Peterson's Gratitude

Chapter 34: President Peterson's Gratitude

Leaving the Academy's finance department, Lorist found himself with a heavy coin purse containing thirty Gold Fude. His next stop was the Swordsmanship Club, where Vice President Telman was eagerly awaiting Lorist, the club president, to sign his name so the monthly benefits could be distributed to the expectant members. The instructors and assistants from the Battle Qi teaching group should be receiving theirs too.

The Swordsmanship Club had an additional three Gold Fude for "office expenses," and the Battle Qi teaching group received five gold coins as a welfare subsidy. This brought his total income for the month to thirty-eight gold coins. Lorist was very satisfied with his current life. He had previously estimated the cost of living in Molent City. If one copper coin was equivalent to one yuan in his past life, then a small silver coin would be twenty yuan, a large silver coin one hundred yuan, and a Gold Fude two thousand yuan. His thirty-eight gold coins were worth seventy-six thousand yuan. Adding his income from being a mercenary, his annual earnings would be comparable to a million yuan in his past life. "I'm rich now," Lorist thought with great self-satisfaction.

Lorist was indeed the highest-paid individual at Dawnlight Academy, mainly because he held a dual Gold Instructor's badge, which doubled his salary. It was no wonder that Garilando, the owner of the Red Raven Tavern, had cursed when Lorist revealed his monthly salary. Garilando's prosperous tavern business barely earned him two hundred gold coins a year, and that was after taking commissions for introducing quests. Unlike Lorist, who stayed comfortably in the academy, he earned three hundred and sixty gold coins annually.

A teaching assistant at Dawnlight Academy received only one gold coin per month as a welfare subsidy. Those who performed well could be hired as probationary assistants with a monthly salary of two gold coins for a three-month probationary period. After the probationary period, they would become officially hired instructors. If they were Black Iron instructors, their monthly salary would be three Gold Fude. If their Battle Qi had already reached Silver Rank, they would first serve as Black Iron instructors for a semester before officially becoming Silver instructors, with a monthly salary of five Gold Fude.

Silver instructors' salaries also had four tiers. The first three years earned five gold coins per month, followed by three years at six gold coins. The next three years would bring in seven gold coins per month. If a Silver instructor had taught at the academy for over ten years, their monthly salary would be fixed at eight Gold Fude.

The salaries of Gold instructors at Dawnlight Academy were divided according to their strength. Gold One-star instructors earned ten Gold Fude per month. Gold Two-star instructors earned fifteen gold coins. Gold Three-star instructors, like Instructor Krudd, earned twenty gold coins per month. If Instructor Krudd could break through his peak Gold Rank state and become a Great Swordsman, his monthly salary would be at least fifty Gold Fude.

When Lorist first obtained the Ikado Badge, he was granted the treatment of a Gold instructor at the academy, but the finance department had a huge argument over how much his monthly salary should be. Some argued that it should be based on the salary of a Gold One-star instructor. Others asked if Lorist, who was originally a Black Iron instructor and now had the Ikado Badge, should receive the Gold instructor's salary in addition to his Black Iron instructor's salary. Finally, the matter was reported to Dean Levens for a decision. Dean Levens ruled that Lorist's salary should be based on that of a Gold Two-star instructor, and his Black Iron instructor salary would no longer be paid. Thus, Lorist's monthly salary became fifteen gold coins. Later, Lorist also obtained the Battle Qi Gold Instructor's badge, doubling his monthly salary.

This was also why Fatty Shi and his friends at the academy liked to take small advantages of Lorist; it was simply out of envy. On payday, Fatty Shi would always find an excuse to have Lorist treat him, arguing that he had worked hard for nearly ten years to climb from an enforcement officer to the head of the academy's enforcement department, yet his monthly salary was only twelve gold coins, less than half of Lorist's. "How can I stand this envy and jealousy? If I don't make Locke bleed once, how can I sleep at night..."

