Chapter 664: Two Returns - 664
Acting as though nothing had happened, Skymender sat down and began to read. He left soon after, having his fill. Skymerge continued to write without pause the entire time, as if countless ideas were constantly flowing through his head.
The next morning, Skymender continued to go to school as usual, spending almost all of his time studying in some form. He studied poison after school, and everything else during school. At this rate, he wasn't sure how much more intelligence he would have by the start of the next Imperial Scholar Camp.
Eventually, a new year came. The advent of a new year did not affect Skymender much, aside from changing the date he wrote down on papers, but the arrival of someone did.
Skymender looked out his window as a woman, holding only a sword, walked towards the house. Nobody else had noticed her, but while laying down, Skymender had felt as if the air had grown sharp.
His curiosity had led him to this scene, where his sister, Skybelle, walked towards the house as a true Sword Master.
Skymender came out of his room and walked downstairs. Opening the door, he was the only one awake to greet Skybelle as she had come deep into the night.
She looked at Skymender, a smile on her face. This only lasted for a moment as she looked Skymender up and down.
"What happened to you?"
"I was gonna ask the same thing." Skymender said.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing that can't wait until the morning. You aren't in any immediate danger, are you?"
Skymender shook his head.
Skybelle nodded. "Then I'll head to bed. I'm about to pass out from exhaustion."
Skymender moved to the side, allowing Skybelle to walk past him.
Although she had hardly changed in personality from before, the feeling around her, as well as her status within the Empire, had completely transformed since the last time had seen her.
Skymender could do nothing but go to sleep and wait until the next morning. When he woke up, everybody had already been thrown into disarray by Skybelle's appearance, as well as her advancement to Sword Master. Their parents' pride could not even be described, while their siblings were also extremely excited.
Skymender seemed to be the only calm one, but that was simply because Skymerge had yet to appear, if he even would.
Seeing Skymender appear, everyone shared their excitement with him. However, he eventually had to go to school. Melly, who was equally happy at Skybelle's arrival, unwillingly went to school as well.
Skymender's day continued as normal, but when he returned, there was a party waiting.
Skybelle calmly enjoyed the festivities, despite the fact that she was far from young.
However, Skybelle would not stay for long. As a Sword Master, she needed to report to the Emperor. She was now an integral part of the Empire and needed to work for it. What a Sword Master did, they could only guess.
Skybelle left the next day, and everyone's lives continued as always. Skymender's research on poison, and general knowledge, grew every single day. He did not have a single peer within the entirety of the Sky Barony.
Surprisingly, a month after Skybelle left, another person returned to the Sky Barony.
Though his status was less than Skybelle's, the effects on the Sky Barony by his return were far greater than the effects caused by Skybelle's return.
That was because Sky the second, at the age of 24, was returning to the Sky Barony to become the new Baron Sky. In the days leading up to his return, his father had indeed been looking happier. He was more than forty years old, and was due to enjoy retirement. He had a suitable successor that he had absolutely no complaints about.
In fact, if Sky the second had not insisted on studying for a bit longer in the Imperial Capital, it would not have taken so long.
Along with Sky the second was a woman, his wife, who would become baroness of the Sky family. She was not some noble, but a commoner. Although most noble houses would not let commoners marry into their family, they were only a Barony.
It was not unusual for someone of a Barony to marry a commoner, though it was uncommon for the heir of the Barony to do so.
Sky the second arrived with his beautiful wife at the front gate. He was a complete adult. He had full facial hair and a slightly aged face. His father enthusiastically greeted him at the gate, leading him in.
Everyone greeted Sky the second and his wife, welcoming her to the family just as they had Melly.
However, for the following days after that, Baron Sky and Sky the second were seldom seen. Naturally, the transference required a lot of information to be passed down, including secrets and important history.
After nearly a week of only being seen at breakfast and dinner, an official ceremony took place. Someone from the Imperial Capital arrived and officially declared Sky the second, now simply Sky, as the new Baron Sky.
As for their father, he would take his old nickname, Skyblue.
Afterwards, another small ceremony took place, making Baron Sky's wife, who would now be known as Skylight, the Baroness.
This greatly changed the Sky Barony.
The peace and calm was broken as changes took place. Baron Sky began to implement his ideas thought of over many years, preparing for this very moment. Whether or not these changes would bring great results or bad endings was unknown.
A vast amount of these changes seemed to center around the only "City" within the Sky Barony, known as Sky City.
It seemed as though the new Baron Sky was much more ambitious than the last and intended to turn this place into a true city, not one that was barely considered a city.
The only way this affected Skymender was through the changes made to the school. However, these were all minor and could be mostly ignored.
