Chapter 5

The academy had strict rules. If any servant attacked a student in public, the owner's enrollment would be revoked, and the servant would be executed on the spot.

A low growl vibrated in Asher's throat, his sharp claws starting to slide out.

"Asher, sit down."

Asher froze instantly.

He looked at Julian, then turned back to look at me.

His golden slit pupils were filled with anger, but he slowly pulled back his claws and sat back down next to me.

Seeing this, Julian sneered. "What a well-trained dog."

He leaned against the table, his tone arrogant. "Clara, I know what you're worried about."

"The academy's Rift Trial is coming up. In the past, I was the one who carried you to get high scores."

"Now that you've cancelled our contract, you won't even pass the first round with this brainless beast."

"I'll give you one last chance. Give me that premium body armor you ordered last month, and I'll still team up with you for the trial."

I genuinely couldn't understand how I had been so blind. How did I not realize Julian was such a garbage person before?

But then I realized.

It wasn't that I didn't see it. I just chose to ignore it.

I used to make so many excuses for him, but I never asked him what I actually meant to him.

"Julian, you seem to have misunderstood something."

"We got high scores before because I spent a fortune on your gear, bought you high-grade stat-boosting potions, and equipped you with the best tactical analyzers."

"You were just wearing my gear and following my instructions."

I looked him up and down.

"Look at you now. You can barely stand. How are you going to carry me?"

Julian’s face turned red with embarrassment.

Mia couldn't take it anymore. She stepped forward and grabbed Julian's arm.

"Clara, how can you disrespect Julian’s hard work like that? He got hurt so many times protecting you, and now you talk about him like he's just a useless parasite!"

"Whether he's useless or not, you'll find out soon enough."

"But since you're so confident in his strength, I wish you two the top spot in the trial."

I turned to Asher.

"Done eating? Let's go."

Asher immediately stood up, following me like a shadow.

As we walked out of the cafeteria, I heard the sound of plates smashing behind us.

Julian had flipped Mia’s bowl of cheap potato soup onto the floor, screaming, "I told you, I don't eat this garbage!"

Mia's crying voice faded as we walked further away.

I didn't even look back.