Chapter 265: Advancement Failed

Xia Duo focused on the task of acquiring Magic Items; other tasks like duty shifts, patrols, investigations, or miscellaneous chores were not suitable for him. However, he only took a look and did not accept any tasks. After all, Magic Items could be considered hard currency and could be sold at any time; he only came to see which items had higher demand so that he could target his production accordingly later.

Returning to his residence, Xia Duo quickly flipped through the two books he had just borrowed. After forming a rough impression in his mind, he began to transcribe them.

He was transcribing the book "Levitation: From Beginner to Master" written by Lord Aipusi. As for the other Spellbook, Xia Duo did not intend to transcribe it, or rather, he did not want to transcribe it right now.

The content inside was relatively shallow for the current Xia Duo; after studying it a little, he would be able to create the Arcane Geometry analysis diagram for "Feather Fall".

On the other hand, this book written by Lord Aipusi was somewhat difficult, so Xia Duo could only transcribe it first; after all, the rental fee of 150 Gold Coins per day was not cheap.

……

Xia Duo returned to the Mage Tower at noon and contacted Niya at that time, but it wasn't until evening that Niya gave him a reply.

By this time, Xia Duo's book transcription work was already nearly half finished.

Niya asked to meet him in the Lord's Study on the top floor. Xia Duo did not dare to delay and quickly packed up his personal items in his residence, mainly the Spellbooks he had transcribed earlier, the notes he had taken during his research, and some miscellaneous items.

Of course, the most important and most valuable items were the "Mind Shelter Scepter" and the Gold Paper Document proving his status as a Pioneer.

Arriving at the top floor, it was the same room as the last meeting, but for some reason, the light in the room today was much dimmer than before, and a bad feeling suddenly rose in Xia Duo's heart.

Because the light in the room was insufficient, he could only see Niya leaning against the back of her chair, with shadows shrouding her, making it impossible to see the expression on her face.

The atmosphere seemed a bit strange! Xia Duo muttered to himself, not daring to get too close to Niya's desk, and only bowed respectfully: "Mentor, I have arrived!"

"Hmm." Niya's voice was a bit hoarse, and her tone revealed no joy or anger, only deep exhaustion. "Find a place to sit. Why didn't you contact me in advance when you returned this time?"

It was a normal greeting, just like in the past. Xia Duo secretly breathed a sigh of relief and replied: "There have been many things in the Territory recently, and I forgot in the busyness. I will definitely do so next time."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xia Duo immediately realized that his mentor Niya seemed to have already taken over the Territory; mentioning that Territory affairs were busy in front of her was indeed a bit fake.

Fortunately, Niya only asked casually and did not delve into it, still saying in a tired voice: "If you have any questions, just ask!"

Niya's state made Xia Duo unable to bring up the words he originally wanted to report about the Mythallar, so he took the opportunity to ask a question he encountered while researching the "Flying Chair" and then found an excuse to take his leave.

Just as he stepped out the door, Xia Duo ran into Aiboke. He originally thought Aiboke was here to see Niya, so after bowing to ask, he prepared to walk around him.

Unexpectedly, Aiboke stopped him: "I am not here to see Niya; I am waiting for you specifically."

"Waiting for me?"

According to common sense, Aiboke and he had almost no interaction; one had already advanced to become an Arcanist, while the other was ostensibly still just a Primary Mage.

How could he be waiting for him specifically! Xia Duo was very puzzled: "May I ask what Lord Aiboke wants with me?"

Aiboke did not answer immediately. He first looked at Niya's room with pity, and then stated his purpose: "Niya just tried to advance to an Arcanist, but she failed. Do not disturb her for the next few days!"

"What?!" Xia Duo could hardly believe his ears: "Lord Aiboke, are you saying that Mentor has already tried to advance to an Arcanist?"

Aiboke gave an affirmative answer and said: "Failure to advance will affect the mental will of a Spellcaster and requires quiet recuperation. Do not go and disturb her!"

Xia Duo was moved, not only because Niya was about to become an Arcanist, but also because Niya had "ill" answered his questions, which already exceeded the normal relationship between a mentor and an apprentice.

"Yes, I will be careful." Xia Duo hurriedly agreed: "Lord Aiboke, when will Mentor be able to recover?"

Xia Duo's tone was full of sincerity; he truly hoped that Niya could recover as soon as possible. Aiboke looked at him deeply and finally said: "Come back in three days."

"Yes."

……

"The 'Nether Scroll'!"

On the way back, Xia Duo could not help but sigh. He had already thought of it; there must be a reason why Niya could accumulate enough to advance to an Arcanist so quickly. Besides the "Nether Scroll", he could think of nothing else.

More than a month ago, after the Arcane Competition ended, Lord Aipusi announced to the outside world that Niya was his successor. At that time, Niya's Spellcasting Level was 8.

For a Mage to advance to an Arcanist, they must be at least a level 10 Mage. In other words, an Arcanist is at minimum an Advanced Mage, and Niya had leveled up twice in just over a month; it was faster than taking a plane.

If she had really succeeded in her advancement this time, then an Arcanist in her early 20s would certainly cause quite a sensation in Seventon.

This was not a prized student taught hand-in-hand by a Great Arcanist, but merely a small Mage from a remote area.

What a pity! Who knows when the next chance to advance will be!

Currently, the conditions for advancing to an Arcanist that Xia Duo knew of were two: one was a Spellcasting Level of at least 10, and the other was proficiency in Advanced Arcane Geometry.

This was also what Niya had told him before: being proficient in Intermediate Arcane Geometry before Intermediate Rank, and proficient in Advanced Arcane Geometry before Advanced Rank, was almost the path every Arcanist had to take.

Besides these, there must be other conditions, otherwise Arcanists would not be so rare. Among the twenty or thirty Official Mages in the Tower of Time, only Aiboke was an Arcanist; even the Lord was not.

Xia Duo also wanted to become an Arcanist, but he did not regret the deal with Lord Aipusi. Reading the "Nether Scroll" also required a person; the gains for an ordinary person reading it versus a Mage reading it would certainly be different.

Niya could try to advance to an Arcanist after reading the "Nether Scroll"; it might not be the same if Xia Duo read it. Anyway, as long as he didn't die, he would always be able to see it in the future.

Returning to his residence, Xia Duo continued to transcribe books and did not rest until late at night.

……

The next day, Xia Duo first finished the parts he hadn't transcribed yesterday, then began to study "Feather Fall" and used the environment of the Spell Laboratory to make preliminary attempts.

Before noon, Xia Duo drew the Arcane Geometry analysis diagram for "Feather Fall" and successfully cast the spell once. After that, he only needed to practice more to master it proficiently.

Of course, regarding the actual effect of this spell, he had also conducted a simple test; he could only say it was very inconspicuous and did not match Xia Duo's expectations at all.

Perhaps the effect would be better if jumping down from a very high place, but he could not possibly try that.

(End of chapter)