Chapter 595: Expected and Unexpected

These four goals for the first phase of the Tower of Time's transformation were a relatively prudent transformation plan arrived at only after repeated discussions between Xia Duo, Saixili, and several other Intermediate Mages.

After finishing these small goals, Xia Duo carefully observed the expressions of everyone in the conference room; some were secretly pleased, some were bewildered, but most were just calm faces.

No one had any questions?

Xia Duo had, of course, considered this situation. He glanced toward a corner of the conference room where the members of the Progress Society were located. Their eyes met, and Dien immediately understood, rising to ask:

"Lord Xia Duo, is it true what you just said about reducing or waiving the borrowing fees for some books? Do we have a chance as well?"

"Of course it is true!" Xia Duo said affirmatively. "However, only books concerning the nature of the Magic Net and the Principles of spells are within the scope of the reduction. Later, I will designate a special reduction section in the Library for everyone to choose from."

The nature of the Magic Net and the Principles of spells actually refer to the theoretical part of Magic; together with Magic techniques (spells), they constitute the entire concept of Magic.

In reality, the theoretical part alone can also bring power.

Xia Duo was willing to open these up almost for free. Although in his view this was an inevitability of development, for the Mages of Netheril, it was undoubtedly a great benefit.

This was actually part of the Arcanist cultivation plan, but Xia Duo's main target was not these Official Mages, but rather the Apprentices of the Tower of Time who could not appear in this conference room.

Apprentices are basically under 20 years old, young, and have active minds, making them the most suitable targets for cultivation, while these Official Mages, except for a few who are younger, are basically approaching forty or fifty.

Having reached such an age without becoming a High Mage, their potential is limited after all. Of course, Xia Duo did not rule out the possibility of late bloomers, but the probability of that was truly too small.

He did not believe the Tower of Time could produce such a person.

However, since Apprentices could have fees waived, it would be unreasonable if Official Mages could not, and coupled with that tiny bit of expectation for so-called late bloomers, Xia Duo opened the waivers to all members.

……

With Dien starting it off, people kept standing up to ask Xia Duo questions. No abnormal situations occurred, nor were there any intense issues; this was, of course, because the first phase of the transformation mainly involved Apprentices.

The Official Mages might realize something, but in the end, it didn't have much to do with them, and they actually received quite a few benefits.

Even the Audit Department, specifically targeting the Private Research Labs of Intermediate Mages, could provide convenience for various Intermediate Mages in project applications, in addition to auditing and calculating the special investments allocated by the Tower of Time.

At least the process became simpler.

Except for those who intended to play little tricks, normal people would not reject the Audit Department.

Or rather, even if one had the intention to play some little tricks, it was impossible to say it out in front of all the Mages. After all, auditing is a right that the Tower of Time officially possesses. The only one who could probably object was Niya, but what reason did she have to object?

Therefore, except for one Intermediate Mage who asked about the function of the Audit Department, which Xia Duo explained, no one asked anything further.

Regarding the four small goals of the first phase of the Tower of Time's transformation, what everyone cared about most was actually the issue of fee waivers for borrowing books from the Library, and most of the questions were concentrated in this area.

Regarding this, Xia Duo had long been prepared and answered them one by one.

……

After a long time, the conference room finally quieted down. Everyone knew that the transformation of the Tower of Time was a foregone conclusion, and they cast their gazes toward Xia Duo, who accepted them calmly.

"Everyone, I hope to witness the smooth transformation and march toward glory of the Tower of Time together with you all. Regarding the soon-to-be-established Apprentice Management Office and the Audit Department, these two departments need your support. If you wish to serve in them, you can contact me through the Tower Spirit."

After saying this, Xia Duo announced the end of the meeting.

This meeting had basically proceeded according to his will and expectations. The only thing that surprised him somewhat was that Sanduer had not only attended but also did not oppose him, and even cooperated by asking a harmless question.

This actually left some of the backup plans Xia Duo had prepared with no use, as if he had punched into empty air. People are sometimes like this; when things go exactly as they wish, they are somehow dissatisfied.

However, what will happen to Sanduer in the future still depends on the actual situation. If he truly continues to perform well, then Xia Duo would have no need to deal with him, and rewarding him is not even impossible.

……

After leaving the conference room, Xia Duo first went to the Library to temporarily seal off one of the sections, preparing to reopen it as the reduction section.

Afterward, he returned to his residence, preparing to organize a list of books for the waivers based on his own experience. He had already been doing this before, but it was not yet finished.

And even if it were finished, it would only be the first step. A list is a list, and books are books; the books also need to be organized, weeding out some irrelevant content.

For example, large volumes of travelogues, diaries, and the like.

What Xia Duo truly wanted was actually a set of "standard textbooks from zero foundation to becoming an Arcanist," but he also knew that it was unrealistic to obtain it in a short time, so he could only use the books currently in the Tower of Time first.

It would not be too late to rewrite a set of standard textbooks when there is time and conditions in the future.

Just as he was checking off items while comparing the book list provided by the Tower Spirit, and observing the atmosphere inside the Tower of Time through the Tower Spirit's projection, he suddenly received a Sending from Niya—

"Come to the Study!"

Back so early? It's only morning!

Xia Duo was somewhat surprised. When he was communicating with Niya last night, she said she would be back in the evening because she usually attends remedial classes at Giles Tower during the day, which is a task arranged by her teacher and would not easily change.

He didn't know why she was back already!

Although he had some doubts, Xia Duo did not overthink it. He tidied up his desk a little and then rose to head to the top floor of the Tower of Time, to Niya's Study.

……

When Xia Duo arrived at Niya's Study, besides Niya herself, he also saw Aiboke, Depake, and Saixili. Upon seeing these people, Xia Duo roughly knew what Niya wanted him for.

It couldn't be anything other than the transformation of the Tower of Time.

"Xia Duo, long time no see!" Niya took the initiative to greet him.

"Uh—" Xia Duo was stunned.

It had indeed been a long time since the two of them had met face-to-face in reality; it was back when they were in Seventon, over a month ago, even though they were in contact almost every day!

But Xia Duo quickly reacted and also said, "Long time no see!"

*Cough*—

Aiboke watched the strange performance of the two and couldn't help but cough lightly, "Niya, you just said you brought some books back from Giles Tower?"

Xia Duo hadn't arrived earlier and was unaware of what they were discussing, but listening to Aiboke, Niya had brought books back from Giles Tower again?