Chapter 77: Being Tested

Shaoke didn't pay attention to the other's jest. After pondering his own situation, he felt this would not only boost his odds of surviving on the battlefield but also let him master spells better through combat, thereby speeding up his advancement. While he didn't fully buy what the mage had just said, he believed he needed to reach at least the Fifth Tier, or even the Sixth Rank, to face those nobles and merchants with enough confidence to negotiate. With this in mind, he no longer hesitated and slowly released his mental fluctuations, guiding the light orb to land on his left arm.

Once Shaoke was done, the mage pulled another scroll from his pouch and said, "Joining the army is far better than serving as a guard for nobles and merchants. Although it's a bit more dangerous here, the subsidies are much better than what the nobles offer." He handed over the scroll. "Here's the technique. Oh, and I should tell you, it's really tough to learn. Many people have failed—not because they lack talent, but because it's too peculiar and seemingly random, making it impossible to grasp its patterns."

Shaoke looked at the mage, whose expression looked somewhat strange, and asked, "When will I receive the advanced medicines you provide? I don't want to rely on the lowest-grade pills issued by the military once I reach the front lines."

The mage straightened his expression and replied seriously, "Since there are no auxiliary medicines for Second Rank mages here, you can take the medicines used by Third Rank mages to the front lines. We issue them once a year." He nodded at Shaoke and sighed softly. "Actually, it's pretty cushy in this unit. A force this small won't be sent to the battlefield—at most, we'll be assigned guard duties in larger cities. However, after three years, we can return to the capital for a year of rest, during which time you're pretty much free from any orders."

Shaoke nodded. "Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

The mage shook his head. "Nothing much. Just be careful on the battlefield. I've encountered two mages who practiced this spell before, but they never managed to advance and ended up staying there for good. Good luck!" With that, he turned and left the large tent serving as the dining hall.

After the Third Tier Mage left, Shaoke stayed in the empty tent for a while, inspecting the mark on his left arm before shaking his head and temporarily setting aside thoughts of the future.

Shortly after returning to his own tent, the Third Tier Mage arrived with a soldier. Taking a small porcelain bottle from the soldier's tray, he handed it to Shaoke and said, "Mage Xueye, I've brought you a small bottle for now. The rest is in a big crate on your wagon. I believe our transaction is complete. Good luck!" He then prepared to leave.

"Respected Mage, I have another request for your assistance," Shaoke said, taking a few steps closer. "Do you have techniques for the 'Blazing Ray' and 'Flame Stone' spells I practice? I remember the agreement said I could receive a free Second-level Spell from you now. Is that correct?"

The Third Tier Mage nodded somewhat awkwardly. "That's right, Mage Xueye. It's mainly 'cause you're new and I've had other things to handle, so I temporarily forgot." He waved for the soldier to leave and asked, "The techniques for the two spells you mentioned aren't available in this army, but there are quite a few Second-level Spells. What type are you looking for?"

Without hesitation, Shaoke replied, "A truly powerful single-target spell exclusive to the military. Respected Mage, I haven't seen any special Second-level Spells in the military library—those spells are all available in the Mage Guild." He stared the mage down, not believing that this Third Tier Mage wouldn't know the powerful spells unique to the military, especially with Fifth Tier and even Seventh Tier Mages present here.

The mage gave a wry smile and nodded. "Yes. Although your request is demanding, I can still make it happen for you." He looked at Shaoke and added, "These spells within the military must never be leaked, not even to the guys you're with now. I trust you understand the reason for this."

Shaoke nodded. "I'll only tell them where I obtained the spell. How does that sound?"

The mage nodded. "Good, that's fine. Once you're on the battlefield, you'll inevitably cast special spells. When they ask, just say you got it from the Blizzard Legion. If you provide proof, you might even come out ahead."

Having long been immersed in magical knowledge, Shaoke had never heard of the Blizzard Legion, but he was familiar with some basic worldly knowledge. "Respected Mage, if I'm not mistaken, this army only has a hundred thousand soldiers. How can it be called a legion?"

The mage tugged awkwardly at his robe. "We are a subordinate unit of the Blizzard Legion. Is there a problem with that?" He stood up. "I'll go find a spell for you now—definitely the most powerful internal spell. But let me remind you, I've only mastered one such spell myself. I assume you've learned a First Tier spell exclusive to the military, so you should have some understanding of this." He turned to go, but added that he wasn't sure when he'd get the spell to him, as he needed to discuss it with other mages and copying it would take time.

After the mage left, Shaoke didn't rush to study the technique he had been given. Instead, he used 'Detect Poison' to check the medicines delivered by the mage before consuming them with relief and beginning his Meditation.

