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 deep red velvet, while Evan's uncle occupied the seat of honor.

Silver 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 tray, a sprig of rosemary clamped in its mouth. Beneath its glistening skin, streaks of lean and fat flesh released pink juices at the touch of knife and fork.

Everyone enjoyed the rare feast as they raised their wine glasses, faces flushed, and chatted merrily.

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

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

Dago raised his own glass as well. "You're too polite. Helping each other has always been our team's principle."

"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 quietly ate from their plates, concealing their shock.

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

"However, the outskirts of town are no longer safe. There are not only bandits blocking the roads, but also small guerrilla groups of Black-Robed Wizards."

"My nephew told me that he knows a very capable wizard named Dago. Therefore, I would like to hire you as the wizard for our caravan. The pay will be five Low-Grade Magic Stones per month."

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

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

Dago calmly cut off a piece of tender wild boar meat. "I'm sorry. If you intended to hire all three of us together, I might agree. But if you are only hiring me, then please allow me to refuse."

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

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

Evan's uncle smiled to conceal his embarrassment. Evan and his wife looked at Dago with mixed feelings. They had wanted to take him with them when they left town, partly to repay him.

They also wanted a powerful safeguard for the journey. However, neither of them could influence Evan's uncle's decision.

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

The three of them left the wealthy merchant's luxurious residence and walked down the town's central avenue.

It was late at night, yet the streets and alleys of the town remained exceptionally lively.

Along the way, Academy wizards carrying oil lamps and torches hurried past them again and again, heading toward the outskirts of town.

They were on night patrol, both to defend the town against surprise attacks by Black-Robed Wizards and to capture wandering wizards attempting to flee.

It felt as though they had suddenly returned to their days in the Forest Patrol, when some people ran while others resisted.

Mariko suddenly spoke. "You felt it too?"

The distant torchlight flickered in Dago's eyes, and he gave a slight nod.

Mariko sank into his memories and sighed. "Only now will people truly start dying."

Selena suddenly cut in. "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 of them 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. He whispered in Dago's ear, "You are the most human-hearted wizard I have ever met in my life. I am certain that you will become a great wizard."

With that, Mariko patted him on the shoulder, turned, and returned to his room.

Selena saw it, and little pearls of tears welled up in her eyes. Choking up slightly, she said, "Captain Dago, I'll be your team member for the rest of my life."

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

Dago turned and waved as he headed toward his own room.

He left Selena only his back, making her stamp her feet in irritation where she stood.

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

Dago deliberately rushed to the Wizard Hall early in the morning to take a look. The entire Wizard Hall was packed tight with Low-Level Apprentice Wizards.

He had to struggle to squeeze through the crowd 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 would sign a contract with it, a written "agreement of life and death." During their employment, they would receive ten Low-Grade Magic Stones per month, with "bonuses" for participating in the killing of Black-Robed Wizards.

This offer was immensely tempting to the Apprentice Wizards in town. Many of them could barely survive there any longer.

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

However, if a hired wizard fled in the face of battle, Academy wizards had the right to execute them.

That condition was an even bigger bombshell, likely leaving the Apprentice Wizards dazed as though they had been drinking.

Those were Formal Wizards. Once one became one, they would be a major figure in their own right, or at the very least a local ruler with real power under the [Wizard Alliance].

In truth, after seeing the Academy's conditions for hiring wizards, even Dago 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 that being a hired wizard meant patrolling the battlefield, transporting supplies, and running errands for important people.

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

How many Apprentice Wizards living at the bottom had ever seen Black-Robed Wizards, let alone Formal Wizards?

Watching the Apprentice Wizards dance about like crazed gamblers, already fantasizing about mountains of Magic Stones and the splendor and power they would possess as Formal Wizards,

Dago knew that these people would most likely be finished. He had seen Black-Robed Wizards and killed several himself. That group did not hesitate when it came to killing people.

Only then did he truly understand what Mariko had meant by, "Only now will people truly 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.

Meat only smelled good once it was in their mouths; where were their eyes when the blade came down?

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