The Tussock River ran through Backlund and harbors that dotted the area.
Alger Wilson wore the long priest robes of the Church of Storms as he walked down from the passenger ship slowly.
It was a bustling yet noisy scene. People walked to and fro around the harbor with countless port workers sweating under the sun.
"It's been a while, Backlund," Alger muttered to himself.
...
After leaving Azik's house, Klein arrived at his house and made his way towards the stairs.
After locking the door to his room, Klein sat on the edge of his bed and started his Cogitation.
Other than digesting the potion, I also have to try my best to control my emotions and desires. I have to keep them within reasonable levels and not be consumed by them...
Three in the afternoon, on a crude training field.
Klein slowly familiarized himself with the motions, going from the movements of a decent beginner to the movements of an apprentice knight who had been practicing for a good six months.
All this happened in the short span of forty minutes!
Gawain asked, "What happened?" He added, "You don't need to answer if it's inconvenient for you to do so."
Klein asked, "Teacher, how long do you think I will need before I can take part in actual combat?"
Gawain crossed his arms and looked at Klein seriously. "Two or three days, but that isn't enough. Being able to take part in actual combat isn't the same as being good at fighting. The latter would take another two to three weeks. Furthermore, you need to gain mastery over weapons that you can bring with you, for example, a cane, whips, daggers, and bayonets!"
There's still so much to learn? Klein was dumbfounded.
Gawain said, "Remember, every drop of sweat you lose here might save your life in the future."
...
On Sunday morning, Klein entered the Captain's office.
Dunn looked up and said, "I forgot to inform you yesterday. Now that you have advanced to sequence 8, your position at the police department has risen from probationary inspector to inspector. I'll get them to issue the appropriate documents and epaulets to you as soon as possible.
Your weekly salary will also increase from six pounds to ten pounds. The Church and the police department will each bear half of your salary. This salary is the level of an experienced Nighthawk; of course, I mean an experienced Nighthawk at Sequence 9."
"That's more than I imagined." Klein said as he smiled.
Dunn lifted his cup of coffee and took a sip. "The increase in salary for Nighthawks is firstly dependent on years of service, second on contribution, and third on the level of your job. The third criterion is often highly correlated with your contributions."
A weekly salary of 10 pounds, coupled with any bonuses, would mean a yearly salary of about 540 pounds. Since he didn't need to pay any taxes, this salary was fairly high in the middle-income bracket, just lower than desirable occupations such as esteemed lawyers, famous architects, experienced surgeons, and government workers.
Even the vice president of the Loen Kingdom's treasury only makes 700 pounds a year before tax. That's at most 640 pounds after tax, probably lower... According to the newspapers, a decent house in Backlund and Hillston only costs about 2500 pounds. With Benson, Melissa, and my current expenditure, we could buy one in seven or eight years... To be able to afford a bungalow in the central area of the capital in just seven or eight years purely through my own efforts, this salary makes me happy indeed... Klein got up and bade farewell. He quickly walked to the basement and took his shift at Chanis Gate.
Before it was ten, he suddenly heard someone approaching Chanis Gate.
Soon after, Dunn appeared at the door and said, "There's a case that requires your help."
Klein asked, "An incident involving Beyonders?"
"No, a parliamentary representative of this city, Mr. Maynard, was found dead in his house. The Tingen Police Department is under huge pressure and wants us to use a mediumship ritual to help them pinpoint the murderer. Currently, you are the only person on the team who can do that," Dunn explained and then added, "The Holy Cathedral will send over a Mystery Pryer to our team next week. Actually, it should've been done a long time ago, but you happened to join and chose to be a Seer."