Chapter Forty-Eight: Barton

Three days later, Andy met Captain Barton again. This time, Andy couldn't help but sense an indefinable change in Barton. The only thing unchanged was Barton's honest, hearty smile.

Captain Barton courteously thanked Andy for his assistance to the knights in the battles two days prior. Then, he mentioned that he had heard from the City Guard that Andy had once received a recommendation from Wizard Stein for study at the Royal Capital's Grim Academy, but the letter had been torn up. To show his gratitude, he had requested Marshal Vaughn to write Andy a similar recommendation.

Andy was overjoyed upon hearing this; it was as if a pillow had been delivered to him just as he was dozing off. But when he took the recommendation from Captain Barton, he was stunned—it wasn't just one letter, but three.

“This…” Andy stared at Captain Barton, completely at a loss.

“Haha, I heard you have two companions. The Gale Knights never leave friends unrewarded,” Barton said with a laugh.

Hearing this, Andy thanked Captain Barton once more.

After Andy left, Senior Knight Allen, who had witnessed the entire exchange, couldn't help but say, “Boss, isn't Marshal being a bit too generous to those apprentices? Actually recommending them to Grim Academy?”

Hearing Allen's words, Barton felt a wave of irritation but forced himself to remain composed. “Apprentices? If they stayed in Dallas City, do you truly believe we could fully control Colin County?”

Allen was about to answer with a resounding yes, but then he recalled Andy’s overwhelming presence that night under the influence of the aphrodisiac and hesitated.

Barton continued, “Throughout the kingdom, conflicts between wizards and nobles, between power and authority, are everywhere. Stein and Viscount Colin are perfect examples.”

“So we need to send these unstable elements far away. With the Marshal and myself supporting you, you won’t need to worry about the city’s defenses.”

“But giving them recommendation letters is too good for them…” Allen muttered, still dissatisfied.

“Do you think someone of their status is worthy of a letter from the Marshal? It’s just a recommendation I wrote myself.”

“Boss… you?” Allen trailed off, but his meaning was clear—Barton had no authority to recommend students to the academy.

Seeing Allen’s expression, Barton’s irritation grew, but he patiently explained, “Of course, I can’t recommend anyone to Grim’s inner school, but the other divisions are another matter.”

Allen’s eyes lit up. “So that’s it. I bet those country bumpkins don’t even know Grim Academy has three divisions.”

In the capital, Grim Academy indeed had three branches: the Inner School, the Outer School, and the Mixed School. These were the colloquial terms; most wizards simply referred to the main campus as Grim Academy—the Inner School.

The Outer School, officially “Grim Preparatory Academy,” was built near the main campus for associates and family of the academy’s upper echelons. In the beginning, the Outer School produced many promising candidates for the Inner School. But as the administration sought to profit, they expanded enrollment, admitting anyone who could pay, even those without magical talent. In recent years, fewer and fewer apprentices from the Outer School made it into the Inner School. Its reputation in the capital’s noble circles plummeted, and lately, they struggled to attract students. They resorted to recruiting in distant regions, targeting the uninformed, or providing commissions to anyone who brought in new students, just to keep the school running.

The Mixed School, officially the “Grim Specialized College,” trained wizards in practical skills like alchemy, potion-making, and scroll-crafting. Students from both the Inner and Outer Schools could attend, hence the nickname.

Upon learning Andy and his companions were being sent to the Outer School, Allen felt much better. He shot Barton a sly grin, “So you’re selling them to the Outer School, boss. You’re bound to profit from it. You’d better treat us all to something nice.”

Barton’s smile didn’t falter. “If anyone owes a treat, it’s you, isn’t it? Future Baron.”

Beneath the table, his fists clenched tightly…

At that moment, a member reported that someone wished to join the Gale Knights. Barton instructed them to bring the person in, but upon seeing the visitor’s garish, ostentatious attire, he was immediately displeased.

However, when the visitor introduced himself as an advanced wizard apprentice with notable alchemical skill, Barton was overjoyed and quickly had someone fetch Mr. El for an evaluation.

The visitor was Bill. Intent on seeking revenge against Andy, Bill knew he was no match in a direct fight, so he turned his attention to the alchemy taught by Diga. Ignoring Diga’s warnings to stay away from Andy, Bill eventually pestered him into handing over the formula for a “great weapon.”

But Bill lacked the materials to create such a weapon. After much thought, he decided to “sell himself” to the Gale Knights. After all, he’d always dreamed of serving his country and fighting on the battlefield.

He reasoned that, once he dealt with Andy, he could explain everything to Jella, who would surely support him.

Bill’s alchemical skills amazed even Mr. El, a senior wizard apprentice. Given Bill’s youth, his advanced status, and his mastery of second-tier combat magic, his prospects seemed limitless. Captain Barton immediately promised him a salary equal to Mr. El’s.

He should have ordered an investigation into Bill’s origins, but after recent inquiries into the events in Dallas City, Barton already knew everything there was to know. He had almost sent the boy to Grim’s Outer School himself. The thought made Barton look even more kindly on Bill.

Their subsequent conversation was pleasant, and Barton readily agreed to Bill’s request for an advance on his pay. He even promised to provide it in the form of alchemical materials and enthusiastically accompanied Bill to the city’s supply depot to select them in person.

Having acquired what he wanted, Bill hesitated no longer. After carefully reviewing the magic contract prepared by Mr. El, he placed his soul mark on it. For the next five years, he would serve with the Gale Knights.

Upon hearing Bill had personal matters to attend to, Captain Barton generously granted him a five-day leave. With Bill’s addition, the Gale Knights were stronger than ever, and Barton’s foul mood after receiving the Marshal’s orders finally eased a little—but not entirely.

When everyone had left, Captain Barton pulled a bloodstained notebook from his desk drawer. He had found it on Carol after the battle three days ago. Reading the entries carefully, Barton muttered to himself, “So that’s it—sacrifices to dark gods in exchange for power…”

His expression shifted between uncertainty and dread.