Chapter 136: Imperial Scholar–Apprentice

Clark had planned for Cooper and the carriage driver to manage the situation, but the beggar convulsed uncontrollably in the carriage, even biting his own tongue. Cooper couldn't staunch the wound, forcing Clark to accompany him.

Onlookers shook their heads as the carriage departed. "I heard it's his first day at the Parliamentary Library," one commented. "Foolish, throwing away his future like that."

"Right?" another agreed. "Ten years of hard work, all for naught. And now this beggar is his undoing."

"Doing good is fine," a third voice chimed in, "but you have to pick your battles. This beggar can't repay him. Saving him, he's just inviting trouble. If the beggar dies, it's a life debt."

The onlookers continued their discussion. A middle-aged scholar in azure watched the carriage depart, a slight smile replacing his previous coldness. The middle-aged scholar in grey from earlier also smiled faintly, his prior indifference giving way to subtle amusement. He approached his sedan chair, saying, "Let's go."

"Yes, my lady," the servant responded, lifting the sedan chair towards the end of Peace Street.

Meanwhile, a head peeked from a coffee house window, observing the commotion below. Lady Sadie Greystone had been watching intently for some time.

"Lady Sadie Greystone, what's so interesting?" a maid, returning from the kitchen with snacks, asked, noticing Sadie still gazing out the window.

"Just finished," Sadie murmured, withdrawing her gaze. Her face held a quiet, distant beauty. Earlier, she'd considered going down to help, but seeing someone else step forward to assist the beggar, realizing he needed a clinic, she hesitated, unprepared. But who was that person? He seemed headed to the Parliamentary Library, willing to sacrifice his future to save a beggar.

Sadie, the Greystone family's lady, had saved many, but never at such a cost. The thought made her wonder if she would still be willing to do the same.

"Jenna, what do you want in life?" Sadie asked her maid.

The girl smiled. "Don't you already know?"

Sadie smiled faintly. "Yes, you've always dreamed of marrying Guardian Jalen Beasley. But tell me, if Jalen came to marry you, would you hesitate on your wedding day to save a beggar?"

Jenna shook her head. "No, that would be my lifelong dream."

Sadie felt a new respect for the man she'd seen earlier. Ten years of hard work and study, often sold to the royal family, yet at this critical moment, he barely hesitated. Such character was rare and admirable.

"Miss, your face—it's red!" Jenna exclaimed, surprised. Lady Sadie Greystone, blushing? This was a first.

Sadie gave Jenna a playful scolding look. "Let's go."

Jenna hurriedly shoved a snack into her mouth, mumbling, "Don't waste them," before hurrying after her.

Clark, covered in blood, arrived at the Parliamentary Library around midday, just as lunch was being served. He'd planned to change clothes, but arriving so late, he knew he couldn't afford to waste more time. He'd already made the worst assumptions about the consequences of his tardiness.

Word had spread of a new recruit, and the fact that Doug had recommended him didn't improve matters. Doug was disliked by the scholars, but held the Queen Mother and King's favor, making his recommendations unavoidable. However, nobody expected a new recruit, this late, covered in dirt and looking battle-worn. His disheveled appearance and anxiety were evident.

As Clark approached, the attendant was about to dismiss him, when a young page in grey arrived with an unexpected message: "Chancellor-General Luka Carney wants to see you."

Everyone, including Clark, froze. The reception expected someone for the chief librarian position, and with regulations in place, Clark should have been sent away to return another day for a proper exam. But to be summoned by the Chancellor-General?

The page led Clark through the halls, past the Grand Hall where over twenty men sat writing diligently. The atmosphere was everything Clark had always dreamed of—this was the place he'd always wanted to be.

Luka Carney was a prestigious Empire examination graduate, known for his vast knowledge and his work in the Imperial Court directly with the King. He was an esteemed noble, respected even among elite scholars.

Clark felt nervous. What could Luka want with him? He'd entered with Doug's recommendation, but was that enough to earn this?

As they entered the grand hall, the page led him to the center. The solid stone tiles grounded him in the present. The page bowed slightly, announcing, "Sir, Mr. Langley, here."

Clark remained bowed low, speaking softly, "Mr. Carney."

A calm, familiar voice responded, "Look up."

Clark froze. Slowly lifting his gaze, he saw the scholar he'd encountered earlier—the one who'd called the beggar's life "not worth saving." This man, who'd so coldly dismissed the beggar's life, was the Chancellor-General?

Clark's mind whirled.

Luka smiled faintly. "I suppose you're wondering why I said what I said earlier, aren't you?"

Clark hesitated. "I... don't dare."

"A beggar's life isn't worth anything? How cold-hearted must one be to say such a cruel thing?" Luka stood, walking slowly down the steps, his gaze warm and appreciative as it rested on Clark.

Clark, caught off guard, hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Luka clapped him gently on the shoulder. "You're here for a test today, do you know that?"

Clark bowed respectfully. "Yes, I know."

Luka nodded. "No need for a test. You've already passed today."

Clark froze in confusion. His face flushed with embarrassment as he stammered, "Please, give me another chance to take the test."

Luka met his gaze calmly. "You've already taken it. And you passed."

Clark's anxiety grew. "But I was prepared!"

Luka waved his hand dismissively. "It's done. From now on, you're the Academician-Designate of the Parliamentary Library."

Clark stood dumbfounded. Academician-Designate? No, he was just supposed to be the chief librarian! He was stunned. Academician-Designate? He'd only intended to apply for the chief librarian position. He had no qualifications for something like that! It was reserved for Metropolitan University graduates, and from there, only the top Archival Compiler students were selected for Imperial Scholar–Apprentice. How could someone like him, a mere son of a minor noble, even dream of this?

"Sir...?" Clark began to protest, but Luka waved it off. "Go now. I have to go to the palace."

Luka turned to the page and instructed, "Take Mr. Langley to meet his colleagues."

As Clark stood speechless, his life had just been irrevocably changed.