Chapter 83: Knowledge Monopoly

The light pearl is merely a simple magical item imbued with the [Light Spell].

[Light Spell] (Evocation, 0th-level):

You touch an object no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object emits bright light within a 20-foot radius and dim light beyond that.

The color of the light is chosen by you; when the object is completely covered by an opaque substance, its light is blocked.

The spell ends if you cast it again, or if you use an action to dismiss it.

A 0th-level cantrip similar to [Flash], slightly modified by alchemists, was crafted into a magical item resembling a “charged desk lamp”—the light pearl.

The damage was merely partial wear on some runes.

The damage was extremely minor; Gao De applied a [Repair+] and finished it in less than a few seconds.

To conceal his methods, Gao De spent fifteen full minutes in the workshop, deliberately consuming some materials to simulate a normal repair process before leaving.

But even so, it still seemed too fast. After all, Gao De had never witnessed a true repair artisan fixing magical items.

In moments, Bas, dressed in a robe, strode over with bright eyes, his earlier suspicion completely gone.

"Did I pass the test?" Gao De asked, pretending not to know.

“Of course!” Bas eagerly stepped forward, grasping Gao De’s hand: “Welcome to the Artisans’ Guild.”

“What should I call you?”

“Goo Ditu.” Gao De gave his usual loud pseudonym.

“Anna, register Mr. Goo as an artisan. Also, Mr. Goo is exempt from membership fees, and be sure to reserve the topmost spot on the notice board outside.”

When Gao De left the Artisans’ Guild, satisfied, his status had become that of a recognized repair artisan of the Bremen Artisans’ Guild.

He would enjoy the Guild’s “legal and economic protection,” stable and discounted material sources, a vast client base, and access to regular Guild events—most importantly, all of it was free!

Mr. Bas, a Guild senior, waived his first-year membership fee.

And starting tomorrow, the topmost spot on the notice board outside the Artisans’ Guild would display this notice, lasting one full week:

“Goo Ditu, newly registered repair artisan of this Guild, accepts repairs of 0th- and 1st-level magical items. Reasonable fees, exceptional skill. Resides at Kamengdejie 437. Working hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., two-hour lunch break.”

Gao De’s next destination was the Bremen Mage’s Association.

All three of the city’s Mage’s Associations were located in Shenliujie.

Again, he took the public carriage, again, the full fare was four copper coins.

Nearly forty minutes later, Gao De disembarked and walked another five or six minutes to reach his destination:

No. 3 Shenliujie.

Before him stood an ancient, solemn standalone building.

Even in the prime real estate of Shenliujie, the Bremen Mage’s Association possessed its own spacious three-story building.

A clear sign of its power and wealth.

Of Bremen’s three Mage’s Associations, the Bremen Mage’s Association was unquestionably the top, and the reason was simple: it was an official organization.

The building’s main structure was built of dark stone, its walls carved with complex magical runes.

The roof was tiled with blue glazed tiles, shimmering attractively in the sunlight.

On the ridge, several mechanical birds circled—magical constructs serving as “eyes in the sky.” The door was made of bronze and stood open; above the frame hung a prominent emblem:

A bird with wings outstretched, ready to fly.

Gao De stepped calmly through the entrance of the Bremen Mage’s Association.

As he entered, a faint lavender scent greeted him.

The first floor of the Bremen Mage’s Association was an expansive hall. Few people were inside; most sat quietly absorbed in their tasks.

At the sound of footsteps, some glanced up briefly before returning to their work; others remained entirely immersed.

Gao De walked silently to the counter.

The young female attendant looked up, sized him up, and asked:

“Sir, how may I assist you? Are you seeking to rent a magical array, or to hire a mage for consultation?”

“Do you sell spell formulas here?” Gao De asked casually.

Undoubtedly, as the official Mage’s Association, the Bremen Mage’s Association held legal rights to sell spell formulas.

This was the convenience of a major city—unlike small towns where even money couldn’t secure a legitimate source for spell formulas.

Yes, I’m pointing at Hogen City!

Hearing Gao De’s question, the young woman with brownish-yellow hair opened a drawer beneath the counter, pulled out a small booklet, and pushed it across the counter toward him:

“Of course, sir. All spell formulas we sell are listed here. Please take a look.”

Gao De opened the booklet with interest.

He found that the booklet listed only 0th- and 1st-level spell formulas.

“No formulas above 1st-level?” Gao De asked, surprised.

Logically, there must be many 1st-level and higher mages in Bremen.

So logically, they should sell 2nd-level and above spell formulas too.

The young woman did not grow impatient; she explained patiently: “By regulation, our authority to sell spell formulas externally is limited to 0th-level cantrips and 1st-level spells.”

“Only the Shengxi Mage’s Association holds the authority to sell 2nd-level spell formulas.”

“Beyond that, they are non-sale items.”

So 2nd-level mages could only buy spell formulas from the Shengxi Mage’s Association? That wasn’t surprising.

Knowledge monopolization by the upper class was already extreme in this world—especially for the most precious knowledge: spell formulas.

The fact that Mage’s Associations sold spell formulas at all was already the result of negotiation and compromise.

After all, if official channels were completely shut, underground trading of spell formulas would explode.

Besides, if someone had to profit from this, why shouldn’t the state control it? Thinking thus, Gao De began carefully scanning the booklet:

0th-level cantrips: [Dancing Lights], [Detect Magic], [Mage Hand], [Repair], [Minor Illusion], [Read Magic], [Light], [Spark], [Detect Poison], [Open/Close], [Message], [Blade Ward].

1st-level spells: [Endure Elements], [Grease], [Identify], [Comprehend Languages], [Sleep], [Water Jet], [Arcane Light], [Fear], [Dispel Magic].

“That’s all?” Gao De looked up again, astonished.

After successfully constructing the spell models of [Create Water], [Compass], and [Purify Food and Drink] gifted by Pierre, his spell library had expanded to fifteen spells.

The number of 0th-level spell formulas sold by a Mage’s Association was less than his own library? How was that possible?

Moreover, it was clear these spells were mostly utility spells—none were offensive.

“Yes, that’s all.”

The young woman said calmly: “Our Mage’s Association offers the most complete selection of spell formulas in Bremen.”

“If you go to the Archivists’ Guild or the Emerald Alliance, you’ll find they sell even fewer.”

(End of Chapter)