Chapter 1099: Considering the Overall Situation, the Arrival of Iolum

Not only that, Xia Duo revealed even more explosive news:

"Currently, all minors aged 14 to 16 in Daxia Territory have already entered the Tower of Time to begin learning Magic, and Savile Territory has also provided several hundred age-appropriate Apprentices."

Xia Duo did not state the specific number, but the words "all" and "several hundred" still made Kangjienio's eyes widen, his breathing quickening at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Is everything you said true?"

"Of course it is true. If Master does not believe me, you are welcome to visit the Tower of Time at any time!"

Xia Duo's resonant words left Kangjienio unable to harbor any more doubts, yet such a fact still left him deeply shocked. After a long silence, he finally gave his assessment:

"You have achieved what we wanted to do but could not!"

Xia Duo did not speak, but he could understand; how could someone like Kangjienio, who had such a strong sense of belonging to Netheril and hoped for its development and growth, not have thought of universal education!

But thinking of it did not mean being able to achieve it.

This was not only limited by material conditions but also by various pressures from both inside and outside Netheril. Although Kangjienio had high prestige, it was impossible for him to make everyone listen to him.

What he could actually do was not much; besides coordinating the relationships between various internal factions, he could only use his personal name to promote some young people.

The higher one's position, the more one must consider the overall situation, and the more one is tied down.

This also made Xia Duo think of his hometown. The leaders of his hometown were undoubtedly considering the overall situation, but it was precisely because of this that his hometown was wantonly tested and made difficult by other countries.

Before he transmigrated, Xia Duo often thought that if someone came to bully, one should fight back, or at least show some toughness, so that next time, fewer people would come to bully.

But now, he could well understand the so-called "considering the overall situation." Besides the actual influence of demeanor, quality, and tradition, it was mostly out of long-term considerations.

Sages in his hometown once said: "Fullness cannot last long, but morality lasts forever."

There is no country or individual in the world that is permanently strong. If one conquers only by force, once one becomes weak, one will naturally be conquered by others through force.

As the saying goes, "Those who follow the Dao have many helpers; those who lose the Dao have few." If morality is not lost, even in a time of temporary weakness, one can unite those around to resist strong enemies together.

Or, to put it more utilitarianly, one only considers the overall situation when seeking greater and longer-term interests.

Or, considering the overall situation is for the sake of seeking greater and longer-term interests.

In fact, it is not just Kangjienio; Xia Duo is the same. He firmly believes that he can surpass the Elves and create a prosperous Magic civilization, which is why he is unwilling to create complications before these are realized.

During this period, naturally, the more stable the approach, the better. Even if it requires suffering some grievances temporarily, one must grit one's teeth and endure it. This is the price that must be paid on the road to becoming strong.

Once truly strong, naturally, both internal and external will submit. Any grievances suffered can be reclaimed (After the hometown becomes truly strong, will it retaliate against the beautiful country? Personally, I think it is highly unlikely. Perhaps it will give a few knocks, but it won't go too far. Settling history based on the principle of reciprocity—this is the difference between a king and a hegemon).

Words like "I am the overall situation" are essentially selfish. People can certainly be selfish, but if everything is based on the principle of maximizing self-interest, that is too pathetic.

As a Great Arcanist, Kangjienio can be said to have obtained near-absolute freedom to a certain extent, yet he is willing to "wrong" himself for the overall situation of Netheril. It is hard to say whether this is rational or irrational.

But Xia Duo respects such people very much and is willing to associate with them.

"Master, I only dared to take such measures in my own Territory. If it weren't for the Seven Towers and the various Great Arcanists standing at the front, even if I had thoughts, it would be very difficult to implement them!"

Regarding this, Kangjienio nodded silently, then let out a sigh: "Yes! We have too many concerns. Let's not talk about this anymore. Tell me, how does the Tower of Time organize teaching after absorbing so many Apprentices?"

"Yes."

Just as Xia Duo was about to begin, Kangjienio reached out to signal him to wait. As Xia Duo was wondering, a teleportation fluctuation appeared in the study. In the blink of an eye, a middle-aged man wearing a gray Mage Robe teleported over.

It is Iolum! Xia Duo thought to himself.

However, it is quite good that Iolum has come. Soon, the Arcane Union will officially announce that Iolum will succeed as the president. There will be many opportunities for both sides to interact in the future, and being able to make contact in advance is not bad.

Thinking that this plain-looking middle-aged man in front of him might very well invent the 【Mythallar】 capable of changing the fate of Netheril in the future, Xia Duo could not help but feel the urge to urge him to hurry up.

It is just that the 【Mythallar】 is too important, and he himself has no clue. Otherwise, with Xia Duo's usual style, how could he place his hopes on others!

But in the end, he did not say anything he shouldn't have. If his words caused the other party's thoughts to change, thereby causing the 【Mythallar】 to "miscarry," that would be tragic.

Additionally, rashly bringing up a topic that is highly likely to be a secret strictly guarded by the other party is also very inappropriate.

"Greetings to you, Lord Iolum!" Xia Duo immediately stood up and bowed.

Iolum nodded slightly, first bowed to Kangjienio, and then said to Xia Duo: "Lord Xia Duo, no need for formalities. On the Magic Path, you and I are both the same explorers; I have just walked a few steps earlier."

"Lord Iolum, you are too modest. Even setting aside your identity as a Spellcaster, you are still Savile's teacher and an elder to Niya and me. Respect is the most basic etiquette."

Hearing the name "Savile," Iolum's eyes showed some emotion, so he did not say anything more, but instead asked Kangjienio, "Teacher Aien, what is the matter for which you sought me?"

"You should look at these first before we talk!" Kangjienio pointed to the stack of new books on the tea table.

"These books?"

Upon hearing this, Iolum immediately revealed a curious look. He had known Kangjienio for a full hundred years. Although Kangjienio was trying his best to hide his emotions at the moment, he still saw a clue in the other party's eyes.

He picked up the book on top of the stack on the table and saw it written: "New Edition Tower of Time Level 2 Apprentice Textbook: Inner Plane." Just seeing this title, Iolum had a guess.

And he did not immediately open the contents of the book, but looked at the next one, seeing it written: "New Edition Tower of Time Level 2 Apprentice Textbook: Arcane Geometry," which made his guess even more certain.

"Teacher Ian, were these all brought by Lord Xia Duo?"