CHAPTER 273: Climbing Up Step By Step

After leaving the Babylon Academy of Magic and Strength, Han Shuo went straight to Lawrence's house. Together, they went to the northern city guard barracks.

Ossen City was divided into four sections: South, East, North and West. Each section had a large city gate and an independent army of guards responsible for maintaining law and order.

When they arrived at the northern campsite of the city, Lawrence opened his mouth to speak, "Although we're ten days late, I don't think there's a problem!"

What greeted their eyes was a large castle built entirely of solid rock. Several armoured guards stood in front of the city gate, watching over the recruitment of ordinary civilians with strong physiques. They were being examined before they could join the new recruits.

Lawrence walked over to them with Han Shuo and said with authority, "He's an Adept Mage who's just graduated from the Babylonian Academy of Magic and Strength. He will join your magic corps from now on."

An officer lay lazily on a chair, munching on the fruit on his plate. As soon as he heard Lawrence's voice, he jumped to his feet and smiled flatteringly, "Greetings to young Master Lawrence!"

Lawrence nodded and pointed at Han Shuo, "He's my friend. He intends to join the magic corps of the city's northern guard. We'll go through the formalities."

"An adept mage!" The officer was shocked. His expression was much more respectful as he looked at Han Shuo, "May I see your certificate?"

There were three professions in the Profound Continent: Swordsman, Knight, and Mage. Swordsmen had the lowest status, Knights were a little higher, and the rarest and highest were the Mages.

For a country, a mage of the same level brought more benefits to the army. For example, a high level swordsman or knight could only kill a few soldiers at once, no matter how powerful they were.

However, if an experienced mage cast a spell of great lethality, he could kill dozens or even hundreds of soldiers in an instant. The higher the level of the mage, the more powerful the spell. For example, if a Sacred Mage unleashed a forbidden spell, he could even destroy a city and kill tens of thousands of soldiers in a second.

Because mages had spells with a large area of destruction, they were very useful in the military. Their status was obviously higher than that of swordsmen or knights. In general, when a mage reached the level of archmage, he was given a noble title and his own territory.

As for those at the level of Grand Magus or Sacred Magus, they were the talent that every country competed for. The king of that country would agree to any of their conditions, from wealth and position to beautiful women. Everything could be theirs.

That's why the officer's attitude had changed completely when he heard that he was an adept magician who had graduated from the Babylon Academy of Magic and Strength. Over the years, the Academy had produced many of the Empire's finest. Currently, several notable figures who were the best in their fields had all graduated from this academy.

"Of course you can!" Han Shuo took out his graduation certificate from his space ring and handed it to the officer.

Only now did the officer realise that Han Shuo was wearing a space ring. He was a bit surprised, an Adept Mage who could possess a space ring was definitely not ordinary. The officer became even more respectful. He held the certificate in his hand and glanced over it before handing it back to Han Shuo with both hands, saying honestly, "There is no problem at all. We of the city's Northern Guard welcome you to join us. You will be a member of the Northern Guard's Magic Corps. Please follow me, I'll help you with the documents."

"I'll go with you!" Lawrence smiled at Han Shuo and followed him into the castle. The officer seemed to know Lawrence as he didn't stop him from following.

The three Yin Demons had been released earlier to circle around the castle. Han Shuo discovered that the castle was divided into several sections. The bottom floor was for the common soldiers, it could hold nearly a thousand people. The second floor was for ordinary officers, and the third floor was for senior generals and members of the magic corps. Han Shuo paid some attention and realised that there was a basement where weapons and food were stored.

Even though this castle was within Ossen City, its defences weren't weak. The castle walls were ten metres high, with several sentries in each direction. There were several heavy defensive weapons and even three magical towers.

This was the base camp of the Northern Guard. Many more soldiers were stationed outside. The scattered Northern Guard was divided into three parts. One was training in the jungle, another was defending the northern gate, and the rest was patrolling the city to prevent brawls.

Before coming here, Han Shuo had known that Lawrence was acquainted with the highest commander of the city's Northern Guard, Count Boris Carlin, so he wasn't worried at all.