After leaving the Swordsmanship Club, he went to the Battle Qi teaching group's office. As the head instructor, Lorist signed the welfare distribution list handed over by Instructor Anfia, approving the distribution. He then signed his own name and collected five Gold Fude. As he turned to leave, Instructor Marlin called out to him.

Instructor Marlin extended his hand. "Lend me some money. I'll return it tomorrow."

"Uh? How much?"

"As much as possible, preferably all of it. I'll return it tomorrow," Instructor Marlin said.

"Huh?" Lorist took out his coin purse and threw it to Instructor Marlin, very curious. "Brother Marlin, why are you borrowing money? And you'll return it tomorrow? What's so urgent?"

Instructor Anfia beside them chuckled. "We're borrowing too, and we'll return it tomorrow. Instructor Marlin has to hand over his entire salary to his wife every payday and has been struggling for money for drinks. So, he came up with a brilliant idea to get some cash. He plans to use the borrowed money and his salary to get some private funds for himself, so he won't have to worry about drinking money anymore."

"What brilliant idea? Borrowing money today and returning it tomorrow, and in one night you'll have enough private funds for drinking? Even loan sharks don't do that in a day!" Lorist pondered for a long time but couldn't figure out Instructor Marlin's money-making scheme.

"Actually, this idea is related to you," Instructor Anfia said with a smile.

"Related to me? What is it?"

"Tomorrow is the academy's duel day, right? Your opponent is from Clearwater Academy, ranked seventeenth. That academy isn't much, probably just a formality. So, Instructor Marlin plans to pool a hundred gold coins to bet on you winning. Although one large silver coin only wins one small silver coin, a hundred gold coins can win twenty gold coins, which is enough for Instructor Marlin to drink for several years," Instructor Anfia explained.

Lorist looked at Instructor Marlin, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "You guys came up with such a stupid idea? What if you lose? I'll treat you to drinks if you want to drink. How about we go to the Red Raven Tavern tonight?"

Instructor Marlin grinned shamelessly. "If you lose, it's your own responsibility. Drinking is more satisfying when you buy it yourself. Besides, treating us once or twice is fine, but I'd be too embarrassed to do it all the time. It's too much to constantly mooch drinks."

"Aren't you afraid the dean will get angry with you? You're clearly trying to steal money from the academy, you know that!"

"For the sake of alcohol, Brother, I'm willing to risk it. Besides, we can say this is the Battle Qi coaching group showing support and encouragement for you. Tomorrow morning, any instructors and assistants who are free will go to cheer you on, so the academy can't do anything to us."

"Alright, since you've all thought it through, I have nothing more to say. Don't sleep tonight, and pray I don't have a mishap tomorrow." Lorist walked towards the door, then suddenly remembered something. "Brother Marlin, when President Peterson mentioned the three thousand Gold Fude prize money last time, you didn't seem very excited. Can you tell me why?"

"Oh, that. I've seen too much of that in the city guard. Whenever they need cannon fodder, the officers would shout things like 'First one to charge gets a hundred gold coins!' After a while, I got used to it, and even large sums didn't faze me anymore," Instructor Marlin replied nonchalantly.

"Uh..." Lorist was speechless...

Lorist first went to see Young Master Peterson, who was diligently trying to lose weight. Under the motivation of a whip, the formerly obese young master had successfully lost over seventy pounds through nearly fifty days of relentless effort. However, his current weight was still around three hundred pounds. After taking the young master's pulse, the instructor holding the whip and supervising reported that the training was going smoothly, but the young master was desperately craving meat. Earlier, when the instructor got close, the young master had lunged and bitten his arm. If it weren't for the instructor's quick reaction and Battle Qi protecting his arm, at least a pound of flesh would have been lost. Then, the instructor had to whip him severely to bring the young master back to his senses.

