Chapter 011: Decision

Du Fan nodded and said, “That makes sense… After all, I’m attuned to the Wind Element. Magic stones containing other elements aren’t very useful to me. It’s better to sell them for practical use. And since I’ve already broken through to Level 3, I can consider going to Roland Academy to study.”
Chenchen said, “It’s good that you think that way. There isn’t much I can teach you. For now, at most I can teach you a set of techniques. Maybe one day I’ll have the chance to teach you alchemy too, but practical combat experience and various combat skills can’t be learned just by secluding yourself for a few months.”
“Alright, alright,” Du Fan waved his hand. “If you say so, I’ll go to Roland Academy then, okay? But there are still many things to do first. For example, you spent so much money in my name—you’d better explain it properly. I guess Mother will skin me alive… Never mind. Just come with me.”
With that, Du Fan put on the two space rings from the table and stuffed most of the remaining magic stones into them. Then he hugged Chenchen and headed toward the exit.
After walking for a few minutes, Du Fan suddenly saw light ahead. For the first time in three months, he saw sunlight. Standing near the entrance to the basement, he sighed in awe. Who would have thought that just three months ago he was a complete failure, but now he could master both magic and combat? Although he had only broken through to Level 3 in both areas, Du Fan believed that with enough effort and Chenchen’s help, breaking through several more levels wouldn’t be a problem. Though imagining breaking through to Level 9 and reaching the Saint rank seemed a bit arrogant, who could guarantee he couldn’t do it?
He brushed off his clothes and glanced at his slightly messy face in the mirror. Du Fan smiled faintly and gently touched his face with his fingers. A faint green aura flashed, and in moments, the beard that hadn’t been shaved in months was completely clean. Once his appearance returned to its usual neat look, Du Fan took a robe from the wardrobe and put it on.
It seemed there was indeed a lot to do, as if he hadn’t been out for months!

Walking outside the house, the flower beds around were still empty, with nothing planted, which gave them a somewhat strange appearance. Initially, Du Fan had planned to use these beds to grow the herbs needed for alchemy, but since he hadn’t started learning alchemy yet and was about to attend Roland Academy, he lost interest in it.

After thinking for a moment, he waved at a servant standing at the door. Seeing Du Fan’s gesture, the servant rushed over quickly and said in a low voice, “Third young master, what can I do for you?”

Du Fan smiled and said, “These flower beds are empty and not very attractive. Why don’t you arrange for someone to plant something in them?”

The servant didn’t dare ask further and simply replied solemnly, “Yes, third young master.”

“By the way,” Du Fan continued, “where is Grandpa Mark now?”

“Mr. Mark?” The servant pondered for a while before saying, “Normally, Mr. Mark should be in the front hall, but I’m not sure if he’s there.”

Du Fan nodded and said, “I see. Then go back now. Remember to take good care of my flower beds.”

The servant replied softly, “Yes!” and then quickly left.

Once his figure disappeared, Du Fan slowly headed toward the hall. Along the way, he noticed that the maids and servants looked at him with a different kind of expression—besides respect, there seemed to be admiration as well.

Frowning, Du Fan patted Chenchen in his arms and said in a low voice, “Chenchen, what have you been doing these past few months? Why do these servants have such strange attitudes toward you?”

Chenchen chuckled lightly and said, “It’s nothing much. I just showed them some basic combat energy in front of your Grandpa Mark a few times, just so they wouldn’t think you can’t do anything at all.”

Du Fan nodded. He didn’t blame her for this action. After all, it was only a matter of time before people found out he could use combat energy, so it didn’t matter if it happened sooner or later.

As for magic, although Du Fan had told Old Mark before that he wanted to practice magic, he didn’t intend to let outsiders know about it. After all, mages were extremely rare and precious, and he didn’t want to attract too much trouble that might hinder his own progress in training.

Moreover, on this Roland Continent, if one exposed all their strength to others too easily, they might die suddenly and mysteriously at any time.

