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 slowly walked through the racks as he observed. Then he stopped at a rank named, 'Usage of Light element'. He looked through various shelves in the racks. There were all types of auxiliary uses of light element listed there. Like 'long time illumination' 'short term illumination' 'Night vison' etc. He finally stopped at a wisp named. 'How light element works in healing?' He stopped and took the wisp in arms as he started absorbing the knowledge slowly.

Actually, Sam didn't really want to become a healer immediately. He wanted to study this field after he left the Starwood city. But now he changed his mind.

Sam went through the healing procedures and spells carefully. Actually, healing spells are quite simple and they are very few of them. They are diagnosis, basic healing for wounds, Purification for Blood and toxins, Advanced healing which is used for high level injuries when libs are torn off and then finally regrowth which is growing a missing organ. But the regrowth is almost lost in the world and only a few very high-level healers which can be counted on one hand can perform it.

The healer spells are not considered like the attack spells which are classified using the power level. But the healer spells are classified by the level of control. The only requirement to heal the spell is that the mage has to have a light attribute and then he has to have an exceptional control and another condition is that adequate spiritual energy. The more spiritual energy a healer has the higher level of injury and the higher level of the cultivator he can cure. From the information Sam came to know that the healers are ranked rather differently compared to other profession. The healers will be ranked on how high the level of the cultivator they can cure. That means, if a healer who is at an Acolyte stage can cure a cultivator at Novice stage for an Advanced injury, he will be ranked as a rank2 healer.

Sam went through the information and started observing how the spell works. He observed and analysed each and every spell one by one. After a while, Sam noticed something in common in all the spells. The spells all depend on the control of the spiritual energy and are inducing the mitotic division by exciting the vitality of the already present cells in the body. Basically, a human body is made of so many cells which are formed by mitotic division which is started from a single cell and this will stop after reaching a certain stage and will only happen in small amounts such as when healing some minor wounds on the skin. But this mitotic division will stop making a new organ or limb because they become stable. The light elemental energy full of vitality will make the cells escape from the passive stage and increase the rate of healing.

Sam opened his eyes and went to the second floor and started practising in simulation environment. He kept on practising his control over his elemental energy as he stood in a single place motionlessly.

Time flew by slowly and he kept on practising and soon fifteen days passed inside the tower and only one and half day passed outside the tower. Sam finally came out of the tower with a satisfied expression and slept on his bed peacefully.

Next day morning, Sam couldn't help but grumble. Three days have passed and only two days are left for the auction and he couldn't help feel a little down. He wanted to use this chance to make a fortune in the city before leaving it. But now he can only earn a little less.

When Sam came down and thinking of what to do to earn more money this time as he ate along with the panthers, he saw another group of uninvited guests. But this time he couldn't help but feel a little serious. He saw two middle-aged men walk towards his mansion through the window. They are the Artisan tower head and the Crimson flame family head. When they entered the mansion, Sam didn't say anything and looked at the two men with a cold look.

"Sir Sam, I have something to discuss with you. But the Family head of the Crimson flame family also has something important. If you can spare your time a little." The Artisan tower head spoke in a mellow tone. But Sam didn't say anything and just gestured them to sit.

As soon as he took a seat, the Crimson flame family head spoke. Sir Sam, I know that you and our family has differences. It was my mistake to send people after you due to my greed and it was Carl's mistake to go after your life in the test. I know it is not easy to forgive us, but I still hope that you can be magnanimous this time. If you want to punish anyone, you can punish me. Please, leave my family some way out." He didn't beat around the bush and apologized directly. His voice was so dull and lost of all energy. He is really being sincere. Sam just gave a cold smile and said.

"Sir, are you making a mistake? How can a low-level puny cultivator can possibly take your apology?" Even though his words are humble, they were filled with mockery. The Family head didn't know what to say?

"If you really want to show your sincerity, I have a request. I am going to auction some items in next monthly auction at Evergreen family. I hope family head can patronize me." Sam said after some thought. He is trying to use this chance to make some money. Even though he can extort from him, he didn't really want to do that and stoop so low. In this way, he can at least give Freya some face. He can't leave the Crimson flame family alone after what they did. But he can't directly annihilate the family on account of Freya. Even though their relationship isn't deep, he really didn't want to leave the first friends he made in this life on such a sour note.

Crimson flame family head was ecstatic after he heard the news. He really didn't think that matter could be solved with money. After all, he was prepared to worst case scenario where Sam wouldn't forgive him at all. He stood up and thanked Sam before leaving as he sighed in relief.

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."