Chapter 1580: Living in Bliss Without Knowing It, A Game Within the Rules

Xia Duo considered it for a moment and ultimately divided the tasks among the three Independent Research Labs responsible for mass-production design; mass-production design and engineering design share common ground, as both require the use of so-called "industrial aesthetics."

Handing the tasks to them was more appropriate than handing them to anyone else.

Take Daiwei, for instance; he is still exploring the David String. Although Xia Duo does not think highly of him (a group of High Mages had already tackled this while they were in Seventon), he considered that it was Daiwei who first discovered the David String, which indirectly prompted the premature birth of the 【Mythallar】.

That was why Xia Duo did not agree to cut the research project Daiwei is currently conducting, which is basically judged to be of no value, and continued to support him, hoping that he might have another burst of luck.

But setting aside the discovery of the David String, Daiwei is actually just a very ordinary Intermediate Mage; even if the task of designing the energy transmission lines for the Floating City were handed to him, he might not necessarily be able to complete it.

Professional matters should still be left to more professional people. As for Daiwei, the Tower of Time can still afford to support an "idler"; it is just unclear whether he will eventually create brilliance again or fall into a slump.

Various thoughts flashed through Xia Duo's mind. After arranging this batch of 26 tasks, Xia Duo was in no rush to arrange the next batch; he prepared to first see how Huosite and the others were progressing before deciding.

As for now, by slightly modifying the main construction plan for the first phase and reserving enough space for energy transmission line modifications, construction could begin.

The main body of the Floating City is not small in volume. Considering the elemental characteristics of the Blue Crystal Plane, Xia Duo estimated that the time required for the material properties to stabilize after transformation would be significantly longer than in the Main Plane.

Therefore, even though many subsequent designs had not yet been completed, he insisted on having the main body built in advance.

"Teacher, oh teacher, are you not even the slightest bit anxious?"

Near evening, Niya had already roughly finished reading the textbook and started working on the first set of diagnostic tests, yet Xia Duo still had not received word from Iolum.

He even suspected whether Buluode had forgotten to tell Iolum about this, or perhaps he had been delayed by something? Forgotten?

Glancing at Niya, who was sitting upright by the window with a frown and an unhappy expression, Xia Duo's mood immediately lightened quite a bit. This person had previously been full of confidence, saying she would completely accept his arrangements, but after learning that there was a pile of diagnostic tests alone, Niya could no longer smile.

"Living in bliss without knowing it!"

Xia Duo thought about how the pile of test papers he had done during his third year of high school was as tall as a person, but because his self-summarization was inadequate and the teachers could not look after everyone, it led to many knowledge points not being thoroughly mastered.

And now, one-on-one tutoring—this is extremely rare even in a place where education is so prevalent like his hometown, yet Niya was still somewhat unhappy.

However, the more unhappy Niya was, the more excited Xia Duo felt; he did not know if this was a sequela left over from doing too many problems back then.

But now, his mood was indeed much more relaxed and cheerful.

At dinner time, Xia Duo did not go to Linshui Village but instead made do with some food at the Tower of Time; of course, he also took the opportunity to supervise Niya in doing a few more problems.

After dinner, news finally came from Iolum's side. Xia Duo could not help but feel a surge of spirit and instructed Niya: "That's all for today, continue tomorrow!"

After saying this, he feigned composure and left the top-floor Study under Niya's resentful gaze.

Study in Niya's residence on the sixth floor.

Xia Duo sat upright behind the desk, carefully pondering the deeper meaning of Iolum's Sending. Just now, Iolum told him that he could publicly support the Seven Towers, but he needed to wait a while longer.

This was undoubtedly good news, but what would happen during this waiting time? Would Iolum also support the Seven Towers? Or would he give up certain interests because of it?

Xia Duo could not help but feel a bit worried. He was not sure how much his decision would actually affect Iolum, but one thing was certain—it would definitely not be without impact.

After thinking for a while, he "dialed" Iolum's real-time communication. Almost immediately, the other side connected. Having not seen him for over half a month, Iolum's clearly haggard image appeared in the Projection.

Xia Duo saw it, but the words of concern that reached his lips could not truly be spoken; instead, it was Iolum who spoke first:

"When Buluode contacted me this morning to tell me about this, I was almost startled."

"Sorry, Teacher, I still feel that the Seven Towers' plan is more suitable for my situation here."

"No need to explain. I can understand and support you, but you don't need to be in a hurry to state your position. The negotiations regarding this matter haven't truly begun yet!"

Iolum seemed to be speaking from experience, "During this period, I have finally understood: as long as there is no conclusion from the Northland Alliance, there will be no results from the negotiations here."

"We have to wait for the Magic Restriction Treaty to pass in the Northland Alliance first?" Xia Duo asked in surprise.

"Yes."

"But regarding the Magic Restriction Treaty, hasn't there already been a conclusion? Is it possible that it could be overturned?"

"Overturning it is certainly impossible, but the specific share of large-scale magical activities has plenty of room for discussion. If the share allocated to Netheril is very small, even without your public support, others will likely agree to the Seven Towers' plan to first ensure their own basic share is not lost before discussing anything else. But if the share allocated to Netheril is large enough, then it's hard to say; not everyone has your foresight."

Xia Duo roughly understood Iolum's explanation; it was nothing more than the fact that the Great Arcanists' share would certainly not be small, and how the remaining share is distributed depends on which distribution method allows their own camp to gain more profit.

If the total share is only enough for the Great Arcanists to use, then undoubtedly only the Great Arcanists will participate in the division.

But the problem is, Xia Duo is almost certain that the share Netheril can receive will not be too small; after all, anyone with eyes can see that the Elves are intentionally suppressing Netheril.

If the pressure is too great and Netheril simply stops playing, it would be a big problem for the Elves.

The game within the rules is more favorable to the Elves; humans, as latecomers, are the ones who need to constantly break the rules.

Therefore, Xia Duo speculated that the Elves would likely boil the frog in warm water; the initial restrictions would not be great, but they would gradually tighten, and even initiate restrictions in more areas.

Until human civilization completely sinks.

And now, hearing Iolum's words, it seems the Seven Towers might agree to the Elves' harsh conditions from the very beginning?

Thinking of this, Xia Duo could not help but worry and hurriedly asked: "What is the bottom line that the Seven Towers can accept regarding the share of the Elves' so-called large-scale magical activities?"

"I don't know."

Iolum shook his head and looked at Xia Duo: "Are you worried that the Seven Towers might not be able to withstand the pressure from the Elves and thus sign a Magic Restriction Treaty that is too harsh?"

"Yes." Xia Duo did not hide his thoughts at all.

There are surrender factions everywhere, not to mention that the Seven Towers also have their own interest tendencies; they are not un-bribable, it is just a matter of the price.

Once the Elves and the pro-Elf or even Elf-worshipping factions within the Seven Towers reach an exchange of interests, the situation might not be what Xia Duo expects.

Additionally—

"Teacher, have you considered the possibility of share circulation? Not just within Netheril, but even within the Northland Alliance!"