Chapter 25：Departure

Yes, Combat Level. This was a new Stat that showed up in the Stats Interface after Sean completed the Mage Class Advancement Quest. It was a comprehensive assessment of an individual's combat effectiveness. 

The method of assessment was fairly complicated for Sean to understand because it factored in a lot of elements, including Stats, Class, Skills, Equipment, knowledge, experience, character, etc that only the despicable, shameless, omniscient Spatial Garrison was capable of evaluating. 

However, the assessment from the Spatial Garrison did make sense upon further thought.

As a Level 4 Warrior, the fact that Old Saldean's Combat Level was Level 5 was understandable. 

Sean's Combat Level would probably be between Level 2 and 3 starting off as a Level 1 Mage who only mastered Fireball and had a 20 second-long Cast Speed. Nevertheless, Sean's body of Green and Blue Equipment added a lot of Stat points, pushing him to Level 6. 

In other words, Old Saldean was no match for Sean if they were to come to blows. That Kobold Shaman in Kobold's Lair would not stand a chance either. 

By way of explanation, the incapacitated loser, Sean ,was now powerful and had become a less-incapacitated loser!

Alright, back to the point. 

No matter how sharp Old Saldean's senses may be, he would never have figured out the huge change to Sean overnight, much less that Sean had spent a month in the Stromgarde Keep of 2800 years ago. 

Hence, he merely asked a question and went back to work. 

Feeling bored, Sean wandered around and used Appraisal Sight on anyone in sight to get a hang of it... That said, it was a pity that it was a skill that could not be upgraded so there was no need to increase skill level. 

It was then that he gained a direct understanding of the combat effectiveness of the lowest rung of the ladder. 

The Combat Levels of teenagers, regular farmers that had just come of age, and the old, weak, sick, and disabled Adventurers were Level 1. 

The pigs, cows, and goats reared by Old Saldean were Level 1. 

Adventurers who once were Soldiers, Hunters or other battle classes were Level 2 or 3 in Combat Level. 

Goretusks and Wild Hungry Wolves often found in Westfall were at least a Level 2 in Combat Level. 

The Combat Level of Harvest Golems stretched up to Level 5. The assessment would probably be higher if it were not their lack of Fire Resistance. 

In short, Sean had yet to come across a Combat Level that surpassed Level 5. It was impossible for something that powerful to exist in the tiny Saldean's Farm... Otherwise, Old Saldean would not be able to establish dominance. 

Old Saldean's team was ready for departure after breakfast. 

The escorts were as such. 

Captain, owner of Saldean's Farm, Old Saldean. 

Deputy, hidden standby Mage, Old Saldean's adopted Half-Elf orphan — Sean Feathermoon. 

Bodyguard, a candidate recruited from the Adventurers, a former guard of Moonbrook, Level 4 Warrior — Donald. 

Scout, a recruit from the Adventurers, a middle-aged man said to be from Stormwind City, Level 3 Rogue — Rick. 

Then there were 2 semi-children who were orphans adopted by Old Saldean. Sharing a similar age to Sean, one was called Heller, while the other, Paul. 

The Level 4 Warrior, Donald had a sturdy build and was a pure Warrior. According to him, he had been a guard in Moonbrook for ten years until it was destroyed, leading him to wander around. Donald had only recently arrived at Saldean's Farm. 

The Level 3 Rogue, Rick had been sponging off Saldean's Farm for the past 3 months. As a resourceful man with a way with words, no one had a bad impression of him. He said he was from Stormwind and shared a good relationship with a Mage in Elwynn Forest. However, Sean found out it was all bullsh*t after casting Appraisal Sight on him. 

[Name: Rick]

{Stats: Strength 12, Agility 17, Stamina 13, Intelligence 12, Spirit 11]

[Class: Low Rank Rogue (Level 4), Low Rank Warrior (Level 2)]

[Skills: Sinister Strike, Eviscerate, Pick Lock, Steal, Sprint, Kick, Ambush]

[Combat Level: Level 5]

This middle-aged Rogue with the gift of the gab was not Level 3, but Level 4. Moreover, he was a Rogue and a Low Rank Warrior. The Rogue Skills he mastered number as many as 7. His Combat Level surpassed that of Donald and Old Saldean but was a level lower than Sean. 

This guy... 

It seemed Sean had to keep an eye on him!

As for Heller and Paul, the two little chums, they had each inherited different skills from Old Saldean. Heller was fond of Planting while Paul loved doing business. One was a future farmer and the other, a future merchant. It was Heller's first journey together with Old Saldean but Paul's second. 

While on the way, Paul held onto Sean and Heller, babbling about his first trip to Goldshire with Old Saldean. Heller's eyes were beaming with excitement while Sean, on the other hand, was one step away from falling asleep. 

'Oh Paul, why aren't you honest like Old Saldean! Nine out of ten sentences were over exaggerations!'

Sitting in the carriage, Sean took his time to deliberate. 

During the month in Stromgarde Keep, the ores and mine carts Sean had obtained from Jangolode Mine were converted into Garrison Resources. He had acquired 20 Stone, 10 Gold, and 15 Iron. 

By his calculations, the Town Hall was still out of reach!

However, it was alright because Sean had a plan. 

The shredder borrowed from Furlbrow had not been returned so Sean intended to cut wood without restraint upon his return from Goldshire to accumulate Wood Resources. 

There were plenty of Hunters in Goldshire and he should be able to get his hands on Leather from them. Sean planned to sell the Kobold Shaman's Staff and Dalaran Apprentice's Robe in exchange for a large sum. Apart from buying Leather, he could purchase Stone from the Quarry. The Town Hall would not be a problem then. 

Once the Town Hall was completed, he could establish many more buildings, such as the Mage Tower, Golem Factory, Alchemy Lab...

Nevertheless, these were future considerations. 

All Sean should focus now was raising his strength. 

Although he was a Level 1 Mage, Sean only mastered one Spell and that was Fireball. The Cast Speed of his Fireball was too long at 20 seconds. Fortunately, his body of Equipment added +4 to his Cast Speed. Thus, the time to unleash a Fireball was lowered to less than 10 seconds but it still took some time. 

By the time he fired a Fireball, the battle would have already ended. 

This could not be helped as Sean needed constant practice, of which he did not possess the time to. 

Sean made up his mind to calm himself by studying the essence of Arcane and learning another skill.