8

"When pouring coffee, do it slowly, keep your back straight, you are not a servant... Maintain eye contact, don't focus too much on the cup, use your peripheral vision... When offering coffee to someone, speak with sincerity and strength, enunciate clearly... You are no longer a mere shop assistant; don't be overly deferential. Stand tall, look into my eyes... Don't stare at my chest; it's quite impolite, especially if it's a lady... When rising, do so gracefully, don't hold onto the chair; that's quite unreasonable, a privilege reserved for the elderly..."

Amidst a series of reprimands, the young boy finally finished his day's studies. He had never felt so exhausted before, not even when the hunchback had assigned him various strenuous tasks at the shop. He felt like his body was about to fall apart.

Throughout the day, he was in a highly tense state, his mind filled with various knowledge he had never heard of before. Any misstep would result in the cane striking down, making him even more nervous and unable to relax.

Lying on the bed, the young boy touched the sore spot on his buttocks, still feeling a fiery pain. He wondered if the next day's lessons would be even more challenging.

Despite the rigorous learning, the constant threat of the cane, and living in an extremely tense atmosphere all day, the young boy felt incredibly fulfilled. He had never been so immersed in the ocean of knowledge before.

It was evident that Audrey was a highly knowledgeable person, slightly surpassing Mr. Madeld in comparison. Many things Mr. Madeld could only explain roughly, but for Audrey, it seemed like common knowledge.

The young boy thought to himself, wondering when he could become as knowledgeable as Audrey. However, he understood that for him, the most important thing at the moment was to excel in the courses Audrey had prepared.

For the young boy, it would have been better if Audrey were as amiable as Mr. Madeld. The only regret the young boy felt was the pain the cane inflicted on his buttocks.

The courses on the second day were not as challenging as the young boy had imagined. In fact, because he was gradually adapting to the highly tense learning environment, the lessons on the second day were not as difficult as the first. The only punishment he received that day was for not controlling the horse well during equestrian training. However, the young boy felt it was unfair as he had never ridden a horse before, and achieving such results on his first attempt was quite commendable.

As he had anticipated, in the following days, horseback riding became easier for him, and the courses became simpler. He even had the energy to spare some time to study and read about topics he enjoyed.

The young boy had gradually grown accustomed to his new identity. When others called him Ivan Baindite, he naturally responded as if it were his name.

However, the young boy remained puzzled about his studies. They didn't seem like they were meant to serve others but rather to be served by others. It seemed like Audrey was grooming him to be a refined and wealthy child from a respectable family, someone who could leisurely ride in carriages, be attended by numerous servants, and enjoy the luxuries of the wealthiest families in the world.

The young boy wondered what purpose it served for his employer to train him in this manner. He was filled with doubts.

As time passed, his doubts grew heavier. The swordsmanship and horsemanship courses had essentially concluded, and his performance at morning and afternoon teas and any banquet had left even his strict teacher with no faults to point out. In terms of conversation, under Audrey's training and the various peculiarities he had witnessed in South Harbor, he excelled, much to Audrey's satisfaction. Even if placed among the most noble aristocrats of the Francian Kingdom, the young boy's eloquence would undoubtedly set him apart.

To the young boy, Audrey was akin to a family tutor or a private secretary employed by wealthy noble families.