Episode 228: Temporary Contract (2)
When the Emperor received the letter from the Sword Saint, he couldn’t help but be moved.
It was already impressive that the Sword Saint had vanquished the notorious Banexia of the Four Judgments, but to have also defeated two other formidable foes of similar caliber was nothing short of extraordinary.
What particularly touched the Emperor was that the one who had vanquished these two was none other than Damian Haxen.
“Indeed, Damian Haxen. Just as I had hoped!”
Could it really be possible for a knight who had just reached the Master Class to defeat two adversaries as powerful as the great evil?
Such doubts briefly crossed his mind, but he dismissed them. After all, the world occasionally produced geniuses who defied common sense.
Moreover, the Sword Saint himself vouched for it. There was no room for doubt.
“Surely, Damian Haxen must have royal blood. Otherwise, how could he possess such talent?”
At the end of the letter, there was a special request from the Sword Saint.
Before he even finished reading, the Emperor had already resolved to grant this request.
Was it because it was the Sword Saint’s request? No, it was because it was Damian Haxen’s request.
The Emperor immediately convened a secret meeting, gathering the few ministers who were aware of the Melmadon.
In that meeting, after revealing the letter from the Sword Saint, the Emperor declared, “I will permit Damian Haxen to be employed as an instructor at the Academy.”
Naturally, the ministers protested vehemently.
“Never in the Academy’s long history have we employed a foreigner as an instructor!”
“This would violate the Academy’s traditions!”
The ministers shouted in alarm at the Emperor’s declaration.
Normally, he would have listened to them, as it was a virtue of a true ruler. But today, the Emperor had no intention of adhering to that virtue.
Moreover, he had a perfect excuse to silence their complaints.
“This is a request from the Sword Saint as the leader of the Melmadon. Are you suggesting we let the great evil Slah slip away because of the Academy’s outdated traditions?”
Faced with the Emperor’s rebuke, the ministers had no choice but to fall silent.
Slah was a particularly dangerous figure among the villains of Pandemonium.
More than a hundred nobles and talents had been swayed by Slah to betray the Empire, and the number of citizens who had fallen victim to Slah’s experiments exceeded five figures.
“Your Majesty, if we bring in a foreign knight as an instructor, the discontent among the noble students at the Academy will be immense.”
But the ministers were not easily swayed. The Academy’s prestige was too significant.
“Then are you suggesting we let Slah roam free?”
The Emperor held a perfect justification. He could afford to be stubborn.
“But Damian Haxen is from the Apple Kingdom…”
“Enough! I don’t want to hear any more!”
The Emperor, unable to contain his anger, erupted.
What did it matter if he was a knight from the Apple Kingdom? He might even have royal blood.
“Sir Damian has risked his life for the Empire! He has taken down two of the most notorious villains in Pandemonium! Instead of figuring out how to reward him, are you suggesting we outright reject his request?”
As he spoke, the Emperor paused to consider.
Yes, such a monumental achievement deserved a reward.
Pondering what reward to bestow, the Emperor continued, “Besides, it’s not permanent. It’s only temporary until Damian Haxen captures Slah.”
The ministers exchanged glances. With the Emperor’s resolve so firm, they could no longer oppose him.
Yet, there was one minister who still refused to yield.
“Your Majesty, even Chancellor Altman will not welcome this decision.”
The mention of Altman’s name gave the Emperor pause.
Altman Bedepulite.
The current Chancellor of the Academy, former master of the White Tower, and a transcendent archmage.
Even with such titles, he couldn’t defy the Emperor’s will.
In the Empire, the Emperor was an absolute authority, and all citizens were to bow to his power.
But Altman was an exception. He had been the Emperor’s mentor since childhood.
The Emperor let out a small groan.
No matter how high his position, he couldn’t disregard the mentor who had shaped his youth.
Damian Haxen or the mentor who had taught him for years.
The decision was swift and easy.
“Nevertheless, my decision stands.”
The Emperor did not waver in his opinion.
“Damian Haxen will be employed as an instructor at the Academy.”
And so, Damian’s journey to the Academy was set in motion.
