Chapter 166: Private Mage Consultant

Did she mean she understood, or did she mean she agreed?

Xia Duo said again, "If Lady Patti wants revenge, she could easily find someone to investigate in secret, rather than posting the task in the Mage Tower like this; it is very easy to provoke a strike from the black hand."

"Mm, I know," Lady Patti said calmly.

Not normal!

If she were truly this easy to talk to, Niya wouldn't have needed to ask Xia Duo to persuade her, and Xia Duo didn't know what was wrong with the people in the Mage Tower.

Niya is not normal, and Lady Patti is not normal either.

Regarding this, Xia Duo was completely confused, but he could be certain that neither of them was crazy; any behavior would have a motive they considered reasonable, it was just that Xia Duo didn't know this motive.

For a moment, Xia Duo felt a bit listless; since there was nothing for him to do here, he might as well go back to study the 【Steam Ray】 Scroll, or make some preparations for the Arcane Competition.

Xia Duo was very interested in the Arcane Competition, but he was actually somewhat resistant to the idea of showing off; however, there was no helping it, as Niya had specifically named both Jianaer and him to participate.

There were also two other New Mages from the past year who had to participate as well.

Consequently, Xia Duo prepared to take his leave.

"Since Lady Patti has made her decision, I will say no more."

"Wait," Lady Patti suddenly interrupted him, "Lord Xia Duo, I would like to make a deal with you."

"What deal?"

"I would like to invite Lord Xia Duo to serve as my Private Mage Consultant."

"This—" Xia Duo was tempted, yet he felt a bit hesitant; Lady Patti had been at the Mage Tower for several days, and while Xia Duo had managed to time his previous encounter well, that was not the case this time.

He did not believe that Lady Patti hadn't inquired about his situation during this time; otherwise, how would Niya have known that Lady Patti wanted to see him?

The current Xia Duo was not the mysterious mage he had pretended to be before, but just a low-level mage who had promoted less than half a month ago; even if he had a bit of talent, his actual ability was a fatal flaw.

Seeming to see through Xia Duo's misgivings, Lady Patti hurriedly explained: "Lord Xia Duo, I have already learned about your experiences in the Mage Tower, and I am very optimistic about your future development."

Is that so? Could it just be an investment? Xia Duo asked again: "Then what does a Private Mage Consultant usually need to do?"

If it would take up too much time, he would definitely have to refuse; he currently had to have his three meals a day delivered to him, so naturally, he wouldn't let other trivial matters occupy too much of his time.

Unless the price was so great that even Xia Duo couldn't resist, and he was willing to abandon his principles.

"My Lord, a Mage Consultant only needs to provide some advice; it won't take up too much of your time."

Following that, Lady Patti explained in detail what Xia Duo would usually need to do; in short, it was to accompany her for chats, though of course, that would only be when Xia Duo was free.

And with the way Xia Duo kept his daily schedule packed, this was effectively the same as doing nothing at all, just holding a title and getting Gold Coins for free.

Getting something for nothing is human nature, and Xia Duo was no exception; he was now quite interested in this Private Mage Consultant position!

"Then what would I get?"

"An initial investment of 500 Gold Coins, as well as a base salary of 100 Gold Coins per month; as long as Lord Xia Duo passes the Spellcasting Level certification at the Territory Mage Guild, your salary will increase by 100 Gold Coins for every level you rise."

With hundreds of Gold Coins mentioned so nonchalantly by Lady Patti, Xia Duo's heart was pounding; he really wanted to say, I don't want to work hard anymore!

But this salary itself was built upon the foundation of his constant effort and constant progress; what a happy problem to have!

"Fine! I accept!" Xia Duo agreed immediately, with almost no hesitation; as for whether Lady Patti had any ulterior motives, he wasn't worried.

People can lie, but Gold Coins cannot; in any case, he spent most of his time in the Mage Tower, and as long as he stayed in sync with the Mage Tower, how many schemes could an ordinary person have to deal with him!

Just treat this as a simple transaction; thinking too much would only lead to a vicious cycle of suspicion.

And Xia Duo's prompt and decisive agreement also made Lady Patti very happy, but this happiness lacked a smile; it was merely a ray of sunlight amidst her sorrow.

"Lord Xia Duo—"

"No, Lady Patti, just call me Xia Duo, or Mage Xia Duo will do." Xia Duo was still quite polite regarding his own rice bowl, and besides, a mage's dignity did not need to be established through words.

Magic is the root of why mages possess such status.

And it is not just the magical power he personally wields, but the magical power wielded by the entire class of Spellcasters.

A low-level mage like Xia Duo might not count for much in front of ordinary wealthy people, but the class of Spellcasters behind him is a mountain that cannot be pretended to be unseen.

The two discussed it further and finally settled on a formal contract, after which Xia Duo left Research Room 34 with an Exchange Voucher for the first 600 Gold Coins.

And when the door closed, Lady Patti finally couldn't help but collapse onto the back of her chair and sob.

……

On the other side, at the top floor of the Tower of Time, Lord Aipusi had also hastily dismissed his daughter who had come to press him for answers, and Aiboke, who had been hiding to the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Aipusi, look, Niya is exactly like you were when you were young—both so naive and kind."

"Yes, if possible, I would also like to let her grow slowly, but unfortunately—"

Aiboke could no longer laugh, and the expression on his face gradually turned grave, "Aipusi, are you really going to go see Lord Olong?"

"If I don't go, what else can I do?" Lord Aipusi revealed a bitter smile, "This matter with Feierbosi must eventually have a conclusion; since the mastermind behind the scenes cannot be found for the time being, I can only bear this blame myself."

"Leaning toward the Princess is actually not as serious as imagined; didn't you see the revelation when you advanced? I was struck by an Elf Magic spell, my life and death unknown, but if the Princess were behind me, perhaps there wouldn't be such a future."

Aipusi's tone was relaxed, but Aiboke could hear his old friend's fury toward the unknown black hand, his unwillingness to defect to the Princess, and his resistance to his known fate; Aiboke didn't know how to persuade him, or perhaps there was no need to persuade him at all.

So he changed the subject, "Do you know what I discovered today?"

"Discovered what? Speak quickly! I am about to set off!" Aipusi was somewhat impatient.

Traveling from the Savile Territory to Seventon certainly didn't require him to walk, or take a boat or carriage; the Teleportation Room in the Tower of Time had a Portal that went directly to the Arcane Union.

But the opening of the Portal had quite a few restrictions; to get from here to there, one had to apply here first, and only after the other side agreed could a specific time for teleportation be arranged.

If you missed it, you would have to apply all over again.

Lord Aipusi had just dismissed even his daughter quite quickly, as he was in a hurry to leave!