David moved through the hallways of House Maddach, his steps muffled by the thick red carpet lining the marble floor.
The mana lights flickered softly above him, glowing a deep, warm crimson, like the embers of a dying fire.
This design, however, was actually intentional, since most nobles felt sleepy, being cold, while being hit by the glow of a fireplace.
Those who designed the lights, used that same effect, the lights would automatically change from a bright, sunny color, to a warmer in the night.
David, not being a noble, was unaffected by the design.
What would make him sleepy, was probably a hard day's work in the mines.
If anything, the oppressive glow only sharpened the irritation burning in his chest. 'Just as soon as I thought I have secured this job, they take that hope away…' He tightened his fist.
He reached the door to the head servant's quarters and knocked twice, trying not to punch it hard.
Inside, a chair creaked. A low yawn. The rustling of parchment.
The door cracked open, revealing Herbert, eyes half-open, the candlelight behind him casting long shadows over his tired face.
"Oh, it's you," Herbert muttered, voice heavy with exhaustion. He took another glance at him, 'Fool.'
He reached toward the wall, twisting a small brass dial counterclockwise. The mana light inside the room dimmed, turning the warm glow into near-darkness.
David took a step inside, but before he could even close the door, Herbert let out a sharp exhale and twisted the dial back, flooding the room with light again.
"Didn't want to be caught whispering in the dark?" David asked, folding his arms.
Herbert snorted. "Habit. Nobles get nervous when the lights go low, even if they tell you to do it."
David didn't bother responding. Instead, he cut straight to the point.
"Where's Calculor Cheng?"
Herbert rolled his shoulders as he returned to his desk.
Stacks of parchment covered the polished oak surface, detailing tomorrow's transportation plans.
His ink-stained fingers moved deftly, dipping a mana-infused quill into an inkwell before continuing his work.
"Why do you need Cheng?" Herbert asked without looking up. "The House has already made its decision. There's no need for you to get involved."
David exhaled slowly. "I want to discuss the opponent change."
"Of course you do." Herbert scoffed, shaking his head. "It's your job, isn't it? To make sure you still have a job?"
David didn't flinch. "Obviously."
Herbert set his quill down, finally looking up. "That's it? You admit it? No grand speech about honor or fairness? Just straight-up self-interest?"
David held his gaze. "Everyone here operates on anything but self-interest, you see it too, as soon as the Vox Imperium made the announcement, you could see the look on their faces."
A slow smirk formed on Herbert's lips.
"At least you're honest." He slid a folded parchment across the table, unbothered by his insults regarding the nobles. "The transportation plans. They go to Cheng. He's in his quarters."
David picked up the parchment and turned to leave, but Herbert spoke again.
"You think this House is wrong," Herbert said, "That the nobles aren't doing the best for us."
David hesitated, then rolled his eyes. "And you think they are?"
"I think they do what is necessary."
David looked at Herbert's face, just from a glance he knew that whatever he had experienced, Herbert had experience too.
He never got why there were peasants that accepted the situation as it is.
That the nobles were superior to them.
But he knew that whatever he said would be dismissed as nonsense by Herbert.
He turned towards the exit shaking his head, leaving.
***
Cheng's quarters were a stark contrast to the rest of the Maddach estate.
The influence of House Qorhai was evident in the wooden screens, the calligraphy paintings, the scent of brewed tea and burning incense.
But it was clear that with this foreign aesthetic had a touch of Imperial Prestige.
A robe set as a display near the window made it clear, as its back was the grand insignia of the Imperial Throne.
A classic mana disc player sat on a custom wooden stand.
David walked towards it; on it he could see the same insignia molded onto it.
His teacher had a disc player, if you looked at it, it would have been clear to anyone that it had been used multiple times, given from father to son, who sold it for a pretty penny.
But the one in front of him, a brand-new player.
A smooth, near-perfect tone flowed from it, unlike the noise that his teacher's one had.
The cracking had occurred so much that they were convinced that it was part of the music.
he lingered at the doorway for a moment, still in awe at the clarity of the music emanating from a mere box.
Cheng seated at a low wooden table, a simple meal of steamed fish and vegetables laid out before him.
He glanced up, then gestured lazily to the open seat across from him.
"You have something for me?"
David removed his attention from the disc player and sat at the front of the Calculor, placing the folded parchment on the table.
Cheng took his time picking it up, unfolding it carefully.
His thin fingers traced each line of text as he read, his expression unreadable.
David leaned forward. "This opponent change. It's a mistake."
Cheng continued reading as if he hadn't heard.
"Jorvik was the fight that Liam had prepared for. I want him reinstated."
Cheng finally set the paper down and looked at David.
"There is no reason to do that."
David clenched his jaw lightly, "The honor of House Maddach depends on it."
He didn't have legal grounds, to challenge Cheng.
And even if he did.
He was pretty sure that Cheng will wipe the floor with him.
So he did it, in the only way that worked previously, by using House Maddach's credibility and honor.
Cheng wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin before answering. "You think honor matters? Ask a starving peasant how much honor fed them last winter."
'As if you know anything about starving' He took a deep breathe before replying, "He's a single boy."
Cheng's expression didn't change. "A liability."
'Is this how nobles think of their children?' David clenched his fists. "Is this what the Baron thinks of his own child?"
Cheng tilted his head slightly, as if thinking about the question. "Whatever he thinks is none of your concern."
David looked away, he had always knew that the nobles were a bit out of touch with reality, almost ruthless in their humanity, he pointed to Cheng"I may not be a Calculor. I may not see all the variables, all the probabilities, all the grand designs—but I can see this. I see the lack of humanity."
Cheng didn't react. He simply watched.
David pressed on. "Someone in this house poisoned his mother. Then, instead of helping him, they let him eat himself to the ground. And now, the moment he wants to change, they throw him away."
Cheng exhaled through his nose. "That is not my concern."
His eyes dropped to the floor, "Of course, it isn't."
David stood, turning toward the door.
"Enjoy your meal, Calculor."
He left without another word.