Perhaps seeing eye-to-eye is mutually infectious. Charlie was not fond of Martin, and vice versa, as they simply couldn't stand each other.
"Too slow! Ethan, can you take bigger steps? Move! Move!!"
"Sit? You dare to sit?! Is there anyone who can work while sitting? Don't forget, you're just an apprentice caretaker!"
"You're so fat, how did you end up like this? How can Brian have a nephew like you! Can you move even more stupidly?"
"Two hours! You can't even last two hours! What use are you?"
"Ethan, you won't make it! Don't even try anymore! Go back!"
Martin delivered his final ultimatum as he watched Charlie.
During Martin's previous inspections, Charlie was always the target of his tirades. The roaring voice could pierce through the hundred-meter corridor, and the other two servants saw Charlie panting and couldn't help but gloat.
This d*mn brute! How can there be such a tyrannical management? If physical strength is the criteria for hiring caretakers, why not go to the black market and buy some strong orc slaves? Those creatures are the epitome of hard work and endurance!
Under Martin's rules, Charlie indeed didn't show any advantage, and the other two servants, although slow-witted and forgetful, surpassed him in nimble movements and physique, as they were servant-born.
"What are you looking at? Without the young master's mandate, you have no right to act high and mighty!" Martin glared, scolding, "If you can't do it, you can't do it. Bringing out Brian won't help you."
Charlie took a deep breath and pulled out a magic wand - Brian's wand, called the 'Jordan Wand'. It was a standard wizard's equipment, a masterpiece created by the renowned artifact craftsman Jordan, and almost a must-have for novice mages.
Made from the roots of a ten-year-old black magic vine, the top was inlaid with a "lake-blue crystal". It cost around 1,200 gold coins and could be sold for over 2,000 gold on the market, making it quite valuable.
The Jordan Wand was famous for its cost-effectiveness, using Jordan's unique "Focused Inscription" that provided a "Focused" effect when casting spells, to a certain extent enhancing the over-magic effect. Moreover, it had a 60-unit mana pool, unparalleled among wands of the same price range, equivalent to a novice mage's personal mana reserve.
Martin recognized the equipment at a glance and frowned, asking, "What's the matter? This is the Botanical Garden of Master Roen! Not a place for you to mess around!"
Charlie smiled and spun the wand in his fingers, presenting it to Martin, "Superintendent, don't be nervous. This is the magic wand my uncle often uses. I believe you can see its value. It's no problem for a mid-level mage to use. Let's make a bet."
Martin asked with interest, "Oh? Let's hear it."
"You pick a plant in the Botanical Garden, and send someone out to compete with me on who can grow it better, with a one-week limit. If my plant grows better after a week, you have to give me a caretaker's position. But if I lose, this wand is yours."
Hearing the bet, Martin paused, then showed a contemptuous expression. How stupid and wasteful! Is a caretaker's position more important than the Jordan Wand?!
After all, the monthly salary of an ordinary servant in the William Castle is 80 silver coins, while a green-badge caretaker only earns 4 gold and 20 silver coins per month, and a blue-badge gardener can reach 10 gold coins. How long would it take to earn enough for a magic wand? Has this child gone mad?!
"Bring Brian over, and if he agrees to this bet, I'll take it on!"
Martin believed that no one dared to mess around in the Botanical Garden of Master Roen, so his eyes were fixed on the wand, unable to suppress his greedy desire. "I won't take too much advantage of you. If you win, I'll give you the blue-badge gardener's authority, and a plot of medicinal field, where you can grow whatever you want, as long as you don't interfere with the order of Master Roen's Botanical Garden."
It seems that Martin is tempted. Although the conditions he offered were still not as valuable as the magic wand, the stakes were no longer so unbalanced.
Charlie nodded, "Okay, my only concern is who will be the referee? Who can ensure the fairness of the result?"
Martin looked at Charlie and chuckled, "You can rest assured, I won't be the competition referee. I'll invite three purple-badge caretakers to be the judges, and their conclusion will be the result of the competition."
Martin continued, "You should know that purple-badge caretakers in the Botanical Garden are high-level herbalists, hired from the outside by Ms. Yolanda with high salaries, and they are not under my control. I promise you that I won't tell them the truth beforehand, and let them judge fairly. How does that sound?"
When it comes to planting, Martin has strong confidence, and it's his own territory anyway. There's no need to cheat in the judging. He can operate in other ways.
Verbal guarantees are of little use. Who knows if Martin won't set some traps behind the scenes? But after all, this is his domain, and if you want to play his game, you have to follow his rules. Charlie can afford the cost of losing the wand. He needs an opportunity to get Master Roen's attention.
"Deal!" Charlie uttered two words.
Martin's expression relaxed, and he laughed heartily, "Good! I'll give you half an hour to call Brian over and witness this. After half an hour, I'll bring the challenge and your opponent!"
For this Jordan Wand, Martin is determined to have it.
The conversation between Charlie and Martin fell on the eyes of the other two servants. At this point, they no longer showed a guarded gaze. Anyone who could put up a magic wand as a bet was naturally not at their level. The two exchanged a secret glance and continued to focus on their own work.
