Seriously just stay in the legion for your 'year' of work. We already know it is only roughly two real-weeks of employment for significant gains.
I mean sure, we could have gone out adventuring or any other potentially more profitable ventures than tying ourselves up with the legion, but most of those were going to have much more potential for danger than getting free training in weapons and armor and a couple thousand gold in exchange for just two weeks of our time. I mean put it into perspective guys, we know that Micheal is much much weaker than most people around here, at this point the only thing he is better at than a child is dying.
Do not desert, this is your safest and best way to get you up to snuff with the rest of the island's populace. Just learn as much as you can during your stay, once you get out you should be able to afford the magic training if that is the route we should take. Seriously though do you really think you could escape, much less defend yourself if the legion starts coming after you for desertion? I'm talking the same people who can run for a far longer period of time in full plate armor than you can run in just the bits and pieces you are wearing.
Edit: Also Get some food in you boy I don't think you've eaten much of anything since you got here and that can't be good for your morale