These twists and turns, William Carter didn’t think of them right away. But in any case, after this banquet, William Carter was officially a member of the Maple Forest Mercenary Group.

The strongest force in the group was the leader, Owen Smith. As a level-three warrior, he firmly held up the mercenary group.

The largest mercenary group in town, the Redstone Mercenary Group, had a leader who was only a level-four warrior.

However, it must be said that there is a clear dividing line between level-three and level-four warriors. Level three counts as skilled, while level four is a true expert. The difference between the two is like that between a level-nine magic apprentice and a full-fledged mage.

Aside from the leader Owen Smith being a level-three warrior, the group also had fifteen level-two warriors and twenty-eight level-one warriors. As for mages, there was the level-four magic apprentice Henry Clark, and now, with the addition of the level-three magic apprentice William Carter.

The main force of the entire mercenary group totaled forty-six people—this was all the strength the Maple Forest Mercenary Group could muster for now.

Henry Clark was a treasure of the group. He wasn’t much to look at, but he was highly respected. That’s because, during missions, magic apprentices played a huge role. In this place, a magic apprentice was like the surveillance satellites or GPS from William Carter’s previous life—of course, plus cruise missiles.

If a mercenary group didn’t have a mage with them, life was tough; in fact, it was almost impossible to get by.

But William Carter learned that in the entire Redstone Town, there wasn’t a single mage! That is, a full-fledged mage. The highest-ranked in town was the Redstone Mercenary Group’s magic apprentice Cleo Carter, but he was only level six!

After the welcoming banquet, news that the Maple Forest Mercenary Group had recruited a thirteen-year-old level-three magic apprentice quickly spread throughout Redstone Town.

There was no helping it—Redstone Town wasn’t exactly small, but it wasn’t big either, and among people trying to make a living, news traveled even faster than the wind.

In the days that followed, the Maple Forest Mercenary Group’s compound was livelier than during a festival, with people from all sides coming to visit.

Some magic apprentices came to make friends and seek advice, some mercenary groups came to try to recruit William Carter, some groups that had always been friendly with the Maple Forest Mercenary Group came to offer congratulations, and even more groups who were usually just nodding acquaintances came to extend an olive branch.

William Carter firmly refused all attempts at recruitment, but when it came to fellow magic apprentices seeking friendship, he maintained the stance of a rising star in magic—measured and appropriate, responding with warmth or reserve depending on the other’s rank and attitude.

This bustle lasted for nearly half a month, ending with the Maple Forest Mercenary Group’s reputation and popularity soaring.

And the name of the young genius magic apprentice William Carter spread like wildfire throughout the town. Basically, among all the mercenary groups, he was now known by everyone.

During this time, among the various factions, there were also some little-known but noteworthy conversations.

For example, in the Redstone Mercenary Group—the largest mercenary group in Redstone Town—

“So, can we win him over?” asked the leader of the Redstone Mercenary Group, level-four warrior Sidney Carter.

“It’s very difficult. The young fellow is very firm in his attitude. I heard it was Owen Smith who rescued him. That guy Owen Smith really has good luck—rescued a level-three little genius just like that.” The highest-ranked mage in town, level-six magic apprentice Cleo Carter, shook his head, clearly impressed by Owen Smith’s luck.

“What do you think of this little genius?” Sidney Carter asked.

It’s not easy for one warrior to see through another’s strength, unless there’s a huge gap in level. If you really want to compare, you have to fight for real. But a mage can never hide from another mage.

The magic elements swirling around are plain to see!

Who’s stronger and who’s weaker is obvious at a glance.

“His potential is limitless! Also, his background might be very deep.” Cleo Carter pondered for a while, then said slowly.

Sidney Carter nodded.

Limitless potential—that’s actually not much. Potential is just potential; no matter how great, if you cut him down, it’s all meaningless. No matter how much of a genius a level-three magic apprentice is, he’s still just a level-three magic apprentice.

There are plenty of level-four and level-five magic apprentices in Redstone Town, not to mention there’s even a level-six one here.

Level three really isn’t much.

But a deep background—that’s deadly.

Anyone who can train a thirteen-year-old level-three magic apprentice is very likely a quasi-mage, that is, a level-nine magic apprentice with one foot in the door of becoming a full mage. Someone like that could wipe out all the fighting power in Redstone Town without breaking a sweat.

Because in the whole town, no one could break through a level-nine magic apprentice’s defenses. Even if he stood still and let you attack, you couldn’t even get close, so what else could you do?

Of course, a quasi-mage is the lower end. If William Carter’s teacher is a full mage, that’s even more terrifying.

But whether it’s a quasi-mage or a full mage, either way, they’re not people you can afford to offend. If you do, it could spell disaster!

With this understanding, the choice between trying to win over William Carter or suppressing or even eliminating him became very clear.