"Young Master, please hold still. If the Windsor knot is not perfectly symmetrical, you will look like a ruffian."
Bruce sighed, letting me adjust his tie. "Do I have to go? I know more math than the teachers. You taught me calculus yesterday."
"Education is not merely about academics, Young Master," I said, smoothing the lapels of his Gotham Academy blazer. "It is about socialization. You must learn to interact with your peers. Even the dull ones."
"They're all dull," Bruce muttered.
"Then consider it an exercise in patience. A critical skill for a future leader."
I handed him his leather satchel. It contained his textbooks, a gourmet bento box I had prepared (grilled salmon with a miso glaze), and a taser disguised as a fountain pen (just in case).
"The car is waiting."
Gotham Academy was a sprawling gothic fortress of a school, filled with the children of the city's elite. It smelled of old books, floor wax, and teenage hormones.
I pulled the black limousine up to the curb. As I stepped out to open Bruce's door, the other parents stared. Most were accompanied by nannies or drivers who looked bored. I, however, stood with the posture of a royal guardsman.
"Remember," I whispered as Bruce stepped out. "Observation. Analyze everyone. Friends can be more dangerous than enemies."
"Bruce!"
A voice called out from the crowd. A boy with neatly combed brown hair and a charming smile ran over. He was wearing the same uniform, but he wore it with an arrogant swagger.
Thomas "Tommy" Elliot.
I narrowed my eyes. My demon senses picked up something... unpleasant. Not a smell, exactly, but an aura. Beneath that bright smile was a cold, festering jealousy. He didn't look at Bruce like a friend; he looked at Bruce like a rival who had gotten lucky.
"Bruce! I heard about your parents," Tommy said, putting a hand on Bruce's shoulder. His voice was dripping with fake sympathy. "It's so terrible. You're so lucky... I mean, brave. To be here."
Lucky? I caught the slip. Tommy thought Bruce was lucky because his parents were dead and he had inherited the fortune.
Bruce looked uncomfortable. "Thanks, Tommy."
"We should hang out after school," Tommy continued, steering Bruce toward the steps. "My dad is being a total tyrant about my grades. You can help me with math, right? Like old times?"
He was using Bruce.
I cleared my throat. It was a polite sound, but it carried enough force to make several pigeons fly away.
"Ahem."
Tommy froze. He turned to look at me.
"Who's this?" Tommy sneered slightly, his mask slipping for a second. "Your new driver?"
"I am Sebastian Michaelis," I said, gliding forward to stand between them. "The Head Butler of the Wayne Estate."
I looked down at Tommy. I didn't blink. I let a fraction of my "Predator Aura" leak out—just enough to trigger a primal fear response in a human brain.
"Master Tommy Elliot," I said smoothly. "I have heard much about you. You dislike your father, Dr. Elliot, immensely, do you not? You wish he would just... disappear."
Tommy's face went pale. "What? I didn't say that."
"Eyes are the window to the soul, young man," I leaned down, my voice a whisper only he and Bruce could hear. "And yours are very loud. I would advise you not to treat Master Bruce as a tool for your homework or a target for your envy. I am quite protective of my charge."
I straightened up and smiled—a terrifyingly pleasant smile.
"Have a wonderful day at school."
Tommy stumbled backward, looking like he had just seen a ghost. He turned and ran into the building without another word.
Bruce looked at me, his eyes wide.
"What did you do to him?"
"I merely introduced myself," I said innocently. "Now, off you go. I shall be here at 3:00 PM sharp. If anyone bullies you, do not hit them. Remember what I taught you."
"Psychological dismantling?"
"Precisely. Physical violence leaves bruises; words leave trauma. Have fun."
The Afternoon Pick-Up
When the bell rang, students flooded out. I waited by the car, checking my pocket watch.
Bruce walked down the stairs. He wasn't alone. He was walking with a girl who had bright red hair and glasses. She was talking animatedly, waving her hands, and Bruce... was actually listening. He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't scowling either.
"Sebastian," Bruce said as he approached. "This is Barbara. Her dad is the policeman who came to the house."
"Barbara Gordon," I bowed. "A pleasure. I hope the Young Master hasn't been boring you with talk of structural engineering."
Barbara laughed. She had a sharp, intelligent look about her. "Actually, he was correcting the history teacher on the dates of the Gotham Civil War. It was awesome. Tommy Elliot tried to make fun of him for being a 'know-it-all,' and Bruce just looked at him and said, 'Intelligence is a weapon, Tommy. You should try arming yourself.'"
I suppressed a smirk. That's my boy.
"Well said," I nodded.
"My dad is late picking me up," Barbara said, looking at the empty street. "He's always busy."
"Detective Gordon carries the weight of the city," I said. "Would you like to wait in the car? It has climate control and I have fresh macarons."
Barbara's eyes lit up. "Macarons? Real ones?"
As she climbed into the back seat to wait, I saw Bruce watching Tommy Elliot in the distance. Tommy was getting into a luxury car, yelling at his chauffeur.
"You were right," Bruce said quietly to me.
"About what, Young Master?"
"Tommy. He tried to get me to cheat for him. When I said no, he got nasty. He's not my friend."
"A painful lesson," I opened the door for him. "But a necessary one. Trust is a currency, Young Master. Do not spend it on counterfeit goods."
Bruce nodded and got in the car.
"Sebastian?"
"Yes?"
"Barbara is okay, though. She likes data."
"Miss Gordon seems... acceptable," I conceded, closing the door. "Though if she drops crumbs on the upholstery, I will be very displeased."
As I walked to the driver's side, I felt a gaze on my back. I glanced at the rooftop of the school.
For a split second, I saw a silhouette. Not a student. Someone watching. An assassin? A member of the Court of Owls?
I smiled.
Finally, I thought. The real game begins.
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️