Chapter 7 : Chapter 7
Chapter 7. Trade
William slowly stepped out of Kroll II’s study. The matter of agreeing to Knight Bach’s conditions had finally been settled, though the price was a reduction of twenty miles from his future fief.
William did not care about this at all. In fact, he even felt that if he could exchange his territory for a large amount of gold coins to support the five attendants under his Master–Servant Contract, it would be far more worthwhile.
The attendants’ training had already entered a stable routine. Once the resources were supplied, nearly all five of them broke through into the Black Iron Realm, advancing at a speed far beyond expectations.
Fortunately, William had prepared breathing techniques and meditation methods in advance, allowing their cultivation speed to remain stable rather than becoming chaotic.
At that moment, a knight stepped forward and bowed.
“Your Highness the Fourth Prince, Vice Principal Mecid of the Royal Academy asked me to inform you that he has already found suitable attendants for you. He wishes to know when Your Highness might have time to meet them.”
A smile immediately appeared on William’s face.
They had finally arrived.
He nodded and said, “Understood. I will go shortly.”
The knight bowed once more before quietly withdrawing.
William turned and went to find Sir Pand, the royal steward.
This steward was said to be at the peak of a Sky Mage and was deeply trusted by the king.
When William arrived, Pand was working through documents at his desk. William explained his purpose.
“Sir Pand, I would like to leave the palace for a while. Please prepare a travel document for me.”
Pand set down his quill, looked up at William, and bowed slightly.
“Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth Prince. His Majesty has already given instructions. Please wait a moment.”
He immediately began writing. Before long, he handed over a parchment scroll stamped with the royal seal and reminded him, “Your Highness, please remember to return before nightfall.”
William accepted the document and nodded in thanks.
“Thank you for your trouble, Sir.”
Pand quickly waved his hand.
“Your Highness is too polite. This is simply my duty. Please take care on your journey.”
Holding the travel document, William quickly returned to his residence and immediately instructed Knight Tos to assemble guards for the trip out of the palace.
His mind was already occupied with those “humanoid gold coins,” and he could barely restrain his anticipation.
The carriage was soon prepared. William stepped aboard. Under the escort of royal knights and mages, the carriage rolled across the stone roads of the palace and sped toward the Royal Academy.
This time the journey was smooth, and before long they arrived at the academy gates.
What surprised William was that not only was Vice Principal Mecid present, but even the principal, Charles, was personally waiting beneath the portico.
Seeing this, William quickly lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down. This principal was rumored to have already reached the Legendary Realm. Whether the rumor was true or not, the mere possibility was enough to make William treat him with great respect.
“Principal, I did not expect you to welcome me at the gate. I am truly honored,” William said as he quickly approached.
Principal Charles laughed heartily and waved his hand.
“Haha, little William, it has been quite some time. You have grown quite capable.”
“I heard about your return to the academy this time. I never expected you to come up with such a method. Not bad at all—I quite like it.”
He gestured toward the surroundings. “Standing here makes the students nervous. Let us go inside first.”
William glanced at the students secretly watching nearby. Their gazes indeed carried a hint of tension, so he nodded in agreement.
The group entered the principal’s study. William gestured for Tos to wait outside with the guards. Charles also signaled Mecid to dismiss the accompanying teachers.
Once the door closed, only the two of them remained in the study.
Charles poured a cup of hot tea and pushed it toward William. His gaze held a trace of scrutiny, yet also warmth.
“I heard you are selling attendant positions. You have certainly made excellent use of the academy’s connections.”
William lifted the teacup. His fingers paused slightly before he answered calmly.
“It is simply a matter of each taking what they need.”
“Each taking what they need?” Charles chuckled. “Do you know which families stand behind the children that were sent here?”
“I know some of them.”
William looked up.
“Those nobles want the title of a prince’s attendant. What I want is gold—large amounts of gold. As long as they can pay the price, it does not matter which family they belong to.”
Charles studied the certainty in William’s eyes, stroking his beard as a trace of approval flashed across his expression.
“Well said—each taking what they need.”
“Very well. The children are waiting in the courtyard. Go choose for yourself. But remember, once they enter your household, they follow your rules. The academy will not interfere, nor will we take responsibility.”
William rose and bowed.
“Thank you for granting this opportunity, Principal.”
As he stepped out of the study, William suddenly paused and turned back toward Charles.
“Principal, have you heard of Stardust Sand?”
Charles nodded. “Yes. I happen to have some here. Do you want it?”
A flash of excitement appeared in William’s eyes.
“Yes, Principal.”
Charles froze for a moment before laughing.
“You really are straightforward, little fellow.”
He took out a small crystal bottle from his storage pouch. Inside were grains of sand shimmering with faint starlight. He handed it to William.
“You may have it. But I have a small request.”
William took the bottle. His fingers felt the cold surface of the crystal, but when he heard the second half of the sentence, his movement paused.
“In the king’s treasury, there is a skill book called 《Spear of Time》.”
Charles looked at him.
“I would like to borrow it for study, but I have never found a suitable opportunity.”
William frowned and turned as if to leave.
This was hardly a “small request.” It was practically impossible.
The king’s treasury was not a place one could simply enter at will.
Did he think William was still an ignorant child?
“Hey, little William, do not rush off.”
Charles quickly stopped him, smiling as he waved his hand.
“I know it is not easy.”
“Let us do it this way. Take the Stardust Sand first. Consider it an advance ‘deposit.’”
“All I ask is a promise—if you ever have the opportunity to come into contact with that book in the future, keep an eye out for me.”
He added, “Of course, you may refuse. The decision is entirely yours. Even if you decline, the Stardust Sand is still a gift.”
William held the crystal bottle. The Stardust Sand inside shimmered softly in the sunlight—the exact material Mage Irene urgently needed.
He looked at the candid gaze of Principal Charles. After hesitating for a moment, he eventually walked back and stored the bottle.
“I can keep an eye out for it, but I cannot guarantee anything.”
“That is enough.”
Charles smiled with narrowed eyes.
“I knew you were a perceptive one. Come on, I will take you to see those children.”
The two walked side by side toward the courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows across the stone path.
William touched the crystal bottle in his pocket and understood clearly—
A favor from this Legendary principal was not something easily owed.
Charles led William into the courtyard, where the Vice Principal had already been waiting.
After exchanging a few quiet words, the principal turned and left, leaving only William, the Vice Principal, and the line of youths standing before them.
William’s gaze slowly swept across the group. He nodded inwardly.
These children from noble families truly possessed outstanding talent.
Silver Aptitude was merely the baseline. Golden Aptitude was everywhere. There were even seven or eight youths whose heads were surrounded by a faint purple halo—the sign of Sky Aptitude, far beyond gold.
At that moment, William finally understood why many nobles looked down upon commoners.
Generations of accumulated resources and bloodline inheritance truly gave their descendants a natural advantage in talent.
Just like the children standing before him now. Based on aptitude alone, they could easily overwhelm the sons of commoners.
“Your Highness, these were all carefully selected by their respective families. They come from wealthy backgrounds and are willing to follow your rules.”
The Vice Principal explained from the side, his tone carrying a hint of pride.