Trash Talk.
It was unexpected that the meat would turn out to be very delicious. Maybe it was the dog meat or the cook's skill. It made him lick his lips, which worked extra well in intimidating his enemies.
Either way, he didn't regret giving the dog meat a try at all. It was both delicious, and eating it served to deliver a message to his rebellious neighbor.
The only disadvantage of his actions was that the mistress thought that he was mad and unsafe to be around. She moved out of the neighborhood, so he didn't gain anything from them after that.
Also, everyone thinks that he is crazy too. But he doesn't mind being labeled as crazy as long as it allows him to get whatever he wants when he wants it.
He sighed and said, "I have had quite an adventure in my youth."
Thompson glanced at him when he said that. He found it odd that a boy of seven would say that. But he didn't say anything about it.
The two of them continued into the building for their orientation. During the short 50-meter journey from the gate to the building, they met a lot of teenagers that knew Arthur.
These people are children of servants who have enjoyed his distribution of bread for the past four years.
Even if they hadn't had the pleasure of eating his bread, they had heard of how he would distribute bread early in the morning every day for four years in a row.
So while they were surprised to see him joining them for training, they were even happier to see him.
Many of them rushed over to greet him. Some of them offered to help him carry his lunch box, but he declined. He greeted everyone enthusiastically without putting on airs.
Soon a crowd formed, with many people lining up to greet him. The calls of "Good morning, Lord Red," rang out through the entrance of the training facility.
The noise drew a lot of attention and made those who didn't know him pay attention to him and ask others about his identity.
These ignorant folks were the minority. They were either children of servants that worked outside of the compound or bastards that lived outside of the compound.
Their numbers couldn't compare to the number of children that had enjoyed his kindness or heard about it. As even the bastards of the Dyson family that live on other streets in the compound had heard of him.
All the greetings and the exchange of pleasantries made him take a lot of time to cover the short distance to the training building.
He was quickly directed to the class room for the first years. It was an open space with a podium in front. There was a desk and chair on the podium. There were also mats rolled up and placed by the wall.
When he got there, he found that there were a lot of kids starting their training already there waiting. Many of them recognized him and came forward to greet him.
This began another round of greetings, albeit shorter than the previous one. Arthur didn't mind it and returned every greeting with a smile.
He did so because it was basic courtesy, not because he wanted to look good to make it easier to earn karma in the future.
While he is innately proud of himself, that is only because of his identity as a reincarnator and possessor of the Mountain Sitting Dao.
He doesn't think he is superior to the children of servants because of his identity as a bastard. That is because who they were born to was not their choice.
He believes that children shouldn't be treated differently because of their background since they don't get to pick who their parents are.
He too didn't get to pick who his parents are. It was by chance that he became a bastard. With luck, he could have been a true son or the son of a servant. So he treats everyone the same.
His source of pride is independent of background, which is why he feels superior to the true sons and daughters of the Dyson family too. If they were here, he would treat them the same way he is treating the children of servants.
Unfortunately, what he thinks and does is not enough to make everyone like him.
Not everyone in the room recognized him, and not everyone who recognized him came forward to greet him.
He doesn't mind that at all since their greetings won't add anything tangible to his life. He is sure that he will be able to live another day without their greetings.
Besides, it is possible that they didn't come forward because they were shy, intimidated, or introverted like Thompson.
It is also possible that they don't like him. He doesn't mind that either.
It is not a big deal to him that people don't like him. However, some of the people who don't like him decided to make a big deal out of it.
One of them strode forward together with five boys behind him. He approached Arthur with a sneer on his face, which made Arthur know that they wanted to cause trouble even before they spoke.
The boy called out, "Isn't this the little red devil?"
Arthur didn't waste time to retort. He called back, "Isn't this Mr. bed wetter?"
The boy's turned crimson. He said angrily, "That was a long time ago, and it was by mistake."
Arthur shrugged and said, "I know what I saw and heard. What I saw was that your bed was washed and put out to dry. Then I heard your mother say..."
He was interrupted by a shout from the boy. "Enough. You better shut up or..."
Arthur interrupted him, "Or what?"
His face was cold as he asked that question.
By this time, a crowd had formed around them. On one side was Arthur and the invisible Thompson. On the other side was Mr. bed wetter and his five lackeys.
Around them were the kids that had just been greeting Arthur. These kids were all looking at Mr. bed wetter with a frown. But he didn't notice all of these. His eyes were focused on Arthur alone.