't want that this garbage is taught to my future sibling."
He frowned very strongly but nodded at me, obviously unhappy that I discredited some authors. 'What I can say? I am too good of a person for not burning this crap.'
Who knows? Maybe future historians can use this as a reference for the mindset of nobility at certain times.
Is this my mentality as a modern man from Earth? Probably. Even if I try to fit somehow in, I feel such disgust inside me if I try to distinguish because of status, which is nothing more than a dice roll in my mind.
...
...
...
Time flew by, and it was time for my break. Standing up and stretching this young body as if I was 50 looked probably comical.
Melina was standing before me and glancing at me like something was up. "Melina, how may I help you?"
Fumbling with her hands, she acted unprofessionally, not like I cared, but it was unusual for her. As she started speaking, she sounded very nervous, "Mr. Alexander... do you need assistance in your research?"
Being pretty surprised by her question, my eyebrow twitched, but I thought she saw the mountains of books and wanted to help me. I replied while being somewhat surprised, "Errr, do you want to help me? I am always in need of a helping hand."
Usually, she would help me do research without any questions, but she was barely interested, and I didn't want to pressure her.
She shook her head, looked at the door, and carefully raised her voice, "Come in, Ocilia!"
*clank*
Inside came a young Spider-kin who should be around 7 or 8 years old, who looked the same as Melina, just more petite, 'Ooooohhh, how cute!'
Advertisement
Having such hair, face, and especially these cute eyes, you could take her and feed and feed and feed some more!
She tried to act in the prescribed etiquette but couldn't, so she became so nervous as she stood before me, as her eyes became teary, and she almost cried.
But she stepped forward, looking nervously towards the ground, with her upper eyes changing color constantly.
She forgot the basics cleanly, so I already liked her!
*clank*
The butler came back in and noticed the Spider-kin duo. His face changed instantly into an angry one as he glanced over Melina and Ocilia. He stood like a pole with his chest pushed forward and clenching his fists slightly, ready to throw them out and almost certainly, have a talk with them.
I waved toward the butler before he could do something drastic. Coming over to me, I peeked over at Melina. She became as nervous as her daughter, so her upper eyes also started to change colors.
Pointing to him, he came closer, so I could whisper into his ear. "Don't frighten this child, or I will make sure you clean Larry's troop's toilets for the next week, got it?"
He pinched the place between his eyebrows and nodded at me. He is not really happy as he is actually one of Mom's personal servants and now needs to look after a problematic brat... well, an Adult in a brat's body who is probably worse in every sense.
I nodded and pointed towards the chair for Ocilia, "Come here, I get what Melina wants to do, and I need some assistance for sure, but let's have a chat first."
It was so apparent what Melina wanted because she chewed my ear off for the last months, always after I met with Narsi to talk about how to dominate the world.
The first thought I had was that she wanted to ship me with her daughter, but after she told me that she learned the [Reading] and [Writing] Skills and that she was diligent, I got the gist.
I also found it nice to have someone to help me out, not caring if they neither can do magic nor have any scholastic Skills.
I gave Melina my typical "Help me up" look. Seeing it, she came running to me and sat me down on a chair while Ocilia sat down at the side of the table, while I was sitting at the head.
Having a closer look at her, she was prepared for today. Her Linen clothes are simple but clean with some small self-sewn patterns of our emblem. 'Melina really is pandering to me... these sewings looked quite new and really good. I will ask her later to make some for me.'
Looking at Ocilia, I tried to be more approachable, so I used a really soft and friendly voice, "Tell me a bit about yourself."
She became more nervous, didn't speak up, and was obviously surprised by my question. My approach obviously didn't work, and I could understand her nervousness or at least part of it when I looked around.
Behind me stood Aro, the butler, having a neutral look. Thankfully he listened to me, but he looked somewhat intimidating since he had this serious air around him.
I couldn't send him out. Being more or less watched nonstop, it was even unreasonable if I was normal to even let her approach me without a guard inside the room, so she was fortunate that Aro didn't throw her out instantly.
Looking back at her, I leaned back and tried another approach in my questioning to ease her first up, "Don't be nervous. Let us start with something easy. What is your name?"
She looked down and fumbled nervously with her hands, like her mother rarely does, stuttering in a soft but high-pitched voice, "O... O... Ocilia."
I tried to smile at her, hoping she would look at me and be at ease because I am pretty much a puppy and should be at least equally cute and non-threatening as her.
I tried to look her in her eyes, moving my head slightly down, while asking, "How old are you?"
She looked a bit up into my eyes... and down again, very quickly. After a short moment, she could answer without stuttering, "I... am... 8."
