Chapter 477: Finally Seeing the Scroll

The Arcane Union can be said to be the largest organization of spellcasters in Netheril, having even transcended the concept of a general organization; in fact, it can fully represent all spellcasters in Netheril. The fastest way from the Tower of Time to Seventon is through the public Teleportation Room of the Arcane Union. The Arcane Union publishes the monthly Access Key in its monthly magazine, which all Mage Towers that are constituent members receive.

Including the Tower of Time.

Of course, as a Level 2 member of the Arcane Union, Xia Duo also receives a copy of the Arcane Federation Monthly every month, which is forwarded through his affiliated Mage Tower, the Tower of Time.

Previously, Xia Duo had been to Seventon once; at that time, he was merely a Primary Mage following behind Lord Epps. Unexpectedly, by the time he traveled there a second time, he was already an Advanced Mage capable of using the Teleportation Array himself!

Standing in the center of the Teleportation Array, thinking that he would soon see the legendary 【Nether Scroll】, Xia Duo felt somewhat excited, even nearly inputting the Access Key incorrectly.

Fortunately, there was no danger, and after a moment of space-time shifting, he appeared on another Teleportation Array.

Following his faint memories from before, combined with his own understanding, Xia Duo soon walked out of the main gate of the Arcane Union Headquarters, and at this moment, Niya was already waiting for him outside.

Xia Duo spotted Niya wandering under a statue of an unknown Arcanist at a glance. His heart stirred, and he immediately stepped forward and said, "How long have you been here?"

"Just arrived."

Xia Duo naturally did not believe this excuse, but he had no intention of pointing it out. "Introduce Seventon to me. Last time I came, I didn't even have time to walk out of the Arcane Union before heading back."

Niya was also there last time, but their relationship then was not what it is now; they were still just a simple teacher and student.

"Mm." Niya nodded gently; she had done quite a bit of homework before coming!

Since the two were right at the entrance of the Arcane Union, Niya started her introduction from there. Although her words were a bit stiff, Xia Duo could hear the preparation made behind them.

A moment later, a gorgeously decorated carriage stopped in front of the two. Niya reached out to invite Xia Duo to board. "Mages from other places often come to Seventon for sightseeing, so specialized sightseeing carriages have been developed."

After the two boarded, the coachman just shook the reins, and the carriage slowly started moving, maintaining a speed only slightly faster than a person walking. At this time, Niya pointed to the north of the road. "That is the Seven Cities Council, though it is rarely used. The shorter building to the east is the office used most often, and it is also where one applies for the commoners rewarded by the 【Silver Ring Badge】."

Xia Duo nodded from time to time. Once they were a bit further away, he looked back toward the Arcane Union. The entire building was not tower-shaped; it looked like a normal stone building. Of course, it was tall and sturdy overall, unlike the light and ethereal style of the Elves.

The Seven Cities Council, however, had a strong Elven style—exquisite, delicate, and ethereal, looking like a work of art.

In the carriage, Niya introduced things along the way: the Great Temple, the Arena, the Elf Embassy, the Trade District, the port, and so on, not missing a thing. It took nearly half a day to tour the entire New City District of Seventon.

The two finally got off the carriage at the entrance of a tavern not far from the Arcane Union Headquarters. It was called a tavern, but it was actually more like an academic salon.

As soon as they entered, Niya whispered in Xia Duo's ear, "This is a property of Archmage Greta. She sometimes comes here personally to participate in discussions, so it attracts quite a few Mages."

Xia Duo looked around; the vast majority were spellcasters. This was a scene that could probably only be seen in Seventon or the territories of those Great Arcanists.

The two found an empty seat. There was a menu on the table, as well as a Sending channel. If an ordinary person came, they really wouldn't know how to order.

Niya had been here once before, so she handled the ordering this time. Before long, a waiter brought food and drinks. Only then did Xia Duo breathe a sigh of relief; if the food had been teleported directly, he would have really doubted whether this was Netheril.

The food here seemed very ordinary to Xia Duo—just simple roasted meat, bread, vegetables, and fruit. However, the drinks made his eyes light up; it seemed the Archmage's tavern had the real deal!

This wine was much better than the Elf Fruit Wine Xia Duo had drunk at the Tower of Time. If nothing went wrong, it should also have come from the Elves. Like the other, it lacked the normal taste of alcohol, possessing instead a clear fragrance of plants. Xia Duo drank a few sips and actually felt a sense of mental invigoration.

If the Elf Fruit Wine at the Tower of Time could sell for 100 Gold Coins a bottle, then the wine here could sell for at least 200 Gold Coins.

Of course, this price was not considered extravagant for ordinary Mages; consuming here occasionally was nothing, and besides, how could those who could come to Seventon be short on money?

Xia Duo did not like to talk while eating, and Niya seemed a bit shy. Neither of them spoke, just dining while listening to the faint sounds of conversation around them.

After the meal, Niya accompanied Xia Duo to the Seven Cities Council to apply for new commoners. Afterward, the two parted ways, but before leaving, Niya cautioned him again that it was best to only look at the first set in the 【Nether Scroll】, or even just the first one, and to act according to his ability.

Xia Duo could feel the kindness in Niya's caution. Come to think of it, the two were clearly already husband and wife, but this tour of the Seventon New City District felt like their first date. Thinking about it, it was quite interesting.

……

The process for applying to read the 【Nether Scroll】 was simpler than last time because he was already a member of the Arcane Union. Upon arriving at the Library, he could just contact the Tower Spirit directly without having to find that bad-tempered old Mage again.

Arriving at the entrance of the Secret Chamber, Xia Duo first touched the portal. It felt like stone, and reaching his hand inside, he could clearly feel the stone's resistance against his hand. He dared not neglect to test it, lest he cause an accident.

"Tower Spirit, applying to read the 【Nether Scroll】!"

"Permission Level granted."

Immediately after, Xia Duo felt his hand go empty. Where he had just been able to touch the stone door, it was now as if he were touching air—his hand reached into the stone door without any obstruction.

Last time, Niya had walked straight in. At the time, Aiboke had introduced that the Secret Chamber was actually in a hidden Semi-plane, not in the physical Library.

Xia Duo felt somewhat excited and also somewhat apprehensive. He took two steps forward, and the scene before his eyes changed abruptly—

This was a fairly spacious circular room. The surrounding walls were stone, and there was no light source, yet it was as bright as day. What met his eyes was a sloped, ring-shaped desk leaning against the wall, surrounding Xia Duo in the center.

There was nothing else on the desk, only fifty Golden Scrolls slightly smaller than A4 paper.

Of course, calling them scrolls at this time was somewhat inappropriate; they were clearly disassembled Golden Pages.

The first time he saw this, Xia Duo's first reaction was not "Wow, Nether Scroll," but "Why does it look so much like the Gold Paper Document of the Pioneers?"

If nothing went wrong, the Gold Paper Document was made in imitation of the Nether Scroll.

Coupled with that 【Pioneer Scepter】 which was immune to mind-affecting spells, the Princess had indeed spent a fortune for the Pioneers.

(End of chapter)