Chapter 112: Donald

Although he has now rekindled his hope for learning Magic, he still feels somewhat reluctant to part with the shop he has run for two years; if he were to give it up now, he would always feel a sense of regret.

Seeing his conflicted expression, Xia Duo couldn't help but advise, "Running a shop inside the Mage Tower is essentially constantly picking money out of the Lord's pocket. If you truly want to continue on the path of Magic, you should close the shop!"

"Ah?"

Aideliqi was somewhat dazed. At this moment, he recalled that his father had once said something similar to him, but at the time, he only thought his father was dampening his enthusiasm. He hadn't expected Xia Duo to say the same! A companion's advice was more persuasive than an elder's; although Aideliqi couldn't quite wrap his head around it for the moment, he still decided to follow Xia Duo's suggestion.

"I understand. I will dispose of the shop as soon as possible!"

Seeing Aideliqi so obedient, Xia Duo felt a bit smug inside. In truth, a mere retail shop was nothing; what he was doing now was what one would call undermining the Mage Tower!...

After dinner, the Study Group went their separate ways, and Xia Duo returned to his little nest.

At his desk, Xia Duo opened his notebook and began to summarize the teaching points and recommended books for the Apprentice stage. Regarding the theoretical books for the Apprentice stage in the Mage Tower, Xia Duo was actually quite dissatisfied; they were not only missing parts but also lacked a systematic structure.

The specific books were also poorly balanced in detail, making them not at all suitable as foundational textbooks.

There was even a moment when he actually wanted to compile a set of Apprentice textbooks himself, but he gave up on the idea of being so flashy.

For now, keeping it to exchanges within a small circle is sufficient.

And when Xia Duo summarized these points, he was actually also silently organizing his own Magic system; to go further, the foundation must be laid more firmly.

The next day, in the First Floor Hall of the Mage Tower, the Apprentices gathered together, waiting for the Administrative Mage to arrive and arrange their work. Yesterday, many people were notified that their work would be adjusted, but there were also quite a few who did not need adjustments.

Xia Duo mingled in the crowd and heard most people talking about wanting to transfer to the Public Level when work was adjusted. A few also mentioned the Apprentices who died because of the Orc Tide, but most people didn't care about them.

After all, it was only after these people died that they had the opportunity to adjust their work.

At this moment, Xia Duo felt incredibly lucky. They hadn't encountered any Orcs beyond the ordinary even once. Although there were a few times that were indeed quite dangerous, everything was resolved smoothly in the end.

"Xia Duo, Xia Duo."

Hearing someone whispering his name from behind, Xia Duo turned around to look and saw Donald, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. Back then, Xia Duo had made a small profit from Donald and his group, which supported his early expenses.

"Donald, what do you need?"

"I saw you the day before yesterday."

"Saw me? At the Award Ceremony?"

"Yes, I saw you, and Dien as well." There was an inexplicable tone in Donald's words. Xia Duo had entered the Mage Tower in the same batch as him, and Dien was originally just an Ordinary Apprentice too. He hadn't expected that both of them would survive the Orc Tide and even receive an award from the Lord.

However, he did not continue this topic but instead asked, "What work are you planning to switch to?"

"I'm not planning to switch; I'm staying in the Arcane Garden." Xia Duo did not hide it; after all, one could find out just by asking around a little.

Hearing this, Donald's eyes lit up immediately. "Xia Duo, can I go to the Arcane Garden?"

"If you are willing to go, then go. I can't decide anything."

By this time, Xia Duo had already guessed what Donald wanted to do. He did not refuse Donald, who was trying to get close; the Study Group was currently lacking backup strength.

"That's great!" Donald was almost beaming. "I worked in the Materials Department before. Although Mages came by every day, those Mages all had stern faces. We didn't even dare to greet them, let alone ask questions."

"The Arcane Garden is the same. That manager only busies himself with his own affairs and never pays us any mind."

"Uh—" Donald was a bit stunned. Did he really have to admit out loud that he was aiming for Xia Duo? Although he had that thought, young people are thin-skinned after all, so he didn't say it directly.

The two chatted for a few more moments, and the Administrative Mage came over from the direction of the Elevator.

The hall fell silent instantly, leaving only the voice of the Administrative Mage. "Due to the loss of some Apprentices, some work needs to be rearranged. Apprentices with relevant experience will be given priority."

Only then did Xia Duo remember that he had been in the Mage Tower for so long, yet in terms of work, he had only learned to make simple Magic Scrolls; he was completely ignorant of other things like processing materials or making potions.

As for menial tasks like cooking, washing clothes, or mopping floors, he was even less willing to do them.

Now it seemed that the Arcane Garden was indeed the most suitable for him! Because there was a shortage of personnel for some "high-quality jobs," no one competed with Xia Duo for the Arcane Garden. This time, Sami, Dewan, and Dien all successfully obtained work in the Arcane Garden.

As for Aideliqi, perhaps because of the Merchant image he had always projected, even the Administrative Mage seemed to have forgotten about him and didn't arrange any work for him at all.

He was practically in a state of being invisible.

And most of the thirty or so Ordinary Apprentices originally in the Arcane Garden also remained there; only a few chose to adjust their work. However, apart from the newly joined Donald, no one else was added.

The current Arcane Garden, including Official Apprentices like Xia Duo, had fewer than thirty people in total.

Perhaps quite a few Apprentices really did die in this Orc Tide.

After adjusting the work, the Administrative Mage drifted away, and Xia Duo headed straight for the Elevator to go to the Arcane Garden.

Upon arriving, he discovered that Aideliqi, the invisible man, had already arrived first and was squatting not far from the duty Mage, drawing something on the ground with his finger.

Seeing Xia Duo, Aideliqi immediately stood up and greeted him. "Xia Duo! Sami! You've finally arrived!"

The Apprentices who came with Xia Duo saw Aideliqi and felt curious. "Why is he here?"

"Could it be that Aideliqi is also going to work in the Arcane Garden?"

"It's Xia Duo! He's with Xia Duo!"

Xia Duo ignored the whispering of the Apprentices. After reporting to the duty Mage, he walked toward the orchard, and the members of the Study Group followed closely behind.

As for those Ordinary Apprentices, they entered the building behind the duty Mage to change clothes and get tools, preparing to work. Witnessing all this, Donald became even more convinced that there were benefits to following Xia Duo.

Aideliqi was the most obvious example. Before today, who would have thought that the Apprentice Merchant who occupied the Transcription Room would actually come to the Arcane Garden? "Hey! You! What are you dazing off for! Hurry up and change your clothes, grab your tools, and go to work! There are fewer people now, but the work won't necessarily be any less!"

"Yes, yes, yes. My name is Donald, and I entered the Mage Tower in the same batch as Xia Duo. Can you tell me what I should do in the Arcane Garden?"

Whether it was because of Donald's near-humble attitude or because he entered the Mage Tower in the same batch as Xia Duo, in any case, the Ordinary Apprentice he asked immediately changed his expression, smiling as he pulled Donald to the side to whisper.

Thanks to 【Floating Arcanist】 for the 500 tip, thanks to 【Cangqiong Hujun】 for the 100 tip.

Thank you!!

(End of chapter)