Chapter 128: Two Directions of Development

The essence of status within the Mage Tower is essentially the Permission Level of the Mage Tower. The first Permission Level is, of course, the Wier Lingzhu, but beneath the Wier Lingzhu, almost every living thing existing within the Mage Tower has its own Permission Level.

The only difference lies in the magnitude.

For instance, livestock—naturally limited to those alive—the Mage Tower will not attack them; for instance, an Ordinary Apprentice can walk around within the Mage Tower and even call upon the Tower Spirit.

And after an Ordinary Apprentice transitions to a full position, they gain the additional Permission Level to accept Territory Tasks, which is almost the only path to becoming an Official Mage.

As for the Permission Level of an Official Mage, just what Xia Duo knows or has deduced includes—more areas for Spellcasting, higher Spellcasting Level, independent Research Labs, and so on.

Not to mention anything else, just that independent Research Lab alone is enough to make Xia Duo's heart race.

When Xia Duo spoke the first time, this duty Mage did not seem to hear his voice, and it was only when Xia Duo repeated it that this duty Mage looked up from the book.

"Apprentice Xia Duo? You want to apply for Official Mage Permission Level?"

"Yes, Master Mage!"

"Then how much do you know about the Official Mage Permission Level? Do you need me to introduce it to you?" The duty Mage put down the book in his hand, looked at Xia Duo, his expression amiable.

Xia Duo did not dare to pretend to understand at this time; it would be troublesome if he missed any key information. "I only know some news circulating among apprentices. If it is not too much trouble, I would like to ask Master Mage to introduce it."

"Hmm." The duty Mage nodded with satisfaction and introduced the Official Mage Permission Level of the Mage Tower to Xia Duo—

"The Official Mage Permission Level is mainly divided into two categories. One is the Apprentice category, where you establish a relevant contract with the Mage Tower; the Mage Tower provides you with the convenience of learning Magic, while you need to remain consistent with the Mage Tower in all aspects. The other is the Management category, which is equivalent to the Mage Tower hiring you to hold a certain position; compared to the Apprentice category, the contract is relatively loose."

After speaking, this duty Mage looked at Xia Duo, wanting to see which category he would choose.

Those who upgrade to the Management category Permission Level are generally those who do not have much motivation to continue pursuing Magic, or whose motivation is so strong that they look down upon the Savile Territory; others, even those with the slightest ambition, would choose the Apprentice category Permission Level.

Xia Duo chose to upgrade to the Apprentice category Official Mage Permission Level with almost no hesitation. If one wants to cling to a powerful figure, one cannot treat others as fools; one must always pay something. Remaining consistent with the Mage Tower, or even pledging loyalty to the Wier Lingzhu, is not out of the question.

He himself is already within the territory of the Wier Lingzhu; whether or not he pledges loyalty is actually just a verbal matter. Staying here itself means being under his rule, which is approximately equal to pledging loyalty to him.

If not in this territory, he would be in the territory of another lord. Compared to the situation of being unfamiliar with the place in other territories, the Savile Territory is still quite good.

"Master, I choose the Apprentice category Permission Level."

"Apprentice category Permission Level? Very good! You have made a good choice!"

The duty Mage immediately summoned the Tower Spirit to query Xia Duo's information, while Xia Duo watched the Mage before him, whose expression went from surprise to hesitation, and then to regret. Xia Duo's mood was also a roller coaster.

He did not know if he had been blacklisted.

A moment later, the duty Mage interrupted the connection with the Tower Spirit and looked at Xia Duo with some emotion. "I have to say, Xia Duo, you are the person I have seen with the fastest promotion in Permission Level. To be able to become an Official Mage in less than a year, may I ask what the 1st Circle Spell you have mastered is?"

"It is the 【Steam Ray】 that I created myself."

"【Steam Ray】? You created it yourself?!" The duty Mage was even more surprised and stood up directly from his chair. "You really did not learn an existing Spell, but created a new Spell yourself?"

