Gotham City.
Perhaps due to its geographical location, the city's weather is mostly overcast; even at high noon, the sky is always filled with thick, gray leaden clouds, creating a gloomy scene as if it's about to rain.
Today, a weekend, Gotham was as overcast as ever. Of course, the people living in this city had long grown accustomed to it.
Shasha—
A top-of-the-line, extended black Rolls-Royce drove into the Manor. The vehicle moved smoothly without the slightest bump or vibration, finally stopping in front of the iron gate of a large private estate.
The driver's seat opened.
The impeccably dressed driver quickly and skillfully got out, respectfully opened the rear car door, and bent down properly to shield the door's upper edge.
The red-haired girl had clearly never experienced such treatment. Slightly unaccustomed, she hopped out of the luxurious soft seat. Almost as soon as she, dressed in a uniform dress, landed on the ground, the iron gate of the Manor slowly began to open inwards.
"Please, Miss Wanda," the driver respectfully raised his arm, gesturing inside.
Wanda looked in the direction indicated, and what met her eyes was an enormous estate that looked like a royal castle, with towering structures reaching up towards Gotham's dim sky.
Is this really the butler training base Miss Diana mentioned?
Wanda entered through the iron gate and walked along the internal pathway of the Manor. Many maids, who were tending to the greenery and cleaning the courtyard, politely and amiably curtsied to her upon seeing her.
Wanda quickly nodded in response.
"You must be Miss Wanda, correct?"
A gentle and kind voice suddenly came from ahead. Wanda subconsciously looked up and saw an elderly man with white hair, dressed in a neat suit, standing in front of the castle-like Manor building.
"Yes, hello, sir!"
The overly luxurious environment, with an inexplicable sense of oppression called "power and prestige," made Wanda somewhat cautiously bow.
The old man smiled and nodded, saying, "I am Alfred Pennyworth. At Miss Diana's request, you may call me 'Teacher.' "
...Wayne Manor, first-floor reception hall.
Wanda sat quietly and obediently in the chair, her small loli feet dangling, unable to reach the carpet below.
Alfred poured Wanda a cup of hot coffee. His hand was so steady that the coffee in the cup didn't tremor at all, and his body appeared more robust than his aged appearance suggested.
"How do you feel?" Alfred asked kindly.
Wanda cupped the coffee cup with both hands to warm her small hands. She glanced at the magnificent and grand reception hall, the expensive vintage interior still refreshing her understanding of luxury.
This made her even more reserved and nervous, and she whispered, "It doesn't feel like I'm here for butler training. You… you all treat me like a young lady."
"Hahahahaha, is that so?"
Alfred couldn't help but chuckle, then winked and asked, "You don't know the Prince family's status, do you?"
"Status?" Wanda tilted her small head.
"How should I explain it?" Alfred pondered for a moment, then said, "Let me put it this way. Young Master Wayne, whom I serve, is the head of Wayne Enterprises. As for Wayne Enterprises, it's a company with a market value exceeding hundreds of billions, involved in industries including technology, education, healthcare, transportation, and more. Most of the visible things throughout Gotham City today are considered Wayne Enterprises' assets."
Wanda's eyes widened in surprise. Wayne Enterprises—she had heard of it many times in New York.
Alfred paused, then continued, "And the Prince family is an existence that can stand shoulder to shoulder with a family like the Wayne Family."
"Therefore, as the Prince Family's only maid, and future butler, you may bow according to etiquette, but you do not need to truly humble yourself before anyone, not even so-called nobles or officials. After all, your status represents the family you serve, and bowing would inevitably diminish your Master's prestige!"
...After this speech from Alfred, Wanda clearly gained a greater understanding of Vincent Prince and his family, which made her less reserved and nervous.
Seeing that the first lesson had achieved its effect, Alfred cleared his throat and said in a gentle voice, "Then let us proceed to today's main topic. Before we formally begin butler training, I would like to ask you a question. What do you think is the most important quality for a butler?"
Wanda thought seriously for a moment, then hesitated and said, "Loyalty?"
"Loyalty, that is essential, the very foundation," Alfred smiled. "I believe the most important quality for a butler should be a sense of mission."
"Sense of mission?" Wanda was momentarily stunned.
"Yes. Not only superheroes need a sense of mission, but a butler must also possess a unique sense of mission."
Alfred spoke methodically and eloquently: "A butler's sense of mission is naturally to better serve their Master. However, it's not just about completing tasks the Master asks; that is merely the duty of an ordinary servant."
"A butler needs to understand what the Master truly needs and wants, to prepare and plan in advance, serving as a powerful assistant on the Master's path forward. Furthermore, when the Master takes a wrong turn or gets lost, they should provide guidance and assistance."
"A butler with a sense of mission needs to have the conviction to dedicate their entire life," Alfred said with an inquiring tone, his clear gaze falling upon the thirteen-year-old Wanda. "You are still young; are you prepared to make that commitment?"
Little Wanda took a deep breath, the image of the black-haired boy appearing in her mind, and her small face firmed as she said, "I can do it!"
Alfred nodded: "To achieve that, you will need to learn more than your Master, and your knowledge must be comprehensive and extensive. Not just things like cleaning, but also etiquette, social skills, combat, marksmanship, intelligence, management, psychology, and so on."
"Um…" Little Wanda hesitated, then asked, "Does that mean I'll have to come to this city often?"
Wanda wasn't complaining about the distance, but rather that if that were the case, she would have to wake up and leave very early every weekend.
Just like today, she wouldn't be able to wake Vincent up and prepare breakfast.
Alfred smiled, "You won't need to specially come to Gotham for lessons on weekends in the future. I will arrange for professional personnel to teach you at your school."
Wanda's eyes lit up slightly, and she asked with some curiosity, "Will the school agree?"
"Of course." Alfred nodded, confidently stating, "Even before today, with Young Master Wayne's authorization, I have already purchased the school you currently attend."
...At this moment.
Washington, downtown, on the busiest and most bustling sidewalk.
Vincent stopped in astonishment, looking at the bald woman next to him who called herself "Ancient One."
"Are you talking to me?" Vincent glanced sideways, scanning the passersby around him, and for a moment suspected that she was talking to someone else.
"Vincent Prince."
She accurately stated his name.
Ancient One's ageless face was calm, and as she looked at Vincent, a faint smile played on her lips: "No need to look, you are the one I am looking for."
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