Through meditation, he discovered that this Third Tier medicine was nearly as effective as his own meditation in refining mental and magical power, and its duration was significantly longer than the issued Second Tier medicines—lasting a full one-and-a-half magic hours. This made Shaoke feel that his choice was temporarily worthwhile. He had previously inquired with merchants selling such medicines and was told that the cheapest of these cost two common gold coins.

Shaoke spent the entire night alternating between meditating and taking the pills. After consuming three pills in succession, he found that while his mental space could withstand the impact of the medicine's effects, his slightly smaller magical space began to experience minor turbulence, indicating he could no longer take more.

Before dawn, the soldiers outside the camp began packing up to move out. The commotion of nearly a hundred thousand people preparing to march startled Shaoke awake, leaving him marveling at the scene. He wondered what would happen if even more people gathered together.

After a magic hour of bustling activity, the army of a hundred thousand not only packed up their tents but also distributed simple breakfasts. Biting into the somewhat hard bread ring, Shaoke nearly laughed as he watched the other mages standing in the cold wind, eating the same breakfast as ordinary soldiers. When had noble mages ever been in such a situation, sharing the same conditions and meals as common soldiers?

While secretly amused, Shaoke suddenly sensed someone approaching. Turning, he saw the Third Tier Mage he had just made the deal with, holding a dry, half-eaten loaf of hard bread. Puzzled, Shaoke asked, "Respected Mage, do you have to eat this too?" He glanced again at the hard bread in the mage's hand. "I thought it was just us."

The Third Tier Mage smiled. "In the military camp, only mages of the Sixth Rank and above are entitled to special meals. Everyone else eats the same as the soldiers, including the high-ranking officers." He slowly tore off a piece of bread and tossed it into his mouth. "Did you sleep well last night? You look quite refreshed. You should gradually get used to this kind of life."

Shaoke nodded. "Yes. Is life on the battlefield even harder than this?" He tore off a piece of bread and chewed it vigorously, realizing that the days ahead might not be easy.

The mage shook his head. "It's only like this during marches and battles. Under normal circumstances, it's quite comfortable, ha!" The mage seemed to recall something and couldn't help but chuckle. "Anyway, you'll reach the front lines soon. I'm sure it won't disappoint you." He then indicated that he needed to go reassure the other newly arrived mages, as nearly half of them were standing alone with their hard bread, unsure how to enjoy their breakfast. The Third Tier Mage had to set an example for them.

Breakfast ended with many Young Mages reluctantly accepting their meals. The army didn't linger, urging the mages onto their carriages before the entire force set off along the relatively flat road. The line of wagons arrogantly took up most of the road, forcing many merchant caravans to move aside and make way for the army.

Not long after setting off, a merchant caravan, likely backed by significant influence, stubbornly blocked the road, refusing to yield to the mages' carriages. This angered the cavalry clearing the path ahead. Many of them turned their horses and rode back to the main force, while others returned to join the guards protecting the mages.

Shaoke noticed a middle-aged Blue-robed Mage of the Seventh Rank standing on a carriage, holding an ornate staff radiating powerful magical energy as he disdainfully glared at the caravan ahead.

After the young mages' convoy was blocked, a cavalry unit of several hundred soldiers soon detached from the advancing main force. Upon arrival, they semi-surrounded the Seventh Rank mage. A Bald Brute waved his military saber and shouted, "Which merchant caravan are you from? Clear the road immediately, or you'll be charged with delaying military operations. Now, immediately!"

Seeing the cavalry arrive, the middle-aged Seventh Rank mage twitched his lips and muttered a few words, likely using a spell to convey a message. "Even if you're the military, you can't occupy so much space! We're from the Blue Maple Merchant Guild, and it'll take time to reposition our many carriages."

The Bald Officer curled his lip. "Didn't you hear? This is the military carrying out a mission. Even if you're from the Blue Feather Merchant Guild, clear the road immediately. We're from the Blizzard Legion. Those who delay military operations will be executed!" At his words, the other cavalrymen drew their sabers, awaiting the bald officer's command.

The mage scrutinized the cavalry before him, carefully sensing their strength. His expression suddenly turned uneasy as he realized these cavalrymen all possessed Sixth Rank Aura, with seven or eight, including the bald officer, having Seventh Rank Aura. With so many High-rank Warriors, a single Seventh Rank mage like him stood no chance.

Just then, another Blue-robed Mage hurried to the front and whispered to the Seventh Rank mage for a moment. Finally, the latter stepped down from the carriage with a grim expression and ordered the caravan behind to obediently make ample space for the mages' convoy.

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