Mage Badge
Day after day, after the letter was sent, Elena kept waiting for her uncle, Viscount Walshi's reaction. Whether it was a letter of curse or a direct fight at his house, she was not afraid and even looked forward to it.
It's hard to say if she has some strange psychology, or maybe it's simply the extended rebellious period of her middle school years. Anyway, she really doesn't like interacting with relatives, especially those who have a lot of complaints. She is even more annoyed and avoids them. Her current uncle's family happens to be such annoying and weird relatives.
Looking back, when she was just an ordinary noble girl and had little to do with the title of viscount, in the eyes of Viscount Walshi, she was like a background, with no sense of existence, and there was no family interaction.
When she lost her father and brother, faced ambitions and dissent within the family, and was likely to be sidelined and become a puppet, Viscount Walshi was as good as dead, with no help at all. Not to mention visiting her, he didn't even send her a letter of comfort.
When she had settled everything and became the true heir to the title, Viscount Walshi showed up and showed some affection to her in a nonchalant way. He did not mention a word about her previous difficulties, as if the difficulties did not exist at all and he was completely unaware of them.
However, when she made money in business, Viscount Walshi was well-informed and sent his eldest son and daughter to take advantage of her. Cousin Brooke was responsible for making demands, and cousin Julie was responsible for playing the family card. One was the good guy and the other was the bad guy. Is your family a full-time drama actor?
You are not there when help is needed, but you are quick to take advantage of others. Why do we need relatives like this?
Oh, when it comes to paying attention to them and playing along with them, Elena is too lazy to move. If she wants to do something, she will do it in a big way. If she doesn’t have a fight, how can she let them know that she has a bad temper and is not easy to mess with!
She waited and waited, even after she updated the new recipes for Miaoqu Garden, sent several batches of goods to the pharmacy, and also produced a large batch of spices and sauces, she still didn't get a response from Viscount Walshi.
What's going on?
Is he scared?
Elena was puzzled.
"I'm here, how dare he act so rudely?" Leonard came over staggeringly with a bowl of braised beef in his arms.
Elena's eyes fell on the big bowl in his hand: "You ate too much for this sample, didn't you?"
Elena had promised before that she would let Leonard try any dish she came up with, so this newly made braised beef became Leonard's taster.
But Elena really didn't expect Leonard to take so much. There must be half a pot of meat in it, right?
Leonard nonchalantly picked a chair and sat down: "You can deduct it directly from my account."
Being wealthy and making a lot of money, Leonard has more confidence. Now that Leonard's wallet is full of gold coins, can't he eat whatever he wants?
It's just a bowl of beef, he can afford it.
Of course, Elena couldn't settle accounts with him just for a bowl of beef. She simply passed over the matter and asked about Leonard's previous words: "You said that Viscount Walshi didn't dare to trouble me because he knew you were here?"
Leonard chewed his beef and said, "Of course. Let's not even mention the trouble it would take for him to cross the border to attack you. The two earls wouldn't allow him to mobilize a large army. At most, they'd let him bring a few cavalry units. Even if he did bring an army, with me here, would he have a chance of winning?"
The tone was calm, yet it carried an air of absolute dominance.
Elena was happy and a little unhappy when she heard this.
Fortunately, Leonard's support saved her from this trouble.
What makes me unhappy is that I can’t argue with him face to face or even beat him up, so the feeling of satisfaction is not there.
"What's wrong?" Leonard saw Elena's hidden unhappiness, thought for a moment, and asked, "Do you really want to fight your uncle face to face?"
Elena pouted and said nothing.
"Haha, kid, you're just thinking too much." Leonard nodded at her vaguely. "He's your uncle after all. If you two really come to blows, you'll always be at a disadvantage. Nobles are most concerned about their reputation. You can't just care about your own pleasure. You have to consider your reputation too."
Elena was dissatisfied: "But if he really comes to my door, will I just let him beat me?"
Leonard looked at her as if he was looking at a stubborn little brat who had failed in his studies, his eyes full of "you're not doing well enough".
"What's wrong? Was I wrong?" Elena felt that she seemed to have said something wrong, but she still refused to admit it.
"Are you stupid?" Leonard sighed and shook his head. "Why do you have to go on your own? Where are those knights you raised? Are they there for show?"
Elena: ...Uh, I forgot.
"You still don't accept what I'm saying. Think about it yourself, are you a fool?" Leonard stuffed a big mouthful of braised beef in anger.
You are obviously a noble, so why do you always act like someone who doesn't act like a noble?
Leonard couldn't figure out what this little girl was thinking.
Elena lowered her head and picked at her fingers.
Thinking habits are not so easy to change.
The room was filled with awkwardness. After a while, the old housekeeper came over and broke Elena's awkward moment of being alone.
"Miss, this is the enrollment registration form sent from Booker Harbor." The old butler handed over a letter.
"Enrollment registration form???" Elena was confused and opened the letter to take a closer look.
It turned out to be a registration form for the intention to enter a higher education institution.
The education system implemented in the Caropetto Empire where Elena lives is that before the age of ten, children of nobles receive home education in their own homes, and children of commoners can go to private teachers' homes for education. After the age of ten, those who want to go to school must take the unified entrance examination of the county. If they pass the examination, they can enter primary school.
