Chapter 108: Invitation

"I hope that is all there is to it."

At this moment, Xia Duo actually already regretted lending the Forest Wolf Statue to Xiaolei; it was also the first time he had doubted the inference that all Mages were rational beings.

This was the first time Xia Duo had seen such a flighty Mage; perhaps this was the lively heart hidden beneath a rational exterior? "Let's return to the Library!"

The two said in unison, then looked at each other and smiled. After this encounter, the relationship between Aideliqi and Xia Duo seemed to have drawn a little closer.

……

Inside the Elevator.

Xia Duo proposed that Aideliqi join the Mutual Aid Study Group. Upon hearing this proposal, Aideliqi was initially somewhat tempted, but soon refused with a sense of listlessness.

"I have already given up on the study of Magic, and I am preparing to focus on running my business, hoping to resolve some troubles for my family in the future."

"No, Aideliqi, I think your understanding is mistaken. The difference between becoming a Mage and becoming a Merchant is quite significant. What do you think a pure Merchant in this world can do?"

Without waiting for Aideliqi to answer, Xia Duo stated his own answer, "They can only become someone else's vassal, or more accurately, become the vassal of the powerful."

"Even if you become a very wealthy Merchant, you will not be of much substantial help to your family."

"Why?" Aideliqi was puzzled, "Is everything I am doing now meaningless?"

"It has a little meaning; it can numb yourself and make you feel like you are a useful person, but that is all," Xia Duo struck mercilessly.

In order to achieve his goal, striking at Aideliqi's current objective was necessary, and he could only silently apologize in his heart.

"In my hometown, there is a proverb that says a person's ability must match their status. If one possesses a high status without sufficient ability, it will inevitably lead to disaster. Or rather, if a person possesses status or wealth that does not match their ability, it may all lead to disaster."

Aideliqi widened his eyes, "You are saying I have no ability?"

"In this world, Magic is ability. If you do not master Magic, on what grounds can you say you have ability?"

Aideliqi fell silent. He thought of his older brother. When they were young, both were very clever and often played games of buying and selling. Their father was very open-minded about this, but when both reached adulthood, everything changed.

In his father's eyes, only Magic was supreme. Now, hearing Xia Duo say such things as well, Aideliqi fell silent.

At this time, Xia Duo added fuel to the fire, "The fact that you can do business securely in the Mage Tower now, isn't it because of your father and your brother? Are you really willing to live your whole life sheltered under their wings?"

"I—"

The door of the Elevator opened, and the Library Layer had arrived. Aideliqi walked out of the Elevator, yet he was still hesitating, "Even if I want to continue learning Magic, I don't necessarily have to join your Study Group!"

"It is indeed not necessarily required. You have your Mage brother and Mage uncle, and can obtain many resources we cannot. But do you want to disturb them because of yourself? An Official Mage's time is very precious. Besides, don't you want to know the secret to becoming a Mage within a year?"

"Becoming a Mage within a year?" Aideliqi looked Xia Duo up and down, "You have been in the Mage Tower for almost a year, and you haven't become an Official Mage yet. Moreover, people are different. Even if you can become an Official Mage within a year, others might not."

Xia Duo saw that Aideliqi was already somewhat moved. Unlike the need for Sami and the others, for Aideliqi, who could act as a protective umbrella, Xia Duo was willing to provide some guarantees.

Moreover, as far as he knew, Aideliqi had become an Official Apprentice in his first year after joining the Mage Tower. Perhaps he had been discouraged by his brother, which was why he chose to give up on Magic.

In Xia Duo's view, this was already considered extraordinary talent. Normally, according to the Mage Tower's cultivation mechanism, if an Ordinary Apprentice could become an Official Apprentice within three years, they had the potential for further study.

Of course, the faster one was promoted, the higher the potential. And if it reached the level of Aidelian, becoming an Official Mage in less than a year and even having successive upgrades afterward, then even the Lord might be alarmed.

"I can guarantee that after joining the Study Group, you will definitely be able to become an Official Mage within a year."

"Really?" Aideliqi was finally moved. He did not doubt Xia Duo's guarantee; in reality, there were too many shortcuts to take to become an Official Mage.

It was just that hearing these words from an Apprentice who was not an Official Mage himself made one feel extremely surprised.

"Can joining your Study Group really make one become an Official Mage quickly?" Aideliqi asked again, but this sentence did not require Xia Duo to answer, because his next sentence was—

"I'll join."

Having received the reply he wanted, Xia Duo finally revealed a fatherly smile, "Welcome to the group."

"How many people are in the Study Group now? Can they all become Official Mages within a year?" Aideliqi was eager to know more.

Xia Duo did not answer this question directly, only giving a meaningful smile, "As long as they want to, they all can!"

Upon hearing this, Aideliqi became even more curious, "When does it start? Will you be guiding us?"

"Don't be in such a hurry; the Study Group hasn't been officially established yet!"

"What?!" Aideliqi's voice suddenly rose an octave. He felt he had been deceived, "Xia Duo, are you lying to me?"

"I am not lying to you. Becoming an Official Mage within a year is true, and the Study Group not being established is also true. I have rented a Spell Laboratory, and the other members of the group are all there. Let's talk when we get there."

Xia Duo pointed to a Transcription Room where a door was open and an Apprentice was poking half their body out, saying, "Look, talking here will disturb others. Let's go to the Spell Laboratory."

After finishing, he walked directly toward the Spell Laboratory he had rented earlier, and behind him, Aideliqi hesitated for a moment before following.

……

Library Layer, 15th Spell Laboratory.

Dien had rushed over as soon as Xia Duo notified him via Sending. Although he hadn't seen Xia Duo afterward, with the explanations from Sami and Dewan, he had some expectations for this Study Group.

Unlike Sami and Dewan, Dien had the most contact and time with Xia Duo. He had even known Xia Duo when he first joined the Mage Tower.

Furthermore, during the Orc War mission, the two were almost inseparable. Apart from daily contact, there was also communication regarding Magic. With enough understanding, he had sufficient confidence in the Study Group proposed by Xia Duo.

Moreover, for an Apprentice like him who had just been promoted, it was unrealistic to want to compete with other Apprentices for popular jobs that could lead to contact with Official Mages. It was better to choose to trust Xia Duo.

(End of chapter)