Five days later, at the gates of the First Mage Academy, Velin handed three tavern deeds to Zelia and solemnly instructed him, "These three taverns in the West City District bring in around fifteen hundred Gold Coins a month altogether. That should cover the cost of your experiments."
"If you want to change the way they are run in the future, follow your own plans."
"If you run into trouble, go directly to Chaplin Siens, the deputy director of the Third Constabulary Bureau in the West City District. He will step in to resolve it. If he cannot, Krell will help you."
"Work hard, and do not disappoint my expectations."
"Thank you, my lord." Zelia held the three deeds to his chest and sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"You are my subordinate, and I am your lord. Is it not only natural for me to look after you?" Velin patted Zelia's shoulder and said with a smile, "If you meet a girl you love, do not let her slip away, or you will regret it."
"I understand, my lord."
"All right, I should head back. I have been away for so long that I do not know whether anything has happened in the camp."
Velin waved his hand, mounted his Red Phosphorus Horse, and headed toward the city gates.
Zelia stood at the entrance of the First Mage Academy, watching his lord depart until his figure disappeared into the sea of people.
After returning to the camp, Velin began slacking off.
The troops he had brought were all his own, so there was no need for him to hold meetings every day and cultivate relationships with the nobles under his command like the other army commanders.
Before he knew it, two months had passed.
On December twenty-fifth, Radiant Calendar 9752, the