Will awoke to the smell of tuna and a girl crying outside. Will knew the smell of tuna was from Archimedes licking his lips. This was a happened anytime Will was late for breakfast. Stretching from his slumber Will looked out his window and saw his sister crying. Immediately Will's body filled with panic and adrenaline flooded into his body. Will prayed that Elder Thaddeus would not let her in. Thankfully it looked like that was the case Elder Thaddeus and Elder Li were attending to my distraught sister. Will blew a breath of fresh air and stood (away from the window), and walked downstairs as soon as he heard the front door close. On the kitchen table was breakfast cakes, tea, and loads of gifts. Will was mostly shocked by the cake, he'd never seen Elder Thaddeus eat dessert in the three month time.

"Ah there is our champion," said Elder Li smiling. She was sat at the table and poor Elder Thaddeus tea before pouring Will tea. Will cut a slice of cake for the elders before putting a slice on his own plate.

"Will your sister came again this morning, and brought a letter to you from your parents. Your sister…she is quite passionate about you," he laughed.

Will turned a shade of red, the elders had never seen that looked both embarrassed and mortified. Which only led them to laugh more.

"Also, Headmaster Wang came by last night to express his compliments, but you were rather tired," he said.

Elder Thaddeus handed Will both envelopes.

The first letter from Will's parents complimented him on doing so well in the first round and encouraged him to continue his effort in the second and third rounds. His father cautioned him from making Elder Thaddeus look bad and his mother warned him to take care of his body. The letter informed him, they would attend his sister and his midyear battle and hoped they could spend time as a family.

The second letter was from Headmaster Wang was the Knight Academy Headmaster. To personally drop off the later was a respect to Grandmaster Thaddeus more than Will. The letter congratulated Will on his victory and being ranked in first among the Stags. The letter explained the gifts he received, as well as the number of points he earned. The letter said Will currently earned 3,700 points. He earned 500 points for testing out of first and second year History and Magic Theory. He earned 500 points from earning first place at the midyear exam. And the rest of the points he earn from working fourth months of working at the library. There was also a noticed saying the headmaster agreed to Will's suggestion on modifying how the library deals with late fees. Based on the future success or failure of this change points would either be added or subtracted.

After he was finished Will informed his master about his parents coming to visit and handed the letter from the headmaster to him. After reading the letter Elder Thaddeus informed Will some of the gifts came from local merchants and nobles. The Merchant Guild even sent him a gift. The gifts from the Knight Academy were high ranking pill and herbs. However, this were already provided to him by Elder Thaddeus. The gifts from the nobles and merchants were coin. Of course Will admired these gifts more and even went so far as to post thank you letters. His letters were so profound many people spread world of his maturity and meekness.

***

"Your majesty, here are the results from the Guidon Knight Academy," said the royal steward handing the paper to the king. Oh Grandmaster Thaddeus disciple one, please send a gift to him from me congratulation him on his good fortune. The others were as expected. This report also mentioned that the tension in Guidon has deescalated. This is most welcome, hopefully these capital nobles will back off as well. It seems Disciple Will used his wits to walk a tightrope. This young man makes me think. Isn't the Duke going to the midyear Mage Academy battles to observe his daughters. Tell the Mage Academy, I will attend the midyear battle, make up an excuse like an inspection or something. Have them prepare a the Royal Box, and invite the Duke and his wife," said the king.

"As you command sire," said the Royal Stewart bowing before he closed to follow the king's order.

***

"Will I also have a present for you," said Elder Li as she took out a heavenly silver katana from her spacial ring. The sword had intricate designs of a wingless four legged earth dragon that looked like a Titan Komodo Dragon set against a mountainous background. The earth dragon was engraved as deity and I could tell the sword pictured parts of the dragon's revered battles.

Will's eyes grew the size of dinner plates. He used his merchant class appraisal skill to examine the sword, but only question marks appeared. He had yet to view something that did it have a price, was this object truly priceless.

"The sword's name is Āsudoragon. Has Thaddeus told you why spell swords don't use wands?" she asked.

I hesitated trying to remember.

"Let's start here, why do mages use wands?" she asked.

"To help them channel their magic and speed up casting time," I replied good.

"Then how come you can caste magic without a wand?" she logically questioned.

Will's mouth moved to answer but he closed it just as fast. Will pondered the reason for this. Why could he cast magic, but did not need a wand?