"It is true. Do you need me to demonstrate it?"

The duty Mage immediately showed an interested expression, but then it turned into regret. "No, no need to demonstrate for now. Actually, what I want to say is that it is a bit troublesome for you to upgrade your Permission Level right now."

Upon hearing this, Xia Duo felt his brain go blank and asked subconsciously, "Why?"

"I have looked at your records. You came in during the Midsummer Festival last year and signed an Apprentice contract at that time, which has a three-year term. Originally, if one could become an Official Mage during this period, changing the contract and upgrading the Permission Level would not be a problem, but the problem is that the Wier Lingzhu cannot be contacted right now. Of course, if you want to upgrade to the Management category Official Mage Permission Level, I can upgrade it for you right now."

"This—" Xia Duo thought about it and still did not want to upgrade to the Management category; it was nothing more than waiting until the Wier Lingzhu could be contacted. "Master, I wonder when the Wier Lingzhu can be contacted?"

"……"

The duty Mage did not speak, but his expression clearly hinted to Xia Duo that it would definitely not be possible to contact him in the short term.

"Then I will not upgrade for now. I will wait until the Wier Lingzhu appears. Sorry to have bothered you, Master Mage." Xia Duo bowed again and prepared to leave.

"Wait!"

The duty Mage called Xia Duo back. "Young people are easily impatient. Do you intend to waste the time before upgrading your Permission Level?"

Of course, Xia Duo did not intend to waste it. He could research on his own, but he lacked the Permission Level to borrow many materials, which would take a long time. However, listening to this duty Mage's words gave Xia Duo some guesses.

"Master, what do you mean—"

"I can lend you a Magic Book."

Xia Duo felt a joy in his heart. "Master, I wonder what I need to pay?"

"Hmph—" The duty Mage feigned displeasure. "Even if I borrow this book from the Library myself, it costs 100 Gold Coins. Do you expect me to pay this money?"

"I will pay, I will pay!" Xia Duo said hurriedly. "Thank you, Master Mage!"

He knew that this duty Mage was showing goodwill toward him, and the reason was very likely because he had created a new Spell in less than a year.

Of course, what this Mage provided was only the convenience of letting Xia Duo borrow it in advance. 100 Gold Coins plus a small favor—actually, Xia Duo still profited.

He hurriedly offered the 100 Gold Coin Exchange Voucher, and the duty Mage took a thin booklet out of his Dimensional Bag and handed it to Xia Duo. "Use it well, do you understand?"

"Yes." Xia Duo took the thin booklet. "Huh—"

At first glance, the cover of this book was written in Netherese script as "Elementary Arcane Geometry," but looking again, the text on the cover actually began to move.

Xia Duo immediately realized that this was a Magic Book—not a book that records Magic, but a book recorded using Magic.

In the Library, there were very few sections he had the Permission Level to enter. This was the first time Xia Duo had seen such a book; it was indeed quite different from ordinary books.

Entering the state of Xia Duo Perception, this book was emitting a faint blue light.

Xia Duo thanked the duty Mage again. "Thank you, Master. May I ask how to address you?"

"You can call me Mage Depake."

"Yes, Master Depake." Although he knew the other party intended to show goodwill, Xia Duo did not become arrogant because of it and remained as polite as before.

Just as Xia Duo was about to take his leave, Depake gave one last reminder, "If you want to upgrade to the Apprentice category Official Mage Permission Level, then completing a certain number of Territory Tasks is essential. Even Aidelian, the student of the Wier Lingzhu, made up for them after upgrading the Permission Level. You will realize that the further you go, the more precious time becomes. You can pay more attention to relevant tasks during this time."

"Yes."

Then Xia Duo asked about some points of attention regarding Territory Tasks, and Depake answered them one by one.

After leaving the Examination Room, Xia Duo couldn't help but curse, "Damn it!"