Original subtitles

This is a prestigious public school, protected by tradition and discipline.

Now that you are a student here, you must obey the rules.

Ciel Phantomhive...

Do you vow to abide by all of Weston College's traditions and rules?

Yes.

Dash it all! I'm going to be late!

W-Wait, please!

Made it.

Weston College, located on the banks of the Thames,

is England's most distinguished public school.

Its vast grounds are a labyrinth of giant school buildings

and chapels in the Gothic style.

There are four boarding houses with long histories,

and its students follow a strict disciplinary code that values tradition above all else.

The boys-only boarding houses,

plus its unique curriculum and first-rate educators,

supposedly make "true English gentlemen" of its students.

All the noble families willingly pay exorbitant fees

in order to get their sons the status it confers.

First impressions are crucial.

I need to focus.

Did he just...

Look at that.

Unbelievable.

He stepped on the lawn.

What nerve! He's not even one of the P4!

That's a guaranteed Y.

Oh dear.

What in the world—

Look!

Here they come.

It's the Prefect 4!

He'll get in trouble!

Uh-oh.

Serves him right.

He's going to hit me?

Your tie is crooked.

What's your name?

Phantomhive.

Not a familiar name.

The Head Master mentioned that a new student is entering Blue House today.

Would that be you?

Yes.

Weston College rule No. 48:

"Only prefects or those with a prefect's permission may cross the lawn."

You should have memorized the rules before you came.

I'm very sor—

Let's hurry indoors.

The sun makes it too bright out here.

Be more careful, Phantomhive.

Well, you're a lucky one! You stepped on the lawn and got off scot-free!

Here.

My name's McMillan. I'm a first-year in Blue House, like you.

I-I see. Thank you.

By the way, I kept hearing "P4" and "Y"—what do those mean?

"Y" is a unit of punishment. For every Y, you have to copy out 100 Latin hexameters.

And "P4"?

The four fellows you just met. Remember their coloured waistcoats?

Only prefects are allowed to choose their own waistcoat fabrics.

Prefects?

Think of them as the heads of the boarding houses.

The one in the red waistcoat was Edgar Redmond, the prefect of Scarlet Fox House,

where students of exceptionally high birth gather.

The one in the blue waistcoat was Lawrence Bluewer, the prefect of Sapphire Owl House,

where students who excel academically gather.

The one in the green waistcoat was Herman Greenhill, the prefect of Green Lion House,

where students who excel at martial arts and sports gather.

The one in the purple waistcoat was Gregory Violet, the prefect of Violet Wolf House,

where students who excel in the arts gather.

They're the four prefects of Weston College's historic boarding houses,

or the "P4" for short!

Right...

Ah, how I look up to them! I'd love to be a prefect one day.

If only, eh?

Still, not being able to cross the lawn seems like an unproductive rule.

Traditions can feel like that.

Oh, no! We'll be late for lessons!

Let's hurry! I don't want any Ys!

Though I have to say, I'm surprised Colet left so suddenly.

And it must have been rough on you, transferring in the middle of a half.

I'd been waiting a long time for the chance. I'm more than happy to catch up.

Boy up!

The last boy to answer that order has to do tasks for the older boys!

What?!

Are you new here, straggler?

Yes.

Return to the House when you've finished shining the prefect's shoes, then.

We'll throw you a welcoming party.

Welcome to our boarding house, Phantomhive.

I do hope you'll enjoy yourself.

And toss!

And toss!

Well? What do you think of our traditional House welcoming party?

And toss!

Be sure to study even more diligently now that you're a member of Sapphire Owl House.

And toss!

Toss him even higher this time!

No, stop—

What's all this commotion? I'll assign you all Ys.

Drat! The House Master!

Clayton, I'm surprised to see an older boy joining in. What's this about?

Well, sir, it's House tradition...

Tsk tsk. Traditions are all well and good, but do exercise moderation.

