Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

Chapter 92 Training with apprentice knights from the Purple Knights Academy

"Chevalier Alaric is it? You can secretly despise us, but you can't publicly humiliate our mercenary group."

The experienced mercenaries dispersed in an arc behind Maxime, tending to surround Alaric.

The rookies stayed behind, watching in amazement, including Garen, Lira and Jean.

They'd seen them take on orcs and win easily.

But to face a knight, and worse still, a powerful and well-known knight like Alaric, was something they would never have imagined even in their wildest dreams.

But Maxime was mad, and his men were starting to go mad too at the slightest unpleasant thought.

Chevalier Alaric was surprised to see such momentum generated by a simple group of mercenaries.

He'd seen individuals form such a surge before, even the Count had his own elite troop that could do it.

But this was a count's elite troop!

A troop that brought together the most talented individuals in a count's territory, who had been trained by methods proven and perfected from generation to generation over hundreds of years, and whose investment in gold coins was colossal!

And now, in front of him, a group of mercenaries with no reputation could do the same!

What a surprise!

Not wishing to provoke unnecessary conflict, and with the fault all his own, Alaric apologized.

"I underestimated you and I apologize."

He bowed slightly, then looked at Maxime with strange eyes.

Clearly, this young man was gifted with a monstrous talent.

Suddenly, the crowd began to shout, taking Sir Alaric's attention away from Maxime.

While the crowd was still stirring, a lone figure appeared in the distance and walked calmly towards where everyone had gathered.

A crimson cape, richly embroidered with gold thread, billowed lightly behind him.

Count Ardan, director of the Academy of Purple Knights, was arriving.

He wore a deep purple coat with intricate embroidery of silver lions.

Beneath the coat, a black leather tunic reinforced with polished metal plates completed his martial stature.

His dark leather boots pounded the ground, and every step he took seemed to increase his momentum.

His piercing, almost icy gaze swept the scene with an acuity that laid bare the very essence of each person.

The murmurings ceased instantly when his eyes met Maxime's. The latter, still under the spell of his own presence, was in awe.

The latter, still in the grip of his talent, felt the tension rise a notch. Count Ardan, though alone, exuded an overwhelming aura, like a king without a crown.

Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire

With a slow gesture, Ardan raised his hand.

"Good morning dear students, good morning Alaric and good morning...Saber-toothed Tigers."

When he spoke the name of their mercenary group, Maxime was perturbed.

It would seem that the Count had an extensive intelligence network.

The students were equally surprised, beginning to wonder if these mercenaries were known.

At the very least, they must have done something that deserved to be brought to the Count's attention.

Alaric bowed slightly in the Count's direction.

"Director, these men have shown a strength that even our best students at the same stage cannot match."

The Count was not surprised, obviously already having information.

"Yes it's not surprising, of the 30 mercenaries you have before you, 20 of them have already defeated orcs in 1vs1 while the remaining 10 are new recruits."

Count Ardan's words shocked the crowd.

Then, turning to the crowd and the still-stunned students, he added:

"Let this be a lesson to you all. There's a world behind the walls of this academy, and it's far more vast and mysterious than you can imagine.

All the students nodded firmly.

With that answer, the principal turned back to the mercenaries.

"Just know that if you have knightly talent, the academy will always have its doors open, should you ever feel the urge to follow another path."

Seeing no danger, Maxime deactivated his talent.

"Thank you, Monsieur le Comte, it's an honor to be recognized by you."

"No worries." replied the Count, simply nodding.

"I don't suppose you've come to Lapi to take on my students?" he added in a calm tone.

"Indeed, we've come both to offer our services to Count Ardan and at the same time to claim military merit."

"So, Maxime, you can follow me to my office at the academy to discuss the matter.

"As for your men, you can let them train here with our students. In exchange, they can eat in the academy dining room."

"The best chefs in the territory work here with the most nutritious products we can find."

The mercenaries exchanged satisfied and curious glances at the idea of training with the academy's students while enjoying sumptuous meals afterwards.

Rodrigo, a mischievous smile at the corner of his lips, whispered to Ernest:

"Hey, I have a feeling we're going to have a lot of fun."

"Be gentle with them, they've never seen blood."

"Of course who do you think I am?"

Andrew and Laura didn't seem particularly interested.

Andrew only liked fights where he put his life or future on the line, while Laura didn't see the point in fighting students who'd never had a setback in life.

Charles seemed slightly excited, wanting to measure himself against the academy's greatest geniuses if possible and see what level of strength he could muster.

Garen's gaze was fixed on the academy's students, as if he could see his future. Lira, at his side, added in a low voice:

"Do you think we'll be able to fight too?"

"We're still too weak now, but I'm sure that in the near future, not only will we be able to fight them, we'll win."

Jean arrived at their side, having heard their words.

"Good mentality, we'll grow stronger together."

Garen and Lira smiled in response, full of confidence.

After all, with the support of their leader's monstrous talent, they could only grow stronger.

As Maxime followed the Count, the mercenaries dispersed to the training area under the watchful, intrigued eyes of the academy's students.

Sir Alaric took his place as observer, ready to oversee this unexpected encounter between the mercenaries and his students.

He was curious to see how these fighters from such different backgrounds would interact and confront each other.

A young 4th grader stepped forward, his brown hair tied back in a tight ponytail, his expression stern.

"My name is Alden. Who would like a friendly duel?"

Rodrigo stepped forward and replied with a welcoming, confident smile.

"I accept. It's going to be fun."

Other students ranging from 1st graders to 5th graders began to initiate various duels with the mercenaries.

Eventually, even the new mercenaries were warmly welcomed by the apprentice knights.

Of course, the apprentice knights knew that they were just villagers a few days ago and simply began to teach them a few basics.

Meanwhile, Maxime followed Count Ardan through the academy's imposing corridors.

Behind them, the sound of the first clashes of swords was already resounding, marking the beginning of this encounter that would definitively redefine the image of the Saber-toothed Tigers.