Chapter 83: Banquet Conversations

Mage Roland believed he had made a mistake in his choice and went to Shaoke to discuss the matter.

Although Shaoke was quite surprised, he tried hard not to let his surprise show on his face. "Mage Roland, how did you know about this? I haven’t heard anyone mention it. The battle yesterday didn't seem that intense to me, so why did a death occur?"

Roland didn't see the reaction he was hoping for on Shaoke's face. "Mage Xueye, I think you still don’t fully understand the other duties of our position." Roland hesitated for a moment before sharing the news he had just received. "Last night, I didn’t sleep. Instead, I spoke with some high-rank mages for a while. They told me that the second-tier mage who died was ambushed by the enemy during yesterday afternoon’s patrol."

Shaoke frowned. "Mage Roland, but what does that have to do with us?" He didn’t quite grasp Roland’s point.

"Mage Xueye, after we serve here for a year, we’ll be like that mage, leading soldiers away from the protection of the city walls to fight enemy troops in the open field. If something like that happens again..." Roland trailed off, shaking his head as if the thought was too dreadful to imagine.

Shaoke adjusted his cloak and looked at Roland. "Mage Roland, are you planning to leave the military like this? To become a free mage affiliated with the Mage Guild or a Mage Corps?"

Roland’s face flushed red with misunderstanding, and he stood up agitatedly. "Mage Xueye, since I’ve already become a military mage, I would never give up that title. I won’t abandon it, no matter how dangerous the situation becomes."

Roland’s hand, gripping his staff, trembled slightly. "Mage Xueye, I just want to switch to a different position within the army, not change my affiliation outside of it." As if to dispel Shaoke’s misunderstanding, he waved his staff to express his displeasure.

Shaoke gave a bitter smile and quickly stood up, motioning for the agitated Roland to sit down, secretly relieved.

After taking a sip of red wine to calm himself, Roland said, "Yesterday, those mages with area-of-effect spells were safely hidden in stone towers much sturdier than the one we were in, protected by squads of high-rank warriors. They didn’t cast a single spell all night. I heard one mage even conducted a small magic experiment inside."

Shaoke could easily hear Roland’s dissatisfaction, but for a moment, he didn’t know how to advise this mage who wanted to transfer to a position using area-of-effect spells.

Shaoke's thoughtful silence brought a glimmer of joy to Roland. He thought Shaoke was also tempted. "Mage Xueye, let’s go together. I heard you’ve mastered two small area-of-effect spells. I don’t think they can refuse such a reasonable request." As he spoke, he straightened his somewhat disheveled robe and refilled his wine glass.

"No, Mage Roland," Shaoke refused without hesitation. "Once I’ve made a choice, I don’t want to change it." He tightened his grip on his staff.

Roland looked puzzled. "Mage Xueye, why won’t you come with us?"

Shaoke frowned. "Mage Roland, I joined the army because I want to eventually become a true battle mage. I don’t want to always hide in one place, relying on warriors to protect me." He paused briefly. "Besides, I still have a year to adapt to life on the battlefield here. I don’t think anything too terrible will happen."

Looking at the stubborn Shaoke before him, Roland felt uneasy. "Mage Xueye, last night, all the other mages have already transferred to positions using area spells. I went too. You’re the only one who hasn’t changed." He felt ashamed for not informing Shaoke of this news sooner.

Shaoke said to Roland, "Mage Roland, please leave for now. I need some quiet. I can make the best decision for myself." He waved his hand, indicating that Roland should leave.

After Roland left, Shaoke quickly calmed his mind and finished recording the events of yesterday’s battle. He didn’t dwell on what Roland had said last, feeling that he must resolutely follow a chosen path without hesitation.

After finishing that, Shaoke still had a lot of work to do. He needed to write letters first, as he had promised to keep in touch.

The first letter he completed was to Physician Eno Swan, who was still in the Misty Forest. Shaoke simply described his new situation here and provided his detailed address. Finally, he asked about Physician Eno’s plans after leaving the Misty Forest and whether he could be of any help.

