Daniel summoned Aldric.
"What rank is a seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight on the continent?" Daniel not only discerned Elise's true age but also her strength level.
The Tier-Diamond mage from Dragonscale Bank, whom he had effortlessly killed, was old and frail. Elise, however, was not even twenty yet and was already at the pinnacle of Tier-Diamond. Within two years, she would likely reach Tier-Master.
This surprised Daniel somewhat.
There were more geniuses on the continent than he had imagined.
"A seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight?" Aldric drew in a sharp breath. "Are you joking? That's impossible! A child who reaches Tier-Stone by age ten is already one in ten thousand. How could there be a seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond?"
His face was filled with disbelief.
Daniel nodded, offering no further explanation.
Perhaps such talent was rare in a small place like Riverside City, but on the vast continent, there were children born at the Tier-Stone level.
"Our academy must accelerate its training pace," Daniel declared. "Build a new magic training room, enhance the mana system, and require every student to absorb three mana stones daily. Open the self-training room twenty-four hours a day."
He would spare no expense to help these seedlings grow faster.
A seventeen-year-old Tier-Diamond knight wasn't of much concern to Daniel. But seventeen! That age made him rethink his approach.
There were children of similar age at his academy, yet they were far behind Elise.
The other students, if trained along the standard path, would need at least five to six years to become exceptional.
Daniel had no intention of playing caretaker.
If mana stones could speed up training, then they would be used without limit. Quantity over quality!
...
In a border town, two young people cautiously watched a heavily wounded leopard spell beast.
The leopard spell beast had a deep, bone-exposing wound on its abdomen. Before it lay a dead bird spell beast, and the area around them was a mess, clearly the result of a fierce battle.
The two were mercenaries from the border city, out to try their luck, only to stumble upon the aftermath of a spell beast battle, scaring them into hiding.
Now that both spell beasts were gravely wounded, it was their turn to pick up the spoils.
"Hehe, awesome! Didn't think we'd stumble upon something this lucky." One of the young men, baby-faced, held a chipped knight's sword, with armor too mismatched to form a full set.
"Be careful. The leopard spell beast is still breathing. Don't get yourself hurt."
His mage companion stood behind him, eyeing their surroundings warily.
"Don't worry. I've been watching for a while. The leopard and the crow fought so intensely that even if it's breathing, it's close to death." The baby-faced knight approached the beast.
He raised his heavily damaged sword. Just as he neared the leopard, the supposedly dying leopard spell beast suddenly opened its eyes.
A flash of red appeared in its eyes, and its body swelled.
A cloud of blood mist exploded, targeting the baby-faced young man.
"Watch out! This is its final attack!" the mage shouted, chanting a protective spell that created a glow beneath the knight's feet.
But the leopard's final strike was beyond what they could dodge at their level.
With a thud, the baby-faced knight was sent flying, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as he lay injured on the ground.
The leopard spell beast let out a mournful cry and collapsed completely.
The beautiful mage rushed over, taking out a cheap healing powder and stuffing it into the baby-faced knight's mouth.
"Idiot brother!" she cried, "I told you to be careful! If only I had better healing potions."
"It's fine; we did well today," the baby-faced knight reassured her. "As long as we collect every usable part from these spell beasts, we'll have enough money to go to Riverside City."
"Then we can apply to Crossbridge Academy. I heard they don't charge tuition as long as you pass the entrance exam. We'd even get mana stones every month and new clothes."
"We wouldn't have to risk our lives like this."
"Stop talking, brother." The beautiful mage sighed.
After bandaging him, she pulled out a skinning knife and began to gather their spoils.
The leopard and crow's fight had been brutal, leaving most of the pelts damaged, so she planned to gather some meat instead to sell for a decent price.
Suddenly, the mage gasped with excitement, "There are eggs! Wonderful!"
"If we sell these eggs, not only will we have enough, but so will everyone else at the orphanage. We can all head to Riverside City together."
Just then, a group of young people descended from the sky.
Their expressions were haughty, their clothing luxurious, leaving the impoverished mercenaries stunned.
"Not bad; didn't expect to find a bounty here," said the young man leading the group. "Collect both spell beasts and the eggs. They may not be worth much, but they're our spoils."
"Wait!" The beautiful mage, suppressing her fear, spoke up, "These are ours."
The leader sneered, "You pathetic mercenaries can barely afford decent gear. You didn't kill these spell beasts; you were just scavenging."
He glanced at the knight's wound, tossing a few mana stones their way as if tossing scraps to beggars.
"Now, get lost! I'm in a good mood, so don't annoy me! Or I'll deal with you as well."
"You're too much! Aren't you afraid I'll report you to the patrol corps?" The beautiful mage's face flushed with anger.
"Patrol corps?" The young leader burst out laughing. "Patrol corps are nothing! To our House Windwhisper, they're like dogs, doing as we command."
House Windwhisper!
The two mercenaries exchanged a shocked look.
With no powerful backing, they dared not offend a powerhouse like House Windwhisper.
The mage had no choice but to gather the few mana stones and prepare to leave with her brother.
But the leader smirked at her retreating figure, raising an eyebrow. "Did I say you could leave? When someone gives you something, don't you show some gratitude?"
"You're quite pretty. Why not become my maid? All you'd have to do is keep me comfortable at home. It's far better than risking your life out here."
"That will never happen," the mage said angrily. "I refuse to be your maid."
There were different kinds of maids. Some were employed for household chores, while others served as toys for the powerful. It was clear which role the young man intended for her, and she'd never agree.
"This isn't up to you. People like you have no choice." With a glance from the leader, his followers surrounded the mage.
"Haha, come on, pretty girl! Prins is House Windwhisper's future heir. It's an honor for you and your whole family to serve him," one of his lackeys sneered.
"Then why don't you take this honor yourself?" The mage raised her staff in anger. "I'd rather die than serve him."
"Die? How can you die?" Prins's face darkened. "Ungrateful wretch! If you won't be my personal maid, I'll shatter your mana core and have you serve drinks in a tavern."
"Let go of my sister, you beasts!" The injured baby-faced knight struggled to rise, but as soon as he moved, blood spilled from his mouth again.
"Brother, we might die here today," the mage whispered, despair in her eyes.
"Don't be afraid. We'll fight them, even if it means death!" The baby-faced knight struggled to raise his sword. "We may be poor, but we're not toys for people like them!"
"Enough talk. Take them down," Prins ordered.
"Who dares?" A fierce female voice suddenly echoed.
Unnoticed, several young women had entered the forest.
They were fully equipped and looked at Prins and his companions with disdain.