"What would you do, if I told you that your casting time and spell could improve with a wand. Would you trade your sword for a wand?" Elder Thaddeus asked.

"You maybe cast fast for knight, but your speed is nothing special for your Mage Academy first-year peers," she said.

"Spellswords use their swords as wands to gather their internal mana and channel it through their sword to cast magic. Although a spellsword's sword is made from the bones of a spirit beast. The stronger the spirit beast the better the sword. This sword come from my tribe," she said.

Will stood from the table and except he sword with a gracious bow.

"Thank you Elder Li, I will treasure this sword with my life," Will said earnestly.

"Good, good, now that's over Will let's discuss your midyear battles to improve upon our mistakes," said Elder Thaddeus.

For the next three-hours Will and the elders talked, laughed, and debated Will's performance. After their discussion they practiced Tai Chi, meditated together, and ate lunch. After lunch Will spared with Elder Thaddeus, but today he would fight Elder Li.

"Will before fight know that am a wind elemental mage and will fight as a mage. Are you prepared for battle," she asked.

As soon as Will agreed he thrown 10 meters in the air before crashing hard on the ground. Will fought against Elder Li losing badly each time. Elder Li reminded him that mages typically stand still on opposite sides stage and cast spells. The first to admit defeat, lose consciousness, or withdrawal lose. Standing across from Elder Li casting spells, while standing still felt awkward because he was using to fighting up close.

"Now that you have a feeling for how mages battle, you realize that you have an advantage. Spellswords can fight either from a distance or up close. Now fight me using your sword and magic at the same time," she said.

Will started the battle by casting [rock wall] to block Elder Li wind attack and [rock spear] where she stood forcing her to move from her location. Dodging the first spell, and forcing her to move, he charged ahead running toward her he cast [iron lance] and through it towards her. Regrettably Elder Li used a wind spell to redirected the lance back towards Will. Fearing his returning lance, Will cast [rock wall] to block the spear but the spear flew through the wall. Thankfully Will was able to catch the lance due it slowing down a fraction. Charging ahead with he cast [meteor], but Elder Li created a wind barrier protecting her from the boulders. Within a meter from Elder Li he cast [rock wall] creating four wall enclosure and then cast [rock spike] inside the enclosure. However, Elder Li floated in the air and sent a vortex at Will knocking to the ground.

"That's enough practice for the day, for the next week you'll train with Elder Li to prepare for the midyear mage battles," Elder Thaddeus said.

As they returned to the cottage, the washed before dinner. As they sat down to eat their was a knock at the door. Elder Li rose to open the door, at the door two men one old and another middle aged.

"Headmaster Abe, please come in," said Elder Li.

This was the first person other than Elder Li he'd seen allowed in the house.

"Welcome old friend, what do I owe the honor," Elder Thaddeus said

"Thaddeus, this king has decided to attend this year's midyear exam after his inspection," said the headmaster raising his right eyebrow.

"Goodness, I wonder why King would decide of all times to attend this year's battles," said Elder Thaddeus sarcastically.

"Yes, I wonder indeed. My I present a courier from his majesty with a proclamation for you," the headmaster return the sarcasm.

"His Majesty, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Fermion, hereby congratulates Grandmaster Thaddeus Ming on the success of his disciple William vont Ballard winning the Guidon Knight Academy first-year midyear battle. The King awards Grandmaster Thaddeus Ming the title of Great Librarian of Fermion, a stipend of $10,000 gold coins, perpetual access to the Royal Library," the courier finished.

"…"

"…"

Elder Thaddeus and Headmaster Abe looked at each other and laughed.

Elder Li, Will and the courier were both stunned silent seeing them laugh.

Will dreamed of the day when he had that much coin, his eyes filling with avarice and lust. Elder Thaddeus never seemed concern with coin, yet Will obsessed over it.

"Please pass along my thanks to the king," said Elder Thaddeus.

After the courier left the headmaster join them for dinner.

"It appears your students wants to send his congratulations," said the headmaster.

"Yes, but his motives are too overt. 'Great Librarian,' what an impetuous title. Like I need another title or council to attend," Elder Thaddeus complained.

"Yes, he is to obvious and now half the capital will be arriving with him here," complained the headmaster.

"I'll be l leaving, I have much to prepare, good night Thaddeus, Eleanor, William," and with that he walked out the door.

Seeing the headmaster leave, and that Elder Thaddeus did not discuss the matter further, they finish dinner and went to sleep.