Chapter 164: The Upcoming Arcane Competition

This question is not actually asking how to transform, but how to keep the properties unchanged.

Converting a three-dimensional spell structure into a diagram that can be drawn on parchment—to Xia Duo, this is converting three dimensions into two, and something must surely be lost.

But the reality is that mages generally consider this an equivalent transformation, and looking at the practical example of a 【Light】 scroll, it is indeed so.

This almost overturned Xia Duo's understanding.

Overturning his understanding, of course, would not cause Xia Duo's head to explode, but in his subsequent research, he always felt an inexplicable resistance, the kind of feeling where a psychological hurdle cannot be crossed.

Xia Duo speculated that this might be because the process of making a scroll is itself a process of Spellcasting, and the planar diagram is essentially still the Magic Net, so there is no such thing as something being lost.

But if this question could not be answered, Xia Duo felt uncomfortable no matter what.

Niya was very surprised to hear this question; she also only began to consider these seemingly useless, yet actually close to the essence of Magic, questions after becoming an Intermediate Mage.

Meanwhile, Jianaer on the side was completely bewildered; he did not have anyone lending him a Magic Book, the *Arcane Geometry* he read was just an ordinary text book, and his foundation from the Apprentice stage was not as good as Xia Duo's.

He was still far from the level of thinking outside the book.

This kind of question that sounded profound made Jianaer prick up his ears as well, wanting to hear what exactly was going on.

"Xia Duo, this question is very meaningful." Niya first offered a compliment, while Xia Duo tried hard not to notice the breadcrumbs at the corner of her mouth, looking at her eyes instead, awaiting her explanation.

"You are likely preparing to make a Magic Scroll; saving Magic onto a piece of parchment looks like converting a spell into a planar diagram, but in essence, it is a solidified Spellcasting process. Without a Spellcaster, a piece of parchment cannot become a Magic Scroll based on the diagram alone."

Xia Duo immediately asked again, "Does that mean not all Magic can be written into scrolls?"

"Yes, you must treat the process of making a Magic Scroll as making a Magic Item, not just drawing a simple diagram. Everything from materials to techniques requires attention. Some spells never find a corresponding ink, and such spells cannot be made into scrolls."

Xia Duo wanted to ask more, but Niya had already stopped, "It's Jianaer's turn!"

"Yes."

With his original question stifled in his stomach, feeling exceptionally frustrated, Xia Duo could now understand the feeling of being under the same mentor as several other apprentices.

There were two of them like this; wouldn't it be even more frustrating with a few more?

Fortunately, in the Tower of Time, apart from the lord, no one takes on four or five apprentices at once; it is usually one, at most two.

Of course, the apprentices here all refer to Official Mages; Mage Apprentices are essentially just servants maintaining the operation of the Mage Tower, and Xia Duo was feeling this more and more.

It is just that some clever servants can continuously upgrade and jump out of their original class.

……

Jianaer's questions were all on the level of Application, while most of Xia Duo's questions would trace back to theory and Principles, though he would occasionally ask some common sense questions.

This was caused by Xia Duo's time in contact with Magic being too short.

Currently, the latest people in the Mage Tower were from the same batch as Xia Duo, but these people were natives. Although they had not truly come into contact with Magic in the ten-plus years before adulthood, they knew more than Xia Duo, an outsider, through osmosis.

And the entire morning of Q&A time naturally had to be fully utilized. Although these questions made Jianaer and Niya look at him strangely, Xia Duo had long since passed the age of being concerned about face.

The tangible benefits that fall into one's hands are what's real.

Besides, this didn't lose much face; at least Xia Duo himself didn't feel he lost much face. After all, being able to become an Official Mage within a year is itself an extremely strong positive image.

……

Unknowingly, the entire morning passed by in the Q&A between the three. At noon, Niya stopped the Q&A, but did not let Xia Duo and the other leave immediately.

"I have something to notify you of in advance: Mage Aiboke of the Mage Tower has successfully advanced to Great Arcanist. The Territory will hold a grand celebration, and there will be an Arcane Competition at that time. You must all participate."

"An Arcane Competition?!"

Jianaer and Xia Duo exclaimed at the same time. Neither of them was a stranger to the Arcane Competition; Xia Duo had seen it in many mage biographies.

Generally speaking, such a competition is entirely a place for the protagonist of a biography to make a name for themselves; almost every mage who has had a biography written about them has had the experience of participating in an Arcane Competition.

The Netherese are particularly fond of such activities!

It is not just mages who like them; ordinary people like them too. This is one of the few opportunities they have to witness Magic with their own eyes, and it will be quite good conversation fodder for the future.

But that is in the Core Area of the Empire!

The Savile Territory is just a small town in Nan Jing. Although its geographical advantage is good, the lord's Spellcasting Level is only Level 12; how many talented mages can it attract to participate?

Xia Duo could not quite understand why just because a mage advanced to Great Arcanist, it was worth holding an Arcane Competition.

Famous Arcane Competitions in the Empire usually have traditions; they were initially either to commemorate a great victory or initiated by some Great Arcanist.

What does the Savile Territory have?

Unless it was to end the Orc Tide, but that event happened half a year ago; if an Arcane Competition were to be held, it should have been held long ago.

You have to know that if you want to attract people to participate, you have to offer tangible benefits. If only some dregs come to participate, that is not just a waste of money, but more importantly—

It will become a laughingstock in the circle of Spellcasters.

"Mentor Niya, is the Territory really going to hold an Arcane Competition? When?"

"On the first day of June."

The first day of June? Xia Duo calculated the date; it is now mid-May, which means there is only about half a month left until the Arcane Competition.

Xia Duo felt eager to try, but as soon as he thought about how he had only become an Official Mage for less than half a month, he felt discouraged.

"Mentor Niya, who can participate? Will you participate, Mentor?"

No matter what form the competition takes, if Niya participates, unless it is an arm-wrestling contest to see who has more strength, Xia Duo would definitely not get a good ranking.

Niya glanced at Xia Duo and dispelled his concerns, "Only those who became Official Mages within 1 year can participate. You don't need to worry too much; I have high hopes for you."

"Is that so!"

Xia Duo was a little apprehensive. The number of Official Mages who have advanced in the Mage Tower in the last year, including Xia Duo, is only four. Xia Duo has confidence in winning, but if people from the outside are included, it might not be certain.

Heaven knows how many genius mages are out there. In the background of the game Xia Duo played before transmigrating, it was clearly recorded that there were Great Arcanists in their early 20s and early 30s.

Although the real world of Magic will not follow the game settings, anything is possible. Who can say for sure about geniuses!

Xia Duo remembered that the day before he transmigrated, he saw a news story about a 9-year-old child who finished all university courses in less than 10 months.

This could no longer be described as a genius; it was simply a monster.

The world is full of wonders; Xia Duo's path of Magic has just begun, so how could he not be filled with awe and fear!

However, although he had no confidence in achieving the final victory, Xia Duo was still full of fighting spirit; he wanted to have a good competition with the people from the outside.

Although it was possible that the level of the person who eventually arrived would not satisfy Xia Duo, being able to exchange ideas with a Mage from the outside world was already enough to make him happy!

"Instructor Niya, we will prepare well!" Xia Duo and Jianaer said in unison.

"Mm, Jianaer may go, Xia Duo stay for a moment."