Stark frowned. "I'm not sure why. Is it your command in the arena alone? But that alone shouldn't be enough to get them to stand for you. After all, there are many people in the army who are good at operational command, and they don't have to do this. ”

Ace was also a little confused by this, but since his victory, the Empire has temporarily recognized his status as a dark mage, which is naturally a good thing. In the future, it will be much more convenient to do things on your own, so there is no need to worry about it anymore.

In addition, this time he also won a free status for Klin, which is very important to him! Even more important than the glory of winning the championship.

As for his future path, Ace didn't think too much about it. The priority now is to take care of his body first, and everything will be talked about later!

At the same time, the emperor stood on the balcony, facing the sunset.

"Master, why are you helping that boy named Ace today?" A man who looked like a butler asked. Today, he followed his master to the arena to watch the academy's evaluation.

"Oh? When do I help him? Where did you see that? The red-robed sorceress standing next to the butler said bluntly.

The butler looked at the sunset in the west: "When the master was in the arena, he didn't seem to help Ace, and even stood on the opposite side of the enemy. However, you said a very crucial word. ”

"Oh? Which sentence? The sorceress asked nonchalantly.

The butler replied, "You said that Ace used dark magic and eventually won the championship. This championship can't be counted! However, in recent years, the empire has always respected strength. Because Ace won the championship by virtue of his strength, he should be the champion, regardless of whether he used dark magic or not. On the other hand, if the verdict is to give the championship to a loser. None of the audience in the audience could agree. I understand what you said at the time, but why did you say that? Just to hide your true purpose of helping Ace. “

The sorceress laughed, "Well, you're not stupid. That's exactly what I meant, but I can't show it too clearly, or I won't be able to really protect him in the dark. ”

The butler hesitated for a moment and continued to ask, "Can I know the reason?" ”

The sorceress turned to look at the butler. She didn't speak.

More than three months ago, she received a letter from distant Nanyun City, an old friend she hadn't contacted in years. The person in the letter said that she hoped to help the man's son grow up safely in the imperial capital. She didn't answer, but she promised in her heart, not only because of him, but also because of her beautiful dead wife.

In fact, for the military officials who collectively defended Ace, she basically guessed why. She estimated that the lion sleeping in Namyun City also wrote letters to many military figures.

The sorceress's turban fluttered gently in the evening breeze, revealing half of her face. It was none other than Al Slime, the Grand Mage of the Slime Family.

......

Three days after the Academy Evaluation and Competition.

A few days ago, the people of the imperial capital were still discussing this wonderful duel, because for them it was not only about the ownership of the champion, but also about the first victory of the commoners over the nobility.

Ace basically recovered within three days of recuperation. Arak and Leon also came to see Ace, hoping that he would recover as soon as possible.

Ace wasn't worried about his injury. On the contrary, he feared that the Empire would not be able to meet his demand: to completely return Kling's freedom.

At this time, Stark was standing next to the stove, looking at the red meteorite iron in the stove, but his face was full of worry.

Ace couldn't continue practicing forging for the time being, as he hadn't recovered yet, so he stood aside and watched Stark continue to keep busy.

The master and disciple had their own concerns and remained silent, neither of them spoke.

At this time, there was a sudden commotion outside Stark's blacksmith shop, and nearby residents stuck their heads out of their homes and looked at the street corner not far away.

"What happened?" Ace watched curiously as his neighbor's reaction came.

Stark stopped his work and walked out the door a few steps. At the end of the street, he saw a group of soldiers in black armor coming.

Recalling what had happened in the arena three days ago, Stark turned to Ace and said, "This is the Imperial Army, it should have come to you." ”

"Are you looking for me?" Ace's face was full of surprise.

Nearby residents also began to whisper.

"Are they all wearing black armor? It should not be an ordinary soldier, it is estimated that it is an officer in the army, at least at the rank of second lieutenant. ”

"They're looking for Ace, aren't they? Ace, as the captain, did well in that battle! ”

"Ace has just entered the fourth level and has become an intermediate magician, and he really meets the recruitment requirements of the imperial army."

As a dark mage, Ace naturally hears the voices of his neighbors.

However, he could only smile wryly. Now that he is so sick, how can he have the strength to join the army?

Soon, neat footsteps sounded outside the door. One soldier took off his helmet, revealing his hideous face.

He was in his mid-thirties. He has many grooves on his face, which makes his otherwise handsome face a little fierce and terrifying. One eye is blind and wears a mask of one eye. Judging by the state of the wound, it should be a new wound, and it should not be long.

He bowed to Stark very respectfully: "Master Stark! ”

A surprise flashed in Stark's eyes: "Adri? How did you end up like this? "Stark was under the impression that Adri was supposed to be a handsome man with an intelligent appearance, not the strange one-eyed dragon in front of him.

The soldier named Edri smiled and said, "I went on a mission to the Warcraft Mountains before, and I encountered some minor problems, and then I became like this. ”

Stark's expression immediately became solemn: "What's wrong with the Warcraft Mountain Range?" ”

Adri smiled apologetically, "Master Stark, there's a rule. We can't reveal a few things just yet. I'm so sorry. ”

Stark snorted coldly and stopped talking.

Edri walked up to Ace with a smile on his face, but this affected the wound and made him look a little cautious.

"Hello, Ace. My name is Adri, Lieutenant Colonel of the Bruin Legion. Adri held out his hand.

Ace quickly shook his hand: "Hello. ”

"Actually, I shouldn't have come to pick you up today," Edri said. Someone from the Mage Group was supposed to be looking for you, but right now the Mage Group is having a very important meeting, so I'm here to pick you up. ”

Ace was a little confused: "Come pick me up?" Where to go? ”

Edri corrected his expression: "I think you should have heard that there are a large number of troops stationed outside the imperial capital. In fact, there were a lot of injuries there. This time the war in the Warcraft Mountain Range was relatively fierce. We need to replenish a large pool of talent. ”