Hiring Wizards

Candlelight flickered in the silver chandelier, bathing the room in a honeyed glow.

Dago and the other two sat across from Evan and his wife at a long table draped in a deep crimson velvet cloth, while Evan's uncle occupied the seat of honor.

Silver dinner plates were arranged like soldiers in formation, and crystal glasses held amber wine.

A roasted wild boar lay neatly in the center of a gilded platter, a sprig of rosemary clamped in its mouth. Beneath its glistening skin, streaks of fat and lean meat released pink juices at the touch of a knife and fork.

Everyone enjoyed the rare feast while raising their wineglasses, their faces flushed as they chatted merrily.

"Captain Dago, thank you for looking after us during our time in the Forest Patrol. My wife and I would like to offer you a toast first."

Evan and his wife raised their glasses to Dago together and took a sip of wine.

Dago raised his glass as well. "You're too polite. Mutual help has always been the principle of our team."

"Fellow wizards, have you heard? Ainak Wizard Academy has officially issued a hiring notice to the wizards in town. It seems the pay is ten Magic Stones a month."

Evan's uncle spoke at just the right moment. As a wealthy merchant in town, he had always been sensitive to news.

Dago and the other two fell silent. It was their first time hearing this news.

They silently ate the food on their plates, concealing the shock the news had stirred in their hearts.

"This means the academy's position in this war is extremely unfavorable. So, like the other local wealthy merchants, I have no choice but to sell my property and leave town for a safer city."

"However, the outskirts of town can no longer be considered safe. Not only are there bandits blocking the roads, but there are also small guerrilla groups of Black-Robed Wizards."

"My nephew told me he knew a very capable wizard named Dago, so I'd like to hire you as the wizard for our caravan. Five Low-Grade Magic Stones per month."

Evan, his wife, and his uncle all stared intently at Dago, hoping he would agree.

Mariko and Selena also looked at Dago, their expressions somewhat complicated, because Evan's uncle only intended to hire him alone.

Dago calmly cut off a piece of tender pink boar meat and said, "I'm sorry. If you were hiring all three of us together, I might agree. But since you only wish to hire me, please allow me to refuse."

After hearing Dago's words, Mariko and Selena felt as sweetly refreshed as if they had drunk cool water.

"Then that is regrettable. At present, I can only afford to hire one wizard."

Evan's uncle smiled, concealing his embarrassment. Evan and his wife looked at Dago with mixed emotions. They wanted to take him with them when they left town, not merely to repay him.

They also wanted a powerful safeguard for the journey, but they had no influence over his uncle's decision.

The matter soon passed, and everyone resumed drinking and chatting about all manner of things.

Dago and the other two left the wealthy merchant's luxurious residence and walked along the town's main street.

It was already late at night, yet the streets and alleys of town were bustling with activity.

Wizards from the academy, carrying oil lamps and torches, continually hurried past them toward the outskirts of town.

They were conducting night patrols: first, to defend against Black-Robed Wizards launching a surprise attack on the town; second, to capture wandering wizards trying to flee.

It felt as though they had suddenly returned to their days in the Forest Patrol. Some were running, while others resisted.

Mariko suddenly spoke. "You sensed it too?"

The distant torchlight flickered in Dago's eyes as he nodded slightly.

Mariko sank into memory, sighed softly, and said, "Now is when people will start dying."

Selena suddenly interjected, "Captain Dago, why didn't you choose to leave town? You clearly had the chance."

"Because I still have two family members in this town."

The two fell silent after hearing that. Yes, after traveling and living together for so long, they were practically family.

When they returned to the entrance of the Wizard Inn, the three prepared to head back to their respective rooms.

"No matter what, thank you, Dago."

Mariko suddenly stepped forward and embraced Dago, whispering into his ear, "You are the most humane wizard I have ever met. I am certain you can become a great wizard."

After saying that, Mariko patted his shoulder and turned to return to his room.

Selena saw this, and little pearls gathered in her eyes. Choking back tears, she said, "Captain Dago, I want to be your teammate for the rest of my life."

"Hey, hey, don't pull this sentimental act on me. Wipe away those little pearls already."

Dago turned and waved as he headed toward his room.

He left Selena with only his back, making her stamp her feet in irritation.

The news that Ainak Wizard Academy was recruiting hired wizards completely exploded across the town the following morning.

Dago deliberately went to the Wizard Hall early that morning to take a look. He found the entire hall packed so tightly with Low-Level Apprentice Wizards that not even water could pass through.

He had to squeeze through the crowd with great difficulty before he could read the written notice posted at the entrance of the Wizard Hall and grasp the general situation.

Wandering wizards willing to accept the academy's employment could sign a contract with it, a written "life-and-death agreement." During employment, they would receive ten Low-Grade Magic Stones per month, with additional "bonuses" for participating in the killing of Black-Robed Wizards.

This condition was tremendously tempting to the Apprentice Wizards in town. Many of them could barely survive there anymore.

Hired wizards who performed exceptionally well could join the academy and receive training at the Formal Wizard level.

However, if hired wizards deserted in battle, the academy's wizards had the right to execute them.

That clause was an even bigger bombshell, likely leaving the Apprentice Wizards dizzy as if they had been drinking.

Those were Formal Wizards. Becoming one meant becoming a major figure in one's own right; at the very worst, one could become a local ruler with real authority in the Wizard Alliance.

In truth, after seeing the academy's terms for hiring wizards, Dago also found them extremely tempting. Any Apprentice Wizard would be moved by them.

Many Apprentice Wizards happily entered the Wizard Hall to sign contracts. They imagined hired wizards would merely patrol the battlefield, transport supplies, or run errands for important figures.

As long as they were a little braver and dared to take some risks, they would even have a chance to become Formal Wizards.

How many Apprentice Wizards from the bottom ranks had ever seen Black-Robed Wizards? Much less Formal Wizards.

Watching the Apprentice Wizards dance about like gamblers gone mad, already imagining mountains of Magic Stones and the pomp and power they would wield as Formal Wizards,

Dago knew that these people were probably doomed. He had seen Black-Robed Wizards and killed several himself. That group showed no mercy when killing people.

Only then did he truly understand Mariko's words: "Now is when people will start dying." The academy had played this move of setting wolves against tigers brilliantly.

Truly, having an elder at home was like having a treasure.

The meat only seemed delicious once it was in their mouths. Why did they not notice the blade when it came down?

He slowly withdrew from the crowded mass, preparing to return to the Wizard Inn and discuss the matter with Selena and Mariko, to decide what path they should take next.