Elaria POV:

  Elaria Kryos is a genius mage who is only seen once in a decade. She even managed to break through to 4th Circle at age of twenty-eight with a measly mana rating of 4’. Rarely seen, especially not by someone that wasn’t pampered with elixirs and the like to advance faster. Even being banished from her Elven forest didn’t stop her, and neither being ostracized in human courts did. Let alone taking care of one lost puppy will.

  She didn’t even bother looking up when Josh barged in, his boots tracking mud she’d have to ask Bella to clean up.

  What does the lost puppy want now?

  “Lady Magus,” Josh said, his eyes wandering around, not daring to meet her gaze after interrupting her tea-time. “I’ve got a proposition.”

  Oh? A proposition, he says.

  “I want you to work for free–” Josh blurted out.

  “Excuse me?” Elaria interrupted him, releasing her mana as frost spider-webs gathered on the table. “This is insulting, Baron Josh. I hope what comes next out of your mouth makes sense, or else.”

  Josh shivered from the sudden onslaught of cold. “Lady Elaria, how long is your contract with the crown to tutor me?” Josh asked her.

  “It’s a year,” she replied, humoring his questions.

  “I want you to extend it to two years. The first year you will not be getting paid. But the second year, you will get two and half times of what you are supposed to be getting, so twenty-five platinum coins a month.”

  Interesting.

  Elaria scoffed. “And tell me, why exactly should I do that?”

  “Frankly? The Barony can’t afford you; it’s running at a deficit,” Josh sighed. “But I looked at the tax ledgers. If we deal with goblins and double-check the accounts from all the villages, that look odd. We will be able to afford you, but that will take time, and I want you to give me that time,” he caught his breath. “Hell scrap that, I’ll pay you triple for the second year.”

  Elaria lightly tipped her lips, a small smile forming. “And I’m expected to take your word that it will work?”

  “Yes, I’m hoping you will make a bet on me… No, I plead you will make a bet on me. You already saved my life once. You are the only one in this world I can fully trust.” Josh knelt on the ground as he asked that.

  Poor puppy.

  Elaria furrowed her brows as she thought about it for a handful of seconds. “Let me think about it. No promises, though,” she replied.

  Josh, not convinced, with determination burning his eyes. Stood up, took the sheathed sword he dragged into this room. Huffed as he lifted it and used both of his hands to place it on the table, unsheathing it once it was on the table.

  “Also this,” he pointed at the sword he unsheathed. “If I fail to make even a single payment, this is yours.”

  Ohh, so the old oaf did give the sword to him.

  She traced her fingers along the flat of the blade, examining it thoroughly. “It’s too precious, I can’t take it as collateral.”

  “Better a poor man but alive than a dead man with a fancy sword,” Josh blurted out. “And I need you to make sure that I stay alive.”

  I can't, it’s too precious. I truly can’t.

  “Also, you are only getting it if I fail to pay you. And it’s not in my plans to fail,” Josh confidently stated.

  Young puppy’s fangs are showing. He kind of reminds me of Elio.

  She shook her head at the displeasing thoughts that invaded her mind. "Fine, I accept your deal, Baron Josh. I’m willing to make a bet on you. No collateral is needed."

  His bloodline. Whatever it is, makes it worth more to place a bet than a fancy sword.

  ***

  Josh POV:

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  A couple of days had passed since Josh started his training under Leo. He has made significant progress, even getting a couple of compliments from Leo for his talent. His stance was even considered passable by now.

  “Milord, Wonderful progress so far,” Leo said, sighing. “It’s such a curse, you can’t use your mana for another couple of weeks. You are more than ready to take the 1st step into entering 1st circle,” he frowned before adding. “Or maybe it’s a blessing as we can work on your basics.”

  Josh nodded, thoughtfully.

  Elaria did a great job the day before explaining to him that until a 3rd circle, it doesn’t matter whether you do magic or swordsmanship; it was the 3rd circle when you had to form permanent mana pathways that you needed to decide. She even encouraged him to try to learn the sword. As magic was not for everyone.

