Chapter 39: Protection fee

As soon as Sam’s words were finished a person came out from a room slowly. He is a tall young man who seemed to be eighteen to nineteen years of age. His looks are quite average and he would just blend in with crowd. The only notable thing about this guy’s is the nose that is completely in the air. If it is possible, he might want to touch the sky with it. He is arrogant to the bones.

He came in front of Sam and sat down in a chair opposite to him unceremoniously and made himself comfortable. The young man sized him up and said with arrogance.

"You must be Sam. You are just like how the rumours mentioned. You are really a brat who doesn’t know manners. Do you not know how to pay respect to the seniors in the academy?" He said as he puffed his chest to make sure that Sam can get a clear look at the three stars on the uniform. But what he got was the calm look of Sam without any emotions.

"Anyway, I heard that you are a proficient Artisan, Inscription master and Formation master. I want you to make me some Inscriptions. I want them to be attack type, defence type. Don’t give me some trashy things. Since, you are an Acolyte warrior mage with fire attribute, you have to make the inscriptions of fire type and I want at least a fifty of each of them. I also want a rank 2 spear. I am a warrior, so I will be using it. So, make sure that I you do your job properly. Make some inscriptions on it as well."

Albert didn’t even bother to look at Sam and said whatever he wants. Sam didn’t stop him either. He just went along. Albert continued.

"I will give you a week time." He said and then turned around to leave.

"Wait." Sam said as Albert stopped in tracks.

"What, you have any objections? This is the protection fee I am collecting to take care of you in the Academy. After all, you don’t want a Novice mage sneak up on you when you are in your accommodation or a Novice warrior trying to kill you at your mansion, right? You better think carefully." Albert threatened with a smile.

"Who are you exactly?" Sam asked with a cold glint in his eyes.

"What? Do you really want to pressure with your status? I am Albert. I am son of the head of the Pharmaceutical tower. You can flaunt your status at anyone. But you have to keep your tail between your legs in front of the Pharmaceutical tower. After all, it would not be good, if no healer comes to your aid with in the city when you are hurt?" He said with a mocking smile as he left the mansion. He didn’t even have a thought that Sam would reject him.

Sam is looking at his departing back with an intense disregard. He is looking at Albert as if he was a brainless fool. He understood one thing. Albert is a frog in a well. In his eyes the Starwood city is the only world he knew. After all, if he could think with some common sense, he can understand that threatening Sam with his father’s status as head of the Pharmaceutical tower was quite foolish. Sam suddenly heard someone coming and saw two panthers pouncing at him.

There are the two cubs he picked up. He rubbed their heads as they snuggled in to him as if Sam’s embrace is the only safe spot in the world. Right now, they are already at the peak of the Level 1. Sam didn’t know why, but these panthers are growing exceptionally well under his care.

"Say little ones, do I really look like that much of a Vegetarian?" Sam asked as he stroked their mane with each hand. The too panthers looked at him with puzzled expressions.

"Never mind. I should really think of a way to make sure this guy knew I am a non- vegetarian. After all, I still at an eagle for a breakfast. He said as he walked to the bedroom along with the panthers. Then he disappeared and reappeared inside the tower.

Sam then looked at the Artisan tower head.

"Sir Sam, it is just that there is an important issue. That is why I came to disturb you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to disturb you." The tower head hurriedly explained. Sam just looked at him calmly and said.

"Just get it over with."

"Yes. There is a notice from the Count city’s Artisan tower. Usually, when there is a genius Artisan, the immediate superior Artisan tower will make a visit to him to give their appreciation and offer to move to a better environment. County city’s Artisan tower also wants to send someone over. So, I am here to confirm your schedule." The tower head explained his purpose.

Sam pondered for a moment and said. "I will be going to the Count city in few days. I will visit the tower myself. They don’t have to make a visit here."

Tower head didn’t speak anything and just nodded. He clearly knew about the tournament and already thought that Sam might have already made it to the team.

"Then I will take my leave." He bid farewell and just as he was about to make his move, Sam stopped him.

"Wait."

"Sir Sam, you have any thing I can help you with?" He asked with a bit of expectation. He really wants to mend their relationship.

"Do you know the tower head of the Pharmaceutical tower and his son Albert?" Sam asked with a casual tone.

Up on mention of Albert, Tower head immediately understood. "Sir Sam, does that brat Albert find any trouble with you?"

"I need you to arrange a meeting with him for me. Better, if it is a surprise visit in the tower itself." Sam said avoiding the question.

Tower head thought for sometime and nodded. "I will see what I can do. I will send you the details tomorrow." He said and bid his farewell.

Sam then sent him off and took out the bunch of materials, he bought two days before and said to himself. "Now, it is time to make preparations for auction."