Roland gave no reply. He turned without another word and walked straight into the building, his presence cold and commanding. His guards and aide followed closely behind.
Inside, the air was calm and quiet. The stone floor echoed beneath their boots. A staff mber at the counter looked up and hurried forward. Roland didn’t waste ti.
"I need teachers. Swordsmanship, history, languages, etiquette. They should be skilled, reliable. So show good ones."
The staff mber bowed slightly and returned monts later with a list written on thick parchnt. Roland took it and scanned the contents without expression.
[Eeon]
Age 40.
Apprentice under Rank 7th scholar Mandor Calen. Interdiate 5th rank Mage
Forr tutor for Baron Ryth and Baron Mior. Skilled in world history and heraldry.
[Ian]
Age 31.
Apprentice under scholar Selma Ashlan. Scholar level Beginner 3rd Rank
Forr librarian at Jin Grand Library. Proficient in mathematics, history, and the Elven language.
[Emina.]
Age 25
Apprentice under Level 4 scholar Hadric Sonil. Interdiate 5th rank swordmaster.
Forr swordsmanship tutor to the eldest son of Viscount Yvonne. Skilled in swordsmanship and basic magic.
After searching these three grabbed his interest but there were still more.In fact,it was a huge collection but not everyone was available.
Roland’s eyes moved swiftly over the list of nas each line scanned and judged within seconds. But then his hand stopped.
A flicker of shock flashed on his face.
[Alia]
Age: 39.
Apprentice of Archmage Veltran. Mage Rank.Advanced 7th Rank
Forr elite of the Mage Corps under the Royal Special Legion Of Kingdom of Jin.
Was a forr candidate for Chief Of Court Mage before she resigned.
Veteran of three border wars. Specializes in barrier arts, elental convergence, and advanced spell theory.
His brows drew slightly together. That na. It wasn’t one easily forgotten.
"What’s she doing here..." Roland murmured, voice low.
mories surfaced like flickers of old fla.
Back when he was 19, Alia was already a shining star. A seventh-rank mage at twenty-five. Fearless, brilliant, and precise.
When joint missions were announced in the Royal Legion, it was always her na at the top.
There was talk she would beco the next Head Court Mage—serving directly under the royal crown. People called her the next Archmage of the Jin. Back then, she was unreachable. Roland had looked up to her from the shadows.
For every younger entree level soldier,she was like a Goddess whom everyone has a crush.
"Fourteen years," Roland whispered, his tone flat. "She hasn’t advanced."
He folded the parchnt and handed it back to the staff mber at the counter.He wanted to et her badly.
It was both curiosity and an uncertain emotion.
"Bring her to ."
The staff blinked and shifted awkwardly. "Apologies, sir... it may be difficult to arrange a eting today. Lady Alia is rather busy. She should be available tomorrow."
Roland’s gaze didn’t waver. "I can wait."
"One more thing, sir," the staff added quickly. "Her tuition fees are on the higher side. But if I may say, she’s worth every coin. A flawless teacher."
Roland narrowed his eyes slightly. "Money isn’t the problem."
"Very well then," the staff nodded. "I’ll begin bringing in the others first."
Roland gave a simple nod, but his mind lingered.
Alia... what had dragged her down from the stars?
After a brief he handed the others.
Roland’s eyes paused on Emina’s na. A scholar and a swordmaster. That caught his attention. He looked at the staff.
"Bring her to followed by others."
It didn’t take long. Emina entered, dressed in fitted leathers, her dark hair tied neatly. She stood tall, eyes sharp, confident. Her presence had a weight to it.
"You’ve seen the request?" Roland asked, voice calm but firm.
"Yes. I can teach swordsmanship and basic magical control. I’ve done it before."
"You will go to Apus Territory. It’s not safe. I won’t lie to you."
Emina didn’t hesitate. "I’ve served near borders before. As long as my paynt is on ti, I don’t care where it is."
"100 gold coins per month," Roland said flatly.
"Done."
He nodded once. The deal was sealed. She bowed and left to prepare.
Soon after, another scholar arrived. His na was Ian. Dressed in a pressed coat with shining shoes, his white hair was neatly combed back, slick with oil. His every movent was stiff, proper.
"Ian," Roland said, not wasting ti. "This post requires travel to Apus Territory. It’s unstable. You will be instructing in language,history and law. Is that acceptable?"
The man’s face twitched. "Apus? No. Too dangerous. Forgive , but I will not risk my life for this."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the room. The door closed behind him with a hollow thud. Roland stared at the empty space for a mont, then set the list aside.
"Sigh.. Pointless," he muttered with a sigh.
Though Ian ranked low,his stat was absolutely perfect.A genius in teaching.
He had crossed Eeon as Alia might do the work.He looked for others.
A short while later, Lenea arrived. She wore a smooth scholar’s robe. Gold-rimd glasses rested on her head. Her steps were elegant, quiet. She had the calm grace of a well-read woman, but her eyes showed caution.
"You are to relocate to Apus Territory," Roland said without introduction. "History, mathematics, language. Are you willing?"
Lenea adjusted her glasses slightly. "I can accept... but only with conditions."
Roland leaned forward slightly. "Speak."
"I require personal security. I don’t expect to be thrown into a battlefield, but I will not travel unguarded. And my pay must match the risk."
There was a short silence.
"Eighty-five gold per month," Roland offered.
Lenea hesitated, then nodded. "Very well. I accept."
"I will send you a ssage to report later. Bring only what you need."
With that, she bowed and left. Her footsteps echoed behind her.
Lastly, Roland filled the final vacancy by choosing a young scholar who specialized in noble etiquette. The boy was barely twenty, but had top marks under a ntor and had served in Count Alven’s court.
He was new and was asking for a salary of just 10 gold coins.He would be teaching philosophy,sociology,laws and other things helpful in shaking children moral conduct.
’This guy looks like a child himself.Can he really teach others?’
"Nevermind..I shouldn’t develop prejudice against him just for his looks."
"I’ll take him," Roland said after glancing over the record. "He’ll learn faster on the field than sitting here pretending."
The staff looked surprised but didn’t question it. No one argued with Roland’s decisions. His tone left no room for doubt.
By the ti he stepped out of the building, the air had grown heavier. The sky above Jin City was cloudy. The streets were busy, but none of the noise touched Roland’s mind.
Rather he was bit excited about the eting with Alia.
Reviews
All reviews (0)