I take it you're Phantomhive, the new boy?

Welcome to Sapphire Owl House.

I'm Michaelis, the House Master.

Pleased to meet you, Master Michaelis.

I'm sorry you've had so much trouble on your first day, Phantomhive.

Are you hurt?

I thank you for your concern,

though I would've been even happier if you'd stopped them sooner.

It would have been boorish of me to come down too hard on a rite of passage.

You see, I am merely one hell of a House Master.

Now, Phantomhive, you're wanted in the Head Master's office.

How was your first day here, Phantomhive?

If Blue House doesn't suit you, you can come to Red House.

Someone of your station is always welcome.

Only the Head Master has the authority to decide House assignments. No exceptions.

It would probably be the same at any House.

This is a prestigious public school, protected by tradition and discipline.

Now that you are a student here, you must obey the rules.

Ordinarily, the Head Master would offer you a few words of welcome,

but he's horribly busy, so I shall take his place.

I am Johann Agares, Lower Master of the College.

The Head Master decides everything here.

Within this institution, his decisions are the highest law.

And we prefects are tasked with governing the student body.

Any troublesome duties get foisted on us. It's a beastly role.

This has been the school's tradition since its founding.

And...

Tradition is absolute.

Ciel Phantomhive...

Do you vow to abide by all of Weston College's traditions and rules?

Yes.

Then sign here, please.

Master Agares!

Pardon me, pardon me, pardon me. Pardon me, pardon me, pardon me.

Sign here, please.

Welcome to Weston College, Phantomhive.

We're pleased to have you.

I hope you'll have a pleasant life here.

Pardon me, but when do you think I'll be able to give my regards to the Head Master?

The Head Master is far too busy to meet with ordinary students.

Only we prefects are permitted appointments with him.

Ordinary students can't meet with the Head Master?

So the Head Master is essentially an absolute monarch here?

In public schools, boys of roughly ages 13 to 18

live together in boarding houses and devote themselves to their studies.

Every aspect of their lives is dictated by the ringing of the bells.

"Drudges"?

Right. Drudges are a bit like apprentices. Or perhaps little brothers?

After breakfast, it's time for us to work.

It's a unique Weston tradition where each junior boy serves a senior boy.

Serves him how?

Tidy his room, iron his school dress,

bring him a hot-water bottle at night—that sort of thing.

Playing butler, essentially.

Another troublesome tradition.

Do the prefects have drudges?

Of course! Clayton serves Bluewer, the Blue House prefect.

Clayton?

Ah, him.

Drudges are different from butlers, since the drudge-masters look after them in return.

Maybe the best way to describe it is they're like brothers, except only at school.

Brothers, eh?

Oh, and the prefects' drudges get special privileges!

They have the same House flower pinned to their tailcoats,

and they can cross the lawn if they get permission.

And I hear they even get to join the P4 at the "midnight tea parties" held by the Head Master!

If I can attend a midnight tea party,

I'll have a chance to make contact with the Head Master.

But the guest list being restricted to the P4 and their drudges makes things a bit tricky.

I'd love to attend one someday! If only, eh?

I'm getting nowhere. I'll have to cut straight to the point.

Changing the subject, if I may...

Do you happen to know Derrick Arden, the son of the Duke of Clemens?

I believe he's in Scarlet Fox House—

What's this?

Phantomhive!

No one likes a boy who's too friendly with people in other Houses!

Pardon? Are we little girls in cliques now?

There are lots of inter-house competitions, you see.

But I'm sure I recall Arden being specially transferred to Purple House.

Transferred?

I don't know the details, but they say it was on the Head Master's orders.

The Head Master's?

I-In any event, it's best not to get involved with other Houses!

Especially Violet Wolf House.

What do you mean—

McMillan! Time for work!

Coming!

This is my senior. Cheerio, Phantomhive!

What's that pose about?

So Derrick Arden's House assignment changed?

There must be something in that.

Phantomhive!

