Posted: 2025 10 31

Bradley was in his room getting ready.

Although he was of rough background, he was the only son of a Count, and thus was given a gilded room fancier than anything he could have imagined in the slums.

The food and clothes you received for all of the highest quality. He had been given decent meals, even while in the slums so his physique was still decent compared to his peers. Now, his improved nutrition only emphasized his growth. And before he knew it, it had already been three years at the mansion.

His early education was similar to that of a wild animal. They could not change his way of thinking but he was able to mimic the behaviors of a human being, as the Count remarked.

"Master Bradley, your luggage is ready. Please check one more time."

"Yes. Thank you."

"Congratulations on your enrollment. The uniform suits you."

My assistant, Sebastian, helped me pack my luggage. He was a neatly trimmed man, on the older side, with a splendid beard. He was naturally blond, so his grey hairs were not as noticeable. The kind wrinkles around his eyes gave him a gentle air, even with his classy black suit.

At first Bradley didn’t trust Sebastian and thought the Count was using Sebastian to spy on him. However, he was patient and they ended up becoming close. Sebastian felt more like a father than his own father, who never came to see him.

While the other servants were constantly gossiping about Bradley, Sebastian was the only one who cared about him. 

“Sebastian, I have caused you much trouble over the years, but… I can do my best with you sticking by my side.”

“Master Bradley…” Sebastian choked up. 

“Master Bradley, I will take care of cleaning your room until you return. So please, focus on your studies.”

“Got it. I will do my best. I have to get the number one spot after all.” Sebastian often cleaned Bradley’s room to perfection. He didn’t really mind, but still went along with Sebastian’s seriousness.

In order to find out where his mother was, he would have to graduate at the top of his class. 

Even though he would sneak out the mansion and wander in search of his mother, he had no clues as to where she was. Sebastian was not allowed to tell him either, but he was able to tell Bradley that his mother was safe and doing well. 

Bradley had no choice but to believe him.

– 

Shortly after I entered school, I was called out by a senior student looking to purchase nighttime services. 

It was common for upperclassmen to order around new students. I refused since I would never work as a prostitute. 

A few days later, I was surrounded by a group of students that had called me behind the school building. 

This was the punishment for refusing. Bradley only found it amusing.

You need so many people to hit me. That’s what all young masters are like.

Bradley made quick work of them, leaving the older students lying at his feet.

Even if they had the best of the best growing up, and built up their bodies, Bradley didn’t even break a sweat. He felt more danger in the slums. Someone with the intention to kill is infinitely more scary, even if they didn’t have the strength to do it.

No reason to try hiding. These kids would be too embarrassed to admit they went after me with the intention of rape but got beat up instead. 

After that, similar things still ended up happening.

Bradley was strong and fit, incomparable to the other delicate male prostitutes at the brothel. Out of curiosity, Bradley asked why they still kept trying to pick fights with him.

All he heard disgusted him, “You’re sexy,” “You have a beautiful face,” and “I want to pin down your manly body.” Bradley continued to beat him.

Until midterms, that was the extent of the motives behind all the conflicts. 

But after exam results were posted, there was a clear shift. Bradley had come out on top.

He was attracting more attention than ever before, looks mixed with envy, jealousy, and other disgusting intentions.

He had received similar stares at the brothel from the other children. So he wasn’t intimidated, and maintained his confidence. 

He had a good appearance, was skilled in swordsmanship, was at the top of the class, and had an attitude befitting a noble.

Naturally, this attracted unwanted attention all because of his background as a stray slum dog. But that was to be expected. The harassment was normal.

These rich kids have no desire to improve and only drag down others. It’s pathetic.

Bradley didn’t mind when they put trash on his desk or in his bag. He had spent the first ten years of his life living in a dump, so the smell was almost nostalgic. 

But it didn’t suit him to put up with it.

He quickly pinpointed the culprit and dragged them out in a chokehold. 

Working at the brothel, this is what he would do to get back at the other prostitutes. The owner didn’t tolerate damaging goods, so Bradley perfected the technique of knocking them out without leaving any marks.

They lose consciousness and end up losing control of their bodily functions. Leaving only the evidence of them wetting themselves and the maximum humiliation.

His strategy had truly mimicked that of an assassin.

After a while, their strategy changed. There were rumours going around that Bradley was a bastard who grew up in the slums. But that part was true, so someone must have looked into his background.

While people have looked at him with jealousy, there had also been some envious. But this rumour made that envy disappear. Even the few students who hadn’t treated him with hostility had since ignored him.

Bradley was more frustrated that his studies were continually disrupted.  

I cannot let my grades drop. I need to catch the main culprit. I’ll need to beat up the most likely person to snitch and threaten the answer out of them. 

Bradley finally caught one of his harassers and interrogated him. 

He was someone he had choked twice before. When he asked him with a smile “How was wetting yourself?”, his face turned pale.

If he didn’t spill, Bradley would have to strangle and drag him out behind the building, where it would be easier for him to confess. Bradley received a hostile glare. 

“I did it for Renatus Ashfield.”

“Renatus…”

“We’re doing it to protect him from trash like you.”

I had heard that name before… Back when some of my classmates would talk to me, they had mentioned him.

He was the son of a duke, nicknamed the “Rose Princess”, and was at the top of the magic department.

He was also Clarence Ashfield’s younger brother.

Although Clarence had graduated, he was still an alumni of the Knight department, called “The Emperor” during his time at school. Clarence seemed to dote on his younger brother a lot.

It seemed that Renatus Ashfield was the mastermind behind all the treatment he received, why would someone from the Magic department… Ah, it’s because of joint exercise. Since the top two students will be paired up, Rose Princess must not want to be paired up with a stray dog from the slums. 

Since top students were paired with other top students, if Renatus remained at the top, Bradley would be paired with him forever.

It would be quite troublesome if his partner were to hate his guts. When out in the field, it could be an issue.

Maybe I should warn this Renatus guy that I have no intention of relinquishing my position as best in the class.

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TN: Happy Halloween!!