Chapter 1352: Concept of Hierarchy, Sense of Ownership

Seventon, Weilan Manor.

Xia Duo took the magic items, such as the Demon-Slaying Amulet, Warning Amulet, and Communication Magic Tool, which he had brought from the Tower of Time, out of his Personal Space box by box and handed them to Aiwa, instructing:

"When Evans arrives later, you and he will go together to meet and hand over with those Adventurers. If no one asks, there is no rush to reveal the name of the Tower of Time for now; just proceed in the name of Weilan Manor."

"Yes."

"If there is anything you don't understand, ask Evans. He is from the Seven Towers and can be considered one of our own. Feel free to bring up anything and ask anything; it's best to squeeze him dry."

"Understood."

Although Aiwa was a man of few words, Xia Duo had always felt at ease with him, yet out of habit, he still said a few extra words.

……

Near noon, after having an early lunch at the manor, Xia Duo arrived at Giles Tower, where someone was already waiting for him.

Seeing Beilaila waiting at the entrance, Xia Duo could not help but feel a bit surprised. He truly had not expected it to be her waiting for him here, but he still took the initiative to greet her:

"Good afternoon, Beilaila, long time no see!"

Xia Duo's posture and tone were quite relaxed, but Beilaila was somewhat constrained. She first performed a formal bow, and only then responded:

"Good afternoon, respected Lord Xia Duo!"

"No need for formalities, just call me Xia Duo. I haven't congratulated you on your successful advancement yet!"

Xia Duo noticed that on the Mage Robe Beilaila was wearing, there was a small circle embroidered in gold thread on the outer edge of the Giles Tower emblem. Generally speaking, this meant that Beilaila had just obtained an internal Permission Level promotion.

It carried a sense of celebration, though it did not necessarily refer specifically to advancing to become an Arcanist. However, Beilaila had failed her previous advancement attempts several times; now that she had suddenly received an internal Permission Level promotion, if that wasn't a successful advancement, what could it be!

Being told this by Xia Duo, Beilaila did not hide it, but said with some shame: "I succeeded in my advancement at home; such a thing is truly not worth celebrating."

So that was it!

Xia Duo understood immediately. With so many people in Giles Tower and limited resources in the Advanced Laboratory, there were all sorts of conditions for usage. Beilaila had failed her advancement several times, and she likely did not want to continue wasting time here.

Sure enough, the children of the wealthy always have one more path home than ordinary people!

……

"Let's go in first!"

Xia Duo invited Beilaila to go in and wait together, and on the way, he began to ask about news of others, "Do you know who else will be going to Evereska together?"

"Each of the Seven Towers has one quota. I only know that Angelin from Gustav Tower and Luodite from Jilan Tower are among them. As for the others, I don't know."

"Will the several Great Arcanists of the Seven Towers all be going together this time?" Xia Duo asked again.

"I do know about this. Only Lord Badijiaer will represent the Seven Towers, represent the Seventon Council, and represent Netheril to go to Evereska to complete the final signing ceremony. The others are not going."

Xia Duo nodded in silence. He himself had not been exposed and was not counted, but adding Iolum, Netheril was actually only sending two Great Arcanists.

Is there a need to be this cautious?

For such a major event concerning the landscape of the Northland, it wouldn't be abrupt for a few more to go; in any case, the Seven Towers always have backups. As for Great Arcanists outside the Seven Towers, it is unknown how many will go to observe the ceremony.

Until the two arrived at a Teleportation Hall with a towering dome, Xia Duo still could not figure out why the other Great Arcanists of the Seven Towers would not attend such an important occasion.

However, Xia Duo was very certain that they were definitely not afraid of death. Perhaps they were busy with other major matters? What could those matters be?

……

"Lord Xia Duo, long time no see."

Just as he entered the Teleportation Hall, another acquaintance walked toward him: the Thunder Mage, Senior Arcanist, and son of Lord Collins, Maien Kelinsi—Luodite Collins.

After getting closer, Luodite whispered respectfully: "Please convey my greetings to your father on my behalf!"

Xia Duo nodded. In truth, his personal relationship with Luodite had soured somewhat after he and Lord Collins began cooperating in the Kemanso spice smuggling business.

Xia Duo himself remained as usual, but Luodite, who had already been somewhat in awe of Xia Duo, was now even more so.

Perhaps this was the true social relationship of the vast majority of Senior Arcanists.

And if Luodite were to know of Xia Duo's identity as a Great Arcanist, perhaps his attitude would be different from what it was now.

Regarding this, Xia Duo felt quite emotional, but he did not like such relationships from the bottom of his heart. However, even on Earth, his hometown where everyone is theoretically equal, it is still inevitable to look up to or look down on others due to different statuses.

Perhaps this is reality, but Xia Duo was unwilling to submit to such a reality. Others might look up to me because of my status, but in the eyes of those with higher status, I would also be looked down upon.

"Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire"—this is the most simple form of interpersonal relationship.

Xia Duo did not believe he could become an eternal superior, so from the very beginning, he needed to build a civilization where everyone is as equal as possible.

From a utilitarian perspective, this would ensure that when he encounters a low point, he would not have to worry too much about oppression from those who are stronger.

Of course, from the perspective of civilization, a relatively gentle order is also more conducive to the full development of all individuals within the civilization.

……

The more power and strength he mastered, the more Xia Duo realized the importance of responsibility. This was not the "with great power comes great responsibility" of the so-called chivalrous, but a belief inherited from the sages of his hometown: "Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world."

This was also the sense of being a master of one's own destiny that he had grown up with in the new era of his hometown!

Of course, to put it a bit more narrowly—"I am the state" also works; Xia Duo had not yet evolved to the point of completely excluding selfish desires!

……

Looking at Luodite, who was respectful in every little detail, Beilaila, who wanted to show closeness but appeared constrained, and the slightly awe-filled gazes of the other two Seven Towers members who had already arrived.

Xia Duo sighed inwardly. Just looking toward the south, his gaze seemed to pierce through the void to see the growing Daxia Territory; at this moment, his resolve became even firmer.

……

Before long, Angelin arrived. As a student of Badijiaer, as soon as he arrived, he busied himself with introducing the people standing on both sides of the hall to each other.

Through this, Xia Duo also learned the identities of the other group of people. Apart from Jinuo, an Arcanist from Morien Tower with whom he had had dealings due to the Snow Melting Competition, Xia Duo had never had any dealings with the other three before.

To put it even more exaggeratedly, this might be their first time meeting.

It was just that the name of Xia Duo, and even his identity as a student of Iolum, had long since spread within the other party's circle.

Among the seven people present, except for Angelin who could still face Xia Duo with a normal demeanor, the others were all more or less awkward.

Thus, Xia Duo only conversed with Angelin, and from the other party's mouth, Xia Duo also learned more details about this trip!