When writing to Mage Feiyi and Mage Loki, Shaoke hesitated for quite a while before starting. He truthfully recounted everything that had happened on the journey and since arriving here. At the end of the letter, after mentioning that he had accepted the Blizzard Legion’s contract, he wrote: "It turns out I’ve also embarked on the path I once despised, only the service object is different." After writing this, Shaoke didn’t know what else to add. Finally, he hoped the two mages would bless him and enclosed a small box of third-rank medicine given to him by the Blizzard Legion, hoping it might be of some help to them.

The letter to the female mage, Francis Wodun, was the easiest to write. Shaoke only briefly described the situation here in some detail. However, after much hesitation about mentioning the contract with the Blizzard Legion, he decided to tell her only after being promoted to third-tier mage.

After finishing all this, Shaoke hesitated again, then subtly hinted in the female mage’s letter about his longing for her, saying he would strive for early promotion to seek her out.

By the time he finished these tasks, it was already noon. While Shaoke was reading the paper on battlefield precautions given by the elder mage, a soldier knocked on the door, disturbing him. "Honorable Mage, the banquet is about to begin. Please make preparations."

After dismissing the soldier, Shaoke noticed that some mages outside were already heading toward the large tent used for meals. It seemed the banquet would be held there.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Shaoke saw he had become even thinner than before. His eye sockets were sunken, his face pale and gaunt, his lips somewhat chapped. Only his long black hair and constantly shifting eyes remained as they were. Pulling his cloak tightly around him, trying to conceal himself as much as possible, Shaoke then picked up his staff and followed the other mages toward the dining tent.

On the way, he encountered Mage Roland and several other mages who had come with them. Shaoke considered starting a conversation but ultimately dismissed the idea. However, when Roland saw Shaoke, he whispered a few words to his companions, quickened his pace, and caught up. "Mage Xueye, have you decided to change positions?"

Looking at Roland’s hopeful face, Shaoke said, "No, Mage Roland, I don’t want to go to the area spellcasting positions. Thank you for your kindness." Feeling a twinge of jealousy, Shaoke carefully examined the handsome, healthy Roland before him, then quickly turned his head to observe the surroundings and the other mages.

Although disappointed, Roland felt he had made an effort to help a recently met comrade avoid danger. So, while regretting his unsuccessful attempt, he respected the mage’s choice before him, as he had no right to force Shaoke to do anything.

"Well, Mage Xueye, I respect your choice. If you feel unhappy there, you can still change positions, but the time limit is three months. That’s the rule set by the seventh-rank elder mage. It’s said no mage has dared to disobey this order." Roland tried to observe Shaoke’s face hidden beneath the cloak. "Mage Xueye, don’t rush to increase your mana and mental power. Growing them too quickly will further weaken your already frail body. This kind of damage is hard to recover from. Haven’t you been taking the physique-enhancing medicine issued by the military?"

Shaoke shook his head. He took the full dose of physique-enhancing medicine every day, but how could the medicine for second-rank mages compare to third-rank medicine? Still, the second-rank medicine had some effect; otherwise, Shaoke didn’t know how much worse his condition might have become.

"Mage Roland, thank you for the reminder. These past few days, I’ve been so focused on increasing my mental power and mana that I neglected this issue." Shaoke felt somewhat unable to look directly at this mage who kindly cared for him, as he had deceived him.

Roland smiled. "Mage Xueye, I think, no matter what, you should moderately reduce your efforts to increase mana and mental power. Otherwise, your body won’t be able to withstand the growing strain." After saying this, he pointed to the tent ahead, glanced back at his companions, and indicated he should take his leave to accompany them.

When Shaoke arrived at the tent serving as the banquet hall, he found it already furnished with sufficient tables and chairs. Snow-white tablecloths were laden with ample exquisite food. Small barrels of various alcoholic beverages were casually placed on the tables for the mages to choose freely, as there were no servants present to serve.

Shaoke chose an inconspicuous corner to sit, casually opened a small barrel of wine, and began to slowly savor it.

Soldiers continuously added various pastries and snacks to the already well-stocked tables for the mages to enjoy.

After the soldiers had all left, a middle-aged mage stepped to the center. His black robe clearly indicated he was a fifth-tier mage. "Fellow mages, I wish to offer blessings to the young mages who have just arrived, hoping they will have luck like yours." After raising his glass and draining it in one go, he gestured for the mages to enjoy themselves, then hurriedly departed.

————The chapter I missed yesterday will be made up slowly over the next few days. Thank you!