Kent City

Marquis Kent's territory was vast, stretching several hundred miles in every direction—equivalent to an entire province. He was a powerful and influential landed noble of the Empire.

His territory consisted mainly of plains and forests, crisscrossed by rivers, with highly developed agriculture. Within these hundreds of miles of land stood numerous cities.

Kent City was the political, economic, and cultural center of the marquis's territory. Not only did it boast a large population, but it was also steeped in fantasy.

It was difficult to spot a Magic Apprentice in Will City under normal circumstances. There was not even a single shop selling potions or Magical Items, but in Kent City, such things could be found everywhere.

The morning light was slightly chilly. On the main road leading straight to Kent City, countless pedestrians and carriages slowly moved forward, the carts loaded with all manner of goods.

"Clip-clop." Amid the bustling traffic, Colin rode a rented East Gran White Horse. He wore a black coat, matching trousers, and riding boots, with a sharpened two-handed greatsword at his waist. Combined with his especially burly build, he gave off the air of a ranger.

After receiving Linda's approval, Colin went to the school to ask Ms. Anna for leave. After informing Bill as well, he took the six silver coins Linda had given him for travel expenses, rented a white horse, and rode toward Kent City.

The riding skills he had learned at school came in handy, and he controlled the white horse with steady ease.

Colin carefully guided the horse through narrow gaps in the crowd at an extremely slow pace, finally arriving outside Kent City.

It was a circular city. Two square pillars stood on either side of its gate, and the black gate itself was exceptionally tall and magnificent. Two flags flew above it, each bearing the Kent Family Crest.

It was a shield divided equally between yellow and white, with two crossed silver Two-handed Greatswords below it and a gleaming golden crown above.

Every noble or Hereditary Knight with a territory possessed a family crest. Shields and Two-handed Greatswords were common elements, while the crown represented a marriage alliance between Marquis Kent's family and the royal family.

A squad of knights in full armor guarded the gate, and more knights stood atop the walls. Some of them might have been extraordinary beings, while others might only have been ordinary Novice Knights.

Colin had no way of telling.

There was no fee to enter the city, but everyone had to dismount and proceed on foot. Under the watchful gazes of the many knights, Colin swung down from his horse, took hold of its gray reins, and walked into Kent City.

The city was crowded and lively, filled with noise and bustle. Its prosperity was far beyond anything a Small City like Will City could compare with. Colin broadened his horizons, looking around from time to time like a country bumpkin entering the city.

Still, Colin did not forget his real business. He first found an inn and booked an ordinary room, then boarded his rented white horse there. He gave a few extra Copper Coins to have the attendant prepare good feed for it.

After asking around, he headed toward Kent City's famous Magic Street.

On Magic Street, Colin saw many mages clad in robes of various colors, mostly gray and white. There were also unconventional mages in red robes, their garments often attached to hoods, magic wands glowing with magical light held in their hands.

Powerful knights could be seen everywhere here. Colin's heart trembled just from looking at them. Both sides of the street were packed with all sorts of magic shops.

Potion shops and Magical Items stores were generally not divided so distinctly. Those that sold potions also sold Magical Items, and those that sold Magical Items also sold potions.

Colin quickly noticed something. The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and his mood brightened.

Outside nearly every finely decorated magic shop hung small wooden signs bearing messages such as, "Potionist wanted, excellent compensation," or "Recruiting potionists, Rune Masters, and smiths; compensation negotiable."

The war between the Empire and the eastern Kingdom of Kexas had indeed greatly affected Marquis Kent's Territory in the south.

Drawing on the experience he had gained from job hunting in his previous life, Colin examined one magic shop after another until he finally found a mediocre-looking shop in a remote location.

The shop occupied two units. The left side held the entrance, while the right side featured a floor-to-ceiling window. From outside, he could see all kinds of Magical Items displayed inside.

A vertical sign hung before the door. "George Magic Shop."

Not only was this shop poorly located, it also had little business. The moment Colin stepped in through the entrance, he saw three listless clerks. One was a relatively well-dressed middle-aged man, perhaps the manager.

The middle-aged man and the two clerks all brightened at the sight of Colin entering. Although the boy looked young and was not dressed like a wealthy man, he was a customer, at least.

The middle-aged man was named Billy, and he was indeed the manager of this shop. Disregarding his status, he hurried past the two clerks and went straight to the entrance to greet Colin.

"What would you like to buy, sir?" Billy bent over eagerly, wearing a perfectly measured smile. The two clerks had intended to step forward as well, but now stood awkwardly to the side.

"Potions," Colin replied impassively.

"What kind of potion would you like? What grade? Our shop carries vitality, healing, strength, Agility, mental power, and all kinds of Magic Resistance Potions. We have basic, first-grade, and second-grade varieties." Billy not only introduced them enthusiastically, but also led Colin into the other unit. Inside stood a huge glass counter filled with glass vessels containing potions that shimmered in all kinds of magical light.

Colin felt as though he had discovered a treasure trove, seized by the urge to rob the place. If all of these were mine, my strength would improve by leaps and bounds.

He took a breath and suppressed the unrealistic thought. Then he examined the display carefully before smiling. "Your potion selection is quite complete, but your stock seems rather insufficient."

The huge glass counter was not full of potions. Even common strength, Bloodline, vitality, intelligence, and Agility Potions were somewhat scarce. Colin saw only one bottle of basic Bloodline Potion.

Billy looked slightly embarrassed and hurriedly explained, "Recently, the Empire went to war with the eastern Kingdom of Kexas. Many potionists have gone to the eastern Empire or the Imperial Capital. It is not just our shop—every magic shop on Magic Street is short on both potions and Magical Items."

"No wonder the sign outside says, 'Resident potionist urgently needed, excellent compensation.'" A look of realization appeared on Colin's face. Then he smiled and said, "I happen to be a potionist. Tell me—just how excellent is this compensation?"

"Huh?" Billy and the two clerks were instantly dumbfounded, then looked at Colin with suspicious eyes.