I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 48 Recruitment
Ten more of the adorable coins, which he hadn't even had a chance to warm up, disappeared. Watching Angie's departing figure, DuPont felt incredibly melancholy.

Hey, I'm your teacher's good friend. How could you, as her good student, ask me for money? That's just so unlovable!
However, these words could not be spoken in the end. After class, DuPont and Charles went to the dormitory to divide the spoils.

“These 60 are the ones you lent me.” DuPont counted out 60 gold coins. Charles had been watching silently. When he finished counting and pushed the coins toward him, the chubby boy didn’t take them: “Oh, I didn’t help much today. I’ve already earned quite a bit. You should keep these coins.”

"What nonsense are you talking about? One thing at a time." DuPont laughed. "We two cooperated quite well, otherwise Connor wouldn't have fallen for it. I just didn't expect that the kid would be sent to solitary confinement by the combat instructor."

“That’s how high-level mentors are. They’re impartial and fearless, and they don’t care about any damn family. I heard that the Harua Council can’t do anything about them.” As he spoke, Charles put away the gold coins and said in a low voice, “Actually, there’s something I haven’t told you.”

"Hmm?" DuPont was a little puzzled: "If you want to say it, then say it; if it's inconvenient to say it, then don't."

"It's nothing major. I'll be taken in as a private apprentice by my mentor at the end of the month, and after this month I'll no longer be his classmate." Charles couldn't help but burst into laughter when he talked about it: "Haha, I finally don't have to be a mud-playing kid anymore, and I don't have to worry about being assigned to Harua and running around Faerun anymore!"

"Wow, this is great news! It's not easy for our architecture department to get accepted." DuPont sincerely praised, "Which professor spoke up? I'll try to enroll in his class too, and hopefully we can become apprentices together in the future."

“Hehe, you know what, she’s interested in you too.” Charles said in a low voice, “It’s Instructor Rock. Last weekend I was with her discussing the details of becoming a private apprentice, and after the combat class just now she sent me a message saying that if you’re interested, you can come and interview her to become a private apprentice.”

When DuPont heard the name Rock, an image that resembled a squash came to mind.

Rock is a dwarf's surname, but Rock Mentor also has a name, Ruru. She is a half-dwarf and half-elf. Although she is not bad-looking, her figure is indescribable. She seems to be less than five feet tall.

Thinking of this, DuPont couldn't help but exclaim in shock: "Holy crap, how could you do this?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Charles looked completely bewildered. "What do you mean, 'could you do that'?"

"You can't be unaware that some mentors take on apprentices not only out of appreciation for their talent but also with the intention of treating them like toys, right? Didn't Mentor Rock do anything to you after taking you on as a mentor?"

"No way, don't talk nonsense. She's wonderful." Charles looked unconvinced. "She's the one who taught me the Bear's Resilience. We just had a meal together once, then chatted in a quaint little courtyard, and then I was too tired and fell asleep."

Just then, Charles also felt a chill: "Wait, you're saying I wouldn't be...? Surely not, my looks are just average."

“Well, it’s normal for wealthy and powerful people to have unique tastes sometimes.” DuPont realized he had misspoke after saying that: “Ahem, but this is just a guess. Being taken in by a mentor is a good thing, I won’t have to hand in any more scrolls and I can read any of his personal books. I’ll definitely get promoted very quickly.”

“Yeah.” Charles scratched his head and said, “Well, I still won’t miss this opportunity. At worst, I can endure it for a few years and leave after graduation. It’s still better than eating from the same pot here.”

"Yes, I think so too."

"The invitation from Mentor Rock...?" "Forget it, I'll just have to rely on my own efforts." DuPont shook his head, thinking that eating under that gourd was less appealing than trying to curry favor with Dorothy. At least she was a proper mature woman who only bothered him once a week. Becoming a private apprentice might just mean becoming a hard-working slave. "Let's talk more then. Maybe things aren't as bad as we think. By the way, I have some thoughts about Annie. I'll mention it when I treat everyone to dinner tonight. Just cooperate."

"Mmm." Charles said goodbye and left, looking somewhat preoccupied.

DuPont watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Hopefully he'll grow stronger in the future, otherwise his small frame might not be able to hold up for long.

At dinner, DuPont, who had won a great victory and earned hundreds of gold coins that day, was naturally the center of attention. He generously treated the whole class to dinner, spending a full 30 silver coins.

The leftover braised food from this morning was also given to the students as an extra meal, and it was well received.

"Although this thing doesn't look good, it has a unique flavor and doesn't get stuck in your teeth."

Connor's clique didn't come to dinner, nor did Anne. After the other students left, DuPont picked up a juice: "Today we really dealt a heavy blow to those students who discriminated against us. Cheers!"

Alcohol is not sold on campus, and the juice is specially mixed with honey. Everyone picked up their glasses and drank it down with relish, giving a thumbs up and praising, "I never knew you had such skills, DuPont. That was really clean and efficient. Even the instructors are exaggerating your actions. I've never heard of anything like this in my three years of schooling."

"It's a pity that idiot Connor didn't dare to go on stage, otherwise he would have been beaten to a pulp!"

"I think DuPont's kick was really hard; it sent Pete foaming at the mouth. If Connor, that idiot who treats his armband like a position, had gone there, he would have kicked him so hard he'd crush his yolk."

Everyone burst into laughter after they finished speaking. DuPont also laughed and said, "Alright, we're all classmates, there's no need to go to such lengths. Connor may be annoying, but he doesn't deserve to be a castrato singer. Let's be lenient when we can."

"Shut up!" The one who spoke up earlier was a classmate named Safis: "Most people look down on us, and these bastards from the Apprentice Guild are even more bullies who always treat us like pushovers. They always bring up school rules to make a big deal out of nothing. Last time I left in a hurry and didn't put my clothes on properly, they scolded me for half an hour. I really wanted to kick that idiot to death."

“Exactly.” Hearing his words, the other classmates chimed in, recounting the discrimination they had suffered in the past. At this moment, Charles frowned and said, “It’s one thing for others, but that bitch Annie is also colluding with Connor to bully our own people. Only she has the self-awareness to be embarrassed to come to dinner, otherwise I would have given her a good scolding in person!”

"Yeah, she's the only girl in our class. We usually give way to her and vote for her to be class monitor. I heard she gets a special allowance every year. But this bitch doesn't appreciate that kindness at all. She even teamed up with Connor to embarrass you. That little slut is really wicked."

"Alright, we shouldn't be talking about this behind her back while she's not here." DuPont coughed lightly to interrupt everyone's complaints. "But you're right, we can't let Annie be the class monitor. Although the position is useless, if the class monitor sides with outsiders, then we're already not well-regarded, and this will only make us a laughing stock. What do you think about us signing a petition to remove her from her position?"

(End of this chapter)