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Sean and Jim returned to the Horton Family's Villa. Naturally, servants were responsible for carrying and organizing the luggage they had brought back. After handing their horses over to the servants, the two headed straight into the villa's main building.

Baron Lex Horton and Baroness Angelina were both waiting at home for Sean and Jim. When they saw the two push open the door and enter together, Baroness Angelina immediately smiled. She was the first to rise and greet them, saying with a laugh, "My poor little Sean and little Jim have finally come home. Come, let me see whether you've gotten thinner." Baron Lex Horton remained seated on the sofa, merely twitching the corner of his mouth and nodding at Sean and Jim.

Seeing Baroness Angelina's enthusiastic behavior, Sean and Jim could not help but smile bitterly. They could only brace themselves and step forward to greet the Baron and Baroness.

The excited Baroness Angelina had already come before Sean and Jim. She smiled as she looked Sean over, then turned to examine Jim. At the same time, she muttered something under her breath, making Sean feel as though there was something she was dissatisfied with. Sean quickly changed the subject. "Dear Aunt Angelina, let's sit over there and talk."

Sean's timely interruption clearly worked. Baroness Angelina did not suspect a thing and happily allowed Sean and Jim to support her. The three came to Baron Lex Horton's side and sat down around the sofa.

Sean and Jim then separately reported on their studies at the academy over the past year. The Baron and Baroness gently asked about their grades and daily lives. When they learned that both Sean and Jim had performed exceptionally well, they smiled and praised them. In particular, Sean's outstanding results prompted them to express their gratification to both Sean and Jim in somewhat exaggerated fashion.

After a round of political and utterly dull conversation that was enough to put anyone to sleep, that boring topic finally came to an end.

There was no "but." They continued chatting casually until Jim mentioned that Sean had been recommended by the academy to become a Cadet Officer. Then he revealed that Sean had advanced to become a Rookie Knight. Baron Lex Horton, who had been reclining casually against the sofa, suddenly sat upright. He asked Sean in an utterly shocked tone, "You've advanced to Rookie Knight?" Then he immediately followed with, "The academy recommended you for an internship in the Garrison?" Both questions came out in a rapid rush, showing just how excited the Baron was at that moment.

Though Baroness Angelina did not speak, it was clearly only because her reaction was slower than Baron Lex Horton's. The veins that suddenly stood out on the hand gripping Jim's showed that she was equally excited.

"Yes, Uncle. I have indeed advanced to Rookie Knight. Head Instructor Gru Thomas later confirmed it as well," Sean replied with a smile, even mentioning that Head Instructor Gru Thomas had personally verified his advancement.

Sure enough, after hearing that Head Instructor Gru Thomas had personally confirmed it, the Baron and Baroness immediately let go of their lingering uncertainty.

Sean continued with a smile, "Head Instructor Gru Thomas recommended me to the academy, then personally took me to meet Lieutenant Colonel Merkel of the Garrison. They finalized the recommendation in front of me and agreed that I would enter the Garrison Barracks for an internship next February."

Upon hearing Sean's words, Baron Lex Horton immediately smiled and said "good" several times in a row. Then he said excitedly to Sean, "My dear child, you are truly remarkable. I think my sister, your mother, will also be happy and proud when she hears such wonderful news."

After Sean gave Baron Lex Horton and Baroness Angelina a detailed explanation of the academy's recommendation for Cadet Officers, Baron Lex Horton was overjoyed. He immediately instructed Vincent the Butler, who stood behind him, to prepare a lavish dinner.

Baron Lex Horton then asked Sean about Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's attitude. When he heard Sean describe Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's friendly hints, he took Sean's hand and burst into hearty laughter.

Afterward, Baron Lex Horton gave Sean a detailed introduction to the backgrounds and preferences of the influential figures within the Garrison, reminding him of the people and matters he needed to watch out for. Baroness Angelina, meanwhile, repeatedly made Sean promise that he would take good care of himself. Sean felt both pained and happy, while for Jim, there was only pain left.

Because of Sean's brilliance, Jim appeared comparatively dim. This left Baron Lex Horton and Baroness Angelina somewhat disappointed. Whenever they repeatedly advised Sean, they would occasionally throw in a few words urging Jim to work harder.

Sean was still displeased that Jim and Ben had fleeced him so badly at noon. He chose to ignore Jim's pleading looks. Jim ground his teeth in hatred, but there was nothing he could do. He could only struggle to deal with his parents.

