Interlude: Useful Trash and Useless Trash

In the suburbs, there stood a mansion that commanded the horizon, its scale bordering on the obscene. The interior was draped in excessive luxury, centered around a room so cavernous it felt more like a hall than a living space.

I, Neil Albert, stood in the center of it all. I caught my reflection in a nearby mirror—tall, blond, and possessing a face that radiated a refreshing, noble charm.

"Priscilla," I said, my voice steady. "There are two types of humans in this world, excluding myself. Do you know what they are?"

I kept my face perfectly expressionless as I addressed the black-haired maid standing at my side. She was a masterpiece of a servant—handsome features, well-proportioned, and skin so white it lacked a single blemish.

"My apologies, Lord Neil," Priscilla replied, her voice a flat, melodic monotone. "With my limited intellect, I am utterly incapable of providing an answer."

On the floor before us, a man in a tailcoat was pressed into a desperate kowtow. He didn’t dare utter a sound, his forehead glued to the polished floorboards.

"Raise your head," I commanded.

"Yes, Lord Neil! I—I cannot apologize enough for—"

"Priscilla."

"Yes."

"Hi—HIGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

The man’s scream tore through the room as flames manifested in Priscilla’s palm, searing his cheek. I didn’t blink. I didn’t even twitch. The sound was merely noise, and noise was beneath me.

"Do not speak without permission," I said coldly. "Priscilla."

"Yes."

With her other hand, she conjured a sphere of pure water. She pressed the freezing liquid ruthlessly into the man’s fresh burn. He screamed again, a jagged, pathetic sound.

How many times must I deal with such incompetence?

When the display finished, I looked down at the quivering wreck. "How many years have you served House Albert?"

"...F-five years, my lord."

"I see. Then you shall work as a slave starting tomorrow."

"N-no... please! Mercy! H-HIGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

The flames took him again. The man eventually scrambled to his feet, staggering out of the room under his own power. He was an eyesore.

"He was useless trash," I remarked. "But you, Priscilla... you are useful trash."

"Your words are my greatest joy. I am honored."

I reached out, catching her chin between my fingers and forcing her to look up. I allowed the smallest of smiles to touch my lips. "That beautiful skin is your only redeeming quality."

"I am unworthy of such praise, my lord."

"Hmph. Spare me the false modesty. Anyway... do you know of Weiss?"

"Yes. I believe he is the eldest son of House Fanscent."

"It seems Sophia is busy spreading rumors about him, calling him the man who repelled the Demon Race. I’ve also heard he’s the reason Eva is still enrolled at the Academy."

I noticed a slight twitch in Priscilla’s cheek.

"What is it?" I asked.

"...I simply found it rare for you to take such an interest in another person, Lord Neil."

"Haha. Interest? Perhaps." I let go of her chin. "Priscilla, change."

"Yes."

Without a hint of hesitation or resistance, Priscilla reached up and removed her headband. She proceeded to shed her skirt and jacket, standing there in nothing but her pure white undergarments. I watched with clinical indifference.

"Summer Vacation (Estarm) is finally over. It's time we returned to Noblesse. As a senior, I suppose I should go greet my juniors."

Priscilla pulled a Noblesse student uniform from the wardrobe and began to dress. She then prepared my uniform as well. Sewn onto the shoulder was the emblem of a third-year student—the same as Eva’s.

---

"Priscilla, give me the briefing. Keep it concise."

I leaned back in the carriage as we rattled toward Nobless Academy.

"Eleanor Witch and Sierra Witch have been granted 'supplementary graduation' status," Priscilla reported. "They are required to attend Noblesse a few times a week, effectively placing them in the same grade as you, Lord Neil. Among the first-years, Beryl of House Friede and Meryl of House Stone are currently fighting for the top spot. In the second year, the top student is Weiss Fancent. He is being pursued closely by a commoner named Allen."

"I thought those sisters might be useful, but it turns out they’re just more trash. More importantly... a commoner? Someone let a commoner into Noblesse?"

"It is as I said, my lord. Reports suggest he has the ability to copy the magic of others."

A copycat? I felt a dark cloud settle over my mood. The Academy has truly fallen if they’re letting monkeys enroll.

"Furthermore," Priscilla continued, "most of the individuals I just mentioned were involved in repelling the Large-scale Invasion of the Demon Race in the Kingdom of Carlos. Also, Milk Abitus was appointed as a teacher last year."

"Hah. Things are getting interesting. This might actually be more entertaining than I expected."

Before long, the carriage pulled up to the gates of Nobless Academy. Priscilla stepped out immediately, holding the door open for me.

"It’s been a while," I murmured, stepping onto the pavement.

"Indeed."

I scanned the courtyard. A group of unfamiliar first-year girls caught sight of me. Immediately, I switched. I wiped the coldness from my face and offered them a warm, radiant smile and a wave.

"Wh-Who is that?! He’s so handsome!"

"Is he a senior? I don't remember seeing him before..."

"Look at how tall he is!"

As soon as the girls scurried off, I let the mask slip. My face returned to its natural, expressionless state.

Acting charming for trash is exhausting.

"Yes, my lord," Priscilla agreed.

At that moment, a woman with translucent white hair drifted across my path. Eva Avery.

"Eva."

"Hm? Oh my... if it isn't Neil. It’s been quite some time."

"I was certain you would have abandoned this place by now."

"Fufufu, that was the plan. But then some very interesting children appeared among the underclassmen."

"I see. Putting that aside, would you care to serve House Albert after graduation?"

"My, are you courting me?"

"You are useful," I said simply.

"Thank you. Well, it does sound like it might be fun. I’ll keep it in mind."

"See that you do."

Eva turned her gaze to the black-haired girl at my side. "Priscilla-chan, long time no see. You’ve gotten even cuter, haven't you?"

"Thank you very much."

"Fufufu, let's play again soon. Our little score hasn't been settled yet, after all."

Eva sauntered off with a playful smile. Priscilla watched her go, then spoke without my permission—a rare lapse.

"...It is unusual for you to personally invite someone like that, Lord Neil."

"Because she is useful trash. Looking down on every single human is a fool’s errand. It’s what the truly weak do. You understand, don't you?"

"Yes."

I felt my expression soften just a fraction. "Priscilla, what is my current point total?"

"54,560, my lord."

"Hah. They’ve dropped significantly."

"I do not believe it will be an issue."

"I loathe the idea of spending more time in this pathetic Academy, but this too is an important job. Just make sure you don't lose to anyone other than Eva."

"Understood. There will be no problem."

"Good. Let’s move."

"Yes, my lord."

As we walked away, the hushed whispers of a few nearby first-years reached my ears.

"Did you see that?"

"Yeah, he's gorgeous. I've never seen him before."

"No, not him. Look at the girl."

"The black-haired maid?"

"Yeah. Look... on her neck. That’s a Slave Crest."

"Wait, what? Isn't that... isn't that the kind you can never take off?"

"I... I think so..."