Chapter 195: Baptism of Secret Flames

Like everyone else in the plaza, Xia Duo also began to appreciate it quietly; if nothing went wrong, this style of music should have come from the hands of the Elves.

Unknowingly, at a certain moment, seven or eight people suddenly appeared beneath the Great Arcanist Savil's Statue, but this scene did not feel the least bit abrupt, as if they had been standing there all along.

The sound of the music gradually faded, and people's attention shifted toward those few figures beneath the Great Arcanist Statue, some familiar and some strange.

At this moment, Xia Duo subconsciously widened his eyes; wasn't that young female Mage standing beside the Lord, the one with short black hair, his mentor Niya!

In an instant, Xia Duo figured out many things, but at the same time, many questions followed.

But the celebration would not cater to Xia Duo's state of mind; Lord Aipusi first bowed to everyone, and then the celebration began.

"My loyal dear friend, the pride of Savile Territory, and practitioner of the Arcane path—Mage Aiboke has finally taken the decisive step, becoming an existence that dwells with the Arcane; today we gather here to witness for him and to celebrate for him!"

Saying this, Aipusi took half a step back, highlighting Aiboke, and continued to introduce Aiboke's past experiences to the crowd.

From an orphan adopted by the previous Lord to the newly promoted Arcanist and pride of the Territory today, Aiboke's journey had included life, learning, and battle; joy, sorrow, and anger; success, failure, and persistence.

The crowd listened silently, watching Aiboke, feeling the extraordinary process of an Arcanist's birth.

The most fanatical among them were the locals of Savile Territory, and while there might have been Arcanists among the foreign guests, success never comes without reason; listening to others' experiences and relating them to one's own was also quite moving.

"Aiboke, my friend, accept everyone's cheers and blessings!"

After finishing, Lord Aipusi took the lead in releasing a Magic fireworks display into the sky, and other Spellcasters echoed in succession; the shouts of the onlookers were even more high-pitched and passionate, rising one after another.

Xia Duo could deeply feel the sound waves behind him and also casually released a Magic firework; although it was only a 【Prestidigitation】, it contained his respect for the forerunner.

The fireworks show did not last long; among the seven or eight people who had come with the Lord, Aiboke, and the others, a priest wearing the Holy Emblem of the Magic Goddess stepped out.

After exchanging a glance with Lord Aipusi, the priest stepped to Aiboke's side, and with just a wave of a hand, the sound of the entire venue was naturally suppressed.

At the same time, a majestic voice came from the priest's mouth, "Quiet, everyone!"

And this, in the eyes of Xia Duo and all Spellcasters, was the moment the Magic Net environment of the entire plaza was controlled by this priest of the Magic Goddess.

And following the priest's will, the Magic fireworks previously released by many Mages were all extinguished, and even the Magic Array originally set up in the plaza emitted bursts of unstable light.

As for the sound waves of the onlookers shouting without any Magic power, they had already gradually subsided.

Xia Duo did not know what level of strength this mysterious priest possessed, but just from what he saw before him, he could not even imagine it.

This was definitely a big shot!

The hand this big shot had raised did not come down; it pointed at Aiboke, and a mass of blue-white radiance surged from the fingertip, enveloping Aiboke's entire body, "Aiboke, practitioner of my Lord's path, are you willing to accept the Goddess's gift?"

Following the mysterious priest's inquiry, a profound and lofty will appeared within the blue-white radiance; at this moment, everyone looking directly at this radiance could not conceive of a thought of lying.

Xia Duo subconsciously shifted his gaze away and cast it onto Niya; at this moment, Niya was dressed in formal attire, the expression on her face was slightly stiff, but her eyes were looking at Aiboke, revealing a look of envy.

But the expression in the eyes of Lord Aipusi beside her was somewhat complex, like envy, yet also like wariness; before Xia Duo could think carefully, he heard Aiboke answer solemnly:

"I am willing!"

As soon as the words fell, the blue-white radiance enveloping Aiboke's entire body changed abruptly, turning into a form similar to flames, and Aiboke, who was inside, suddenly let out a painful grunt.

Everyone's gaze was attracted to Aiboke and that mysterious priest, and Xia Duo also thought somewhat maliciously whether Aiboke had angered the Magic Goddess by lying.

Xia Duo felt that he was definitely not the only one with such thoughts; seemingly having heard the inner voices of Xia Duo and the others, the mysterious priest explained:

"Mage Aiboke is currently receiving my Lord's gift!"

Huh—

It wasn't just Xia Duo, but to his left, to his right, and behind him, countless people let out sounds of surprise; Aiboke and the Lord looked to be about the same age, but now—

Aiboke, being roasted by the blue-white flames, was actually becoming younger at a speed visible to the naked eye!

The hair on his head, which had already been mottled, was returning to its original state in the flames, and the skin that already had the wrinkles of time was becoming smooth.

Even the painful grunts were gradually becoming full of vigor.

This was simply rejuvenation; Xia Duo greedily watched the mass of blue-white flames enveloping Aiboke, and looking from Magic Vision—

That was no flame at all!

It was entirely the "String" of the Magic Net gathered together, dense and varied, full of mysteries; as Xia Duo watched, he actually saw partial information leading to the Second Layer of the Magic Weave.

This discovery made Xia Duo overjoyed; he concentrated all his attention to carefully observe the essence of the blue-white flames; although it was impossible to see through everything, being able to glimpse a corner was also excellent.

He did not know how much time had passed, but the flames on Aiboke's body gradually subsided, and what was finally displayed before everyone was a young and handsome lad!

The mysterious priest looked at Aiboke, who had been completely renewed, and said with high expectations: "I hope you can walk firmly on the Arcane path!"

And Aiboke placed a hand on his chest and answered solemnly: "I will! Thank you for the Goddess's gift; I feel great right now!"

The celebration continued, and everyone presented gifts to Aiboke, from self-made Magic Items to rare Gemstones, and even precious Knowledge, all of which were included.

Xia Duo watched Aiboke, who was collecting gifts wildly, with envy, wishing he could take his place, while deep inside he also had a small sense of relief that he didn't have to give a gift.

At the same time, he secretly made a vow that he must become an Arcanist!

If for nothing else, just being burned by that flame and then rejuvenated would be worth it!

But Xia Duo also knew that such treatment was definitely not something an ordinary Arcanist could enjoy; in the Mage biographies he had read, almost no protagonist had ever received such treatment.

Whether it was all a secret, or if it was truly rarely obtained, he did not know.

However, Xia Duo still leaned toward the former.