CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 135: REFUGEES

Hagrid’s warm greetings made Rowena’s heart sink.

Why was this?

She was clearly a former Great Mage of the Astrology Guild and later joined Nightmare Eclipse, becoming a criminal wanted by several major countries including the Empire. The "Horned Owl Beast Daily" had published many serious cases involving her; her notoriety could make children stop crying. But since arriving in Ximu Town, Rowena felt as if she had always been at the bottom of the food chain, pitiful every day.

This time was no exception.

After the end of the ’Electromagnetic Crossbow Cannon Alpha Prototype’ test, several people went down the mountain together and talked about using crossbow arrows. It seemed that everyone except her had quite rich archery experience. Naturally, for the sake of face, she boasted of being an archery genius. This time joining the archery club was to practice in advance, lest she be found out and laughed at later.

But unexpectedly, her archery talent was so poor that she couldn’t even bear to witness it.

Whichever side she was assigned to, the guards on that side would look troubled, and later it was adjusted to a 4 versus 6 group to barely maintain balance.

Rowena buried her head on the table, she had never been so disliked in her life!

And the ones who disliked her were ordinary town residents who might not even be Tier One!

"It’s not your fault, Rowena. Have you heard of the star class theory?"

Ethan comforted her, recalling words once said by his class teacher, "You’re one of the top students in a regular class, then suddenly placed in a star class, not adjusting well is normal. As long as you adjust your mindset, with your hard skills, you’ll overcome the difficulties soon!"

He too had fallen into a slump once, after being placed in the star class, those "outer sect disciples" he had never heard of could kick him in grades.

Right now Rowena is probably in a similar phase.

"Also, you’re only weak in certain areas, you’re not completely useless."

"Weak in certain areas...?"

Rowena was taken aback, though she didn’t quite understand what Ethan was saying, she felt it seemed quite reasonable, and that her life still had hope.

"You’re a brain-type player, physical strength isn’t your forte, but this is easy to solve. When Sister Bi’an returns, you can ask her for advice, and you’ll quickly improve. Correspondingly, Sister Bi’an’s knowledge in the field of mysticism is far inferior to yours."

These words made Rowena ponder.

Ethan had already figured out Rowena’s personality; she’s a loud Great Mage, an oddity among God of Trickery devotees, vain, stubbornly prideful, but Ethan always views problems dialectically. The same labels can lead to entirely different conclusions when viewed from another perspective.

For example, Rowena really buys into inspirational talk; as long as you flatter her, she quickly regains her spirit.

This young lady drinks any kind of inspirational talk you give her, without being picky.

"I see!"

Rowena accepted the inspirational talk, straightened her back, "Ethan, you’re different from your cat, she only knows to mock me! You’re such a good person!"

She thought Lindong should learn from Ethan, cultivate her emotions more.

Ave covered her eyes sorrowfully once again, how hadn’t she seen how Rowena resembles a brainy type, rather she seems like someone who’s been sold by Ethan and still helps count the money. She really doesn’t know how Rowena passed the Great Mage assessment, it seems studying and daily life use different brains.

The last person who trusted Ethan, Mr. Marshall, has grass growing on his grave now.

Oh right, Marshall!

Ave slammed the table and said, "Actually, the person who killed Marshall was you, wasn’t it? I wondered how he had suddenly fallen off the stairs!"

No wonder it’s her, solving another murder case disguised as accidental, she added the tags of arsonist and murderer to Ethan in her little notebook.

"Your reaction time is too long; people are gone, let the past be past."

Ethan accompanied Mr. Marshall until the last moment at the hospital, he felt that since old Marshall had no objection, there’s really nothing worth saying.

"No, you don’t understand."

Ave placed her hands on the dining table, sitting upright as if back in the Enlightenment Society, "I’m one step closer to Tier Four."

She has a premonition, once she investigates all the mysteries surrounding Ethan, becoming a Tier Four Scholar is just around the corner! She used to focus all her energies on Lindong, only to now realize Ethan harbors more mysteries than Lindong.

Having a mystery-generating machine by her side, she truly found a treasure.

Ave believes the Enlightenment Society surely has scholars eager to take Ethan as an object of study to nurture him.

Perhaps this is Ethan’s charm, he always makes people have a strong dependence on him.

Just like the current Hunter’s Guild.

Ave brought the conversation back on track, "Earlier when I discussed with Baron Gledin about acquiring the electromagnetic crossbow matter, he mentioned the recent challenges Ximu Town faces, hoping we, especially you, can help come up with ideas. The Hunter’s Guild is completely unreliable now, since you left, the new clerk is clueless, even makes basic commission records wrong repeatedly."

"This season has come again."

Ethan glanced out the window, winter is about to arrive. Every year at this time, the Hunter’s Guild acts as if faced with a formidable enemy, "How many refugees this time?"

"74, mostly old, weak, sick, and young. Some are already very ill."

The refugee issue has always been a major problem for Ximu Town before winter. These refugees mostly come from war-torn areas, or are slaves sold to the southern continent who managed to escape. The policy set by Baron Gledin has always been to accept as much as possible, stemming from his grandfather’s tradition. Refugees contributed significantly to Ximu Town’s growth to its current scale.

Nowadays, if Ximu Town locals trace back several generations, they might be outsiders. Even Ethan himself benefited from refugee policies; after being accepted by the Hunter’s Guild, he settled in the town.

In previous years, the Hunter’s Guild was the backbone in solving refugee problems, trying as much as possible to arrange jobs for refugees willing to stay and able to work, helping them to settle in the town. Based on Ximu Town’s tradition, townsfolk are willing to help these homeless poor people within their means.

When Ethan was a clerk in the Hunter’s Guild, he would compile and organize the recent job vacancies before winter, posting all the information prominently in the Guild. For a long time after winter, the Guild would turn into a large recruitment agency.

The Guild president praised him many times for this, greatly improving the efficiency of refugee resettlement.

However, this problem has always been a double-edged sword; if refugees can’t be settled, facing starvation and freezing, it leads to a spike in criminal activity.

Clearly, the newcomer succeeding Ethan didn’t continue his practices.

"Rowena, you’re smart."

Ethan’s sudden words made Rowena jump, instinctively sitting upright at the table like Ave, "It’s the perfect time for you to show your skills; do you want to join us in the construction effort? I believe it’s the real time to showcase one’s intellect."

"There’s no choice then."

Rowena raised her chin, her smile unable to be suppressed anymore, "What can I say, I’m so smart, huh?"