Unemployed

Because he worked at the Ministry of Finance, Smith, the second son of the Russell family, had always tried to act mature. He had even grown a pair of small mustaches. "No hair on your lips, no reliability in your work" was not merely a saying from China.

Over time, Smith came to look like the steady, dependable head of the Russell family. In reality, he was only in his early twenties and still became depressed when dealt a blow.

"I lost my job, Sis," Smith said dejectedly.

Linda had wondered why Smith had come home carrying an old cardboard box. Upon hearing this, she immediately understood. This was the legendary unemployment gift: a box for personal belongings.

Linda was frantic inside, but she wore an understanding expression. She kissed Smith's cheek again and said, "It's okay, Smith. You can always find another job."

"Oh, right. Let me tell you some good news. Colin bought a huge chicken and a bottle of Veil-produced wine."

"Veil-produced wine? Where did he get the money?" Smith looked surprised, temporarily forgetting the gloom of losing his job. He had only drunk Veil-produced wine a few times in his life—more precisely, only when his parents had still been alive.

Linda repeated Colin's explanation to Smith, and Smith believed it. After all, Colin had been a good child who never lied since he was young.

He let out a breath, feeling the burden on his shoulders lighten somewhat. Losing his job put him under tremendous pressure, but it was not because of himself. It was because of Colin.

He and Linda had worked hard to earn money and had cut household expenses wherever possible. Even now that he was grown, he had only dated a few times. All their money had been poured into Colin, becoming tuition for Will Knight Academy.

Now that he had lost his job, Colin's tuition for Will Knight Academy next year would be a major problem if he could not immediately find new work. But now, not only had the old wizard taken Colin as an apprentice, he had even given Colin a gold coin allowance. That was truly a huge help.

"What a generous wizard," Smith praised sincerely.

"So don't take the job matter too hard. Just look slowly." Linda took the old cardboard box from Smith's arms, turned around, and went inside.

"Mm," Smith replied. He bent down to pick up his slippers, took off his leather shoes and put them on, then turned around and shut the door.

Dinner was already prepared. After setting down the cardboard box, Linda called Colin downstairs to eat. The three siblings still sat with Smith in the seat of honor, while Linda and Colin sat on opposite sides of the table.

The meal consisted of the usual fried steak and bread, along with an unusual roast chicken and a bottle of expensive wine produced in Veil.

Linda opened the wine with a corkscrew, then carefully filled Smith's and Colin's glasses, afraid of spilling even a drop. Every drop of that liquid was worth Gold Coins.

The three of them each raised their wineglasses and took a sip, all showing satisfied expressions. As nobles, they all had a certain appreciation for wine.

You get what you pay for, Colin thought as he set down his wineglass.

After that, Linda and Smith continued chatting while Colin rarely interrupted.

"Did you suddenly lose your job because of the previous layoffs? But you worked so hard, and you're young and energetic. Why would they lay you off?" Linda cut a piece of beef, picked it up with her fork, and put it into her mouth, her face full of dissatisfaction.

Colin belatedly looked up. Smith had lost his job?

Smith was silent for a moment before answering, "Maybe it was because of connections. This world does not judge people solely by their ability or how hard they work."

Linda also fell silent. Smith was an outstanding graduate of Will University and diligent and serious at work. But the Russell family lacked connections. She knew Colin was not well liked at school, while she and Smith had barely any friends either. Now, their lack of connections had become Smith's fatal weakness during this city hall layoff.

"Then find a job that doesn't depend on connections. How about being a house tutor? You're an outstanding graduate of Will University. Your salary will definitely be higher than mine." Linda smiled again.

"That's the only way." Smith sighed. Circumstances were stronger than people. In the past, he would never have thought much of house tutor work.

While eating his steak, Colin's eyes darted around. After their conversation paused, he finally said with a grin, "Brother, Sister, why are you so fixated on work? What future does working have?"

"If you don't work, are you going to become a boss?" Linda not only glared at Colin but also reached out and smacked him on the head.

Colin did not dodge and obediently took the hit. Then, without any remorse, he said, "Being a boss or working is all the same, isn't it? What future is there in that? Better to become a supernatural."

Smith and Linda both froze, then laughed.

"You idiot. Smith is already in his twenties. He's missed the best age to learn how to become a supernatural. Will Knight Academy won't accept him, and besides, even if Will Knight Academy were willing to accept him, how would we solve the tuition problem?" Linda glared at Colin irritably.

Keep glaring. Glare any harder and your eyeballs will fall out, Colin complained inwardly. Outwardly, he said with a serious expression, "Becoming a supernatural doesn't mean you have to study at an academy. Did you learn nothing in history class? There were no knight academies in the past. A formal knight would take apprentices and teach them personally. Even now, this traditional teaching model still exists throughout the Empire. Just find an old knight for Brother. And what does age matter? Drink more potions and he'll make up for it."

Smith smiled as well. He rubbed Colin's head, turning his thick short hair into a mess, and said, "Colin, thank you for caring about me so much. But even if I find an old knight and become a Knight Apprentice, I'll still need tuition. And potions cost money too."

Colin rolled his eyes helplessly. He still did not resist, nor did he continue the subject. These two bastards only have money on their minds, while I have plenty of it. I can make potions myself. Forget it. I'll first look into the situation and find an old knight. Once I pay the tuition and make it a done deal, can Smith still refuse to study? Oh, and Linda too. Our whole family will become supernaturals.

After Colin fell silent, Smith and Linda began discussing house tutor work. After dinner, Colin washed up first, then changed into his pajamas and went upstairs.

That night, he made a Basic Strength Potion but did not collect its energy. Instead, he stored the potion away.

Early the next morning, Smith went out to look for work.

Afterward, Colin greeted Linda, then put on his black backpack, tucked the Training Greatsword at his waist, and clicked away in his leather shoes toward Will Knight Academy.

After entering the classroom, Colin immediately headed for his seat. The surrounding students glanced at him, then quickly looked away. Since Brian and Chal had served as examples, the commoner students' contemptuous gazes had long disappeared, replaced by fear.

Brian and Chal simply did not look at Colin at all. If they encountered him face-to-face, they would even take a detour.

Colin's status within the class had risen significantly.