----- At the Locker Room ------ 6:00 PM
Code brought out his uniform from the locker and was just about to put it on when Caden called out, "Code, come check this out, quick."
Code set his uniform back inside the locker and walked away.
A shadow flickered across the locker room floor, there one second and gone the next.
When Code returned, he put on his butler uniform. He slipped on the white gloves, adjusted his watch, and made sure everything was neat.
Then—beep.
Code pulled out his phone. A new message had appeared.
"You look good in your uniform, by Crimson Petal"
Before he could even react, an arm suddenly wrapped around his neck.
It was Caden, already dressed in his own uniform. "Code, you look good in this uniform," he said with a grin.
Those words struck Code instantly. They were exactly the same as what Crimson Petal had just sent.
Code narrowed his eyes. "Caden… that compliment you just gave—where did you get it from?"
Caden blinked. "What do you mean? I know how to compliment people. I'm not that blunt, you know. But… now that you mention it—Meira said those exact words to me earlier. So when I saw you in uniform, I wanted to say something too. I guess my brain just… spit out the same words."
Code studied him for a moment, then softened. "I see. Thanks then. You also look good in your uniform. It fits you well."
Caden grinned. "What can I say? I look good in anything I wear."
"Lies," Torin's voice cut in.
Code turned and noticed Torin, Ken, and Riven also dressed and ready.
"I never lie," Caden shot back. "I do look good in it."
"That's because this is what you were born for," Ken smirked.
"Why you—" Caden started.
Riven laughed, raising a hand. "Alright, that's enough. Let's go. This is our first time on the job—we can't afford to be late."
"Yeah, you know what they say," Caden said. "First impressions matter most."
"Code, let's go," Torin urged, and they all started walking out together. Code trailed slightly behind.
As the door opened and the boys stepped out, the girls passed by in their own uniforms.
Caden flashed a charming smile. "Ivy, you look stunning in that outfit."
"Thank you," Ivy replied sweetly.
Code's eyes slid toward the back of the group. Aria was there, her black hair tied neatly with a white ribbon, her uniform immaculate.
Ivy, Meira, Sena, and the other girls walked past. As they did, Meira bumped into Code, stumbling and nearly falling.
Code reached out, steadying her with his hand.
"Thanks," she murmured.
"Ivy, come this way," Ivy called, pulling Meira along.
Code glanced down at his phone again. The sender's name had been Crimson Petal. He studied the group carefully, then decided to call the number.
Ring—
The sound came from nearby. Code followed it with his eyes until he spotted Meira's phone buzzing in her hand.
She stared at the screen, her eyes narrowing… and then, just like that, the call disconnected.
Meira glanced around quickly, tucked her phone back into her bag, and resumed chatting with Ivy and the others as though nothing had happened.
Code frowned at his phone.
"Alright, everyone," Riven called out. "Let's go do our part-time jobs."
The group moved ahead, Code's eyes still lingering on Meira. She had already walked on, leaving only Aria behind. Code slipped his phone back into his pocket and started walking, but Aria stopped him.
"What generation are you, Code?" she asked plainly.
Code turned to her. "M generation."
Aria stepped closer. "M generation, huh?"
"Yes."
"Aren't you going to ask why I asked?"
Code shrugged. "If I did, would you even tell me? I figured it's something personal. I don't interfere in things that don't concern me."
They walked side by side.
"I asked because I wanted to know my allies," Aria said. "Those of my generation—the ones I can work with."
"So that means you're M generation too?"
"Yes. So far, I've only found you. Students like us are rare."
"Did you ask the others?" Code asked.
"No."
"Then start with the ones closest to you," Code suggested.
"I know what to do. I'll find out. But for now, I've found you. That's enough. I finally have someone of the same standing as me."
"I see."
"Hey guys!"
They both looked up to see Caden waving. "Hurry up, or we'll be late!"
Code moved forward. Aria glanced at him. "Seems like you've already made friends."
"Yes," Code said calmly. "But it seems you haven't."
"I don't need them."
"You should. You can't really plan to spend your whole life in this academy alone."
Aria walked ahead. "That's exactly what I plan to do."
Code didn't argue further. He kept walking until he reached the Servitors' Quarters, the girls' side.
He checked his phone for the room number of his master—Lyra. Room No. 5.
He stopped at the door, scanned his phone against the scanner, and stepped inside.
"Come in," a timid voice called after his knock.
Inside, Lyra sat on a chair, adjusting her glasses. She didn't meet his eyes.
"H-Hi," she stuttered.
Code simply placed his hand over his chest, bowed slowly, and said, "Good day, Miss Lyra."
---
Boys' Quarters — No. 1
Aria scanned her phone and entered without knocking. The scene that greeted her was repulsive.
Reid lay on his bed, half-dressed, with two girls curled up against him under sheets.
"It's the slave girl," Reid smirked.
One of the girls sat up, covering her chest with the sheet. "She doesn't even knock? No manners at all."
The other girl agreed. "She should be punished, Reid. Give her a bad rating."
Reid chuckled. "Come now, I can't do that. That would make me look bad."
Aria didn't flinch, though inside she was disgusted.
Reid waved at the girls. "It's late. Get dressed and go back to your rooms. I need some time with my maid."
They clung tighter to him. "So soon? Let us stay the night."