He thought that would be the end of what affected him, but one day, the new Baron Sky pulled him aside.
Chapter 665: Make My Own Money - 665
He got straight to the point immediately.
"Father told me many things about the current affairs of not only the territory, the Kingdom, and the Empire, but also our very house. I know that you study poison. I am not Father, and I believe that you can do whatever you want, just don't endanger anyone else." He said.
Skymender nodded.
"Also, I've found that you've spent a lot of the Barony's money on these studies. As much as I hate to do it, I can't allow you to continue spending that much, especially during this time of change. Of course, you are still a member of the Sky Barony and can essentially spend as much money as you want, but within a reasonable limit. Otherwise, get your own money, alright."
Skymender nodded. It was reasonable.
After all, the money he had spent came from the Sky Barony's earnings, but did not contribute to the Sky Barony in any way whatsoever.
Seeing Skymender agree, Baron Sky thanked him and left to conduct more business.
Truth be told, Skymender had not spent as much of the Sky Barony's money as before. His current expenses should be considered reasonable, so for the time being, nothing should really change.
However, it was indeed true that he needed to make his own money at some point. He instantly thought about his specialty, poison.
With poison, there were only a few things he could do. As of now, it was yardwork and assassination.
He had experience involving himself in the criminal world, such as when he had completely orchestrated the kidnapping of a Duchess's daughter. Skymender had a few ideas on how to get started. First, he needed a few loyal and skilled followers. This could be solved simply.
Skymender had a mask custom designed for him through a somewhat hidden channel. It was different from his old mask, in that this one covered his entire face and left nothing to see besides his eyes.
He went out into the city a few times. With the changes in place due to the new Baron Sky, the police were cracking down on criminal's. However, they would never be able to solve all of it.
For the first few nights, Skymender gathered information. This was always the first step, and its importance could not be underestimated.
Skymender's desired target's needed to check off a few requirements.
First, they must care about others, best if they have a specific person they care greatly about. Second, they have to be smart and strong. Third, they must be willing to get their hands dirty.
Preferably, they would be in some sort of trouble already, but worst case scenario, Skymender could create some for them.
He eventually found three people who fit the criteria. Although it seemed like a small amount, in such a small city, he was lucky to have even found three.
Skymender approached, the first, which would be the easiest target.
As the sun fell and the moon rose, three thugs knocked on the door of a house. The house was only slightly above poor class. A man opened it. He was clearly a bit strong, but he could only take on one of the thugs at most.
One of the three thugs spoke. "It is time to pay up. You've been stalling for a long time, and the boss is getting impatient."
The man who opened the door spoke. He tried to act calm, but was clearly a bit worried. "Just a few more weeks. My Mother is still sick, and everything I make is being used to maintain her health. However, I have a few job interviews lined up for better positions. Once I get paid some more, you will naturally get all of your money back and more. But even if you take everything here, it would barely allow you to break even."
His reasoning was so good that it made even the three thugs hesitate, but they quickly shook their heads and snapped out of their thoughts.
"Good reasoning indeed, but you've been saying that for more than two months. You better hand us the money right now, or be made an example."
The man gritted his teeth. He was in a hopeless situation.
"What if I join you all? I can work off my debt, just as long as my Mother is able to survive."
Without another word, the three forced their way into the house. From outside the small yard, Skymender finally moved. He quietly moved, appearing behind the three thugs. With a single swipe, a head flew off. Another followed it. Just as the third reacted, another fell.
The man stood stunned, looking at the three headless thugs. He had never seen such a scene in his life.
He then looked at Skymender, who stood short and wore a mask. But the feeling he gave off was something unbelievable.
After all, he had just killed three men.
"Who are you?" The man asked, doing his best to keep his composure.
"The person who just saved you and your Mother's lives."
The man spoke with hesitation. "Thank you, sir. How can I repay you?"
Skymender had been waiting for that. "You said you were willing to work for the group behind those men earlier. Why don't you extend your offer to me?"
The man clearly did not want to agree. He wanted to leave the life of the slums and join the middle class. But like this, even if he wanted to disagree…
"Of course, sir. What will I do to repay you?"
Skymender explained. "You just wait until I give you something to do. Every month, the expenses you need for you and your Mother will be delivered. You can even work a job to earn more. As for your hiring bonus, that will come soon."
The man was surprised at his words. "Yes sir. But what about the three thugs? If it is found out that they died in my house…"
He did not need to finish his sentence.
"That is what your hiring bonus involves. Just live the life of a normal person from now on, blending in. As for the events of today… for the sake of you and your Mother, I wouldn't spread any information."
The man shuddered as Skymender left. He had lept out of the dragon's mouth, only to end up falling down into a pit of lava.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
121 Power
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