Unemployment

Because he worked at the Ministry of Finance, Smith, the second son of the Russell family, had been pretending to be mature, even growing a small mustache. The saying "no facial hair, no reliable work" wasn't just a Chinese idiom.

Over time, Smith began to look like a steady and dependable head of the Russell family. In reality, Smith was only in his early twenties and could still be dejected by setbacks.

"I'm unemployed, sis," Smith said dejectedly.

Linda had been wondering why Smith came back carrying an old cardboard box. Upon hearing his words, she immediately understood. This was the legendary "unemployment gift," a box of personal belongings.

Linda was anxious, but she put on an understanding expression. She kissed Smith's cheek again and said, "It's okay, Smith. You can find another job."

"Oh, and I have good news. Colin bought a really big chicken and a bottle of wine from Veil."

"Wine from Veil? Where did he get the money?" Smith asked, surprised, momentarily forgetting his unemployment woes. He had only drunk wine from Veil a few times in his life, and those were when his parents were still alive when he was a child.

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

He let out a sigh, feeling the burden on his shoulders lighten. His unemployment brought him great pressure, but it wasn't from himself, but from Colin.

He and Linda worked hard to earn money and saved expenses at home. He hadn't dated much in his life because all the money went to Colin, becoming tuition for Will Knight Academy.

Now that he was unemployed, if he couldn't find a new job immediately, Colin's tuition for Will Knight Academy next year would be a big problem. But now, the old Magician had not only taken Colin as an apprentice but also subsidized him with gold coins, which was a huge help.

"He truly is a generous Magician," Smith praised sincerely.

"So don't worry about the job, just look for one slowly," Linda said, taking the old cardboard box from Smith's arms, turning, and entering the house.

"Mhm," Smith replied. He bent down to pick up his slippers, took off his leather shoes, put on the slippers, and turned to close the door.

Dinner was ready. After putting down the cardboard box, Linda called Colin down to eat. The three siblings still had Smith sitting at the head of the table, with Linda and Colin on either side.

The food consisted of common pan-seared steak, bread, a large, uncommon roasted chicken, and an expensive bottle of wine from Veil.

Linda opened the wine with a corkscrew and then carefully poured Smith and Colin, afraid of spilling a single drop. Every drop of liquid was like gold.

The three of them each picked up their wine glasses and took a sip, all displaying expressions of contentment. As nobles, they all had a certain taste for wine.

"Indeed, you get what you pay for," Colin thought as he put down his wine glass.

Afterward, Linda and Smith continued their conversation, with Colin rarely interjecting.

"Did you suddenly become unemployed because of the previous layoffs? But you worked so hard and were young and energetic, why would they lay you off?" Linda cut a piece of beef, picked it up with her fork, and put it in her mouth, her face showing displeasure.

Colin, catching up belatedly, looked up. Smith was unemployed?

Smith paused for a moment before replying, "Perhaps it was due to personal connections. This world doesn't just look at talent and hard work."

Linda also paused. Smith was a top graduate from Will University, diligent and serious about his work. However, the Russell family lacked connections. She knew Colin didn't have many friends at school, and she and Smith had almost no friends either. Lacking connections had become Smith's fatal weakness in this round of layoffs at the city hall.

"Then find a job that doesn't rely on connections. How about a House Tutor? You're a top graduate from Will University, so the salary would definitely be higher than mine," Linda said with a smile.

"I guess that's the only way," Smith sighed. Circumstances dictated his options; he wouldn't have considered being a House Tutor before.

Colin ate his steak, his eyes darting around. After the conversation between the two ended, Colin said with a grin, "Brother, sister, why are you both only thinking about work? What future is there in work?"

"Are you going to be a boss instead of working?" Linda glared at Colin and even reached out to pat his head.

Colin didn't dodge and meekly accepted the pat. Then, unrepentantly, he said, "Aren't bosses and workers the same? What future is there? It's better to become a Transcendent."

Smith and Linda were stunned, then they both laughed.

"You silly boy, Smith is already over twenty. He's missed the best age to learn to become a Transcendent. Will Knight Academy won't accept him anyway. Besides, even if Will Knight Academy was willing to accept him, how would we pay the tuition?" Linda glared at Colin, annoyed.

"Stare, stare again and your eyeballs will fall out," Colin thought to himself, but outwardly he said seriously, "To become a Transcendent, you don't necessarily have to go to an academy. Did you forget your history lessons? There were no Knight Academies back then; a formal Knight would lead apprentices and teach them. This teaching model is still passed down in the empire today. Find an old Knight for my brother. And what does age matter? Drinking more potions can fix it."

Smith also laughed. He ruffled Colin's head, messing up his thick short hair. "Colin, thank you for caring about me, but even finding an old Knight to be a Knight apprentice requires tuition, and potions cost money."

Colin rolled his eyes helplessly, still not resisting, nor did he continue the topic. These two idiots are only thinking about money, and I have plenty of money. I can make the potions myself. Oh well, I'll gather some information first and find an old Knight. Once the tuition is paid and it's a done deal, will Smith still refuse to learn? Oh right, and Linda too. Our whole family will become Transcendent.

After Colin fell silent, Smith and Linda began discussing finding a job as a House Tutor. After dinner, Colin washed up and then put on his pajamas before going upstairs.

That night, he made a Basic Strength Potion but didn't collect energy. Instead, he saved the potion.

The next morning, Smith went out to look for a job.

Colin then bid Linda farewell, grabbed his black schoolbag, with the Training Greatsword at his waist, and trotted off in his leather shoes towards Will Knight Academy.

Upon entering the classroom, Colin immediately went to his seat. The surrounding classmates glanced at Colin and then quickly averted their gazes. Ever since the examples of Brian and Chal, the disdainful looks from the commoner classmates had disappeared, replaced by fear.

As for Brian and Chal, they simply avoided looking at Colin, and would even take detours to avoid him if they encountered him directly.

Colin's status in the class had significantly improved.