After all, being a third-level mage or warrior sounds nice, but compared to true powerhouses, it’s still not very useful.
Entering the front hall of the duke’s mansion, several managers in their fifties from theGreene family family seemed to be discussing something. Upon seeing Du Fan arrive, they all quickly stood up and bowed in greeting.
Du Fan smiled faintly and said, “Grandpa Daniel, Grandpa Mark, I’ve said it many times—there’s no need for you to be so formal with me. We’ve all grown up together; it’s fine to be more casual.”
The old man named Daniel was theGreene family family’s butler. It was said that he had served the family since Du Fan’s grandfather’s generation. Not only had he watched over the three young masters of the current generation but also Duke OldGreene family.
Yet this butler wasn’t arrogant at all. He bowed and said, “Young Master, you’re joking again. There’s a difference between masters and servants—how can things be casual?”
Du Fan sighed. He had known since childhood that Daniel was extremely stubborn, so he didn’t insist on the matter anymore. Instead, he said with a smile, “Well, I hope my sudden arrival isn’t disturbing anyone?”
Old Mark whispered, “Young Master, we’re not doing anything important. We’re just discussing the duke’s mansion’s financial situation over the past few months. By the way, Young Master, what have you thought about what I mentioned this morning?”
“This morning?” Du Fan was slightly puzzled but quickly realized. “Grandpa Mark, you mean going to Roland Academy for further study, right? I’ve thought about it. Since my combat energy has already reached the third level, practicing at home probably won’t yield much results. It’s better to go out and gain more experience. So please arrange for me to enter the academy!”
“What! Third level!”
As soon as Du Fan said this, the butlers in the front hall exclaimed in shock. As for what he said next, no one seems to have paid attention.
Old Mark, ignoring the master-servant distinction, stared at Du Fan intently and said, “Young Master, what did you say? You’ve reached the third level in just three months! What cultivation method are you using?”
Du Fan thought to himself, Good thing I’m smart and prepared.
He then raised his right hand in a slashing gesture. This time, a faint white light flashed across his hand.
Old Mark, who knew his way around, exhaled softly and said, “Light Combat Energy! Young Master, you’re cultivating Light Combat Energy! And you reached the third level in just three months?”
The other butlers exchanged glances upon hearing Old Mark’s words, feeling at a loss for words.

Although radiant combat energy was well-known in Roland Continent, it was not a skill that could be mastered quickly. Among the knights of the Holy Church, aside from a few geniuses, few could break through the third-level combat energy barrier within a few years. Yet now, his young master had done it in just three months? Could it really be that the Milak potion was that effective? Someone who couldn’t cultivate at all could become a genius just by taking it!?

At this moment, the butlers looked at Du Fan with nothing but shock in their eyes.

Du Fan felt a bit embarrassed. He touched his nose and said, “Um… Grandpa Mark… Is it because I’m progressing too slowly that… you feel upset?”

Upset? I’m not even sure I’m happy enough!

But after his excitement subsided, Old Mark calmed down. He made a gesture for the other butlers to step back, then whispered, “Third young master, I’m sorry for this!”

As soon as he spoke, he raised his right hand sharply, bringing his index and middle fingers together before pointing in Du Fan’s direction.

With a “whoosh,” a faint red stream of combat energy shot toward Du Fan.

Seeing that Old Mark was testing him, Du Fan neither dodged nor avoided it. Instead, he smiled and raised his right hand, slashing through the air. A white stream of combat energy flew out and collided with the red one, producing a harsh noise.

“To be able to block my attack means your combat energy has indeed broken through the third level, Third Young Master!”

Seeing Du Fan’s actions, Old Mark no longer needed to hide his joy. All his previous doubts vanished.

For a servant who had served the Green family his entire life, there was nothing more satisfying than seeing his young master achieve success in his studies.

The other butlers also looked delighted. Daniel stepped forward and asked, “Third young master, how did you do it? Your progress is much faster than that so-called genius in the empire right now. If the Duke finds out, he’ll be overjoyed!”

“Um…” Du Fan obviously couldn’t reveal his secret. He scratched his head and said softly, “I guess… I just broke through while practicing… I don’t know why either.”

Broke through while practicing!

Daniel felt dizzy and almost fainted.