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Thirty-First Day of July, In the Year of the Empire 6777 Continued

I was trying extremely hard to remain calm after the Royal Mage's kind words about my work. Inside though, I was jumping around and laughing like a fool.

"Mage Hartson, how long have you been working on runes and rituals?" the Royal Mage asked.

"Nearly three years, Sir."

Nodding the Royal Mage seemed to speak to himself. "And your High Mage research is on this same topic."

Before I responded, the Royal Mage addressed the General, "General, as of now I am granting Mage Hartson, Honored High Mage rank. Two ranks below my own, though I do expect him to become an Arch Mage someday. Considering his accomplishments here today, I suggest that his military service be complete, so there is no chance to lose the High Mage to some military blunder. Finally, to avoid more troubles at the school, he is now granted an Independent Instructor for Life certificate and may freely choose to accept students as he determines."

The General laughed briefly. About the blunder comment? "Done."

Turning to me, the General stated, "Well, High Mage Hartson, you are due some further compensation, I am sure. Do you have any ideas about what that might be?"

I look at all three of them, stopping at Major Tomalin. "Sir, are they serious?"

All three of them laugh and smile at me. It is the Royal Mage that speaks next, "High Mage Hartson, this ritual will provide the Kingdom a very great advantage on the field of battle. It is indeed worth a very great deal to the Kingdom."

I closed my eyes to think for a few moments. A worthy request from the Kingdom? What more could the Kingdom possibly give me? Another title? I'm not ready for that, at least not yet.

Taking a deep breath, I answered. "Thank you so much for what you have already granted me. I don't need anything else today, but in the future, if I can find a place on the frontier and have the resources to do it, might I claim a Dukedom? If that is not too much to ask, Sir?"

All three were silent for a time before the General answered, "Youngster, you ask for much, as many others have done before. But you asked in a manner that puts the burden on your shoulders to accomplish, not the Kingdom to do and give away, which is far nobler than most other requests I've heard. So, I will personally deliver your request to the King with those conditions, young Sir."

"Thank you very much, General. And please tell the King 'Thank You' for even considering my request."

"Done." The General spoke. "Major Tomalin, please escort the young Baron home tonight. "High Mage Hartson, we will send your updated documents to you tomorrow morning." Stepping forward, the General offered his hand, which I shook with a painfully broad smile.

I left the tokens and the book in their hands when we left.

The Major finally got us out of the castle and stopped at a great restaurant. "Dinner is on me, Sir Hartson."

We did enjoy a good dinner with the conversation about how far I thought the catapult in the Major's office would be able to fire. He was going to get some standard small shot for it as he expected they would fire well. I was hoping he would be impressed.

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One thought bothered me on the way home. "Would I have to teach tomorrow? Do I even want to teach now that I have other options?"

Major Tomalin did not know about the teaching issue either. I would have to wait until I received the paperwork in the morning to know more.

Once back in my basement home, I cleaned up the place and put everything back in order. I was going to unpack more, but I am not sure I would be staying here much longer. I had a much more comfortable Manor to live in now.

Putting those thoughts aside, I reopened the box and prepared a letter with the reduced sound and light ritual for the High Mage. I had it sealed and ready to give to whoever delivered the promised documents in the morning.

With nothing else to do but wait, I went to bed for the night, on a real bed even. Again, I was thinking about things for a long time before I finally went to sleep.

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First Day of August, In the Year of the Empire 6777

When I did wake, I discovered it was just before dawn. I went back to the inn for breakfast and only returned to the Emporium upon its opening. I had told the General that I would be there for the early part of the morning. Mr. Green was not about, but some of his staff were. With a wave to them, I began going through the books offered. This time I was looking for more subjects such as magical plants, potions, histories, and even some autobiographies about leadership. There were a few books on healing and one for midwives. I was stacking them on the floor without paying much attention.

Someone spoke, "Sir Hartson?"

Turning, I found myself looking at a pair of castle guards. "Good morning, Sirs. Yes, I am Baron Hartson Perrin, how may I help you?"

"We are here with a delivery, Viscount Perrin." Stepping aside, another man stepped forward, offering a nearly half-meter long, varnished wooden box. In exchange, I handed him the letter for the Royal Mage.

Accepting the box, I said, "Thank you, gentlemen."

The guard that had spoken nodded to me, and they all left.

"Viscount?"

Turning, I saw that Mr. Green was behind me with an amused smile.

"Um, possibly?"

Mr. Green just laughed, saying, "I'll set your books aside, and you can come to get them later, Sir."

"Thank you, Mr. Green, I'll be back soon." I walked confusedly to my basement home and sat the box on the table beside the catapult. For a time, I just looked at it. Should I open it? It's not something horrible. If it were terrible, they would have arrested me, not given me this.

Finally, I open the box carefully. On top is a new sash of a darker purple that denotes a High Mage. On the outer edges, there is a broad golden border marking me an Honored High Mage, which I still can't believe. Next, inward from both sides, there is a wider than standard instructor bands of white. Again, their borders have a gold trim with a pattern of leaves. They must denote the Independent Instructor rank. The sash shows my heraldry, but now it is framed by the Kingdom's border in silver. So, the 'Viscount' title is a thing. I go ahead and change to the new sash feeling incredible to have earned so much.

Next in the box are several official documents. Honored High Mage and Independent Instructor certificates are on top. Both are awarded and signed by the Royal Mage, which just about makes me burst with happiness.

A Decree from Count Ward grants me the title, Viscount of Westcroft, which contains three Baronies, one of which is my Perrin Barony. A letter from the Count invites me to see him in ten days for dinner at his mansion here in the capital.

From the General, there is an appointment to the rank of Major in the Kingdom's army. Looking at my sash again, I do see that military rank. It's not part of the Kingdom's border as I initially thought, just placed below it. Rather obvious now that I think about it.

Then there is a deed to the Viscount of Westcroft Manson here in the capital. Included is a map of the city with the location marked.

A copy of a letter from the Royal Mage to the College is in the box. It informs them of my changes in noble and military rank. And that my teaching and service obligations have been satisfied in full. I do notice that the letter does not explain why this has happened.

Lastly, there is a Confidential Proclamation from the King. It details that I will be awarded a Dukedom upon establishing a new frontier area that satisfies a long list of requirements.

It takes me a good hour just to process all of this. Knowing I dare not turn down the rank of Viscount, I accept that I will be far too busy to work at the school even if I still wanted to do so. Let alone the impact all of this will have on my magical research time.