...
Charlie was reluctant to bother Brian. He had originally wanted to do this without telling Brian, but Martin didn't believe him and insisted that he had to acknowledge it himself for it to be effective. There was no other way.
Charlie hurried to Brian's room and laid out his plan.
After hearing it, Brian sighed and wryly smiled, "Since the young master has said so, what can I say? Let's bet with him then! However, I have to remind you, be prepared to lose!"
Although Brian is just a butler, he is the most experienced elder in the William Castle. Moreover, he bears the surname of the late mistress of the castle, and the Duke's trust in him to manage the Violet Garden is a testament to that.
Martin doesn't want to offend this old man easily. Now that Maka has made this clear, if there's a problem later, he won't be blamed. So he won't blame Maka for revealing this information.
Charlie nodded, "I understand. So let's see how much appeal my cultivation method has to them."
Brian sighed quietly.
Soon, the two of them rushed to the Botanical Garden, where Martin had been waiting for a long time.
Brian only took a glance and his expression changed slightly, muttering, "Maka?! How shameless!"
"What's wrong?"
Brian frowned and said angrily, "Just look at his badge, a blue badge with three stripes, only one level away from the purple-badge herbalists. Among the entire Botanical Garden, there are only a few purple-badge herbalists more experienced than him. Pitting him, an experienced hand, against you, a newcomer, is just bullying!"
Charlie patted his arm to comfort him. He had no way out.
Seeing the two, Martin beamed with joy. "Mr. Brian, long time no see, you're still so healthy!"
Brian smiled, "Mr. Martin, how are you? My nephew here is a bit unconventional, I hope he hasn't disturbed your work?"
Martin made an exaggerated expression, "Not at all! I haven't seen such a passionate young man in a long time. I admire his courage. The Botanical Garden needs employees with such vitality and vigor. Regardless of the outcome, I will be happy."
Charlie calmly said, "Mr. Martin, if possible, can we start the competition? Please explain the competition rules."
Martin smiled brilliantly, "Since Mr. Brian is here, there's no need to put up the bet first. I trust your integrity. Now, let me explain the rules of the competition."
"The plant I've selected is the 'Weeping Grass'..."
Hearing the name, Brian couldn't help but shudder. He was also a novice mage and had some knowledge of certain herbs.
Seeing his reaction, Martin's smile grew even brighter, "The reason I chose it is simple. The Weeping Grass only takes 7 days from seedling to maturity, perfectly fitting the time frame of our competition. The results will be more immediate."
Martin continued, "The competition is also very simple. I've specially prepared two rooms, with all the necessary tools, materials, and even living supplies. I guarantee that the materials for both sides are exactly the same."
"To ensure the fairness of the competition, you two are not allowed to leave the rooms. The Botanical Garden will arrange food for you on time, and if you have any other special needs, you can let me know, and I'll try my best to accommodate you within my authority."
"A week later, you each provide the three best-growing Weeping Grass plants, and we'll have three purple-badge herbalists witness the results. Do you understand the rules?"
"Okay." Charlie paused and agreed.
"Well, I'm a pretty fair person." Martin maintained his smile and made an inviting gesture, "Since there are no objections, I declare the competition to begin. Ethan, as the guest, I'll let you choose the room first. Go ahead!"
Brian really wanted to announce Charlie's identity and stop this competition, but seeing Charlie's serious expression, he couldn't bear to go against his will. After thinking it over, he could only whisper a warning, "Young master, I don't expect victory, just one reminder - be very careful. The Weeping Grass is a very dangerous plant. Its thorns are highly poisonous, similar to snake venom. A sting can be disabling or even fatal! Be extremely careful!"
Charlie nodded and asked, "Then can you tell me more about the habits of the Weeping Grass?"
Hearing this, Martin couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Maka looked at him disdainfully, "The Weeping Grass is a shade-loving plant. Any disturbance will make it emit a cry like a child, hence the name. Its stems have poisonous thorns, extremely toxic. The leaves can be used in medicine as an extract for 'Frost Oil'."
"If you don't even know its basic properties, I suggest you just admit defeat. Martin the Superintendent is kind-hearted and certainly doesn't want to see you die innocently."
Martin added, "Yes! Maka has already warned you. If an accident happens, don't blame us for not giving you a heads-up."
This guy is a typical example of someone who takes advantage and then acts virtuous. If Maka hadn't mentioned this, he definitely wouldn't have thought to remind Charlie.
Although Brian is just a butler, he is the most experienced elder in the William Castle, and the late mistress's surname is entrusted to him. The Duke's allowing him to manage the Violet Garden is a testament to the trust.
Martin doesn't want to easily offend this old man. Now that Maka has made this clear, if there's a problem later, he won't be blamed, so he won't fault Maka for revealing this information.
Charlie randomly chose a room and said, "I understand. Then, let the competition begin!"
With that, Charlie walked straight into the room. Outside, Martin's smile was exceptionally bright.