"For all your talent, you sure are pretty slow, Alec," Taryeon looked at Alec across the library's table without a hint of mockery as he mocked him. It was a mix of confusion and pity.
Taryeon had awakened to Aether. Then Isidore. He had ended up being the first first-year Warrior student, nobles included, to awaken to Aether. After that, Maura awakened. And finally, Erio.
Along the way, several others also awakened to Aether, including Benjamin and Victoria. Victoria was actually the first after Taryeon.
Of course, there were still many students who had yet to awaken to Aether. Alec was still part of the majority.
But he was the first and only student to pass all non-magic classes instantly. That had garnered him some attention, both good and bad. It was to the point that Benjamin accused him of doing something behind the scenes. Fortunately, Alec had learned from his past mistakes and didn't engage.
However, his reputation was starting to take a dive.
"I'm not slow. You guys are fast. That's all it is. Just you wait." Alec shot Taryeon a sharp glare.
Taryeon shrugged helplessly.
"Are you getting closer?" He asked, trying to be helpful.
"Of course, I am," Alec answered confidently.
"..." Taryeon gave him a doubtful look.
"Maybe not. Look, do you want help with the math or not?"
"So this is where you've been hiding, you little rat," Benjamin interrupted before Taryeon could answer.
Alec and Taryeon slowly turned to look at their guest. The only downside to sitting in the corner behind a bookshelf was being unable to see people approaching.
The two of them sighed.
"What do you want, Benjamin?" Taryeon asked before Alec could get a chance to open his mouth. He knew what might happen if he let Alec take the reins.
Benjamin didn't answer immediately. He looked Alec up and down.
"I want to know what your problem is," He said, looking at Alec.
Taryeon gave Alec an intense stare, begging him not to engage. It had worked the last time. It might work this time.
Alec glanced around Benjamin.
"No minions today?"
"Why? Think you have a chance if I'm alone?"
"So they aren't hiding behind the shelf?" Unfortunately, since Benjamin was in the way, Alec couldn't get up to check.
"Of course not. My guys aren't sneaky, honorless rats that go hide in the library."
"Good for them." Alec leaned back in his chair with an irritatingly composed expression.
Benjamin frowned.
"You really think I won't do anything just because I'm alone? That you do not need to fear me?"
Alec pursed his lips.
"Nope. What are you going to do? Attack me? Ban me from the library? Glare at me?"
"I can make your life hell, you worm."
"How's it going so far? Before you continue with that, though, mind if I ask why? Is it because of the cafeteria incident?"
Benjamin's glare turned fiery, and he clenched his fist like he wanted to knock Alec's arrogant smile clean off his face.
"It is because you refuse to apologize, yes. It's because you refuse to show respect to your superiors. Clearly, someone needs to teach you how to do both."
Alec scoffed.
"I know how to do both.
"But you don't deserve my apology. And you aren't my superior. Even if you were, respect is earned." Alec's eyes narrowed.
"Do you think being born with a gold spoon makes you worthy of respect? Have you contributed to your family's status and wealth in any way? Has your birth or existence raised the Mason family in any way? Or are your actions dragging the name of your family through the mud?"
"You…Shut your mouth!" Benjamin growled, smacking his palm on the table threateningly.
Alec had no intentions of following that command.
"I read up on your family, Benjamin." In fact, he was doing it right now.
"The first Mason was a country bumpkin blessed with enough talent to be recruited into the town guard after condensing his second star. He displayed tremendous bravery during a monster attack.
"Do you know what that display of bravery was, Benjamin Mason?" Alec leaned forward and met Benjamin's glare.
"He alone stood between a woman with a broken leg and three monsters."
"Exactly. Now, was that woman a noble? An established merchant? An accomplished mage or warrior, perhaps?"
"..."
"No. She was a commoner. Your ancestor didn't know her. She was simply someone who needed protecting. She was someone who wasn't as blessed as he was. To your ancestor, it was a no-brainer to help her. He was in a position to help her. She needed help. It was as simple as that.
"But that simple act was the start of your ancestor's rise until he finally became a Count. When he did, he swore that he would never forget his roots, and that he and his family might be noble, but that it didn't change how they had gotten their current position.
"Every family head since has taken the same or a similar oath. Most nobles hold a similar sentiment, actually.
"They do not live to serve anyone but the king. That makes them no different than anyone else.
"But at the same time, their greater strength gives them the responsibility of protecting those weaker than them."
"What's your point?!" Benjamin hissed.
"My point?" Alec asked, honestly surprised that Benjamin hadn't interrupted him.
'Noble manners, maybe?'
"My point is that you're a chickenshit pussy fuck, who has no idea what he's doing with his life since he's harassing commoners doing their best for the kingdom instead of picking up his sword and swinging it until his arm is numb."
Benjamin turned red like he was about to transform into a tomato before suddenly freezing. His face returned to its normal color, and he gave Alec a frosty glare.
"You will regret your words today."
"What words? I haven't said a thing. You. Have. No. Witnesses."
Benjamin turned around and walked away without responding.
Taryeon already had his head in his hands.
"Do I not count?" He asked with a weak voice.
"Come on now, you didn't hear anything, did you?"
"Is that what you want me to say if someone like, I don't know, the Principal asks?"
"Of course, it is. Why would you say anything but the truth?" Alec asked with an innocent expression.
Taryeon sighed.
'He's so strange!' He complained in his head. Sometimes, Alec seemed almost clueless about basic things. Other times, he was a mean bastard with a ruthlessly sharp tongue.
"What about me? What should I say?"