Reporting In

After two days of traveling on horseback, Sean returned smoothly to Linshui City. Before dusk fell, Sean and the others settled into the noble Villa of his uncle, Baron Lex Horton.

After making simple arrangements for everyone, Sean immediately took Thor to meet the Villa's owners, Baron Lex Horton and Baroness Angelina. Cousin Lust Horton and his younger cousin Jim were also present.

After introducing Thor as his squire, Sean took out the letter he had carried close to his body and handed it to his uncle, Baron Horton, with both hands. At the same time, he had Thor take out the gifts prepared by the family and give them to the Horton Family's servants.

"My dear Sean, I understand what your father meant in his letter... You have your own path you wish to take. Whatever difficulties or doubts you encounter in the future, you can come to me..." After reading the letter from Sean's father, Baron Horton spoke to Sean with a smile.

"Yes, thank you very much... After this, I would like to purchase a residence near the Barracks to house Thor and the others..." After thanking his uncle, Baron Horton, with a smile, Sean naturally raised his request to buy a house.

Sean had long made plans. If Thor lived near the Barracks, it would not only make it easier for him to train there, but Sean also had some special ideas he needed to test. He wanted a quiet, independent house where he would not be disturbed while carrying out his plans.

If Sean continued living in Baron Horton's Villa, he would still need to find another place for his experiments in the future, for reasons of secrecy. Besides, this was Thor's first time meeting his uncle's entire family. As his squire, he naturally could not be treated on the same level as ordinary servants. If a stranger suddenly moved into their home, would they truly not mind in the slightest?

"Why not let Thor stay here?" Baron Horton asked with the same smile, though his tone was somewhat ambiguous.

"Dear Uncle, you know that I need Thor's help. If he lives near the Barracks, it will be more convenient for him to train. Perhaps you do not yet know that he was originally only a blacksmith's apprentice and had never received any knightly training..." Sean explained earnestly to Baron Horton.

"Oh... It is to make his training more convenient... Then I will have Vincent the Butler keep an eye out for a place. I believe it will be settled within a few days." Baron Horton raised his brows, somewhat surprised but accepting Sean's reasoning.

"But little Sean, you must not move out..." Baroness Angelina, who had quietly listened beside them, spoke up directly, as though afraid Sean might take the opportunity to request leaving the Villa.

"Uh... Of course, Aunt Angelina." Sean froze for a moment before answering helplessly. He really had been considering it.

Afterward, they chatted about amusing events from the New Year. When his uncle's family learned that Sean had hunted an adult Southern Wilderness Brown Bear during the New Year Hunt, Aunt Angelina's eyes widened. Covering her mouth, she let out a startled cry. Cousin Lust and Jim immediately excitedly pressed him for details about the brown bear, both lamenting that they had not seen it for themselves.

Aunt Angelina's expression immediately turned deeply displeased. Her angry gaze swept across Sean, Lust, and Jim. Only after all three avoided meeting her eyes did she say stiffly, "Lust, little Jim, do not even think about it. Mother will not allow you to go." As Lust and Jim hurriedly nodded, Aunt Angelina turned her gaze toward Sean again.

"Aunt Angelina, I will definitely be careful. Please rest assured..." Sean promised before Aunt Angelina could speak.

"Yes, Mother. We will not do anything dangerous..." Cousin Lust immediately followed with his own assurance.

Jim had no choice but to join in as well. The three took turns coaxing Lady Angelina, and only managed to cheer her up before dinner. After dinner, Sean continued his usual riding practice. Once it was over, he washed up and went to rest early.

The third day arrived, Monday, January 32. The weather was overcast, and the cold wind had driven the temperature down to freezing.

After rising in the morning, Sean took Jim and Thor through basic exercises. The previous day, Sunday, he had already visited Head Instructor Gru Thomas and received the Noble Academy's official letter of recommendation from him.

After breakfast today, Sean planned to take the recommendation letter to visit Lieutenant Colonel Merkel of the Garrison and formally enter the military system. Sean carefully tidied his appearance, changed into a clean and neat white knight uniform, draped himself in a dark, heavy cloak, and left Baron Horton's Villa with Thor under the earnest gazes of the Horton family.

Riding through Linshui City's streets, Sean found the roads in the northern noble district broad and clean. Ornamental trees and flowers lined the roadside, though this was not the best season to admire them. The noble district's streets were especially empty on a winter morning. Only scattered noble servants hurried along with lowered heads. Nobles generally only left home after winter lunch, whether to visit friends or attend noble gatherings.

