Chapter 350: The Mystery of Fate

Just after Arcanist Aigeberde had contacted him, the Tower Spirit sought out Xia Duo again. This sudden mechanical voice caused the Focus Training that Xia Duo had only just begun to fail on the spot. "Agent Xia Duo, the Master has returned. Please come to the Study to meet!"

Niya is back? Xia Duo calculated the days; it had been nearly half a month since Niya left for Seventon. However, Niya had not mentioned when she would return before, and this sudden return caught people off guard.

He also did not know how Niya would react to what he had done during this time.

However, Niya's return could not actually have much of an impact on Xia Duo. The things he was supposed to do, he would continue to do; things he could not do would not suddenly become possible just because Niya returned.

Just as he was wondering what Niya wanted with him, the Tower Spirit urged him again. This actually made Xia Duo somewhat annoyed, and he casually sent a message back.

Then he summoned Laidun to give instructions on arrangements after his departure, especially if he could not return in two or three days, in which case Laidun would need to contact Arcanist Aigeberde to coordinate the cleanup project for the Elemental Channel.

Even an Arcanist could not ignore a Cleric of the Lord of Radiance.

Afterwards, Xia Duo contacted the Tower Spirit to guide his teleportation back to the Tower of Time.

……

Tower of Time, Niya's Study.

When Xia Duo arrived at the door, he happened to hear Niya saying that the restoration work of the Tower of Time could be slowed down. He was a bit puzzled, but now was not the time to ask; Aiboke and Saixili were also there, and the three of them seemed to have been discussing something before.

When he entered the Study, Niya's gaze followed, "Xia Duo, sorry for calling you so urgently, but I don't have much time. Sit down first, I have a few things to say."

Not much time? What was this situation? Bewildered, Xia Duo found a place to sit and waited for Niya's explanation.

"The first thing: I have advanced to an Arcanist, and I have officially become a student of the Princess." Speaking of this, Niya gave Xia Duo a meaningful look, then continued.

Xia Duo was baffled by this look. As he continued to listen, it turned out that Niya staying in Seventon was not for studying for a period of time, but to participate in a Plane Exploration.

Her advancement to Arcanist was also a convenience provided by the Princess beforehand. Hearing this, Xia Duo was full of envy; come to think of it, as a Pioneer, he should be closer to the Princess than Niya.

But he hadn't expected that Niya had already taken the lead in hugging the Princess's thigh.

Sigh—

Fate is truly a magical thing!

But fortunately, he and Niya could be considered one entity now; the thigh Niya hugged was equivalent to the thigh he hugged. Xia Duo could only comfort himself this way, as he was truly too envious.

As he was now, he wasn't even an Arcanist, so he couldn't yet say things like "don't hug others' thighs, be the thigh yourself."

Sighing once more at the mystery of fate, Niya had already begun to speak of the second thing.

"The second thing: I still need to go to Seventon for a period of time; my teacher has arranged many courses for me. During this time—Xia Duo, you will continue to act as my Agent. Uncle Aiboke, Saixili, you assist Xia Duo."

Xia Duo nodded, and Aiboke and Saixili agreed simultaneously. Then, Niya continued without pause to the third thing.

This matter made Xia Duo stand up from his chair, surprised: "What?! Really? Does the Tower of Time truly possess a Plane Exploration Array?"

This was truly beyond his expectations. He still thought about his last trip to the Projection Plane; that was only a virtual, unreal Projection Plane, which could only bring gains in Knowledge and experience.

But if it were a real Sub-plane, that would mean real resources and real living space.

Even without understanding the true market conditions of Netheril, this was like interstellar exploration on Earth; once a habitable planet was discovered, and one that could be easily reached, what a massive profit that would be! Xia Duo had never heard before that the Tower of Time had a Plane Exploration Array; how did it suddenly pop up? Was it because there was no backer before and they didn't dare to reveal it? Or was it another convenience granted by Niya's thigh-teacher? It wasn't just Xia Duo; even Aiboke was extremely shocked. He could indeed conduct Plane Exploration through the Arcane Union's exploration array, but it cost a lot each time, and it was limited to Projection Planes. If it were a real Sub-plane, the cost would be almost like selling oneself.

If the Tower of Time possessed a Plane Exploration Array, perhaps they could conduct Plane Exploration at a lower cost.

For an Arcanist, Plane Exploration could not only harvest resources but also utilize the different environments of different Planes for Magic research. For those who wanted to delve deeper into the essence of the Magic Net, it was undoubtedly a great temptation.

"Niya, is this true?" Aiboke asked excitedly, his voice trembling, "Niya, is this true?"

"It is true, the Tower of Time does indeed possess a Plane Exploration Array." Niya's tone was somewhat desolate; whenever she thought of her father, who was trapped in a sealed state because of a Plane Crystal, sorrow welled up in her heart.

Making the Plane Exploration Array public was actually because her teacher already knew about it; as long as it wasn't widely publicized, revealing it within a small circle didn't count for much.

"Uncle Aiboke, Saixili, you two go out first; I still have some things to say to Xia Duo."

Aiboke suppressed the excitement in his heart, exchanged a look with Saixili, and withdrew.

……

After the two left, Niya rose from behind the desk and came to the window. The Projection also activated at the right moment, though this time it was not a real-time projection of the outside world, but a simulation of the environment outside the Tower of Time in the past.

Even the sounds were transmitted—cheers and shouts, seemingly from a festival in Savile Town in years past. Niya stared blankly at the lively scene outside the window; at this moment, she lacked the urgency she had shown before.

Xia Duo also moved a few steps closer. He didn't believe Niya kept him alone just to say some intimate whispers, but it was rare for an Arcanist with powerful strength to show such a vulnerable side in front of him, so he didn't want to break the atmosphere by asking directly, and instead said softly, "Missing Lord Epps?"

"Mm, Teacher said she couldn't save Father either. I know she was trying to motivate me, but watching him—" Niya didn't finish the rest, but Xia Duo already understood.

After all, she was still just a young girl in her early twenties!

Xia Duo didn't say anything more, just stepped forward to watch outside the window with her. After a long while, Niya turned off the Projection and became a calm Spellcaster once again.

"All functions of the Tower of Time are still available, but the energy is insufficient. Even if it is fully restored, that won't change. There is no need to schedule the restoration plan so tightly. However, I agree with the matter of new sources of wealth, but there is no need to force it; time is the key."

"I understand!" Xia Duo nodded and responded.

In fact, the restoration schedule he had arranged was already very relaxed, but he hadn't expected Niya to think it should be even looser. However, this also confirmed some of his thoughts after capturing Aquilain.

That was, the Tower of Time was not as severely damaged as he had previously imagined, and the situation was not that critical. If one had to talk about a crisis, it should be the energy crisis.

Thanks to 【Lost Memory Child】 for the 200 tip, thanks to 【Anderson】 for the 100 tip, thanks to 【Butcher 90】 for the 2000 tip!! Thank you all for your support!!

(End of chapter)