So cute! Like a doll! "Your Mom mentioned that you like reading and writing. Is that true?"
She just nodded and kept silent. The butler frowned and looked away while Melina was visibly sweating buckets.
This was so dumb. Get some perspective, people! If I were in her place, I would probably already cry.
But there is also another problem, 'What the hell do I ask an 8-year-old... well, she should be 11 - 12 on Earth's time frame... this makes it not much better...'
Tell me, what is your plan for the next 5 years? If you were a pencil, which color would you be? Describe yourself in 3 words? What is your weakness? Urgh, I foresaw this but didn't think about how to talk to her. Talk about being an idiot.
'Ah, fuck it.'
The whole room was shrouded in an awkward silence till I broke it with an unexpected question, "Do you have any interest in an apprenticeship?"
I could see how the butler's eyes almost budged out of his head from my peripheral view, slightly raising his voice in a panic, "Mr. Alexander! You cant do this! We don't even know her qualifications!"
I just waved my hand and answered him, somewhat annoyed, "She gets her qualifications from me in the first place. This is why you call it an apprenticeship and not a Job."
He opened his arms and was clearly irritated, "Mr. Alexander, a noble giving the daughter of a Maid an apprenticeship, such an honor should only be reserved for the most..."
I started laughing while he looked confused at me, "I am not a Noble in the first place. I am the son of a Noble and second..." I pointed at Ocilia. "...she has a year of the trial period. If she does not like it, or I find her unsatisfying, we stop it - easy as that, no bad blood or anything."
Melina and Ocilia looked very happy, and they both were almost crying while smiling. Scratching my head, I really can't get used to something like this, 'Damn it, I just can't understand what is so special about being a damn Noble. Probably because we almost slaughtered all of them on Earth.'
"Mr. Alexander, listen p..." I held my hand up.
Looking at the butler with a smile, his eyes and wings were glittering out of stress, typical for a Buttlerfly-kin, "Aro, talk with Mom or Dad if you have a problem. I bet Dad is a great guy to have a talk with."
He became pale instantly. "I am sorry, Mr. Alexander, please keep going."
They would back me up in almost all of my "projects," especially Dad.
We developed a strong bond after some more Dad-to-son bonding sessions or what you otherwise could call torture. He was actually a really nice guy, a bit rough but someone you could depend on nonetheless. Too bad that he is already away, getting his Military in order, but he should be back in a couple of weeks and then stay for not long before going to the east.
I could now understand my siblings. The feeling was somewhat bizarre since I couldn't remember such a feeling anymore. 'I hope he comes back safely.'
Whatever back to this motherfucker... it is unfair to call him that and be a little bitch towards him. He is dutiful and doing his job, so I should chill more and convince him that she is not some assassin.
He will tell Mom, and she will probably back me up. Still, she needs to go through this "security protocol," so let me be a bit proactive, "Melina, go to Nori with Ocilia, tell him about the situation, and tell him that she should probably go through some stuff, alright?"
Melina nodded happily and took Ocilia quickly to Noriken. Before she left, I yelled, "Hey! You actually didn't give me an answer if you want to become my apprentice!"
Ocilia opened her eyes widely and nodded hastily, and after that going on one knee, putting one hand on her heart and the other on her knee, 'Isn't this the Knight's pledge? What is she doing, haha.'
I chuckled slightly at such a sight. Even Melina's face flushed red out of embarrassment. After an awkward moment, she slowly stood up, red like a tomato, and left the room with Melina.
*clank*
Looking at Aro's face, he was very disturbed. I opened my arms, trying to be more serious, "Aro, I know what you think, but please rethink it. I am sitting here alone and need a ton of help, and my Maids don't have the skills or the interest - and yes, before you say something, interest is important."
Aro sighed and rubbed his temples, but before saying something, I pointed towards the chair, where he should sit down. A practice like this, from Earth, was actually unheard of, but who cares? I am a Puppy, and my cuteness is my allowance to break etiquette.
He nodded, already knowing of my antics, and sat down. I showed him with my hand that he should start talking. I could hear how concerned he was, "Mr. Alexander, I think this is a bad idea."
He stopped? Being curious as he somehow is more open, I tried it too, "Hm? Give me the reasons, please. You can talk freely as I am open for critique."
He nodded, "Ok, it is not befitting of a Noble... no, let me rephrase it, of a son of a Noble to have the daughter of a lo..." Before he could say it, I already was glaring at him. It was very well-known in the Estate that I had some "strange" ideas about Servants, even weird for a Leonandra. "... I am sorry, of a servant without any showable Skills, like Melina's daughter. A Noble should know where they should stand, especially a talented individual like you, Mr. Alexander."
