Chapter 563: Spell Slots and Oga's Warning

"At the same time, the Weave also introduced the concept of 【Spell Slots】, meaning each person is allocated positions for Kuai Gao Jie Shi Fa based on their rank; each use sends them into rotation rest until the rest period ends before they can be used again."

Rod noticed Lady Kali stealing a glance at him.

This was quite common.

The Elf Young Lady often looked at him intentionally or unintentionally; sometimes, even when about to leave, she would stop and look back from afar.

She always thought Rod didn't know.

But 【Spider Sense】 had already seen everything clearly.

But this time was different.

She was stunned for a moment and did not glare at him with a sour face as before.

Instead, she asked in confusion: "Human, when did you connect to the Weave?"

"Oh, probably yesterday."

Rod lied casually.

He had connected to the Weave two months ago while helping Mystra rebuild her body, but he had simply never paid much attention to it.

"Is that so."

Lady Kali was puzzled but said nothing, mainly because she didn't want to express concern for someone in front of so many people.

She had only just connected to the Weave last night, which is why she sensed Rod.

She stopped paying attention to him.

She continued: "The Weave treats everyone equally. For example, a seventh-rank mage like myself has 16 Spell Slots: one for sixth-rank spells, two for fifth-rank, three for fourth to second-rank, and four for first-rank."

"Everyone can check their Spell Slots after connecting to the Weave. Note: Before casting, you must prepare casting materials and mana within the Weave in advance."

"Spell Slots for sixth-rank and above are limited to one; even a ninth-rank mage has only one."

"Moreover, these Kuai Su Shi Fa Spell Slots cannot exceed one's own rank; using higher-rank or same-rank spells can only be done through traditional Zhou Shi Fa."

Rod nodded upon hearing this.

He checked his Spell Slots within the Weave.

Progress had been too fast recently, so he slightly suppressed his rank and solidified and strengthened his proficiency in Spiritual Arts; currently, he was still at the peak of the seventh rank.

Although he could advance to the eighth rank at any time.

So.

His Spell Slots should theoretically be the same as Lady Kali's.

【Eighth-Rank Spell Slots: 4】

【Seventh-Rank Spell Slots: 4】

【Sixth-Rank Spell Slots: 4】

【Fifth-Rank...】

Well.

It was not as the Elf Young Lady had described.

Rod's Spell Slots were all a uniform four, and even included an eighth-rank tier.

Poor little Lady Kali.

The Weave did not treat everyone equally.

At least the 'father' of the Goddess of Magic received special treatment.

Not long after.

The work of connecting to the Weave encountered a blockage.

Only those girls who were already mages could connect successfully.

It seemed the Weave still had a certain degree of filtering.

However, since Kuai Gao Jie Shi Fa Spell Slots greatly enhanced combat capabilities, Lily and Lady Kali planned to give spellcasting lessons to the girls who had failed to connect.

Striving to get them all connected.

There wasn't much Rod could do; he just fed the girls Spirit Seeds and poured 【Genesis Dew】 into them.

In the afternoon.

Rod was strolling over at Coral Bay, enjoying the happiness of being the financial backer and boss.

Nick, the Grey Fur Dogman and captain of the Suffering Five of the Dogman race, came to report that a half-werewolf Druid who had attacked Coral Bay with them previously had visited and requested a meeting with Rod.

As for the Suffering Five.

Except for being good at fighting, they possessed no special skills.

And because their appearance was somewhat frightening, few people were willing to hire them for work.

Naturally, they were recruited by Rod; like the Blizzard Mercenary Group, they were all Coral Bay guards.

"Half-werewolf Druid... Oga, huh."

"Master, you just killed that half-goat yesterday, and today he comes to find you; the visitor bears ill intent."

Tally frowned and said.

This guy didn't want to go plant trees to expand the forest today and insisted on sticking by her side.

Expansion wouldn't happen quickly anyway, and she slacked off every day; missing one person wouldn't make a difference.

Rod was stunned: "How did you know?"

He hadn't taken her to the underground prison.

The Succubus pouted, pretending to be pitiful: "I asked that little slut... Master not allowing me by your side already made me very uncomfortable, so I had to inquire about Master's whereabouts to ease my longing..."

"... Fine, you can follow me starting today."

"Really?! Yay! Then can I go back to the small hut to sleep?!"

"I can't."

"Wuu wuu."

The two moved on to the outskirts of Coral Bay.

In the distance they saw the half-werewolf Olga's incarnation — a blue-white giant wolf — standing all alone on a rock, looking down.

Her fur was like flame, billowing upward with the wind.

"Long time no see, Olga."

Olga had long dwelt within the forest, was always blunt, and had no taste for small talk.

Her wolf jaws half-parted, and she spoke in human words: "You killed Miss Miss Ainala."

Rod spread his hands.

"Yes, as for her way of thinking, how should I put it—"

"I understand. I know what kind of person she was."

"Mm, she was your friend. Aren't you planning to seek revenge?"

"The relationship wasn't all that deep — at most it counted as a friendship between druids. And Miss Miss Ainala's looks and figure weren't bad. Even so, if you still had to kill her, then perhaps she really did go too far this time."

Rod was stunned for a moment.

He laughed helplessly: "What kind of judgment is that?"

Tally leaned over, laughing: "Hahaha — she's saying you're lecherous! Wolf girl, you're not wrong on that point — my master is even more lecherous than a succubus like me~~"

Olga warily took half a step back.

As if afraid that some forest warden, even more lecherous than a succubus, might make a move on her.

"I came here to warn you — Miss Miss Ainala is the illegitimate daughter of some figure in the Campbell family. You'd best cover this up well."

"The Campbell family—"

Rod rubbed his chin.

Oh!

He remembered now.

This seemed to be a very famous underworld family, involved in assassination, black-market smuggling, loan-sharking money laundering, and human trafficking.

Its main base was in Susar City, south of the Mirror Desert — a port city on the north side of Dragon Lake.

He had also heard about this family from the land naga Eve.

And Eve had returned to the Mirror Desert half a month ago, reportedly having some business dealings with that very family.

Fortunately, before she left, the moment Rod saw her, he brought her straight into the cabin.

For over a month straight, until he had pumped her up to seventh-tier, he was willing to let her go.

"I've heard of it, but I've also heard that ever since she joined the Balance Association, she had already cut ties with her family."

"Perhaps, but as the forest's neighbor, the warning I ought to give, I still have to give."

Olga paused, then explained with slight wariness: "But don't misunderstand — this is from the standpoint of a neighbor and a friend, with no other feelings mixed in."

"Friend, friend — I haven't given it a second thought. You're one big wolf; I've never even seen your true form, so how could there be any other feelings?"

Rod said with a wry smile.

Not showing her true form was precisely to guard against you.

Olga muttered to herself.

She looked toward the five-person dog-person squad standing not far off, acting as guards.

A trace of pity entered her eyes.

"Those five dog-people — the scars on their bodies and the methods of their injuries bear some resemblance to the tactics the Campbell family uses when trafficking people. They may well have escaped from a related hideout. This point you'd also best pay attention to."

"Mm, thanks for the warning."

(End of this chapter)