Chapter 25: My Territory

Dawn spread from the eastern sky, and the sky gradually brightened. The biting cold wind that had been raging for a long time still howled, but the heavy snowfall suddenly stopped. The residents of Borelly breathed a sigh of relief, and many went out to move about. The streets and alleys suddenly grew much busier.

Many people gathered on the streets, whispering about the events at the Sword and Beauty Tavern the previous night. There was a sudden fire, more than a hundred drunken and unconscious students from the Army Academy, the Imperial Military Minister who personally rushed to the scene in a furious rage, and the Army Academy principal who looked so angry he nearly drew his sword to cut someone down on the spot.

Rumors gradually spread on the streets, and all sorts of strange and bizarre news kept circulating among the people.

Some said those Army Academy students were gambling in a group, others claimed they were engaging in some illegal activity, and still others said the Sword and Beauty Tavern was a filthy and indecent place, with many of the female servers having improper relations with those students. Various scandals spread rapidly. In this winter with little entertaining news to enjoy, these scandals had even begun to travel swiftly by carriage from the post stations to various parts of the Empire and to the Western nations.

The drowsy Mr. Gron got off his carriage at the gate of Fifth University. The howling wind rushed at him, the cold making him shiver and suddenly perk up. He straightened his chest, assuming the dignified and proper aura befitting a Dean of Academic Affairs of a university, a nobleman, and a cultured member of high society.

Mr. Gron, with his ruddy complexion, was in high spirits. Last night, he had spent a wonderful evening. In a clean, comfortable, hidden, and undisturbed high-class hotel, he shared a night of passion with Gina, the lead dancer of the wandering Gisean troupe.

“What a lively little leopard!” Though his waist and legs ached and his arms trembled constantly, Mr. Gron felt so light and cheerful it was as if he could fly up into the sky with the wind. Last night, he felt as if an old tree had sprouted new leaves, or a withered tree had met spring. There was the sheer delight of conquering like a fierce attack, the sweeping joy like a storm across the bed, and the thrilling sensation of being so full of energy that his opponent cried and begged for mercy!

Not only physically, but even more so mentally, Mr. Gron felt extremely satisfied.

Recalling how Miss Gina was still limp and unable to move in bed until broad daylight, Mr. Gron unconsciously reached into his pocket, carefully clutching the bottle of potion Lin Qi had sold him. Magical, truly magical— that feeling of virility and vigor nearly drove Mr. Gron wild.

With just one drop, Mr. Gron felt the happiness of returning to his youthful days.

He absolutely had to get more bottles from Lin Qi. He had to get more. For these potions, Mr. Gron was willing to pay any price. Currently, he was the Dean of Academic Affairs at Fifth University. After the elderly principal retired or suddenly passed away, he was very likely to become the principal of Fifth University. He was already a nobleman, and after his wife’s father died, he might even inherit at least the title of Earl from that wealthy family.

He held a high status and enjoyed great prestige. In the high society of Borelly, he was welcomed and flattered everywhere. After all, the Empire had not been at war for thirty years; scholars had replaced warriors as the most respected figures in the Empire. What was he still missing?

Perhaps the only thing he lacked was his youth, which had gone and never returned!

But the potion Lin Qi sold him was a magical elixir that could bring back his youthful days! Therefore, at any cost, even at the price Lin Qi set— one hundred Gold Coins per bottle— he wanted to get more. If Lin Qi would just sell him a few more bottles, he could even recommend that Lin Qi continue his studies at Borelly First University after graduation!

If Lin Qi could obtain a diploma from Borelly First University, the Empire’s oldest royal academy, his future would be secure. No matter which administrative department he entered, he would at least get a position as a junior official.

“So, I can hint at this to him!” Mr. Gron felt very pleased. As long as Lin Qi sold him more of that potion, what was a mere recommendation? He had the authority; he was in charge of that.

Swinging his small cane, walking with light steps, and feeling greatly satisfied both physically and mentally, Mr. Gron hummed a cheerful court waltz and strode into the campus. This was one of Mr. Gron’s habits— every time he returned to the school from outside, he would walk around the campus. It was like a male lion in a pride patrolling his territory; it brought him immense psychological pleasure.

But today’s patrol had barely begun when it was interrupted, and Mr. Gron was quite annoyed.

He watched angrily as a team of haughty Dragoons and a dozen sneaky Copper Helmets, who reeked of sinister air, rushed into the university and charged toward the largest male dormitory building. Mr. Gron felt a surge of anger rising to his head. What was this? What did they think they were doing?

Since when did these coarse Dragoons and these secret police, who dealt with conspiracies all day, have the nerve to charge so boldly into a noble university? The university was a place to cultivate the Empire’s elites; every student here was a talented individual. How dared these wretched scoundrels, who should only deal with thugs and ruffians, come here to act so recklessly?

What was especially intolerable was that they dared to invade his territory!

This was Fifth University, the territory of the esteemed Imperial nobleman Mr. Gron. How dared they charge into his domain so early in the morning?

Clearing his throat heavily, Mr. Gron wanted to shout and stop these audacious fools.

But his cough sounded especially faint in the cold wind. The Dragoons and Copper Helmets didn’t hear Mr. Gron’s warning-laden cough at all. Still in high spirits, they rushed toward the dormitory building, roughly shoving aside a few students who had just come downstairs, and stomped upward with heavy, synchronized steps like mad dogs.

Very soon, the distinctive shouts of Dragoons and Copper Helmets handling a case echoed inside the building: “In the name of the Imperial Royal Family, please open your door!”

In less than a breath, a dull thud was heard. Clearly, those ill-tempered Dragoons and Copper Helmets had violently smashed open a door and barged straight into the room.

The corner of Mr. Gron’s eye twitched violently. Trembling all over with anger, he thought, “They are too insolent, simply too insolent! How dare these vulgar soldiers disregard a noble lord?” Mr. Gron angrily shouted. He pointed at the nearest attendant and roared, “Go call people, get everyone who can be used! All security guards, all teachers and students from the discipline office!”

Mr. Gron waved his cane furiously, flaring his nostrils and glaring, then dashed frantically toward the male dormitory building.

He absolutely would not allow anyone to be so insolent on his territory! He was the spokesperson of the highest authority in this place!