Chapter 181: Magic Seed

What Xia Duo "saw" covered the surface of the Magic Net and its first layer, and he could tell that there were inevitably deeper layers of the Magic Net connected to it. Among them, Xia Duo could see parts of the Magic Net changing frantically, which was baffling; in such a situation, let alone dispelling the curse, he didn't even have a clue where to start trying.

As expected, it was something that even a 3rd Circle Divine Spell couldn't solve! Xia Duo expressed that he was truly powerless, then said, "Have you contacted the Mage Tower?"

"I have, but the Apprentice contract—" Jianaer did not finish the rest of his sentence.

At this moment, Xia Duo also recalled that when he first joined the Mage Tower, the contract he signed included clauses similar to "exemption from liability for work-related injuries."

The Mage Tower was not a welfare enterprise, nor could it even be called an enterprise, but since Mengbo had met with an accident while performing a Territory Task, the Territory should have some explanation, and—

"What is the situation with the others? Have you contacted the Town Hall?"

"The others are fine. Mengbo contacted the Town Hall, but they said they would send someone to investigate, and there has been no follow-up since." There was some resentment on Jianaer's face, and his tone was a bit sharp.

Mengbo hurriedly grabbed his brother's hand, offering an expression of comfort, and Jianaer calmed down.

Watching this scene of deep brotherly love, Xia Duo felt a bit envious, but he truly had no way to help, only giving the most feasible advice he could, "You can try seeking help from your mentor."

"I've been, but the mentor has never responded. I don't know if she is unwilling to agree or if she is just not there."

Xia Duo was silent. If there were really a way, Jianaer wouldn't have thought of coming to him; perhaps this was the last straw in his despair. But there was another question: "Then why are you in such a hurry? Can't you see the mentor tomorrow?"

Asked this, Jianaer did not answer directly, but went to lift Mengbo's clothes. In just this short time, that weed-like plant had actually grown much taller.

Jianaer's expression became increasingly anxious, "Xia Duo, Mengbo's condition is very serious. He was fine yesterday, but today, near noon, grass suddenly grew on his stomach, and it's growing faster and faster! I don't know if he can hold on until tomorrow."

This was troublesome! Xia Duo circled around Mengbo and suddenly asked, "Have you tried cutting this plant off? Or pulling it out?"

Seeming to feel that was inappropriate, Xia Duo added, "How does Mengbo feel now? Does this curse just grow a plant on him?"

The current Xia Duo was less interested in helping Jianaer and more interested in this magical "Magic Seed," but he knew his own limits; if he didn't have absolute certainty, he wouldn't rashly touch this thing.

Jianaer glanced at Xia Duo and gave Mengbo a look. Mengbo understood immediately, took out a Dagger, grabbed the small, swaying grass with his other hand, and gritted his teeth as he cut it off from the root.

The scene that followed was truly magical—

As soon as the grass was separated from Mengbo, it immediately underwent elemental dissolution, finally turning into a pile of ash that scattered from Mengbo's fingertips.

And at the root on Mengbo's stomach, under the violent breathing of the "Magic Seed," a plant exactly the same as the original grew back, even taller than before.

Xia Duo noticed that when Mengbo cut the grass, a painful expression appeared on his face, but when the grass grew back, Mengbo's face showed a very pleasurable, indulgent expression.

Setting aside other influences, based on this alone, Xia Duo could conclude that this grass was definitely not a good thing.

As far as Xia Duo was concerned, anything that directly manipulates or influences the senses and consciousness could be classified into the evil sequence; the self is the final bottom line of being human and must not be easily compromised.

However, the Jianaer brothers did not seem to have this realization; they were only worried about whether the grass would "grow" Mengbo to death once it got bigger.

Moreover, being in a world of Magic and being Mages themselves, they were sensitive to mysterious Magic.

"Xia Duo, you saw it too; it grows back after being cut. I really don't know what to do. You must help me! I beg you!" By the end, Jianaer was no longer using 【Sending】 but was shouting it out directly.

Hearing his brother's plea, Mengbo also thought his brother had found hope and began to beg Xia Duo as well.

But Xia Duo was unwilling to be held hostage by such "pleas," and it wasn't that he had a way but refused to act; he truly had no way.

However, he did not truly refuse; in this situation, refusing directly might not be a good thing. Xia Duo thought for a moment, then said:

"Jianaer, I have never encountered this situation, but I can introduce an Intermediate Mage to you."

Xia Duo knew that Jianaer didn't really need him to personally dispel this so-called curse; on the contrary, if Xia Duo had taken full responsibility, Jianaer might not have agreed.

What he needed was just an attitude, an attitude of willingness to help.

In fact, Jianaer did think so. Since learning his brother was cursed, he had sought out the priest at the Temple, but even a 3rd Circle Divine Spell couldn't save his brother.

As for inside the Mage Tower, he was just a New Mage; how much influence could he have? It wasn't that he hadn't sought out other Mages, but in most cases, he couldn't even get through the door.

Even if he could see them, he couldn't get any help. There were some who hoped Jianaer would leave Mengbo behind, but how could Jianaer be at ease with that!

Finding Xia Duo was indeed the last straw before his despair. He had thought there would be no result, but he hadn't expected Xia Duo to give him a huge surprise.

For Jianaer now, being introduced to an Intermediate Mage was a massive surprise.

"Xia Duo, thank you, thank you."

Recalling that Jianaer had been playing tricks on him regarding the Arcane Competition just a few days ago, and now was humbling himself so much because of his brother, Xia Duo couldn't help but lament the impermanence of life.

The Intermediate Mage Xia Duo intended to find was actually Xiaolei, a friend of Aideliqi's father. Xia Duo had borrowed that Transformation Totem found on the Orc Spellcaster from him, claiming to share the research results, and there had been no news since!

He hadn't heard anything about Mage Xiaolei recently either. Now that Xia Duo had become an Official Mage, it wouldn't be abrupt to ask about the research progress as the "investor."

Moreover, from Aideliqi, Xia Duo knew that his Uncle Xiaolei was not a snobbish person; on the contrary, if he encountered something interesting, he might even help for free.

Given Xia Duo's status as an Apprentice back then, being able to share research results using the Transformation Totem—if it had been any other Mage, it would be hard to say; it was more likely they would have just settled everything with Gold Coins, and discounted ones at that.

Now, the Magic Seed on Jianaer's brother might just be a very "interesting" thing! Of course, the key to this was Aideliqi; without Aideliqi, he wouldn't be able to contact Xiaolei for a while.

(End of chapter)