Chapter 103: Study Group

Xia Duo's Mithril Pen wrote extremely smoothly; the nib glided across the parchment with almost no resistance, a sensation that couldn't help but remind him of ballpoint pens on Earth.

But unfortunately, this Mithril Pen still required dipping in ink to write, rather than storing ink inside the pen like the structure of a fountain pen.

Fortunately, the comfortable writing feel made Xia Duo overlook this minor issue; however, with a good writing pen, Xia Duo began thinking about ink.

The ink he used daily now was just the most ordinary kind, even diluted with water, which made him feel that this low-quality ink didn't quite match the exquisite Mithril Pen in his hand.

Yet, as ink was the most important consumable for a Mage, if one truly wanted to find good, expensive ones, it was simply a bottomless pit.

Take the Red Stone Ink that came as a gift with the Mithril Pen last time; it contained a not-so-rare red stone mineral, and the retail price in shops was as high as 20 Gold Coins per bottle.

And even more Advanced inks would even use Gemstone powder and the blood of magical beasts.

That was not something the current Xia Duo could reach.

However, Xia Duo was not an ascetic monk without human emotions or desires; on the contrary, he had too many desires and enjoyed comfort. When conditions allowed, why not slightly improve his own living environment and learning tools!

Having made up his mind to treat himself a little after disposing of the Magic Item, Xia Duo looked at the familiar words and diagrams in his notes and entered a state of research.

Now, the intense light within the Arcane Garden could no longer disturb him in the slightest. He did not know how much time had passed when Xia Duo suddenly discovered two people standing not far in front of him.

Although they were in the shade of the same apple tree as Xia Duo, they clearly made the light on Xia Duo's side a bit dimmer.

"Sami, Dewan! How long have you been here?"

"Just arrived. Seeing you were so absorbed, we didn't disturb you."

"Right, what do you need me for?"

"This—" Sami suddenly became a bit bashful, turned his head to look at Dewan, and then pulled a bag of Gold Coins from the inner pocket of his Mage Robe and placed it beside Xia Duo, "We want to ask you to guide us on some questions."

At the same time, Dewan also took out a bag of Gold Coins and echoed, "Yes, yes."

Xia Duo reached out, picked up the two bags of Gold Coins, stood up, and weighed them; they were quite heavy, likely over a hundred coins. It seemed the two had spent a fortune.

"What questions do you want to ask? I can't guarantee I can answer them all."

"We want to ask some questions about the Principles of spells and the nature of the Magic Net," Sami and Dewan said in unison.

Xia Duo was delighted the moment he heard this; these two wanted to become Official Mages! As expected, he wasn't the only one with such thoughts, determination, and initiative.

Thinking of an idea from last night, Xia Duo decided to agree without much consideration, but he returned the Gold Coins in his hand, "I have a better idea now. Do you want to hear it?"

"What idea?"

"I've decided to establish a Mutual Aid Study Group. Any member of the group can ask questions to other members, and as long as they can answer, they must not refuse. Of course, these questions are limited to the Domain of Magic. What do you think?"

This idea had actually occurred to him when he first joined the Mage Tower, but at that time, he had no confidence to establish such an organization, and others wouldn't have believed him.

It wasn't until last night, feeling deeply that he was fighting alone, that he decided to be a little more aggressive.

Now, he had enough confidence to establish such an organization among the Apprentices. He believed that Apprentices who had tasted the sweetness of mutual aid would not easily abandon it.

As for Sami and Dewan, they were stunned on the spot after hearing Xia Duo's words; they had never seen or thought of such a Mutual Aid Study Group.

"Is this allowed? Wouldn't the Mage Tower stop it?"

This was indeed what Xia Duo was worried about, but if the scope of the Mutual Aid Study Group was limited to Apprentices, and the content of the exchange did not involve specific spells but only discussed the Principles of spells and the nature of the Magic Net.

Then the problem would be much smaller.

Of course, it was also possible that this was even encouraged by the Mage Tower. No one could predict it before actually doing it, but it was certain that communication could promote progress. Even for his own sake, Xia Duo had to get the Study Group going.

"We aren't violating any prohibitions; what reason would the Mage Tower have to stop us!"

Xia Duo feigned confidence, his tone very firm, "If you want to become Official Mages as soon as possible, the Mutual Aid Study Group is your best opportunity."

Sami and Dewan were still hesitating; they weren't sure what consequences joining such an organization would bring. At this moment, Xia Duo added more fuel to the fire, "At the latest, I can become an Official Mage in another year!"

"What?!"

The undisguised shock on Sami's face and the money bag falling from Dewan's hand showed the shock in their hearts. Compared to Dewan, Sami knew Xia Duo better:

"Didn't you just join the Mage Tower this year? And I remember you just learned the Netherese language characters? How—"

"How am I going to become an Official Mage so quickly, right?" Xia Duo took over the conversation, "The Netherese language characters actually don't have much to do with Magic; they are just a type of script used to record Knowledge. The essence of Magic is right there, eternal and unchanging. Even if it were recorded in the Orc language, there would still be no difference."

Sami was speechless, and Dewan was also silent.

After a long while, Sami spoke in a trembling, eager tone, "Can joining the Mutual Aid Study Group make one an Official Mage?"

Dewan also looked at Xia Duo expectantly, as if wanting to get an affirmative answer from him.

But Xia Duo shook his head. He understood the principle of human insatiability and wanting more, so he wouldn't easily promise anything. Moreover, he knew the two were already tempted; he wasn't afraid they wouldn't join.

"I cannot guarantee that you will definitely become Official Mages if you join the Study Group, but what is certain is that there will be no loss in joining, right?"

"We join!" Sami and his companion said immediately, "Then can we ask you questions now?"

Xia Duo shook his head again. He didn't organize the Study Group to provide free warmth to people from another world, but to gain some support and perspectives other than his own through this method.

Therefore, necessary rules still had to be established.

"No rush for questions. I think it's better to perfect some details of the Study Group first. There will definitely be more than just the three of us in the group. You wouldn't want to have no private time and be asked questions wherever you go, right?"

"This—" Sami felt that Xia Duo was likely referring to them disturbing his private time, but in the end, Xia Duo held the initiative, and they could only choose to accept it.

"Alright. Then when will the Study Group officially be established?"

"There are no classes in the afternoon; I will go and rent a Spell Laboratory, and we can discuss it then."

After speaking, Xia Duo sat back down under the tree and ignored them. Things like joining a Study Group must be done willingly, without any resistance.

Now that the bait had been cast, being too proactive would instead lower his status and lose his authority.