Bronze Bloodline

"So it was him pulling the strings. But it's not entirely unexpected. After all, he has a grudge against you, and his family holds a certain position in the Grain Association, allowing them to influence some nobles. Dismissing a young Financial Officer wouldn't be difficult for him," Bill said, raising an eyebrow and shrugging in a rather feminine manner.

"Mhm," Colin nodded, his doubts finally cleared. Even in a society built on connections, a young elite would still have some advantages.

Smith, a bright graduate of Will University, had been diligently working but was still laid off. The whole situation was suspicious, and it wasn't surprising that someone had interfered.

"What do you plan to do?" Bill asked, his expression filled with interest. He had immense confidence in Colin, after all, his good friend was no longer the same person he used to be.

"I don't plan to do anything for now. But I hope he doesn't push his luck further. If he does something more outrageous, I don't know what I might do," Colin thought of Smith's dejection these past few days, a cold glint appearing in his eyes. He had initially thought it was a natural disaster, but it turned out to be man-made. He wouldn't let Brian off the hook if he got the chance.

"Mhm," Bill nodded.

Afterward, Bill and Colin left the classroom together and parted ways at the academy entrance. Nothing out of the ordinary happened from Monday to Friday.

Brian didn't do anything further. Or rather, with Brian's influence, getting Smith fired was likely the extent of his power. Although the Russell family was in a difficult situation, they were still nobility, not someone Brian could completely control.

Saturday and Sunday were the days Colin went to his "teacher's" home to study magic. This was a headache for Colin, as he had to arrange his own food and lodging for these two days to maintain his cover. Fortunately, Colin had found and purchased a detached farmhouse outside Will City, making do with it.

After two days, on Sunday afternoon, Colin returned to Will City to reunite with Linda.

"Welcome back, Colin," Linda came to the door to greet Colin, who had been studying magic for two days. After a week's buffer, Linda had recovered from Smith leaving home to undergo Knight training.

After a hug and a kiss, Linda, curious about magic, asked enthusiastically, "Colin, what did your great and wise teacher teach you these past two days? Fireball?"

Colin couldn't answer and could only stammer, "No, he just taught me meditation techniques."

"Meditation techniques?" Linda nodded, half-understanding. Magic knowledge was too difficult for a young lady from a fallen noble family like herself to comprehend.

With one less person, the workload decreased. Linda quickly prepared dinner, and the siblings sat down face-to-face. Dinner was the usual fare: steak, bread, and water. Occasionally, Linda would buy a large chicken to roast, improving their meals.

"I wonder how Smith is doing," Linda said while skillfully cutting her steak with a knife.

"I don't know. But my brother shouldn't be crying over tough training," Colin shrugged, stuffing a piece of steak into his mouth and chewing, mumbling, "I plan to go see my brother next week."

Might as well bring him a Basic Strength Potion, Colin thought to himself.

"I'll go with you," Linda said, her eyes lighting up.

"Sure," Colin readily agreed.

After eating his steak, Colin picked up the long bread from the basket and took a big bite. The bread, which was only sweet, wasn't particularly tasty but was filling.

"Knock, knock." Just then, there was a hurried knocking at the door.

"Linda, Colin, it's me," Smith's voice followed.

Colin and Linda exchanged glances, seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Their expressions then gradually turned serious. As a Knight apprentice, Smith shouldn't be back at this time.

Could it be that Brian did something again? Colin's expression grew grim.

He put down the half-eaten long bread, pushed his chair back, and went to open the door. To his surprise, not only Smith but also Knight Victor were outside.

Colin didn't see any panic on their faces, but rather joy and anticipation. He relaxed, then noticed they were both dressed for travel and had two horses behind them.

"Strange," Colin suppressed his curiosity, bent down to get slippers from the shoe cabinet, and placed them by the door. Knight Victor said, "Excuse me," before entering and was led by Colin to sit in the living room. Smith tied up his horse before coming in.

"You must be Lord Victor. I am Smith's sister, Linda. Thank you for taking Smith as your Knight apprentice," Linda came from the dining room into the living room. Upon seeing Victor, she bowed slightly, presenting herself very properly.

"Hello, Miss Linda," Victor's attitude was slightly perfunctory. Then he excitedly said, "I brought Smith back specifically to tell you that although Smith has just started training, he has shown extraordinary talent. His strength and speed are increasing daily. I suspect he inherited the Bronze Bloodline of your Russell clan, and I want to take him to Kent City tonight to test his bloodline."

Colin and Linda were both stunned. Colin's face immediately showed surprise. Bloodline and surname were the foundation of nobility, and every noble knew what a bloodline was.

Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold.

Ordinary nobles only passed down the Black Iron Bloodline. Like the Black Bear Bloodline flowing within him, it was one of the Black Iron Bloodlines.

The origin of the Russell clan's bloodline was the Gold Bloodline. This bloodline still flowed in the current Duke Russell and his heirs.

After using mysterious magical means, Duke Russell and his heirs would maintain this Gold Bloodline. The descendants of other dukes would be downgraded to Silver or Bronze Bloodlines, and the bloodline would gradually dilute until it became Black Iron.

Therefore, one must not underestimate the Bronze Bloodline; this bloodline level already surpassed the vast majority of nobles.

"How is that possible? Our family hasn't had a Transcendent for a long time. Smith couldn't possibly have a Bronze Bloodline," Linda covered her mouth with her small hands, almost screaming.

"Logically, it shouldn't be possible, but bloodlines are very magical. It's possible that in a certain generation, the origin is traced back, and a Bronze or even Silver Bloodline appears. Smith's physical condition is extraordinary," Knight Victor said, a smile of excitement on his face.

Bronze Bloodline – this was a bloodline level he wouldn't even dare to imagine before. Now it appeared in his apprentice, which was definitely an honorable matter.

"That's all. We're leaving now." Victor had only come to inform the Russell family. After speaking, he eagerly stood up and took his leave.

Although Linda still couldn't believe it, she hurriedly saw Victor and Smith off with Colin. After closing the door, Linda seemed to have lost all her strength and collapsed onto the floor by the door. Colin quickly went to help her up.

"Our family actually has a Bronze Bloodline?" Linda was still in disbelief. She was going crazy. Colin had just become an apprentice to an old magician, and now Smith was suspected of having a Bronze Bloodline. For a young lady from a fallen noble family like her, these events were too shocking.

Colin, however, was quite happy. But amidst his happiness, he couldn't help but want to complain.

So I was the clown all along. Smith doesn't need my care at all. If it weren't for the System, he would be the real protagonist.