Making It a Done Deal

Colin dropped a cube of sugar into his teacup, then stirred it with a small spoon.

Only after the sugar had dissolved did he lift the cup and take a sip. Raising his head, he praised Victor, "Xilan black tea."

Within the Empire, Veil produced wine was the finest, while the finest black tea came from Xilan.

"That's right, Xilan-produced Duke Black Tea, my favorite." Victor also lifted his teacup for a sip, his face showing pleasure.

After setting down his cup, Victor looked at Colin and asked, "I understand why you've come. Colin, are you seeking Knight Training?"

"You misunderstand. It isn't me who wants Knight Training, but my older brother, Smith." Colin shook his head.

"Lord Victor, Colin is a student of Will Knight Academy, just like me," Bill interjected from the side.

"Oh? Then why isn't your brother going to Will Knight Academy? Why has he come to me?" Victor asked curiously.

"Because my brother is already twenty-one years old, beyond Will Knight Academy's admission age limit." Colin smiled as he answered, gently setting down his ceramic teacup.

Victor had thick, long eyebrows, but now they were drawn tightly together. Even his beloved Xilan black tea no longer smelled fragrant.

"Twenty-one? Colin, you're not joking with me, are you? Unless they are wealthy mages willing to spend lavishly on training, or the trainee is exceptionally gifted, someone who only begins training at twenty-one can no longer become a knight."

"I am not joking. I have come sincerely to ask you to accept my brother, Smith Russell, as a Knight Apprentice." Colin stood up seriously and gave Victor a slight bow.

Victor stared at Colin in astonishment, feeling that the boy had gone mad. As a Van Gogh Noble and a Lifetime Knight, Victor had his own principles. Under normal circumstances, he would never accept a twenty-one-year-old as a Knight Apprentice. Wouldn't that be cheating someone?

However, Victor had recently run into some financial difficulties. Since he did not know how to do business, accepting Knight Apprentices had become an important source of income.

Victor hesitated, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "All right. But let me make this clear beforehand: the chance of your brother becoming a knight is extremely slim, infinitely close to zero."

"Rest assured, Lord Victor. If my brother fails to become a knight, I will not blame you. Though I believe my brother will certainly become a knight." Colin smiled.

Afterward, Colin discussed some details with Victor before getting up to take his leave. However, they did not manage to leave immediately, as Victor invited Colin and Bill to stay for lunch. Only after lunch did the two finally depart. Before leaving, Colin paid Smith's tuition for one year: twenty Gold Coins.

After returning to Will City, Colin first went to the horse market and bought an excellent Eastland horse, then went to a weapon shop and bought an unsharpened training greatsword. He temporarily boarded the horse at the market and returned to the Russell family home with the sword. Bill accompanied him the entire way and even helped choose the horse. Only after seeing Colin home did he leave.

Bored alone at home, Colin slept through the afternoon. He did not come downstairs until Linda called him to dinner, still bleary-eyed with sleep.

Dinner was still steak, bread, and a cup of water.

Smith looked dejected. The steak on his plate tasted as bland as wax.

"Recently, many people have lost their jobs because of city hall layoffs. There's also a lot of competition for house tutor positions, and I couldn't find work." After eating half his steak, Smith set down his knife and fork, took a sip of water, and spoke helplessly.

"Don't worry. You're an outstanding graduate of Will University. Have confidence in yourself. Even if there are many competitors, you'll be the winner." Linda reached out and took Smith's left hand, comforting him.

"Become a Knight Apprentice, then." Seizing the opportunity, Colin suddenly spoke up.

"Stop causing trouble." Linda glared at Colin. This younger brother had truly become less and less lovable lately. Couldn't he see that Smith was feeling down? Yet he was still spouting nonsense.

"I'm serious. I've already found an old knight for my brother. Lord Victor Williams once served in the Gale Knight Order. He is a proper and powerful knight." Colin took a sip of water and spoke leisurely. Then, looking at the dumbfounded Linda and Smith, a smile gradually spread across his face as he added, "And I've already paid the tuition—twenty gold coins for a full year. I also bought a training greatsword, an excellent Eastland stallion, and a saddle."

"Colin, you bastard! Even if you have money, you can't squander it like this. Smith is already twenty-one years old! Twenty-one!"

After a stretch of silence in the Russell family home, Linda let out a high-pitched scream that nearly shattered the glass.

"Go get the money back immediately, Colin!" Smith shouted as well.

Colin was completely unconcerned. "The money's already been paid. Brother, go if you want, and forget it if you don't. Getting a refund is impossible. You should know that I'm a noble of the Van Gogh Empire. I have my pride."

Linda and Smith looked at Colin's unconcerned expression, their faces helpless yet amused, while warmth gradually filled their hearts.

"Good boy." Linda hugged Colin, kissed his cheek, then ruffled his thick short hair. Although Colin had acted on his own and she felt pained over the money, his actions had moved her. She and Smith had worked together to send Colin to Will Knight Academy, enduring hardship all these years, and it had not been in vain. Not only had Colin been extraordinarily lucky to become the apprentice of a wise and great mage, but he was also a good boy.

"Go on. Maybe you really are a genius?" Linda turned to Smith and said. After hesitating, she added with obvious lack of confidence, "Maybe you can become a knight before you turn sixty."

"Maybe." Smith no longer had the strength to complain. He reached out and pinched Colin's right cheek, but could not bear to use any force. This bastard.

According to the traditional Van Gogh Empire model of formal knights training apprentices, Smith had to live in Knight Victor's home and undergo year-round training.

Early Sunday morning, Smith packed his luggage, took the training greatsword Colin had bought for him, mounted a sturdy Eastland stallion, and headed for Knight Victor's villa outside the city.

After seeing Smith off, Linda went to work. Colin returned to his bedroom and took out a prepared Basic Strength Potion from the little attic.

"Even if I have to rely on potions, I'll make you a superhuman." Colin gazed at the Basic Strength Potion glowing red within the glass container in his hand, a smile appearing in his eyes.