Chapter 105: Recruit

Inside, the Academy looked even more impressive and grand.

Students in blue uniforms, representing their rank as apprentices, roamed the grounds with books in hand. Some were sparring on the training grounds, their wooden swords clashing rhythmically. Others gathered in small groups under the shade of trees, engrossed in discussions.

Raven stepped out of the carriage, his sharp gaze taking in the surroundings.

At that moment, a man in his fifties with a thin frame and sharp spectacles noticed their arrival and approached them.

"Good morning, Sir. I'm Paxton, the Professor of Arts and Paintings. May I help you?" he asked while showing a trace of confusion.

"I'm Thomas Holmes. I am here to meet the Headmaster to talk about something important. Please guide me to his office," Raven said with a slight nod.

The Professor's face showed a shocked look.

"Thomas? My goodness! I couldn't even recognize you! I read in the news that you've been kidnapped and have gone through some terrible things. Are you doing fine?" Paxton asked with a worried look.

"I'm all right, Professor. But due to a small accident, I lost most of my memories. Shall we move as we talk?" He asked as Marcellus and Emanuel walked behind closer.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Come, I'll guide you to the Headmaster."

The Professor gestured for them to follow. As they walked through the corridors of the Academy, Paxton asked a lot about Thomas's current situation and even asked about the Holmes Household problems.

Raven replied vaguely and focused his attention on the surroundings.

The walls were adorned with portraits of Count Spade, a man with a long beard and white robe, a young man with black hair and formal clothes, and finally, a red-haired woman in her thirties.

Upon noticing this, Professor Paxton showed a confused look and spoke.

"It seems you did forget your memories. They are the founders of the Spade Knights Academy. You've studied about them in the first year…" Paxton started explaining.

While talking, they reached the third floor, where the Headmaster's office was.

The corridor here was quieter, reserved for administrative affairs.

A grand oak door with a brass plate stood at the end of the hallway.

Paxton knocked gently, and a deep, authoritative voice responded,

"Enter."

He pushed the door open and gestured for Raven and others to enter.

The office was as grand as the rest of the Academy. Bookshelves lined the walls with tomes on knight's journals, history, and strategy. On the walls were adorned with famous paintings of the shadows of the manor, the veil of mourning, moonlit gardens, etc.,

A large mahogany desk stood at the center, behind which sat a man in his sixties with a commanding presence. His silver hair was neatly combed, and his sharp eyes scrutinized Raven as he entered.

He was none other than Headmaster Ares Granville.

"Thomas Holmes… It's been over two years since I saw you." the Headmaster Ares said as he looked at him with interest.

"And you seem to have grown a lot. So, what brings you here?"

Raven stepped forward, greeting him with a smile.

[They all seem to be aware of Thomas' situation. But nobody even put an effort into looking for him. What a cruel world.] Zera muttered in his head.

"Good morning, Headmaster. I am here to discuss a sponsorship for the graduating apprentice knights this year."

"Sponsorship?" Ares raised his eyebrows.

"Do you even know what you are saying, lad? Although you are from a noble lineage, your family doesn't even have a Baronet title. The Azmar town your family owned was nothing more than a small town with a population of 2000. After the disappearance of Azmar Town, your house has been demoted to a fallen noble house. And due to the schemes of Spade Council, you are just a few steps away from legally losing all your property. What can you even do by recruiting few knight apprentices now?"

Raven sat on the wooden chair before the desk and waved his hand. A large leather bag appeared out of thin air and landed on the mahogany desk with a thud.

"There are a hundred platinum coins in the leather bag. I want to pick 20 kids from the Academy and recruit them as my soldiers. Wouldn't it be possible with this money?" Raven asked.

"100 platinum coins?" Ares widened his eyes.

The average salary of a daily wage worker was around 50 silvers to 2 gold coins in Giaris City per month. The average salary of a government official would range from around 5 to 10 gold coins per month.

Most apprentice knights who graduated from the Academy usually became government officials or army soldiers, earning around three gold coins per month during the first few years.

Only after they rank up to Radiant Walkers can they even dream of an increment in their salary.

So, 100 Platinum coins to recruit 20 apprentice Knights was like throwing gold coins away.

"You could recruit even a dozen radiant knights with this amount for years, though."

"My Lord has already employed the Sepoy Mercenaries for ten years. Sir." At that moment, Marcellus, who had been staying silent, spoke.

"You are?" Only then did the Headmaster Ares turn his attention towards the middle-aged man in a formal suit.

"I'm Marcellus, the Swordsman of the Sepoy Mercenaries." He introduced himself while giving him a polite bow.

