The wind howled across the wheat fields and open wilderness, and leaves drifted down from the mountain forest trees.

Mick ran with all his might through the dry leaves and gravel, gripping his sword in one hand, his gaze fixed on the figure darting and running to the side, herding and driving it toward a specific direction.

Almost there, almost there, just a bit more.

He chanted silently in his heart, then leaped up again, kicking off a tree trunk, shaking loose dust as he charged toward the running figure.

His long sword cleaved through obstacles along the way, allowing his vision to penetrate the bushes and dense leaves to clearly see the true appearance of the figure.

It was a river otter that had come ashore, about the size of a small calf, with black fur that was glossy and sleek, allowing it to slide smoothly through thorns and bushes without losing speed.

Compared to ordinary beasts, its size was noticeably larger, and its speed and strength were not to be underestimated. Its sharp claws could casually split small trees along the path and clear the way.

This beast was only a hair's breadth away from advancing to first rank, and its strength wasn't something ordinary adventurers could handle. Mick could only continuously harass and drive it.

"Ahhhh—"

"Big Brother Jello, it's coming your way!"

Seeing the otter's escape direction, Mick shouted loudly, then continued the pursuit.

Several seconds later, the otter ahead burst out of the woods, only to be met by a large, upright net waiting in front of it.

The otter rolled into the net, tearing and struggling forward until the ropes wrapped around its entire body, finally causing it to fall to the ground.

As it began clawing and struggling, several adventurers who had been lying in ambush rushed over, delivering various hammer blows and spear stabs. Soon, the otter was dead.

"Whew, finally took care of this last one," one adventurer said, wiping mud and blood from his face.

"This one was too cunning. When we poisoned the water upstream, it immediately escaped."

"Chased it for almost a week before catching it today."

"This is the biggest one. If given another year or two, it might have become a first-rank fanged beast."

"If it really were a fanged beast, these traps wouldn't hold it. We'd have to hire professional hunters to handle it."

"Jello's coming."

The man carrying the greatsword emerged from the woods. It was his presence pressing from behind that had made the otter panic and run recklessly.

"All taken care of?" he said casually, walking over to the dead otter and examining it.

"Not bad. This guy's fur quality is quite high too. Should fetch a good price."

"Twenty-three otters total, each with a 2 silver bounty, that's 46 silver. But this one is special—the fur alone might sell for another 20-30 silver."

"For costs, we spent 3 silver on poison from the Apothecary Guild, about 5 silver on ropes, nets, and other gear, and 2 silver on food and village lodging over several days. This trip should net us around 50-60 silver profit," a calculation-savvy team member quickly analyzed.

"Now we have money again. I haven't even spent last time's earnings yet."

"That's not like your usual style, hahaha~" Several of them laughed, clearly in high spirits.

"Let's go, drag this otter to the village, let the village butcher and villagers process it. We'll have good meat tonight."

"Let's go, let's go!"

Everyone began moving into action.

While the others were busy, Jello came over to Mick and gave his shoulder a firm pat.

"Good performance today."

"Thank you, Big Brother Jello," the youth responded excitedly.

"Hehehe, you've got talent, kid," Jello grinned widely.

"Alright, we should make another good sum when we return. Any plans for how to spend your share?"

"I want to buy some better equipment, like a chainmail hauberk, or a better weapon."

"No, no, no. With your build, wearing chainmail would waste stamina and kill that agility you usually have," Jello shook his head with experienced wisdom.

"As for weapons, make do with what you have for now. Good weapons cost a fortune to repair," he said, pulling Mick to sit down.

"Actually, what you need most right now is to find a good teacher and learn something," he laid his greatsword across his knees and began wiping it with an oilcloth he carried.

"Learn what? Awesome sword techniques or combat skills?" Mick asked eagerly.

"Ahahaha, those are good, but haven't you thought about learning to read? With some literacy skills combined with decent fighting ability, you could easily find work in Scorchstone City."

"You mean like those guards, or guild security?" Mick curled his lip disdainfully.

"Those guys probably move as stiffly as old grannies. Their lives are boring too."

