846 Seals (2/2)
Ten years ago, thanks to the further popularization of magic items and the growing number of alchemical workshops of different categories, the life in Holm changed greatly. One of the greatest new features was the division of labor. Therefore, Heinrich, the prime minister back then, separated the government departments that used to be combined, in order to deal with the new situation.
Although Mr. Dollos did seem to have committed crimes, Donnie remembered his help and was reluctant to leave. So, he looked for the owners of the nearby stores and asked them carefully.
”A few months back, people of the tax office summoned Dollos first, claiming that he committed tax evasion.”
”Dollos never came back after he was summoned. In the days that followed, more and more people came to stick those seals. There were quite plenty of them.”
”I'm told that Dollos has already been sentenced to prison and that he won't be released for another five years.”
Faced with Donnie who had the badge of an official sorcerer on his chest, none of the store owners dared to lie or use the nicknames that they gave to the tax collectors and the police officers.
”Sentenced to prison…” Donnie murmured in a low voice and struggled for a moment, but he still decided to visit Mr. Dollos. After all, the man had offered tremendous help to him.
However, Donnie was soon disappointed, because the staff of the Congress told him that Dollos was kept in a prison far away, and that his whole holiday was only enough for a round trip. So, taking the suggestion of the staff, he wrote a letter to Dollos and left his own mailing address.
......
Wu!
Clang! Clang!
The noise when the train came into the station scared off the kids who were playing around. Even the adults were more or less intimidated. It hadn't been long since the railway was extended to the town, and the folks were not used to the gigantic creature that could run on its own yet.
Donnie slowly walked out of the magic steam train. Seeing the familiar buildings and mountains, he had a lot of complicated feelings.
”Huh, isn't it Donnie White?” There were not many residents in the town. They were quite familiar with each other.
”That's right. It's Donnie. He seems much taller and bigger now. Wait, has the badge on his magic robe changed?”
”One black circle on the silver background. He… He is an honorable Mr. Sorcerer now!”
In the blink of an eye, the town residents whom Donnie was quite familiar with changed their expressions to one that was full of admiration and fear, as if he were no longer the Donnie they knew but a strange Mr. Sorcerer that was even more esteemed than the mayor!
Although they hadn't met an official sorcerer many times, the generous treatment that their petty mayor offered every time had left them a deep impression. Without them knowing it, had their neighbor's naughty kid become a high and mighty sorcerer too?
The residents' change of attitudes couldn't have escaped Donnie's senses, which were now keener and keener. He was both somewhat uncomfortable and somewhat delighted. No wonder everybody wanted to be a sorcerer and a noble. At the very least, until he could really explore the world, the feeling of being respected could motivate him to work hard.
After a brief silence, somebody left the station and shouted, ”White, White, your little Donnie is back! He is now a Mr. Sorcerer!”
Donnie hurried to move forward to the exit.
Very soon, a middle-aged man whose face seemed to have been whetted by frostbite appeared on the street near the station. He was old and had gray hair. Had it not been for his lack of wrinkles, he would've convinced everyone that he was in his fifties. Behind him was a plump woman and a young and vigorous girl.
The three of them were equally excited and delighted. The two ladies were weeping already.
”Father, Mother, Lily…” Donnie walked to them. His voice was choked with tears.
His father held his hand tightly and patted it hard. ”Great, great, so great…”
At this moment, Donnie felt that all his previous ordeals were worth it!
......
Passing the new year in easiness and delight, Donnie was quite satisfied with his new life. The only unpleasant thing was that the town was still very underdeveloped. Lamps were only set up near the station, and there weren't any home TVs. The only entertainment was Arcana Voice on the empty ground to the east of the town.
On that day, when Donnie, his parents, and his sister were about to go out to listen to Arcana Voice, a wagon with the sigil of a noble suddenly stopped before their house.
”Greetings, esteemed Mr. White. My lord, Baron Herdos, would like to invite you to his manor. He's hoping that you could help him resolve a problem that has bothered him for a long time.” A butler-looking man got off the wagon.
Knowing that Baron Herdos was the lord of the few towns around, Donnie dare not disrespect him. ”What is the nature of the problem? I would be happy if I can offer any help.”
The butler did not lie. ”My lord has an ancient castle that seems to be haunted by ghosts. We asked for the help of several magic apprentices and sorcerers before, but it did not work. Two magic apprentices even died inside. We're told that you have already become an official sorcerer, and you are a student of the Heidler Magic College. So, my lord sincerely asks for your help. You are a professional.”
Donnie had a conditional reflex of fear about such things. However, before he declined the request, the butler already said, ”Whether or not you can take care of the problem, my lord will offer you ten queen gold coins as a reward. If the matter is resolved, there will be even more!”