Chapter 5

Colin stared blankly at the ceiling, which was covered with cracks, deep in thought.

"Putting aside the issue of how to learn skills, choosing a skill is also a problem. Alchemy, blacksmithing, and rune crafting are the three most popular and profitable skills. What should I choose?"

Colin pondered for a long time and finally settled on alchemy. All three skills were highly profitable, but according to his knowledge, the demand for potions was greater and more lucrative.

Ordinary people advancing on the path to the extraordinary, if they chose the path of a knight, would inevitably need attribute potions and bloodline potions. Only after becoming an extraordinary individual would powerful formal knights seek magical armor and weapons.

"If I choose to learn alchemy, there are traditionally two paths: finding a master or self-study. The former is too difficult; alchemists are very prestigious, who would take on an apprentice for free? But the latter... the latter is impossible for ordinary people, but I have the system, right? Maybe I just need to touch a book to learn the skill? But where should I find relevant books? I don't know anything about this at all." Colin rubbed his head, feeling a headache coming on.

Colin's world went dark, and his mind went blank, so he decided not to think about it. He would ask Bill, the know-it-all, tomorrow.

Just then, Colin heard Smith's footsteps, followed by Linda's shouts. He responded loudly, quickly got out of bed, put on his slippers, and hurried downstairs to eat.

The Russel family was not wealthy, so a grand meal was out of the question. Dinner was still steak, water, and bread, but tonight there was an additional vegetable salad.

"I heard that eating more vegetables is good for you. Colin, eat more." Linda awkwardly picked up the vegetable salad with her fork and stuffed it into her mouth, her cheeks puffing up like a little squirrel.

"Sure." Colin nodded. This was common knowledge. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

During dinner, Colin was quiet, and most of the conversation was between Linda and Smith. Linda was热情如火，非常健谈，很适合活跃气氛。

"Lady Lacey's maid is pregnant," Linda said suddenly.

Lady Lacey was the noble who hired Linda as a governess.

"The baron is over fifty, right? Still so promiscuous?" Smith was surprised, but that didn't stop him from stuffing a piece of steak into his mouth.

"It's the baron's eldest son, my student, Lys," Linda shook her head and said.

"Heavens. That boy is only eleven, right?" Smith was even more surprised.

"Kids these days mature early," Linda said, then glanced at Colin with a meaningful look. "I think Colin has a crush."

Smith's eyes lit up, and he looked at Colin with interest. "Really? Is it a classmate? Bring her home for us to see sometime."

"These two." Colin was speechless, finished his steak in a hurry, and then left.

...

The next day, Friday.

The sun was bright and the sky was clear.

Colin said a quick hello to Linda, quickly put on his backpack, and left with his training sword. He quickly entered the Wil Knight Academy and headed straight to the classroom.

After entering the classroom, Colin quickly looked around and saw that Bill was already there. He hurried to his seat, put down his backpack and sword, and leaned over to Bill. "Bill, I'm interested in alchemy. Do you know where I can find relevant books?"

Bill was holding a small mirror, grooming his handsome face. He looked up in surprise at Colin's words.

"Ha ha." Before Bill could speak, a classmate next to him burst out laughing.

"Colin, if you want to learn alchemy, you need at least 5 points in intelligence and some magical knowledge. Even the lowest-level alchemist is at least a magic apprentice. And learning alchemy requires a significant investment of money and time. Do you have these?"

Colin, Bill, and the noble students present all frowned, showing disdain and disgust.

Regardless of their noble status, they were all raised to be polite and reserved. The nobles involved in politics might be hypocritical, cunning, and malicious, but few would speak like this.

Colin turned to look at the classmate, who was particularly sturdy, with a square face and a mocking expression.

Brian, the son of a wealthy merchant.

Although the children of nobles, wealthy merchants, and rich farmers were clearly divided in the academy, it didn't mean that the children of wealthy merchants had no status. On the contrary, if they had enough money, they could even control ordinary nobles.

Brian's family was one of the largest grain merchants in Wil City. Grain, meat, and wood were the main products of Wil City.

The wealthy merchants and some grain-trading nobles formed a grain association to manipulate grain prices. Brian's father was even the vice president of the grain association.

In short, the Brian family had considerable influence and wealth in all of Wil City.

The Russel family was a fallen noble family, and Colin himself was a marginal figure among the noble students, with few friends.

Brian, growing up in a wealthy merchant family, both revered the true great nobles and envied the fallen nobles who still had noble surnames, bloodlines, and status.

In short, Brian's relationship with Colin and Bill was not good, and he often said sharp words. However, it was limited to verbal attacks.

Brian didn't dare to do anything to Colin. If things got out of hand, the rulers of Wil City were nobles, and they would likely favor the nobles.

Thankfully, his noble status protected Colin from school violence. He had heard of many such incidents.

"Mr. Brian. No, strictly speaking, only nobles can be called 'Mr.' Brian. I'm just interested in alchemy and don't plan to become an alchemist. After all, one needs to know one's limits, right?" Colin smiled slightly and said gently. He wasn't about to indulge someone like Brian.

Bill nodded heavily and said, dragging out his words, "Mr. Brian, oh no, that's not right. It's Brian."

Brian had planned to mock Colin but didn't expect to be humiliated instead. What he cared about most was his lack of noble status. At that moment, he was so angry that his lungs almost burst. His hands clenched, and his face turned a deep red. After a long time, he managed to say:

"You'll see. I will eventually be ennobled by the marquis and gain a noble surname."

"I look forward to it. Please work hard." Colin smiled and encouraged him. Then he ignored the poor Brian and turned to Bill. "Bill, you haven't told me yet. Do you know where I can find books on alchemy?"