Hogg's Excitement

Wushan Town

Baruch Mansion

Although the family had fallen on hard times, the Baruch Clan still had more than a dozen guards, with Hillman as their captain.

Usually, Hogg assigned the guards to handle all sorts of affairs in Wushan Town.

They also served as the town's security force.

"Hey, isn't that Captain Hillman?"

"Captain Hillman took Moke and Linley to Fenlai City for the magic academy entrance test. How could they be back so soon?"

"Hey, it really is them! The captain looks so excited!"

"Could one of the young masters have been accepted into a magic academy?"

Several guards patrolling Wushan Town hurried over from a distance.

"Captain!"

"Young Master Moke!"

"Young Master Linley."

One of the guards asked with a grin, "Captain, why are you back so early?"

He didn't dare ask about the results. Everyone knew that the odds of becoming a mage were incredibly low!

Hillman looked happy, but who knew what the reason was?

"Hahaha! Moke and Linley have both been accepted into Ernst Institute. I'm back to deliver the good news to Lord Hogg!"

Hillman roared with laughter. "You lot, get ready to celebrate!"

"I'm sure Lord Hogg will celebrate."

With that, he led Moke and Linley toward Baruch Old Residence.

"What?"

The guards stared at him, wide-eyed.

It took them a good while to recover. Their faces filled with astonishment. "Ernst Institute? The finest magic academy on the Yulan Continent?"

"Young Master Moke and Young Master Linley were both accepted into Ernst Institute?"

"Good heavens!"

"That's unbelievable!"

The guards were stunned, then quickly overwhelmed with joy.

Young Master Moke and Young Master Linley had both been accepted into Ernst Institute!

Didn't that mean the Baruch Clan was about to rise again?

And as guards of the Baruch Clan, their own status would naturally rise along with it. They were all thrilled.

When the villagers of Wushan Town nearby heard the news, they were also deeply shocked.

Wushan Town was near the royal capital of Fenlai, and Ernst Institute was only a little over a hundred miles away. The villagers knew a fair bit about it.

And that was exactly why they were so shocked!

"After graduating, Young Master Moke and Young Master Linley might become Earls of the kingdom!"

They were envious, yet delighted. This was cause for celebration throughout Wushan Town!

The Baruch Clan's taxes were among the lowest of all the nearby nobles, so the people of Wushan Town were quite loyal to the family.

Baruch Mansion

Hogg was playing with little Wharton. He tossed the six-year-old into the air again and again, catching him each time. Wharton laughed so hard he could barely catch his breath, and Hogg wore a smile too.

Even as he played with his youngest son, Hogg's mind was elsewhere.

"Moke and Linley, my two sons... I hope at least one of them can become a mage. Even an ordinary mage would be enough."

Hogg was apprehensive and nervous.

He knew how slim the odds of becoming a mage were, so he didn't dare hope for much. Still, deep down, he wished for his sons to accomplish something great.

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from the outer courtyard.

Hogg looked outside and saw Hillman, Moke, and Linley hurrying toward him, all wearing smiles.

Hillman in particular looked extremely excited, his rugged face flushed red.

"Lord Hogg!"

Hillman's booming shout sent a flicker of joy through Hogg's heart.

"Hillman, you..." Hogg's voice trembled.

Good heavens, could it be...

Moke spoke up happily. "Father, Linley and I were both accepted into Ernst Institute. We both have the talent to become mages!"

"That's right, Father. Uncle Hillman has our acceptance letters."

"Lord Hogg, look!" Hillman promptly handed the letters to Hogg.

"Gasp!"

Hogg swayed. Even with the physical strength of a Sixth-Level Warrior, he nearly lost his balance.

He handed little Wharton to Hillman, then took the two exquisitely crafted letters from him. His hands trembling, Hogg opened them.

The words "Ernst Institute Acceptance Letter" stood out before his eyes.

After a few seconds of silence, Hogg suddenly raised his head and burst into uproarious laughter!

"Ernst Institute! The finest magic academy on the Yulan Continent!"

As he laughed, tears welled in his eyes. He murmured, "Both my sons were accepted into Ernst Institute!"

"There's hope, there's hope..." He whispered the last words to himself, not letting Moke and Linley hear.

But watching Hogg's excitement, Moke could guess why he was so happy.

Perhaps the fact that both of us got into Ernst Institute has given Father hope that he can uncover the truth behind Mother's disappearance.

Moke sighed inwardly. Hogg had suffered so much over the years.

It wasn't physical pain, but the torment that had plagued him deep in his heart every moment of every day.

"Father, are you..." Linley was startled by Hogg's excitement.

He'd known Hogg would be overjoyed, but he hadn't expected such a strong reaction.

Hillman, standing nearby, also seemed to have guessed the truth, just as Moke had. He sighed softly, then smiled again.

He was happy for Hogg too.

"Linley, it's all right. I'm just so happy."

Hogg laughed, then picked up Moke and Linley in his arms. "I'm happy! So happy! Today is a day for great celebration for the Baruch Clan!"

He looked at Hillman and said with a smile, "Hillman, spread the word. I'm waiving the taxes for every resident of Wushan Town for a year. I want to share the joy with everyone!"

"Also, we'll hold a grand feast tonight. Nobody leaves sober!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Hillman set Wharton down and cheerfully headed off.

The Baruch Clan was poor and often had to sell household belongings for coins.

Still, Moke understood the excitement and joy in the heart of this fallen noble, Hogg.

"A feast? Does that mean there'll be lots of good food?" Wharton's eyes lit up.

"That's right. There'll be lots of delicious food at the feast." Moke, whom Hogg had set down, pinched Wharton's little cheek and spoke affectionately.

He used to like pinching Linley's cheeks.

But Linley had lost his baby fat from all his training.

Wharton, on the other hand, had grown chubby from eating. He was a sturdy little ball of fat.

That night, the entire Baruch Mansion was brightly lit.

More than a dozen guards and their families came, along with Moke and Linley's friends from town. Everyone celebrated like mad.

The two young masters of the Baruch Clan had both been accepted into Ernst Institute. The townspeople were proud to share in their success, and now they'd have something to brag about whenever they went out.

The clan they served had produced two great mages!