The next day, when Axel woke up from a groggy sleep, his head was still lightly buzzing, and he could not clearly remember what had happened.
He frowned at himself, 'That almost felt too real for a wet dream, what the hell….?'
Axel shook his head in derision, as if Clara would willingly let him spoon her little sister, even for him; it was too much… he sighed.
But as he looked to his right, disbelief showed on his face; reality slapped him across the face like a bitch.
The beautiful maid from his wet dream was sleeping soundly right beside him. Clara's younger sister, Clarice, was naked, holding onto his arms, her petite body barely covered by the sheets.
Axel's mind went blank as he swallowed hard; he almost felt aroused again, as he was also naked. Clarice's pristine body was covered in teeth marks, as if a wild beast had bitten all over her body without mercy.
The bedsheet was a complete mess, filled with the stench of questionable liquids; there was also a spot that was washed in blood. Axel put a hand on his face, mortified. Though he thought of these things often, that didn't mean he actually wanted to take advantage of his status and do it with a maid.
Guilt and shame washed over him; his face hardened, especially knowing that he had lost control of himself.
At this moment, the girl beside him stirred. Slowly, she opened her eyelids when she saw that Axel was up, looking at her. She blushed furiously, remembering everything that happened in the night.
Axel gave her a pitying look; it was obvious from her state that she was extremely tired, her face pale. He probably didn't let her sleep a single wink. Axel said with some hesitation, "I….I'm sorry."
He could offer her an apology, but the maid's expression grew complicated. Wrapping the blanket around her body, she got up, and even her legs were trembling.
Clarice paused for a moment right before opening the door, as she was about to leave, with a red blush, she said with a stammer, "Young Master, th..thank you. I actually liked it."
She immediately left the room after that.
While Axel was stunned to silence, his jaw hung low. He scratched his head in embarrassment, "Uh, well, I guess if she liked then, uhm, okay…"
He hurriedly went to the shower to wash himself, not wanting anyone to see his current state of post-procreation session.
After 10 minutes, as he was done washing himself and wearing presentable clothes, Clara was already in his room, smiling over his morning breakfast.
However, Axel's expression was not so pleasant; he stared at her with an expressionless look.
Clara sighed, "Young master, it was not my intention… It was the orders of the Butler. I, I could not do anything about it. I'm sorry…."
Axel's expression became even colder, "Vargas…"
There was a depth to that voice, and Axel said it, knowing full well that the old butler was right outside the door.
With a sigh, the Butler walked in, and the old man bowed, but there was an apologetic expression on his face. Axel did not speak, merely glaring at him. Clara, with some hesitation, swiftly exited the room.
Only then did the Butler speak, though there was awkwardness to his tone, "Young master, this was done due to a note left by your grandfather. It said that that…..uhm."
"Said what?" questioned Axel with a frown.
The Butler coughed and said with a serious face, "That you are to lose your virginity before attempting the first trial…"
A profound silence took over the place, Axel the Butler, a deadpan look, "Old man? Are you bullshitting me right now?"
The Butler put on a troubled look, "If… you don't believe me, you can ask your father itself. Well, we don't know why the previous Lord wrote a note like that, without explanation. But your father did not dare disobey. So….."
Axel showed a look of disgust, "Is this a joke to you all or something? Just because she's a maid who works here, how can you people force her to…"
Yet, to his dismay, the old man cut him off, his voice now harsh, like he was rebuking a child, "It is that child's honor to be of service to you and this house, and she will be paid handsomely. Not to mention she was not in any way forced into this."
He added after a moment of pause, and there was an imperceptible trace of pity in his eyes, "You are still too soft, young master. If you keep this up, the academy will not be a kind place to you."
The old man did not say a word more, and with a quick bow, the assassin Butler left his room. Leaving Axel alone in the silence of his complicated thoughts.
***
Eventually, the time of the departure came, standing right outside the gate of his family, as everyone was there to bid him farewell.
The Butler Vargas,
His maid Clara,
Instructor Lex and Trainer William.
Most importantly, his father looked at him with a trace of worry, but that worry was deeply hidden so as not to make him worry, "Just focus on yourself and don't worry about anything else. Come back strong… son."
Axel nodded to his father with a silent but firm resolve in his heart.
Everyone smiled at him, their gazes hopeful, filled with good wishes, for him to accomplish great things in the most prestigious institution that trained the best of the best of humanity.
With a sigh, he went on his way, leaving the home in which he had lived for almost one year behind. Neil was going with him, but he would be left behind in the royal capital. He has his tasks to perform.
He reached the capital after two days of travel and, by taking one teleportation gate, he did not vomit this time around. While dropping Neil off, Neil asked, "Young master, can I do all this?"
Axel replied with a smile, "Don't worry, you're a smart guy. I'm sure you can figure things out eventually."
Neil snorted, "Easy for you to say, while a mountain load of work is behind for me to handle alone."
Axel bid him farewell. He showed his token at the entrance of the Margrave Colosseum as he entered. The security guard let him in. More academy students were occasionally coming into the colosseum. Unlike back in the competition, there were not many people, and the arena was mostly empty.
No one was wearing a mask either, since everyone could see who had secured a spot in the academy. The heirs of the highest echelon did not seem to be there. Well, considering all those arrogant bastards. It would make sense for them to have already been sent there.
As the time limit approached, about 300 people gathered in the arena. The other 50 were those who got a spot in the academy through heavy donations. There wasn't a shortage of rich people in each of the great kingdoms.
In reality, the total number of students in the academy is 1,200. 300 from each of the great kingdoms and 50 more from those great kingdoms through donation. 100 from the minor kingdoms combined through competition, while 50 more of those territories were acquired through donations.
Of course, it isn't disclosed who the 50 are from the donations, as everyone in the competition wore masks. Those who secure academy spots through donations usually don't perform too well. However, some individuals demonstrated exceptional talent in specific fields. That is why the academy operated by Alric Stragoy is highly valued.
It wouldn't be wrong to say it is the 4th most significant power in the human lands, since the minor kingdoms are simply subsidiaries of the great kingdoms at the end of the day.