Koul still hadn't risen from his bed when a knock came on his door.

At first, he was reluctant to answer. He just remained on the bed trying to figure out who it could be.

Kanstiv wouldn't use the doors, he thought.

He wasn't going to answer it but then he had a thought.

Could it be Hera?

He snapped from his bed in an instant and lunged at the door. Quickly, he unbolted it and opened it.

His happiness was short-lived when he met not Hera but a male professor standing outside.

Koul's countenance fell woefully. His displeasure was clearly written on his face.

The professor's face was also bright with irritation. He wasn't exactly happy to see Koul's face either.

"Were you not tasked with service work?" He asked.

His tone was brash, evidently annoyed.

"It's past the student's silent hour already so you should've long been out already doing your work."

Koul threw his head to the side and rubbed his neck lazily.

Ah, there was something like this.

"Ugh.. fine," he replied, ready to shut the door on the professor's face.

"Get to it. You must not be reminded again."

With that, the professor left.

Koul slammed his door shut and went back inside. With a sigh, he ran his hands through his hair.

Not even a single moment of rest, he sighed in complaint even though he'd just woken from a deep slumber.

He put on some easy clothes and walked out through the door. After bolting it of course.

I just hope they don't plant anything inside this time and brand me a thief, he said inwardly.

What are they even going to plant there next? A girl? And lie that I kidnapped her to rape her? Sigh.

Koul went to the utility room where the servants kept all the cleaning equipment. He grabbed a wooden bucket, fetched some water and grabbed a rag before walking out.

He went straight to his classroom, intending to start from there. But as he stood in the empty classroom and saw how vast it was, a wave of fatigue flooded him instantly.

Even though he hadn't started yet, seeing how big the classroom was, he was immediately overcome with tiredness.

And he started to finally realize the severity of his punishment.

Wait a minute, am I to clean every classroom?

His brow twitched.

Including the halls? The windows? Wait, like, everything?

And the professors will also get to send me on errands anyhow they like? Fuck!

He dropped the bucket to the floor and threw the rag inside.

Nah, where the hell is Kanstiv?

Koul called out to Kanstiv. He went to the window, and looked through to find him but found him nowhere.

This bas…

He took a deep breath.

He picked up the bucket and the rag and started with cleaning the desks, concluding Kanstiv would soon come and take over.

After cleaning some desks and chairs, he stopped. He stretched his body, acting like he'd just gotten a huge job done.

Koul threw his gaze here and there, making sure there was no one. Then he called to his system.

The system appeared with a grumpy, tired face.

[Host, what is it by this time of the night? What pleasure do you derive from cutting short my sleep?]

"Eh… I had no idea you could sleep," Koul said.

The system glared at him in anger.

"I mean, I didn't even know you were allowed rest," he chuckled in a mocking tone.

[It seems you have no important thing to discuss right now.]

The system turned and threatened to float away.

"Ugh.. fuck, wait."

The system floated back to him with a tired face.

"Just to be on the safe side, are you or the judges always watching me?" He asked.

The system stared questioningly at him. He wondered if Koul might be sick in the head.

"Tsk! I mean if you or the judges keep watch over me all the time."

I kinda know they're not because if they were, they would've known when the shadow came to kill me.

But I just have to be sure, I'm skeptical.

[Why would we?] the system shot at him.

[Is there anything interesting going on with you?]

This bitc….

[Host, if you're scared of getting caught because you plan on doing something, you don't have to be. Since you have more than half your freedom with you, I can't carelessly go reporting everything you do anymore. From now on, I can only report things that I know would endanger the judges or contribute to their wellbeing.]

I see… This is kinda okay. I just need to hurry to get back 100% of my freedom.

Don't think any deal would give it though. I have to find another way. Brutal, if called for.

"I see. That's good then. Don't go being a tattle toad now, okay? Now shoo!"

The system fumed at Koul. If he could slap him, he would've. It turned away in annoyance and vanished.

Certain that the system had left and that there was no one there, Koul commanded.

"Come out."

Out of him, the shadow emerged. It peeled away from him softly till he stood tall and gallant before Koul.

"Master," he said. A little bit of excitement laced his tone.

Koul stared briefly at him before turning.

"We need to give you a name," he said.

With his hand to his chin, he took a thinking posture and thought of a name for the shadow.

"Dark? Because you're literally dark," Koul said, looking at him.

"Or should I just leave it as Shadow?"

The shadow simply remained quiet, leaving the decision to Koul.

"How about Shado without the w? It looks like a legit name like that. Yep! Shado it is," he nodded.

"From now on, you're Shado."

"Yes, master."

"Alright, time to work, no training today." Koul clapped his hands.

"Grab the bucket and rag and start cleaning."

As commanded, Shado grabbed the bucket and rag and got to work, while Koul remained by the window, watching and supervising him.

As Shado worked, already covering a large space, the classroom door creaked open.

Koul's muscles stiffened in shock. He tried to call Shado back but realized Shado had already disappeared into hiding.

He was glad. He'd always seen Shado's speed and agility as something annoying but right now, he was grateful for it.

He dragged his eyes toward the door.

He thought it would either be Kanstiv or the mysterious figure he met in the hallway the other time, but it was just a girl?

The figure was of a woman. Under the dim light, her face couldn't really be made out. But she gave off a familiar sensation.

"Hera?" Koul called.

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