"I don't mind either," the second girl said, shooting Aria a sharp glare. "Besides, I don't trust this slave girl to leave you alone."
"Don't you trust me at least?" Reid teased. But the girls still refused to leave.
Aria sighed under her breath. I can't believe I ended up with him. Tomorrow, I'll ask for a transfer. I can't stay here.
Reid's expression darkened. "Girls… don't you think you're getting ahead of yourselves?"
His tone froze them in place. Fear spread across their faces.
He tilted one girl's chin up. "Megan, I wasn't asking. It's an order."
Megan swallowed hard. "Yes, Reid. I'll excuse myself now."
"Good."
He turned to the other. "Jessie."
"I'll leave," Jessie said quickly, clutching the sheet around herself. The two hurried out of the room.
Now Reid was shirtless, only in shorts.
Aria stared, unsettled. Those girls looked terrified just now… who is he, really? He must have some high standing in their class.
Reid rose and walked toward her. "You know, the girls are right. You should've knocked."
"I forgot," Aria said coldly.
"You forgot? And you're supposed to serve me?"
"I wasn't serving anyone before this. How would I know how to act like a maid?"
"Right, my mistake," Reid said smoothly. He touched her face.
Aria slapped his hand away.
"You're the hard type, aren't you?"
"I don't believe I'm obligated to answer that."
He scanned her from head to toe. "No, you're not. But something's missing."
"Excuse me?"
He walked behind her and undid her hair.
"I didn't give you permission to touch my hair."
"I know. But I like my commodities to look their best."
"I don't belong to you."
"Of course you do," Reid said casually. "Besides, I like you better with your hair down."
"I didn't come here to hear your likes and dislikes." She tied her hair back again.
"Fine. Grab me a bottle of wine from the shelf," Reid ordered as he sat down.
Aria returned with a bottle and glass, poured the wine, and handed it over.
He sipped, smiling. "Strange… the wine tastes sweeter than usual. I guess it's because you served it to me."
Aria held the bottle. "Do you have any work for me?"
"Do you see any work lying around?" Reid chuckled. Then he tipped his glass, spilling wine on the floor. "Oops. You can clean that."
Aria clenched her jaw, bent down, and wiped it.
Reid poured more. "I'm clumsy today. You can get that too."
Aria exhaled, steadying her emotions, and wiped it clean.
Reid smirked as he watched her. This is going to be a fun night, he thought.
---
Girls' Quarters — Room 5
Code placed his hand over his chest and bowed his head slightly.
"Good day, Miss Lyra."
Lyra's eyes widened. She looked nervous as she stammered, "N-No, please, stand up. You don't have to do that."
Code raised his head, his face calm. "Why not? Am I doing it wrong? Maybe I should place my head on the ground then—"
He started to lean lower, but Lyra shot up from her chair. "No, it's not that! I'm a student like you, so you don't have to bow in front of me. You're making me hold on to false importance."
Straightening his posture, Code tilted his head. "You think we're equals?"
Lyra still didn't meet his gaze. Her fingers fidgeted nervously as she poked them together. "I know you might not believe me, but I don't support the academy's slavery system. It's too cruel… too inhumane."
"I see," Code replied evenly. "Then what do you have for me? Cleaning? Washing?"
Lyra shook her head quickly. "No. Like I said, there's no need for that. I was just reading, so… I don't see anything you can do." She returned to her chair, where a lamp cast its warm glow over a table piled high with open textbooks and scattered notes.
Code's eyes scanned the room. Books were lying haphazardly across the floor near her bed. He walked over, picked them up, and brought them to her table. He set them down neatly.
Lyra blinked in surprise. "T-Thanks."
"I think I'll make you something," Code said casually. "What do you prefer? Coffee? Tea?"
Lyra stared at him, startled by how naturally he offered to help. "Tea would be fine… I don't take coffee."
"As you wish." He asked for directions to the tea bag, disappeared briefly, and soon returned with a steaming mug. Setting it gently on the table, he said nothing more.
"Thank you," Lyra murmured, resuming her reading. Code just stood silently nearby, hands folded, with no tasks left to do.
Then—beep.
His phone lit up. A message.
It was from Crimson Petal.
"Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?"
Code's eyes narrowed as he stared at the screen. It seems like I've got myself a stalker.
Lyra glanced up and noticed him standing idly. "Um…"
Code slipped his phone back into his pocket and turned toward her. "Is there something you would like? Do you need privacy? I can leave if you want."
"No!" Lyra blurted, louder than she meant to.
Code fell quiet.
Realizing she had yelled, Lyra covered her mouth, her voice dropping as her cheeks flushed red. "I-I just wanted to ask you to join me in reading. You didn't have anything to do, so… I thought maybe you could study with me instead."
Code didn't respond immediately.
Startled by his silence, Lyra waved her hand nervously. "But if you don't feel like it, it's fine. I'm not forcing you or anything—"
Code reached out, took a book from the table, and sat down.
Lyra froze in shock.
"I'm a slow learner," Code said calmly, so go easy on me."
Her eyes softened, and a small smile crept onto her face. "I will. Sit next to me—you can grab another chair over there." She pointed to the corner.
Code brought over a chair and sat beside her. Lyra began teaching, her voice low but steady.
As he followed along, Code thought to himself: This part-time job isn't what I expected it to be.