Chapter 76: Insider Information

Under the gaze of the third-tier mage, Shaoke even felt the urge to lower his head and avoid the other's line of sight. However, relying on the tenacious attitude from his previous life and his current sense of pride as a mage, he was unwilling to simply bow his head and evade. Fortunately, the other only gave a brief glance; otherwise, Shaoke wasn't sure if he could have withstood that terrifying gaze.

After the third-tier mage left, the mages began to trickle out in small groups. Shaoke leaned on a nearby chair, closed his eyes for a moment, and recalled the strange intensity in that mage's eyes.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" The representative chosen by the mages saw Shaoke with his eyes closed, leaning on the back of the chair, and came over to ask.

Shaoke opened his eyes and looked at the young, handsome mage. "It's nothing, I just felt a bit unwell earlier. I'm fine now." The young mage nodded, indicating that if Shaoke needed anything, he could come to him, as he was happy to help others.

After the young mage left, Shaoke pulled his cloak tighter, picked up his staff, and prepared to leave. Just then, the curtain was lifted, and a third-tier black-robed mage walked in from outside.

Seeing it was the same third-tier mage from earlier, anger flared up in Shaoke. He hadn't expected the other to use his third-tier status to intimidate him like that, causing the frustrations he had been suppressing since returning to the capital to suddenly erupt. He tightened his grip on his staff, finally remembering that the other was a third-tier mage and managed to restrain his impulse. "Respected mage, do you have any instructions?"

The third-tier mage smiled. "Mage Xueye, according to the records, that's correct, isn't it?" He gestured for Shaoke to sit down first. "I apologize for what I did earlier. There was a reason for it."

Shaoke clenched his staff firmly, hesitated for a moment, and then sat down, waiting for the other's explanation.

The third-tier mage nodded, sat opposite Shaoke, and examined him carefully. "I heard from the officer at your branch that you have already learned the second-tier spell 'Death Gaze'?" Seeing Shaoke about to shake his head in denial, the mage chuckled. "Don't rush to deny the facts. Actually, the military can easily check what spells you've learned by asking at the library. Although you haven't practiced this spell in the training grounds, you may not know that this spell has some very unique properties."

After hearing the explanation, Shaoke temporarily suppressed his resentment over his low strength and his dissatisfaction with the mage before him. He asked doubtfully, "What's so special about it? Why wasn't it mentioned on the transcription scroll?"

The third-tier mage smiled. "Any mage who has mastered the 'Death Gaze' spell can sense each other's presence through nearby magical fluctuations." He looked up at the several crystal lamps hanging from the top of the tent and continued, "Few mages practice this spell nowadays, not only because it's difficult to master but also because its effective range is too limited. Many people discard it after seeing the casting distance."

Shaoke nodded. If he hadn't originally intended to use the 'Death Gaze' spell to surprise any warriors who got too close, he would never have practiced such a difficult and rarely used spell. Hearing the third-tier mage's words, he felt there was some logic to his earlier choice; otherwise, the other wouldn't have specifically sought him out for this conversation.

Seeing Shaoke lost in thought, the third-tier mage smiled. "Although this spell has a limited range, it is especially important for us mages on the battlefield. You can never be sure if the warriors protecting you might overlook enemy-thrown spears or arrows, nor can you confirm whether powerful enemy warriors can break through the blockade. So, the last line of defense for mages on the battlefield still relies on themselves. Thus, 'Death Gaze' is an excellent choice."

Shaoke felt that what this mage said was almost identical to his own earlier thoughts, but he still didn't understand what special effects the spell had. "But what special effects does this spell have? Although I haven't practiced it for long, I haven't noticed any other effects."

The mage shook his head. "The effects of this 'Death Gaze' are known to more advanced mages. When I served in another army, a sixth-tier mage there told me about it." The third-tier mage's expression turned distant for a moment. "Although many high-rank mages know the effects of this spell, the increasingly complex meditation methods cause many to fail. I don't know if I'll ever be able to learn the advanced version of 'Death Gaze'."

Shaoke twirled his staff. "So, the special aspect you mentioned is that some high-rank mages are unable to learn its subsequent spells?"

