Linley Returns, The Noble's Trouble

Wushan Town, Fenlai Kingdom.

After half a year of reconstruction, the entire Wushan Town had basically recovered.

Except for the population lost during the Saint-level battle.

"Hillman." Hogg walked out of his study, his brows furrowed tightly, "Has Linley still not returned?"

"Lord Hogg." Hillman came before Hogg and shook his head slightly, "Still nothing."

"Tomorrow is the Magic Test." Hogg's hands involuntarily gripped his trousers, "Linley, my son, where on earth have you gone?"

In the depths of his mind, Hogg actually already had a terrifying answer.

But Hogg kept this answer buried deep in his heart, constantly reminding himself that Linley's teacher was, at the very least, a powerful eighth-rank mage.

Although the Fenlai Kingdom was far more powerful than the average kingdom thanks to the Radiant Church.

It was still just a kingdom, and an eighth-rank mage was definitely considered a big shot throughout the entire Fenlai Kingdom.

Even the King of the Fenlai Kingdom, His Majesty the Golden Lion, would treat an eighth-rank mage with courtesy.

With his teacher, Linley would absolutely be fine.

Absolutely!

"Lord Hogg." The butler Hiri walked quickly toward Hogg, "Viscount Philip and four other barons have arrived."

Hearing this, Hogg's expression turned cold.

"I'll go see them." Hogg took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, "Hillman, go wait at the town entrance. If Linley returns, notify me immediately."

As soon as he finished speaking, without waiting for Hillman's reply, Hogg headed toward the front hall.

"Philip, have we offended the Baruch Clan recently?"

"That's right, Philip. What if Hogg's son really was taken as a disciple by an eighth-rank mage?"

"I have a feeling we're going to run into trouble doing this."

"Relax, gentlemen." Philip stood up, looking at the four of them with a smile, "An eighth-rank mage? Please, you aren't children anymore. Are you really prepared to believe Hogg's lies just like that idiot Locke?"

After Philip finished speaking, no one replied; they only lowered their heads in thought.

"He's just a little kid, what are you afraid of?" Philip raised his voice, "If we bring down the Baruch Clan, Wushan Town will be ours. It's not wartime right now, and opportunities to expand one's territory don't come often."

Philip's words calmed the hearts of the four men, who had been wavering just moments before.

"Philip!" Hogg's voice came from outside the hall, "My dear brother Philip, you've come."

Hogg walked up to Philip with a smile on his face and opened his arms to embrace him.

"Oh, my brother Hogg." Philip was equally cheerful, "Where is Linley? Has he not returned from his training with his teacher yet? Tomorrow is the day of the Magic Test."

"That's right, Hogg, why hasn't he come back?"

"Hogg, you wouldn't be lying to everyone, would you?"

"Goodness, a few months ago, you were so high-spirited when you told us all that your son had apprenticed under a great mage."

"..."

The chatter from Philip and his group caused a flash of cold light to cross Hogg's eyes.

Fortunately, Hogg did not lose his composure.

"Whether Linley has apprenticed under a great mage or not, Viscount Locke knows that better than anyone." A smile still hung on Hogg's face, though it was somewhat icy, "I wonder what brings you all here today?"

"Of course, Hogg, my brother, don't be so tense." Philip smiled and patted Hogg on the shoulder, "We are brothers, you know that, but some things must be made clear."

As he spoke, Philip pulled several contracts from his bosom.

"Hogg, you've been borrowing money from us for the reconstruction of Wushan Town over this past period, but now it is time to repay the debt."

Looking at the contracts Philip held out to him, Hogg's face turned dark.

Although he had managed to hold on for a while thanks to the Magic Core Linley had brought back to sell.

But after all, this was the reconstruction of the entire Wushan Town.

Hogg had spent quite a lot of gold coins during this time.

And the source of those gold coins was Philip and the others.

"I will." Hogg tried hard to suppress his emotions, "I will raise the gold coins to repay you all within these two days."

"Of course, but brother Hogg, you should be prepared." Philip said with a troubled expression, "It has been half a year, so we have decided to raise the interest a little. It's not much, one-tenth will do."

"Are you insane?" Hogg couldn't help but exclaim, "Philip, one-tenth interest, do you know what that means?"

"Of course, of course, calm down, Hogg." Philip quickly added, "After all, it has been half a year. Just because we didn't discuss interest before doesn't mean it didn't exist."

"You're right." Hogg took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, "We will do as you say, one-tenth interest. I will have the gold coins gathered in three days."

As soon as Hogg finished speaking, he prepared to walk out of the room.

The next moment.

"Hogg, Lord Hogg~"

Hillman's voice rang out from outside the reception hall.

Following closely behind Hillman's voice was a slightly youthful tone.

"Father, I'm back~"

However, upon hearing this voice, the complexions of Philip and the other four turned visibly pale.

The four of them cast their gazes toward Philip, but Philip himself was already somewhat flustered at this moment; how could he possibly care about his allies?

"Linley!" Hogg looked toward the door, his face full of pleasant surprise. "My son, it's been half a year, you've finally returned."

The next moment, Hogg dashed out the door.

"Father~"

Inside the courtyard, Linley looked at the Hogg before him, his nose stinging.

Whether it was big brother Lin Ke or Grandpa Doehring, neither held a high opinion of his father.

In particular, both of them had always felt that his father's attitude toward him was too harsh, even placing family honor above his own safety.

But Linley knew for himself that his father loved him; it was just that the way he showed that love was somewhat difficult to accept.

"Quick, Linley, let me look at you." Hogg looked at the Linley before him with some nervousness. "Have you been injured these past six months?"

Hogg carefully inspected Linley from head to toe, finding at least no obvious external wounds.

In reality, apart from the ghastly scar on his abdomen, Linley truly didn't have any other wounds.

Every time he fought, he was in his Dragon Transformation form, and he had yet to encounter an opponent capable of breaking through the defenses of his Dragon Transformation.

"Father." Linley looked up and saw Philip and the other four walking out of the reception hall. "Who are these gentlemen?"

Linley's tone turned icy.

Just after entering Wushan Town, Uncle Hillman had briefly explained the situation regarding Philip and the other four.

The five of them were all local rural nobles.

At the very beginning, when Viscount Locke spread the news of Linley becoming an apprentice to a magus, they had also come to the Baruch Clan to offer their congratulations.

However, as time passed, rumors began to circulate.

After all, despite having apprenticed under a magus, the situation of the Baruch Clan had not improved at all.

In fact, because of their financial support for the townspeople, life for the Baruch Clan had become even more difficult.

Consequently, Viscount Locke had organized a banquet to raise a significant amount of gold coins for Hogg.

But afterward, Viscount Philip and the others had only become more excessive, frequently coming to the residence to pry for information about him.

Especially over the last month or so, they had come almost every single day.

And their goal was simply to mock his father.

They were certain that if he had truly apprenticed under a magus, it must have been someone below the fifth rank.

Because if it were truly an eighth-rank magus, they would never be so stingy as to leave the Baruch Clan's situation completely unchanged.

When Linley spoke with that icy tone, Philip and the other four were already beginning to break out in a cold sweat.

However, after Philip's eyes darted around, they landed on Linley, and he revealed a smile.

"Linley, is it?" Philip took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I heard you apprenticed under an eighth-rank magus? So, where is your teacher?"