Chapter 16: I Am a Little Mercenary

In the year 199 of the Red Moon Calendar, a mysterious surge of magical spirits swept across the continents. A mage, who had just reached apprentice level, could now cast a Level 1 Fireball spell that summoned the same magical spirits once required for a Level 3 Firewall spell. The fireball's power almost matched that of the old firewall.

Due to this strange occurrence, the Holy Council and the major nations agreed to rename the calendar to the Year One of the Magical Era at the start of the year 200 of the Red Moon Calendar.

This year was later recognized as the beginning of the Human-God War.

It was also the year when Mercenary King Amy and his companion Daqingshan emerged onto the historical stage.

— From the research notes of Neil, the 12th generation descendant of historian Amy.

All good things must come to an end.

In the remote village of Haike, on the edge of the Hamian Empire's Frozen Continent, a farewell feast was laid out—hard to swallow, yet unavoidable.

In the second year of the Magical Era, Amy turned 16. According to continental law, turning 16 marked adulthood, allowing marriage, military enlistment, and independent decision-making, including forming or joining a mercenary group. Fortunately, the Hamian people never conscript other races, so military service was something Amy could avoid.

After discussing with Leige, Chi Hanfeng announced during a family dinner that it was time for him, Elder Haber, Amy, and Daqingshan to part ways.

Chi Hanfeng noted that Amy had developed skills comparable to a beginner knight, lacking only real battle experience. Daqingshan's abilities matched Amy's; he was adept with both the knight's lance and sword and excelled with the crossbow. Chi Hanfeng shook his head slightly, as true knightly spirit shunned the crossbow: even a lowly slave could kill a noble knight with one.

Regretfully, Chi Hanfeng mentioned plans to capture two spirit beasts, Snow Wolves, for Amy and Daqingshan. However, considering that even phantom wolves couldn't match the agility required by swordsmen, and since Daqingshan had signed a lifelong servant contract, this plan was scrapped. Greenie corrected him, saying Daqingshan had signed a historic contract with the sacred dragons, so the wolf capture plan was abandoned.

Chi Hanfeng had to return to Carinthus, the capital of the Amy Empire, for personal matters.

Leige thanked Chi Hanfeng for training Amy's strength, willpower, and agility, which helped Amy overcome three challenging mage obstacles. Although the Magic Association hadn't recognized it, Amy reached Level 2 Mage. Due to casting requirements, Leige insisted on leather armor instead of metal. Elder Haber added, "Good swordsmen shouldn't wear metal armor as it hinders agility." Greenie, trained by Chi Hanfeng, reached Level 1 Mage, capable of casting any neutral spell below Level 3 without incantations—dragon breath being the most common.

Through testing, Leige found ways for Daqingshan to trigger Greenie's spells. Pulling Greenie's left wing might trigger a water spell; the right wing, a wind spell; and tapping the head, an ice spell. The success rate was high, about 80 percent, but the magic level and power were unpredictable.

However, a foolproof method was a firm kick to Greenie's rear, unleashing a powerful fireball spell. With enhanced abilities, it would now erupt into a massive firewall, reliable and unfailing.

After leaving the Wishing Tower, Leige hadn't reported back to the Magic Association. Despite being exempt as a Magister, a routine understanding was necessary. Leige decided to return with Chi Hanfeng to the empire's capital to meet the king and receive the Magister rank.

"Lu, you must walk your own path. We can't do it for you," Chi Hanfeng said, handing over a note and 100 gold coins. "This is my family's address in the empire. Leige will stay with us for a while, you get my meaning, free benefits. I won't elaborate."

After the meal, under the bright afternoon sky, as the Black Sun and White Sun crossed paths, Chi Hanfeng and Leige bid farewell to Elder Haber, their figures fading into the distance.

Once they disappeared, Daqingshan was still wiping tears. "Ya!" Amy raised his right hand, forming a V-sign, and excitedly ran, tossing his clothes, shouting, "Finally, they're gone!" Greenie extended his middle claw in their direction, making a rude gesture, then spewed flames into the sky.

Their excitement overwhelmed Daqingshan, causing him to faint.

Goodbye to Treehouse Tavern. Remembering the initial encounter with Leige, Amy felt nostalgic.

Despite being older, Daqingshan deferred to Amy's broader knowledge and experience under Chi Hanfeng's guidance. On their first independent journey, Amy's suggestions were usually followed.

Like every Treehouse Tavern, the left corner housed the Magic Guild office, the right corner the Mercenary Guild office, and the innermost corner the Thieves Guild office.

Amy entered the Mercenary Guild, where an elderly man with white hair and tortoiseshell glasses sat behind the counter.

"Uncle, we want to become mercenaries. What do we need to do?" Amy asked cautiously.

"Are you joining another group or forming your own?" The old man scrutinized Amy, Daqingshan, and Greenie.

"Can we make our own way for now? We don't want to join another group yet."

"Sure. It's 10 gold coins per person for registration, and 30 gold coins to establish a group. Two mercenary diaries cost 10 gold coins each." He handed over two mercenary registration forms.

"So expensive," Amy muttered, taking the forms. Seventy gold coins vanished.

The form was simple, with only five fields:

Name:

Age:

Profession:

Mercenary Reputation Level:

Affiliated Mercenary Group:

"Uncle, how do we fill in the profession? I mainly study as a swordsman but I'm also a mage," Amy queried.

The old man seemed surprised, as dual-training in magic and swordsmanship was rare. "Have you received certification from the Magic Association?"

"No."

"Then you'll need to get certified first, determine your level, and then return to complete the form."

Amy proceeded to the Magic Guild, where a mage in a red robe sat behind a counter, indicating they were from the Holy Order.

"Sir, I would like to take the mage evaluation. What are the requirements?"

The attendant, enthusiastic, smiled, "We're always pleased to welcome new mages. On behalf of the Magic Association, I welcome you. Purchase a mage diary for 10 gold coins, and then you can take the mage level examination, which requires a 10 gold coin fee."

Hearing this, Amy nearly fainted; 100 gold coins were about to vanish.

After accepting Amy's 20 gold coins, the attendant handed over a mage diary. "You're a neutral mage. Please cast Ice Blade, Lightning, and Hide on this diary."

Amy complied with the instructions.

"Hmm, you've achieved the Apprentice Mage certification. What specific magic attribute are you studying?" the attendant asked.

"My teacher emerged from the Tower of Ice Wishes, so I should be ice-based," Amy replied.

"What?" The attendant's eyes widened. "Your teacher from the Tower of Ice Wishes? Currently, there are only five magisters, and none are ice-based."

"Really? He came out two years ago and has been teaching me magic ever since. He just left for the Amy Empire to receive his title," Amy answered honestly.

"Oh, then please cast any Level 3 ice spell on the diary." The attendant didn't offer much leniency, perhaps doubtful.

Amy initially thought Ice Spear needed to be cast on the ground, but was astonished to see a miniature Ice Spear manifest on the diary. He then attempted to cast a Level 3 Ice Shield on it.

"Can you perform Ice Spear Forest?" For a Level 2 mage, the attendant no longer dared to underestimate him.

Amy shook his head, "Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't."

"Oh, congratulations on becoming a Level 2 Mage." The attendant placed a small seal on the diary. Amy was surprised to see a Level 2 Mage emblem appear on his leather armor.

In bard songs, most dragons appear evil, even the legendary ancient Holy Ice Green Dragon, Taimugel Sai, is no exception.

— From the research notes of Neil, the 12th generation descendant of historian Amy.