Sean and Thor soon arrived at the Barracks of the Linshui City Garrison Force in the West City District. After reporting their purpose to the guards at the gate, Sean and Thor rested in the visitor Lounge Area outside the Barracks. Before long, Sergeant Jason, whom they had met once before, approached from afar. The moment he spotted Sean, he quickened his pace and called out loudly before even reaching them, "Mr. Winchester, hello. It has been a long time... I am very sorry to have kept you waiting..." By the time he spoke the last sentence, he had already arrived beside Sean.

"Sergeant Jason? Hello, I will have to trouble you again today..." Sean stepped forward a few paces and said with a smile.

"Yes, Mr. Winchester, you have an excellent memory. I am Jason. And this is?" Sergeant Jason first flattered Sean, then noticed Thor beside him and asked doubtfully. As Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's adjutant, he also bore some responsibility for protecting Merkel. Naturally, he was somewhat wary of an unfamiliar person who was not on the visitor list.

"Sergeant Jason, this is my knight squire, Thor... He has already received the approval of my father, Viscount Winchester." Sean introduced Thor in a displeased tone, deliberately mentioning his father. Then he introduced Jason to Thor. "Thor, this is Sergeant Jason. He is Deputy Commander Merkel's adjutant." After speaking, he signaled Thor to step forward and greet him.

"Hello, Sergeant Jason. I am Thor. Pleased to meet you." Thor immediately stepped forward after seeing Sean's signal.

"Hello, Thor. Pleased to meet you as well." After hurriedly greeting Thor, Sergeant Jason turned back toward Sean. "I am terribly sorry, Mr. Winchester. I was overly sensitive. Please accept my sincere apology once again. It was very rude of me..." After speaking, he bowed to Sean, sweat already appearing on his forehead. Sean knew that Jason had heard the dissatisfaction in his tone.

Questioning someone Sean had brought in front of him was, strictly speaking, already an insult to Sean. Though Sean could understand Sergeant Jason's reasons, he had still pricked Jason with his words and had even mentioned his father. Clearly, the status of a viscount placed tremendous pressure on Jason and left him somewhat flustered.

"Commander Merkel is waiting for you in his office. Please follow me with your squire." After composing himself, Sergeant Jason immediately extended a respectful invitation and gestured for them to proceed.

"Mm, then I will trouble you, Sergeant Jason." Sean nodded, his tone calm. He waved a hand to signal Sergeant Jason to lead the way.

The three stopped talking and quietly entered the Barracks. At this time, a large number of soldiers were training on the parade ground. Squad after squad, rank after rank, moved in perfect unison under the officers' command as they carried out various Military Training exercises.

Soon, Sean followed Sergeant Jason to the small building he had visited before. After instructing Thor to wait in the Lounge Area, Sean followed Sergeant Jason alone to Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's office.

Outside the office, Sean knocked on the door. The wooden door gave off a low thudding sound. After a dignified voice from within said, "Come in," Sean smiled, gently pushed the door open, and entered.

"Lord Merkel, hello. I am Sean Winchester, here to report for duty..." Sean greeted Lieutenant Colonel Merkel with a smile, then swept his gaze across the office. Merkel was the only person inside.

"Sean, haha... You are back. Come... come... sit and speak." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel wore a friendly smile, as though looking upon one of his own juniors. As he looked Sean over, he pointed to 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 smile fading as he asked seriously, "Is your father, the esteemed Viscount Winchester, still in good health? Did he have any special instructions?" Following convention, Lieutenant Colonel Merkel carefully asked about Sean's father's views.

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

"Haha... Many thanks for Lord Viscount's greetings... I once had the honor of meeting Lord Viscount. He is a true noble." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel resumed his friendly smile and offered his praise.

"Sean, I have already discussed your internship in the Garrison with Lord Auster. However, Lord Auster truly could not spare the time, so he entrusted me to welcome you on his behalf." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel said with a broad smile.

"Many thanks to Lord Auster, and my sincere thanks to you as well, Lord Merkel." Sean immediately thanked him with a smile. The Lord Auster mentioned by Lieutenant Colonel Merkel was in fact the colonel commanding the Linshui City Garrison Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Merkel revealed a satisfied expression and explained Sean's arrangements one by one. "Sean Winchester, you will officially be granted the rank of second lieutenant in the Linshui City Garrison Force. You must complete one month of basic Military Training." As he spoke, Lieutenant Colonel Merkel took a black cloth bag from his desk drawer and handed it to Sean.