After Robin finished his hysterical laughter, and Caesar put out the fire, the two of them went back to what they were doing. Caesar was busy trying to break through to the second level before the end of the month, while Robin started lighting everything he saw in his way then sit and watch.
From that day on, Caesar's daily life changed drastically. His routine was no longer simply training, eating, and sleeping. Instead, it became: training, putting out fires, purchasing supplies to replace whatever Robin had burned, monitoring his father's mental and physical well-being, then eating and sleeping.
Robin's strange enthusiasm lasted for nearly two weeks. He even insisted on cooking his own food atop different heaps of burning metal each day, curious to observe how the flames' behavior shifted when exposed to various alloys—and whether the food itself would alter the fire's patterns.
But soon, he realized such experiments could not reach their conclusion overnight. He adjusted his schedule, dedicating part of his day to energy training and ensuring he took longer hours of sleep.
A few days before the academy's second month ended, Caesar successfully broke through to the second level. This time, however, he didn't shout or boast in front of his father. Instead, he quietly pushed forward toward the third level, aware that Robin was absorbed in something far greater—his preparations with the Major Heavenly Law of Fire meant for him.
At the start of the third month, Robin's voice echoed through the house:"Hey, Caesar! How's your room? Come on, let's have a little chat."
Caesar blinked in surprise, but he set aside his training and descended immediately.
"What did you find about the assignment I gave you… concerning the slaves?" Robin asked.
"I asked one of the guards. He said each student can bring up to five slaves into their residence within the institution, but the student is responsible for all their needs."
"Five? Hah, more than I expected. How much money do we have on hand right now?"
"We haven't withdrawn this month's allowance of two hundred coins yet, and we still have about ninety left from last month—after covering the cost of all the things you burned."
"…Good. Go to the treasury and bring me one hundred gold coins, leave the other hundred aside for training resources. Be in front of me in ten minutes!" Robin ordered, pointing to the door.
And indeed, within eight minutes Caesar returned, a pouch of coins at his waist and a massive sack of stones across his back. Robin rose from his chair, glanced at him, and said, "Hmm. Let's go." Then he strode out of the institution, Caesar following close behind.
---------
"Where are we going this time, Dad?" Although Caesar knew the answer, he asked anyway
"To buy a slave or two.."
"Why? We never needed slaves, I always take care of you, am I failing you lately?"
"I don't want you to take care of my needs anymore, focus on being strong! Did you forget our deal so quickly? You should protect me!... I just need someone to hand me pens and clean up what I break, that doesn't suit you, Sir Caesar." Robin laughed. In fact, there was another real reason for this, but he refused to reveal it before it was achieved so he wouldn't look like a fool if he failed... and not to frighten Caesar badly.
Caesar fell silent, his father's words striking his heart. His determination to grow stronger deepened once again.
Before long, they arrived at the slave platforms. Robin began walking slowly before them, examining each slave with an unsettling calm. Some even tried to cover their nakedness from the strange intensity of his gaze, but he only chuckled softly and kept moving.
Robin was using the Eye of Truth to find out a few simple things like age, level of training, and even the strength of the soul, things like this that should have been impossible unless he was vastly more powerful than the target, but it became too easy for him to know those things about anyone just by looking.
After nearly an hour of inspection, Robin halted before a particular young man. He was strikingly handsome, muscular, with long black hair falling across shoulders crisscrossed with scars—some of which looked as though they had nearly killed him.
The Eye of Truth revealed: seventeen years old, fifth level of energy cultivation, ordinary soul strength. By noble standards, he was slightly above average—and considering he was a slave, that was impressive.
"How much for this one?" Robin asked the fat merchant standing atop the platform, shouting for buyers. The merchant turned with a broad smile—only for his face to stiffen when he realized it was two boys before him, both only at the first and second levels of cultivation.
"Are you two lost? Shoo! Go on, or I'll throw you up there with the rest of the slaves!"
"You damned pig!" Robin's voice rang out, sharp and furious. "I asked politely, and that's your answer? Looks like you don't value your life anymore!" He whipped out a badge, raising it high. It bore the emblem of the Bradley Army institution.
The fat man froze mid-motion, his whip still raised. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the insignia. 'This boy is either the son of a noble… or under the direct protection of one!'
In an instant, he dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, young master. Living among slaves has dulled my wit. I failed to recognize your greatness! How about I make amends with a twenty percent discount?" His smile returned, slick and sycophantic.
"Tell me about this one," Robin said, pointing at the long-haired youth.
"That one? We call him the Mute. Seventeen years old, level five, his tongue cut out. He was found during an expedition to the Dark Ruins. When they tried to 'rescue' him, he killed two men at the fifth level and gravely wounded another at the sixth before they finally subdued him. He's versatile—capable of almost any kind of work—and would make a fine bodyguard for a young noble like yourself, hehe. Ahem… you see, he's very special. It cost us dearly to capture him. His price is one hundred gold coins."
Caesar burst out, unable to hold back. "A hundred?! All the others are five to ten coins! You greedy swine—you're trying to rob us!"
"How could I dare, young master? I swear it's true. His combat ability is extraordinary. We lost three men subduing him! Selling him for less would be a great loss for me. Of course, you could always look at the rest of my collection and forget about this one…" The merchant's laugh was oily and sly.
Robin, however, had already scanned the rest. None matched this young man's potential. He had made his decision—the boy was worth the risk.
A pouch containing eighty gold coins smacked against the merchant's face. The man accepted it reluctantly, inwardly cursing. That brat even remembered the discount! But in the end, he had only himself to blame.
Robin cut a piece of cloth from the furniture on the stage and threw it at the young man to cover his body, then looked at him in the eye and said, "You are mine now."