[Name: Marcus Sirdi.]

  [Age: 24.]

  [Level: 1 (Mage)]

  [Race: Human.]

  [Mana: 200.]

  [Achievement Points: 7.]

  [Arcane Knowledge Learned (Lv1). Advance Technological Knowledge Learned (Lv1). Body Modification Knowledge Locked. Futuristic technological Knowledge Locked.]

  [Redo: 1.]

  [Days Left: 6 months (184 days)]

  …

  Looking at his stats, Marcus had learned a few things over the past few days.

  Two days ago, after Baron Savani left, Marcus was aware that he would also have to start increasing his personal strength.

  He wasn't being paranoid, after all, an assassin could be sent after him.

  So he spent his time practicing a few spells, as well as exercising, while paying attention to his stats.

  Marcus noticed that his mana reserves peaked at 200 points and did not increase.

  And he could passively recover around 37 points a day.

  The most powerful offensive spell in his arsenal would consume almost ninety percent of that to cast.

  Leaving him dizzy and nauseous after doing so.

  But he summed it up to inexperience, as he could tell that most of the mana utilized in casting the spell is wasted.

  Moreover, it was a spell that caused too much of a commotion, so he couldn't practice it as he wished.

  Marcus had decided to keep his mage identity a secret from the general public, having only his guards, Bradley, and Lamile in the know.

  Just the thought of Baron Reginald's spy reporting his identity as a mage made him feel constricted.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Perhaps because he had been killed twice by Reginald, Marcus carried a psychological cue that brought dread to his heart at the thought of crossing Reginald.

  And he hated the feeling.

  The noble only backed away that night because he feared that there was a mage behind Marcus.

  With a shake of his head, Marcus asked for a towel from Leti who stood by the corner.

  He had come out for an early morning exercise, as he had learned from his Advanced technological knowledge that exercising could help one stay healthy and maintain a longer lifespan.

  While dapping the sweat off his body, Evita came out of the mansion with Joshua following behind her.

  “Lord Viscount,” they greeted.

  “Knight Joshua, your presence fills me with more confidence. How was the journey?” Marcus smiled gently.

  “Manageable, my lord,” Joshua said as he moved to retrieve a letter from his inner pockets.

  He handed it over to Marcus.

  “Did they make it difficult for you?” He questioned.

  “Not at all, my lord. I was treated fairly, given accommodation, and fed until their response to your letter arrived.”

  “I suppose they hold culture dear in the Imperial Capital,” Marcus muttered as he opened the letter.

  Marcus read the details without any expression, however, in his heart, he was a bit annoyed.

  The letter stated that the Royal Council acknowledged his report and then they proceeded to stipulate rules and regulations surrounding the mine.

  Because it is a mine from a “foreign land” import taxes will be imposed on whatever is mined from there.

  However, due to his financial straits, they proposed a solution.

  Secondly, every iron mined from the “foreign land” whether refined or not, can only be sold to the Royal Council and the Imperial Army. Any other party outside of these two would warrant capital punishment similar to treason.

  The price will be set at twenty percent less than the market price.

  If he includes the so-called solution for the import tax, that would mean he’ll be selling the iron mined from Daze thirty percent lower than the market price.

  Thirdly, he was not allowed to use the iron to equip his personal army, though there was some leeway in this, it wasn't much.

  Apart from these, every other thing concerning the mine was his to manage and control.

  As long as he doesn't break the rules, all will be well.

  Marcus sighed and pocketed the letter.

  He knew not to expect the best, however, he didn't think they'd be this vicious to him.

  Since his father's fall and his siblings' appointments as governors, the Royal Palace and the Royal Council had been unfair in a way when dealing with them.

  ‘At least they didn't block every pathway.’

  They didn't stop him from making tools with the iron, or rather, they didn't think Marcus would be capable of anything outside what they had restricted.

  Moreover, there are other ways one could refine iron.

  Marcus was sure that the “refined iron” they were referring to was the standard type used in the kingdom. If he could come up with a different formula, he was free to rename it and sell it as he pleased.

  “Thank you, Joshua. You can go and rest a bit now. We’ll have a lot of work to do in the afternoon as Bradley should be returning soon.” He flashed a faint smile at him.

  …

  Marcus left to take a bath.

  Of the money he received from Baron Savani, he barely had ten thousand silver coins left with him.

  Almost half was set aside to purchase limestone, and another significant portion of the remaining half was set aside to purchase grains that would sustain Agard for about 40-50 days.

  The rest was used to purchase seed, employ the necessary technicians Marcus needed, and for procurement.

  Marcus instructed Bradley to prioritize crops and vegetables that could be harvested within 60 days.

  Secretly, on the side, Marcus gave Bradley a list of herbs to find and purchase if possible.

  Many of those herbs were catalysts needed to awaken the hidden talent of his knights.

  But Marcus wasn't going to give it to them until he was certain that they wanted to stay and serve him.

  For the next two months, Agard was going to be busy.

  …

  Sure enough, Bradley arrived in the afternoon with a long convoy of carts carrying their goods.

  Upon his arrival, Marcus sent for the knights to call those in Daze mountain range to come to the estate.

  “My lord, I was able to employ four blacksmiths from the neighboring state, and surprisingly, three more who are indigenes of Agard. About twenty carpenters and stone masons. About twelve skilled and experienced farmers. I was also able to get everything you listed for me to purchase.”

  Bradley handed Marcus a detailed report of everything he purchased, including the agreements he had with the people he employed and how long their contracts would last, and how much they would be paid.

  Marcus scanned through the report and nodded his head, satisfied with what he was seeing and reading.

  Bradley was able to return with almost fifteen thousand coins, which was a surprise to Marcus.

  The man's haggling skills could rival a market woman.

  “Thank you, Bradley, for your hard work,” Marcus said.

  “Not at all my lord, it is my pleasure. I just hope… that we don't regret it later on.” Bradley uttered lightly.

  But it was audible enough for Marcus to hear him.

  “We won't,” Marcus tapped Bradley's shoulder lightly.