Sure the root word might be Latin, (and so is a majority of European vocabulary), but the specific usage of "novice" meaning "newbie" in English, comes from the monastic orders, via French.
Monastic orders, which, in fact, did not "do stuff, like slaves, LOLZ", but were instrumental in preserving (or rediscovering) knowledge and technology from the imperial era.
https://www.etymonline.com/word/novice
Sure the root word might be Latin, (and so is a majority of European vocabulary), but the specific usage of "novice" meaning "newbie" in English, comes from the monastic orders, via French.
Monastic orders, which, in fact, did not "do stuff, like slaves, LOLZ", but were instrumental in preserving (or rediscovering) knowledge and technology from the imperial era.