I frowned, as I understood this whole Noble System much better after reading all this rubbish and talking to Melina and the other servants. I don't like it, so I need to argue around it somehow, "Aro, I understand your point clearly, and I am aware of my position. But I need an individual I can trust who is also hardworking and interested in research. Everything else can be learned, especially by someone with a [Teaching] Skill, who broke through the first test."
I lied, but I had attained this Skill after talking with Narsi for months and teaching him some theories and the practical realities of those theories. However, I know that I can make her into something special because I did it on Earth while I volunteered. 'Teaching was always fun, and with a couple of Earth's theories, I am sure that I can make her into someone great...'
Aro's face scrunched up, "Mr. Alexander, please think your decision over. We can surely find someone much more satisfactory, a more proper apprentice, and your teaching will even be more useful then."
Damn it! I need to try it differently and think as if I was a Noble.
Looking into his rainbow-colored eyes, I tried to convince him, "Aro, I understand you and the Noble conduct, but think differently. If I can make her very accomplished, she will already be part of our Estate and will almost surely be the most loyal servant you could imagine, but what will happen if I take an apprentice from, let's say, the Rosé Estate?"
Aro was silent at first but then, after a couple of minutes of thinking, looked at me and replied solemnly, "I think I know what you want to convey, Mr. Alexander."
So to bring the point home, I happily went on, "There are actually multiple points. The one you probably got was that the apprentice could leave at any point or be unloyal to us and use the knowledge against us."
He nodded and waited for me to keep talking, "It will also be like having a spy or an assassin in our ranks. After he/she obtained the knowledge, couldn't the apprentice just murder me in secret, so the Leonandra Estate loses like you said, such a talented individual?"
Aro crossed his legs and arms, sitting in silence, thinking everything through.
While he was quiet for more than 20 minutes, I was bathing in my accomplishment in convincing him without using any Skills. While it is not forbidden to use them in small portions on Servants, it is also not seen as something positive.
He came out of his stupor and observed me slightly before conceding to my wish, "Yes, you are right, Mr. Alexander..." but tried to find some silver lining afterward, "...there was said something about a trial phase?"
He was on my hook, time to drag him in, "Absolutely, if she does not like it or I don't like how she is conducting herself, I will cancel the apprenticeship without reason."
"And after the year?" HA! You forgot, Mr. Alexander, come to the dark side!
I shrugged and said nonchalantly, "I will need to provide a proper reason to throw her out."
*clank*
Inside came Ocilia and Melina, looking happy-go-lucky, but I ignored them at first and turned towards Aro, and he bowed and acknowledged my decision, but this time he kept silent.
I clapped my hands and smiled at Aro, "Good, go to Mom and tell her about our conversation. She shouldn't have any problems."
He nodded, and while he went out, he looked at Ocilia sternly and enviously.
*clank*
Observing the mother-daughter-duo, I cleared my throat, but before I could say something, Ocilia went on one knee again and opened her System Window.
Out of shock, I looked away, knowing how people saw something like this as something very personal.
I heard a voice from the side, "Mr. Alexander, a teacher should know the System window of their apprentice, and since she is willing to do this, there should be no problem."
I sighed heavily, knowing that there would be no problem if she kept it to herself, 'Argh, they are killing me!'
As much as I respected her privacy, I was also curious. Looking at the Window, I could see that the Skills were extremely low-leveled, 'Is this normal? That can't be, right?!'
Looking at Melina, I asked her solemnly, "Are these Skills and levels the norm?"
Ocilia jolted slightly while kneeling, looking a tad sad, while her mother answered me, "Mr. Alexander, I can understand your thoughts, but it is very normal for commoners to have such Skills and levels for this age. But I would also say that Ocilia is more talented than other commoner children..."
After a short pause, she continued, obviously frowning and thinking the worst, "...did you regr..."
I interrupted her, not caring about the kind of things she was about to say. It is not like she had the same upbringing as me or was transmigrated, "[Sign Language] and [Lip Reading] should be very unusual. How come you have them?"
Melina opened her mouth, but I interrupted her, knowing that she wanted to answer for Ocilia, "I asked Ocilia."
Melina nodded and stood still. We both waited for Ocilia to answer. I did it obviously so she could overcome her nervousness, which came most likely from all the stupid stories about Nobles.
After a good minute, she finally answered with all she had, "My Father is mute, so... to communicate, I learned how to... do Sign language..."
I nodded, "Makes sense, and don't be so nervous! Now close your Window and get up. We have a ton of work to do!"
Clearing my throat, I announced what we would do today, "Ahem, because you are my apprentice, I should give you some lessons hm... how about mathematics? Sounds fun! Now sit down, and let's start!"