"No. Its special feature lies in being able to construct its complete spell matrix within the meditation space, maintaining it continuously with mental or magical power. Once achieved, it can almost be considered an instant-cast spell, and the mental and magical power consumed is only slightly more than that of a same-tier spell." The third-tier mage shook his head at Shaoke's impatience. "You should learn to wait. After all, you are a mage."

Shaoke secretly curled his lip, thinking that if you had told me about this technique earlier, I wouldn't be so impatient.

"If I want you to teach me how to maintain this spell matrix in the meditation space, what price do I need to pay?" Shaoke looked at the smiling mage before him, wanting to know the possible cost.

The third-tier mage shook his head, pointing at their respective robes. "No, we are both mages under the military. Our robes are the same color. Why would I need you to pay a price?"

Shaoke couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Then will you teach me this technique now? After all, we are comrades." He looked at the mage with hopeful eyes.

Seeing Shaoke's expression, the mage's mouth twitched slightly. "Mage Xueye, as long as you agree to join our army after advancing to the third tier, I would be very willing to teach you that method."

After hearing the condition, Shaoke thought for a moment. "Does the battlefield really need that many mages? If I remember correctly, mages on the battlefield are not allowed to attack ordinary soldiers, and the Archers who could threaten mages wouldn't target us either. Why do you still go to such lengths to recruit mages for the battlefield? And the number of mages who die there is not small."

The third-tier mage smiled bitterly. "Do you think someone of my rank would know these details? I once asked a seventh-tier mage, and he told me that only mages above the ninth tier know the specifics. He only had a vague idea and didn't tell me much." He sighed softly and changed the subject. "Mage Xueye, what is your decision?"

Shaoke thought for a moment. "Can you tell me what you know? I think if that seventh-tier mage told you, he wouldn't mind it spreading among insiders. Respected mage, what do you think?" After boldly raising this potentially risky question again, Shaoke waited uneasily for the other's response.

"You're right. All the mages in this army know some of the details. We learned from that seventh-tier mage that mages who haven't been to the battlefield will eventually be abandoned by those high-rank mages. Both the Mage Guild and the Military Mage Corps have made this decision. However, such rumors are kept secret among us, and not many actually believe them." The third-tier mage let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Moreover, we don't know how long we need to stay in the army before there are signs that we won't be abandoned by the higher-ups and the high-rank mages."

The third-tier mage shook his head, ignoring Shaoke who was lost in thought. He took out a thick piece of parchment from his robe, unfolded it, and handed it to him. "This is an agreement made by a seventh-tier mage. Once you imprint your mental imprint on it, unless your strength surpasses that of the creator, even if you flee to an enemy country, I think we still have ways to bring you back." He sighed softly. "Back then, I was threatened by that sixth-tier mage into signing this agreement. To this day, I still have to serve in this army until I reach the fifth tier or recruit twenty third-tier mages for this army before I can leave."

Shaoke took the agreement and examined it. The general content matched what the mage had said, but it also set a time limit. The agreement Shaoke held had a term of fifty years, along with many more benefits.

Shaoke noticed that it stated that upon reaching certain tiers, medium-grade auxiliary medicinal herbs for that tier would be provided in unlimited quantities, provided the meditation space could withstand it. All these benefits were provided solely by this army and had no relation to the military department. After reading it carefully several times, Shaoke nodded. "Is it enough to just imprint my mental imprint? Does it mean serving in the army for at least fifty years?"

The mage nodded. "Yes. Actually, I advise you to think carefully about whether this is worth it. As for how long, we mages can't be sure, but that seventh-tier mage probably knows. He just never mentions it to us." The mage paused. "Moreover, we can't even confirm whether this rumor is true."

Shaoke nodded. "But not only have you stayed in the army, even that seventh-tier mage has remained." He quickly formed the spell structure, infused it with his mental power, and let the imprint settle onto it.

As the small silver light sphere landed on the parchment, the parchment began to burn slowly, eventually forming a small purple light sphere that floated quietly in the air.

"If you've truly decided, then slowly guide this imprint to any part of your body with your mental power." The mage looked at the floating light sphere with a complex expression and joked, "If you imprint it on your finger, and later decide you don't want to come, you can just cut off that finger, haha!"