Dawn timidly entered through the window, filtering through the heavy curtains of the guest room at Wayne Manor.
In bed, Sebastian's eyes flew open. He lay there, still, staring at the ceiling for a few seconds. He took a deep breath and let out a tired snort.
"Two days..." he murmured, his voice hoarse.
He sat up slowly, running a hand over his face. Then he took off his nightgown and reluctantly began his exercise routine. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats. Each movement was accompanied by muffled moans.
"Damn system..." he gasped as he counted. "As if the military wasn't enough. Who... the hell... gets up at this hour... to do this?"
But he kept going. Sweat formed on his muscles, and when he finished, he sank to the floor for a few seconds, breathing heavily.
After a quick shower, he emerged wrapped in a towel. Standing in front of the mirror, he dressed calmly. His black suit was perfectly ironed, his white shirt immaculate, his tie precisely adjusted. He put on his white gloves, pulling each finger tight until they fit perfectly.
He looked at himself in the mirror. The figure looking back at him seemed... strange. Elegant, refined, too perfect. As if a part of him had been torn from the military camp and transplanted onto a theatrical stage.
"Tch..." he clicked his tongue. "If my seventeen-year-old self saw me like this, I'd want to shoot myself."
He took a book on manners from the shelf and sat down in an armchair. He opened it to a random page and began to read, though he looked up every now and then.
There it was. The screen, floating in the air, reflected in the glass of the window in front of him.
[Steward Protocol]
Main Skills
- Close Combat → Officer (32/250) [+]
- Melee Weapons → Officer (20/250) [+]
- Firearms → Expert (55/500) [+]
- Tactical Driving → Officer (12/250) [+]
- Survival and Logistics → Officer (40/250) [+]
- Field Medicine → Apprentice (80/100) [+]
Secondary Skills
- Cooking → Apprentice (60/100) [+]
- Etiquette and Manners → Journeyman (4/250) [+]
- Basic Mechanics → Apprentice (25/100) [+]
Latent Abilities
- Dance and Coordination → Apprentice (5/100) [+]
- Stage Magic → Apprentice (0/100) [+]
- Languages → Apprentice (10/100) [+]
Available Points: 17
After reviewing the status screen, Sebastian continued to think. He'd been forced to add up the available points he'd been saving: those awarded to him by the system at the start, plus those he'd earned over the past three days by completing the routine, and those he'd received by completing tasks within Wayne Manor.
Watering the plants, dusting, scrubbing the halls... boring tasks that drove him crazy. Tch. If it weren't for Alfred's constant nagging, he could put up with it. It was always the same: that he should be more elegant; that if he acted normal, he seemed too relaxed; that if he tried to stand at attention, like in the military, then he became too rigid. "Be more flexible, Mr. Sebastian." Sometimes he thought Alfred was just trying to annoy him.
He put the manners book aside and looked out the window at the still-dark sky. It wasn't as if he could just go out wandering around at that hour. What if he ran into Bruce dressed as Batman? Or what if he accidentally saw something he shouldn't have? Explaining it would be hell.
Alfred also continued to restrict his activities. According to him, he didn't yet have the necessary skills. The kitchen, the main dining rooms, and several other areas of the mansion remained beyond his reach. For now, he was only responsible for garden maintenance and cleaning secondary rooms.
Today, however, he hoped to show him some improvement. If he succeeded, perhaps Alfred would stop bothering him with his criticism.
While he was thinking about that, a notification appeared in front of his eyes.
Congratulations! After your continued efforts, you've unlocked a new skill.
Sebastian smiled, raising his eyebrows in anticipation. Could this be his trap card? Excitedly, he opened the status screen and checked his stats.
[Steward Protocol]
Main Skills
- Close Combat → Officer (32/250) [+]
- Melee Weapons → Officer (20/250) [+]
- Firearms → Expert (55/500) [+]
- Tactical Driving → Officer (12/250) [+]
- Survival and Logistics → Officer (40/250) [+]
- Field Medicine → Apprentice (80/100) [+]
Secondary Skills
- Cooking → Apprentice (60/100) [+]
- Etiquette and Manners → Journeyman (4/250) [+]
- Basic Mechanics → Apprentice (25/100) [+]
- Interior Maintenance and Cleaning → Apprentice (25/100) [+] (NEW)
Latent Abilities
- Dance and Coordination → Apprentice (5/100) [+]
- Stage Magic → Apprentice (0/100) [+]
- Languages → Apprentice (10/100) [+]
Available Points: 17
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, smiling crookedly.
"Wow, a big improvement," he muttered wryly as he closed the screen. "Looks like you and that old man are in cahoots."
He shook his head and returned to the manners book. He had discovered something important in these two days: points weren't the only way to grow. They served to accelerate learning, but he could also progress through studying or training.
Time flew by, and a metallic beep pulled him out of his concentration. He immediately stood up, checked that his suit was perfectly neat and well-fitting, and left the room.
An unexpected advantage of the system was its automatic alarm function. It notified him when it was time to complete an assigned task. He didn't need a watch.
He crossed the mansion's halls, spotless after hours of cleaning over the past few days, and arrived at the reception desk. Alfred was waiting for him there, as serene as ever.
When he saw him approaching, he looked as if he was going to complain—as he often did—but he stopped to examine him critically. After a few seconds, he simply nodded.
"Good morning, Sebastian. It seems the lessons these past few days have served you well. Although you're still impaired, your posture and gait are much better than when you arrived."
Sebastian smiled slightly, with that mixture of sarcasm and pride.
"Thank you. I suppose you can tell how seriously I take this."
Alfred didn't reply. He simply turned around, his back straight and his hands at his waist. Walking gracefully, he spoke as he moved forward.
