Chapter 520: Targeting and Harbingers of War

The other party seemed to be describing the situation of the Netheril Arcanists to their companions, even pointing fingers at the Netheril Arcanist currently dueling an Yierlan Mage on the stage.

They were also seemingly discussing something, their expressions revealing complete confidence.

Looking at those Elf High Mages, they appeared unfathomable, with no unusual expressions visible, though among the several Great Arcanists, some had already clearly shown signs of anger.

It was just that, as if they had thought of something, they forcibly suppressed it.

Soon, this match between Netheril and Yierlan ended with the Netheril side winning, but likewise, the process of this victory was not easy.

Xia Duo nudged Niya's arm and sighed, "It's always Netheril challenging first and then accepting challenges; the format itself is very disadvantageous. Plus, with the deliberate targeting by Yierlan and Cormanthyr, Netheril will likely find it very hard to win the 【Spell Duel】 category."

"Indeed!"

Not knowing when it started, Niya's hands had clenched tightly in nervousness. Hearing Xia Duo's sigh, she couldn't help but sigh as well, filled with doubt, "How did this year's Snow Melting Competition turn out like this?"

As she spoke, she looked at Xia Duo nervously, "Do you think there will be any accidents in the 【Grand Illusion】 and 【Arcane Maze】 categories?"

Although the outcome of the Snow Melting Competition had no direct relation to Niya, she was, after all, a part of Netheril. While she was unclear about what kind of interests were involved behind the Snow Melting Competition, she understood that Cormanthyr's forced inclusion was not just to win a single match.

Although Xia Duo knew there must be interests involved behind the Snow Melting Competition, he could not imagine how great these interests were. Therefore, regarding Niya's question, his answer remained conservative, "It's possible, but your teacher must have considered these things long ago. Let's not worry and just watch the competition in peace."

Although he said this, it was mostly to comfort Niya. In reality, Xia Duo himself felt somewhat uneasy. The case of the Arcane Empire being destroyed in an instant within the Projection Plane was still fresh in his memory; could the current situation be a harbinger of war?

On Earth, there is a very famous "Thucydides Trap," which states that a newly rising great power will inevitably challenge an existing great power, and the existing great power will inevitably respond to this threat, making war unavoidable.

Although Netheril could not yet be considered a rising power, in Xia Duo's view, this trend already existed. The Elves were not fools; they would not let you develop for nothing. Even if they did not engage in direct war, there would certainly be a considerable degree of suppression and infiltration; it was impossible for them to remain indifferent.

Perhaps this was already a critical time node.

Xia Duo did not have a god's-eye view and could not grasp all the details, but based on the information currently at hand, the possibility of war was not small.

……

The first event of the Snow Melting Competition, 【Spell Duel】, involved 10 people from each of the three parties, with each person competing in only two matches, totaling 30 matches. This first day only finished ten matches. By the afternoon, Elkamon announced early that today's competition was over and would continue tomorrow.

On the way back, Xia Duo recalled the ten matches just now. Of course, excluding the three matches where the Elves threw the games, there were actually only seven.

As the number of matches increased, many things became increasingly apparent.

For example, when Elves faced humans, they would always try their best to lure the human Arcanists into deploying Arcane Fire, then damage the Arcane Fire; for example, certain spellcasting habits of Yierlan and Cormanthyr Mages, and so on.

As for Arcane knowledge, Xia Duo did not feel disappointed. Although many elements exceeded the level of the Magic Net he could see, what he could see was also extremely valuable.

If it weren't for the Arcane Competition, which Arcanist would be willing to display such things to him so generously?

While walking, Xia Duo discussed the spell details he had just seen with Niya. When passing by Archmage Greta's tavern, Xia Duo suddenly felt a bit hungry, so he called Niya to enter this tavern, which was more like an academic salon.

This time, Xia Duo took the initiative to order. While waiting for the food to arrive, Xia Duo heard the Mages at the next table discussing this Snow Melting Competition. The other party had not cast a Soundproof Barrier, and of course, their voices were not loud.

"Have you heard? This time at the Snow Melting Competition, Yierlan actually joined forces with Cormanthyr to target us!"

"No way, hasn't the relationship between Yierlan and us humans always been very good?"

"Your news is long outdated. At the beginning of the year, the Yierlan Ambassador caused a scene at the Seven Cities Council. If the relationship were truly good, how could they do such a thing?"

"Really?"

"Of course, a friend of mine's father is a Lord. He represented his father at the Lord's Conference and saw it with his own eyes!"

"Sigh—"

……

Just as he was listening, the waiter brought the food Xia Duo had ordered. He casually cast a Soundproof Barrier, then began to discuss in a low voice with Niya while eating.

"Look, many people now know that Netheril and Yierlan have had a falling out. I really don't know what will happen next!"

"With Teacher here, it shouldn't affect us." Niya's tone was not very certain. Today at the Arena, her teacher remained indifferent to the Elves' obvious match-fixing, and she was not sure if her teacher could truly protect her.

At this moment, she suddenly remembered her great-grandfather, Great Arcanist Saville, who was lost in an Other Plane and about to return. If her great-grandfather were here, he would surely be able to protect her.

It was just that the Tower of Time's Plane Exploration Array, serving as the Space-Time Beacon to guide her great-grandfather's return, had been activated for over half a year, so why hadn't her great-grandfather returned yet?

Niya did not want to think about the worst outcome. Now, all she could do was wait. In matters involving the fate of nations, there was very, very little she, such a small Arcanist, could do.

Such a serious topic was not suitable for discussion while eating. The atmosphere became somewhat dull, so Xia Duo hurriedly changed the subject, "Come with me to the port later."

"The port? You mean a Spellbook?"

"Yes, I plan to craft my own Spellbook. If I have a ready-made one for reference, it should be easier. You haven't crafted your Spellbook yet either, right? If we gain something this time, half of it will be yours."

"No, if we can really obtain a Spellbook, you don't need to give it to me." Niya suddenly became a bit bashful.

Xia Duo found it strange and asked hurriedly, "What's wrong? Don't you want to study it?"

"Sorry, Xia Duo. Although I haven't crafted a Spellbook, my father left his Spellbook to me before entering the Stasis Chamber. The remedial lessons ordered by Teacher haven't been completed yet, so I won't have time to craft another Spellbook in the short term."

"……"

Xia Duo's mouth opened slightly, but he said nothing. What else could he say? He had nothing to say.

Well, Xia Duo was actually just envious and jealous.

……