  Though the concept that there were only six Champions - 6th circle knights in the whole kingdom, and only one Warlord, a 7th circle knight. It did make him lean toward magic, considering there were dozens of Arch mages and countless Grand Magus in the kingdom. Fighting up close seemed to shorten one’s lifespan. And with most mages being geared towards being scholars rather than fighters, only seemed to help that.

  Though, considering my low mana sensitivity compared to other summonees, it might be better for me to pursue the sword. After all, Elaria did mention that there was a Champion in this kingdom with a mana sensitivity of below one. And all Arch mages have at least seven, with only a couple outliers in the history.

  “Leo, how important is mana sensitivity to being a knight?” Josh asked, as the only case of low mana sensitivity and high rank, he knew had a helping add-on of being a King’s uncle.

  Leo’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought about it. “Milord, it’s very important… But definitely less important than it is for mages, considering Archduke Joan Pertis is a champion with a mana sensitivity of ‘0.47’. For knights, it’s control that matters more than sensitivity,” Leo replied.

  Josh nodded with a smile on his face. Happy that what Elaria told him matched with what Leo told him.

  “How about the priests? Or people that use a bow or a spear?” Josh asked.

  “For priests, it’s a tightly-lipped secret, only known to few. Sadly, I’m not one of those few. As for archers or spearman, it’s the same with different titles; it all ends at seven circles,” Leo replied.

  So exactly the same as what Elaria told me… I guess this is common sense for denizens of this world.

  “And how do you progress between the circles?” Josh asked.

  “Milord, let’s wait for you to get your mana back before jumping to that. Also, Magus Elaria might be better at explaining it to you.”

  Josh tsked.

  With their training nearing the end, a sky-blue pigeon flew straight towards Josh, it’s feathers glittering the sky with light blue motes. It stopped at his eyeline, keeping itself afloat with light flaps. A letter was stuck outside the cylinder that rested on the bird’s leg.

  Who was Josh but a slave to this fluffy, cute creature’s wishes? He rushed to take the letter out and free the creature of its burden. As soon as he took the letter, the bird chirped and flew away. Disappearing only moments later, leaving its glittering trail in the air.

  How fucking fast is that bird?

  The Voss seal on the letter clearly showed from whom this letter was. With a rush, Josh tore open the letter. What greeted him was gibberish that he had no way of understanding.

  Oh yeah, I still can’t read.

  “Ahem, Leo, can you read this for me?” Josh awkwardly asked.

  Leo grunted in affirmation and silently read the letter. “ Count Voss says to wait for the feast, Milord, Leo translated, handing back the gibberish letter.

  Thought so.

  He crumpled the letter, ready to throw it out, before remembering that he should double-check it when Elaria casts the reading spell on him.

  Another three weeks of leaving those people at the mercy of the little green shits.

  “Let’s end the training here,” Josh instructed as he rushed back to the manor.

  Frustrated at the Count’s response, he sought out Elaria, who was once more enjoying her afternoon tea.

  It was time to take action on one more of his to-do things. Investigating the accounts of the villages.

  “Magus Elaria, I seek your assistance,” Josh said with a slight bow as drilled into him by his mentor.

  She nodded, accepting his greetings. “Speak on, Baron Josh.”

  “I want to head out to investigate the village accounts. I wish for you to be there to protect me and assist in the investigation,” Josh replied.

  “And when do you want to do that?” Elaria asked.

  “Now,” Josh stated.

  “Or whenever you are ready, Magus Elaria,” he awkwardly added.

  Oopsie, almost got another lesson about manners.

  She sighed. “Let me finish my tea, and we can go.”

  Josh bowed slightly once more, excusing himself from the way. Leaving to make sure a carriage gets prepared.

  I’m sure we will find something. After all, that man walks with more gold adorned on him than this whole manor is worth, let alone his actions versus the servants speaks miles of what man he is. Josh thought, remembering the Daim’s Village mayor.