Chapter 117: Agreeing on a Date

"There is. I have already planned to go back."

Jess replied very calmly, but emotionally he was already surging with excitement.

"I need to take a student to Dalaran at the end of the year." DuShang said, "To participate in the Orcish language exchange organized by the Kirin Tor. I think the issues that may be discussed at that time are quite relevant to the topic you chose."

Sure enough, it's this matter. But is it because of my chosen topic?

For some reason, Jess suddenly felt that there was nothing to be excited about. Did he get this opportunity just because of luck?

He found that he was not happy because he saved dozens of silver coins. He originally thought that with his efforts and talent, he had defeated those classmates who had been learning Orcish for who knows how long.

"I have only been learning Orcish for less than two months, Master." Jess blurted out almost immediately.

Damn it, he cursed inwardly.

Just agree! Are you going to give up money for the sake of dignity?

DuShang nodded, looked at his notebook and said, "But without a doubt, your level is the best in this class, Jess Sesso. I think taking you to Dalaran will definitely prove our research on Orcish in the Stormwind Kingdom... Don't you want to go?"

"I do. I certainly do, Master." Jess said. The best in the class? Jess secretly chuckled in his heart. If you had said I was so strong earlier, it would have been great.

"Then I will report your name." DuShang said, "When do you plan to return to Lordaeron? The exchange will be held before the Winter Veil. The news I received is around December 10th and 11th. You know how long it takes from the Stormwind Harbor to Southshore, right?"

"About half a month." Jess said.

DuShang nodded and said, "Yes, about half a month, Jess. So we need to set off within the last 10 days. This way, the time will be more ample. After all, there is still a distance from Southshore to Dalaran."

"I need to ask my friend who is going back with me and set a time." Jess said.

"How many friends?"

"One."

DuShang stroked his rough chin and said, "If you discuss it and let me know as soon as possible. Maybe I can strive for two places for you from Master Andromas! In short, it's the travel expenses to Dalaran. There is only so much in total. Don't waste it if you don't use it. Remember to let your friend tell me his information. It's best to directly give me a piece of paper with his name... race. If your friend is not human."

"Thank you so much, teacher."

"Don't thank me. Thank our Master Andromas more." DuShang smiled. "After all, it's him who pays for me to go too!"

"Master DuShang, are you going with us?" Jess asked.

"No." DuShang said, "I will report the grades tomorrow. I will leave in three days. My schedule has been arranged long ago. Because I need to go to Dunhold Castle first and stay there for a while. We can meet in Dalaran then."

In the afternoon after the exam, he ran all the way to the dwarf district in the light rain and came to Gerred's house. He knocked on the door vigorously. No one was there. Then he directly rushed to the Pig and Whistle Tavern.

After entering, he lifted his hood. Sure enough, he saw Gerred sitting in the corner drinking.

He sat down with a plop and slapped the table and said, "Hey, guess what, Gerred."

"You are going to marry an elf?" Gerred asked expressionlessly.

"Where is there an elf." Jess said, "Guess again."

"You killed a red dragon with one punch?"

"Tsk tsk, where is there a dragon?! Guess again!"

"You are going to inherit a title?"

"You are really boring, Gerred."

"You asked me to guess." Gerred grinned and said, "Say it. What are you coming here to show off again?"

"Forget it." Jess stood up and said, "Originally, I thought you would thank me for getting you a free ship ticket."

"Oh!" Gerred suddenly jumped over the table and hugged Jess. "Don't go... My seventeen-year-old big brother. I need it. I really need this free ship ticket! I am very grateful."

"That's more like it." Jess said, "Call me a pot of wine! Let's discuss when to leave."

Gerred called the waiter. Sitting down, he leaned close to Jess and asked in a low voice, "Did you pass your Orcish exam?"

"Of course." Jess said, "I am someone who has communicated with a native speaker. I am much better than those who can only write but not speak."

"Don't mention that native speaker." Gerred shook his head and said, "But really unexpected. The people in the Wizard's Sanctum are really rich!"

"Did you inquire? How much is the ship ticket?" Jess asked.

"58 silver coins per person. Book the great ship Balladin Conqueror on the 17th. That is a troop transport ship during the war. It was bought by the Steamwheedle Cartel and renovated for a while. Now it has become a merchant ship. It may be even slower than the ship we took when we came." Gerred said.

"The great Balladin Conqueror. Sounds very big." Jess said.

Gerred said, "It is very big, but it is old and dilapidated. If the sea conditions are good, we should be able to reach Southshore on the first to third day of December."

"I must arrive in Dalaran before December 10th." Jess said, "When shall we go to Hinterlands?"

"Don't rush to discuss these now, Jess." Gerred said, "The Winter Veil lasts for many days. I don't need to appear in Aerie Peak on the first day. It seems as if I can't live without them."

"Okay." Jess said, "Is there any other choice? I mean the choice of ship."

"This ship that is willing to carry passengers has a more suitable time." Gerred said helplessly, "Others are either too late, too expensive, or fully booked. You also know that during the Winter Veil now, too many people want to go back."

"So many people want to go back even though the ship ticket is so expensive?" Jess pursed his lips and said, "There are quite a lot of rich people in Stormwind City."

"Many people work on the ship in exchange for the ticket." Gerred said, "I originally wanted to ask if there was such an opportunity, but others didn't give me this opportunity. Alas, I didn't consider going home before. This is the first time I asked this year. I have no experience at all. It's too much of a loss. If you didn't have a way to get a free ship ticket, we would have to spend a lot of money on this trip. Maybe we would have to sell some possessions or do another job desperately to afford the ticket. Speaking of a few days ago, I even thought about killing that gnoll leader."

When Gerred said this, Jess remembered what Marin had said about mercenaries overturning again at Hog.

"There will be opportunities in the future."

"What opportunities?" The dwarf asked.

"Kill that gnoll!"

Gerred widened his eyes and said, "I was just talking. You are serious."

Jess said, "When we come back from Dalaran, maybe the bounty will be increased again. Then you can call a few brothers from the Warrior's Guild. I don't believe we can't kill that guy."

Gerred took a sip of wine and slowly nodded and said, "That day, after having a fight with that tall monster, I feel that it's not impossible to kill him. I think the biggest trouble is actually his followers."

Jess said, "In Dalaran, maybe we can find a way to cure your aftereffects. When you come back, you can fight them with all your strength."

Gerred stared at the edge of his half-raised wine glass and said, "Hopefully."