Each county has a primary school with a boarding system and a five-year academic period. The compulsory courses are general knowledge, and the elective courses are basic magic, basic martial arts, music, painting, etc.
After graduation, students can choose to work directly or enter a higher education college, seminary, or knight's college.
For children of the nobility, entering a higher education college is the first option, because there is only one higher education college in the Carlopetto Empire, the Royal Magic College, which is located in the royal capital.
This academy was funded and founded by the founding emperor. According to the emperor's will, every prince and princess must attend the Royal Magic Academy.
Therefore, the Royal Magic Academy is not just an academy, but also a social circle for the new generation of the imperial aristocracy.
Elena had a headache: "Can I choose not to go?"
The old butler, who had been beaming, turned serious upon hearing this: "Miss, attending the Royal Magic Academy will be of great benefit to you. You will gain many influential classmates and meet many prestigious figures."
This is a serious matter and cannot be taken lightly.
Elena slumped her shoulders. "But my territory needs me. If I leave, what will happen to the spice powder and sauce business? What about the Wind Lily Pharmacy? What about the Wonderful Garden Restaurant? And what about the cattle farm we just built?"
"It's okay, it's only three years." The old butler consoled her gently, "Three years is a short time, and with the Earl taking care of us, there won't be any major problems with the territory."
Elena still didn't want to go.
The old butler continued to comfort her, "Miss, think about it. For these three years, you can enjoy college life without distraction. You can attend garden parties, dances, birthday parties, and no longer have to worry about the trivial troubles of the territory. Isn't that great?"
Enjoy life? Elena didn't think so. There were a lot of classmates in the academy who had higher titles and status than her. She had to deal with them carefully and not offend anyone. Just thinking about it was super annoying. She might as well just play the management game in the territory.
Elena lowered her head and said nothing, expressing her resistance with silence.
Seeing that the young lady still refused to agree, the old butler could only use his last trick: "Young lady, you are a lord. As a lord, even if you don't like it, you must take on the due responsibilities, integrate into the upper social circle, make friends with more nobles, and expand your network of contacts. This is what you must do."
Elena pursed her lips.
"Besides, miss, don't you think that having only a primary school education is a bit embarrassing?" The old butler advised again.
Elena's eyes widened slightly, she had forgotten about this, this was a big problem.
Whether she has a high level of education or a low level of education, this is indeed very important, because it will strictly affect her status.
If you have a choice between a college degree or a high school degree, of course you would choose a college degree, not to mention that everyone in the aristocratic circle has a college degree.
But, but, she still doesn't want to go to school.
This is her stubbornness as a poor student.
Suddenly a voice interrupted.
"Aren't you already a low-level mage? At your level, you don't need to go to school anymore." Leonard said to Elena.
Ah, so this is possible?
Elena's big eyes showed great surprise: "Is this possible?"
"Isn't the purpose of attending a higher education a step into the magical world and gain power? Socializing and connections are secondary. This world respects the strong. Powerful people will never lack followers, while those without power have to curry favor everywhere." Leonard calmly revealed the true rules of this world: the strong are respected.
"Interpersonal relationships only exist among mortals who need to stick together. When your strength is strong enough, so strong that no one dares to question you, then everything you do will be right." Leonard sat up slightly straighter. "For example, I like to be alone, taking orders and making money as a small businessman. Who dares to criticize me?"
Yes, yes, that's right. Elena nodded repeatedly.
Elena's eyes were bright as she looked at Leonard intently, waiting for him to continue.
Leonard continued as she wished, "As far as I know, the Royal Magic Academy of the Caropetto Empire has two graduation standards. One is to be promoted to a senior apprentice, which is the most common graduation standard. After being promoted, you can get a graduation badge."
Elena looked at the old housekeeper.
The old butler nodded.
Leonard continued, "The other standard is higher. It requires promotion to a low-level mage. Reaching this level is the true threshold to entering the magical world. After promotion, not only can one obtain a graduation badge, but also a mage badge from the Mage Association. Only with this badge can one be respectfully addressed as a Master Mage in the secular world."
Elena was reminded by Leonard: "Yes, I am already a low-level mage."
Elena immediately said to the old housekeeper, "Harold, I forgot to tell you this. I was promoted to a low-level mage with Leonard's help some time ago, and I have already received the mage badge from the Mage Association. So, do I not have to go to school?"
She's already got the Mage Badge, which should be equivalent to getting a graduation badge, right?
The old butler was stunned.
He seemed to suddenly not understand the lady's simple words.
It was as if something huge was stuffed into his ears, or directly into his brain. His mind was now blank, and he had a strange feeling of being isolated from reality.
It took a while for the old butler to come back to his senses: "Miss, you said that you are already a low-level mage?"
Elena nodded and said seriously, "Yes."
Elena rummaged through her small bag and took out a badge. It was round and black, with a gold line dividing it into two parts, the upper part was the emblem of the Mage Association, and the lower part was a small silver star.
A small silver star represents the first level of formal magician, a low-level magician.
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