A Brother Who Worries Too Much

"Hi, Colin," Bill said, smiling as he extended his left hand and waved it towards Colin. On the ring finger of his left hand, he wore a delicate yet cheap copper ring, a gift Colin had bought him in Kent City last time.

"Hi, Bill," Colin replied with a smile. He went to his seat first, took his schoolbag out, and put it in his desk. He then placed the Training Greatsword on the ground. "You seem to be in a good mood. Did something happen?"

"Jenny had a foal," Bill said, a slight smile gracing his face.

Jenny was an excellent purebred mare, Bill's mount. Colin had not only seen her many times but had also ridden her.

"Congratulations," Colin said sincerely.

"The foal is a colt, and it doesn't have a name yet. How about you name it?" Bill asked with a smile.

Colin was taken aback. Did this mean he was going to give the foal to him? But a purebred horse was worth at least thirty gold coins, and its exact value would depend on its qualities when it grew up, such as its strength, stamina for long-distance running, and speed for sprinting. Regardless, this gift was too precious.

Colin felt a warmth in his heart, but he shrugged and said, "Never mind. You know, even if you gave me the horse, I wouldn't have a place to keep it, nor could I afford to raise it."

"You'll be able to afford it in the future," Bill winked at Colin, referring to him as Mr. Magician Apprentice. In fact, he had always wanted to give Colin a good horse, but Colin's family had been too poor before, making it impossible to even keep a horse. But now Colin...

However, considering Colin's current residence, Bill added, "Never mind, I'll help you raise it for a while. When you can afford it, then you can name it. Don't refuse. As a prospective Knight, how can you not have a good horse of your own?"

"Alright," Colin said, finding it hard to refuse the kind offer. He thought for a moment and then agreed with a smile.

Bill immediately looked delighted.

Before Ms. Anna arrived, Colin leaned over and said to Bill, "Bill, I want to find a Knight teacher for Smith. Do you know anyone suitable?"

Bill was taken aback. Smith was too familiar. He hesitated, "Isn't Smith over twenty? Isn't it too late to start Knight training now?"

"Everyone says that," Colin thought to himself, but he put on a confident smile and said, "My Smith is a genius."

"Alright. I'll help you inquire," Bill said helplessly, not knowing where Colin's confidence came from.

"Thank you, Bill," Colin said.

Bill gave Colin a sideways glance.

Not long after, Ms. Anna arrived. Before she came, the students were whispering amongst themselves. As Ms. Anna's long legs strode into the classroom, the noisy chatter immediately ceased, and the students became incredibly well-behaved.

Then, class began. It was another ordinary day at school, with nothing special happening. The relationship between the nobles and Colin and Bill was very distant, while the commoner children feared Colin. Colin and Bill remained an isolated island within the class.

When Colin returned home after school, Smith and Linda had already returned. Smith looked dejected because he hadn't found a satisfactory job. Linda, on the other hand, was constantly comforting and encouraging Smith.

Dinner was the usual steak, bread, and the remaining half bottle of red wine from Veil from last night.

In the evening, Colin, as usual, made a Basic Strength Potion and absorbed its energy.

Nothing special happened on Friday either. Smith still hadn't found a job, and he was gradually becoming anxious. Colin, as usual, made a Basic Strength Potion in the evening.

Saturday.

It was a beautiful sunny day, but the sky was covered with thick clouds. The clouds that drifted by from time to time blocked the sun, bringing moments of coolness.

Today, Colin and Bill had agreed to look for a teacher for Smith.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Bill arrived at the Russell residence in his family's exquisite carriage. Colin put on formal and presentable clothes and got into the carriage. The carriage then set off, heading north.

After leaving Will City, vast wheat fields appeared on both sides of the carriage. Colin recalled the last time something happened and couldn't help but chuckle, "Do you remember the last time we looked for a job?"

"I had good intentions," Bill said, of course remembering that embarrassing incident. His face turned slightly red, and he then retorted, "I had good intentions."

After joking around, Colin became serious and said, "Let's talk about Smith's teacher."

"Lord Victor Williams, fifty-eight years old, a Lifetime Knight of the Empire. He served in the Gale Knight Order under Marquis Kent. He retired three years ago due to injury. He is currently idle at home and passes the time by leading Knight apprentices," Bill said as if reciting a familiar story. Then, a look of hesitation appeared on his face, and he added, "However, this Lord charges a high fee, twenty gold coins annually, and requires apprentices to provide their own horses and Training Greatswords. He also does not provide potions."

Colin nodded. It was indeed very expensive. Even the annual tuition at Will Knight Academy was not this high. However, Will Knight Academy was supported by Marquis Kent and the Empire, so its fees were lower, and it provided potions.

Therefore, as time passed, it became increasingly rare for formal Knights to take on Knight apprentices. However, there was also an advantage: a Knight would usually not take too many apprentices, concentrating their educational efforts. In contrast, a formal Knight at Will Knight Academy would lead a class, with their educational efforts being relatively dispersed.

"Money is not a problem. The key is Smith's future. Since the other party once served in a regular Knight order, I believe in his strength," Colin said.

"Alright," Bill still didn't think highly of Smith, considering his age. But seeing his friend so determined, he didn't say anything more.

Not long after, the carriage stopped outside a villa. The villa was surrounded by wheat fields, with many oak trees planted around the perimeter. Inside the oak trees was a white fence, covering a large area.

The gate was a pair of tall iron bars, which were open. To the right of the gate, inside, was a small guardhouse.

"Who are you?" a white-haired, thin old man emerged from the guardhouse, looking at Colin and Bill, who had just alighted from the carriage, with a confused expression.

"I am Bill Peter. This is Colin Russell. We have an appointment," Bill said, having put on a slight disguise, wearing perfume, and behaving somewhat effeminately, with a noble, reserved smile on his face.

"Please wait a moment, sirs. I'll check," the old man said immediately upon hearing this. He returned to the guardhouse to check, then came out and welcomed them, "Please, gentlemen."

The villa was very large. Besides the main villa, the servants' longhouse, and the stables, there was only an expansive lawn. Colin saw several boys standing in front of a middle-aged Knight, diligently swinging their Training Greatswords.

The gatekeeper old man trotted over to the middle-aged Knight and whispered a few words. The middle-aged Knight nodded, said a few words to the apprentices, and then turned to face Colin and Bill.

The middle-aged Knight was exceptionally tall and robust, with a square face full of a bushy beard. His clothes were slightly formal, and he wore leather riding boots.

Colin also noticed that the Knight's left foot was not in sync with his right, as if his left foot had suffered a severe injury. At the same time, the middle-aged Knight was also sizing them up.

After exchanging pleasantries and introducing themselves, this middle-aged Knight was Colin's target, Lord Victor Williams, a former member of the Gale Knight Order.

Victor then invited Colin and Bill to sit in the villa's main living room. He also had a maid prepare black tea, sugar cubes, and sweet biscuits.