Chapter 178: Shortcomings and Inviting Guests

Next, both of them honestly took out their notebooks and began to transcribe this spell, because neither of them had learned this spell before.

Xia Duo had the intention to show off some of his Arcane Geometry achievements, but he could not convert the structure and elements of this spell, which he was seeing for the first time, into planar diagrams in such a short time.

Therefore, he could only follow Jianaer and record this spell using some conventional symbols, as well as language and text.

For now, there was no need to record such spells in code, or rather, Xia Duo, who was unwilling to use Earth characters, had not yet begun to research a code exclusive to him.

……

Time passed bit by bit, and soon the two finished recording 【Magic Missile】, then each began to study, understand, and memorize it.

But until noon, Niya had not made a single move. Xia Duo tentatively asked, "Mentor, Mentor Niya!"

"……"

There was no reaction at all. This should not be a normal reaction for an Intermediate Mage. Xia Duo realized that Niya might have already left, so he discussed it with Jianaer:

"It's already noon. Should we leave first, or wait for Mentor Niya to return?"

Perhaps it was his words that triggered something; before Jianaer could react, a somewhat stiff voice, which could clearly be identified as Niya's, came from her side—

"Practice by yourselves after you go back. I want to see you successfully cast the spell tomorrow morning!"

As the voice ended, Niya's figure also dissipated bit by bit.

Watching this scene, Xia Duo and Jianaer looked at each other in dismay. Finally, it was Xia Duo who first proposed, "Let's leave first!"

"Okay!"

……

Since the rules for the Arcane Competition had been finalized, Xia Duo's plans changed significantly to cope with the competition.

First, all Scroll production stopped. Making a Scroll was equivalent to Spellcasting, and he wanted to use his limited daily Spellcasting opportunities for training in Spell Duels.

Second, his personal disposable time decreased. In the morning he had to go to Niya's side, and in the afternoon he had to practice by himself while also researching the planar conversion of spell structures.

Sometimes, Jianaer would also find him for sparring, which made Xia Duo feel an unprecedented urgency for time. Of course, the greater urgency came from his mentor Niya, because she was not satisfied with the performance of Xia Duo and Jianaer.

Although Xia Duo's progress was fast, due to the short time he had been exposed to Magic, his Spellcasting technique was almost an absolute shortcoming.

Even for 【Magic Missile】, which he started learning at the same time as Jianaer, there was a clear gap in Spellcasting proficiency compared to Jianaer.

It was just that this gap could be compensated for by technique, but technique also required proficiency, and furthermore, his technique was not as good as Jianaer's either.

This gap was like a novice carpenter and someone who had been a carpenter for three years making a piece of furniture at the same time; even if the former knew more techniques, it wouldn't change anything.

Because this level of technique alone was not enough to make up for experience.

In one Spell Duel practice, Xia Duo had just countered the Magic Missile launched by Jianaer when he was stopped by Niya. From her expressionless face, it was clear that the mentor was very dissatisfied and very angry.

"Xia Duo, you don't need to do sparring practice anymore. I know you are very talented and have a deep understanding of the essence of spells, but do you know why you have to wait until the Magic Missile is almost in your face before you can successfully counter it?"

Xia Duo was silent. He knew, and it was precisely because he knew that he couldn't speak. Even for 0 Ring Spells, he hadn't been able to cast them all instantly, let alone the newly learned 1st Circle Spell!

Spellcasting Training, like physical training, required recovery; it was impossible to practice non-stop every moment. The short time he had been exposed to Magic and become a Mage was Xia Duo's biggest shortcoming.

If there hadn't been this Arcane Competition, Xia Duo could have practiced slowly and eventually made up for it, but with this rather "rushed" Arcane Competition, Xia Duo's shortcoming was completely exposed.

Previously, Xia Duo's plan was still too optimistic. He always thought that as long as he stayed in the Mage Tower, Spellcasting Training could be put in a secondary position, but now reality had given him a blow.

Fortunately, this was just an Arcane Competition and there would be no danger, but if it were a sign of a sudden battle like the Orc Tide last year, it would be bad.

Perhaps his strength was enough to deal with most situations, but if he slipped up even once, it would be too late to regret.

The current Xia Duo was already intensifying his practice, but he still couldn't satisfy Mentor Niya.

At this moment, as the sparring was called off, Xia Duo had no choice but to hide in the communication area to practice alone. As for Jianaer, Niya took Xia Duo's place to train him.

……

Just as Xia Duo and Jianaer were training intensely, in the Core Area of the Empire, in the Iolum Territory, inside a White High Tower.

Lord Aipusi of the Savile Territory had been lingering here for several days, but he had never seen that fellow disciple of his grandfather—the Great Arcanist Buluode.

Of course, he couldn't even dream of seeing Iolum, the teacher of his grandfather, the Great Arcanist Saville. From the moment he arrived here, he had been left in the guest room by Buluode's steward.

They neither said they would see him nor that they wouldn't. The answer he got from asking the steward was always—the master is conducting an important experiment, please wait patiently.

Always polite, but never getting things done. The festival time prepared by Lord Aipusi was less than half a month away, and the Arcane Competition was right after the festival.

He had to invite sufficiently important guests and contestants; otherwise, the Savile Territory might really become a laughingstock.

Lord Aipusi guessed that the Princess might have some arrangements, but he would not bet the entire reputation of the Saville Family on the Princess; he himself had to strive for it as much as possible.

In the guest room, Lord Aipusi paced back and forth. Just a moment ago, Aiboke sent him a Sending, telling him to return to the Territory as soon as possible; it was never good for a lord not to appear for a long time.

"Sigh—"

Aipusi let out a long sigh, his face incomparably disappointed. This time he might not be able to see the Great Arcanist Buluode again. He prepared to settle for second best and find Buluode's students to go and hold up the scene.

"Tower Spirit, may I ask if the Archmage Gawani is free now?"

The Tower Spirit responded immediately, "Not authorized. Please inquire with the Mage Tower Supervisor, Steward Miller."

Upon hearing Steward Miller, Aipusi subconsciously clenched his fists. He really didn't want to face that zombie face who seemed polite but was actually extremely cold.

Of course, the main thing was that Steward Miller was also an Advanced Rank Mage. Facing him, Aipusi had no psychological advantage at all.

But thinking of the "Not authorized" answer from the Tower Spirit just now, Aipusi, who even understood the essence of the Tower Spirit, knew in his heart that this hurdle of Steward Miller could not be bypassed.

Sighing again, Aipusi very reluctantly placed his hand on the calling device in the room.

A moment later, a figure appeared in the room; it was that smiling Steward Miller, "Lord Saville, what are your orders?"

Aipusi squeezed out a smile and asked, "May I ask if the Archmage Gawani is free now?"

"The Archmage's whereabouts are not authorized, I cannot answer." While refusing, Steward Miller still looked at Aipusi with a smile.

"Lord Saville, are there any other questions?"

"……"