Fenlai Kingdom, Wushan Town.
After six months of repairs, Wushan Town had mostly recovered.
Apart from the people lost during the Saint-level battle.
"Hillman." Hogg emerged from his study, his brow deeply furrowed. "Has Linley still not come back?"
"Lord Hogg." Hillman came over and shook his head slightly. "Not yet."
"Tomorrow is the Magic Test." Hogg clenched his fists at his sides. "Linley, my son, where have you gone?"
Hogg already had a terrifying answer in mind.
But he kept that answer buried deep in his heart, reminding himself that Linley's teacher was at least a powerful Eighth-rank Mage.
Although the Radiant Church's presence meant that the Fenlai Kingdom was far stronger than ordinary kingdoms,
it was still only a kingdom. An Eighth-rank Mage was undoubtedly a major figure throughout the entire Fenlai Kingdom.
Even the king of the Fenlai Kingdom, His Majesty the Golden Lion, would treat an Eighth-rank Mage with respect.
Linley was with his teacher. Nothing would happen to him.
Nothing!
"Lord Hogg." Hiri, the butler, hurried over to Hogg. "Viscount Philip and four other barons are here."
Hogg's expression immediately 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 comes back, let me know at once."
Before Hillman could answer, Hogg headed for the reception hall.
"Philip, have we offended the Baruch Clan lately?"
"Yes, Philip. If Hogg's son really was taken on as a disciple by an Eighth-rank Mage..."
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"Relax, gentlemen." Philip stood up, smiling at the four men. "An Eighth-rank Mage? Come on, you're not children. Are you really going to believe Hogg's lies, just like that fool Locke?"
After Philip spoke, no one answered. They simply lowered their heads and pondered.
"He's just a child. What are you afraid of?" Philip raised his voice. "Once we bring down the Baruch Clan, Wushan Town will be ours. This isn't wartime, and opportunities to expand our territory don't come along often."
Philip's words put the other four at ease again.
"Philip!" Hogg's voice came from outside the hall. "My dear brother Philip, you're here."
Hogg approached Philip with a broad smile and opened his arms to embrace him.
"Oh, my dear brother Hogg." Philip looked just as delighted. "Where's Linley? He still hasn't returned from training with his teacher? The Magic Test is tomorrow."
"Yes, Hogg, why hasn't he come back?"
"Hogg, you haven't been deceiving everyone, have you?"
"Good heavens, a few months ago, you proudly announced in front of all of us that your son had become the disciple of a great mage."
"..."
The remarks from Philip and the others made a cold glint flash across Hogg's face.
Fortunately, he didn't lose his composure.
"Viscount Locke knows better than anyone whether Linley became the disciple of a great mage." Hogg still wore a smile, though it had grown rather cold. "May I ask what brings you all here today?"
"Of course, Hogg, my brother. Don't be so tense." Philip smiled and patted Hogg on the shoulder. "You know we're brothers, but there are some things we need to settle."
As he spoke, Philip pulled several contracts from his clothes.
"Hogg, you've been borrowing money from us to rebuild Wushan Town. But now it's time to pay us back."
Hogg's face darkened as he looked at the contracts Philip held out to him.
Linley's Magic Cores had been sold earlier, keeping them afloat for a while.
But rebuilding the entire town was another matter.
Hogg had spent a great deal of gold during this time.
And the money had come from Philip and the others.
"I will." Hogg struggled to keep his temper in check. "I'll gather the gold and repay you all within the next couple of days."
"Of course. But Hogg, you'd better be prepared." Philip spoke with an air of reluctance. "It's been six months, so we've decided to raise the interest a little. Not much—just one-tenth."
"Have you lost your mind?" Hogg cried out. "Philip, do you know what one-tenth interest means?"
"Of course, of course. Calm down, Hogg." Philip hurriedly replied. "It's been six months. We didn't discuss interest beforehand, but that doesn't mean there isn't any."
"You're right." Hogg took several deep breaths, steadying himself. "We'll do it your way. One-tenth interest. I'll have the gold ready in three days."
After speaking, Hogg turned to leave the room.
Just then,
"Hogg! Lord Hogg!"
Hillman's voice came from outside the reception hall.
Right after Hillman's voice came another, a little young-sounding.
"Father, I'm back!"
But when they heard that voice, all five of Philip's group turned pale.
The four men looked at Philip, but he was already flustered himself and had no time to think about his allies.
"Linley!" Hogg looked toward the doorway, overjoyed. "My son, you're finally back after six months!"
The next moment, Hogg rushed outside.
"Father!"
In the courtyard, Linley looked at Hogg, his nose stinging.
Neither Big Brother Lin Ke nor Grandpa Doehring thought much of his father.
In particular, they both believed that his father treated him too harshly, even putting the family's honor before his safety.
But Linley knew the truth: his father loved him. His father's way of showing it was simply hard to accept.
"Come, Linley, let me have a look at you." Hogg looked at Linley nervously. "Were you hurt during these six months?"
Hogg carefully examined Linley from head to toe. At least, he couldn't see any obvious wounds.
Aside from the terrible scar on his abdomen, Linley really didn't have any other injuries.
He had fought in his Dragon Transformation form every time, and he had yet to meet an opponent capable of breaking through its defenses.
"Father." Linley looked up and saw the five men emerging from the reception hall. "Who are these gentlemen?"
Linley's voice turned cold.
As soon as he'd entered Wushan Town, Uncle Hillman had briefly told him about Philip and the others.
They were all country nobles from nearby.
At first, after Viscount Locke spread the news that Linley had become a mage's disciple, they had come to the Baruch Clan to offer their congratulations.
But as time passed, rumors began to spread.
After all, even though Linley had become the disciple of a mage, the Baruch Clan's circumstances hadn't improved.
In fact, the clan's situation had grown worse as they helped the townspeople.
So Viscount Locke had organized a banquet and raised a good deal of gold for Hogg.
But afterward, Viscount Philip and the others had gone too far, frequently visiting the estate to ask about him.
Especially over the past month or so, they had come almost every day.
Their purpose was to mock his father.
They were certain that if Linley really had become a mage's disciple, then that mage must be below the fifth rank.
Because if his teacher really were an Eighth-rank Mage, he wouldn't be so stingy.
The Baruch Clan's situation wouldn't have remained completely unchanged.
When Linley spoke coldly, the five men were already sweating profusely.
But after Philip's eyes darted around and settled on Linley, he managed a smile.
"You're Linley, right?" Philip took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I heard you became the disciple of an Eighth-rank Mage. So, where is your teacher?"
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