That night, Slade hid in the gang leader's bedroom, while the blonde woman flirted with him.
It must be said, she was incredibly bold.
Hmm... He remained composed, suppressing his own excitement, but managed to get through the night by memorizing the books in his mind.
If it weren't for this woman, he might have rummaged through the gang leader's room, searching for any hidden treasures or manuals.
The next day, Ghost Fox and a dozen of his most trusted men were found dead in a mass grave just outside the city.
The gang members who had "betrayed" One-Eyed Wolf were forgiven and allowed to return to the gang.
The bloody purge was complete, and One-Eyed Wolf's control over the gang was now solidified.
After the purge, Slade's status within the gang rose. He moved from the dilapidated woodshed to the luxurious suite that had once belonged to the vice-leader.
The gang members who had once doubted his survival under Ghost Fox's oppression now accepted his position.
One-Eyed Wolf trusted him even more, relying heavily on his "efficient" methods of accumulating wealth.
Without Ghost Fox around, Slade became even bolder.
He began using the gang's funds to enrich himself even more recklessly.
At the same time, he secretly started gathering orphans and beggars from the streets, using them as spies and informants.
Slade provided them with money, food, and even weapons, training them in secret. The smarter ones were sent to gather rumors about "wizards" and collect old books.
With proper food and training, the orphans grew stronger and more capable, becoming a hidden force at Slade's disposal.
This covert network of spies and henchmen would serve as Slade's backup plan.
He needed the manpower to help him escape the gang and eventually leave behind the life he had built with so much cunning and ruthlessness.
Days passed quickly as Slade continued his schemes, accumulating wealth, training, and learning.
His stash of gold coins grew steadily, and so did the pile of books he had scanned, though most of them were just ordinary market finds.
Slade frequented bookstores and antique shops, hoping to stumble upon some long-forgotten ancient tomes. He dreamed of finding books that contained a "Knight's Breathing Technique," a "Wizard's Meditation Technique," or even just a "Potion Sequence."
Unfortunately, all his efforts proved fruitless. Despite his orphans and beggars collecting many old books, none of them held the answers he sought.
However, the time he spent scanning and analyzing books wasn't wasted. He became proficient in the Common Language and gained an extensive understanding of various general knowledge. His body also became significantly stronger.
Then, one day, explosive news spread throughout the city like wildfire.
A great wizard had come to Blackswamp City and was publicly recruiting apprentices!
The townspeople were buzzing with excitement.
"Wasn't the Wizard Academy supposed to recruit only once every five years?" they asked. "Why is it happening so soon?"
Slade, while reviewing accounts in a local casino, felt his heart skip a beat upon hearing the news.
This was it, the opportunity he had dreamed of!
His original plan to attend the Knight Academy seemed insignificant now.
A knight? What a pathetic profession!
He wouldn't even consider it.
Without wasting time, Slade immediately sent his trusted little beggar to confirm the details and the location of the test.
The test would be held in the city lord's mansion two days later, lasting for three days. Anyone between the ages of 10 and 15 could participate, but the cost was steep, one gold coin.
One gold coin.
For ordinary citizens, that was an astronomical sum, but for Slade, it was hardly a problem.
The real issue was how to get past Skinny Monkey's constant surveillance.
Skinny Monkey was fiercely loyal to One-Eyed Wolf, and if word of Slade's participation in the test leaked out, he would be in deep trouble.
Remembering how Skinny Monkey always looked at the Nightingale Brothel with a lecherous glint in his eyes, Slade suddenly had an idea.
That evening, after hearing Slade's report, One-Eyed Wolf casually brought up the topic of the wizard's apprenticeship.
"You've heard the buzz in town today, right?" One-Eyed Wolf's single eye shifted towards Slade, trying to gauge his reaction.
"Boss, you mean... the wizard's apprenticeship?" Slade asked, his heart racing as he realized the direction this conversation was taking.
"Exactly. This wizard's apprenticeship is a huge opportunity. Being chosen could change everything. You're the perfect age, don't you want to give it a shot?"
Slade froze. These words didn't bring joy, they felt more like a bucket of cold water being poured over him.
His mind raced with alarm bells.
Did One-Eyed Wolf truly have good intentions?
Was he really going to let go of his prized asset so easily?
No way!
