The World of Mercenaries

Chapter 17: Little Mercenaries

No feast lasts forever.

In the remote Haike Village, nestled in the Hamisian Kingdom's frozen frontiers, an unpalatable yet inevitable farewell banquet was held.

By Magic Calendar Year 2, Amy had turned 16. According to continental law, this marked adulthood: eligible for marriage, military service, independent decision-making, and even joining or forming mercenary groups. Fortunately, Hamisians had no mandatory military service, sparing Amy from enlistment.

After discussing with Leige, Chi Hanfeng announced during the farewell banquet with Elder Haber, Amy, and Daqingshan that it was time for them to part ways.

In his speech, Chi Hanfeng acknowledged Amy’s achievements, stating that his offense and defense skills now matched those of a beginner knight of the Empire. What he lacked was combat experience. Similarly, Daqingshan was on par with Amy, proficient in both the knight's lance and sword, with exceptional skill in archery. At this point, Chi Hanfeng hesitated—true knights considered crossbows dishonorable since even a lowly peasant could kill the noblest knight with one.

With some regret, Chi Hanfeng shared his initial plan to procure snow wolves as mounts for Amy and Daqingshan. However, snow wolves lacked the agility required by swordsmen, and Daqingshan had already signed a lifelong "contract." Lü’er, clearly displeased, opened its mouth as if to protest. Chi Hanfeng quickly corrected himself, noting that Daqingshan’s contract with the Sacred Dragons was the most significant agreement in history, thus canceling the wolf plan.

For personal reasons, Chi Hanfeng needed to return to Skembrey, the capital of the Empire.

Leige followed, expressing gratitude for Chi Hanfeng’s physical and mental training, which had helped Amy overcome three major hurdles for mages. Though not officially certified, Amy had the abilities of a Level-2 mage. However, due to the demands of spellcasting, Leige forbade Amy from using metal armor, limiting him to leather gear. (Elder Haber interjected that even skilled swordsmen avoided metal armor to maintain agility.)

Lü’er had also progressed under Chi Hanfeng’s “training,” gaining the abilities of a Level-1 mage. It could cast Tier-3 neutral spells without incantations—though it preferred its natural dragon breath.

Through repeated testing, Leige devised a method for Daqingshan to trigger Lü’er’s different spells. Tugging the left wing often resulted in water spells, the right wing in wind spells, and patting its head in ice spells. The success rate was around 80%, though the spell's potency remained unpredictable.

Of course, there was a foolproof method anyone could use: a firm kick to Lü’er’s backside guaranteed a powerful fireball, or in its current state, an overwhelming fire wall. This tactic was 100% effective, though the kicker would face severe consequences.

Leige had yet to report back to the Mage Association after leaving the Tower of Ice Wishes. While his status as an Archmage freed him from their oversight, formalities still required his return. He decided to accompany Chi Hanfeng to the capital to meet the Emperor and receive his Archmage title.

“The path ahead is yours to walk. We cannot walk it for you,” Chi Hanfeng said, handing Amy a note and 100 gold coins. “This is my family’s address in the capital. Leige will likely stay there—he probably sold his house ages ago. Oh, you know what I mean: freeloading meals, shelter, everything... Don’t glare at me! I’ll stop, even if it’s true.”

After a bright afternoon farewell under the dual suns, Chi Hanfeng and Leige departed, their robes billowing in the wind. Their figures grew smaller until they vanished over the horizon.

As Daqingshan wiped away tears, Amy raised his arms in jubilation, making a V-sign with his fingers. “They’re finally gone!” he cheered, stripping off his shirt and tossing it skyward. Lü’er, meanwhile, raised its tiny claws in the same direction, flashing a rude gesture before unleashing a fiery spray.

Seeing their exuberance, Daqingshan could only stagger, overwhelmed by a mix of confusion and despair.

At the familiar Treehouse Tavern, Amy reminisced about meeting Leige for the first time.

Though Daqingshan was a year older, Amy’s experience—cultivated under Chi Hanfeng’s tutelage—made him the leader on their first independent journey.

Like all treehouse taverns, the left corner housed the Mage Guild office, the right corner the Mercenary Guild, and the back corner the Thieves Guild.

Amy pushed open the Mercenary Guild’s door. Behind the counter sat an elderly man with white hair and tortoiseshell glasses.

“Sir, we want to become mercenaries. What do we need to do?” Amy, excited to pursue his dream, couldn’t help but pity the snow wolves soon to face his ambitions.

“Are you joining an existing mercenary group, or forming your own?” The elder glanced over his glasses at Amy, Daqingshan, and Lü’er.

“Can we start our own? We’d prefer not to join others for now.”

“Certainly. It’s 10 gold coins per person for registration, plus 30 gold to establish a group. Two Mercenary Journals are 10 gold each.” He handed over two registration forms.

“So expensive?” Amy muttered as he took the forms. Just like that, 70 gold coins were gone.

The forms were simple, asking for:

Name

Age

Profession

Mercenary Reputation Level

Affiliated Mercenary Group

“Sir, what should I write under ‘profession’? I’m trained as a swordsman but also a mage,” Amy asked.

The elder raised an eyebrow—magic and swordsmanship? A rare combination. “Are you certified by the Mage Association?”

“No.”

“Then you’ll need to get certified first. Return once you know your rank.”

Amy entered the Mage Guild, where a neutral mage in a blue robe sat behind the counter.

“Sir, I’d like to take the mage certification test. What’s the procedure?”

The attendant, smiling warmly, replied, “We’re always delighted to welcome new mages. A Mage Journal is 10 gold coins, and the testing fee is another 10.”

Amy nearly fainted at the cost. His 100 gold coins were vanishing faster than anticipated—surely that devilish uncle had calculated this perfectly.

The attendant handed Amy a Mage Journal. “Since you’re a neutral mage, cast Ice Blade, Lightning, and Invisibility on the journal.”

Amy followed the instructions.

“Good, you’ve been certified as an Apprentice Mage. What’s your primary magic attribute?” the attendant asked.

“My teacher trained me in the Ice Tower. I assume it’s ice magic,” Amy replied.

“What?” The attendant’s eyes widened. “Your teacher was an Archmage from the Tower of Ice Wishes? When?”

“Two years ago. He’s been teaching me magic since and recently went to the capital to receive his title.”

“Alright, cast any Tier-3 ice spell on the journal.”

To his surprise, the journal simulated the effects of an Ice Spear spell. Amy also tested Ice Shield.

“Can you cast Ice Spear Forest?” the attendant asked, now cautious.

“Sometimes,” Amy admitted.

“Congratulations, you’re a Level-2 Mage,” the attendant said, adding a small seal to the journal. Amy noticed a corresponding emblem appear faintly on his leather armor—a testament to the wonders of magic.

In bardic songs, dragons are often depicted as malevolent beings, and even the legendary Sacred Ice Dragon Taimugelsei is no exception.

—Research Notes by Neil Haber, Twelfth-Generation Descendant of Amy