John

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

John’s parents drowned years before the main events, leaving him orphaned. His aunt, the village chief’s wife, sent him to Azan Castle, where he became Lin Ke’s personal manservant. His appointment also helped his aunt and her husband rise from an ordinary couple to the village chief and his wife 49.

Lin Ke originally chose John because of his black hair. Being the young master’s personal valet protected John from the harsh treatment suffered by other servants, though John admits that his position also allowed him to bully younger servants. Lin Ke nevertheless treats him as a childhood friend rather than merely an attendant 4 49.

John is expected to become Lin Ke’s steward when Lin Ke succeeds as Viscount Azan. Billy trains him in household duties, including arrangements for wounded guards and their compensation. The household initially sets aside one thousand gold coins for John’s Bloodline Enlightenment, alongside the same amount for Lin Ke 16 17 18.

Appearance

• Build: Thin and small, approximately Lin Ke’s height 4.
• Hair and eyes: Black hair and large, bright, lively black eyes 4.
• Clothing: Wears a fiery-red servant’s uniform while hosting performances at the Land of Wonders 44.

Personality

John’s loyalty is instinctive and deeply personal. He anxiously checks Lin Ke for injuries after the confrontation with the first lady, steps between him and the approaching Nix despite being frightened, and considers Lin Ke’s happiness more important than his own safety 4 12 19. After missing the dangerous banquet in Parrot City, he blames himself and keeps watch with a dagger during the return journey 40.

He is emotional, easily flustered, and eager for reassurance. Lin Ke’s kindness moves him to tears, while being publicly called the young master’s “most loyal servant” makes him proudly puff out his chest. He imitates Billy’s elaborate praise and initially struggles to accept that Lin Ke can make mistakes 4 24 46.

John feels possessive of his place beside Lin Ke and resents Nix receiving attention and the privilege of Enlightenment. Their rivalry eventually becomes an incentive for John to improve himself rather than undermine Nix. He can envy Nix’s talent while still being pleased that it benefits their young master 18 24 27.

He remains playful and sometimes slow to understand explanations. He fails to grasp the purpose of Lin Ke’s guard training and prefers helping Furon decorate her hair to meditating until Lin Ke urges him to work harder. His successful stage hosting reveals an aptitude that contrasts with his usual hesitant manner 9 29 44 47.

Abilities & Skills

[Scholar]

John acquires the [Scholar] profession through Ove’s instruction 27.

• Studies force, pulley systems, and friction through practical demonstrations and research exercises 26 27.
• Can learn writing and related subjects quickly as a [Scholar] 47.
• Practices meditation to gather elements and nourish his bloodline 29 30 49.
• His bloodline requires relatively little elemental nourishment before becoming full; its specific identity and any inscribed skills are not revealed 23 49.

Household Service

John handles Lin Ke’s daily needs while preparing for a future steward’s responsibilities 16 17.

• Helps Lin Ke dress and change clothes, and directs other servants to fetch clothing 4 15.
• Relays urgent orders throughout the convoy and gathers servants and guards for announcements 15 23.
• Understands some of Lin Ke’s unspoken signals, including instructions to restore guard patrols and arrange lesson refreshments 12 24.
• Still lacks Billy’s judgment and polish: after Lin Ke finishes a cup of milk, John offers another despite the young master preparing for bed 49.

Public Speaking and Hosting

John serves as the presenter for the Land of Wonders’ first entertainment program 44 45.

• Welcomes approximately two hundred farmers, directs them to their seats, and establishes that they must remain in the audience area 44.
• Introduces The Coiled Serpent Ring and subsequent acts, including Free to Fly, Romeo and the Forty Thieves, and Snow White 44 45.
• His initial confidence is assisted by a Courage Spell and an Exhilaration Spell; the passages do not identify him as their caster 44.
• Enjoys the experience afterward. Lin Ke judges him the evening’s best performer and asks him to host again without a script 47.

Equipment / Items

• Small dagger — Clutches it while keeping watch over Lin Ke during the nighttime return from Parrot City 40.
• Straight wooden stick — Uses it to direct the first audience toward their seats 44.
• Parchment script — Reads the opening announcement for the Land of Wonders 44.

Relationships

• Lin Ke Azan — Master, childhood friend, and playmate. Lin Ke explicitly tells John that he is “not just a servant,” includes him in training, and intervenes when late-night service threatens his sleep 4 49.
• Steward Billy — Household mentor and model for John’s future position. Billy saves John’s wages, teaches him steward duties, and inspires his attempts at formal praise 16 18 27 46.
• Nix — Fellow attendant and one-sided rival. John initially resents Nix’s closeness to Lin Ke, then competes by pursuing his own advancement; Nix does not regard them as rivals 18 27.
• Furon — Lin Ke’s mother. John is entrusted with protecting her during the tiger encounter and later enjoys helping her put flowers in her hair 12 29.
• Ove — Enlightenment teacher and instructor in the [Scholar] profession. John follows Lin Ke’s directions to remain still around the anxious teacher 19 20 27.
• Village chief’s wife — His aunt, who sends him to the castle after his parents’ deaths and later shares news of Lin Ke’s possible admission charges 49.
• Antova — The first lady. After she accuses John of wagging his tongue, Lin Ke insists on taking him on the supply trip because he fears she may punish or replace him; this remains Lin Ke’s suspicion 8.

Story Role / Major Arcs

The Misreported Punishment

• John receives conflicting reports: Sophie says Furon has been taken away, while Vivi says she has merely gone to tea. Bush passes the alarming version to Lin Ke before John can clarify it 2 4.
• Lin Ke accepts John’s explanation. John’s subsequent mention of “class-holders” prompts Lin Ke to seek Billy’s account of the world’s power system 4 5.

The Supply Convoy and Giant Tigers

• Despite trembling at the prospect of enemies, John is the first to echo Lin Ke’s cry of “For the glory of Azan!”, helping the guards rally 11.
• He shields Lin Ke from Nix’s sudden approach, restores the guards’ patrol on Lin Ke’s signal, and takes Nix inside to protect Furon 12.
• After the victory, he again leads the response to Lin Ke’s rallying cry, then helps him change out of his bloodied clothing and relays the urgent return orders 14 15.

Return from Parrot City

• John is absent from the banquet that places Lin Ke and Furon in danger. After Ove gathers the scattered party, John keeps watch on the journey home, refusing to rest because he wants to make up for his absence 37 40.

Land of Wonders

• John becomes the host of Azan’s first public performance, guiding an audience unfamiliar with staged entertainment through the program 44 45.
• His enthusiastic delivery earns Lin Ke’s approval and a request to host the next performance without relying on a script 47.

Notable Quotes

“No, no, no! However great a class-holder may be, they cannot match even one ten-thousandth of your glory, young master!” 4

“Young master, serving you is my honor.” 49

Trivia

• John sucks his thumb or finger when thinking or becoming interested in something 4 19.
• He considers himself “already an adult” at six years old 24.
• Lin Ke expects him to be embarrassed after the confidence-enhancing magic wears off, but John instead admits that hosting felt good 44 47.