A smile bloomed on her face. She stood up, got some utensils, and sat down, waiting in silence for me to teach her.
I sighed, knowing that I needed to have some ground rules first, so I started, "Here are some rules. If you don't understand something, ask me, don't hesitate! You are an apprentice, so not knowing stuff or having trouble with something is normal..."
I inhaled, knowing how students were while I volunteered. I repeated myself much more loudly, "...I repeat! If you DON'T understand something or something is unclear, ask! Do you get it?"
She had a perplexed look on her face but nodded nonetheless.
Damn it, she needs to learn to talk. I don't need someone who is mute... wait? Maybe it is because her father is mute that she doesn't really feel comfortable talking...?
I sighed, knowing how hard it would be to break her out of her habits, "Ocilia, you need to talk. Social skills are equally important for this kind of work we will do."
She nodded, but I just sat there and waited for her to say something.
"...yes, Master...."
I cringed, 'Why Master, though?! Urgh, a problem for another time.'
I patted the seat beside me, "And sit down beside me. I cant write upside down."
She sat down beside me, and so we began our first lesson.
Advertisement
- In Serial17 Chapters
Ironclad
Full Genre: Original Novel, Action, Adventure, Adult, Mature, Harem, Tragedy, Historical, Psychological Full Tags: Cold MC, Cunning MC, OP MC, Politics, Intrigue, War, Violence, Slavery, Rape, Mercenaries, Warring States, Gore, Samurai, knights, Vikings, Antihero Protagonist, Calm Protagonist, Hiding True Identity, Male Protagonist, Ruthless Protagonist ,Strategy Battles, Tragic Past, Wars Synopsis: Vadraldia, a continent that’s ravaged by war and violence. Caused by the greed and desires of the kings and rulers of the 7 great kingdoms and nations to increase their power and influence. Warfare became a daily occurrence for the people who lived here. But when it comes to war, soldiers become expendable. As such the constant warfare between these nations attracted various mercenaries and sellswords even outside the continent. But this job is not limited to commoners and fallen nobles, it also attracted the third and fourth sons of nobles, those who were considered “spares” in their family. Knowing that they will never be able to achieve something in their family, they sought out the adventure and profit that this job promises. One of them is Peterson, the 4th son of Baron Gregory Bauhnmont. Wanting to escape the clutches of his abusive older siblings and indifferent father, he joined a mercenary company. A small step which would later propel him to his bloody and violent adventure to fulfill his insatiable wanderlust.
8 178 - In Serial11 Chapters
Why Can't I Pick Up Girls?
In Emain, there is a troll named Ayagi who longs to be human because he was saved by a witch named Daisy Umbra. However, in order to become human, he must leave the confines of his society and look for a witch kind enough to give him such a potion. As if by fate, he soon meets Elsa, another young witch, who is more than willing to travel with him to gather ingredients. If only these troll hunters and other witches understood the situation...!!!
8 165 - In Serial21 Chapters
The Last Exorcist
The most powerful human beings were wiped out. Spirits and deities are crossing to mortality without the exorcists to stop them. Liang was the only exorcist left and she thought her life ended after the war. For the past twenty years, she watched the civilization of humans fall and from the bed of their destruction, arose the Guren—a race of humanoid animals that were once Yin spirits called shadows. At the brink of extinction, Liang meets Wei Bao, a snow leopard and a former deity. Liang was resolute in spending the remainder of her life hiding while Bao was determined to change Liang's perspective and defeat the conqueror and sovereign, Yi Zhaohu. However, unbeknownst to them, something far greater than mortal squabbles is rising. A great awakening is in motion and it seeks to devour all.
8 113 - In Serial47 Chapters
Idol War (VKOOK)
[COMPLETED] Jeon Jungkook is chosen from his school to participate in a provincial idol competiton. What that means is that the best looking boys from each school are chosen and put to the test of singing, dancing and acting. In the end they'll choose the best and make an idol out of them. And Jungkook's biggest rival is Kim Taehyung, the best looking guy there.
8 120 - In Serial11 Chapters
Drak's Chronicle (old)
This was my first attempt, leaving it up here for posterities sake and for those who are interested. but new version/novel will be up soon.
8 162 - In Serial15 Chapters
Echoes of The Lost Age
Many gates are littered over the planet Gaia, These gates are connected to other worlds where long lost civilizations once flourished.The Individuals of the many races that exist on Gaia enter these gates with the hopes of acquiring power, fame and riches. These people are called explorers.Our main character Embarks on a journey to become on of those esteemed explorers, But in the process would discover the true nature and origins of what lay behind these gates.
8 145