"I'm going to become someone truly remarkable in the future, like a famous adventurer, a legend even."

"Those..." Jello seemed to recall something, then lowered his head with a slight shake.

"Having ambition is good, but you need the strength to match," he stood up, holding his sword upright.

"You're still far from ready. Come on, let's practice." He set his greatsword aside and picked up a wooden stick.

"Alright~"

Mick jumped down from the rock he'd been squatting on, gripped his sword hilt, and rushed forward to challenge.

Soon, crisp clashing sounds echoed through the woods as the two exchanged blows.

It was clear Jello was deliberately holding back his strength. If he struck with full force, even with a wooden stick, he could send Mick flying with serious injuries.

Several minutes later, Mick was exhausted, his whole body steaming with heat and sweat, his face completely flushed.

"Stop." Jello swept aside Mick's attack and planted the stick in the ground.

"No more Breathing Technique for you today."

"Yes, Big Brother."

"Let's go, we're heading back to the village too, to enjoy tonight's celebration feast."

"Okay, hehe."

Mick picked up his sword with sore, weak arms and quickly followed.

...

After a night of revelry, the next day they returned to Scorchstone City with proof of their successful hunt.

"Verification complete. Congratulations to the Mountain Beast Adventure Team for another successfully completed bounty mission," Mareen filled out the forms, then had someone bring out a bag of silver coins.

After distributing the silver coins to each team member, Jello took one of them, flicked it up with his finger, caught it mid-air, and placed it on the counter.

"Lovely miss, I'd like to inquire about some information," he pushed the silver coin forward.

"Tell me what you want to know first," Mareen didn't immediately accept it.

"I have a promising young team member here. I want him to learn something. Do you know any teachers who could instruct him?" He pulled Mick over for Mareen to inspect.

"How old is he now, and what's his situation?"

"Almost seventeen, but not quite yet. He knows the Breathing Technique, and his swordsmanship is quite skilled," Mick proudly introduced himself.

"Seventeen and already knows the Breathing Technique? That does show some talent," Mareen thought for a moment.

"Do you want to learn combat skills and abilities, or something else?"

"I want to learn combat..." Before Mick could finish, Jello interrupted.

"No, he needs to learn academic knowledge."

Jello corrected for him, then pressed his thick finger on Mick's shoulder to keep him from speaking further.

"Academic knowledge? That's somewhat unexpected," Mareen looked at both of them.

"For basic literacy, I know a good teacher. She was once a student of Scholar Hyde."

"Just basic literacy?" Jello seemed unsatisfied.

"What do you want him to learn then?" Mareen asked again.

"I hope for something more advanced, so he can have better prospects later."

"In that case..." Mareen thought of something, but then shook her head.

"That esteemed gentleman is also accepting new students, but he won't necessarily take yours."

"Which gentleman?" Jello became curious now.

"The very Scholar Hyde I just mentioned. This esteemed gentleman is beginning to teach again."

Scholar Hyde's reputation was extremely prominent in Scorchstone City. After all, there were only three scholars total in the city, and two of them were his students. He could be called the symbol of knowledge and wisdom in Scorchstone City.

"That esteemed gentleman? That's truly wonderful!" Jello repeatedly patted Mick's shoulder, causing the youth considerable pain.

"Don't celebrate too soon. That gentleman has standards for accepting students," Mareen massaged her forehead.

"No problem. I'm sure that esteemed gentleman will recognize Mick's talent. It's decided then."

Afterward, Jello pulled the reluctant Mick away from the counter, and another round of cheers erupted from the team.

"That's Scholar Hyde himself!" someone said excitedly and expectantly.

"Mick, you kid, if you become Scholar Hyde's student, you'll be set for life!"

"Maybe you could even become Viscount Xuefeng's knighted guard someday."

"That's getting ahead of ourselves. I'd be happy just clinging to your coattails if you became a constable."

"Hahaha~"

Mick, who had originally been somewhat unwilling, hearing so much praise from his teammates, finally changed his mind and grew excited.

Could I really be chosen by that esteemed gentleman? The youth felt both nervous and expectant.