Chapter 12: Entrustment

In Wushan Town, inside the Baruch Family mansion.

Hogg had finished lunch not long ago and was sitting on a reclining chair outside the living room, leisurely reading a book.

He noticed two figures striding quickly into the mansion. It was Lin Lei and Hillman, who had rushed back from Fenn City at top speed. Both of them still had excitement written all over their faces. Lin Lei shouted from far away, "Father, I'm back!"

"Lord Hogg!" Hillman was equally excited.

Hogg looked up and saw the elation on Lin Lei and Hillman's faces. A flicker of anticipation sparked in his heart. He immediately stood and looked at the two of them, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, "How did the magic test go?"

The Baruch Family had been silent for far too long. This ancient clan desperately needed a great figure to restore its glory!

"Lord Hogg, Ernst Academy — it's Ernst Academy! Lin Lei has been admitted to Ernst Academy!" Hillman said excitedly.

Hogg froze as though petrified. In that moment, his mind went completely blank, as if deprived of oxygen.

"Lord Hogg?" Hillman called out twice.

Gradually regaining the ability to think, Hogg stared at Hillman with rapid breaths, asking in disbelief, "Ernst — did you say Ernst Academy?" His eyes were wide as saucers.

"Father, here is the admission letter from Ernst Academy." Lin Lei handed the red letter directly to his father. Hogg stood stunned for a moment, then quickly snatched the red letter, tore it open, and held his breath as he carefully read the admission notice inside.

Those vibrant red characters — "Ernst Academy" and "Lin Lei."

"Haha, hahahaha! Ancestors of the Baruch Family — our clan has hope!" Hogg suddenly threw his head back and laughed, his whole body shaking with laughter, tears streaming down his face. "Our Baruch Family has hope!"

The nearly manic laughter and the tears that fell left Lin Lei stunned.

"Father." Lin Lei called softly, as if afraid to disturb him.

Lin Lei had never seen his father this wild with emotion. The tears falling from his eyes sent a tremor through the depths of his heart.

The steward, Xili, arrived at that moment as well. He was shocked by Hogg's reaction, having no idea what had just happened.

Hogg took a deep breath and looked at Lin Lei, his eyes blazing with intense emotion. "Good, good."

"Hillman, Uncle Xili!" Hogg turned to the two of them. "Tonight we're throwing a grand banquet. Hurry, prepare everything properly. Today I'm happy — incredibly happy. Having a son like this, I can face the ancestors of the Baruch Family even in death."

"Yes, Lord Hogg!" Hillman and Steward Xili both responded.

"Squeak squeak~" Suddenly, the little Shadow Mouse, Bei Bei, leaped out of Lin Lei's arms and perched on his shoulder, glaring at Hogg with its tiny eyes full of anger.

Lin Lei felt the message transmitted through the Shadow Mouse's soul and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

The little Shadow Mouse had been sound asleep in his arms, but Hogg's thunderous laughter had woken it up. During its infancy, the Shadow Mouse slept a great deal and absolutely hated being woken, so it was naturally furious.

"A Shadow Mouse — a Magic Beast Shadow Mouse?" Hogg's face changed drastically the moment he saw it.

"Father." Afraid his father might strike, Lin Lei quickly said, "The little Shadow Mouse has already formed a soul contract with me."

Hogg stood there as though struck by lightning, dazed for a good while. "You — you tamed a Magic Beast Shadow Mouse?"

Taming a Magic Beast required two conditions: first, making the beast submit; second, setting up a Soul Contract Magic Array.

Hogg knew full well how weak Lin Lei was. And the Shadow Mouse was at least a third-level Magic Beast. Besides, how could Lin Lei possibly set up a Soul Contract Magic Array? It was simply impossible.

"Yes, Father. I tamed him." Lin Lei said solemnly.