Chapter 5: Shadow Mouse 'Beibei' (Part 1)
"Ernst Academy, the number one magic academy on the continent. Every mage who graduates from the academy is at least a sixth-rank mage, and there are quite a few seventh-rank mages! As long as our Baruch family produces a seventh-rank mage, we might be able to retrieve our family's heirloom."
As Hogarth spoke, he looked at Linley with anticipation.
Linley could feel his father's expectations.
"The heirloom, the Dragonblood family's heirloom, lost to outsiders—this disgrace must be washed away." Linley also felt a heavy weight in his heart.
As a descendant of the Dragonblood Warrior clan, he took pride in being part of this ancient and great lineage. But the fact that their family's heirloom was lost to outsiders was a tremendous shame. Whether it was Hogarth or the ancestors over the centuries, every time they thought of it, they felt endless humiliation.
Unfortunately, the family that possessed the warblade 'Slaughter' was no ordinary clan, and the current Baruch family was far too weak.
"Ernst? The legendary pope of the Radiant Church?" Doehring Cowart beside them sounded surprised.
"Grandpa Doehring, what's wrong?" Linley asked, puzzled. "The legendary pope of the Radiant Church, 'Ernst'—the hundreds of millions of people across the six kingdoms and fifteen duchies of the Holy Alliance probably all know him." Linley was well aware of the deeds of that legendary pope.
He had elevated the Radiant Church's status and single-handedly forged the 'Holy Alliance'.
"To think that little Ernst would achieve so much and become such a legendary pope of the Radiant Church." Doehring Cowart sighed in amazement.
"Grandpa Doehring, you know Pope Ernst?" Linley was somewhat surprised.
But then he thought about it.
It made sense. Back when the Pru Empire was still unified, the Radiant Church, the Dark Church, and the Earth Temple—there were many churches and temples throughout the empire. But all of them were under the empire's control.
"Of course. Ernst was a genius; he stepped into the Saint Domain around the age of fifty. But in my era, he was just an up-and-comer." Doehring Cowart said calmly.
When Doehring Cowart was still alive, Ernst was still in his growth period. By the time Ernst had just entered the Saint Domain, Doehring Cowart was already at the pinnacle of the entire Yulan continent, among the top-tier Saint Domain powerhouses.
Doehring Cowart held an extremely high status in the Pru Empire, far beyond what Ernst could compare to. Ernst would have had to bow respectfully when meeting Doehring Cowart.
"I never expected that after my death, Ernst would become so remarkable." Doehring Cowart said with a faint smile.
Linley couldn't help but feel even more respect for Doehring Cowart. A top-tier Saint Domain powerhouse from the Pru Empire era, a peak expert of the Yulan continent—and now he was here, carefully teaching him. What incredible fortune.
At the dinner table that evening, the Baruch family chatted happily.
"Linley, in a week, I'll have Uncle Hillman take you to the royal capital, Fenlai City, for the magic admissions test." Hogarth said to Linley with a smile.
"Yes, Father."
Linley nodded.
"Master Linley, I'm sure you'll get into the best magic academy." The butler, Hiri, chuckled.
"The best! Oh, the best!" Little Wharton clapped his hands cheerfully, his hands covered in grease.
Hogarth just smiled calmly and said, "Becoming a mage isn't so simple. Maybe one in ten thousand people has the aptitude. And getting into Ernst Academy is even harder—they only accept those with exceptional magical talent. If Linley can become a mage at all, I'll be satisfied, no matter which academy he enters."
"Father, I won't let you down." Linley said this with full confidence.
Because Linley was already a first-rank mage.
...
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, a week was gone.
Linley lay on the grass in the backyard of the family estate. Beside him, the little black shadow mouse hopped around, squeaking 'squeak squeak' incessantly, but Linley paid it no mind.
The little shadow mouse's eyes rolled, and it stood up on its hind legs, placing its front paws on Linley.
"Squeak squeak." The little mouse called out discontentedly.
Linley stroked its head. "Alright, stop fussing. Tomorrow I'm leaving home for the royal capital. After the magic academy admissions, I'll be going to the academy itself. I'm afraid I won't have much time to spend with you after this."
He couldn't bring the little shadow mouse to the magic academy.
The students at the academy were all extraordinary, and there were many powerful mages. If they discovered the little shadow mouse, they'd probably try to tame it outright. There were seventh-rank and eighth-rank mages at the academy. Catching the little shadow mouse wouldn't be hard.
After all, he and the little mouse hadn't formed a contract, so others could still tame it.
"Woo woo~~" The little shadow mouse, hearing Linley's words, whimpered softly.
"You don't understand what I'm saying anyway." Linley shook his head helplessly.
"Going to the magic academy—who knows how many years it'll take. Will we even see each other again after that?" Linley reluctantly stroked the little mouse's smooth fur. After nearly a month of playing with it, he had truly grown fond of this adorable creature.
The little shadow mouse, enjoying Linley's touch, squinted its eyes and purred.
******
The next day, after lunch, in the front courtyard of the Baruch family estate.
Hogarth stood as straight as a spear, looking directly at Linley. "Linley, our Wushan Town is relatively close to the royal capital—only ninety li. You should be able to reach Fenlai City before dark. Remember, don't cause any trouble in the capital. There are too many nobles and officials there."
"Yes, Father." Linley replied respectfully.
"Hillman, I'm entrusting Linley to you." Hogarth turned to Hillman beside him.
Hillman smiled and said, "Lord Hogarth, rest assured."
"Good, you may set off." Hogarth laughed heartily.
"Goodbye, Father." Linley bowed respectfully, then smiled at little Wharton. "Wharton, big brother is leaving now."
Little Wharton blinked his eyes at Linley and said reluctantly, "Big brother, goodbye."
Linley glanced toward the backyard, thinking to himself, "No one will be feeding the little shadow mouse for the next couple of days." Hillman said to him, "Linley, stop daydreaming. Let's go."
"Yes, Uncle Hillman."
Linley stopped thinking and followed Uncle Hillman out of the Baruch family estate.
"Squeak~~" On the roof of the Baruch family's main hall, the little shadow mouse watched Linley and Hillman leave. It tilted its head, eyes full of confusion. In its mind, Linley should be going to hunt rabbits. Why was he carrying a pack and leaving with someone else today?
The little shadow mouse really liked Linley.
Over the past month, having no other companions, it had come to see Linley as its own family.
"Whoosh!"
The little shadow mouse moved in a flash, disappearing from the Baruch family roof. In two or three bounds, it reached the roof of another commoner's house, watching Linley and Hillman. The little mouse followed Linley, and soon they were out of Wushan Town.