Chapter Forty-Two: Reunion with the Lady

Zhao Xu never expected that there was actually a mage hidden within this arena.

The male mage was not heavily cloaked; his appearance was fully revealed, a young man of Eastern features, not yet thirty.

But what drew Zhao Xu’s attention was—did the man seem somewhat incredible?

Only just now had Zhao Xu recovered from that sensation of having all the energy drained from his body.

He hadn’t anticipated that within a single round, he would manage to cast two spells back-to-back.

“Lei An, I haven’t handed him over to you yet. What’s it to you?” Antinoia looked at the young mage with clear displeasure.

“Hey, hey, he’ll be transferred to me by Midsummer soon anyway. Shouldn’t you give me an explanation now?” Lei An persisted.

“How could he possibly cast ‘Ray of Frost’ under the effect of ‘Quicken Spell’ when he’s not yet at the required level?”

“And besides, you can’t just cast a metamagic feat you haven’t learned, so in theory, he shouldn’t be able to use ‘Quicken Spell,’ right? Not to mention, by my count, he should’ve run out of spell slots at the end.”

Lei An rattled off several questions in rapid succession, clearly impatient.

“You’re making a fuss over nothing,” Antinoia mocked. “Our use of potential points is far beyond what a rookie who hasn’t even reached legendary status like you could comprehend.”

Lei An, however, showed not the slightest hint of embarrassment at her words.

He turned to glance at Zhao Xu and continued, “He’s my student now; I need to know his situation, right? Are you saying your potential points can do more than just restore spell slots?”

“That’s right. But Lei An, the next information is top secret. If you leak it, you’ll bear the consequences,” Antinoia replied impatiently.

At this, Lei An’s curiosity surpassed even Zhao Xu’s, his manner suddenly like that of a novice eager to learn.

He nodded quickly. “I understand, I understand. Don’t worry, once my curiosity is satisfied, I’ll erase the memory.”

With that, he strode over to Antinoia, stopping three meters away.

At the same time, he beckoned Zhao Xu over as well.

Zhao Xu, still bewildered, walked over. When he was within three meters of Lei An, the latter’s expression grew serious, and he began to chant a spell.

The incantation was brief, and before Zhao Xu could even take a few breaths, a shimmering, opaque sphere appeared around the three of them, with Lei An at its center.

The surface of the sphere shimmered with iridescent colors, like a soap bubble blown to its fullest.

Suddenly, Zhao Xu inhaled deeply as memories from his past life surged forth.

He stared at Lei An in astonishment and asked, “Prismatic Sphere?”

“You rascal, don’t tell me you’re trying to run before you can walk. Just level one and you’re already interested in ninth-level spells?” Zhao Xu could only give an awkward smile.

The strongest defensive spell among ninth-level magic—Prismatic Sphere—was famous among players.

No spell could penetrate it, no weapon could break it. A mage shielded by this was more impregnable than a turtle’s shell.

But what could possibly call for such a powerful spell here?

Lei An immediately understood that Zhao Xu didn’t know why he had cast it.

He chuckled. “So you only know half the story. Within a Prismatic Sphere, nothing inside can be detected, traced, or divined.”

Zhao Xu raised his eyebrows. So it was for secrecy, but what a steep price to pay.

In his previous life, he’d scarcely seen any high-level spells; yet in this life, the game had barely begun and they were already being cast one after another.

The disparity in magical resources was truly vast—some parched to death, others drowning in abundance.

Once Lei An had finished casting the spell, Antinoia finally explained, “Potential points can simulate metamagic feats.”

“He used one point to recover a spell slot, another to simulate the Quicken Spell feat, and then three more to reduce a fourth-level spell slot down to first level.”

Hearing this, Lei An’s eyes nearly bulged. “You potential point holders are outrageous—unlimited spell slots are one thing, but you can also endlessly simulate metamagic feats? So all the benefits in the world are yours?”

“Jealous?” Antinoia retorted coldly.

Zhao Xu noticed then that whether before the elderly mage named Mokar, or now before Lei An, Antinoia maintained an icy, distant manner.

Only with him had she shown any warmth at all.

“I wouldn’t dare. Still, the president really could’ve briefed me more thoroughly before assigning this task—now I’ve had to burn a ninth-level spell slot,” Lei An grumbled.

“So, I’ll be taking over the kid now?”

By this time, the transparent shell of the Prismatic Sphere surrounding them was already beginning to dissolve.

“Yes, Midsummer, your basic mage training ends here. From now on, you’ll follow Lei An,” Antinoia said.

“He’s our liaison with the temple. He’ll take you to begin your priesthood rites. And as for your potential points, they’re spent for now, but don’t worry, you’ll get plenty more in the future.”

Zhao Xu froze, momentarily ignoring the “Potential Points: 0/5” on his character sheet, and hurriedly asked,

“Mentor, you won’t be teaching me anymore?”

“Your mentor has had some altercations with a few old men next door at the temple—relations aren’t so good. That’s why I’ll take you for your priesthood initiation, and then we’ll return,” Lei An interjected.

Antinoia offered no further explanation; after a glare at Lei An, she vanished with a teleportation spell.

Though Zhao Xu knew they would meet again, he still felt a pang of bittersweet farewell, as though two wanderers were parting ways on the open road.

After Antinoia disappeared, Lei An turned to Zhao Xu and said solemnly, “Let’s introduce ourselves first.”

“My name is Lei An, twentieth-level mage. First, I serve as the liaison officer for the Arthur Mage Association at the Temple of the Goddess of Magic. Second, I am also a liaison for the Final Scroll.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xu nodded. Antinoia had said nothing, but her actions made it clear—he could trust this man.

“Midsummer, first-level mage, dual elite, member of the Arthur Mage Association, and of the Final Scroll.”

“Good, Midsummer. Let’s clarify your current progress,” Lei An said, regarding Zhao Xu intently.

“Next, the organization will arrange for you to be ordained as a priest at the temple. Your mage studies are only missing weapon proficiency and some skills. Since the priesthood training covers these, we’ll handle them there—especially as priests train more with weapons and armor. The rest of your skill training will come at the end.”

“Any questions about your next steps?”

Zhao Xu shook his head. “No.”

“But, Mr. Lei An, may I ask something?”

“Go ahead.”

“That duel just now—why was it arranged?” Zhao Xu inquired.

Lei An’s usually carefree manner turned serious for a moment.

“Wasn’t it just for some practical training?”

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Zhao Xu pressed.

“Alright, but you have to keep it a secret,” Lei An said, glancing around as if wary of eavesdroppers.

He scanned the area with just his eyes, as though forgetting he was a mage and could use magic for that.

“This secret, I only learned after becoming an... well, never mind, I’m just middle management, not a big boss in the organization. All combat members of the Final Scroll take part in this ritual.”

“The main purpose is to show you that high-level mages have countless ways to kill you. So if you run into one, run as far and as fast as you can—or get someone stronger to deal with them.”