After asking to become Vincent's disciple, he made me go through some… ceremony?
"You will now kowtow to me two hundred and thirty times." [Vincent]
"Huh?" [Solace]
"You heard me. Two hundred and thirty times. Kowtow." [Vincent]
I looked at him with utter confusion.
"Kowtow? Like, getting on my knees and bowing my head?" [Solace]
"Yes." [Vincent]
"Two hundred and thirty times?" [Solace]
"Yes." [Vincent]
"Why two hundred and thirty times?" [Solace]
"It's tradition." [Vincent]
"What kind of weird tradition- ah, hell. Whatever." [Solace]
Just like Vincent had requested, I knelt down on both knees and bowed.
"That's one." [Vincent]
"I know, I know…" [Solace]
I continued to lift my head and bring it back down slowly, which was giving my stomach and back quite a workout.
"I can't believe I'm watching this." [Leyhna]
"Matter of fact, neither am I." [Vincent]
About ten minutes pass and I begin to see the end.
("Two hundred ten. Two hundred eleven. Two hundred twelve.") [Solace]
As soon as I finished my two hundred and thirty kowtows, I felt relieved.
"Phew… Am I done?" [Solace]
"Mhm. Well done." [Vincent]
He smiled mischievously, as if he had found a new toy to play with.
"You will now only refer to me as master." [Vincent]
"Uh… okay?" [Solace]
"Okay, what?" [Vincent]
After he asked me that question, I knew I was in for a tough time.
"Okay… Master." [Solace]
"Good. Veeeery good." [Vincent]
He had a smug look on his face, which kind of annoyed me.
"So, Master, what's next?" [Solace]
"I will teach you the one hundred rules of the Iron gentleman." [Vincent]
"The Iron what now?" [Solace]
"Iron gentleman. It's the rules that I live by. As my student, you will learn it too." [Vincent]
My master then walked over to the portable chalkboard from before and erased whatever was left on it. Then, he began to list out numbers as an outline.
"Gentleman's rule number one: You shall never hurt a lady." [Vincent]
"...What do you do when a woman tries to kill you then?" [Solace]
"Woo her." [Vincent]
"Bruh." [Solace]
I was beginning to think my master was a bit crazy.
"What if I can't woo her?" [Solace]
"Curb her bloodthirst. Pour her a cup of tea to calm her, or something similar." [Vincent]
"I… don't think that's going to work." [Solace]
Vincent looked at me as if he was tired of my remarks.
"...Gentleman's rule number two: The disciple will never talk back to their master lest they receive punishment." [Vincent]
"What? That just sounds like you made that one u-" [Solace]
"No talking back!" [Vincent]
He snapped his fingers, causing me to feel an electrifying pain throughout my body.
"Argh! What the hell?!" [Solace]
"You have acquired |Shock Resistance|." [Spirit Guide]
"Remember to mind your tongue next time." [Vincent]
The pain only lasted for an instant, but my body felt a bit numb.
"Gentleman's rule number three: When fighting an opponent, you may not grab the hair, or aim for the crotch." [Vincent]
"Understandable." [Solace]
Vincent motioned for a finger snap, but withdrew his fingers after realizing what I said isn't in the "talking back" category.
"Gentleman's rule number four: You must not fight without class. Should you fight barbarically, simply withdraw." [Vincent]
"That's… nevermind." [Solace]
Though I wanted to say something, I shut my mouth in fear of getting shocked.
"Gentleman's rule number five: When fighting someone who has committed horrendous deeds, show them no mercy." [Vincent]
"...Does this one come from experience?" [Solace]
"Unfortunately… Yes." [Vincent]
He made a melancholic expression upon answering. Maybe I brought up a distant memory that I shouldn't have brought up.
"By the way… Did you make all these gentleman's rules by yourself?" [Solace]
"Hm?" [Vincent]
My question seemed to pique his interest. The melancholic expression faded, and he answered my question.
"Ah, to be honest… No. I did not come up with it." [Vincent]
"Then… Was it passed down from the Reid household?" [Solace]
"...Not exactly. I'll tell you where it originated from another time. Just know that the gentleman's rules only had three at the beginning." [Vincent]
"I'm guessing you made the new ones?" [Solace]
"Indeed. Ah, by the way, you will be required to have memorized it all by the next two weeks." [Vincent]
I blinked at him a few times, unsure of what I just heard.
"Excuse me?" [Solace]
"It appears you weren't listening. You must memorize all one hundred rules once two weeks have passed. If not, I will train your body to resist the cold." [Vincent]
"Yikes… I don't think I'm going to watch that one." [Leyhna]
"Huh?! Is it that bad?!" [Solace]
"Best pay attention now." [Vincent]