After the calamity with the night raid, the healers repaired the soldiers' wounds. Even though the healers were first- and second-year students there were there able to heal the majority of injuries, except for amputated limbs, the soldiers were able to return to full health.

During the night raid, no one was able to sleep. Many cadets huddled in their barracks room with their doors locked. After the panther was killed, the courtyard was filled with people talking about the marshals' and Rocky's exploits. The dead panther was brought to the courtyard, to display its large size and sharp claws. Some first-year cadets were horrified to see something that ferocious even if it was dead.

As everyone was speaking aloud, a horn sounded outside half a kilometer away. The Fermion's army was marching to the fort, to provide reinforcements. The gates opened, as soldiers marched into the fort in columns of two, a captain sat on horseback glaring at the dead cat on the ground. The captain ordered the reinforcements to relieve night watch soldiers and keep watch from the watchtowers and walls. The soldiers marched and took over as the new sentries.

The lieutenant saluted the captain and explained the day's event. As the lieutenant and captain spoke, Vincent and his group examined the dead grandmaster dire beast. When people saw Vincent and his group, they criticized him for fleeing and causing the beast tide. More and more people crowded around Vincent's once-popular gang, insulting them. Vincent only stared angrily, he thought they all be dead and his group the only survivors. He told the army's garrison outside the valley, how he heroically escaped saving as many people, and now he was being called a cowardly deserter. His fist balled in rage.

"Similar down you twats!" Yelled Marshall Brown. "You! You cowardly fee will be judged by the headmaster for deserting your comrades during an attack," he pointed at Vincent, whose face went pale.

"Thank you, Marshall Brown," Marshall Rolf said. "Vincent you will also try under Guardian's code of military conduct. Everyone gets some rest, let's meet in three hours at the 6th bell to discuss Will's punishment," he finished calling for a guild meeting for only first-years in the great hall.

None of the first-year cadets slept, they were afraid of reliving this in a nightmare. Instead, they gossiped, laughed, and thanked the gods there were alive. Many of the students couldn't believe they had lived and couldn't wait to get home.

At the 6th bell, the first, second-, and third-year Guardians piled into the great hall. Even though the meeting was restricted to the first years, the other years did not want to miss the entertainment.

Victor, the viscount's son, and two others sat next to Marshall Rolf. According to Fermion's law, the criminal or offender had to face their plaintiffs to be punished for their wrongdoing. This was not Earth, there were no lawyers or robe judges. Medieval Fermion was brutal, duels, and death were common. People distributed their justice, as long as they hand an observer.

Vincent's only saving grace was his nobility. In Fermion, a noble could kill another noble in a duel. Duels were honor-bound, and contesting the death of a duelist was insurmountable. Relatives could not even request recompense from the crown for their deceased. However, honor-bound duels were against the academy's rules, even though they happened in the shadows from time to time. But who would duel Vincent, he was a formidable swordsman, would risking their lives be worth it to get revenge?

"Alright, we're here to decide what should happen to Vincent," said Marshall Rolf.

"Let him go," yelled one of Vincent's cronies who were too afraid to run away with Vincent, but also too afraid to fight. Yet, since he stayed during the battle, he was exempt from punishment.

Cadets jeered at this comment, "punish him," "he should be punished," others shouted. Anne who resolved this morning to be Will's biggest supporter replayed all Will's heroism. She shouted, "they should be tried for expelled!" People became quiet, being expelled from the academy was a serious stain on someone's honor. "If he ran away today, how can he be a knight? When the enemy approaches will he desert us again, and leave us to pick up the slack?"

Vincent and the viscount's son looked at Anne, with hatred. They knew if they were expelled their fathers would disown them for the shame brought on the family. 'This was the most serious punishment, surely she doesn't mean it?' The duo thought.

The shouting resumed "expel them," "they are a blight on our great guild," "how do we know they won't run again?" Seeing the crowd whipped against them, and losing support their hearts filled with revenge and wished the beast had killed them. Grating his teeth, Vincent looked at the crowd murderously, but then he saw Will sitting quietly, without care. Vincent smiled, he knew Will could quiet this crowd, and surely another noble such as Will valued his family connections. Vincent yelled, "wait, wait, Will what do you think?"

Hearing his name Will looked up, and the crowd quieted, they respected Will, the beast raid hero. Will looked at Vincent curious why he would choose to call him out. Will had other things on his mind, Will wanted to get him and see the progress on his new stores. His newest board game, chest should have also been released. He missed his growing pile of coins.

Speaking sincerely, "I think don't think Vincent should be expelled. Instead, I think Vincent should give a month's high-level supply of Aether pills and herbs to every first-year cadet who participated regardless of the guild," Will said. Vincent thought, wasn't that price too high. Will had asked Vincent to donate the same amount of Aether pills and herbs awarded to the midyear champion. The amount of gold alone would equal the hundreds.

Hearing Will's suggestion, people were thrilled. Most cadets had to spend either their guild or academy points to buy low-quality Aether pills and herbs. With this, their swordsmith cultivation could increase. They agreed instead of expelling Will, let him help us. This was their time to gain valuable resources. People cheered, Will, held a place in their hearts because they thought 'To think, he was thinking about helping us improve this whole time.' Anne admired Will, he was always thinking of others.

Hearing everyone agree, the Marshall gave the judgment. "Vincent and others will provide a month's supply of low-grade Aether pills for the whole first-year class," he said. He thought high-level pills, was too severe and hurt Vincent's family more than himself. Also, the punishment was sure to be contested. However, low-grade pills would be just enough of a punishment, to not be repealed.

