Chapter 172: Planning the Apprentice Competition

The interior of the Tower of Time was also affected, and Xia Duo was one of those affected; he was currently hosting Aideliqi and the others, who had arrived after hearing the news, in his residence's Reception Room! At this moment, Xia Duo had already completed the conversion work for 【Steam Ray】, and the production of the Magic Scroll only lacked the actual drawing process.

He had originally intended to begin the trial production of the 【Steam Ray】 scroll in the afternoon, but he had not expected the four of them—Aideliqi, Dien, Sami, and Dewan—to "skip class" to come find him.

"So, you skipped class just to find out if I was planning to participate in the Arcane Competition?" Xia Duo said with annoyance, "Yes, I am going to participate!"

Such a question could have easily been asked via Sending; to come in person, how much free time did they have! "Xia Duo, I heard that for the Arcane Competition held by the Territory this time, there is a reward just for participating, and the top three will each receive at least one Magic Item."

Aideliqi, who said this, had a face full of envy; he wished he could immediately become an Official Mage and then participate in the competition.

As for the other three, aside from Dewan, who had become inscrutable due to his Faith, Dien and Sami also wore expressions of envy. Dien even exaggeratedly stated that if there were an Apprentice Competition, he would definitely participate and would even take the championship.

However, this also aroused the dissatisfaction of Aideliqi and Sami. Although the relationship between the few of them was quite close now, when it came to affirming their own abilities, they would not yield to one another.

Only Dewan sat to the side, watching the noisy trio with a smile, not participating in it.

As for Xia Duo, when the three of them started arguing, he had already taken out "Dasiruier's Ultimate Armor," which he had borrowed from the Library.

The name sounded quite grand, and it even borrowed the name of the Archmage Dasiruier, but in reality, it was just a magical treatise on the 1st Circle Spell 【Mage Armor】.

The content was sparse, but most importantly, it provided a relatively complete spell structure for 【Mage Armor】, as well as all the key elements.

"As long as a Primary Mage with qualified foundations can learn 【Mage Armor】 through this book," of course, these words were not said by Xia Duo, but were written directly on the cover of the book "Dasiruier's Ultimate Armor."

It seemed the author was very confident in their book, but when Xia Duo truly read the content inside, he understood that an advertisement was, after all, just an advertisement.

Or rather, the author greatly overestimated so-called foundationally qualified mages; even Xia Duo, who had a full understanding of the Principles and essence of Magic, found it somewhat difficult when reading this book.

The others would likely find it even more difficult.

If only he had the Permission Level to exchange for 1st Circle Spell Learning Scrolls; unfortunately, he hadn't saved up enough, and even if he had, he wouldn't exchange for magic he had already borrowed a book on.

While listening to the noise from Aideliqi and the others, Xia Duo studied 【Mage Armor】. Before long, they finally argued their way to a result.

"You guys let me take first place, and I'll give the reward to you." The only person who could say such a thing was naturally Aideliqi, who was not short on money.

And Sami and Dien also quickly discussed a split plan, revealing satisfied smiles.

"Hahaha—" Xia Duo could no longer hold it in; they had argued for so long over something that didn't even exist, "Aideliqi, Sami, Dien, where is this Apprentice Competition you're talking about?"

"Of course it's at, it's at—" Aideliqi froze; what they had been talking about before was *if* there were an Apprentice Competition, *if*! It wasn't that there really was one.

Aideliqi was somewhat frantic, "Ah—Dien, it's all your fault."

And Dien and Sami were also somewhat embarrassed, yet there was also an indescribable sense of relaxation; perhaps only when with these companions could they argue so unreservedly.

Watching these few, although noisy, they were not angry, and Xia Duo knew that although the Study Group had disbanded, the organization was still operating well.

He couldn't help but feel a little proud; although he had only changed a small group of people, the future impact might not be the same. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but give a little push—

"Aideliqi, Dien, don't be disappointed. I think you can organize an Apprentice Competition yourselves. Anyone who recognizes the organization's philosophy can participate. As for the rewards, how about I provide an original 0 Ring Spell Learning Scroll for each of the top five?"

"Apprentice Competition? We organize it ourselves?" The three of them exclaimed almost simultaneously, and even Dewan, who looked very calm, revealed a trace of astonishment.

"Xia Duo, can we really do it? I mean, won't the Mage Tower stop us?" Dien was very tempted, but also hesitant.

"Stop us? Why would they stop us? This is apprentices voluntarily responding to the Territory's Arcane Competition; this is a good thing!" Xia Duo said with certainty.

From the day his Permission Level was raised, Xia Duo understood that in the eyes of the upper echelons of the Mage Tower, apprentices barely existed; the true apprentices should be Primary Mages.

Apprentices like Aideliqi and Dien actually had a more appropriate title, and that was—servant.

In reality, dozens of New Apprentices joined the Mage Tower every year, but at the same time, people left; the only ones who could truly stay long-term were Official Mages.

It really was "the iron-clad Mage Tower, the flowing water of apprentices"; just holding an Apprentice Competition, it wasn't a big problem.

"I think holding an Apprentice Competition should be fine. Aideliqi, you have connections in this area; you can inquire indirectly. If there really is a risk, we can consider other forms."

Although Xia Duo was confident, he was ultimately just a New Mage, and hadn't even been in the Mage Tower for a year; for some things, it was better to be safe.

"No problem!" Aideliqi agreed immediately, "I can go ask Uncle Xiaolei; he is an Intermediate Mage and should know if there are any taboos regarding this."

The two settled the matter in a few words, leaving Dien and Sami stunned, but they quickly reacted as well; if an Apprentice Competition were really held, then the top four would likely be swept by the four of them.

They were already starting to look forward to what the original spells Xia Duo mentioned would be.

Afterwards, the few of them discussed the details of the Apprentice Competition with Xia Duo again, until the dinner Xia Duo had ordered was delivered, and only then did they leave.

……

After finishing dinner, Xia Duo continued the trial production of the 【Steam Ray】 scroll that had been interrupted earlier; starting from 1st Circle scrolls, one had to use specially made ink.

Xia Duo hadn't gone to buy new ink yet; he only had the two bottles of Red Stone Ink that came with his previous scroll purchase. This kind of ink was a relatively common ink used for the production of low-level Magic Scrolls.

Named Red Stone, it actually just contained a substance called "Red Stone Powder"; the ink itself was still black. Xia Duo didn't know much about ink.

He only knew that, unless it was for some special spells, 1st Circle Spells could all be made into scrolls using this Red Stone Ink.

Recommending a fantasy novel "Mount and Blade Little Lord," friends who like Mount and Blade can take a look.

(End of chapter)