"Good. Since that's the case, assist me with breakfast. Today Master Bruce will be having breakfast with Young Master Richard."
Sebastian followed Alfred into the kitchen. As he stepped through the door, he paused for a moment.
A long white marble table was covered with an exquisite array: perfectly cut fresh fruit, platters of fine cured meats, eggs prepared in various shapes, freshly baked rolls, artisanal jams, freshly squeezed juices, and a shiny silver coffee pot that looked like a museum piece.
Sebastian gulped. Even he, accustomed to field rations, those bland blocks of calories the military called "food," felt hungry immediately.
Concentrate, he scolded himself. Thanks to his level of skill in Etiquette and Manners, he managed to maintain his composure and not show the slightest outward reaction.
Alfred, impeccable as always, gave directions with a wave of his hand.
"The silver trays. Carefully."
Sebastian nodded and began serving the food with precision, mimicking the elder's every movement. The dishes were distributed on ornate silver platters, a display that seemed more fitting of royalty than a Gotham family.
In silence, they loaded two service carts and walked through the halls. The echo of the wheels on the polished floor resonated between the mansion walls, like a solemn procession.
Finally, they arrived at the doors to the main dining room. Alfred stepped forward, opening them with a precise gesture.
Inside, Bruce sat at the head of the long table, his newspaper open in front of him. Hearing the sound of the doors opening, he looked up. His eyes scanned the scene: Alfred, impeccable as ever, and Sebastian, wearing a black suit and white gloves, pushing the cart beside him.
A slight smile curved his lips.
The clinking of china and silver filled the dining room. Alfred served with the precision of a Swiss watch: cup, plate, cutlery, everything in the exact order. Beside him, Sebastian tried to imitate him. His movements were somewhat clumsy, less fluid, but correct enough to not be too out of place.
When they finished, Alfred took a step back, hands clasped behind his back, standing firmly on Bruce's right. Sebastian, following the protocol he'd learned these days, wanted to position himself on the opposite side… but Alfred glared at him. A silent command.
With a barely audible click of his tongue, Sebastian corrected himself and stood next to Alfred, to his exact right. Perfect, he thought sarcastically. Two butlers in a row. What's next? A dress code jury?
The dining room door opened again.
A young man entered with a light step, his hair still ruffled from sleep. He couldn't have been more than seventeen or eighteen. Tall, with the athletic build of an acrobat, with the posture of someone who has trained their body to perfection, but the lively, youthful expression of someone who hasn't yet carried the weight of the world. He was wearing comfortable, casual clothes, nothing formal, and was yawning slightly as he rubbed his eyes.
"Good morning," he said casually, taking a seat near Bruce, not at the head of the line but close enough to show confidence.
Bruce continued reading calmly. "Richard. I'm glad you decided to join us for breakfast. You know what Alfred says: the first meal of the day is the most important."
Dick smiled, shrugging. "And I always listen to him… at least when I'm not falling asleep."
A faint flash of disapproval crossed Alfred's face, though he said nothing. He just stood there, watching.
Sebastian, from his position, looked discreetly at the boy. So this is Richard Grayson… the famous Nightw… He stopped, correcting himself with a quick thought. No, he must still be at that stage. Robin.
Bruce folded the newspaper and set it aside, regarding the young man with a neutral expression.
"So, Richard, this is your senior year of high school. How are classes going?"
Dick shrugged, cutting a piece of bread.
"Fine. Well, fine enough. I'm not dying of boredom, if that's what you want to know."
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"I say that because you haven't been spending as much time in Gotham as you should lately. Always on trips and getaways."
Dick gave a half-smile, not looking up from his plate.
"Gotham isn't exactly the most fun city to spend vacations in, Bruce. Sometimes I need a break."
"A break is nice," Bruce admitted, his tone firm but not hostile. "But you can't give the impression that you're just passing through. Gotham is still your home, and you have to finish your studies here. That's non-negotiable."
The boy snorted softly, leaning his elbow on the table.
"Yeah, yeah… senior year of high school. I haven't forgotten it. Believe me, they won't let me forget it either."
Alfred intervened, standing to one side.
"And you shouldn't forget it, young master. A thorough education is the foundation of any path you choose to follow. And this is its final stretch."
Dick scratched the back of his neck, smiling faintly. "Always so encouraging, Alfred."
Bruce let silence fall for a moment after his last sentence. Then, with a natural gesture, he steered the conversation away.
"By the way, Richard," he said as he placed his cup back on its saucer, "there's someone you should meet."
Dick's eyes shifted to the right, where Alfred stood straight… and beside him, Sebastian, immaculate in his black suit and white gloves.
"This is Sebastian Pennyworth." Bruce smiled faintly. "He's come to stay with us for a while. He's… considering learning from Alfred."
Dick blinked, surprised by the last name.
"Pennyworth? Is it… family?"
Alfred remained silent, impassive as ever. Sebastian bowed his head slightly, with the textbook composure he'd been practicing, and replied calmly,
"Something like that. Pleased to meet you, Young Master Richard."
Dick raised an eyebrow, leaning forward a little, curious.
"Well… it's not every day that a 'new Pennyworth' shows up at the manor."
Bruce let out a small chuckle.
"You'll see, Richard. I'm sure you'll end up getting along."
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📢 Hey everyone
When I first started this story, I promised to post 3 chapters a day (and some bonus ones on weekends). Buuut these last two days I didn't post anything 🙈. A mix of unexpected stuff coming up and, honestly, pure procrastination got me behind.
So, to make up for it:
👉 From now until the 15th, I'll be posting 4 chapters a day to catch up.
👉 Starting on the 15th, the schedule will settle at 2 chapters a day, consistently.
Thank you so much for all the support and patience 💙.