Learning his punishment, Vincent breathed a sigh of release. Providing low-grade pills and herbs would be a minor cost compared to high-grade. Vincent and Will both knew the Marshall would reduce any sentence provided by the students. This was a happy medium, and although Vincent didn't like Will, he was thankful for the assistance. Their eyes met, and Vincent knew he owed Will a favor, which he immediately regretted.

The week-long return trip to Guidon went as planned. The 35-wagon caravan arrived safely in front of the Knight Academy gates. As the wagon's stopped Headmaster Abe and Elder Thaddeus came to greet the students. The dire beast news spread throughout the country on the return trip. Not only were the Headmaster and Elder present, so were the City Lord, Bishop, and Army General of Guidon. The dignitaries received the students in heroic fashion, shaking hands, and glad they returned safely. The marshals were appalled for killing a grandmaster beast and protecting the cadets.

Will stood at the end of the caravan, making sure the carts were unloaded, peddlers paid, horses stabbed; Elder Thaddeus walked up to him with Mei. Will bowed to Elder Thaddeus, and Mei bowed to Will in an awkward greeting of sorts.

"Greetings Boss Will," Mei said before updating Will on his businesses.

Mei reported both the theatre and inn were complete during Will's travel. She detailed the success of chess and of contracting a group of traveling troubadours operating the theatre. She handed Will a list of scheduled events for approval. Will saw plays, musicals, concerts listed by month, which he approved. He only asked Mei to find entertainers, and have them schedule their best performances. For chess, he changed the rooks to mages, and pawns to commoners. The other pieces stayed the same: king, queen, bishops, and knights. He thought about changing the bishops to cardinals but thought that might be considered disrespectful.

Next, she gave Will bad news. The gaudy inn built was finished, but could not find a good chef. Even worse, the City Lord prohibited the casino in the inn because it was unvirtuous and immoral. The casino had tables for craps, roulette, pai gow, blackjack, and baccarat. Will thanked Mei, she handed Will his profit before leaving.

After Mei left, Elder Thaddeus congratulated Will on his new class and ranking up to journeyman. As Will and Elder Thaddeus left the crowd and walked to the cottage. Until they heard "wait!"

"Will a moment please, I'd like to speak with you," said the City Lord Timothy vont Alms, with his son Bradley following behind. "Will thank you for saving my son!" the city lord sincerely said. "Also, I hope you are not upset about my decision to inhibit gambling, "it's just that gambling encourages people to waste coins, and may force some people into debt slavery," he said.

Using his diplomacy skill, Will replied, "Sir, vont Alms, may we discuss this further at my café tomorrow. We can discuss other matters as well," Will said before bowing and walking away with Elder Thaddeus.

When two arrived at the cottage, Will took out the purple beast core for Elder Thaddeus to examine.

"Master, why are beast cores so values," Will asked respectfully.

"For mages and knights, pills and herbs are insignificant in front of the beast crystal. By breaking and breathing in the fumes from the beast crystal a person can significantly increase their rank. Very few grandmaster beast cores exist in this kingdom, I suggest you use it the right way or sell it," Elder Thaddeus said.

"Master, I wish to sell it. Can you help me auction off the beast core?" Will said. Will planned to auction the beast core at his new theatre. There was no better way to publicize his new properties than this.

The next day, Will and the City Lord met at his café. The City Lord Timothy vont Alms had an insidious simile on his face. Both men were cordial and Will immediately discerned the true problem. The City Lord was not a pious as he led Will to believe.

"Greeting Willian vont Ballard. Several people in the city, including me, are worried that the immoral act of gambling will only hurt this fair city." Will had met the Timothy vont Alms before and knew the City Lord used violence and coercion to control people.

"Salutations, Sr. vont Alms. You and I know both know gambling already happens in the shadows, is it not in our best interest to capitalize on such industry," Will detested laws against gambling. "Illegal gambling only forces gambling into the shadow economy. When gambling is illegal, violence is used to enforce the rules, and enriched criminals, instead let's enrich ourselves."

"My dear fellow, I see your point. But, what am I too with all the people who gambling as unvirtuous?" The City Lord's piousness was finally revealed to be, what they both knew, false. The City Lord wanted to be cut in on the deal.

"Sir. Vont Alms, shouldn't nobles get along? We can both prosper. As a sign of friendship, how about I offer you a 5% share of the earnings from the casino?"

"Yes, let us be best of business associates. I think a 5% share of the profit from the inn is acceptable," he said greedily.

"I'm happy to hear that we'll be business associates. Friends should not overreach though 10% of the casino's profit," Will responded.

"Running a city is hard, there are so many regulations and laws being created all the time. I could make sure those regulations and laws, stay away from your businesses 5% of the inn's profit. I can also help grease the wills in the capital," he said.

"It seems I undervalued our friendship. Let me be the first to apologize," said Will. "I didn't realize my friend would offer such good support, 1% of the inn's profit.

The two continued to negotiate until they landed on 2% of the inn's profit. The City Lord would receive profit from the inn, restaurant, and casino; in exchange for not hindering Will's business in the future and help get access to the capital's market. As they finished their exchange they heard shouting outside.

"Fire!" shouted a passerby.

"There's smoke in that direction," said another passerby pointing.

Will and the City Lord ran to the scene. Fires were dangerous and could burn multiple city blocks. When Will and the City Lord arrived, Will realized it was Anne's parents' bakery that was inflamed.