Meanwhile, Ares turned his attention towards Raven and furrowed.

"You want to sign a long-term contract with those 20 apprentice Knights, huh?" It was common for noble houses and even knight houses like Holmes and Palmar to recruit graduates from the Knights Academy and groom them into personal soldiers.

Headmaster Ares was no fool. He instantly realized Raven's true motive and nodded in understanding.

Meanwhile, Raven took a small leather pouch from the inventory and slid it towards Headmaster Ares.

"As long as you help me with this, I will donate 1000 gold coins to the academy yearly."

"Oh!" A smile appeared on Ares's face as he took the pouch and noticed ten platinum coins were stored inside.

"Around 4,800 kids are graduating from the Spade Knights Academy every year. Among them, Nobles' houses would pick the top 200 in the name of sponsorship and send them to the Crows Misery for Wizardry Admission exam. Well, most of those were nobles anyway. Then, around 2000 kids would try to join either the military or move to the capital to get a better job. The rest would try for government jobs or apply for guard posts in the noble mansions. Quite a few also decide to become mercenaries, but they all quit in a few months." Ares paused for a moment and added.

"Other than those top 200, the rest will be easy to recruit as long as you pay three monthly gold coins. Professor Paxton will guide you to each classroom. You can go and pick the ones you want."

'Oh? He agreed so easily?'

[Why wouldn't he? Twenty of his students will get a long-term contract job with a good salary. And compared to Military service, working for a Noble or a Knight Household is way safer. And you are also giving him a bribe of 1000 gold coins.] Zera said in his mind.

Raven nodded and thanked him while storing the leather pouch in the inventory.

"Thank you, Headmaster."

"Don't forget to send some donations for the academy every year," Ares said as he waved his hand and started focusing on his work.

Raven, Marcellus, and Emanuel followed Professor Paxton out of the office and entered the long corridor.

The Professor chattered about the Academy's achievements, history, and notable alums.

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Raven listened with half an ear, focusing solely on the classrooms as they passed.

"Here we are," Paxton announced, stopping in front of a large wooden door. Through the small glass pane, Raven could see a classroom filled with students, all dressed in the familiar blue uniforms of the Academy.

Paxton pushed the door open, and the chatter inside the classroom stilled instantly.

More than a hundred pairs of eyes turned toward the visitors while a middle-aged lady Professor, lazing on the chair, stood up abruptly.

"Good morning, Professor Jane," Paxton greeted with his usual warmth.

Jane greeted him with a nod and asked.

"What brings you here, Sir Paxton? And who could this be?" Her gaze turned to Raven, and she felt a sense of familiarity.

"Thomas?" She took two seconds to recognize him.

Raven nodded with a smile and greeted the Professor while Marcellus and Emanuel stayed behind quietly.

"Well, he is the Lord Thomas now," Paxton said jokingly and added.

"It seems he wants to recruit a few graduates into the Holmes family as his knights. Headmaster Ares told me to guide him to all the fifth-year classrooms and let him recruit personally."

[Wow, look at this guy! If the Holmes Family hasn’t declined to its current state, will he dare to joke around using your name?] Zera said coldly in his mind.

In truth, all the professors and even the Headmaster treated him more like a commoner than a noble after he entered the academy.

‘On the other hand, Sepoy Mercenaries started addressing me as ‘My Lord’ as soon as we signed the contract.’ Although Raven wasn’t bothered by Professor Paxton’s attitude, he still felt they had treated a fallen noble poorly.

While thinking, Paxton turned his gaze towards the hundreds of students and spoke.

"Today, we have a special guest. Thomas Holmes of the Holmes House is here to speak with some of you about a rare opportunity."

At that moment, Raven stepped forward, immediately drawing the students' attention.

He surveyed the room, noting their curiosity, apprehension, and ambition expressions.

"Good morning," Raven's voice echoed through the hall.

"I am here today to recruit some of you for a long-term position. But I say this in advance: my house is in decline because of unfortunate accidents during the past few years. Those who don't want to get recruited can openly decline my invitation."

At that moment, a young girl with long blonde hair raised her hand from the first bench and asked a question.

"What are the eligibilities to become your knights, sir? Can girls participate in your selection test, too?"

Raven calmly touched his monocle and checked her status.

[Ariel, 14 years old, Race: Human, Title: Hyperactive. Rank: Apprentice Walker (3rd Circle), Traits: Etiquette, Design Knowledge, Culinary Knowledge, Household Management. Past History: Completed her elementary school at Eastmine Elementary School. Affinity: Nature- Intermediate.]