In the Lancelot Empire, most of the military power was in the hands of the nobility. Lawrence's uncle, Boris Carlin, for example, was a Count of the Empire. The Carlin family was considered a great family in the Empire. Lawrence's eponymous father and Boris's older brother, Eevee Carlin, was one rank higher as a Marquis of the Empire.

Eevee Carlin had a close relationship with the King because of his connection to Lawrence. With Eevee's support and his own extraordinary military talents, Boris Carlin was able to assume the position of supreme commander of the Northern Guard.

Obviously, Lawrence arranged for Han Shuo to be here because his uncle was in charge of that organisation. The soldiers in the castle were all aware of the relationship between Lawrence and Boris, which is why they treated the former so respectfully. Even Han Shuo, who followed Lawrence, received the same treatment.

"Oh, my dear Lawrence, you haven't visited me for so long!" The group was on their way to the third floor of the castle when an army man of six feet tall with a rough, bearded face called out loudly from a distant stairwell.

"Hello, dear uncle, haven't I come to see you? hahaha , I've brought an outstanding person here. Isn't your nephew good to you?" Lawrence laughed all the way as he pulled Han Shuo towards Boris.

Boris laughed heartily with a booming voice. He glanced at Han Shuo and said, "Is this the Bryan you've been telling me about? Haha, his body is unexpectedly strong, and he's an incredible magician as well. Truly unimaginable!"

Due to his practice of magic cultivation, Han Shuo was now one metre ninety centimetres tall. His back was as straight as a spear, and he naturally exuded an extraordinary presence. Even though he was wearing an ordinary magic robe, there was no hiding the presence emanating from his body.

"Greetings, honourable Count Boris. Please take care of me from now on!" Han Shuo had a firm grasp on the situation. He smiled and bowed respectfully.

"Well said, well said!" Boris laughed loudly again and spoke to the commanding officer, "Gilok, you help Bryan complete the procedures."

"Lawrence, Bryan, come to my room for a moment!" Boris waited until the two had climbed the stairs before enthusiastically grabbing them and leading them straight to the largest room on the third floor. All the guards saluted Boris respectfully on the way.

Boris' hand was rough like the bark of an old tree. Han Shuo immediately understood from the sensation that he was a user heavy weapons. Han Shuo had heard Lawrence mention that Boris was an earth rider.

Boris' room was built with large boulders, bright and spacious. There were no luxurious items, just some simple furniture. It seemed that Boris was not an extravagant person.

"You are all dismissed. Don't let anyone in for now!" Boris ordered as he reached the door. The two senior swordsmen retreated without a word and stood guard at a distance from the door.

Once the three of them were settled in the room, Boris got straight to the point: "Bryan, I'm going to be frank about your relationship with Lawrence. Since you've come here, I'm going to help you achieve the title of Duke as quickly as possible. Lawrence has told me that you have endless potential and that you will make a great assistant to him. I believe in his vision.

"Thank you, Sir Count!" Han Shuo nodded slightly and smiled in gratitude.

"No need to be polite. Hehe, helping you helps Lawrence, which also helps me. For now, we'll let you stay in the magic corps without any special status. However, if you make a military contribution to the Northern Guard, and your identity as a mage, I can help you apply for a noble title. From then on, your rank will gradually increase based on your contributions." Boris looked at Han Shuo and explained slowly.

"Uncle Boris, for the time that Bryan is in the Northern Guard, the title of Viscount will suffice. The higher titles aren't so easy to acquire through the Northern Guard, I have my own plans!" Lawrence had long since made his plans regarding Han Shuo's position. Considering the achievements and power of the Northern Guard, Han Shuo might only need to become a viscount here. Even though Boris was only a count, it would be difficult to promote Han Shuo back to the Northern Guard.

"Hehe, you little boy. Good, I have something here, if you can do well, Bryan, your merit will definitely be recognised. Then I can help you get a title faster!" Boris rolled his eyes at Lawrence before telling Han Shuo with a smile.

His thoughts moved, Han Shuo was immediately interested, "What is it?"