Slade quickly realized that the gang leader wasn't offering him an opportunity; he was testing him. Seeing if Slade had any ulterior motives, like using the wizard's power to escape the gang's control.
If Slade planned to take the test, he would likely have no freedom for the next few days.
Thinking quickly, Slade's face shifted into a mixture of fear and gratitude. He spoke with a tone of self-deprecation:
"Boss, you're joking! What kind of person is that wizard? I'm not worthy of such an honor."
"To be honest, a wizard visited my hometown three years ago. I went to have my fortune told, just out of curiosity," Slade added, trying to sound casual.
"Oh?" One-Eyed Wolf's single eye narrowed slightly, leaning forward as he subtly increased the pressure on Slade. "What was the result? How did the test go?"
The crucial question had arrived.
Slade maintained a composed yet regretful expression.
"I used… a glowing crystal ball," he said, letting the words sink in.
"Unfortunately, I touched it for a long time, and nothing happened. The wizard told me that I lacked the talent and advised me to give up."
He sighed at the right moment, adding, "I was really disappointed back then. It took me a while to get over it."
He'd cleverly mentioned the "crystal ball" as the testing tool, a detail he had learned from his little beggar, making his story all the more believable.
As expected, the suspicion in One-Eyed Wolf's eyes gradually faded.
"Hmph, lack of talent isn't necessarily a bad thing," One-Eyed Wolf said, leaning back in his chair. His tone held a barely perceptible relaxation, but also a deeper, more knowing undertone.
"The wizarding world isn't as glamorous as the stories make it out to be. It's darker, more brutal, even more so than our underworld."
He lowered his voice, as if speaking from experience.
"Think about it. They held a recruitment last year. All the talented youth in the city, anyone old enough, were picked up then."
"Now, they're doing it again this year? How can a place like Blackswamp City have so many geniuses?"
"The testing fee used to be ten gold coins, but this year it's dropped to one gold coin. Obviously, they want more people to take the test. Something's off."
One-Eyed Wolf paused dramatically, his eyes narrowing.
"I've heard rumors... Some so-called 'dark wizards' don't recruit apprentices to train them, but to use them as… 'materials.'"
He let the words sink in, and then continued.
"Do you know what 'materials' are? They treat you like expendable resources, test subjects. Understand? The mortality rate is terrifyingly high. A nine-out-of-ten chance of dying if you enter!"
Slade gasped, nodding in feigned agreement, his face a mixture of fear and relief. He patted his chest and said, "So that's what it is! Thanks for the heads-up, boss! Good thing I don't have any talent! With you protecting me in the gang, I'll be living the good life!"
"I was even thinking of saving up some more money, marrying a beautiful wife in a few years, and settling down! That's much better than being some 'material,' right?"
His display of "lack of ambition" and "contentment with the status quo" clearly pleased One-Eyed Wolf.
A smile crept across One-Eyed Wolf's face, but then it quickly turned cold.
"It's good you think that way, Slade. You're a smart man."
One-Eyed Wolf's fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. "But I know you weren't completely clean when you were out buying supplies. You've been skimming a bit of cash."
Slade's heart dropped, his face draining of color. Panic overtook him as he stood abruptly. "Boss! I… I..."
One-Eyed Wolf knew this was coming, part of his plan.
He had deliberately left some obvious gaps in the transactions, small enough to go unnoticed but enough for Skinny Monkey to "find" and report back to him.
This was to give One-Eyed Wolf a "small handle" on Slade, a way to prove that Slade was just greedy for small gains and had no bigger ambitions.
Human nature was such that a subordinate who appeared flawless could make a superior uneasy.
"Sit down!" One-Eyed Wolf barked, but his tone wasn't harsh. "A little money like that doesn't matter to me."
He leaned in slightly, a glint of calculation in his eye. "I understand the principle, too much clarity leaves no room for fish. As long as you work hard for the gang and don't overstep, I'll let this one slide. Consider it a reward."
Slade slumped back into his chair, looking exhausted, his face full of gratitude. His voice was thick with emotion.
"Boss... I... I swear to you, Slade will be loyal to you from now on. I'll never do anything to harm the gang's interests! Otherwise, may I be struck by lightning!"
"Alright, just remember what you said. Go now," One-Eyed Wolf said with a satisfied look, waving him off.