'Rejected.'

Raven looked at her status for a brief moment and spoke.

"I can only select 20 people from all 4,800 students. So, I'll do it randomly. All you guys have to do is come forward and give me a handshake." Murmurs among all the students.

"Silence!" Jane said loudly and took out a notebook.

"I'll call one by one." Saying so, she opened the book and called out the first name.

"Aaron!"

Soon, a short boy with blonde hair stood up, walked away from his seat, and moved toward Raven.

Meanwhile, Raven calmly adjusted the monocle and looked at his status while giving him shake hands.

'Intermediate affinity… rejected!'

One by one, he looked at the students' status and soon noticed that only one boy had a 'High' Rank affinity in the classroom!

'Edgar, commoner and also a son of a bakery owner… Has a High-rank affinity in Fire Element.' He took a notebook from his inventory and wrote down his name.

"Can we move to the next class?" He said as he turned his attention towards the students.

"I'll send the selected people list to the Headmaster's office once I have interviewed all the 5th-year graduates. He will summon the selected ones separately and explain the terms and conditions."

Raven and others soon left the classroom and moved towards the next one under the guidance of Paxton.

For the whole day, Raven spent his time in the Academy and checked the status of every student.

'A total of 32 students with high-rank affinity. And among them, eleven of them are from noble and knight households.'

[I would like to find at least one 'Extraordinary' level affinity holder. But your luck seems to run out.]

'Chance of getting an 'Extraordinary' rank affinity holder is one in a million. And don't forget I already got a 'Genius' from this city.' Raven smiled as he thought of Rebecca and looked at the list of names on the white sheet in rune language.

[Edger… Class-E1… Affinities: Fire- High…]

[Augustus… Class E2… Shadow- High…]

[Memphis… Class E2… Wind- High, Fire- Intermediate…]

[Jeffery… Class-E3… Space- High…]

[Fiona… Class- E5… Archery- High, Wind- Low…]

[Brynn… Class- E6… Water- High…]

[Pierce… Class- E7… Sword- High, Earth- Intermediate…]

[Kyle… Class- E8… Earth- High…]

[Lorelai… Class- E9… Spear- High, Wind- Intermediate…]

[Lian… Class- E9… Fire- High, Sword- Intermediate…]

[Albert… Class- E10… Light- High, Spear- Low.]

[Jamie… Class- E11… Lightning- High, …]

[Miley… Class- E12… Ice- High…]

[Alexis… Class- E13… Fire- High…]

[Westin… Class E16… Darkness- High…]

[Scot… Class E18… Sword- High, Shadow- Intermediate…]

[Sam… Class E19… Wind- High, Fate- Low…]

[Drake … Class 21… Light- High …]

[Leonard… Class 22… Ice- High…]

[Skyler… Class 23… Earth- High, Sword- Intermediate…]

…

'What I need are the people with high elemental affinities. I can make them train harder and increase their weapon skills through the 'Mind of Insight' potion.' Although it would be costly, Raven planned to get everything with interest from the recruits.

"Emanuel, write down the names I'm about to tell you." He ordered as they made their way towards the Headmaster's office.

Meanwhile, Emanuel took a notebook from his Gladstone bag and started writing.

"Edger, Augustus, Memphis…" Raven told him the names individually and then took the notebook from him.

With Paxton as a lead, the group soon entered Headmaster Ares's office room.

At that moment, Headmaster Ares was reviewing a stack of documents.

He looked up, his sharp gaze scanning the group before settling on Raven.

Ares then leaned back in his chair and asked,

"Have you finalized your selection?"

Raven nodded and handed over the notebook.

"Here are the names of the 20 students I've chosen. These individuals seem promising."

Meanwhile, Ares took a large book from the nearby cupboard and slowly opened it.

After that, he flipped the pages one by one and stopped at a certain page.

"Hmm, class-E1, Edger, his swordsmanship is below average, his progression in strength also stopped at 2nd Circle, he isn't smart either as his tactic and strategy class score is only 40 out of 100, and worst is he almost got himself killed by a goblin during his last year practical training. Even if he manages to graduate, he won't be able to pass the basic eligible test for the army and might only become a mercenary or a town's security guard." Ares looked at Edger's record dumbfoundedly and then shifted his attention towards Raven.

"What did you even see in him?"

Instead of responding, Raven folded his hands and quietly stood.

"Haa," Ares flipped the pages and checked other students' scores.

After looking into every person's details, he closed the book and stared at him deeply.

