"Hi, Colin." Bill smiled, extended his left hand, and gave Colin a wave. On the ring finger of his left hand was an exquisite yet cheap copper ring—the very gift Colin had bought in Kent City last time.
"Hi, Bill." Colin smiled as well. He first went to his seat, took off his schoolbag and stuffed it into the desk, then set the Training Greatsword on the floor. "You seem to be in a good mood. Did something happen?"
"Jenny gave birth to a foal." A faint smile appeared on Bill's face.
Jenny was an excellent purebred mare and Bill's mount. Colin had not only seen her many times, but had ridden her as well.
"Congratulations," Colin said sincerely.
"The foal is a colt, and he hasn't been named yet. How about you name him?" Bill asked with a smile.
Colin froze for a moment. So he wants to give me the foal. But a purebred horse was worth at least thirty Gold Coins, and its exact value depended on its qualities after reaching adulthood—strength, long-distance running, sprinting speed, endurance. No matter what, the gift was far too valuable.
Colin felt warmth in his heart, but he merely shrugged and said, "Forget it. You know that even if you gave me a horse, I'd have nowhere to keep it, and I couldn't afford to raise it."
"You'll be able to afford it later." Bill winked at Colin, clearly referring to Mr. Mage Apprentice. He had actually always wanted to give Colin a fine horse, but Colin's family had been too poor before; they could not even afford to keep one. But now, Colin...
However, after considering Colin's current residence, Bill added, "Forget it. I'll raise him for you for now. Name him when you can afford to keep him. Don't refuse. As a Quasi-Knight, how can you not have a good horse of your own?"
"All right." Unable to refuse such generosity, Colin thought it over and accepted with a broad smile.
Bill immediately looked delighted.
Before Ms. Anna arrived, Colin leaned toward Bill and asked, "Bill, I want to find a knight instructor for Smith. Do you know anyone suitable?"
Bill froze. He was very familiar with Smith. After hesitating, he said, "Isn't Smith already in his twenties? Isn't it too late for him to start Knight Training now?"
Everyone says that. Colin complained inwardly, but wore a confident smile. "My Smith is a genius."
"All right. I'll ask around for you." Bill had no idea where Colin's confidence came from and could only agree helplessly.
"Thanks, Bill," Colin said.
Bill rolled his eyes at Colin.
Not long afterward, Ms. Anna arrived. Before that, the students had been whispering among themselves, but the moment Ms. Anna's long legs stepped into the classroom, the noise vanished. The students became obedient at once.
Classes soon began. Today was another ordinary day at school, with nothing special happening. The nobles remained cold toward Colin and Bill, while the commoner students feared Colin. Colin and Bill were still islands within the class.
When Colin returned home after school, Smith and Linda had already returned. Smith wore a dejected expression because he had not found a satisfactory job. Linda stayed beside him, constantly comforting and encouraging him.
Dinner was the usual steak and bread, along with the half-bottle of Veil produced red wine left over from the previous night.
That evening, Colin brewed another Basic Strength Potion as usual and absorbed its energy.
Nothing special happened on Friday either. Smith still failed to find work and gradually became somewhat anxious. As usual, Colin brewed a Basic Strength Potion that night.
Saturday.
It was a bright, sunny day, though thick clouds filled the sky. From time to time, drifting clouds covered the sun and brought brief moments of cool shade.
Today, Colin and Bill had arranged to visit Smith's instructor.
At eight in the morning, Bill arrived at the Russell family home in his family's exquisite carriage. Colin put on formal, respectable clothes and boarded the carriage. The carriage then set off northward.
After leaving Will City, vast wheat fields appeared on both sides of the carriage. Colin recalled what had happened last time and could not help laughing. "Do you remember when we went looking for work last time?"
"I meant well." Bill naturally remembered that embarrassing incident. His cheeks reddened slightly before he replied irritably.
After the joke, Colin grew serious and said, "Let's talk about Smith's instructor."
"Sir Victor Williams, fifty-eight years old, a Lifetime Knight of the Empire. He once served in the Gale Knight Order under Marquis Kent and retired three years ago due to injury. He currently has nothing to do at home and spends his time teaching Knight Apprentices." Bill recited the information fluently. Then a hesitant look appeared on his face. "But his fees are very high—twenty Gold Coins a year. Apprentices must also provide their own horses and Training Greatswords. He doesn't provide potions either."
Colin nodded. It was indeed expensive. Even the annual tuition at Will Knight Academy was not that high. However, Will Knight Academy had the support of Marquis Kent and the Empire, so its fees were lower and it provided potions as well.
Thus, as time passed, it became increasingly rare for formal knights to personally train Knight Apprentices. However, there was one advantage: a knight usually did not take on too many apprentices, so his attention was more focused. A formal knight at Will Knight Academy, on the other hand, led an entire class, so his attention was comparatively scattered.
"Money isn't the issue. What matters is Smith's future. Since he once served in a proper Knight Order, I trust his ability," Colin said.
"All right." Bill still did not think highly of Smith. At his age? But seeing his friend so determined, he said no more.
Before long, the carriage stopped outside a villa. Wheat fields surrounded the villa, with many oak trees planted around its perimeter. Inside the oaks stood white walls enclosing a large estate.
The main gate consisted of two tall iron-bar gates and stood open. A small guard booth stood inside to the right of the entrance.
"Who are you?" An elderly man with graying hair and a thin build emerged from the guard booth, looking questioningly at Colin and Bill, who had just stepped down from the carriage.
"I'm Bill Pitt. This is Colin Russell. We have an appointment." Bill had put on a little makeup and wore ladies' perfume. His mannerisms were somewhat effeminate, while a reserved noble smile rested on his face.
"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I'll check." The old man immediately returned to the guard booth to look it up, then came back out and welcomed them. "Please come in."
The villa was enormous. Apart from the main building, longhouses for servants, stables, and other structures, there was only wide-open green lawn. Colin saw several boys standing before a middle-aged knight, swinging their Training Greatswords with all their strength.
The elderly gatekeeper jogged over to the middle-aged knight and whispered a few words. The knight nodded, gave the apprentices a few instructions, then turned and walked over to Colin and Bill.
The middle-aged knight was exceptionally tall and muscular. His square face was covered in a thick beard. His clothes were somewhat formal, and he wore a pair of cowhide riding boots.
Colin also noticed that the knight's left and right feet moved somewhat unevenly, as though his left foot had suffered a severe injury. At the same time, the middle-aged knight was examining the two of them.
After exchanging greetings and introducing themselves, Colin learned that this middle-aged knight was his target: Sir Victor Williams, a former member of the Gale Knight Order.
Victor then invited Colin and Bill into the living room of the main villa building. He also had a maid prepare black tea, sugar cubes, and sweet biscuits.
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