“Marquess Hillman, now that the case is closed, I shall take my leave,” Duke Silverhound said. He ignored the shocked crowd and the cries of the grieving relatives as he straightened his robe with a single brisk motion and locked his gaze with Wolf. “It would be a pleasure if you could grace me with your presence at a dinner party tonight.”

The politician noted Wolf’s hesitation and continued speaking. “There’s much to discuss regarding your current and future property and status.”

“Thank you kindly, Lord Silverhound.” Wolf formally half-bowed, Marquess to Duke. “I’ll make sure to attend.”

“No need to be so formal. I’m expecting you tonight.” Duke Silverhound laughed in a friendly manner, then turned around and left.

He pondered the situation. Should he shower Wolf with generosity, or should he be stingy towards this new Marquess whom Lord of Steel suddenly threw his way? While he wondered, the mob silently watched this surreal display. Some pinched themselves, but they failed to wake.

When Wolf first entered the Mage Academy, people pitied or looked down on him. Then, when he overcame plots targeting him, he became an object of envy or adoration. But after this event, the way the world viewed him changed yet again. What the gathered crowd felt towards him was fear and respect.

This young man was a True-Namer. In fact, he was the youngest True-Namer in recorded history. In a single morning he became one of the highest and wealthiest nobles of Silverhound, and he was what? Fifteen? Sixteen?

As these thoughts scampered through idle spectators’ heads, their brains overheated. Wayde watched with disbelief. His neutral, cold facade crumbled as his jaw hung slack. His bet on Wolf paid off spectacularly. Nobles and commoners alike were bound to swarm and fawn over him. He was Marquess Wolf Hillman’s only friend.

However, he also felt a trace of fear. This staged trial transpired because of him.

The thought of blaming Wayde, or seeking explanation from him never crossed Wolf’s mind. As far as he was concerned, his friend was an innocent tool the plotters used.

While the guards who escorted Wolf rounded up the remaining guilty nobles, preparing to transfer them to Duke Silverhound’s dungeon, Wolf approached Headmaster Smith.

Lord of Steel disabled the Word Filter, granting the people on the stage the right to speak freely. He pretended not to notice Wolf’s approach, nor the nobles heading to congratulate or suck up to the young Marquess.

Headmaster Smith smiled. Wolf gazed at him darkly, but he couldn’t avoid the crowd intercepting him. He became a noble, restrained by the bindings of his rank.

He shook their hands and took their fawning with empty words of grace. He even meant it when Marquess Thonburi grasped his hand. The bear of a noble wanted to mention some good words about his beautiful daughter, then remembered Matilda’s harsh remarks when he broached the subject of her marrying Wolf two years ago.

The congratulations and well-wishing took half an hour. The most awkward moment was when Edwin Didot appeared and congratulated.

The Hook grinned. He betrothed his worthless daughter to a bona fide Marquess. Given Wolf’s age, he might even rise to become a Duke without-a-land in the following decades. As long as he clasped Margaret’s life, Silverhound was his playground.

“Pardon me, I need to discuss certain matters with Headmaster Smith.” Wolf politely extricated himself from the crowd, only to find that Headmaster Smith had disappeared.

He’s intentionally pissing me off. Wolf marched straight towards Headmaster Smith’s office, while Silver laughed at him.

Master, you shouldn’t let minor pranks upset you. She was right, of course, but Wolf worried about Anna and Mandy. He was ninety-nine percent certain nothing had happened, but there was that one percent, and that one insane old man…

Wolf rapped on the dark door thrice with a dark face and a deep frown.

“Who is it?” Lord of Steel asked, pissing off Wolf even more.

“Marquess Hillman of Silverhound,” Wolf growled.

“Come in, Marquess.” The door opened, revealing Headmaster Smith sitting in his usual place with Richard attending him. Anna and Mandy occupied the chairs in front of his desk. Not a single hair was missing from either of them. They were well rested, drank tea from fine porcelain cups and wore a pair of shiny new dresses.

