Early the next morning, after the three Russell siblings finished breakfast, Smith mounted the fine East Gran War Horse Colin had bought, strapped on his Training Greatsword, packed some clean clothes, and prepared to ride back for training.
Colin stuffed a suspicious wooden box into Smith's hands.
"What's in here?" Smith turned the small wooden box over in his hands, eyeing Colin suspiciously.
"Supplements," Colin replied casually. In truth, it contained the four Basic Strength Potions he had made recently.
Smith was doubtful, but he did not inspect it further. He simply tucked the wooden box into his bag. After saying goodbye to Colin and Linda, he rode toward Knight Victor's villa outside the city.
"Good luck, Colin." Then, amid Linda's encouragement, Colin shouldered his schoolbag, fastened his Training Greatsword, and headed to school.
When Colin arrived in the classroom, he found that many of his classmates had arrived before him, including Brian and Chal. Having found himself a new patron, combined with this year's rising grain prices, Brian had regained his former swagger. Among the children of wealthy families, he chatted and laughed with high spirits.
There was no need to mention his relationship with Colin. Back then, he had practically admitted to Colin's face that Smith's incident had been his doing.
When he saw Colin enter, a faint sneer appeared on Brian's face. He was already certain that Colin would be expelled next year for being unable to pay tuition.
Colin stuffed his schoolbag into his desk and set down his Training Greatsword. Bill glanced at Colin and shrugged. "In less than two months, Will City's wheat will be harvested."
"Feeling smug," Colin replied with a smile, without looking at Brian.
The morning consisted of academic classes. Once class began, Colin absentmindedly propped himself against the desk with one elbow, resting his chin in his palm as he stared out the window.
Smith's matter had temporarily come to an end. It was time to settle accounts with Brian's family as well. Less than two months remained until the wheat outside Will City was harvested, and Brian's family's day of getting rich was drawing near.
July 20th.
The sun's scorching heat grew more vicious by the day. Colin had stopped wearing a coat and wore only a shirt, yet he could still work up a sweat just walking around. As for Bill, whether he was going to school or anywhere else, he always carried an exquisite ladies' parasol when he left the house.
After school, Colin parted ways with Bill at the academy gates and headed home alone. Tied outside the Russell family home was an East Gran War Horse Colin knew very well. It even snorted at him.
Joy appeared on Colin's face. Smith was back. He quickly took off his leather shoes, changed into slippers, and went inside. Sure enough, he found Smith in the living room, enjoying black tea and eating biscuits.
"Colin." Smith set down his tea and stepped forward to hug Colin. Colin hugged him back. After they released each other, Colin stared at Smith in surprise.
"Brother, you've gotten sturdier. And you shaved your mustache."
Smith touched the spot where his two tufts of mustache had been and said with a smile, "Teacher said knights aren't Financial Officers. Those two tufts of mustache were too much of an eyesore, so I shaved them off."
Colin smiled. He examined Smith closely and found that Smith had not only shaved off his mustache, but had also grown sturdier. Even his entire demeanor had changed.
The old Smith had worn two tufts of mustache and deliberately acted mature, looking like the head of the household. But now, Smith looked young and energetic, radiating the vigor of youth and brimming with spirit.
The change in his status and strength had given him confidence.
After the brothers talked for a while, Smith suddenly said to Colin, "Those supplements you gave me last time—the box actually contained four Basic Strength Potions. I took them all. Three worked, while one failed. This stuff builds up resistance; the more you take, the greater the resistance becomes. I won't thank you, since we're brothers. But be careful. Don't get yourself into trouble because of those potions."
Smith still felt a lingering shock when he recalled opening that suspicious wooden box. Four whole Basic Strength Potions had been neatly arranged inside, equivalent to forty Gold Coins.
Smith had also thought things through regarding those potions. There was no need for thanks between brothers. But he mistakenly believed Colin's basic potions had come from that great and generous mage. He did not want his younger brother to incur that mage's displeasure because of those potions.
Colin naturally understood the implication and explained with a smile, "Don't worry, Brother. Teacher gave me those potions."
"What potions?" At that moment, Linda came out of the kitchen carrying a huge plate. The roast chicken on it gave off an incomparable fragrance. The Russell family was having an extra dish again today.
"Nothing," Colin immediately denied, shaking his head. Smith also nodded along in support.
Linda's intuition told her that the two brothers were hiding something. However, she did not press the matter.
"Dinner's ready." Linda placed the roast chicken on the dining table and called to the two brothers.
Master Colin and Master Smith not only did nothing, but sat down first as though it were perfectly natural. Linda brought over the vegetable stew, untied her apron, and only then sat down.
With Smith's return, the Russell family's dining routine had changed back to Linda and Smith chatting while Colin rarely chimed in.
"I only asked Teacher for one day off. I have to go back tomorrow," Smith said as he cut his steak with a knife.
"Only one day off? Isn't that training too demanding? Even Will Knight Academy has two days off every week." Linda sounded both distressed and resentful.
"There's no helping it. I'm already in my twenties. Although I have an advantage in bloodline, I have to work twice as hard." Smith put the cut steak into his mouth, his face showing satisfaction. Linda's steak still suited his taste best.
Although the cook at Teacher's place made decent steak too, it was still missing a certain something.
Smith swallowed the steak and took a spoonful of vegetable stew. After hesitating for a moment, he finally said, "Besides, Teacher has gone so far as to sell some family assets to buy all kinds of potions for me. I have to live up to Teacher's efforts."
Ever since Smith had been tested and found to possess a Bronze Bloodline, his relationship with Knight Victor had actually changed. Now, Knight Victor was doing everything he could to cultivate Smith.
"Mm." Linda nodded in agreement.
Colin's heart stirred, and he took the initiative to ask, "I heard from Bill before that Knight Victor's household wasn't in very good financial condition. Now he's even selling off assets to cultivate you with all his strength. Isn't his family's financial situation in terrible shape?"
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