Before they knew it, dinner was approaching, and Cousin Lust Horton, who had gone out for amusement, returned home at that time. After the group exchanged greetings, Baroness Angelina excitedly smiled at Lust Horton. "Lust, my son, you'll never guess it. Sean has advanced to Rookie Knight, and he will soon become an officer."

When Lust Horton heard his mother's words, his expression went blank for a moment. Soon afterward, his mouth fell open in disbelief. He turned to Sean. "Oh... oh... oh... Cousin Sean, is what Mother said true...?" After seeing Sean nod, he continued, "It's unbelievable. You're only fifteen... Ha ha, congratulations, Cousin." With that, he wrapped Sean in an embrace without waiting for a response.

Sean had not been particularly close to Cousin Lust Horton in the past. Though they were relatives, the Empire's noble inheritance system meant that Lust Horton only valued noble children who possessed inheritance rights like his own. Toward someone like Sean, he had only maintained surface-level politeness to display his noble bearing. But once Sean had achieved something, Cousin Lust Horton immediately changed his previous attitude. This was a rule of social interaction that a mature noble had to understand properly.

"Cousin Lust, thank you. No matter what, we are family..." Sean embraced Cousin Lust Horton in return. In this world, social class represented every person's identity and status. The only thing capable of breaking through the limits of class was extraordinary power. Through his experiences over the past few days, Sean had already understood that as he advanced to Rookie Knight, his social standing had risen as well.

"Ha ha, Cousin Sean, you really are incredible. We should go out together sometime when we have the chance. I think my friends would all be willing to get to know you..." Lust Horton laughed after hearing Sean's words. He was a smart man and naturally understood Sean's meaning. Sean would not hold a grudge against him over his former disdainful attitude.

Any world with social classes was filled with people who were arrogant before and respectful afterward. When one was down, one suffered endless scorn; when one succeeded, people flattered and fawned over them. That was human nature. In Sean's view, there was simply no need to make enemies over it.

"Of course. I imagine Cousin's friends are all outstanding young talents rarely seen..." Sean replied with a smiling, affirmative, and enthusiastic answer.

Seeing Sean and his heir chatting and laughing together so pleasantly, Baron Lex Horton was very satisfied with their behavior. On life's journey, effort was one aspect of achieving success, but being able to adjust one's mindset at any time and in any place was also one of the essential conditions for success. Sean and Lust Horton had clearly understood this principle.

Baroness Angelina was equally delighted. She did not share her husband's thoughts, but she was someone who cared deeply about family bonds. Seeing her eldest son and nephew, who had not gotten along particularly well before, now interacting harmoniously and chatting enthusiastically with each other made her happy.

Noticing that dinner time was nearly upon them, she happily said to her son and nephew, "You two are cousins, so naturally you should help each other. But there will be plenty of time in the future. Go get ready first. It's time for dinner."

Everyone naturally agreed at once, then headed toward the dining room while chatting and laughing. The dinner was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and intimate. The entire meal was filled with cheerful energy.

After dinner, Sean confirmed his itinerary with Baron Lex Horton and Baroness Angelina. He planned to set out the next day and return to his own family. Though this left the Hortons somewhat regretful, Sean had not seen his parents for more than half a year. Baron Lex Horton and Baroness Angelina could only agree to Sean's decision with reluctance.

The small cavalry squad sent by the Sean Family to protect Sean had also arrived at Baron Horton's Villa three days earlier. They were currently in the villa and only needed to be notified to prepare for departure the next day.

Once the serious business was finished, Sean took his leave. He found a training room and began his daily knight training. After he finished, Sean's attributes became: Strength: 2.285 Constitution: 2.293 Agility: 2.4575

The next day, Monday morning, November 21st, Sean got up early to exercise and unexpectedly, yet inevitably, ran into Jim.

Perhaps Jim had been affected by what happened yesterday, and his immature heart had begun to develop in a more mature direction. Sean smiled and encouraged Jim, after which the two completed their morning exercise together.

By the time Sean finished exercising, the maids of the Baron's Mansion had already packed his luggage and loaded it into the carriage along with the letters and gifts the Baron had prepared for Sean's parents. At the same time, more than a dozen fully equipped cavalrymen were waiting beside the carriage.

Sean then had breakfast with the Baron's family. Afterward, he formally bid them farewell.

Sean did not choose to ride in the carriage. Instead, he mounted his Black Horse. He hung his Knight sword at his waist and draped a thick hooded fur cloak over himself. He secured his powerful bow and quiver to one side of the Warhorse, then mounted only after preparing everything.

Sean waved goodbye to the Baron's family from atop his Warhorse, then led the cavalry squad and carriage toward his family's territory.