Anna’s dress was her favorite deep blue of a conservative cut, while Mandy’s had an unusual vibrant yellow color. Its bodice was tight-fitting, like a shirt with a turtleneck, while below the hip it turned into a flowing dress.

Both women smiled brightly and genuinely.

“Wolf!” they exclaimed.

Mandy fumbled with her hands. She wanted to rush over and hug her man, but couldn’t because of Anna. Anna bit her lip and looked to the side. She had a similar desire, but she couldn’t act indiscreetly before the Mage Academy’s Headmaster.

“Are you alright?” Wolf asked them. The women nodded, and Wolf sighed with relief. His tension dissipated, and his heart stopped beating wildly.

“We’re fine. His Lordship, Lord Headmaster, offered us preemptive protection until your trial ended. He assured us everything would turn out well.” Anna explained while Mandy nodded to confirm her words.

“We were worried about you,” Mandy chipped in, and Anna frowned.

Headmaster Smith caught the ugly expression. He silently observed them, trying not to laugh at Wolf’s domestic situation. These two will murder each other, given half the chance.

He naturally wouldn’t say that. Instead, he cleared his throat. “Marquess Hillman, as you can see, I certainly did something to your two… flatmates. I provided them with shelter and protection for the better part of a week, they ate from Dick’s restaurant every day.”

“It’s Richard, Sir,” Richard corrected.

“But I’ve done much more than that.” Smith ignored his secretary and continued talking. “For instance, just today… Well, it’s embarrassing to talk about it. Maybe one of you girls should explain, otherwise you would accuse me of boasting.”

Headmaster Smith glanced at Anna, and she immediately spoke. “Wolf, when Headmaster returned from your trial he gifted us with these dresses. He said we should look beautiful for you and that you would certainly treat us to something nice. They are magical items. They can change shape and color based on the wearer’s desire. I had little time to experiment, but it really seems excellent. And it has Protection From Elements built in, along with a dirt repellant.”

“They seem to be quite expensive?” Wolf had a bad feeling about this. He sniffed the air and caught the tea’s aroma. Just that whiff alone told him this was leagues better than the most extravagant tea Roger ever served him.

Hearing Wolf’s words, Anna’s eyes widened and looked towards the faintly smiling Headmaster. “Lord Headmaster said you would ask about their price. He said they cost sixty-four hundred and eighty gold coins. That’s with the ten percent discount.”

Anna didn’t understand why it was important to mention the exact price, nor why she had to stress out the discount part, but apparently it worked. Wolf’s eye twitched.

“That’s… Rather expensive. Must be nice when someone gives you such presents,” he muttered.

“If you want, I can give you that dress too.” Headmaster taunted, but Wolf surprised him with a thoughtful nod.

“Please do. I won’t refuse even if you give me three more.” Wolf’s words confused Anna and Mandy, but Headmaster smirked and tossed a dress at Wolf.

“At least you are using your brain now. Never make threats or promises starting with ‘if you did anything’ and the like. Glancing at someone is doing something, which falls under anything.”

Anna didn’t get what they were discussing, but she continued listing things Headmaster Smith did for her and Mandy.

“Headmaster also gave us twenty thousand gold coins. We wanted to refuse, but he insisted, claiming you earned it for us with your bold actions in court, and by becoming one of the wealthiest nobles in Silverhound.” Even though she was excited, Anna couldn’t look Wolf in the eye when mentioning this.

She dropped her gaze instead, accepting a gift of twenty thousand gold coins followed by the words ‘buy something nice’ was extremely inappropriate.

“He said it’s for educational purposes and that we must take it.” Mandy helped Anna, who fumbled when thinking about such an extravagant gift.

Wolf looked at Headmaster Smith and Richard who grinned like crazies which they were. Anna and Mandy followed his gaze and saw two completely normal, sane gentlemen looking back at them.

I hate your guts you kooky old bats, Wolf mouthed the words, then started laughing like mad while the two kooky old bats remained perfectly serious.

Truly, staying in the company of crazy people would drive you insane, eventually.