Varian spent the following three days training under Micheal Astor.
A good butler needed competency in many areas, but their core focus remained the same. Make their master’s life better.
The residence complex of Astor Clan easily rivalled a small town. There were many mansions, and apartments in the lush green fields.
There were around a thousand people living here. Three hundred of them were Atsor Clan members. A hundred were butlers. There were two hundred maids and four hundred servants.
Usually, any butler started as a trainee butler. After spending a few years gaining experience, they’d be assigned to a clan member as a third class butler..
Then after a few decades, if they were lucky, they’d be promoted to a second class butler.
To be a first class butler, one needed strength, influence and reputation. Thus, there were only five of them.
Finally, the head butler that oversaw the entire residence. He was the closest aid of Clan Head and an unofficial Vice Clan Head.
The descendants of the head butler and first class butlers were regarded as members of Astor Clan.
This was a dream for many.
Thus when Micheal announced Varian would be promoted to a third class butler after a week’s training, he drew more envy than awe.
It didn’t affect the man in question.
Micheal started training Varian in the etiquette and the various written and unwritten rules of butler service.
Micheal was quite satisfied with the newbie who exhibited excellent understanding.
He learnt the etiquette, understood the rules and displayed his wisdom in knowing when to break and when to follow them.
Of course, he had a lot more to learn, but Micheal was confident he could start working after a few days.
This newbie definitely had the strength. After learning about him single handedly taking down four contestants, he was acknowledged.
He socialized within Micheal’s faction. He was a great drinker for a level 3 and quickly connected with others.
His interactions with the direct members of the Astor Clan were also harmonious so far.
He seemed to the know the buttons for every person.
Micheal even checked it himself.
He took the newbie to a calm looking young master and a cold faced young missy.
His task was to hold a conversation with them for ten minutes.
The young master with a calm exterior was actually easy to be angered. He hated the sunlight, hated flattery and hated the ever present fakeness.
So when the newbie butler went ahead and hit it off with the young master, Micheal was shocked.
The topic started from Varian confessing that he was tasked to talk with him, which gained the approval of the young master, and then it soon turned into why social politeness should be replaced with frankness.
His next target, the cold looking young missy ended up clutching her stomach as she couldn’t stop her laughter.
Somehow, after a few minutes, he knew the right topics of her interest.
“How did you do that?” Micheal asked, gazing curiously at the newbie.
The newbie maintained a humble expression and replied. “Intuition.”
Micheal squinted his eyes and didn’t delve deeper. “You have a very good EQ.”
Varian smiled lightly. ‘I have a ghost AI that hacked their personal information.’
After a tiring day, he retired to his living quarters.
Varian laid on the bed and tried to find a solution.
Micheal was always busy and there would always be at least a second class butler with him as a secretary.
This was the main branch, but the whole Astor Clan had tens of thousands of members.
The work of a first class butler was ridiculous. He taught Varian while working.
‘I need an opportunity.’ Varian was lost in thoughts when the bell rang.
{Wind courier express}
Varian picked the courier from the drones and opened the box.
There were daily necessities along with some new clothes. He tore the bag and picked the special herbs hidden.
Tapping the ring of his finger, the herbs disappeared and Boo’s voice sounded.
‘Poison will be prepared in an hour.’
The training continued and late night on the sixth day, Micheal called Varian.
After reaching the courtyard of Micheal’s mansion, Varian saw the sixteen butlers under Micheal along with the man himself seated across a table.
Varian sat at the end after greeting his ‘seniors’.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Varian could tell from the way they drooled at the Level 5 Magic Beast’s meat and their flushed faces after gulping down the third glass of precious Ulu wine.
Varian copied the act of the others and pretended to be ecstatic as he grabbed a roasted leg.
Micheal looked at his underlings and smiled. “Enjoy to your heart’s content today. You all have to arrange for an important meeting day after tomorrow.”
The table fell silent. Everyone stopped talking and glanced at the first class butler.
“Our vice head would be meeting with an ‘important’ guest. We’ll need to prepare thoroughly.” Micheal’s eyes glanced at the top butlers under him. They nodded fervently, indicating they wouldn’t miss.
Thomas said timidly. “But sir, neither me nor Wei can match you. If the guest is so important, it is better for you to do it.”
Varian recalled that the timid guy was recently promoted to a second class butler.
Micheal shook his head regretfully. “If it was any other time, it’d be my work. But recently, the dungeons affected our operations quite a bit.”
Varian raised an eyebrow. The atmosphere suddenly went dull.
There was something he wasn’t saying.
‘Master, the teams of Astor Clan that went to raid hideouts were ambushed. A few geniuses died and Astor Clan stopped sending them altogether.’
Varian put on a clueless face for others to see.
Micheal took a deep breath and continued. “We have officials across all levels.”
The butlers nodded. Astor Clan focused on officialdom unlike Martin and Ganbold that specialized in medicine and minerals.
“Someone is digging up the corruption materials of our low and mid cadre. And they’re doing it quickly.” Micheal’s eyes exuded killing intent. Even though he didn’t name it, it seemed like he knew the perpetrator.
Enigma.
“Don’t shame me. I’m counting on you.” Micheal said to the second class butlers and turned to the rest. “You should be helping them.”
“Yes.” Everyone agreed.
Except one.
Varian raised his hand and gave a polite smile. “Sir Micheal, I cannot help my seniors.”
Micheal raised an eyebrow. He didn’t like slackers. Even if it was a genius.
But Varian’s next words surprised him.
“I have a lot to learn from you. I want to be your personal assistant for a day.” Varian praised him a bit before stating his request.
Maxim, Micheal’s personal assistant stared at Varian gratefully. Recently, the workload was piling up and he needed a break.
Micheal recalled Varian’s excellent memory, which he didn’t know was Boo’s memory, and nodded.
“Fine. Don’t make any mistakes.”
“I will give my 200%.” Varian smiled excitedly.
Others thought he was excited to directly work under Micheal, but only he knew that he seized the opportunity.
