Chapter 180: Self-Awareness, Curse

On the other side, Xia Duo finished his spellcasting quota and walked out of the Spell Laboratory, throwing himself heavily onto his bed. After these few days of practice, he had made significant progress.

Moreover, because his physical constitution was stronger, he could practice for longer each day, and the gap in spellcasting proficiency between him and Jianaer was narrowing bit by bit.

But Xia Duo knew that surpassing one Jianaer was nothing; only by surpassing those outside Mages would Mentor Niya be satisfied, and in truth, Xia Duo had a fair chance of winning.

That was—stalling!

As long as he stalled until the opponent could no longer cast spells, he would win easily, but this would be a victory based on his own physique, not the skills the competition was truly testing.

However, even this fallback, which wasn't much of a fallback, caused Xia Duo to develop a hint of slackness. He lay on the bed looking at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting.

A voice in his heart urged him—"Get up! If you can't perform Spellcasting Training, you can study the Principles of spells; there are plenty of things you can do!"

But Xia Duo also clearly realized that as long as he didn't act recklessly, it was unlikely he would be in any life-threatening danger; the sense of crisis from earlier was gradually leaving him.

Laziness is human nature, and Xia Duo was naturally no exception, but humans do not only possess inertia; they also have reason. Although the sense of crisis had gradually diminished, the desire to pursue strength and explore the unknown had not decreased.

On the contrary, as Xia Duo's understanding of this Magic world increased, it had gradually strengthened!

He had been running continuously for this period without a moment's rest; he was not a robot, and he was indeed a bit tired. Looking at the dusty ceiling, Xia Duo fell asleep.

Waking up again, Xia Duo felt refreshed once more. He jumped off the bed in one motion, and upon asking the Tower Spirit, he learned that he had slept for nearly four hours.

He felt that he was now full of energy. The best state should naturally be reserved for the most important things; the Arcane Competition clearly could not yet be counted as one.

After a sleep, Xia Duo discovered that he had viewed this Arcane Competition as too important. In fact, even if he performed poorly, could Niya really kill him?

As long as one doesn't die, one will eventually get ahead.

He could not let the Arcane Competition affect his original plans. Of course, he wouldn't slack off on his Spellcasting Training either.

……

In order not to lose himself, it is best to summarize the past and plan for the future after every stage.

As far as the present is concerned, Xia Duo's plan and goals were very clear: to master the 1st Circle Spell Principles as quickly as possible. During this period, whether it was earning money or participating in the Arcane Competition, everything had to be guided by this.

If something clearly affected his plan, he needed to make adjustments in time. Things like staying up all night making Scrolls or desperately performing Spellcasting Training were not advisable.

There were too many factors outside the plan that could affect its execution, whether from the outside world or stemming from his own bad habits.

If one could not be constantly vigilant and return to the right path in time, then wanting to achieve something would only be a fantasy.

Unity of knowledge and action is a teaching left behind by the ancestors. Xia Duo had never truly valued it in the past, and only after coming to this other world did he begin to think about it seriously.

It must be said, the environment can truly change a person!

After some thought, Xia Duo felt that he was once again full of energy. Not only had his body recovered, but his mind now had guidance!

Xia Duo did not know if he could always maintain his original intention, but at this moment, at least, he had absolute confidence!

……

Through the study of multiple 1st Circle Spells, Xia Duo already had a hazy impression of the Spell Principles within them. Combining this with Arcane Geometry, he reorganized the theory for the 0 Ring portion and gradually delved deeper.

Just as Xia Duo was getting into the swing of researching Magic, he suddenly received a Sending from Jianaer, which made Xia Duo frown, but Jianaer's tone was very urgent—

"Xia Duo, come quickly!"

"What happened?"

"There is an urgent matter that needs your help! Come quickly!"

"……"

There were basically no pranks in the Mage Tower. Ending the communication, Xia Duo immediately packed his personal belongings and left his residence.

However, the location Jianaer provided was not at his residence, but at the Library!

As the only two Apprentices under the same mentor, Jianaer's "distress call" had reached Xia Duo, so he naturally could not ignore it.

But if Jianaer was playing a prank, Xia Duo would also let him know the power of an iron fist!

……

On the Library Layer, just as Xia Duo exited the Elevator, he saw a nervous-looking Jianaer standing at the entrance of a Spell Laboratory, looking around. The moment he saw Xia Duo, he suppressed his voice and called out:

"Xia Duo, over here!"

Xia Duo was not affected by his emotions, but walked over calmly and asked, "What exactly is going on? Why are you acting so sneaky?"

"Come in first!" Jianaer grabbed Xia Duo, but pulled without moving him, which made him look at Xia Duo with some embarrassment.

Sigh—

Xia Duo followed him into the Spell Laboratory. There was someone else inside—an Apprentice with "Mengbo" written on his clothes!

Seeing Xia Duo and Jianaer enter, Mengbo was about to step forward to speak, but as if afraid of something, he stepped back instead, "Jianaer, don't come over!"

"Mengbo, don't be afraid, this is Xia Duo. He is much better than me; he will definitely have a way!"

Xia Duo watched this scene, not understanding. He looked at Jianaer, feeling somewhat impatient, "Jianaer, can you say it now? What exactly is going on?"

"Mengbo took a Territory Task; it was a routine patrol on the edge of the Green Pearl Forest. He—"

"Get to the point!" Xia Duo directly interrupted Jianaer, who was about to give a long-winded explanation.

"He has been cursed!"

"If he's been cursed, go to the Temple. What's the use of coming to me?"

Jianaer looked troubled. He glanced at Mengbo and did not speak directly, but instead told Xia Duo through 【Message】—

"We have already been to the Temple, but 【Remove Curse】 did not take effect. Mengbo doesn't know yet that the spell that adult cast was a 3rd Circle Divine Spell."

Xia Duo also sent a message, "What is he to you?"

"He is my younger brother." Jianaer's eyes were sorrowful, "Our talents are about the same, but in order for me to successfully advance, he gave all his income to me. I must save him."

Sigh—

Xia Duo sighed. He knew that if Jianaer hadn't been out of options, he wouldn't have come to him. Thinking that even a 3rd Circle Divine Spell couldn't save him, what could he, a New Mage, do?

Glancing at Mengbo, who was avoiding his gaze, Xia Duo asked, "What kind of curse is it?"

Jianaer was overjoyed, knowing that Xia Duo had agreed to help, and hurriedly said, "It's not directly fatal, but it's very serious. Mengbo, lift up your clothes!"

Mengbo lifted his clothes, revealing the fat on his belly, where a plant that looked ordinary, like a weed, was growing out of his navel.

Following Mengbo's movements, the stems and leaves of this unknown plant swayed eerily, as if they were greeting someone.

Xia Duo entered a state of Spellcasting, observing the plant from a Magic perspective; the plant itself was indeed a real plant, but its roots seemed to be connected to a Magic Seed.

Or rather, a "Curse Seed."

Expanding and contracting, it was like an unknown lifeform breathing, with the seed as the core, and the Magic Net interwoven densely around it.