"No wonder the young master was so well-behaved when I took his pulse. He must have just been disciplined," Lorist mused, deciding to add a meat dish to the young master's meals. "How about this: starting tomorrow, breakfast remains the same. For lunch, we'll add a boiled small chicken, about a pound. For dinner, a steamed fish. These two dishes should not have oil, just a little salt. However, starting tomorrow, we'll implement the second training plan. With better food, the high-intensity exercise must also keep up."

After watching the young master, who looked like a dead fish, doing sit-ups on the ground for a while, Lorist felt it was time to go to the grand hall. This afternoon was the time for Battle Qi awakening for the first batch of one hundred and fifty-two students in the Battle Qi Enlightenment Class. As the head instructor, he had to make an appearance.

Arriving at the grand hall, it was just the right time. The students preparing for Battle Qi awakening had already assembled in formation. Instructor Marlin invited Lorist to the stage to give a final motivational speech to the students.

Lorist went to the stage and pointed to a large Pentagram image hanging on the wall. "I believe you have all become familiar with and memorized this Pentagram pattern during this period. This represents the grand circulation of blood meridians for Basic Battle Qi. When you enter the quiet room later, relax your bodies, concentrate your minds, and imagine the grand circulation of blood meridians running within your bodies according to this Pentagram structure. You will soon sense the Qi Sensation generated within your bodies, which signifies that you have awakened Battle Qi. There is no need to be nervous now; you will not fail. Your bodies are currently in the optimal state of essence, qi, and spirit. I have examined your bodies over the past two days, and I am full of confidence in you. Therefore, you should relax, be confident, and awaken your Battle Qi with a smile."

Lorist's words caused a low murmur of laughter from the students below. Then, teams of students, guided by instructors and assistants, walked towards the temporarily set up quiet rooms. They would stay there for one to two hours to awaken their Battle Qi before coming out.

Awakening Battle Qi is actually simple and not complicated. However, if one's body is not good, no amount of sitting and contemplating will allow them to sense the Qi Sensation generated within their bodies. After awakening Battle Qi, students will still need to familiarize themselves with and apply Battle Qi under the guidance of instructors, allowing their bodies to adapt to the circulation of Battle Qi until their Battle Qi reaches the Bronze One-star standard to enter the ranks. After that, Battle Qi cultivation and advancement will depend on the individual.

Lorist visited the other three classes. Feeling that he had fulfilled his duties as head instructor, he was about to head home when he saw Bill, the steward of the Peterson family, hurrying over to say that President Peterson had arrived and requested to meet with Head Instructor Locke.

Lorist was led by Bill through many twists and turns for a long time. When he asked Bill questions, he was met with indifferent replies, making Lorist a bit puzzled. "What's going on? This steward Bill seems to have a big opinion of me. Could it be that he resents us for helping that obese young master with his weight loss training, thinking it's mistreating his young master? This person doesn't seem remarkable, but he's quite loyal. That's not bad."

Lorist had no idea that Bill had already lost over twenty gold coins betting on him. If he hadn't stopped in time, he would have lost another ten or so this month. Seeing Lorist now was like seeing his lost twenty-odd gold coins; how could he give Lorist a good look? He was already restraining himself from pouncing and biting him fiercely.

Finally, Bill led Lorist to a small grove of trees by the training ground. Lorist discovered President Peterson hiding behind the trees, his backside sticking out, peeking at the obese young master on the training ground undergoing physical training under the whip's supervision. Every time the whip cracked, President Peterson would flinch as if the whip were lashing him.

Lorist had a look of amusement and helplessness. "President, I can understand you hiding from your beloved son so he doesn't see you. But why do you need me, the head instructor, to sneak around too? We've been sneaking and hiding all this way; I thought we were up to something bad."