“It’s been approved.”
Early morning.
The Sword Saint, looking somewhat incredulous, informed Damian.
“What’s this about, interrupting my breakfast?”
“The Emperor has granted permission for you to join the Academy as an instructor.”
Instead of joy, Damian felt a wave of disbelief.
The Emperor himself approved it? Didn’t the Sword Saint say it would be difficult to get his consent?
“Well… that’s unexpected. The Emperor isn’t usually like this… He values the Empire’s laws over even Pandemonium…”
The Sword Saint seemed just as surprised as Damian.
“Well, in any case, it’s good news. Now we just have to find Slah.”
The Sword Saint’s eyes sharpened, and Damian nodded seriously.
“Since it’s a rushed decision, you need to arrive at the Academy by the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll also have a few members of the Melmadon infiltrate. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
With that, the Sword Saint left the estate.
After the Sword Saint departed, Damian gathered his companions.
Michael, Veronica, Liam Bluegreen, and Rachel all sat before him.
“I’ve been temporarily employed as a swordsmanship instructor at the Empire’s Academy,” Damian informed them.
A heavy silence fell over the group.
“Uh… Sir Damian? I must have misheard,” said Liam Bluegreen, the eldest, questioning Damian.
“Employed as a swordsmanship instructor at the Academy? How? And why? What’s the reason?”
“Didn’t I win the Helian Tournament recently? They asked me to give a special lecture.”
Unable to reveal the truth, Damian had to deceive his companions.
“Wait a minute. They invited you for that reason?” Rachel, clearly skeptical, questioned him. Being from the Empire, she immediately sensed the implausibility of Damian’s explanation.
“The Academy wouldn’t do that, would they? Is it really true?”
“If you don’t believe me, see for yourself.”
Damian handed Rachel the employment certificate from the Academy. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“Brother! That’s incredible!” Michael finally reacted, his face brimming with admiration and awe.
“Pfft, hahaha!”
But Veronica was different. She clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.
“An instructor! Damian Haxen as an instructor. That’s ridiculous. Pfft, haha… Ow! Ouch!”
Damian smacked Veronica on the head. Once wasn’t enough to quell his irritation, so he hit her twice more.
“Sir Liam, I need to finish my business in the Empire, so please take Michael and Veronica back to the kingdom first. I’ll follow once I’m done.”
“Understood. I’ll do that.”
“Michael, when you arrive in the kingdom, go to the Haxen estate and deliver my letter.”
Damian handed Michael a letter, intending to send word since he would be delayed.
“Veronica, you… just do as you please.”
“Why don’t you have any requests for me?”
When Damian raised his fist again, Veronica quickly fell silent.
“Then I’ll be off. I need to reach the Academy by the day after tomorrow.”
With that, Damian left the room.
“Sir Damian being called to the Academy as an instructor… truly remarkable,” Liam Bluegreen marveled once Damian had left.
He knew well the prestige of the Empire’s Academy.
For a knight from the Apple Kingdom to be invited as an instructor at such a symbolic place was indeed extraordinary.
“But is it really okay?”
Rachel’s quiet murmur drew the attention of the other three.
“Damian as a swordsmanship instructor… Sure, he’s skilled and teaches well, but…”
The three, except for Liam Bluegreen, had all experienced Damian’s training firsthand.
His instruction was of high quality and depth.
But the problem lay in his teaching methods.
If anyone showed even a hint of laziness or failed to meet expectations, he would mercilessly wield his stick.
It seems you need some ‘rehabilitation’ for your laziness.
Don’t worry, I’ll ‘rehabilitate’ your bad habits.
Whatever he did to the stick, it made their entire bodies ache with every strike.
The most maddening part was that no matter how much they were hit, they never bore any physical marks.
Since there were no visible injuries, Damian Haxen wielded his stick without hesitation.
Thanks to this, their skills improved rapidly, but the process was painful and grueling.
“Plus, the Academy is full of high-ranking nobles’ children…”
The four of them stared silently at the door through which Damian Haxen had just exited.
A shared question lingered among them all.
Was it really okay to let Damian leave like that?