Dick didn’t hesitate; he turned and sought out Uncle Taita outside the school grounds. Without a spatial pouch, did he expect the accompanying mage to carry back the monster carcasses?

“Uncle Taita, I’ve bought some mana healing potions. Since you frequently venture into the monster forest, it’s better to be prepared,” Dick said. He had barely spent his ten thousand gold prize, and he also received some level-one monster crystals sponsored by Uncle Taita.

In the monster forest, if a warrior is injured and it affects their combat ability, it becomes highly dangerous. Mana healing potions are exceptionally effective and can be lifesaving in critical moments.

“Little Dick has grown up. Alright, I won’t be polite then,” Taita said, clearly pleased with the considerate young Dick. Mana healing potions are quite expensive. “Dick, how is your fighting aura training progressing?”

“Pretty well. In less than two months, I estimate my fighting aura will reach the peak of level one.”

“So soon?”

“Perhaps it’s due to the advanced aura techniques being impressive,” Dick replied, unsure of the exact reason. Training in fighting aura, unlike potion-enhanced methods, should not impact the foundation negatively.

“Very well. Dick, once you advance to a level-two warrior and become proficient in combat techniques, Uncle Taita will take you into the monster forest to see it firsthand.”

“That would be ideal. I lack experience, and having Uncle Taita guide me will make me familiar with it more quickly.” Dick didn’t want to venture blindly into the monster mountains as a mere level-two warrior without any miraculous protective artifacts—such bravado could be fatal.

Once he advances to a level-two warrior and his magical skills are more robust, at least his Water and Fire Magic Sword techniques will have significant combat value. His increased mana would then offer real practical benefits, aiding the hunting team. He wouldn’t be a complete liability.

“With a mage like you using a spatial pouch, much of the spoils are saved,” Taita remarked. “The space in this borrowed pouch is truly vast; it can fit several monster carcasses at once. With so many resources, our hunting team will be able to train well for some time.”

Clearly, without a spatial pouch or mages in the team before, Taita’s hunting squad had lost a considerable amount of loot. Training resources for warriors are already scarce, and wasting any further is quite painful.

“Uncle Taita, is the meat of a level-three monster useful for your level-four warriors’ training?” Dick asked curiously.

“Fool! The meat of a level-three monster is valuable too. The most valuable are the monster’s essence blood and crystal cores. Selling them for gold and then buying level-four monster meat for training is the way to go.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Even though the value of level-three monsters is much lower than that of level-four, it’s still money.”

“Uncle Taita, can you also purchase level-four monster meat?” Wasn’t it said that level-three monster flesh was already rare?

“Dick, this is the capital! Even level-five and six monsters have skilled hunters. I’m just an ordinary warrior without exceptional aura techniques. Don’t forget, many warriors have aligned with the royal family, which has intermediate and advanced aura techniques…”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Dick understood that even among level-four warriors, the disparity in combat techniques could be immense. Comparatively, Taita, from a remote area, had lower combat prowess for a level-four warrior.

“The capital is indeed the capital, rich in resources. Not only are there monsters in the mountains, but also valuable herbs, plants, and fruits…” Taita continued with a hint of pride. “I’ve been in the capital for nearly two years and am close to breaking through to a level-five warrior!”

Dick was pleased for Uncle Taita. For a practitioner, nothing is more gratifying than advancing in rank. Taita had been a level-four warrior for over a decade, a testament to perseverance.

Of course, the advancement bottleneck for warriors is troublesome. Taita likely felt the breakthrough was imminent, as practitioners are very sensitive to their progress.

“Uncle Taita, Thomas has entered the capital, which may pose some trouble for you.” Dick could disregard Thomas Sharp, but Taita had once sworn allegiance to a baron. According to the kingdom’s noble laws, a baron has the right to bring back their knight’s squire.

Though Taita had left the baron’s control under the pretense of death, the allegiance contract remained in effect as long as Taita was alive, and even the royal family must respect and support noble contracts.

“I’ve heard rumors that Thomas is searching for me,” Taita acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. The remote York Baron’s influence in the capital was minimal, and although his forces had not yet found Taita, it was only a matter of time.

Thomas could even issue a manhunt for Taita in the capital under the York Baron’s name, supported by the kingdom’s laws.

“Dick, don’t worry. I’ve been in hiding for many years and will continue to do so. The baron’s men won’t find me.” Taita had no choice but to continue evading. Fortunately, after so many years of experience, he had become adept at it.

“Uncle Taita, evasion is not a long-term solution. Now that I’m thoroughly at odds with Thomas Sharp, if he becomes determined and issues a wanted notice…” Taita had been very helpful to Dick, and he couldn’t just ignore the issue. “Give me two days, and I’ll try to find a solution.”

“Dick, do you have any ideas?”

“Uncle Taita, I may not have the capability, but I am at the Magic Academy in the capital. My friends and classmates might have the means. The baron isn’t so formidable. I’ll ask the sons and daughters of viscounts and earls. They might have a solution.”

“That…” Taita was speechless, realizing Dick indeed had noble friends.

After bidding farewell to Uncle Taita, Dick needed to return to the academy. The safety at the Magic Academy was genuinely reassuring; even Liu Tiesheng, who harbored hostility toward him, couldn’t do much. Furthermore, a viscount from a remote area wouldn’t dare be overly arrogant in the powerful capital.

The academy’s tutors are all level-three mages loyal to the royal family.

For mages from commoner backgrounds who can’t afford tuition and are bound by ‘indenture contracts’ to the royal family, staying on as tutors (also loyal to the royal family) is a viable option. Even if Liu Tiesheng could secretly bribe some tutors, their actions couldn’t be too conspicuous. If discovered by the royal family, it would be a significant issue.

Due to the monopoly on advanced magical and fighting techniques, the royal family’s strength greatly surpasses other nobles. No noble dares provoke the royal family.

Nevertheless, the capital also houses some nobles, including significant local ones, who, while lacking advanced fighting techniques, still possess competent mid-level techniques. Many such nobles gather in the capital and are adept at hunting monsters in the mountain ranges.

It’s not that monsters exist only near the capital; other regions of the kingdom have them, though in smaller numbers.

For instance, Alina’s Brook family has an ‘office’ in the capital, which houses many skilled individuals. Alina can obtain the gold or magic resources she needs for training from this office. However, as a level-one mage, Alina’s family won’t waste resources like level-three monster meat on her.

Dick decided to see if he could solve Uncle Taita’s problem.

Dick was most familiar with Alina, so he gathered his courage and asked for her help.

“Li Cong!” Before finding Alina, he bumped into Li Cong.

“Dick, what’s with the flurry right after your return? Peeping at a widow’s bath or something?” Li Cong, now accustomed to joking with Dick, grinned.

Seeing Li Cong, Dick thought for a moment. Since Alina is a girl, asking her family for help might make them think he’s trying to woo her. Noble girls sometimes present such inconveniences. Since he ran into Li Cong…