President Peterson was very satisfied with the weight loss results of his obese son over the past fifty days. After all, anyone could see he had shrunk a bit, and seeing his son able to run and jump made President Peterson overjoyed. At home, his son was notoriously lazy, preferring to sit rather than stand, and lie down rather than sit. After walking for a short while, he would be out of breath. He wanted to be stricter, but the old lady and the two madams at home doted on and protected the chubby boy, preventing him from being disciplined, leaving him helpless.

Although his son was currently undergoing physical training under the threat of the whip held by the instructor beside him, it was still better than staying at home and refusing to exercise. Of course, President Peterson also raised an objection regarding the whip, questioning if it was too thick and if the instructor was whipping too frequently.

Lorist explained with a smile, "The whip is thick so it won't injure the bones and muscles. It hurts when it strikes, but it won't draw blood, and after the training, applying some medicine will heal any wounds by the next day. As for the instructor whipping frequently, it's out of necessity. Who told the young master to be so lazy? If you're not careful, he'll cut corners. If he doesn't train properly, it's hard to get good results. So, as accompanying instructors, we have to harden our hearts."

Lorist said meaningfully, "It's better to feel pain now than to feel pain in the future. We are not just helping the young master lose weight; we are also helping him establish a correct outlook on life. When the young master awakens his Battle Qi and returns home, he will no longer live a life of gluttony and laziness like before."

President Peterson...

After a moment of silence, President Peterson spoke again. "Actually, I came today for another reason. Bill raved about the steam bath, piquing my curiosity. So, I specifically took some time today to experience it, and incidentally, to see how my beloved son is doing. I have now seen my son, and I express my gratitude to Head Instructor Locke and the other instructors for their efforts and dedication. I believe Head Instructor Locke will make my wish come true."

Lorist nodded. The duel performance this morning had made him sweat, and he felt uncomfortable. He had also spoken with a slightly lecturing tone earlier, feeling a bit awkward. Now that President Peterson had provided a ladder, he quickly took the opportunity to step down. "Do I have the honor of inviting President to experience this steam bath?"

President Peterson smiled. "Of course..."

"Ah, that's comfortable." President Peterson leaned against the wooden platform in the steam bath, a towel wrapped around his lower body, sweat pouring down his face.

Lorist was pouring ladlefuls of cold water onto the glowing red-hot pebbles. Waves of white steam rose, making the bathroom incredibly hot and stuffy.

"Steam it once and then rinse off. After three steams and three rinses, you'll feel incredibly refreshed. Steam baths are actually very beneficial for the skin and overall health, but you shouldn't stay in the steam room for too long. About ten to fifteen minutes is usually best," Lorist said, his voice sounding somewhat muffled in the steam room.

"I should build one at home too. We could have a steam bath party then, everyone naked and meeting openly, hehe," Guild Master Peterson suddenly mused.

"That's not a good idea. You don't know if any of your guests have hidden ailments or contagious diseases. A home bathroom is the owner's private space, and outsiders should ideally not enter. If you want to host a steam party, it would be better to build a high-end steam club, complete with services like back scrubbing, massage, and pedicures. The business should do well," Lorist replied.

"Right, how did I not think of that..." Guild Master Peterson flipped over and sat up, his eyes sparkling as he pondered.

Before getting into the carriage, Guild Master Peterson reached into his pocket and pulled out three palm-sized papers. He slapped them into Lorist's hand. "The first one is to thank you for giving me a good business idea, and since you came up with it, I feel a bit awkward just taking it, so this is my token of gratitude. The second is to express my thanks to all the instructors in the teaching group. The third is a personal thank you to Chief Instructor Locke. I entrust my precious son to you."

These were three gold notes, each worth one hundred gold coins. Upon presentation at a temple of Sergin, the goddess of commerce and wealth, each note could be exchanged for three hundred Gold Fude. It was indeed worthy of the Peterson family, one of the seven great merchant houses of the Commercial Alliance; their generosity was evident.

Lorist bowed his head in a half-bow, expressing his thanks. "Thank you, Guild Master. Rest assured, we will not fail in our trust."