Report

After two days of riding, Sean returned to Linshui City without incident. Just before dusk, Sean and his party checked into the noble villa of his uncle, Baron Lex Horton.

After briefly settling everyone in, Sean immediately brought Torr to pay respects to the villa's owners, Baron Lex Horton and Baroness Angelina. His cousin Lust Horton and younger cousin Jim were also present at the time.

Sean introduced Torr's status as his attendant, then took out a letter he had carried close to his person and handed it with both hands to his uncle, Baron Lex Horton. He also had Torr present the gifts prepared by the family to the Horton family's servants.

"Dear Sean, I already understand what your father expressed in his letter... You have your own path to walk. From now on, no matter what difficulties or doubts you encounter, you can come to me..." Baron Lex Horton said with a smile after finishing Sean's father's letter.

"Yes, thank you very much... Afterwards, I'd like to purchase a residence near the barracks to house Torr and the others..." Sean thanked his uncle Baron Horton with a smile and then took the opportunity to make his request for buying a house.

Sean had actually planned this long ago. If Torr lived near the barracks, it would be convenient for him to go for training. Moreover, Sean had some special ideas he wanted to test out, so he needed a quiet, independent house where he wouldn't be disturbed to carry out his purposes.

If Sean kept living in Baron Horton's villa, for reasons of future secrecy and the like, he would still need to find another venue for his experiments. Besides, this was Torr's first meeting with his uncle's entire family. As his attendant, Torr naturally couldn't be compared to the servants. Wouldn't they mind having a stranger suddenly move into the house?

"Why not let Torr stay here?" Baron Lex Horton still smiled, but his tone was somewhat ambiguous.

"Dear uncle, you know I need Torr's help, and it would be more convenient for him to train if he lived near the barracks. You may not know this, but he was originally just a blacksmith's apprentice and has never received any knight training..." Sean explained earnestly to Baron Lex Horton.

"Oh... for the convenience of his training... Then I'll instruct Vincent the Butler to help you look into it. I'm sure it can be arranged in a few days." Baron Lex Horton raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised but accepting Sean's reasoning, and spoke.

"But little Sean, you can't move out..." Baroness Angelina, who had been quietly listening nearby, spoke up as if afraid Sean would take this chance to request moving out of the villa, directly demanding of him.

"Uh... of course, Aunt Angelina." Sean paused for a moment, then said somewhat helplessly. He had actually been considering that.

Afterward, they chatted about interesting events during the New Year. When his uncle's family heard that Sean had hunted an adult Southern Wilderness Brown Bear during the New Year Hunt, Aunt Angelina's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, unable to hide her surprise as she let out a gasp. Cousin Lust and younger cousin Jim immediately excitedly pressed for details about the bear, lamenting that they hadn't witnessed it themselves.

This made Aunt Angelina look very displeased. She swept her angry gaze over Sean, Lust, and Jim. Only after the three of them averted their eyes and refused to meet hers did she say in a stiff tone, "Lust, little Jim, don't even think about it. Mother won't allow you to go." As Lust and Jim hurriedly nodded, Aunt Angelina turned her gaze to Sean.

"Aunt, I'll be careful. Please rest assured..." Sean assured her before she could speak.

"Yes, Mother. We won't do anything dangerous..." Cousin Lust immediately followed up with his own promise.

Then Jim had no choice but to join in. The three of them took turns coaxing Lady Angelina until she was happy again just before dinner. After dinner, Sean practiced his riding skills as usual, then bathed and went to bed early.

Three days later, on Monday, January 32nd. The weather was overcast, and the temperature had dropped to freezing with the cold wind.

Sean got up in the morning and took Jim and Torr through basic exercises. He had already visited Head Instructor Gru Thomas the previous Sunday and received the official recommendation letter from the Noble Academy.

After breakfast today, Sean planned to take the recommendation letter to visit Lieutenant Colonel Merkel of the Garrison to formally enter the military system. Sean carefully tidied his appearance and changed into a clean, neat white Knight uniform. He draped a thick dark cloak over his shoulders and, with Torr in tow, left the baron's villa under the eager gazes of Baron Horton's family.

Riding through the streets of Linshui City, the roads in the noble district of the northern city were wide and clean. Ornamental trees and flowers lined the paths, though unfortunately the season wasn't right for viewing. On this winter morning, the noble district's streets seemed quite empty. Only a few noble servants hurried along with their heads down. Nobles typically didn't set out to visit friends or attend noble activities until after lunch in winter.