Yes, Clayton?

You'll be cleaning the dining room until you're assigned a senior.

The dining room?

You mean... this whole room?

Indeed.

And I'll accept no slacking!

Sebastian.

Right here.

Apparently, Derrick Arden changed houses.

His name does appear next to Violet Wolf House in the register.

He should be there at this hour.

I'll go call on him. You clean up here.

Very good, my lord.

Well, then...

To work!

This is quite the aesthetic.

Fitting for the House full of eccentrics.

It's an outsider.

An outsider.

That's Blue House's crest.

Wh-When did they get here?!

Oi, swot. What business have you got with Purple House?

You'll need more than just good marks before you're allowed here!

Get out.

Yes, get out.

Leave, outsider.

Get out!

Ouch!

Get away from Purple House!

Bring a nice, thick dictionary to protect your head next time, you swotty sap!

Wh-What was that about?!

What's all the ruckus?

Hullo, Violet.

One of the swots showed up.

The new boy?

That was awful.

I see the hostility between Houses is worse than I thought.

Never mind the Head Master, I can't even visit Arden?

Titles and wealth mean nothing here.

As long as I'm an ordinary student, I'll have trouble even gathering information.

Which leaves only one way to get to the heart of this.

I'll just have to curry favour with the Prefect 4.

The question is how...

I can't believe it.

How did he do it?

Phantomhive!

Yes?!

Oh, no! Does he know I didn't clean up?!

I'm not one to hand out compliments. However...

Today, I'm willing to commend you!

I'm sorry?

Our ancient—I mean historic—dining room has never looked so spotless!

Brilliant work, Phantomhive!

You flatter me.

That rotter went too far!

Master Michaelis!

What is it?

Look at this dining room! Phantomhive cleaned it today.

Most impressive.

Good work, Phantomhive.

This was uncalled-for.

Thank you, sir.

Hold on.

Clayton is Bluewer's drudge...

I had him do it to see what he was made of,

since he hasn't got a drudge-master yet.

I can use this.

I never imagined he'd do so well in such little time.

My scheme to ingratiate myself with the prefects will start with him.

I'm ever so glad I pleased you.

Truthfully, housework is my specialty!

Please, ask me for anything you need, Clayton.

"My dear boy—

It's so dreadful what happened on the Campania."

"I hope you are quite recovered and are enjoying your Easter."

"As for myself, I am afraid I find myself so worried

that I am unable to truly enjoy the holiday."

"What is troubling me is my cousin Clemens' son, Derrick."

"Derrick is in his fifth year at Weston,

and for some reason, he hasn't been home to see his parents since last summer."

"He used to write them every day, but his letters have stopped as well."

"His mother the duchess tried visiting his boarding house,

but I'm told he refused to come out."

"Ordinarily, I would assume he's simply in a rebellious phase,

but it seems many other students have also stopped returning home."

"What could have happened to them?"

"Poor Clemens is quite ill over losing contact with his only son in this way."

"I'm terribly worried."

"I pray that my loved ones will soon all be able to enjoy a quiet Easter holiday.

—Victoria."

In other words, she's saying, "Investigate why the Weston students have gone missing."

And implying that she'd have trouble acting directly because public schools

are independent institutions protected from government interference.

But I imagine the truth is

she doesn't want to make a fuss and risk publicly exposing family secrets.

Worrying about appearances even at a time like this...

This is just the trouble with humans.

I'd prefer to have someone infiltrate the school,

but Weston is full of noblemen's sons.

There aren't many peers to choose from, and any of them would be recognized.

Trying to disguise anyone's identity would be risky.

You'll go yourself, then?

What choice do I have?

Well, I won't mind the Queen owing me a favour.

The issue is whether Weston has an opening for a new student.

Easily solved. If there isn't one, you can create one.

I had better handle the investigation on College grounds.

You will support me without getting found out.

I leave the specifics to you.

Yes, my lord.