By the time I left the training hall, my stomach was louder than my thoughts.
Turns out obsessing over cursed techniques burned calories. Who knew?
I followed the familiar scent of food through the corridors, already imagining warm rice and something salty—only to slow down when I heard voices ahead.
"…Eat slowly," a servant murmured. "If you spill again, it'll be trouble."
"I know," Mai replied, her voice small. "I'm trying."
Maki didn't say anything. But I could picture her—back straight, expression hard, eating like it was a duty rather than a pleasure.
I peeked around the corner.
As expected, they were seated in the back dining area. A narrow, dim space meant for servants and "lesser" members of the clan. Simple trays. Simple food. Nothing fancy. Nothing warm-looking.
Meanwhile, I was expected to eat in the main hall. Surrounded by elders who would smile while measuring how useful I might become. Listening to the same recycled speeches about bloodlines and pride.
Yeah. No thanks.
I changed direction and walked in.
The servant froze mid-step, face draining of color as if she'd just seen a curse manifest. The bowl in her hands rattled slightly.
Maki stiffened. Why so serious? I am little hurt by their reaction.
Mai nearly dropped her chopsticks.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
"…Naoya-sama," the servant whispered, panic creeping into her tone. "W-what are you doing here?"
I didn't answer right away. I simply walked over and sat down.
Right next to Maki and Mai.
On the floor.
The silence became deafening.
If looks could kill, I'd be dead twice over—once from the servant's sheer terror and once from Maki's stunned glare. Mai looked like she'd seen a ghost. Her hands trembled so badly that she clenched them into her lap to hide it.
I leaned back slightly, stretching my legs.
"Serve me," I said casually.
The servant flinched as if struck. "N-Naoya-sama! You should be eating in the main hall. The elders are—"
"This is closer to the training hall," I cut in. "And I don't feel like listening to old fools blabber while I chew."
Her mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
She looked like she might pass out while standing.
Mai swallowed and leaned toward me slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Naoya-sama… it's beneath you to sit next to us."
I turned my head and looked at her.
She immediately shrank back, shoulders trembling, eyes wide with fear. Yeah. That reaction tracked. In her mind, this was probably the calm before the storm. The moment right before I decided to humiliate her for daring to exist.
I sighed inwardly.
This family really did a number on them.
"There's no one beneath me," I said. "There are only people above me. And those are the ones I need to catch up to."
The words surprised even me a little—but they felt right.
For a long second, no one moved.
Then I looked at the servant again. "Serve me what you're giving them."
She hesitated, eyes darting between us, clearly weighing which choice would get her punished less.
"…Y-Yes," she finally squeaked, bowing hastily before scurrying away.
When she was gone, the tension didn't disappear.
Maki glanced at me sideways, sharp eyes narrowed with a Suspicion look.
"What's your angle?" she asked bluntly.
Mai flinched at her tone, clearly expecting me to lash out.
I picked up the chopsticks placed in front of me and inspected the food. Plain rice. Pickled vegetables. Soup.
Well, at least they are eating good, which is good considering all the abuse they tolerate. Do the clan give then good food because they can take good beating afterward.
"What angle?" I replied. "I was hungry."
Maki scoffed. "You expect us to believe that?"
"I don't care what you believe," I said honestly, then took a bite.
The food tasted… fine. Nothing special. But somehow, eating it here felt better than any feast in the main hall ever could.
Those old bastards are really annoying.
Mai stared at me like she was waiting for a punchline that never came.
"…You're weird," she muttered.
I smiled faintly. "First time hearing it, but okey."
~~~
Give me lot of comments and Power stones. Give me inspection.
POWER STONE, GIVE IT ME.
Posted some extra chapter in patron, if you are interested check it out, link is the synopsis.