First Major Test - 699

While studying the book he was given, he did not forget to continue to research the recipe he had yet to finish. In order to increase the value of his restaurant as much as possible before selling it, this was necessary. 

He would have to sell it before it was officially announced that he was the Imperial Scholar. Otherwise, it would be considered using the position to manipulate the economy.

As he studied the book he was given and continued to work on his recipe, he set aside some time to go out and find the Fatty. He first went to his house, where he was informed that neither the Fatty nor his father were there.

He then went to the large commoner market where they had first met.

It did not take Skymender long to spot him, as despite being less than half as big as when they last met, he was still quite large.

Skymender was amazed that he could lose so much weight in a short time, and he wondered if the Fatty had cut it off.

The Fatty was looking around, never stopping, but simply searching the market. As Skymender got close, the Fatty spotted him.

His eyes brightened. "Sir Skymender!"

The Fatty walked towards him as fast as he could, knocking over a few people along the way. He even bumped into a pole holding up a stall, knocking it to the ground.

Naturally, as his Father was one of the richest people in the Imperial Capital, nobody said anything to him.

Skymender held out his hand to stop him. "Your father said you were looking for me."

The Fatty nodded. "I am back to what I looked like in the glory days. Let's go, we can do anything you want."

Skymender inwardly shook his head. He didn't know what to tell the Fatty. There was no need for them to do anything for a while.

However, after thinking for a moment, he got an idea.

"I've got a mission for you." Skymender said.

The Fatty nodded with excitement.

"I own a restaurant, and I want you to manage it."

The Fatty looked interested.

"Your goal is to make it run as good as possible, and when I sell it, I'll give you a portion of the profits." Skymender said.

"How much?" The Fatty asked.

"1%" Skymender said. "And you will get paid a wage for your time working before it is sold."

Although 1% was a small amount, the Fatty was excited. That was because anything Skymender wanted done, he would do. Otherwise, he would end up lazing around and accomplishing nothing for the rest of his life.

"Yes, Sir Skymender!" The Fatty said.

Skymender spoke again, giving the stores address. "Go now, and take over the management. Remember, however good you do, the profits you receive will increase."

"You will increase the percentage I get?" The Fatty asked.

"No, but that percentage will be worth more the higher the value of the restaurant." Skymender replied.

The Fatty nodded in understanding and left.

Now rid of the Fatty, who he almost regretted searching for, Skymender returned to his house.

At the end of the two days given to him by the Imperial Scholar, he had nearly completed the recipe.

The next day, he returned to the Imperial Palace, where he continued to learn. Today's lesson was different from usual, not teaching a bunch of different topics, but one in extreme depth. That topic was the topic of war tactics.

The Imperial Scholar poured everything he had learned throughout countless years into Skymender, ensuring that his efforts would not go to waste.

All that he wished to do with his remaining life was to mold Skymender into an even better Imperial Scholar than he had been. His only regret was not being able to see the Emperor take over the world.

Of course, it was not set in stone that he would die soon, but it was very rare for someone to even live to the age of ninety. The oldest person in recorded history had lived until 93.

The Imperial Scholar estimated that he would hardly live past eighty, but that was enough time to pass on the position.

Skymender returned home, and came back the next day. Each day he came, he left with more knowledge than he would be able to learn in a week by himself. The Imperial Scholar's teaching methods, like everything else, were superb. His vast knowledge made Skymender feel as though they were on completely different levels, and that was because they were.

As he continued to study under the Imperial Scholar, the Imperial School began. Unlike Skymender had expected so many years ago, he did not step foot into the giant, elegant building, which represented the pinnacle of knowledge in the Empire. 

However, he could confidently surpass any student that resided there by a factor of ten or more.

He was to the Imperial School students as the Imperial Scholar was to him. Even the teachers were most likely, at best, on his level at the moment. And their gap was rapidly widening. Months passed, and finally, the first major test of the year was taking place. There were four such tests, one that occurred one fourth of the way through the year, one that occurred halfway through the year, one that occurred three fourths of the way through the year, and the final exam. This happened for every single year one spent at the Imperial School.

For the first time, Skymender rode a carriage to the Imperial School with Melly, who had been attending without him. She did not have a hard time, as she was the daughter of a duke, but she had felt a bit lonely.

Luckily, Skymender was coming this time.

As the carriage stopped outside large gates, Skymender stepped onto the well carved brick for the first time. He walked towards the building in the distance, passing many residences as he did so. Many of the Imperial School students chose to live on campus, rather than at a house far away.

It didn't take long before they reached the entrance.