Sean and Torr soon arrived at the barracks of the Linshui City Garrison Force in the western district. After announcing their purpose to the guards at the gate, they rested in the waiting area at the entrance. Soon, Sergeant Jason, whom Sean had met once before, approached from a distance. Spotting Sean, he quickened his pace and called out loudly before even getting close, "Mr. Winchester, it's good to see you! I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting..." By the time he finished the last sentence, he was already at Sean's side.

"Sergeant Jason? Hello. I'm troubling you again today..." Sean stepped forward with a smile.

"Yes, Mr. Winchester has an excellent memory. I am Jason. And this is?" Sergeant Jason came before Sean and complimented him, then looked at Torr beside Sean with some confusion. As Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's adjutant, he also bore some responsibility for protecting him, so he was naturally sensitive to strangers not on the visitor list.

"Sergeant Jason, this is my Knight Squire, Torr... He has already been acknowledged by my father, Viscount Winchester." Sean introduced Torr's identity with a displeased tone, deliberately mentioning his father. Then he introduced Torr: "Torr, this is Sergeant Jason. He is Deputy Commander Merkel's adjutant." After speaking, he signaled Torr to step forward and greet him.

"Hello, Sergeant Jason. I'm Torr. Pleased to meet you." Torr stepped forward immediately upon seeing Sean's cue.

"Hello, Torr. Likewise, pleased to meet you." Sergeant Jason hurriedly exchanged greetings with Torr, then turned back to Sean and said, "I'm truly sorry, Mr. Winchester. I was being overly sensitive. I sincerely apologize again for my rudeness..." He bowed to Sean, sweat beading on his forehead. Sean knew Jason had caught his displeasure.

Questioning someone Sean brought in front of him was, strictly speaking, an insult to Sean. Though Sean understood why Sergeant Jason had done it, he still jabbed at him with his words, even mentioning his father. Clearly, the status of a viscount put immense pressure on Jason, making him lose his composure.

"Lieutenant Colonel Merkel is waiting for you in his office. Please follow me, you and your attendant." Sergeant Jason steadied himself and then respectfully invited them, gesturing for them to follow.

"Mm, then I'll trouble you, Sergeant Jason." Sean nodded and said flatly, then waved his hand to signal Jason to lead the way.

The three of them walked silently into the barracks. On the training ground, large numbers of soldiers were drilling. Rows upon rows of them moved in unison, completing various military exercises under the command of their officers.

Soon, Sean followed Sergeant Jason to the small building he had visited before. He instructed Torr to wait in the rest area, then followed Sergeant Jason alone to Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's office.

Outside the office, Sean knocked on the wooden door, which produced a low thumping sound. After a dignified "Come in" came from inside, Sean smiled, pushed the door open gently, and entered.

"Lord Merkel, hello. I am Sean Winchester, reporting for duty..." Sean greeted Lieutenant Colonel Merkel with a smile, then swept his gaze across the office. Only Merkel was inside.

"Sean, haha... you're back. Come, come... sit down and talk." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel showed a warm smile, as if looking at a junior. He sized Sean up while pointing at the chair in front of him.

"Mm... you look sturdier. Was the journey smooth?" Lieutenant Colonel Merkel asked with a smile after Sean sat down. Then he paused, his expression turning serious, and asked, "How is your father, the esteemed Viscount Winchester? Is he in good health? Did he have any special instructions?" Lieutenant Colonel Merkel cautiously inquired about Sean's father's opinion, as was customary.

"My father has always been in good health. Thank you for your concern, Lord Merkel." Sean replied with a smile. Then he continued, "When my father heard that I had received the academy's recommendation, he was very happy for me. Before I left, he asked me to convey his regards to you."

"Haha... please extend my great thanks to the Viscount for his regards... I once had the honor of meeting him. He is a true noble." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's warm smile returned as he praised.

"Sean, regarding your internship with the Garrison, I've already discussed it with Lord Auster. Unfortunately, Lord Auster couldn't spare the time, so he asked me to welcome you on his behalf." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel said with a beaming smile.

"Thank you very much to Lord Auster, and my sincere thanks to you as well, Lord Merkel." Sean immediately smiled and expressed his gratitude. The Lord Auster mentioned by Lieutenant Colonel Merkel was the Colonel Commander of the Linshui City Garrison Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Merkel looked satisfied and laid out the arrangements for Sean: "Sean Winchester, you will be formally awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Linshui City Garrison Force. You must complete one month of basic military training." With that, he took a black cloth pouch from his desk drawer and handed it to Sean.