Emanuel, Paxton, and Marcellus felt it wasn't a mere stare but a glare.

Ares was angry at Raven.

"Did you just pick them up randomly? But how could your luck be this bad? Among those twenty students, half of them have below-average scores. This isn't good. I'll choose the best ones myself-"

Raven suddenly cleared his throat and interrupted him.

"Ahem. I didn't pick randomly, Headmaster. And in my eyes, these twenty are far better than those top-rank students."

"Haa, I heard you lost your memories during the kidnapping. But it seems you lost your mind, too." Headmaster Ares gave up persuading him.

"Now, tell me what you will offer these students besides a basic salary. I'll talk with their parents and convince them to sign a long-term contract with your household."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Raven nodded with a smile and added.

"Contract period will be 20 years. During this time, their monthly salary will be three gold coins only. But I will allow them to train using the Uncommon Knight Technique and the Uncommon Spirit technique of Holmes Household. If they become a Radiant Knight during the contract period, their contract period will be extended to 80 years, and their basic salary will be increased to 10 gold coins. If they become Expert Knights, the contract period will be extended to 150 years, and they will have a salary of 20 gold coins. Once the contract ends, they can leave the household or continue working as my Knights."

"Are you saying your Holmes Household possesses an Uncommon Spirit Technique?" Ares instantly sat up from the leaning position and asked in a serious tone.

The average Lifespan of a mortal Knight would be around 120 to 150 years. If they became a Radiant Knight, their lifespan would increase to 250 years.

'As for an Expert Knight, it is around 450 to 550 years.’ If someone became an Expert Knight in the first 80 years, they could be considered geniuses and even welcomed by the twelve ancient families with open arms.

'Of course, the chance of these kids reaching that stage is close to zero.'

A Radiant Walker needed more than 100 years to reach the peak stage of Expert Rank with Common Rank Spirit Technique. The more one ages, the harder it would be for them to increase their spirit power!

Still, they could reach the peak of Radiant Walker during old age.

However, the main reason many Radiant Knights ended up dying in the same rank was their low rank in affinities. Like Wizards and Warlocks, the Walkers also had to comprehend their class skills to peak realm to make a breakthrough. If they only had a low or intermediate rank affinity, they would take forever to learn their skills.

In Headmaster Ares's eyes, all the students Raven picked up must have either Low or intermediate-rank affinities.

Raven nodded and spoke.

"My family has always possessed an Uncommon Spirit Technique. However, only the heir and the family's descendants can practice due to the strict rules." He paused for a moment and continued.

"But as the current family head of the Holmes Family, I decided to break the traditional rule and to share it with outsiders."

"Unbelievable!! If they have such a technique, why didn't your family adopt talented kids and rise in rank?" Ares asked in a dumbfounded tone.

"Even my team leader has the same thought." Marcellus also interjected.

"If they had groomed talented kids by adopting, they could've produced an Expert Rank Walker!"

"Will an Expert Rank Walker listen to the order of a common man?" Raven shook his head.

"Won't he leave the family once the contract period ends?"

At that moment, Marcellus also thought of another possibility and spoke.

"If selfish, he wouldn't hesitate to break the contract and run away. In the worst-case scenario, he might eradicate-" Marcellus's face stiffened.

A strange silence appeared in the room.

Even Raven was stunned by his strange conclusion but found it entirely possible.

'And the reason for the destruction of the Azmar Town might not be due to some demon but someone else. And the reason those Falcon or whatever faction is still after my head might have some link to it.'

"So, you planning on sharing Your family Knight Technique and Spirit Technique with the recruits, huh?" Ares nodded in understanding and gave the list a deep look.

"What a bunch of lucky fellows. Even without talent, they will reach the realm of Radiant Knight in ten to twenty years!" Marcellus also said with envy in his eyes.

"If they diligently train, they will have a chance of becoming Expert Rank in their old age." Although he also had the same Spirit Technique, he still needed more time to reach the peak realm than them.

'And due to my old age, the chance of becoming an Expert Walker is slim.'

Before they could wake up from the shock, Raven continued,

"Along with the Uncommon Knight and Spirit Techniques, I will provide each of them with personal training sessions led by experienced Sepoy Mercenaries." He glanced at Marcellus as he finished speaking.

Headmaster Ares was impressed by his words.

"Once the graduation ends, their parents will come to your house and sign the contract. But before signing, don't forget to register them as a mercenary team. Otherwise, you might end up facing trouble in the future."

Raven nodded his head and decided to leave.

After thanking the Headmaster again, Raven and others left the Academy and returned to the Holmes Mansion house.